#sarah magic makeup

[jjscrybaby]

thinking about being in a long term relationship with rafe and being so in love & happy him.

you have made a home together with love & warmth — and you’ve given him a secure home where his siblings come over. you’re a natural hostess and you love having wheezie, Sarah & John b (and their baby) over

thinking about how grateful he is to you for creating a home that he and his siblings haven’t had 🥹

rafe cameron x fem!reader | fluff | (i named sarah’s baby, not after jj because in ALL my fics he is still alive and thriving, just fluff tbh)

︶︶︶ ⊹ ︶︶ ୨♡୧ ︶︶︶ ⊹ ︶︶

Christmas in Tannyhill has always been magical. There were always expensive gifts under the tree, lights covering the building and an all-you-can-eat buffet on the dining table for lunch. The sight of it was something out of a fairytale, something only rich kids would be able to afford.

The problem was that Ward was never there. He was working. He didn’t buy the gifts, the maids did. He didn’t put up the lights, he hired someone else to do it. He didn’t go to church with the kids, he didn’t help them write their letters to Santa, he didn’t do anything.

Rafe can remember the Christmas that he realised Santa wasn’t real, because the only thing he’d written on his list was for his dad to spend the day with him and his sisters. He’d woken up bright and early and ran down the stairs, expecting for Ward to be sat beside the tree with a grin on his face as he got ready to watch the kids open their presents, but that wasn’t the case. Instead, the maid was there waiting with a bored expression on her face as she waited for the kids to wake up.

You’d always adored Christmas. Your family wasn’t perfect, you didn’t have over-the-top gifts or lights surrounding the entire house but you had the thing the Cameron’s didn’t; you had love. Rafe remembers the first Christmas you spent together, three years ago, you hadn’t spent an entire month’s paycheck on his present, you’d gotten him something meaningful, a scrapbook you’d spent hours making. He cried, he cried for hours, because for the first time ever he felt that love you’re supposed to feel at Christmas time.

“You look beautiful,” he complimented, walking into the kitchen where you were in the middle of pouring cocktails. He wrapped his arms around your waist, kissing your cheek.

“Gonna ruin my makeup,” you warned, but there was a soft smile on your face as you looked back at him. You turned around to face him, hands looping around his shoulders. “How are you feeling?”

“In love,” he smirked, leaning down to kiss your red painted lips.

You giggled, shoving at his chest. “I’m serious. I know this is gonna be a bit weird for you, and for Sarah.”

“We’ve been getting on a lot better, and I didn’t invite them to see Sarah, I invited them to see our niece,” Rafe explained, making you grin.

“Are the cookies ready?” Wheezie appeared in the kitchen, wearing the purple dress you’d forced on her. Rose had finally allowed for her to come visit, so she was staying with you and Rafe for the holidays.

“On the table,” you replied, nodding to the dining room that you and Rafe had never used before.

Half an hour later the doorbell rang, you pretty much ran to get it. Sarah, John B and one-year old Mimi stood there with smiles on their faces. You squealed, taking the chubby baby from Sarah’s arms.

“Merry Christmas,” John B greeted, holding a bottle of wine.

“Merry Christmas, lovebirds,” you replied, leading them inside the house. You kissed Mimi’s cheek before handing her to John B, wanting to greet your boyfriend’s sister properly. You hugged her and she eagerly hugged you back.

Even when Rafe and Sarah didn’t get along, all for good reasons, you and her were always friends. You’d gone to school together, you helped the Pogues out countless times, it was impossible for any of them not to like you. She truly believed that if it weren’t for you Rafe may have never changed, you didn’t believe that; he just needed a push in the right direction.

“Give me her.” Rafe demanded, making you laugh as he held his hands out expectantly for the baby. John B chuckled too, passing her over. It was something you never thought you’d see, John B and Rafe having a civil conversation. John B giving him his child. “Her presents are under the tree.”

“Oh, God,” Sarah laughed. “How many did you get her? We’re trying not to raise her spoilt.”

“Don’t want another one of you, huh?” Rafe asked, a smirk on his face as Sarah stuck her tongue out at him. “The other one’s eating all the cookies.”

Sarah and John B left to go and say hi to Wheezie, leaving you, Rafe and Mimi in the hallway. He was rocking the baby, talking to her about her presents as if she could understand a word he was saying.

“What do you think about… havin’ one of our own of these?” Rafe asked, looking over at you. He looked nervous, something you didn’t see often.

“A baby?” You replied softly. He nodded his head, looking between you and her. “We could just steal that one.”

“We could, not sure Sarah would be too happy about that,” Rafe smirked.

You walked closer to him, his arm gravitating towards your waist to pull you into him. “I’d love to have a baby with you, Rafe. You know that. I’ve wanted that since I was fifteen.”

“Damn, someone’s obsessed,” he teased. You rolled your eyes, poking his cheek. “I love you, a lot. We ain’t ever had someone do stuff like this for us, I mean, you pretty much brought the family back together.”

“No, I didn’t,” you argued. “You did that, baby. You sorted things out with Sarah, you called Rose and demanded her to let Wheez come. You did all this, okay? Don’t give me the credit, all I did was put on a pretty dress and make some cookies.”

“Maybe… maybe we could do this next year, too. If tonight goes well, that is,” he suggested, that nervous tone back.

“It will go well,” you reassured. “Maybe next year we’ll have someone for Mimi to hang out with.”

He looked down at you, eyes full of love. His lips met yours, but only a few seconds later you were interrupted. “Can you not make out in front of my baby?” John B snorted, coming over. “I want to see these presents you got her.”

“We got you something, too,” you laughed, starting to follow him out the room.

“Even better.”

You looked back at Rafe, blowing him a kiss as you went. He stayed put for a moment longer, looking down at his niece. If every Christmas was going to be like this from now on, then maybe he’d stop being such a grinch.

[yasmindifference]

Cheer up prompt #27

An anon and @this-was-a-terrible-idea also requested #27! A popular number apparently lol. I hope you all enjoy! ♡

"--and then Mr. Browsten said that with all the, um, the hullabaloo that it wasn't fair to make us take a test, so he cancelled it."

Tim pauses for breath and Mom hums an encouraging noise. When Dad makes that sound, it means he's not really listening, but he knows Mom's paying attention, even though she hasn't stopped curling her hair. From where he's lying on her bed, he can see her reflection in the vanity mirror, and she's frowning just like he knew she would.

Mom doesn't approve of canceling tests, which means she doesn't approve of Mr. Browsten, because he cancels them all the time.

(Mom says tests are important to know where improvement is necessary. Mr. Browsten doesn't seem to agree.)

"So we watched a documentary instead and it was pretty interesting, it was about puffer fish! Sarah asked what puffer fish have to do with grammar and Mr. Browsten said that learning is its own reward, but I think he just didn't have anything else ready so he took something from Ms. Cappola instead. She's the fifth grade science teacher and I heard her classes watch movies at least twice a week."

Mom tuts, which Tim was expecting, and sets down her curling iron.

"Ridiculous," she mutters. "I don't know why we're paying that school so much in tuition when they can't be bothered to teach you anything. It's a miracle you ever learned to read."

"It's because I'm smart," Tim informs her helpfully, and Mom smiles her special just-for-Tim smile.

"You are," she agrees. "And thank goodness for that. Now, would my smart boy do me a favor?"

Because Tim's smart, he already knows what she's going to ask. He rolls off the bed to his feet. "Curling iron?"

"Yes, please." Mom rolls her chair away from the vanity so he can crawl under it to unplug the curling iron. She plugged it in herself, but that was before she was all dressed up in her expensive dress. "Thank you, Timmy."

"You're welcome," he chirps, crawling back out.

Mom rolls back in front of the vanity, but Tim stays where he is, kneeling next to it so he can watch her put her makeup on. There are a lot of different bottles and brushes and powders involved, but Mom never hesitates. Tim doesn't know how she keeps it all straight.

He likes watching Mom get ready to go out. Sometimes--like tonight--she lets him pick out the jewelry she's gonna wear, and then she chooses her dress and hair and makeup all based on what he picked. Even when the colors don't match, it all fits together like a puzzle...a puzzle she pieces together in seconds after Tim's impulsive choice.

It's really cool.

Tonight, Tim picked pretty, dangly earrings with some kind of red stone (ruby, Mom said when he asked), so Mom picked a black dress. She said it would make the earrings pop, which he didn't get until he saw her wearing it.

Now, he watches her choose lipstick as red as the earrings and asks, "Does the lipstick make the earrings pop, too?"

Mom finishes smoothing it on before she smiles at him. "You tell me."

Tim studies her. The lipstick matches the earrings, but it doesn't draw attention to them the way the plain dress does. He already watched her do her eye stuff, and her eyes look bigger somehow, but they're not colorful like they were when they all went to the opera last week.

"No," he decides. "You went new...neutral?" He waits for her slight nod of confirmation, then continues, encouraged, "You went neutral with your eye stuff and red with your lipstick to make your lips pop."

"Very good," Mom says, smiling. She cups his cheek briefly before turning back to the vanity. "Clever boy."

Tim beams and watches in fascinated silence as she uses some kind of powder. Even though he's staring right at her, he can't tell what the powder actually does. All he knows is that when she's done, her face looks...different. Still pretty, but kinda sharper somehow.

Makeup is like magic, he decides. No matter how many times he watches her get ready, he can never figure it out.

"Can I try?" he asks impulsively.

"Try what?" Mom asks, a little distracted. The cap on one of her bottles is stuck and she's struggling to open it.

"Your makeup!" Tim takes the bottle from her and opens it by using the hem of his shirt to grip it better. Mom can't do that, her dress is all shiny and slippery. "You look pretty, I wanna try."

Mom pauses and then smiles.

"I don't have long before I have to leave," she warns him, "but I don't see why not. Do you want to pick out some lipstick?"

Tim absolutely does. He levers to his feet as, across the room, Dad finally stirs. He's been reading some stuff his assistant from Drake Industries brought by earlier, ignoring them both, but now he says, "Janet" in a weird tone.

"Jack?" Mom asks, even as she directs Tim's attention to the little circles on the bottom of her lipstick tubes that show what color they are. She has a lot of options.

"Janie, really," Dad says. He sounds unhappy, and Tim looks up from comparing two different shades of pink to find him frowning. "You can't mean to let our son--"

He stops mid-sentence and Tim bites back a wince. Dad's in trouble; Tim hasn't seen that look on Mom's face since he told her about his last nanny giving him whiskey to help him sleep when he woke up from bad dreams.

"My son," Mom says very deliberately, "is welcome to express himself however he likes."

Is trying makeup expressing himself? Tim just wants to see if it makes him as pretty as it does Mom.

Either way, that's not a good tone. Tim looks down and concentrates really hard on picking out a lipstick.

"Janet," Dad tries again, weakly. He obviously knows he's in Big Trouble, but for some reason he hasn't apologized yet. Tim tries to psychically tell him to cut his losses and back down, but his telepathy apparently still hasn't kicked in, because Dad says, "It's just that--"

"Do you know what you want to try, sweetheart?" Mom asks, completely ignoring Dad.

Tim looks between his parents, decides to let Dad dig his own grave, and hands Mom the red he settled on.

(If it's the red that most closely resembles the red in Robin's uniform...well, it's not like Mom has any way of knowing that.)

"Excellent choice!" Mom says. She stands up from the vanity and pats her chair. "Take a seat."

Tim does, excited. He's not usually allowed to sit at Mom's vanity.

Lipstick, he learns quickly, feels really weird. He has to sit super still while Mom puts it on him, and it makes his lips feel weirdly heavy, like there's something on them.

Which there is, actually, so...he doesn't know what he was expecting.

Mom hands him a tissue so he can "blot" his lips, just like he's seen her do a million times, and then steps aside so he can see his reflection in the mirror.

"Whoa," Tim says, leaning closer. He makes a few faces, pushing his lips together and out, transfixed by how bright and noticeable they are. It doesn't make him pretty like Mom, but he likes how it looks anyway. "Cool."

Behind him, Dad throws up his hands and leaves the room. He's angry, Tim can tell, but Mom is smiling down at him, so Tim's not worried.

"Do you want to pick eyeshadow next?" she asks.

"Yes, please!"

Prompt #27 was experimentation! Well selected! ♡♡

[pedge-page]

Joel Dealing with Sarah: Super Woman, Super Wife

- - - -

Little Sarah having a blast today going to the park then meeting with friends then getting ice cream, just pure summer fun all day with Dad as her chauffeur. Until it's night time and she's in her car seat and suddenly remembers something, looks around desperately, and starts panicking:

She lost her favorite squishmellow.

Starts screaming and crying and kicking her feet, and Joel is freaking out because it's literally the only thing she sleeps with, carries around 24/7, in the mud and in the pool, to bed and to dinner, and if she lost it.... its all hell. And he knows it probably fell out of the car on the road at some point today as she got in and out of the back. The chances of finding it all torn up and squished into the asphalt are slim as is.

You get a frantic 3 calls from Joel. When you pick up, you hear uncontrolled wailing in the background.

"Joel I can't hear you! What's going on?"

"ITS ALL FUCKING HELL BREAKING LOOSE!" He shouts into the receiver, one finger plunged deep into his ear canal while pressing his phone into the other.

"Im coming home! Just wait for me!"

-

You rush through the door, a raucous of fat tears and inconsolable shrieks greeting you. Joel is literally burying Sarah in a mountain or her stuffed animals trying to calm her. He thinks youre gonna run towards them and give her a big hug and do SOMETHING Mommy Magical. Instead, you run upstairs without greeting them.

Joel keeps trying, his ears ringing, ready to just duct tape her mouth shut. Nothing is giving her any peace unless it's her one of a kind, super soft , special, best friend, s--

"SQUISHY!!!"

As Sarah reaches forward, smiling for the first time all afternoon, Joel sees you approaching excitedly, waving her pristine and glorious squishmellow. His daughter grasps it tightly and hugs it with all her might.

"How the hell did you find it?" Joel asks you. He's beyond fucking amazed. His superhuman, super hero, magician of a wife never once failing to deliver. He thinks you should write a book on your powers. "How did you get it so clean??"

As Sarah reunites with her Squishy, you take Joel upstairs to the back of your closet, in a high reach inconspicuous box labeled "for emergencies only". He always assumed it was an extra stash of bandaid, or maybe some special makeup in case you get a random case of acne.

You open the mysterious cover and reveal 10 vacuumed sealed, brand new, unopened squishmellows EXACTLY like the one Sarah has downstairs.

"You thought I just bought one the first time?" You chuckle at Joel's jaw dropped expression, probably marveling at what a fucking genius you are.

Though when you two return downstairs, your heart stops for a moment as Sarah suspiciously eyes her seemingly "rescued" plush from afar. Narrow eyes of distrust on its gleaming perfect unstained, brightly colored body, as if she can smell it's factory newness, false nose, and her scheming parents...

Thankfully, she shrugs and goes back to feeding it her dinner at the table. You and Joel let out a sigh of relief.

[fbfh]

curiosity is a wonderful thing - ch 8

wc: 3.1k

genre: slowburn, friends to lovers, fluff

pairing: audrey x ben, mal x ben????, eventual ben x daughter of alice!reader

warnings: audrey being a lil bitch again, mind control/hypnosis magic, implanted thoughts, minor emotional manipulation from mal

summary: disappointed again by Audrey's motivations, Ben prepares for a huge tourney match. But something - or someone - becomes very distracting all of a sudden.

song recs: the king - sarah kinsley, mind control - topsecret, do it for her - steven universe soundtrack

a/n: so we took in a stray cat (orange ofc) and he literally did this to me the other day???? peak orange cat behavior tbh. not my pic if that wasn't obvious

TAGS @yesv01 @magcon7280 @hopefullhearts @thatawkwardlittlefangirl @sunshineangel-reads @dustyinkpages @inejsknifes @tulipmagnoliaisme @ev3ningrain

“So, where’s bunny?” Audrey asks Ben as they head to the tourney field. She says his nickname for you with a note of venom. Even though it rarely happens, whenever someone else refers to you as bunny it always hits Ben’s ear wrong. 

“She’s probably just running late,” Ben says, “nothing out of the ordinary.” 

He says it sweetly. You three were supposed to meet up before the match today, but Ben figures you probably took a wrong turn, or got tied up in a project. Ben covers for you like that a lot. He doesn't mind at all, and since he can't go with you to Wonderland, he feels like this is the next best thing. Or the least he can do, he supposes.

“Well great, that's…” Audrey starts, trailing off as she gets distracted by a group of girls. More specifically, by how amazing their hair is. She tries to pay attention to what Ben is going on about this time, but their hair… it’s too distracting. It looks photoshopped. It looks like the hair they use in salon ads and shampoo commercials. She glares at them, her gaze venomous until she realizes her eyebrows are all scrunched up. She snaps out of it, smoothing out her face. First not just one person with better hair than her, but multiple girls with hair so much better than hers that she’s going to get wrinkles over it? What’s next, mixing patterns? Unblended eyeshadow? Orthopedic shoes?

“Do you think they actually paid for those?” She spits conspiratorially.

“D- uh, they- they might have…” Ben sputters at the sudden change of topic, following her gaze and trying to figure out what exactly has got Audrey in such a bad mood suddenly. 

“She did it to Jane’s hair too,” Audrey continues in that tone she only gets when spreading gossip. “And Fairy Godmother’s not happy about it.”

Oh. She’s talking about their hair. 

The realization dawns on Ben, and he takes a closer look at the group of girls. The girl on the left’s new color and style remind him a lot of yours. It looks good. Ben glances back at Audrey, realizing she’s this upset over someone else’s hair.

“I mean… what’s the harm?” Ben starts gently. From what you’ve told him about Mal and Evie, Mal is probably just trying to make friends with the makeup and fashion tips she’s picked up from Evie - and as far as Ben’s concerned, that’s something that should be encouraged. Before he can finish his thought, Audrey interjects, as she so often does when the conversation isn’t about her.

“It’s gateway magic!” She exclaims incredulously, as if this should be obvious to him. 

Gateway magic? That’s… not a thing… Ben thinks, wondering for a fraction of a second if Audrey might be joking. The only reason that magic is retired in the first place is because of the technology boom that came from Auradon’s alliance with Atlantis. All the new technology can do pretty much anything magic can do in people’s day to day lives. 

Aside from that, it’s also much easier to regulate and add in safety precautions. Most people have become more interested in exploring and expanding new technologies than focusing on magic and its traditions. Ben has a feeling that in the coming years, magic will eventually begin to be re-incorporated into society, but for now, it’s somewhat obsolete. Technology is easier to learn, gets more consistent results, and you don’t need to dig through ancient texts for information - one quick Doogle search and you’re good to go. 

“I mean, sure, it starts with the hair.” Audrey continues, and Ben can sense a tangent coming. “Next thing you know it’s the lips, then the legs, then the clothes, and then everybody looks so good, and…”

As he listens, Ben starts to see her point. If using magic to alter the way you look becomes common, it could have dire consequences. Adolescence is a fragile time, and if cosmetic alterations start running rampant at Auradon Prep, who knows how detrimental that could be to the student body’s self image and self esteem? The last thing Ben wants is to contribute to misogynistic, unrealistic beauty standards, give young girls even more unattainable ideologies to compare themselves to. 

He’s sure Mal is well intentioned with all this makeover stuff, and he doesn’t want to punish her for efforts to make friends - solve one problem by causing another. If he can just talk to her, have a heart to heart and explain why he’s concerned, he’s sure she’ll understand. That way they can collaborate, come up with a solution for how Mal can make friends without doing anything that could inadvertently create a negative aftermath. 

“...Then where will I be?” 

Audrey’s voice breaks Ben’s momentary, spiraling train of thought. He looks at her as she pouts, fussing with her own hair. She pulls out a compact mirror and begins inspecting her face. The realization that Audrey is only worried about herself yet again sends a flash of disappointment through him. Maybe if things were different he could talk to her about it, maybe he could get her to understand. But he still has a tourney game to get ready for, a meeting with his parents after that, and a new potential crisis to put out. 

“Listen, Audrey-”

Either she doesn’t hear him, or she doesn’t want to, and cuts him off again - something Ben starts to realize he’s growing very used to. She snaps her compact shut and looks at him vaguely, digging around her bag for her plumping lip gloss. She makes a mental note to get more, the extreme plumping kind if she wants to get ahead of all this magic beauty bullshit on the horizon.

“I will see you after my dress fitting for coronation, ‘kay?”

“O-Okay…” Ben replies, but Audrey is already bounding away.

“Bye bennyboo.” She calls out behind her, leaving Ben alone in the hall. He feels himself cringe a little at her repeated use of the nicknam, but reprimands himself. It’s well intentioned - well enough at least - so he shouldn’t be judgemental. 

Behind him in the empty hall, Mal stands, staring at the back of Ben’s head intently. She steadies herself with a breath. She’s been practicing on the birds outside her window - she even practiced on Carlos a few times - she’s been pouring over her mom’s spellbook nonstop since yesterday, she’s ready. She has to be. She takes a breath and walks forward, clearing her throat. 

“Hey bennyboo!” She says, sarcastic and saccharine. 

Ben turns around, startled by the sound of Mal’s voice, and bites back a sigh. He really wishes people would just call him Ben. Before he can greet her, Mal takes a few steps closer, locking eyes with him, and holds up a baggie of cookies that look very… homemade. 

“Do you want one?”

He looks at the cookies briefly, then smiles at Mal. It seems a little strange that she would take up something like baking when she refuses to even take an art class, but Ben is too distracted by the fact that she’s finally putting a good foot forward. She’s doing something kind, making a gesture, she’s trying.

“Oh,” he chuckles, smiling and trying to find a polite way to decline. He never eats right before a tourney match, especially dessert. 

“I uh,” he starts, fumbling for words that always come so easily. “I’ve got a big game - I don’t eat before a big game, but thank you so much!” He adds quickly, her eyes locked onto his. Have they always been that green? 

“T-thank you. Next time, next time definitely.” He concludes. He should go. He needs to go warm up or he’s going to be late. Why is he still standing there?

“No, yeah.” Mal says, pulling his thoughts back to her. If her eyes had always been so intense, such a vibrant, glowing green, Ben is sure he would have noticed before. “I completely understand.”

Mal smiles sadly. 

“Be wary of treats offered by villains…” She laughs sadly, eyes still locked on his, drawing him in. “I’m sure every kid in Auradon knows that.” 

Panic and guilt flash through him. 

“No, no, no-” He fumbles, trying to explain, but finding the words feels like trying to run through quicksand. He can feel his brain slowing down, struggling to think, growing more and more quiet. 

“No, that’s not it,” he sputters, desperately trying to correct her impression of him, that he doesn’t trust her, doesn’t like her. “I- I really do-” 

He gestures weakly toward the tourney field, eyes still locked on Mal’s, stuck in her entrancing gaze. Everything around him seems to glow with a tinge of that green, that intoxicating emerald color of her eyes. He tries to say something, but there are no words in his head to draw on. It’s like someone cut the power supply to his mind, leaving him reeling in the dark, stuck in place as Mal stares him down, inching closer to him. He can’t think, can’t blink, can’t move. All he can do is watch the shades of green emanating from Mal’s eyes, casting everything around him in emerald and lime and harlequin. He wishes he could say something, then slipping into the back of his mind like a snake, words begin to form. 

Everything you say and do makes everyone believe you’re wildly in love with me. Even yourself. 

Everything you say and do makes everyone believe you’re wildly in love with me. Even yourself.  

“No, I get it.” Mal says out loud, sounding just like the strange orders permeating Ben’s mind. “You’re cautious, that’s smart.” 

Everything you say and do makes everyone believe you’re wildly in love with me. Even yourself.

“Oh well,” Mal sighs, “more for me I guess…”

Everything you say and do makes everyone believe you’re wildly in love with me. Even yourself. 

She holds up her sugary concoction between them. 

Everything you say and do makes everyone believe you’re wildly in love with me. Even yourself. 

Ben steps forward.

Everything you say and do makes everyone believe you’re wildly in love with me. Even yourself. 

He reaches out his hand, compelled by her, then hesitates.

Everything you say and do makes everyone believe you’re wildly in love with me. Even yourself. 

“Eat the cookie, Ben.” Mal says, her melodic voice sounding just the same out loud as it does echoing around his head. 

Everything you say and do makes everyone believe you’re wildly in love with me. Even yourself. 

“Eat it!” She snaps. Ben reaches out automatically, taking a bite. The glow in Mal’s eyes softens, a glint of that green still reflected in Ben’s, and he blinks, trying to come out of this strange stupor. 

“See?” He replies hazily. “I totally trust you. Totally.” 

Mal smirks. She glances over at her friends, who Ben didn’t even notice. Mal looks back at Ben. 

“...How are they?” She asks tentatively. Her heart pounds uncontrollably in her chest. This is the moment of truth. She can feel Evie and Jay and Carlos all holding their breath, right along with her. 

“They’re good, they’re great.” Ben answers quickly. “They’re amazing! They’re, uh…”

A warm, fizzy feeling fills his mouth, trickling down his throat as he swallows. 

“I mean, they’re warm, and chewy, and-” he sputters mindlessly. That addictive, bubbling, fizzy feeling spreads from his throat to his chest, making him feel all hazy and disoriented. “And, you know, they…”

He trails off for a moment. That warm, itchy fizzing feeling begins bubbling in his stomach, spreading throughout the rest of his body. 

“Is that walnuts?” He blurts out, continuing to ramble mindlessly about the cookies. “I love walnuts.”

She knows that, comes Mal’s voice in his mind again, she must know that. That’s why she put them in there. God, she’s so beautiful, and considerate too. Always thinking about other people before herself…

“And, um, you know, the chocolate… the- the chocolate…” he sputters. “The chocolate chips are… uh…”

The earth seems to move around him, absolving him of all his duties, all his responsibilities and obligations besides pleasing her. 

“Sorry. They’re, uh… they’re warm, and soft, and sweet…” He rambles, describing the angel before him more than the cookies. His breathing gets shallow as he subconsciously steps closer, needing her like he needs air. He’s fixating on her again, aching for another hit of that intoxicating look she had trapped him in.

“Mal, have you always had those little golden flecks in your eyes?” He murmurs, voice more low and intimate as he gazes down at her. He’s looking at her differently than he had been - that much is obvious. He reaches up to take another bite of the cookie and she gasps, grabbing it from him.

“I think that’s enough for now…” She says. Ben chuckles, his gaze unwavering. She’s so considerate, always looking out for him in little ways that no one else does. His pupils dilate as he stares at her, overwhelmed by a sense of familiarity, comfort. A strange, aged brew of feelings rises up through him. It makes him think of something, remind him of someone, but he can’t put his finger on it… He’s so wrapped up in the sensation that he doesn’t even notice Jay standing behind him until he speaks, placing his hands firmly - and somewhat roughly - on Ben’s shoulders.

“How you feeling, bro?” Jay asks. There’s a knowing element, a note of some inside information shared between Jay and his friends within his words, but it goes right over Ben’s head. Everything in his mind is screaming Mal Mal Mal! You want to be around Mal as much as possible! She’s your whole world, and you’re totally obsessed with her! 

“I feel… I- I feel…” Ben murmurs, eyes still locked on Mal’s as he tries to find the words, struggling to put his finger on it. A dreamy smile crosses his face.

“I feel like singing your name-”

Mal’s eyes widen in fear and she moves forward, clamping her hand over Ben’s mouth before he can even think about actually doing it. He wasn’t going to, but he smiles into her palm as he realizes she thought he was serious. 

“Okay, well,” Mal says softly with a nervous chuckle. They’re attracting too much attention like this already, and she knows they have to move on if they want a chance at pulling this off. “Don’t do that.”

Ben takes in a deep breath, and the scent of worn, grungy leather and spray paint fumes invades his senses. There’s something else too… nail polish? It’s intoxicating coming from her skin, dizzying, and he wants more. He takes her hand in his, holding it tenderly and inspecting it closely for a moment, his eyes fixated on her bitten nails. They glint in the afternoon light, reflecting off the sparkly, cracked mixture of purple and green polish. Just like her eyes. He looks up at her so softly, and it makes her feel sick. 

“When did you do this?” He asks, glancing back at her nail polish, his thumbs tenderly grazing over her fingers and knuckles. 

“Um-” Mal starts. She’s uncomfortable. She’s not used to having this much attention unless she’s getting screamed at or is knee deep in a gang fight. She’s… unsure of what to do with Ben looking at her like that. He continues before she can try to figure out a response.

“It looks really good, it… it suits you…” He says wistfully, staring at her hand and wanting so badly to kiss it. He looks back up at Mal, and the intensity in his eyes, in his body language makes her waver for a moment. She looks over Ben’s shoulder at Jay, silently begging to bail her out. Jay bites back a laugh at the sight of big bad Mal squirming when someone shows interest in her, but he nods anyway. 

“We gotta go, we have a big tourney match to get ready for.” Jay says, playfully shaking Ben’s shoulders in hopes of snapping him out of his stupor. It doesn’t work, but he hears what Jay is saying anyway. “Right Carlos?”

Carlos blinks, walking closer to help drag Ben away. 

“Uh, right. See you later, Mal.” He says, shooting Mal a thumbs up, silently congratulating her on pulling off such a complicated, difficult spell. Ben feels his heart plummet as Jay pulls him away, Mal’s hand slipping out of his. He twists around in Jay’s grip, struggling to not let her out of his sight yet. You can’t leave her yet, you can’t! 

“You’ll- you’ll be at the tourney match, right Mal?” He asks, a distinct note of desperation reaching for her as he speaks. 

“Yup.” She answers with a performative smile, skin crawling at all the attention he’s throwing at her. “I’ll be the one in purple.”

She mutters the last part under her breath, muscle memory kicking in as she deflects her unexpected discomfort with verbal jabs. She doesn’t think anyone will hear her remark, much less acknowledge it if they do, but she flinches a little as Ben laughs loudly. “I’ll see you there.” He says, beaming at her. Mal can’t remember the last time she made someone laugh out of anything other than fear. 

“I’ll see you right after.” 

He repeats it desperately, like a prayer. Like he’s trying to convince himself that the pain of being apart from her will be over soon. A cold sweat breaks out on the back of Mal’s neck. She grabs Evie’s arm, desperate for some sense of comfort, and walks away as quick as she can without breaking out into a full blown sprint. 

Jay and Carlos attempt to drag Ben away, a little surprised at how hard he’s fighting to look back at Mal every few seconds. Eventually, after a lot of squirming at talking out loud about how great she is, how pretty her eyes are, isn’t she just the best, they manage to get Ben to the tourney field to get ready for the match. Ben stumbles through his usual routine when getting ready for a match, his head swimming the entire time. He’s completely preoccupied with thoughts of Mal. Soon it’s time to head out onto the field, and it couldn’t come sooner. 

Mal is out there, waiting for him, and he is not going to let her down. He calls out morale boosting chants with the rest of the team, psyching himself up to lead his team to victory, because Mal is going to be up in the stands watching him. He’s going to break records, play the best game of tourney in history for her. Everything he does is for her.

[sylphiesweet]

Her Bluebell Heroine - pt. 1 { A Dappling Fanfic ˚.🎀༘⋆ }

“↳ w/c: 16.5k

a/n: thanks to @milojeria for helping me edit this fic, and thanks to @c-rose2081 for the dappling art!! this is the longest fanfiction i have written so far, and i am quite proud of how it turned out. i tried my absolute hardest to depict the characters and the world they are in as accurately as possible to the source material. my target audience is hardcore fans of ever after high, as there are many references throughout this fic which only someone who has seen the series will get. this fic also contains many fairytale-style play on words that are seen in the series, so some words will have a few letters changed (e.g., celebrate becomes spellebrate, excellent becomes hexcellent).

Summary: It is the beginning of Apple White's senior year at Ever After High. While trying to get her fairytale back on track, she finds her efforts interrupted by a crush on the sweetest and strongest girl she knows- Darling Charming. This the first part of a two-part story, following the blossoming love of Apple and Darling as they navigate their roles in the first ever sapphic version of Snow White.

enjoy ♡

“But you said, how could I even care if the Gods were against us? But I care if they’re against us. Don’t you care if our fate is against us?” - Sarah Kinsley

This story is narrated by yours truly, Brooke Page.

Chapter 0: Introduction

It is our fairytale fledglings’ final year at Ever After High; Senior Year. Through their spellmesters of countless harrowing homeworks, unforgettably enchanting classes, and everlasting relationships formed with their peers, some have found themselves entangled in the irresistible bonds of love. As told by the fairytales of old, romance is an essential component to any good story. Before they set out on the paths their parents took many pages before them, one final spellebration stands between these lovebirds and their happily ever after.

At the end of the school year, a glamorous banquet is thrown for the seniors, where all of the couples dawn their sparkliest tiaras and most dashing suits. Known as the Lovers Legacy Ball, this love-honoring event has been a tradition for the seniors of Ever After High since the school’s inception. It is an annual occasion where the children of romance stories spellebrate the love awaiting them in the future. Many a parties are thrown before their graduation, yet this one is always the most highly anticipated of them all.

For the Royals, especially those whose parents are known for their iconic love stories and regal weddings, the pressure to find the perfect date to the ball is on now more than ever. Though still a few chapters away, the Lovers Legacy Ball is all the halls are gossiping about! 

Chapter 1

A delicate hand held up a compact mirror, encrusted in gold and diamonds with a ruby red gemstone embedded in the back, cut in the shape of a fruit. “Mirror, Mirror, in my hand. Who’s the fairest in the land?”

The glass of the mirror lit up, and a heavenly voice rang out with clairvoyance. ”Who else but the darling daughter of our gracious queen, Apple White?”

Apple giggled softly and continued dabbing on powder to her rosy cheeks. “Oh, Mirror! You always know just what to say.” She raised her magic compact mirror to her face, analyzing her flawless makeup.

”But of course, your Highness. Looking as princessly as ever.” A smile could be heard in the mirror’s omniscient voice.

“You flatter me, Mirror. Can you please read me my schedule for today?” Apple dabbed the sponge into the blush once more while she listened.

”Certainly…” The mirror’s glass swirled with smokey blues and purples until in the center appeared a written log of Apple’s day, stylized in amador font. Each section highlighted as the mirror narrated them aloud. “9:30AM, arrive at Ever After High. 10AM, move into your dorm. 12PM, lunch with Raven @ Hocus Latte. 2PM, convocation. 4PM, shoe shopping with Ashlynn and Briar…” The list went on. Once finished, the text went away in a foggy swirl until the glass was once again a plain mirror.

Satisfied, Apple shut the compact and dropped it into her clutch. She then set it down on the red leather of the seat beside her before getting up and knocking on a small window at the opposite end of the carriage. It slid open, revealing a chauffeur in a spiffy white suit with gold accents, perfectly matching the interior of the White Family’s finest vehicle. “Hexcuse me, driver?”

”Yes, Miss White?” His eyes never came off the road.

”How soon will we be there?”

”I’d say about 15 minutes.”

Apple reached into her dress pocket and pulled out her MirrorPhone. The time was 9:15. She smiled and put it back. “Perfect. Thank you!”

The chauffeur nodded and shut the dividing screen.

Sitting back in the plush velvet car seat, Apple took a gentle breath to calm her nerves. She turned to watch the lush of The Enchanted Forest roll by outside of the carriage window. Butterflies of hexcitement and fear fluttered about inside the young royal as she thought of the eventful day to come. Surely Blondie would be waiting at the school’s entrance, interviewing every important royal and rebel as they arrived. With the Lovers Legacy Ball happening this year, all Mirror Cast viewers had one thing on their minds- romance.

Although such a crucial part of her story, Apple had neglected the subject for quite some time. Ever since the incident with Raven’s mom a few pages back, her future lover had been completely up in the air. Daring Charming couldn’t wake her when she was poisoned, he couldn’t do the one thing he had to be able to do in order to fulfill their stories. After being convinced for so long that he was the one, it left Apple feeling the most uncertain about her future she had ever felt. And for someone who’s entire life has been finalized by quill and ink since before the first draft of her existence, it was a feeling she didn’t like. However, hope wasn’t entirely lost. After all, someone had woken Apple- and it wasn’t Daring.

The flora outside the carriage window gradually transitioned into cobblestone streets and dainty shops- the Village of Book End. They would be approaching the school any minute now. Apple smiled as she recognized the faces that lined the streets. She watched as old friends sitting outside of cafes, familiar store owners hard at work, and other classmates making their way to school on foot rolled past through the tinted window. It was nice to be back after being cooped up in her family’s castle all summer.

Speaking of family, her MirrorPhone chimed with a hext alert as Apple gazed out the window. She looked down at the message- it was her mother letting her know that the dwarves had finished bringing all of the furniture up to her dorm room. Queen White was proficient as always, staying 3 steps ahead of everyone. Even her own daughter. Apple pulled her schedule up to change it. Seeing as she was now free for the next few hours, she once again knocked on the driver’s window.

”Find somewhere to park for a while, please! I am going to walk around for a bit.”

”Of course, Miss White.”

Chapter 2

The streets of Book End were bustling with fairytale children. Though it was nice to stretch her legs after a long car ride, she couldn’t help but notice the stares from everyone she passed by. Plenty of underclassmen who were out exploring the village with their friends had stopped in their tracks to gawk at Apple, hardly being subtle about their whispers and giggles to each other. This treatment wasn’t all that different from how her public appearances typically went. In previous years, this was where she was really in her element the most- basking in the glory of her birthright to popularity. Whether she was hanging on Daring’s arm and looking like the most perfectly picturesque couple in all of Ever After, or cohorting with her fableous and equally royal girlfriends, or simply shining bright on her own as the future queen she was. However, she hardly felt like she was “shining” now. Within the whispers of the students around her there seemed to be strong undertones of shock and gossip, rather than the standard awe and praise.

Feeling peculiarly self conscious, she took out her compact mirror and checked her makeup as she walked. Not a lash or sparkle was out of place, yet seeing her flawless look still didn’t calm her nerves. It certainly couldn’t be her outfit. Apple knew that her dress was undoubtedly the fairest in all the land, the delicate reds and golds of her ensemble were as enchanting as ever. Silly as it may seem, she was convinced that her hair was the subject of all this chatter today. There were many things was known for- her royal status, her famous mother, her wardrobe, etc. But there was another essential characteristic about Apple that she had proudly carried with her throughout her life- her hair. Since birth, she had kept her locks long and voluminous. The people of Ever After had always joked that she might as well be Rapunzel’s daughter. While it was the common style for girls her age, Royals and Rebels alike, to have lengthy and luscious hair, Apple’s platinum cascading curls were the most envied. However, when her mother was her age, Snow White had worn her hair short. It wasn’t until the end of her fairytale that she grew it out. So, as both an ode to her mother and a desire to ensure her story stays on track, Apple spent the past weekend chopping it all off. Now, it rested by her ears in a cute bob, still delicately curled as she always kept it.

This change was sudden and still fresh, especially to her. She probably lost 5 pounds with how much she cut off, it was hard to adjust to. Her parents both loved it, and her mother was incredibly flattered by the gesture. As for the rest of the world, well, they hadn’t seen her new ‘do yet. Until now, that is.

Apple gently adjusted sections of hair in her mirror, trying to make it look as presentable as possible. While concentrating on blocking out the whispers around her, she almost ran into the door of Hocus Latte as it swung open. She jumped back, losing her grip on her compact. It landed at the feet of two familiar faces as they stepped out of the bakery. “Apple?” Her heart skipped a beat. Before her stood the walking reminder that Daring wasn’t her prince- Rosabella Beauty (aka, Daring’s new girlfriend).

Rosabella adjusted her glasses as if they were playing tricks on her, for she could hardly believe what she was seeing. A confused smile grew on her face. “Your… Your hair! It’s so-“

”-Gorgeous!” A shrill and sweet voice finished Rosabella’s sentence for her. The other walking reminder of her destined-partner-dilemma bent down and grabbed the mirror, holding it out with a charming smile. Darling Charming stepped forward and placed it in Apple’s palm, looking down at her and admiring her new look. “You look wonderlandiful, Apple! When did you cut it?”

Her peachy cheeks suddenly growing a little peachier, Apple giggled nervously as she looked up at Darling. She wished she had put on heels today. “Why, thank you! I just did it this weekend…”

Darling’s smile only grew wider. “You did it?”

Rosabella stepped around Darling to also look at Apple’s haircut closer. “…Willingly?”

Darling shot Rosabella a look, but Apple found the comment amusing. “Yes, willingly,” she said with a giggle. At least she wasn’t being… directly insulted.

”Well, it’s good to see you again, Apple.” Darling pulled her in for a hug. The embrace was warm, and made Apple feel even warmer. She could feel Darling’s muscles through the fabric of her top- a lacy piece with a regal gold and blue metal corset over it. If anyone could make armor look natural, it was her. Always the perfect blend of femininity and sophistication was the Charming Family’s dearest daughter. Hugging Darling back, Apple noted how she smelled of bluebells- a sweet and earthy scent. The perfume lingered in her mind, even after their hug ended.

Rosabella smiled and hugged Apple next, though quicker and less intimate than Darling did. “What made you go for the big chop? I never thought you’d make such a huge change to your appearance like this.”

Apple took one of her soft curls in between her fingers, twirling it around as she spoke. “My mother had her hair this length when she was my age. I want my story to go hexactly like hers, gotta stay faithful to the details!”

“Not every detail, right?” Darling commented. “It is your story, after all…”

“Well, she kept it blonde!” Rosabella gestured out to Apple’s cut and smiled. “I like it like this, it’s got your own personal charm. Plus, it’s spella cool that you did it yourself.”

Apple put her mirror back into her purse, beaming now from all the compliments. The insecurities from before melted away. “Thank you, girls!! I’ll admit, I was nervous to see what everyone thinks of it.”

“Please, everyone would love you even if you shaved it all off!” Rosabella teased.

Apple giggled. “You both look as elegant as ever. Have you been to school yet?”

Darling chuckled and shook her head. “We’re trying to avoid Blondie for as long as possible. Dex says she’s got him on camera duty again, and he’s been on his feet since the crack of dawn!”

“Yeah, we were watching her MirrorCast inside the cafe. She’s not letting anyone get by without an interview.” Rosabella pointed into the window of Hocus Latte, where they had “Just Right” playing on the TV screen. Blondie Lockes was holding her microphone to Hopper Croakington II, who is barely on screen for a minute before stuttering and transforming into a frog. The camera pans downwards to continue filming him.

Apple nervously laughs, dreading her interview just as much as the others. Though she would love to not do the interview altogether, the constant pressure from her mother to maintain a perfect public image meant Apple would show face no matter what. “That’s Blondie for you… If you’d let me, I’d be fairy happy to avoid her with you!”

Darling nods, linking arms with Apple unhesitatingly. “We’d love that!” 

Apple’s heart beat fast as Darling pressed her body against her. The trio strolled down the streets of Book End together now. Curious, Apple continued the conversation of the interviews. “What seems to be the nature of Blondie’s questions?”

Rosabella chuckled dryly, adjusting her bright red frames as she spoke. “The same as any other year. She’s asking about Thronecoming plans, class schedules, summer break activities- you know, just general stuff. But, of course, the questions for the seniors…” She turns to face Apple now, with a look of utter annoyance. “...are all about the Lovers Legacy Ball.”

Darling nodded eagerly, putting off the complete opposite vibes about the subject compared to Rosabella. “Some of the answers we saw were really cute! Ashlynn and Hunter went up together. They seem to be going strong.”

”Briar said she’s bringing some prince from Beanstalk High as her date to the ball,” Rosabella said as she rolled her eyes at her cousin’s party-girl antics. “She told me she’s not really into this guy, but since everyone in our class already has a date, it’s either a giant or no date at all. And you know Briar- always go big or go home.”

The girls laughed at this, though deep down Apple felt a gnawing at her heart. Her closest friends all had dates to the ball, and she didn’t. Even though having a date wasn’t mandatory, it was still tradition, and Apple would be damned before she passed up an opportunity to participate in traditions. Though, the mere thought that she wouldn’t be able to was haunting her…

Noticing the sudden quiet that befell her friend, Darling looked down at Apple. She figured a change of subject would be best. “So, who are you rooming with this year?”

”Hm?” Apple looked up at Darling, taking a second to come back to reality after being so lost in her thoughts. “Oh, nobody actually. I got a private suite- the south tower.”

“No way, isn’t that one like 3 floors?” Rosabella asked in disbelief.

Apple nodded. “It is, but the tower itself is quite skinny.” Coming from a girl who grew up in the kingdom’s greatest castle, this didn’t mean much.

Darling giggled. “Still- lucky you! So much space to decorate. I’ll have to swing by sometime and see what you do with the place.”

Apple smiled up at Darling as a slight blush returned to her cheeks. “Yes! Absolutely! I’d love to have you over.” She looked over to Rosabella, not wanting to make her feel left out. “And you as well. My doors are always open to you both!”

”Thanks, Apple.” Rosabella smiled politely, though she knew she would not be taking her up on that offer. Neither girl would ever dare say it aloud, but a strange awkwardness between them was more potent than ever. 

“Are the two of you still roomies as always?” Apple asked in return.

Both Darling and Rosabella nodded. The two princesses had been sharing a dorm for 3 years straight now. “Of course! We work so well together, why mess with perfection?” Rosabella replied with a smile towards her roommate.

Darling smiled back, and Apple felt another sensation brewing within her. It was silly, it was childish and she knew it, but a tinge of jealousy struck at seeing the fond closeness between Rosabella and the enchanting bluebell heroine who had unknowingly pierced her sword straight through her gentle heart.

“How sweet! You two really do make a great pair,” Apple said with a smile to mask all of the mixed emotions bubbling inside. “So, what classes are you both taking this spellmester?” She quickly threw out the question for a change of subject. Her hand still gently wrapped around Darling’s bicep, Apple yearned for the same intimacy which Rosabella got to share with her everyday. Though she knew the two girls were just friends, sometimes the mind knows what the heart cannot. And at the time, all Apple’s heart knew was that it had an unrelenting craving for the rich sweetness that was Darling Charming.

For how long Apple had had this crush on Darling, she could not say. They had been good friends for as long as she could remember, and Darling had always been a lady whom Apple admired. Perhaps it started over the last year, when it dawned on her that she would soon have to explore her options for her future lover. Or maybe even sooner than that, when she learned that Darling had been the one to wake her from her poison slumber. From a logistical perspective, that event alone qualified Darling to play the role of Apple’s princess charming in their story. And from an emotional perspective, Darling really was a darling. In every regard she was as sweet as a songbird, always treating others with the utmost respect and carrying herself with powerful grace. She was the pinnacle of elegance and tenderness, while simultaneously being the strongest person Apple knew. All in all, Darling was Apple’s top choice for a partner. Whether or not Apple was her choice, that was a question that sent her tumbling down a well of anxiety. Trapped in her doubts and insecurities, she had yet to even utter a word of her feelings to anyone.

The three princesses continued down the street together, discussing the upcoming school year and the passing summer. Apple savored the time in Darling’s presence, though her apprehensions followed close behind as they walked down the cobbled roads, a rouge thought of disquiet catching up and stinging in the back of her mind every once in a while. Eventually, the royals departed from one another and Apple was off to school for the dreaded interview.

Chapter 3

Hours later, inside Hocus Latte, business buzzed about the cafe floor as villagers and students came and went. After a long and stressful morning, Apple was delighted for her date at noon with Raven. Sitting by the window at a table for two, she sipped her caramel apple latte as she scanned the streets of Book End, waiting for one of her favorite queens in all of Ever After to arrive. Since they were roommates during Legacy Year, the two had remained close. Whether or not that was ideal for their fairytale, Apple didn’t mind. She highly valued her friendship with Raven despite what fate had in mind for them.

The bell at the front of the cafe rang as the door opened, a gothic beauty entering. Raven Queen looked around before spotting Apple, to which she waved with a smile.

Apple lit up with hexcitement, running over to greet her. She giggled as she wrapped her BFFA (best friend forever after) in a tight squeeze. “Raven!!”

“Apple!!” They held each other for a moment before separating with giggles. “Your hair is killer!”

Despite the dozens of compliments on her hair she had gotten today, this one meant the most. “Thank you! How are you, fairest friend?? I missed you this summer.” She leads them over to the table she was at and they sit down together.

”I’m alright! It’s been one spell of a day, though.” She takes off her black leather satchel and slings it over the back of the chair. Her attire was, of course, as dark and grungy as ever- a typical Raven Queen look. “I’m gonna grab a drink- watch my bag?”

Apple nodded with a smile, taking another sip of her own latte. It wasn’t long before Raven was back at the table, sitting across from her with a hot chai.

”So, how’s day one been for you? I saw your segment on Just Right earlier… though, it felt like it should've aired on the “Too Hot” channel.” Raven teased.

Apple groaned, laughing a little at the end. While not a total fairy fail, her interview with Blondie had been noticeably… uncomfortable. “Oh, Raven! Don’t make me relive it. I didn’t know you could say “Daring Charming” so many times!”

Raven cackled- that wasn’t an exaggeration. “Right?? He wasn’t even your boyfriend in the first place! Like, I get it- everyone thought you two were gonna be the it-couple of Ever After, but Blondie is royally overstepping.” The first sip of her chai left her unsatisfied with the temperature. Raven popped the lid off and cast a layer of vibrant purple flames over the top of the tea, warming it to the steaming point at which she liked it.

Apple held her latte out with a pleading smile, to which Raven reheated it with the same enchantment. “Thank you. And it’s not that Blondie isn’t always like this, it’s just… this year is different.” The magenta flames slowly dissipated, and Apple stared down at her drink as little swirls of steam rose above the sugary liquid. A telling silence hung heavy in the air.

The Lovers Legacy Ball was on everyone’s mind, and after Apple’s interview, the whole MirrorNet now knew that their future queen had yet to decide her future partner. Such suspense would of course make the public all the more interested in her answer, which only amplified the pressure on Apple. However, one had to stop and ask, was this really even her choice? This wasn’t just about dating, it was about staying true to the story. The fates of the fairytale world had already decided who was meant for who. As far as Apple was concerned, she was playing a game in which there was one right answer and a million wrong, and she couldn’t tell them apart. The two girls sat quietly for a few moments, sipping their drinks as they processed these circumstances.

The sweetened spiced drink was delightfully hot as it passed down Raven’s throat. Countless more of these would be dranken throughout the spellmester, during rushed lunch periods, late study sessions, final outings with friends before graduation. She set her cup down, savoring the flavors as she stared out the window. “So, do you have anybody in mind yet?”

Flutters arose within Apple’s chest. One very specific answer instantly came to mind. Whether or not she could move that answer from her mind to her mouth was another question entirely. “Well, the Charming family lineage is quite large! It is entirely possible that it’s somebody I have yet to meet.” She didn’t sound confident in the slightest. To save herself from saying anymore, she took a nervous sip of her latte. It was too hot and instantly burned her.

Raven gave a sympathetic simple as she watched Apple lie and then get instant consequences. “Come on, you must have at least a couple options.”

Taking quick breaths to cool her tongue, Apple looked up at Raven with a pout. “Of course I do! It’s just… difficult to talk about.” A notable blush appeared on her cheeks as she directed her gaze down.

This princess was too easy to read. Raven raised a brow, now thoroughly amused. “What’s this? Is the future queen of Ever After getting… flustered??”

Her teasing nearly broke Apple, turning the light blush into a deep rouge. “Well can you blame me! Look at me, Raven- I’m 18 and I’ve never so much as been on a date. I’ve basically been in an arranged engagement my whole life and suddenly it��s broken off. Now I have to choose who I’m spending the rest of my life with and I’m just supposed to know?? Just hex me already!” She buried her red face in her hands, resting her elbows on the tabletop.

Taken aback, Raven watched in surprise as her friend had a mini meltdown in front of her. She honestly was not expecting Apple to blow the lid off her teapot with one comment. She must be under more stress than she had let on. Raven leaned forward and offered a comforting pat on the shoulder. “Hey, hey, calm down. Take a deep breath, girl. You’ve still got all year to figure this out. And, well maybe there’s no use in suggesting it, but you could always just not-”

Apple cut her off, head still in her hands. “No, Raven, I can’t just not participate in the Lovers Legacy Ball. Breaking tradition like that… I love you, but that’s your thing.” Her head rose to meet Raven with weary eyes. Releasing a tired sigh, she folded her hands to rest her chin on her fingers. “You’ve been on dates before, haven’t you? Maybe you could give me advice.”

Retracting her arm, Raven chuckled and leaned back in her chair. “Yeah, like, two in total. All of which were with Dexter.” Dexter Charming and Raven had been on a few dates, but that didn’t make her the expert on dating. “I’m not really the person to be asking about this... Why not consult Cupid? That’s like, her whole thing.”

“Everyone and their fairy godmother wants Cupid to fix their love perils.” Apple sat up finally, fixing her hair as she spoke. “I don’t want to add more to her plate, she’s already got enough to worry about.” She took another sip of her latte, this time blowing on the surface before drinking. As the future goddess of love, C.A. Cupid had been working her wings off to get as much practice with matchmaking in as she could before graduation.

“Apple, you’re not a stranger, you two have been friends since Legacy Year,” Raven said with a confused frown. “I’m sure she doesn’t mind having a chat with you about this whole ordeal, it would probably only take a few minutes.”

”Cupid is a hard working business woman, Raven. Expecting special treatment just because we’re close would be an abuse of our friendship.” She set her cup down and crossed her arms over her chest. “To even suggest that is so unfairest!”

Raven gave another unamused stare as she listened to Apple rant. “…You’re avoiding talking to her, aren’t you?”

”Wh- No! I would never- I-… Yeah…” Defeatedly, Apple uncrossed her arms and dropped her shoulders. She let out an exasperated sigh. “Honestly, I don’t want to be told what I don’t want to hear. And there are far too many things I don’t want to hear.”

“You don’t think you would feel a little better after talking to her?” she said after setting her chai down again. “I can’t think of anything she could say that would be that bad.”

Apple thought about it for a moment. “What if she tells me that… one of my options is already taken?”

”Then you’ll just be down an option. What’s so bad about-…” Raven paused mid sentence, realization striking as she watched a rosy color slowly return to Apple’s face. “...You only have one option, don’t you?”

Disappointedly, Apple nodded.

Raven laughed. “Well, one is better than none. Can I know?” She leaned in close, eager to hear.

“No! Not until I at least know I have a chance…”

She rolled her eyes and sat back in her chair again. ”Then talk to Cupid! If your crush is taken, she’ll be the one to know.”

“You’re right, it’s just…” Apple couldn’t find her words. She wasn’t used to lacking confidence like this, the subject of love and crushes was such unusual territory for her. Out of excuses, she rested her head on her hand again with a sigh.

As Raven watched her friend sulk, the bell to Hocus Latte rang with the entry of another customer. While Raven was seated facing away from the door, Apple’s expression of horror served as a mirror to who had just walked in. She turned around to see a delightfully pink girl with a pair of feathery wings heading up to the counter. A twisted smile grew on Raven’s face as she stood up. “Speak of the cherub and she doth appear… I’ll be right back!”

”Raven!! No!” Apple whisper-shouted in embarrassment as she watched Raven walk away. Truly, this is the most evil she has ever been. And to think Apple had been encouraging such behavior for years now…

Moments later, Raven returned to the table, pulling up a third chair before taking her seat. “Look who I found! You don’t mind if Cupid sits with us, right?” she asked with an innocent smile.

Apple fixed her face and stood up to greet her friend. “Of course not. Cupid, it’s been so long!”

”Hey, Apple! How are you?? Love the new look,” Cupid said as she wrapped her friend in a tight hug. The two sat back down after their embrace, and Cupid set down her coffee. The foam within the dark liquid was intricately poured into the shape of a heart with an arrow through it- a charming personal touch from the barista.

“Why, thank you! And you look as angelic as ever,” Apple complimented back. It was true, Cupid’s dress was nothing short of heavenly. It was her signature baby pink, accented by sewn on pearls and shimmering golden lace. The inventress of coquette herself, Cupid’s first day look was a page-ripper.

Giggling politely, she twirled a loose curl around her elegantly manicured finger. “Thanks, Apple! Both of you look spelltacular as well. It’s nice to finally be back, isn’t it?”

”Totally. Although, this first day has definitely been kinder to some than others…” Raven looked over to Apple as she took another sip of her tea, hoping she wouldn’t have to coax it out of her.

Apple said nothing. She just smiled and nodded, giving Raven a look that meant she was undoubtedly going to have to carry the conversation.

Cupid, not at all picking up on the silent exchange going on, looked towards Apple with a pitying expression. “I saw your segment on Just Right this morning…”

”O- Oh! Did you now?” This wasn’t all that shocking- who hadn’t seen it by now? Apple chose to feign ignorance in hopes of avoiding this subject further.

”Yeah. Not just yours, of course. I actually watched the whole broadcast a couple times. I wanted to see who needs the most help with their love-life right now, it’ll be good practice for me!” Cupid smiled and took a sip of her coffee.

Raven chuckled somewhat nervously. “Good to know that we are your test subjects as always.”

Cupid laughed, too. “I also watched to support my roomie! And, well, my dad is really serious about getting me in the field as soon as I graduate. I’ll be matchmaking with all of the other big-shot love gods! When you think about it, Ever After is the perfect realm to warm up my wings on, much better than the others I’ve lived in. Nearly every fairy tale involves love in one way or another.”

Raven nodded. ”That’s so true. You know, Apple could really use some-“

”Hey, Raven! I don’t recall you doing an interview with Blondie this morning.” Apple interrupted with a swift subject chance, innocently batting her eyelashes.

Caught off guard and totally called out, Raven glared at Apple. “…Th- That’s cause I didn’t want to do one. I don’t like being on camera. And as I was saying-“

Cupid was the one to butt in this time, hexcitedly turning to Raven. “You’ll still be going to the Lovers Legacy Ball, right? The Evil Queen’s story begins with marrying a king!”

”I- Well, yes, that’s true…” Raven glared at Apple one more time, sour that she won this silent fight. She then gave in and eased up, sitting back in her chair. “And yeah, I’ll be going. I already know who with.”

This got a reaction from both of the girls. Apple sat forward with an enthusiastic, “Who??” She had been completely unaware of this. Both her and Cupid stared at Raven with eager anticipation.

Now, it was her turn to blush a little. She kept her cool though, not wanting to make a big deal about her own love-life. “…Dex.” As the girls freaked out, Raven simply took a calm sip of her tea. Though, deep down, she was happy at their ardor for her.

“Raven!! I can’t believe you kept this a secret!” Apple nearly shouted in a mix of disbelief and glee. She knew Raven and Dexter had been a thing for some time now, but she hadn’t realized how serious they were.

Cupid reached out and held Raven’s hand, looking like a proud mother on the verge of tears. “I’d just like to say… that I take credit for this.” Everyone laughed, including Raven as she nodded in full agreement.

“Please do! We wouldn’t be as close as we are now without you, Cupid.” She gave her hand a little squeeze. Before letting go, she turned back to Apple. “Dex and I decided to commit to this over the summer. And, as far as I know, you two are the first to find out.”

Hearing this made Apple smile even harder. She was flattered to be among the first told, even if the news was somewhat forced out of Raven. “When you two get married, I call dibs on doing the floral arrangements!”

Laughing again, Raven shook her head and sat back in her chair. “You’re getting way ahead of yourself, but sure. Now, back to what I was trying to say before I got interrupted!”

Apple’s smile tightened with anxiety. Her only way to avoid this now would be to run out of the cafe. “Let’s keep talking about you and Dexter! Would you keep your last name, or take his? Or maybe hyphenate! Queen-Charming has a nice ring to it.”

”Cupid,” Raven turned to look at her, ignoring the attempt to derail the conversation. “Apple could really use some of your matchmaking skills.”

”You know, I sorta figured…” Cupid turned to Apple with a sorry smile. “Blondie wasn’t all that discreet about it during your interview. I’d be happy to be of service! Especially for the fairest in the land. Tell me,” she said as she scooched in her chair closer. “What’s your heart desiring, dear friend?”

Apple’s face was the shade of a red delicious. She sighed defeatedly, shooting a look at Raven that said ‘you win’ before facing Cupid. “This whole ordeal is a stress. My future husband used to be already decided for me, but now that…” She hesitated, looking around at the other tables before continuing. “…Now that Daring and Rosabella are together, I have to make this decision for myself.”

Cupid nodded, holding her hands folded in front of her as she listened. “Don’t worry, Apple. You’re not the only one in this position. I’ve already spoken to dozens of other fairytale creatures who haven’t a clue of their future lover- many of your classmates, even.”

”Really?” This made Apple feel a little better. Realistically, of course she wasn’t the only one stuck like this. Cupid’s confirmation was just all the more reassuring.

“Really. It’s not that uncommon. See, for those with two specifically named characters in their stories, it’s quite easy to track down the both of them. But for stories with a vague “Prince Charming” archetype as the love interest, like yours, it can be a bit tricky!” Having extensively studied the way in which fairytale love works, Cupid was quite adept to explain such concepts.

As Apple listened, the complexity of these mechanics made her feel a little less better.

Raven chimed in. “It’d be funny if there was a little subsection in the Story Book of Legends that tells you who to date.” Says the girl who refuses to abide by said book.

Thinking about it, Cupid chuckles. “I suppose such a feature would be convenient. But then I’d be out of a job! There’s a reason matchmakers like us exist, and it’s not just for non-fairytale beings.” She turns Apple again. “I know you like to follow the specifics of your story to a spindle point, but love is a funny thing. It may not be an exact science, but the advice of following your true heart’s desires has never fallen short! If you know in your heart that someone is the one for you, then I’d say they are probably also right for your story.”

“Probably?...” Now it was the uncertainty that made Apple feel even worse. How was she to know who “the one” was, anyways?

“Hey! Like I said, it’s not science.”

Apple sighed, feeling more defeated than when the conversation began. “Thanks, Cupid. I appreciate the advice. But it still feels like all of my friends, even those with stories like mine, seem to know who their destined love interest is.”

Again, Raven piped up to stir the conversation. “Cupid, you mentioned that you knew some of our classmates without dates? Maybe Apple will feel better if she knows who they are.”

Sheepishly, Cupid chuckled a bit. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. I fear can’t share.”

“What?” Apple said with a pout. “Why not?”

“Doctor-patient confidentiality reasons.“ The group went silent with confusion after Cupid said that. She had a look at on her face like there was a punchline somewhere.

Staring at Cupid unamused, Raven asked, “...Exactly how the spell does that apply here?”

”Because I’m a love doctor, duh!” Cupid smiled as if she had been waiting to use that line for ages. Nobody laughed. “…Fine, I guess I’m not legally confined to silence. But if I went around airing out everyone’s love drama… Well, that just wouldn’t be fairy professional of me!”

Though she had a point, Apple was desperate to feel less alone in her worries. “Please, Cupid? I think Raven’s right. Even knowing one person would make me feel better.”

Shoulders tensely squared and hands fidgeting with anxiousness, Cupid took a moment to contemplate what to do. Eventually, she sighed and looked at Apple. “Fine. You can ask about one- just one of your friends! And I’ll tell you what I know. Only because you’re the fairest in the land,” she said with a sweet, teasing tone.

Apple smiled, one name coming to mind instantly. She pretended to have to think about it, though, tapping a finger to her chin and looking up as if she had no idea who to ask about. “Oh gosh, this is a hard choice… I’ll just pick randomly! How about… Darling?”

Raven looked up from her chai, also curious as to the answer.

Cupid thought for a moment. “I don’t think Darling is committed to anyone yet…”

Anxiety began to trickle away from Apple’s chest. There had been a tight knot around her heart ever since this conversation started. No, ever since the day began. No, no- not even that. This knot had been constricting her internally for pages. Hearing that Darling had yet to be taken was the greatest relief. However, Cupid hadn’t finished speaking.

”…but I believe Chase Redford is going to ask her out.”

“Wh- What?” The knot tightened again. When Apple had said there were things she didn’t want to be told, this was one of them.

”Yeah, the son of the Red Queen. Goes to Wonderland High.” Cupid said, assuming Apple didn’t know who she was referring to.

She held up a hand to stop Cupid from explaining further. ”I’ve met Chase before. How do you know he’s going to ask out Darling?”

”Oh! Because he told me he was,” Cupid replied, surprisingly oblivious in this moment for a love goddess. She took another sip of her coffee before continuing, too preoccupied to notice the look of heartbreak on Apple’s face. “He came to me for advice a few pages ago. Apparently, he and Darling used to spar together when she would visit Wonderland as the White Knight. He’s had a thing for her ever since. I told him to go for it! Though, I don’t know when or if he will.”

”…Oh,” was all Apple could muster up as a response. She seemed lost in thought. Raven noticed this somewhat frozen state of hers, but didn’t say anything.

”Hey wait! I said I’d tell you about one student, not two! Oh toadstools…” Cupid shook her head and chuckled at how carried away she had gotten. “Anyways, the good news is that Darling is still on the same page as you. At least as far as I know. Just because someone has a crush on her doesn’t mean she’s spoken for. Think of how many princes would slay dragons just to go on a date with you, Apple. Yet here you are,” Cupid reached out over the table, placing her hands on top of Apple’s with a reassuring smile. “My advice to you is to stop comparing yourself to your friends. You are far from the only girl in Ever After still looking for love.”

The gentle touch of Cupid’s hands pulled Apple out of her head, directing her focus back into the moment. Despite the less than ideal news she had just received, her friend’s kind words did lift her mood. She gave a small smile. “Thank you, Cupid.”

“Of course! And don’t lose a slipper over the ball, I honestly have no doubt that you’ll find someone in time. Besides, if it really comes down to it…” Cupid leans back and reaches into her heart purse, revealing a bundle of her signature love arrows that she always carries around. “…You know where to find me,” she says with a playful wink. The girls all share a laugh, yet this doesn’t make Apple feel any better. She pretends it does, though.

Their coffee date eventually comes to a close, and the three scatter off on their separate ways. With her one and only romantic prospect having been nearly crushed, Apple headed back to her dorm with a cloudy heart. If someone else wanted Darling, she would not be the one to get in their way- that kind of behavior was just not her role. Snow White didn’t pursue, she delicately laid down as her Prince Charming came to her. Little details like these, Apple had to remain faithful to them. Her chauffeur carried her back to campus, where she would spend the next hour getting ready for the rest of the exhaustive first-day events to come.

Chapter 4

The week that followed was just as tiring as this day had been, packed full of queries and intrusions about love. Love, romance, partners, marriage, destinies, dances, appearances, reputations, expectations- the endless bombardment of her future refused to cease! Every friend, acquaintance, classmate, faculty member, and nosy fanboy took the time to insert themself into her daily routine for an impromptu interview, just dying to know every last detail of their future queen’s love life.

During study ball period in the middle of the week, our princess found her peaceful studying disturbed by a tap on the shoulder. Apple turned around with a polite smile. “What’s up?”

Behind her was Nina Thumbell, who sat there with an eager expression. A hexcited giggle escaped her as she twirled a lock of her platinum hair around her finger. “So… Who are you taking??”

Apple’s smile faltered. Of course she knew what Nina was referring to, but she had faced enough of these questions already this week. Not every interaction needed to be treated like a Blondie Lockes interview. “Who am I taking? Where?” she replied, feigning ignorance.

Nina rolled her eyes playfully. “Oh okay! Being secretive about it, are we?” She leaned forward on her desk, whispering to her. “You know!! The Lovers Legacy Ball.”

Unfortunately for Apple, Nina was not nearly quiet enough. A splintery face popped up from her books, looking with hexcitement at the mention of the ball. “Ooh, are we talking about the Lovers Legacy Ball??” Cedar Wood asked way too loud.

Apple quickly shushed the both of them, attempting to stop the series of events which she knew were about to ensue. “Quiet! Professor Rumpelstiltskin will have us spinning straw into gold all week if he hears you.”

Nina pointed behind Apple towards the front of the class, where their teacher was sleeping on the desk. “Look- See? We’re fine. Now spill the beanstalk, girl!”

“Wait, what is Apple spilling?” Cedar curiously asked.

“Who she’s taking to the ball!” Nina hexcitedly whispered, replying too quick for Apple to tell her to be quiet again.

Cedar gasped, holding her book up to her lips. “Apple knows who she’s bringing to the Lovers Legacy Ball??” Heads all around them began to perk up, curiously and not at all subtly listening in on the conversation.

“What- No?? I never said that!” Apple felt her cheeks begin to flush with embarrassment.

“Oh? What’s this about Apple’s date?” A set of glowing white teeth grinning ear-to-ear suddenly manifested in between Nina and Cedar’s desks, followed by the rest of Kitty Cheshire as she crouched in between them.

“We were just asking Apple who she was bringing to the Lovers Legacy Ball,” Nina said, looking down at Kitty.

With a mischievous purr, Kitty looked up to Apple. “Well, I am one curious cat! Do tell.” The others both turned their attention to Apple, ready to hear her answer.

Her face now the color of a gala apple, she took in a deep breath to stop herself from exploding. “My date to the ball is…” The three leaned in close. “…a secret!” Then, the entire class let out a groan of annoyance. “So you’ll just have to wait and see. Now if you’ll hexcuse me, I have to get back to my thronework.”

“But Apple!-“ Nina tried to interject, until a loud snore came from the front of the classroom, followed by a coughing fit as Professor Rumpelstiltskin sat up.

The whole class quickly silenced themselves and turned back to their books. Kitty teleported back into her seat across the room with a poof, shrinking in her chair in case the teacher caught a glimpse of her sparkles trail.

As Professor Rumpelstiltskin came to from his nap, he looked around the room to catch anyone slacking off. “Hrmm…” Grumbling, he got down from his chair and began making rounds through the rows of desks.

Resuming her thronework, Apple was internally cursing herself for the answer that she gave. ‘A secret?? Yeah, to everyone including me! Thank my fairy godmother that I don’t have Cedar’s story right now…’ Rumpelstiltskin passed by her desk, heading to the back of the classroom. Not long after, she heard a ‘psst’ next to her. She tried to ignore it, not particularly wanting to spend her weekends at the spinning wheel in the barn, but then it came again even louder. Apple huffed and looked over at who was trying to get her attention and whispered. “Can I help you??”

The littlest brother of the three billy goats Gruff was turned to Apple with a smug look on his face. “So, I hear you don’t have a date yet?”

“No, I said my date was a secret.” Apple glanced over her shoulder, worried about the teacher coming back around.

”Okay, well if your ‘secret date’ happens to bail… You know where to find me,” he said, shooting her a flirtatious wink.

Apple’s head whipped back around, making no acknowledgement of anything the littlest billy goat had said as she kept her eyes glued to her desk.

The littlest billy goat frowned. “Cold shoulder treatment, huh? Alright, I see how it is-“

”NO TALKING DURING CLASS!” Professor Rumpelstiltskin shouted right in his ear as he seemingly appeared from nowhere. “SATURDAY DETENTION!! You’ll be spinning straw into gold til sundown…” He cackled maniacally as he walked off back to his desk, leaving the littlest billy goat Gruff with half a heart attack and ruined weekend plans.

Finally, everyone stopped pestering Apple about her date. Though it didn’t quite matter, as she was too distraught over the entire debacle to focus on her thronework anymore. The rest of the study ball was spent sulking silently at her desk, and mentally preparing for another round of interrogations next period. This routinely went on as the week progressed, turning into borderline harassment at points. By the end of week one, Apple White was positively hexhausted.

Chapter 5

Having successfully avoided her free time being filled with her professors’ 18th century punishments, she could finally take a well-needed breather from the chaos that had been the week. That Saturday’s evening, Apple found herself in her dorm, working at her desk in peaceful solitude. The air was warm, and the sounds of late summer flooded the space as gentle breezes came in through the open window next to her. She had just about finished all of her thronework when an unhexpected knocking came at the door.

Groaning quietly, Apple pushed her chair out and stood. “One moment!” she shouted as she hopped over to the stairs. Her private suite, the south tower of the school, had 3 floors that were connected by a spiral staircase running straight down the middle. While most of the dorms in Ever After High’s castle were quite sizable compared to other boarding schools, senior suites such as this one were envied by even the faculty. Traditionally, these dorms were reserved for only the most notable royals.

Apple descended the stairs, stopping by her mirror before the door to ensure she was presentable. While she wouldn’t normally prefer to be seen in her loungewear, she assumed that one of her friends was visiting- and she wasn’t wrong! However, as the delicate scent of bluebells hit her when she opened the door, Apple wished she had been in a more presentable dress at that moment. “D-Darling??”

”Hey, Apple! Sorry, are you busy?” Darling Charming smiled down at Apple as she stood in the doorway, of course looking as elegant as ever.

More flustered than she should have been, it took Apple a moment to recollect herself before responding. “No! Not at all. I was just finishing my studying. How can I help you?” She smiled back, pleasantly surprised by this surprise visit.

“I just wanted to stop by, see how you’re doing. I’ve heard it’s been a kinda crazy week for you.” Darling leaned against the dorm frame, as if fully ready to let Apple unload all of her stresses onto her right here, right now.

Though flattered by this unprompted wellness check of sorts, Apple was embarrassed to hear that whatever gossip was floating around school had made its way to her crush. “Oh, how sweet of you, Darling! Would you…” Shyly, Apple stepped aside and opened the door fully for her. “Would you like to come in?”

Darling nodded, standing up straight and stepping in. Entering the base of the tower, which was furnished with velvet sofas and a large mirror screen for cozy lounging, she nearly gasped at the grandness of it all. “Sweet Grimm!! This is bigger than I imagined.” She wandered around the staircase, peeking her head over the railing and looking up to see how tall it went.

Apple giggled as she shut the door. “Follow me! You’ll love the view from the balcony.” She walked past Darling and led her up the stairs. They passed the second floor, where Apple’s study desk and bookshelves were kept, and made their way to the top of the tower. Here, on the final floor, the ceiling extended high up, leaving enough space for a dazzling chandelier in the middle. Flowering vines draped across the golden arms of the light fixture fell gently down in all directions, covering the walls and hanging in picturesque floral swoops. The space underneath all of these intricate details contained Apple’s bed, wardrobe, vanity, and other quaint storage spaces for her most essential possessions.

Apple led Darling over to the double glass doors positioned across from her bed, which were letting in the glow of the sunset on the horizon, lighting up the whole space. Together, they stepped out onto a small balcony of white marble which overlooked the courtyards of the school and beyond. Apple stepped aside to let Darling take in the full view. “Pretty enchanting, right?”

Darling walked over to the edge of the balcony in awe, her curls gently blowing back and forth with the warm breeze passing by. “Absolutely. You can see Book End from up here!” She leaned her elbows against the railing as she took in the view.

Tangerine and fuchsia rays of light hit against the tower as the sun descended beneath the skyline of Ever After. Apple moved next to Darling, leaning on the railing as well. The two princesses watched together in content silence. When the last glint of light finally slipped below the horizon, Apple blissfully sighed and turned to face Darling. “I should thank you for stopping by and pulling me away from my thronework. I would have missed that gorgeous sunset otherwise.”

Darling turned to face Apple with a smile. “Any time.” She held her gaze on Apple for a moment longer. The way she was looking at her made Apple self conscious- though not in the way she normally does when it comes to stares from others. This was different. She felt… admired.

Beginning to grow flustered once again, as she always seems to get when around Darling, Apple turned to look at the view as she spoke. “So… Was there anything you wanted to talk about? I think you mentioned you had, um, heard stuff about me?”

“Ah, nothing bad. All just fables, I’m sure.” Darling chuckled, also going back to looking off the balcony as they chatted. “But if any one person is being talked about, good or bad, it’s gotta be hexhausting.”

Apple was silent for a moment. “Yeah. Definitely not the start to this year that I was expecting.” She rested her head in her hand, a slight frown settling on her lips.

”Well, what’s it all about?” Of course, she knew exactly what all of the gossip was about, though she thought it best to not be so direct.

Apple was hesitant at first to talk about her current no-date-dilemma, especially considering the one she was talking to was unknowingly at the center of it all. But after a week of nothing but hesitation and tip-toeing around careful responses to overbearing questions, she was tired. “Everyone wants me to share who I’m bringing to the Lovers Legacy Ball this year. It’s not that bad, but being asked the same question a million times is getting quite old.”

Darling thought for a moment, as if she was debating on whether or not to say this. “So… why don’t you just answer them?”

”Because I don’t know who I’m bringing,” Apple said with shockingly little hesitation. So much so that it even startled herself. She immediately attempted to backtrack. “W- Well, that’s not to say that I don’t have any ideas! I’m just… not sure.”

Surprised, Darling turned to look at Apple. Her expression was turned in a confused yet humored manner. “Oh yeah? Well now I’m curious. Who are your ideas?” she asked with a teasing tone.

Internally, a grimoire’s worth of curses were running through Apple’s mind. “Oh! Ummm.. You know, some princes, some lords, a few knights…” She kept staring off the balcony, hoping to hide the uncertainty that was undoubtedly plastered over her expression.

“Hmm…” Darling also stayed faced forward, processing her words. After an uncomfy moment of silence, she decided on a bold next question. “But no princesses?”

“Wh-” Apple’s head whipped around now, looking at Darling, shocked.

Darling eyed her, awaiting a response.

Apple quickly looked away. “I mean… Snow White marries a prince, so…”

Darling frowned, letting this response also hang in the air for a short moment before speaking. “Snow White also wasn’t blonde.”

“Well-” Apple paused. This was a fact which she had of course considered, but she honestly could not justify her picking and choosing of which details mattered. She didn’t know what to say.

After another period of silence passed, this one a bit more painful than the last, Darling sighed quietly and spoke up. “I’m sorry, Apple. I don’t mean to be so abrasive. It’s just… I hate to see others so caught up in the details of their stories. It reminds me of the fact that my princesshood is contradictory to my destiny.”

Shocked at this sudden personal confession, Apple turned to look at Darling. “What?” she asked, genuinely confused. “Darling, how does being a princess go against your story?”

“I am the daughter of Prince Charming. There is no such thing as a “princess charming.” At least, not yet there’s not. As far as I know, I’m the first of my kind.” Darling speaks in a calm manner, though there is evident pain behind her words. “The way the story always goes explicitly involves a prince and a lady of some manner. Sure, I could play the role of the damsel in distress to try and fit the traditions, but the truth of the matter is that I am not a damsel. My destiny is to save the damsel! But…” She pauses, frustratedly sighing once more. “Perhaps these details really may just get in the way of my story.”

“No!” Apple suddenly bursts out, interjecting herself with such a passion that it takes Darling by surprise. “You’re the most valiant and courageous girl I know, Darling! To hear that you have any hesitation over your destiny sounds as mad as The Hatter, you’ve already more than proven yourself of being the next Prince Charming.”

Darling looked down at Apple, stunned by her fervor. To see her friend so passionate for her, she couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you, Apple. That means a lot coming from you.”

Here comes the blush. “It’s just the truth. Whatever fairytale you join, whoever you end up saving, you’ll be the best princess charming there is.”

Again, Apple’s words left Darling delightfully flattered. However, her smile seemed to turn sad somewhere in the middle of her speech. “I do hope you’re right… Though, despite what I want, I fear I may not have any damsel to save.” She begins fidgeting with a strand of her curls, twirling it around her finger. “I also have no date to the ball.”

Apple’s eyebrows raised slightly in surprise, followed by a hopeful beating in her heart. “O- Oh? Really?” Right as always, C.A. Cupid. “I didn’t expect that.”

“I’m being totally nonfiction. Everyone expects me to be a delicate maiden when it comes to dating. Either that, or they’re to focused on the details of their stories to consider me…” She winds her hair as tight as she can around her finger before letting it jump from her grasp, unraveling in a burst of furious twirls as it cascades back down to her shoulder.

“Oh.” Apple watches Darling play with her hair, remembering how her own locks used to be before she cut them. As much as she liked her new hair, she dearly missed her enchantingly huge curls. “Darling…”

“It’s alright though- I get it. I’m quite an unconventional character, being a girl savior type and all.” She turned all the way around, leaning her back against the balcony’s banister now and resting her elbows there. Her eyes wandered around Apple’s room as she spoke, taking in the elaborate decor. “It makes sense that someone like me would struggle in this department. But, honestly, if you can’t find a date to the ball- we might all be hexed.”

Apple wanted to speak up. Now more than ever, she wanted to tell Darling how she really felt. Unfortunately, no matter which way she worded it in her mind, there was nothing that sounded just right. How does one who has been trained her whole life to do nothing more than lie dead and receive a kiss suddenly work up the nerve to confess her love? “I’m sorry, Darling.”

Looking back down at Apple, she raised a confused brow. “Sorry? What for? I was just kidding about the hexed comment-”

She chuckled and shook her head. “I’m not talking about that.” Apple joined Darling now in turning around and leaning against the banister as she spoke. “When I hear people say that these are our own stories, and we get to shape them how we want, it scares me. I want my story to go exactly like my mother’s, yet it seems like my pages are prematurely wrinkled sometimes. I mean, my Evil Queen is one of the least evil girls I know, and I’m obviously out of a Prince Charming at the moment. So I’ve been trying my best to follow every little detail, as if doing so will help get my story back on track.” Apple looks up to Darling now. “I hadn’t realized your destiny was being hindered because of this.”

As Darling listens, she can’t help but crack a smile at the end. “...You say that as if I’m a part of your story.”

Apple smiles as well, of course blushing more as she realizes this, too. “I mean this mindset in general. They’re right when they say our stories are ours. You’re not a man like Prince Charming, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have his story. In a way, you’re right for feeling like you go against your destiny- because you get to reshape it to fit you. But that fact is being denied by… well, by people like me. And it’s hurting you in the process.” She looks down now, feeling a bit ashamed admitting this.

Unhexpectedly, Apple feels a gentle pair of fingers touch the bottom of her chin, moving her head upwards to face her bluebell goddess. Darling is looking at her with an earnest gaze, having been struck by her words. “Apple, you are not the one hurting me. Nobody is hurting me, I didn’t mean to give you that impression.” Looking down at the petite princess, whose cheeks were as pink as the sky was minutes ago, Darling lets go of her and sighs, embarrassedly. “Oh, Grimm.. I came here to try and cheer you up! Making you worry about me is the last thing I wanted.”

Almost instinctively, Apple’s hands shoot forward and wrap themselves around Darling’s. Any time she got even the tiniest of tastings of her touch, she couldn’t help but try and prolong it. “Oh, Darling! You have more than cheered me up with your visit. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sour the mood so much. Let’s not end the day with such melodramatics. The ball and our destinies can wait. How about we do something fun?”

Smiling at Apple’s infectious enthusiasm, Darling holds her hands back and nods. “I agree, a distraction is what we both need right now. What do you suggest we do?”

“Hmm…” Apple looks around as she thinks of ideas. “It is almost dinner time.”

“Oh! I heard the castleteria is serving Little Jack Horner’s pies for dessert tonight,” Darling suggests with an enticing tone and hexcited smile.

Apple eagerly nods, practically dragging Darling to the stairs as soon as she heard ‘pie’ escape her lips. “Spelltastic! What are we waiting for??”

Now, full of rambunctious giggles and hungry appetites, the two princesses headed to the castleteria hand-in-hand. Though Apple hadn’t gotten any closer to finding a date to the Lovers Legacy Ball, sometimes a romantic sunset and a friendly chat is all one needs to feel better about their worries. However, the chat had brewed up an entirely new feeling in Apple. She wanted Darling, and she didn’t know how to get her. Everything she had ever wanted before came instantly on a golden tray, hand delivered by one of her mother’s hundreds of dwarf workers. Not only that, nothing she had ever wanted went against the details of her story in any way. The thought of marrying a princess was frightening on a multitude of levels, it felt like she would betray her destiny. Yet this type of fear was why nobody ever considered Darling for their stories. With so much dissonance in her mind, Apple needed another talk with the one girl who was better than anyone at rebelling against destiny.

Chapter 6

Back in Apple’s tower again, Raven Queen has been invited over after classes for some afternoon tea. The two sat together on the first floor, sharing the loveseat by the window. The curtains were tied back, and the glass panes were pushed open to let the pleasant late summer air fill the room.

Placed on a little glass coffee table next to them was a tray of tea cups and sandwiches, yet neither girl seemed to touch the display. Raven sat criss-crossed on the couch, intently listening to Apple talk. “...So we ran off to grab dinner together, and it was like I didn’t even have to worry about the ball anymore. How it even possible to have all of your problems whisked away by just being in the presence of someone! Fairy godmother, she’s just too good to be true.”

An amused smile grew on Raven’s lips. She had never seen her friend so lovestruck before. “Wow, Apple. You really think Darling is the one?”

“How could she not be?” she spouted. “She’s a Charming, she’s strong, she’s gorgeous, she’s so dreamy, she fears nothing, she’s beautiful-”

“Do you think Darling’s pretty? I can’t tell,” Raven teased.

“AND!” Apple interjected, ignoring Raven’s teasing. “She can wake me from a slumber spell. Remember Legacy Year? Logically speaking, she meets all the requirements and more.”

Raven thought back. “Huh, you’re right..”

She nodded enthusiastically. “I know I’m right. She’s the one.”

“...Then why haven’t you asked her out?”

Apple pauses, a beat of anxiety passing through her before she speaks again. “Because… what if I’m actually wrong…”

Hexhaustedly, Raven rolls her eyes. “Apple, do you hear yourself?”

“I know,” she whines, holding her hands to her head in upset.

“For a future queen, you really are too afraid of rejection.” Raven uncrosses her legs and leans over to the side, grabbing one of the tea sandwiches from the table.

“It’s not the rejection that scares me,” Apple responds, then thinking about it briefly. “Well, that’s not to say rejection doesn’t scare me at all. But that’s not what I’m worried about!”

“Okay, then what’s really holding you back?” Raven asks as she takes a bite of the sandwich.

“What if Darling isn’t my princess charming, and us being together derails our stories! Mine, and whoever else’s she is meant to be apart of.”

Raven slowly finishes chewing her bite of sandwich, looking at Apple with a raised brow. “Do I need to remind you yet again that I do not intend on poisoning you?”

Apple giggles, rolling her eyes a little at what used to make her so upset. “Of course not.”

“Then I don’t get it,” Raven says. “You know that your story is basically already derailed. Why care about if Darling really is your princess charming or not?”

She shrugs. Apple does indeed recognize how it doesn’t entirely make sense. “Maybe I’m just in denial of that fact, but doing what’s in my control is comforting. If I can’t control you, I can still control things like my appearance, my actions, and hopefully who I end up with. I still want the same happily ever after as my mother. It’s what I have grown to expect.”

Raven nods. While this isn’t the first time the two of them had had a talk like this, and it most certainly would not be the last, she felt that they really gained a better understanding of each other each time. And as someone so adamant about others choosing their own destiny, Raven admired Apple’s commitment to her choice. “While I will say that you are most definitely in denial,” she says, obviously teasing her. “I think your story is going to go the same regardless of who you date.”

“How?” Apple tilts her head slightly in confusion. “I feel like in the case of princesses who need to be woken from a spell, there are very definite right and wrong options for us. Only so many people have that ability.”

“Which Darling does! As we’ve established. But anyways, if you do end up getting poisoned and Darling for some reason can’t wake you twice, then you’ll just stay poisoned until somebody else comes along who can.” Raven takes another bite of her sandwich, talking while she chews. “Either that or you die.”

“Raven! That’s horrible,” Apple cried, holding her chest in fear at the thought.

Raven cackled, finishing her bite again. “Yup. So you might as well get your gorgeous knight while you’re still breathing. Our stories will go how they go, and there is some stuff we just don’t have control over. Who knows, maybe one day I will spontaneously turn wicked and decide to play my part. For now, I’m just doing what feels right. You should, too.”

Though a bit frightened now, Apple understood what Raven was trying to say. “I suppose… But there’s still one other problem!”

“Which is?” Raven finished off her sandwich, ready to hear whatever Apple’s next hexcuse was.

“...What if she doesn’t like me…”

Another sassy eye roll from her grim friend. “She likes you.”

“What?? How could you possibly know that,” she exclaims, already feeling her face growing hot at such a possibility.

“You told me, and I quote, “When I told her about how I didn’t have a date to the ball, she asked me if I liked princesses.” And later you said, “She grabbed my chin to turn my head, and her touch was so delicate yet strong at the same time. I could have puked butterflies.” Does any of that sound even remotely like something a friend would do?” she asks in her most snarky tone.

Apple’s cheeks were scarlet with embarrassment and adorned with a shy smile. “Well… When you put it like that…”

Raven giggles seeing Apple so flustered. “Exactly. I’d be quite surprised if she wasn’t trying to drop hints that she likes you.”

“What should I do? I’ve never been so charmed before...” Anxious with the possibilities floating through her mind, Apple curls her legs up on the couch and hugs her knees to her chest.

“Ask Darling on a date!” As the words escaped Raven’s mouth, she swore she could see Apple’s soul begin to ascend from her body. “...Oh come on, it can’t be that scary.”

“It so can be! You know I’ve never dated before,” she hexclaimed as she hugged her knees tighter.

“Then how about you just ask her to hang out? As friends. Knowing Darling’s nature, she’ll probably end up asking you out anyways. Just do what you do best and be an enchanting princess with woodland creatures for friends, it’ll draw her right in.”

Apple laughed, and felt the stress begin to alleviate. “That sounds much more up my alley. Thank you, Raven.”

Nodding, Raven leaned over to the tray on the coffee table again, this time grabbing a sandwich for both her and Apple. “Anytime. By the way, how did Professor Nimble’s test go today? Maddie told me it was a real dethroner,” she said as she handed Apple a sandwich.

As Apple’s stresses died down, the two finally got to having a proper afternoon tea. They spent the time continuing to chat and indulge each other about the week’s activities. However, with Raven’s suggestions fluttering about in Apple’s mind, she couldn’t help but be filled with a sense of eager anticipation, hexcited for the next encounter she would have with her future princess charming.

Chapter 7

A fortnight later, and Apple had found herself thoroughly entrenched in her crush on Darling. Having followed through on Raven’s advice, she asked Darling one day if she would like to eat lunch together. From that point on, what was intended to be a one-off lunch date turned into them eating together quite regularly. The two of them had practically ditched the castleteria tables they had been loyal to since Freedom Year for each other.

On a pleasantly sunny afternoon, the girls had found a spot to sit at a lovely three tiered fountain with a wide pool at the base, located in one of the school’s many enchanting courtyards. They perched themselves atop the white marble ledge surrounding the fountain’s pool, setting their lunch trays on their laps. The sun twinkled on the reflection of the running water beneath them, reflecting onto the tall garden hedges surrounding the courtyard. Though the air had begun to cool as autumn crept its way across the kingdom, the flora planted around the school was still as lush and blooming as ever- and so was the relationship between these two girls.

Apple delicately smoothed the ruffles of her skirt as she sat down, being careful as to not get any part of her ensemble wet. “What a lovely spot! I can’t believe I’ve never thought to sit out here before,” she exclaimed as she admired the scenery.

Darling sat herself right next to her, letting her lungs swell with the fresh air as a gentle breeze jostled her curls over her shoulders. “Nice, isn’t it? This is where I usually come to cool down after sparring practice.” Lunch tray resting on her thighs, Darling picks up her fork and begins mixing her salad around. “Sometimes, on particularly breezy days, you can stand in the path of the fountain’s mist. It’s fairy refreshing.”

As Apple also began pecking at her food, her mind unintentionally wandered to the thought of post-sparring Darling. In uniform, flexed muscles, glistening in a thin layer of sweat from the workout… Getting a bit flustered at her own imagination, she tried to focus on the conversation. “I’m flattered you decided to share this spot with me!”

“Of course. The fairest of them all deserves to enjoy the finest nooks in the courtyard!” Darling jokes in an overly formal tone of voice. She smiles down at Apple with a wink before taking a bite of her salad.

Giggling, Apple’s eyes can’t help but be drawn to Darling’s arm as she raises her fork to her mouth. From a simple glance, Darling’s frame appears to be that of a typical thin woman. However, the moment her muscles are engaged, her physique transforms into that of a proper sword-wielding heroine. Subtly flexing from under a short sleeved blouse, Darling’s beautifully toned biceps are all Apple can look at.

Her arm eventually goes back to her side, but as Darling chews her bite of salad, she feels Apple’s intense gaze on her still. “...Are you going to eat, Apple?”

Finally, she snaps back to reality. “Ah! Yes, sorry. Just… spacing out,” she lies as she picks up her sandwich.

Darling chuckles, continuing to eat. Chirps of songbirds in the trees nearby fill the space, accompanying the trickling of the fountain water and rustling of leaves in the garden. Together, the two enjoy the serenity of the courtyard as they eat their lunch… At least, that’s what Darling thought they would be doing. She soon felt Apple’s eyes on her yet again. Nervously, she looked back over at the wide eyed princess. “...Wh- What’s up?”

“You’re really pretty, Darling.” Apple’s voice was quiet, but sincere.

A shade akin to cherry blossoms suddenly spreads across Darling’s cheeks. What an ironic thing, to catch a knight off her guard. “Oh! Why, thank you. You also are really pretty,” she responded, a clear hint of fluster in her words.

Apple gave an endearing little smile, taking another bite of her sandwich. Finally, she stopped ogling Darling and turned to appreciate the courtyard’s beauty.

Darling, on the other hand, was now the one staring at Apple. She wasn’t used to such compliments. How was she to just go back to eating? “What makes you say that? If I may ask.”

She swallows her bite and turns back to her. “Can’t a girl compliment a friend?”

“That… felt like more than just a friend compliment,” Darling says with a chuckle. They both get quiet now. Holding eye contact, waiting for one of them to speak up.

Internally, Apple feels her cauldron of nerves begin to bubble. She thought she could get away with one little flirtatious comment, Darling calling her out for it was the last thing she expected. The tension now created was too much for her to handle, she felt like she was about to get up and run away.

After their staring contest had gone on long enough, Darling opens her mouth to say something. Whether unfortunately or not, the words never get the chance to leave her, as a pair of rosy cousins suddenly enter the courtyard to interrupt their lunch.

“There you are! Apple, I’ve been looking all over for you,” Briar Beauty exclaims as she walks over to the fountain. She lifts up her sunglasses, setting them atop her head to get a better look at the two girls eating together. “Turn your MirrorPhone on, I’ve sent you, like, a bajillion hexts.”

Rosabella walks up next to her cousin, giving Darling a wave. “Enjoying the nice weather?”

“Hey, girls! We certainly are.” Darling says with a smile. “Care to join us?”

Apple, who has been scrambling to check her MirrorPhone, looks up sheepishly at the two of them. “Yes! Please, sit with us.” Though normally she would be sad to have her alone time with Darling interrupted, she is thankful to have that awkward moment from before written over.

Briar takes a seat next to Apple, and Rosabella next to Darling. Taking out her MirrorPhone, Briar pulls up a hexsite and shows it to Apple. “Fall is so here! The Beanstalk Bakery is adding the Pumpkin Carriage Latte to their menu next week.” Briar leans forward to look at the other girls, too. “We should totes all go together.”

“Ooh, that sounds hexcellent!” Darling exclaimed. She turned to look at the brunette beside her. “Rosabella, isn’t that one of your favorite drinks?”

Eagerly, Rosabella nodded. “Yes!! Personally, I like the way Hocus Latte makes it better than Beanstalk Bakery. But I’m still fairy hexcited!”

Darling giggled at her roommate’s enthusiasm over the autumnal drink. “I remember during Freedom Year, you would have a Pumpkin Carriage Latte in hand at all times.”

“Her addiction has not gotten much better- trust me,” Briar joked from the other end of the ledge.

“I can’t help it! They’re so sweet and delicious.” Rosabella clasped her hands together, smiling wide as she fantasized about her favorite drink.

Briar and Darling both laughed at Rosabella’s obsession, continuing to tease her. However, Apple mostly stayed silent. While the rest of the lunch went by fine, Rosabella felt the familiar unease she had been getting lately whenever she and Apple interacted. It was a subtle discomfort, one where she couldn’t decipher the reason behind it, but always felt as if she had done something wrong.

Chapter 8

The lunch dates like these continued, and so did Apple’s attempt at getting closer to Darling. At any given opportunity, she would attempt to slip in a flirtatious compliment or gesture, and Darling would never be subtle about pointing it out. They became accustomed to this way of flirting, and it was clearer than Cinderella’s slipper how they both felt about each other. Apple was certain Darling wanted her back, but she still couldn’t work up the nerve to ask her out.

During her lunch period one day, Apple headed out to the courtyard to find Darling. Ready to enjoy another meal with her, lunch tray in hands, Apple suddenly stopped as her eyes locked onto somebody sitting by Darling at their fountain spot.

It was a boy, but not one Apple instantly recognized. He had jet black hair, teeming with vibrant streaks of red. Had he been in his typical uniform, that being a bright red suit of knight armor, perhaps she would have remembered who this was. It was not until she watched him reach for Darling’s hair, brushing it out of her face in a loving caress of her cheek, that it finally clicked for Apple. But by the time it had, she was already turned and sprinting away, fleeing the scene before either of them could see the tears beginning to fall onto her food.

Chapter 9

Rosabella Beauty had just finished her lunch when a peculiar sight caught her eye. She was leaving the castleteria, and all of a sudden a tiny chipmunk scurried around her heels and down the hall. “Whoa! What the-“ She watched as it rounded a corner, followed by a pair of white doves flying in through the window and following where the chipmunk was heading. “Animals? Inside the school?” As an animal lover and protector, Rosabella had to know where these woodland friends were all going.

She followed the trail of creatures through the hallways, leading further into the desolate sections of Ever After High’s castle. Eventually, a soft sobbing began to echo in the corridor. Rosabella started to piece the clues together. There were only so many princesses at this school who attracted animals to them when they cried. The options ran through her head, but she didn’t need to ponder them for long, as when she entered a classroom filled with forest friends of all sizes, her eyes of course landed on Apple White.

The weeping girl had her head on the desk, arms wrapped around her face as her back rose and fell with her cries. Surrounding her were what seemed to be at least half of the Enchanted Forest’s inhabitants, comforting the distressed princess. A white rabbit sat in front of Apple on the desk, nuzzling her golden hair. By her right foot was a cuddly raccoon, and by her left, a flock of little ducklings. On the next desk over was a lunch tray full of food, which a team of squirrels and robins were pecking away at. Perched on her shoulders were the white doves Rosabella had watched fly in moments before, and playing in her hair were a trio of field mice. Foxes, bear cubs, wolf pups, badgers, sparrows, and other animals of all sizes were surrounding Apple.

Just when Rosabella thought the room couldn’t get any more full, she had to jump out of the way after being shoved by a doe as tall as her. “Sweet Grimm…” she muttered to herself. Apple still had yet to notice that a bipedal creature had entered the classroom, and for a brief moment Rosabella contemplated just leaving, pretend like she never saw this. But she couldn’t just leave Apple like this, it wouldn’t be right.

Rosabella stepped further into the classroom, cautiously walking around little animals. When she was close enough, she gently spoke up. “Uhm… Hey, Apple. Are you okay?”

Through sniffles and tears, Apple lifted her head to look at Rosabella. Despite it being no use, she made an attempt to wipe her eyes dry with her wrist. “O- Oh! Hi, Rosabella…” Just spelltastic. Of course she had to be discovered by Darling’s roommate.

Rosabella frowned, seeing how hard Apple had been crying. “What’s got you so unfairest?” Again, she carefully tiptoed her way around the woodland creatures and over to a desk next to Apple. She gently shooed away a pair of opossums on the seat and sat down.

“Uh… It- It’s nothing important…” Carefully sitting up to not send any of her furry or winged friends flying, Apple takes in a few deep breathes. She leaves her hands on the table, and the little rabbit finds its way in between them to get some pets.

“Nothing important?” Rosabella almost chuckles, looking around the chaos of the room. “Your furry friends would argue otherwise. Don’t be so modest, talk to me.”

Mindlessly petting the soft, white fur of the rabbit, Apple hesitates to say anything. “Well��� I’m not exactly sure if I can talk about it with you…”

Silence falls over the conversation. It takes Rosabella a moment to form her words, but as she does, her frown of sympathy contorts into one of annoyance. “Fine. Be like that.”

Before Apple can process what she said, Rosabella is getting up from her seat and making her way to the door. “W- Wait! What?? Rosabella, what did I say!” Apple stands as well, sending animals scattering off of her. They create a path for her to walk over.

“You don’t wanna talk to me. It’s okay, I get it. You obviously don’t like me, I don’t know why I even offered to listen in the first place.” Whether intentionally or not, by clearing a walkway for Apple, the woodland creatures had moved right in front of Rosabella, blocking her way out.

“No, no! That’s not at all what I meant,” Apple cried as she tried to stop Rosabella from leaving, her voice breaking as more tears threatened to fall. “You- You think I don’t like you?”

Now even more annoyed at being unable to move through the sea of critters, Rosabella stopped and looked to Apple. “Yeah. I feel like you’re mad at me over Daring…”  Speaking her innermost thoughts into existence, Rosabella’s face began to flush as the words came out.

Apple’s heart sunk, hearing her worst fear when it came to Rosabella being affirmed. It took her a moment of stunned silence and hitched breathes to come up with an answer. “...I’m sorry, Rosabella. I never wanted you to feel that way. It’s just not true.”

“Then what’s so awkward between us all the time??” She puts her hands on her hips. They’ve already opened the door, might as well go all in. “If you’re really not mad at me, how come I always feel like I’m guilty of taking something from you whenever we talk?”

“It’s… It’s not about Daring…” Her lip quivers, remembering why she was crying in the first place. A little blue bird flies over and lands on Apple’s head, but she waves it away.

“Then what is it about! What did I do to you??”

“You did nothing!” Unable to control her emotions, the tears well up again in Apple’s eyes. Uncomfortable and vulnerable, she wraps her arms around herself and looks down. “It’s about… D- Darling!” She bursts, covering her face as she begins to weep again. The animals get worked up again at Apple’s distress.

Watching her explode into tears, Rosabella is completely taken aback. “Darling? Really?” Now more confused than upset, she quickly grows anxious just standing there while Apple cries. “Sit back down. Take some deep breathes…” Rosabella navigates around the animals once more, taking Apple’s shoulders and guiding her to a desk.

Doing as she says, Apple takes in a few shaky breathes. A little chickadee flies over with a silk handkerchief in its beak. Rosabella takes it from the bird and hands it to Apple. “Th- Thank you,” she says before blowing into it. The forest critters begin to reassemble around the two girls, resuming their cuddly comfort routine.

Rosabella pulls a chair over next to where she sat Apple, taking her own seat. A brown bear cub crawls its way over to her feet, looking up with pleading eyes. Unable to resist the cuteness temptation, she bends down and picks him up, placing the cub on her lap. “What’s going on, Apple? You’re mad at me because of Darling?”

“No! Never once have I been mad at you, Rosabella.” She tries to calm down again, looking at her with puffy eyes. “I’m truly sorry to have made you feel this way. You’ve done nothing to deserve this. You’re a wonderful girl- and I think you and Daring are perfect for one another!”

Rosabella scratches the head of the bear cub as she listens. Her brows furrow in even more confusion. “Well… Thank you, I suppose. That still doesn’t explain what Darling has to do with it,” she pointed out. A part of her still didn’t fully believe what she was saying.

“I believe… the reason you think I’m mad at you… is because…” Apple hesitated, scared to be admitting this. “I’m jealous of you and Darling!” she blurted out.

Again, not what Rosabella was expecting to hear. “What…? Why would you be-”

“I like her,” Apple said, cutting her off. “I really, really like her! And I’ve always wished I was as close with Darling as you are with her.” She wiped her eyes once more, meeting Rosabella’s gaze with the most sincerity she could give. “I’m sorry for ever coming across as rude to you because of this, it’s truly disenchanting of me.”

Though completely caught off guard, Rosabella smiles in a mix of disbelief and amusement. “That… makes a lot of sense… You know what, apology accepted. Thanks, Apple.” The little bear in her lap lets out a tiny growl of approvement, nuzzling its head into her hand. She giggles, giving it more pets. “Since we’ve finally cleared the air, can you tell me what’s upsetting you?”

“Ah, right.” She had almost forgotten. “Well… I was really beginning to think that I had a shot with Darling. She made it seem like she liked me. But just now, outside…” Her emotions come rushing back, but she tries to keep the tears from starting for the third time. “...I saw her sitting with Chase Redford.”

Rosabella’s face instantly scrunched up, cringing at that name. “Are you nonfiction? He actually came here to see her?”

Apple nodded. She instantly noticed the reaction from Rosabella, and it didn’t help how she felt about the situation. “Yeah. He and Darling were sitting at our spot on the fountain. They were talking, and then it looked like he was going to kiss her! I couldn’t watch, so I ran away.” Her bunny friend comes back over and hops onto her lap for support. “I’ve been too scared to ask her out, and because of it, I may never get the chance now…”

“Ooh boy…” Rosabella cringes even harder. “Chase has been trying to woo Darling for forever after, but she’s not into him at all.”

“Oh?” She looks up at her, hugging the bunny in her arms.

“Yeah. You have nothing to worry about, Apple. Chase Redford is most certainly not your competition when it comes to Darling. And neither am I,” Rosabella says with a laugh. She stands now, setting the bear cub at her feat. “So, was that all you were crying about?”

Apple nods, watching as she stood. “Mhm. But I feel much better now. Thank you, Rosabella!”

“Ah… Yeah, anytime…” She gives Apple a weird look. These damsel-in-distress types were eternally confusing to her, she didn’t understand what Darling saw in them. “How about we get your friends back outside? Last time Baba Yaga caught me sneaking animals around the school, I had to stay after class and sweep the dragon stables.”

“Right! Come on, everyone! Out you go now.” Apple stands, still holding the bunny, and all of the woodland animals begin scurrying out of the door and windows.

Rosabella watches in astonishment at how obedient they all are. “Wow! That was quick.”

Walking to the door herself now, Apple shrugs. “It’s easy when you can talk to them. I’m going to bring this baby back to her hollow. It’s her nap time.” The little bunny in her arms yawns as she says this. Giggling, she looks back to Rosabella. “Want to come with? It’s only a quick walk through the Enchanted Forest.”

She shakes her head, also walking to the door. “I’ve got class soon, but thanks for the offer.” Together, they walk down the hall and back into the main area of the castle. “I must say, it feels good to finally talk things out. You really mean it when you say Daring and I are right for each other?”

“Of course!” Apple says as she gives her bunny pets. “I think you make a spelltacular couple. And you’ve really done some work on him. I haven’t seen Daring with his face buried in a mirror in quite some time now.”

Rosabella laughs. “Trust me, it wasn’t easy. He was a real beast to tame.”

Eventually, Apple reaches the castle door, and she and Rosabella part ways. Heading down into the Enchanted Forest, she doesn’t see Darling or Chase by the fountain as she passes by. With what Rosabella told her about the two, Apple felt her sorrow from before wash away. She still had a chance, and little did she know it, but those chances were much higher than she thought.

Chapter 10

“There you go, sweetie.” Apple was on the forest floor, gently placing her bunny friend in its hollow. It hopped into the soft grassy hole, where its many siblings lay curled up against one another. The mama bunny sat outside of their home, watching as her children settled down for their mid-afternoon nap. When they were all in, she looked to Apple and nodded thanks. “You’re very welcome, Mrs. Hopps! Have a good day,” she said with a wave.

Suddenly, the mama bunny jumped up at something she saw, and ran down into the hollow with her children in fright. Apple was fairy confused, until the scent of bluebells hit her. “Apple! I missed you at lunch,” Darling said as she approached from the walking path.

Apple turned around, a coy smile on her face. “How did you find me out here?”

Darling reached a hand out, offering to help Apple up off the ground. “I saw Rosabella in the halls, she knew you were out here for some reason.”

Bashfully grabbing Darling’s hand, she stood and then brushed the dirt off her knees. “Oh, yeah! We were just talking.”

“What about?” She smiles down at Apple, happy to hear about her friends getting along.

‘You,’ Apple thought to herself. “Nothing important. Anyways, I’m sorry I didn’t join you for lunch. I saw you with someone and didn’t want to interrupt.” She debated on asking about how her talk with Chase went, but it turns out she didn’t have to.

Darling sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. “Yeah, that was Chase. He’s an old friend from Wonderland. You two might have met before?”

Apple feigns ignorance and acts like she hadn’t known who he was all along. “Ooh! Yes, I know him. He came a long way to visit.” Curiosity prodded at her. She had to know. “...What did you two talk about?”

“Actually,” Darling said with a shy smile. “That’s what I came to tell you.”

At that moment, Apple felt like she had been hexed. “R- Really?” What was Darling about to say?? Did Chase ask her out like Cupid predicted? What if she said yes?

“Yeah. He had come to ask me if I would like to go out with him.” Right again, Cupid. Before Apple had the chance to freak out, Darling continued speaking. “Unfortunately, I had to let him know that someone else already had my heart.”

Something in the air suddenly seemed to turn serene. This was not what she had expected. Apple felt her heartbeat fasten in anticipation. “I see… And who is this lucky someone?”

Darling took a step closer to Apple, moving with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what they want. “Who else could it be other than the fairest girl in the land?”

Her cheeks darkened, and a smile couldn’t help itself but find its way onto her face. “Darling…” Would it be inappropriate to describe this moment as something out of a fairytale? Because as the sunlight twinkled through the mystical trees of the Enchanted Forest, and as Apple’s knight in shining armor moved in to wrap her hand around her waist, it felt nothing short of the most spellbinding love story ever written.

“The very thought of being with anyone other than you is unfathomable, and Chase’s confession helped me realize that. No one else makes me feel both strong and beautiful at the same time. When we’re together, it’s like I’m finally seen for who I truly am.” Acting on her truest heart’s desires, every word Darling said was pulled straight from her soul. “I can’t see a version of my happily ever after without you in it.”

“Oh, Darling!” Apple returns the embrace, putting an arm around Darling’s waist as well. No confession of love she had ever received before could top this one, coming from the only girl she knew with a heart pure as gold.

“Please, Apple. Say you’ll be mine.” Darling puts a hand on her chin, her thumb gently brushing once over Apple’s cherry red lips. “I’d kiss you awake a thousand times more just to be with you.”

Shivers run down her spine. “...Then go ahead,” she says as she closes her eyes.

After yearning for this moment, imagining it countless times before, Darling leans in and lays a kiss so passionate on her fair maiden’s lips, it could evaporate a witch’s strongest poison in an instant. In fact, it was a kiss so strong, so sweet, it sunk deep into Apple’s mind and destroyed any and all doubts she had ever had about her love for Darling. From the branches of the Enchanted Forest swooped down a pair of white doves, singing their heartfelt song as they danced and flew in the air around the two real lovebirds. Though most certainly a tale as old as time, these two princesses had introduced to the Realm of Ever After a love so special, so new, that it would forever change the very meaning of the word amongst fairytale beings of all kinds. Proving that these truly were their own stories to write, the newest iteration of Snow White was set out to be the most idyllic and beautifully sapphic version yet.

End of Part 1.

Thank you so much for reading!

[acourtofthought]

I love how SJM described both Lucien and Eris. 🌳🌳🌳

She writes Autumn Court fae as being so connected to the earth.

It's so clear to see that Sarah is hinting at Lucien being the right person for Elain. Sunshine and nature, the makeup of her own mate.

It's almost like SJM flipped the Blodeuwedd fairytale on its head or at least shared it between both Elain and Lucien.

Gwydion created Blodeuwedd out of flowers to be the wife of Lleu.

And while Elain is often likened to flowers as well, SJM created her mate to have the Sun in his blood and appear crafted from the forests.

The fairytale benefitted Lleu by gifting him a spouse through magic but Sarah made Lucien the answer to what Elain most connects with (nature) and needs, "Sunshine".

[everythingxh]

Our Day

Pairing: idol-Euijoo x idol-reader

Genre: Marshmallow Fluffy cause it’s a wedding day

Warnings? A little suggestive when the bride and groom text so mdni, pronouns used are (she/her)

Summary: it’s your wedding day today, your groom is Euijoo. @lune-net

The sun had risen on the 7th of September as Y/n and Euijoo's day began.

Today is their day.

Today is the day to be happy for them.

Today is the day they can finally call each other "Sweetheart" and "Honey."

Y/n's four friends surrounded her bed from both sides as they woke her up to get her ready for her big day.

"Oh Y/nnn, wake up! Today is the day you've always dreamed about," her best friend Leni said as she started shaking Y/n’s body.

"Oh, come on, Y/n! You might not have enough time to get your nails and hair done, and putting that dress on might take like an hour just to get the top part on. Come on, wake up, sleeping beauty—or should I say, soon-to-be Mrs. Byun?" cooed her other best friend, Sarah, as she grabbed a water bottle from Y/n's bedside table, sprinkled some on her hands, and flicked it over Y/n's face to wake her up properly.

Y/n's eyes slowly opened as her vision focused on her four friends surrounding her bed. She weakly smiled and rested her elbows on the soft mattress to sit up properly.

"Hey, guys. And good morning to you too, Sarah. That wasn’t very nice of you to do that, my child," Y/n said in her soft morning voice.

"Well, Mother, you didn’t wake up, so I had to use the emergency method," Sarah defended herself.

Y/n sighed and gently nodded her head, her lips pressing together as the corners curled upward into a small smile.

"Well then, what shall we do today, my bridesmaids? And maid of honor?" Y/n asked, looking at each of her friends in the room.

"First, we should get you showered, then into the main room where the hairstylist will work her magic while the nail artist does your nails. And, of course, your makeup will be done by me, because I'm the best at it. After that, Sana and I can help you with your huge dress," answered her childhood friend Dahyun.

"Let’s go then! What are we waiting for?" Y/n said excitedly as she swung her feet to the side of her bed, ready to begin her and Euijoo's special day.

Her four friends smiled at their best friend, feeling genuinely happy for her.

As the five girls made their way to Y/n’s bathroom, Sarah suddenly stopped the group, holding up her right hand to gesture for them to halt.

"Sarah… girly, can we pass, please? We want to help bathe her too," protested Leni, looking down at Sarah. She shook her head and faked a little smile.

"Nope. Only a mother can bathe her child, and last time I checked, I was her third mother. You know, her actual mother is her first, and her man's mother is her second. So, basically, I’m the third. Anyways, I’m bathing her, and you stay out of it," Sarah declared as she pushed all three of them out and shut the bathroom door.

——————————————————————

As the hairstylist curled Y/n's hair and styled it the way she wanted, Y/n was on her phone, texting her soon-to-be husband.

Heyy babe! Guess what?

What?

I’m getting my hair and makeup done so that I can marry you

Ohhh I can’t wait to marry youuu You know what I’m more excited for after our wedding day ends?

Wait let me guess…..sleeping at the hotel?

Nope

Umm maybe the rest we’re gonna get on our honeymoon? Cause you had like three comebacks and I had four, we need rest you know

Yeah I know But I’m excited about what’s after the wedding ;) The part where I show you how much I love you

Oh stoppp ittt don't make me blush in front of my besties, you know what they'll do when they see my red ass cheeks

Okay I’ll shut up now

The corners of her lips curled into a joyful grin.

Just as she was about to continue texting the man she'd fallen in love with, her best friends snapped her out of her little world and brought her back to reality.

"Hellooo? Earth to Y/n, are you here? Gosh, guys, I think we lost her!" shouted Sarah, waving her hands in front of Y/n's face.

"Okay, okay, gosh," Y/n said, lifting her head from her phone to look at herself in the mirror.

The hairstylist had just finished, and Y/n admired the way her hair cascaded in soft, elegant waves down her back. The front sections were pulled back and twisted into delicate braids, meeting at the crown of her head in a subtle, floral-inspired knot. Tiny, pearl-like pins were tucked into the braids, giving her hair a romantic, whimsical touch that perfectly complemented the day.

"Woah, thank you so much, Lia. My hair looks amazing," Y/n complimented, moving her head from side to side to show off her hair.

"No problem, Y/n," Lia replied with a smile, moving over to the other girls to do their hair.

"Alright, quit goofing around, Y/nie. Your wedding is in an hour, and you still need to get your makeup done—and, of course, the dress! Now come here; I’ll do your makeup, and then Sana and I will help you with the dress," Dahyun said, half complaining.

——————————————————————

"And… done! Look at you. It feels like just yesterday we were in your room pretending you were the bride and I was the groom. You wore your bride costume, and I was wearing my older brother’s suit, acting as your husband-to-be. Ahh, great memories," Dahyun said as she finished Y/n's makeup.

"You can look at yourself now. I allow it," Dahyun added, laughing at her little rule: Do not look at yourself unless I say so.

Y/n slowly lifted her eyes from her phone and locked eyes with her reflection in the mirror.

Her makeup was soft and glowing, highlighting her natural beauty. A subtle shimmer on her eyelids made her eyes sparkle, while the delicate winged eyeliner and wispy lashes gave her a soft, romantic gaze. Her cheeks were dusted with a light pink blush that matched her lips perfectly—glossy, but not too bold. The overall look was effortlessly elegant, making her feel like the most beautiful version of herself.

"Gotta say, this is another great masterpiece by the artist Kim Dahyun. God damn, I’m hot," Y/n exclaimed, smiling at herself in the mirror.

"And now I can join in! Come on, Y/n, we don’t have much time. The dress is waiting for you!" Sana said, grabbing Y/n's hand and pulling her toward the dressing room.

"Alright, here we go. Ahh, I can’t believe you’re getting married in a few minutes!" Dahyun exclaimed as she slipped the top half of the dress onto Y/n.

"Yeah, girl, how are you feeling?" Sana asked, helping Dahyun lace up the back of the dress.

"Honestly, I’m half excited and half nervous because this is such a huge step for us," Y/n muttered as she stepped into the bottom half of the dress.

The dress hugged her figure perfectly, a stunning blend of classic elegance and modern flair. The bodice was intricately detailed with lace, tiny beads catching the light with every movement. The skirt flowed down in layers of soft tulle, giving it a dreamy, ethereal look. The back dipped into a graceful V-shape, showing just enough skin to feel sophisticated but not too revealing. As the fabric settled around her, Y/n felt like she’d stepped straight out of a fairytale.

"Don’t worry. It’s gonna be the best day ever for everyone in that venue. Plus, I heard from a little birdie that Euijoo is just as excited and nervous as you are. So, hey, you’re both feeling the same," Dahyun commented as she and Sana finished lacing the dress.

"Hey guys, are you ready? We need to put her veil on and start that wedding," Sarah said, opening the curtain a little to talk to the three girls in the tiny room.

"Yep, she’s ready for the veil. Let’s get the finishing touches done and get you married," Sana said excitedly.

——————————————————————

Stepping out of the tiny room, Y/n looked in the mirror to see everything together one last time as Sarah and Leni placed the veil on her head.

Y/n gasped softly, placing her hands over her mouth, her eyes getting watery as soft laughter escaped her lips.

The others quickly came to her side, tapping her shoulders and nodding.

"Ah ha, yeah, you’re gorgeous—with and without makeup. Now let’s get you married to your future husband, Euijoo," Dahyun said, locking her arm with Y/n’s and walking her to a chair to help her with her heels.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and Y/n's mother rushed into the room. Her eyes filled with tears as she smiled and approached her daughter.

"Hello, dearest. Are we ready? Your father is waiting for you," Y/n's mother said, flipping the front of the veil to cover Y/n's face. She then turned to Y/n's best friends and scolded them, "And you guys need to get out and walk with your groomsmen."

Y/n chuckled at her mother and nodded as she stood from the chair and walked to the door.

"Wish me luck, guys," Y/n said as she stepped out to meet her father.

"Hey, sweetheart. I can’t believe my little princess is getting married," her father said as she approached him.

She grinned, locking her arm with his, and they began the walk to the ceremony.

Y/n heard the music begin, signaling the start of the ceremony. She looked to her left, seeing her and Euijoo’s best friends walking side by side, all of them smiling and giving her thumbs up.

First, her soon-to-be husband, Euijoo, walked down the aisle.

Then, her bridesmaids and Euijoo's groomsmen followed.

Next, her little sister walked down the aisle, scattering flowers on the floor, meaning she’d be the last to walk down the aisle with her father, the attention solely on her.

She started walking beside her father, her breathing becoming uneven.

Her father paused, looking at her with worried eyes. "Princess, are you okay?"

"Yes, Dad, I’m okay. Just feeling a little nervous, that’s all."

"Alright then, just breathe. Everything will go as we planned," her father reassured her, and they continued walking.

The doors slid open, revealing a room filled with smiling faces. Some guests teared up at the sight of her, while others simply stood and smiled, admiring how beautiful she looked as a bride.

Euijoo shifted his gaze from his best man to his bride. He couldn’t contain the big smile that formed on his face, his eyes slightly tearing up, and his hands trembling just a bit.

"So beautiful," Euijoo mumbled under his breath as he watched his soon-to-be wife walking toward him.

Y/n felt a smile creeping onto her face as she stared back at him.

When their walk came to an end, her father took her hands and placed them in Euijoo's.

"Hi," they whispered to each other simultaneously, giggling before straightening up to face each other.

"Family and friends, we are gathered here to witness the love of these two people standing before us, to join this man and this woman in the bonds of holy matrimony. Many here have known this couple, and none can imagine two people more perfect for each other," the officiant concluded.

"You may exchange your vows now. Let’s have the bride start with hers," the officiant instructed.

Y/n nodded and turned to her right, taking the little piece of paper from Dahyun, her maid of honor. Euijoo did the same, turning to his left to take his vows from Nicholas, his best man.

Y/n unfolded the paper and began reading.

"I seriously cannot believe we’re getting married. It feels like just a few weeks ago you came up to me, all shy and cute, asking if you could take me to prom. And now, here I am in front of you, wearing a wedding dress and reading my vows. Soon, you and I will be a married couple. Mr. and Mrs. Byun will be our names after tonight. I’m truly so excited to marry you, Byun Euijoo, and I can’t wait to be your wife."

Y/n ended her vows with a smile, lifting her head from the paper to look at Euijoo.

Euijoo’s face slowly turned a light shade of red as he smiled back at her, then looked down at his vows, ready to make her blush in return.

"You know, the second my eyes landed on you, I knew I had to do something to make you mine. I knew I had to fight for you—and I did. And it was worth it. You’re worth every bruise I got the day I had to fight Jay just to get a date with you. Everything was worth it. You’re worth it. And I can’t wait to be your husband."

Y/n's cheeks flushed, just as Euijoo had expected.

Seeing her blush made Euijoo chuckle.

"Gotcha," he whispered in her ear, making her cheeks redden even more.

"May we have the rings, please?" the officiant asked, ready to marry the couple.

Sarah, Y/n's maid of honor, and Nicholas, Euijoo's best man, stepped forward with the rings.

The couple took the rings and slid them onto each other's fingers.

"Do you, Byun Euijoo, take Y/n L/n to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in matrimony, to love, comfort, honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live, till death do you part?" the officiant asked.

Euijoo smiled proudly at Y/n and said, "I do," making Y/n's smile widen even more.

"And do you, Y/n L/n, take Byun Euijoo to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love, comfort, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live, till death do you part?" the officiant continued.

Y/n’s smile couldn’t get any wider as she nodded and happily said, "I do."

"And now, by the power vested in me and the holy father, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Euijoo beamed, lifting his hands to cup Y/n's face. He looked into her eyes and leaned forward, softly pressing his lips to hers as the venue erupted in cheers.

When they parted, both faintly giggled.

After the laughter subsided, Euijoo took Y/n's hand and started running toward the exit.

As of now, they are Mr. and Mrs. Byun.

All rights reserved, please don’t steal my work or translate it into any language and post it as your own.

[juneberrie]

GET HIM BACK ! ; JJ MAYBANK

[summary] 🍒 ex!jj maybank x fem!kook!reader — i wanna make him really jealous, wanna make him feel bad. oh, i wanna get him back.

[warnings] 🎸 underage drinking, swearing, implied sex at the beginning. wc : 1.3k

EVERYONE KNEW THAT JJ MAYBANK had a reputation, to say the least.

the pogue prince was known for sleeping his way across the island, and no one was surprised when he started sleeping his way into your sheets. what they were surprised by, though, was when they realized you were more to jj than another heart to break.

that is, until he did break your heart. the breakup was brutal, but seemingly it was just another day for him. it was as if he was a vampire, sucking the life out of you while he partied the nights away at the boneyard.

it had been a few months though, and you were back, better than ever. you had gotten the amazing idea to go to the next kegger at the boneyard and fuck with jj. not like, fuck fuck him, but fuck with him. you had fished around your closet — and your friends closets — to find the perfect dress. black satin that was just long enough to constitute as a dress. you pulled it down just enough so that the top edge of your bra was visible. you slipped on some sneakers and fixed up your makeup one last time before taking a step towards the door. then, you remember your lipgloss and take a couple of steps back, picking it up and slipping it in your bra.

the second you got to the party, you picked up a red solo cup and filled it to the brim with water. if you were going to get him back, you wanted to be totally sober. you danced your way to the center of the party, where you found sarah, nursing her own cup of whatever concoction the pogues had mixed up.

"this is a bad idea, right?" you asked her, surveying the room. your eyes found jj's frame, leaning against a wall and sipping from a can of beer as he talked to pope and john b.

sarah, who'd been the first person to comfort you after the breakup and the first person you told your plan about, smiled. "yeah, it is." she nudged your shoulder.

you nodded, taking a gulp of your water. "great." your eyes kept scanning the room till you found your victim.

sarah had offered up her boyfriend as the bait, reassuring you that john b wanted you and jj back together more than anyone. still, you made sure to call him up and ask if he didn't mind going through with your plan. he had laughed and told you, "look, y/n, i'm getting tired of jj moping around the chateau complaining about how he misses you. if i have to flirt with you for a little while to get him back with you, i don't mind."

you took another sip of your water, adjusted the straps of your dress, and confidently walked over to john b, who was standing directly in front of jj, talking with him and pope.

"heyyy, john b," you giggled flirtatiously, putting a hand on his chest. you made a point of ignoring jj's piercing stare, winking at john b. he smirked back and pulled you in for a hug.

" 'sup, y/n?" he pulled away, wrapping an arm around you. jj cleared his throat, and your gaze swiveled to him.

"oh. hi, maybank," you grinned at him, meeting his blue eyes. "didn't see you there." you made a show of slipping a hand into john b's back pocket. he looked surprised for a moment but chuckled it off, playing it off as if it was natural for a kook to practically grope a pogue's ass. specifically her ex's best friend's ass.

jj stared at you, trying to school his features, but he couldn't magic away the anger in his eyes.

the rest of the night was spent practically hanging off john b, giggling loudly at everything he said. every time you giggled, jj could feel his blood boiling. it should have been his jokes you were laughing at, he thought, downing his fourth beer of the night. you swirled your red solo cup, watching the water inside spin.

when you were sure jj was looking, you slowly pulled out your lipgloss and twisted it open, making eye contact with the blonde. you swiped it on, smacking your lips together before slipping it away.

jj had had enough. he stormed over to you and grabbed your wrist, pulling you away from john b. "we need to talk," he growled. he pulled you towards.... somewhere, you didn't know. you happily followed, smiling triumphantly when you passed sarah, who snorted and saluted you, taking another sip of her drink.

jj pulled you into a small hallway closet, which was surprisingly empty, both of coats and couples.

"what the fuck are you doing?" he seethed, closing the door.

"oh, so now you wanna talk to me?" you scoffed and crossed your arms. "if all it takes for you to talk to me if to flirt with john b. then maybe i should have tried that sooner."

he glared at you, then sighed. "what do you want from me, y/n?" he whispered, looking down.

"i want to get back together," you deadpanned. you sighed, noticing his hands clenched into fists at his sides and the recognizing his tone. "that fight was stupid, j. we both said things we shouldn't have." his gaze softened and he looked back at you.

"you said you never wanted to see me again," he mumbled. his bottom lip trembled. "fuck, n/n," he laughed shakily. "did you— did you mean any of what you said?"

you shook your head, taking a careful step forward. one hand reached up to cup his face. "of course not. i was angry." his eyes fluttered shut and he leaned into your hand.

"i miss you," he whispered, taking a shaky breath. "i miss you, i love you, and i don't know how i survived two months without you." his hand reached up to cover yours.

"three months," you corrected quietly, taking yet another step closer. "three months, two weeks, and four days."

his eyes suddenly opened, blue eyes staring straight into yours. his hand trailed along your arm before pulling you closer by the waist.

"i'm sorry," he murmured. he pulled you just close enough that your hips were almost touching. "i'm sorry for what i said, i'm sorry for yelling, i'm sorry for ignoring you. you didn't deserve any of that." his voice broke as he looked down at the ground. he sniffled. "you have every right to be mad at me, i was a dick."

"jayj," you cooed. "i'm not mad. i could never be mad at you." you ran a hand through his hair. "i'm sorry for trying to make you jealous. i just— i didn't know how to get you to talk to me."

he sniffled again and buried his face in the crook of your neck, arms wrapped around your waist. "y'could've just— said something. like, hey, jj, i miss you. you're the hunkiest dude i've ever been with, please take me back."

you laughed softly and kept playing with his hair.

he looked up at you, eyes slightly puffy but still as blue as the ocean. "i never stopped loving you, y'know." he smiled softly. "i still love you. i love you."

"i love you too, jayj. you're still my pretty boy," you told him, cupping his face in your hands.

he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to your lips. "yeah.. i've always been your pretty boy," he whispered. "always."

he pressed his forehead to yours, smiling softly with his eyes closed. after a quiet moment, he spoke. "does that mean— does that mean you'll take me back?" he asked quietly.

you pressed another kiss to his lips. "of course, pretty boy. i love you."

"i love you too, sunshine."

[acourtofquestions]

A new day, and the final one (to put it dramatically cause I’m in the feels)

Kingdom of Ash Chapter 100 here I come… I’ll see you in some random spam mini posts (maybe — I’m mostly reading at this point non-stop lol) but there shall be some large posts after the Epilogue…

Mostly right now theories, thoughts, concerns😅: I’m pondering Aelin’s power; she hasn’t had it most of the series and doesn’t need it but we do have 1,000 Ironteeth + Maeve & Erawan on the way (currently my theory is she’s been storing her magic in Goldryn somehow and will be able to use it to unleash her power at an insane level… mostly because they keep mentioning the ruby looked like it’s sparking or her hands on it and it’s rare that SJM does that at this frequency without reason), plus Maeve is out of magic so she should be ready, & Dorian is fired up for his father against Erawan; maybe with Aelin combined they can do it. Or a classic Rowaelin Carranam. And I bet Essar can teach her the gifts in small ways.

I’m hoping Lys meets Falkan (my soul needs this). I need Gavriel & Aedion to makeup & get their oaths (Ren too), gotta get that LysAedion kiss (and no one better die). I need Dorian to go comfort Manon along with everyone else because they understand; Aelin, Elide… Terrasen’s children lost everyone. I need a Kingsflame bloomed and a coronation, I’d like to know who the heck killed Aelin’s parents and what does the damn owl mean! I want Aelin to meet Nox! I want Fleetfoot to meet Abraxos! I wanna know the Chaorene baby name😂 I want at least one scene of Empress Nesryn! Lady of the Ghost Leopards Lys! GIVE ME A MANORIAN “I LOVE YOU”. And wants/hopes that prob won’t happen but I’m saying it anyway: I know it probably won’t but I’d love if Elena got some sliver of peace. I want the white wolf and the wolf together, Aelin & Rhoe’s Shield + an Aedion reunion & an Evangeline/Fleetfoot/family hug, one moment of all of them together (again no one dies immediately after). AND THEY ALL DESERVE A SOFT EPILOGUE & future with long therapy filled lives! & a Rowaelin baby since they’ve both said they want a family together like that🥹

Mostly I’m worried over people dying… Sarah has proven that she will & can kill a lot of characters at once… I am in shock & grieving so… A little worried about about Dorian but I think he’ll be fine, a lot of worry about side characters: Murtaugh (for Ren), Ren (generally speaking which would suck cause I want to know him more), Kyllian (Aedion clearly loves him I don’t want to see that heartbreak), Ansel (because her people are gone and Manon is the Witch-Queen… I’d prefer an alliance, healing moment cause they both lost them all & maybe see if she’s got a thing going with Ilias cause the irony there👌😂👏). Hafiza (for Yrene; please don’t do another big sacrifice… I’ve already lost twelve today😭 the number is off… no…), oh and I’m pretty sure Darrow will die. Then the bigger ones: above all The Cadre have me concerned; Lorcan (cause him & Elide will always be running out of time), Fenrys (for Aelin or Lorcan), Gavriel (for his son). & otherwise: Aedion (he does not need to die for redemption Sarah DONT YOU DARE).

So, here we go… the first read of the ending of the books I’ve loved since February and will carry with me always… with a lil bit of sleep & the day complete with nothing but reading time: Beginning with Chapter 100: Aedion

P.S. I’ve got Crescent City; House of Earth & Blood on standby to read tonight (I need to pour my feelings in another book with the hope of maybe seeing Aelin again😭) I don’t care if it’s denial I don’t wanna know I just need it🤣

[sarahwellshunter]

Carnaby Crush (Part 3 of 3)

The day of the big launch finally arrived.

On the evening before, Miss Trim had given firm instruction to sarah to "Get plenty of sleep"

Sarah wondered if the sessions Miss Trim had directed him to partake in would be conducive to getting plenty of sleep?

One bizzare element of her 'conditioning' (as Miss Trim always referred to) was full immersion in a tank of what had the consistency of what he could only describe as 'glue' Was she trying to create some hellish live mannequin? Had the promise of being 'Carnaby Crush' all been a deceit? And would he end up encased in white and being put on display at 'Perky Looks', as some bizarre mannequin, perhaps he would finally get to wear that leather skirt after all?

He need not have feared! Miss Trim called him early and instructed him to "Meet me outside in my car in 10 minutes. Wear only a bathrobe and slippers, you won't need anything else. And do not be late ! This is an important day for both of us".

Carnaby Street London, that iconic area where fashion and music still held a magnetic attraction long after the 1960's were past.

As sarah tied the bathrobe, the thought passed his mind, was it ready for this explosive new venture? Was he?

Not that he looked like a 'he' any more. And even less so once Miss Trim had finished with him. Looking in the mirror as he put his slippers on, the next time he gazed at 'his' reflection. Had Miss Trim even finished remodelling him?

She was bang on time. He was pleased if only because it was rather chilly at 6am, not quite 'bathrobe-only' weather.

Once in the back seat of the plush Limousine, his mind raced as Miss Trim rattled off both information and instruction. They were probably only 20 minutes away from Carnaby Street, but it seemed as if time had been frozen, so quickly was the direction being given by this strong Woman.

"I'll need to get them to fix those eyebrows, doesn't look to me as though you have been maintaining them as well as you should have"

It was a rebuke. Her voice never rose above its normal pitch. But he knew it was a rebuke. He had been 'transformed' as much as She had needed him to be. That was enough as far as he was concerned. Beauty treatments, nails. Makeup instruction, all carried out by her self-appointed lifestyle coach - who was like no lifestyle coach he had ever imagined.

"No!, you don't need to grow your hair out, the Carnaby Crush girl will be wigged 24/7. In fact we may even shave off your head of hair - in keeping with the rest of your body of course"

That was the only lifestyle advice he had been provided with. For now they had deferred from giving him a shiny scalp, they would "see how the wigs look" before a final decision.

And hour upon hour of watching 'vintage' videos had seared into his mind. Twiggy, Mary Quant, Jane Birkin ( although he wanted the bag!), Pattie Boyd...the list was endless.

And being told that 'Frank Zappa was the Mother of Invention', just freaked him out.

If the ride to the Boutique seemed timeless, things ramped up a few gears once he was quickly ushered inside.

The shop front certainly looked the part he thought, which probably indicated that the '60's brainwashing was working.

Stylists appeared as if by magic! In what actually took a good two hours but passed as if he was a spectator to a fast-forward video, he had been transformed into what was to be the first of many outfits.

When the stylists finished off buckling the belt and zipping up the boots he was brought out to the waiting Miss Trim.

"Green with Envy'" was what this outfit was named. It certainly looked that way. He barely recognised the reflection.

Miss Trim made an (unnecessary) adjustment to the 'hem' of the dress. Vynil felt weird but he guessed he would get used to it.

Outside a small crowd had started to gather around the shopfront. This pleased Miss Trim, publicity was vital and even at 845am to have potential customers waiting to see what would emerge from the shop made her smile.

She looked deep into sarah's eyes, handed her a green clutch style bag, showed her how to 'carry it', then almost prophetically said " This is it, when you get out there you ARE Carnaby Crush. No going back now".

She nodded to her team to get ready for lights, camera and action. This was the launch of her dream and nothing could stop it now.

At precisely 9am Sarah stepped out into the street. It must have been some variation on hypnosis because every step and smile happened automatically.

There was no 'runway' but it did not stop a flurry of camera's snapping like there was no tomorrow.

The growing crowd clapped and called out a mixture of 'Ooohs' and 'Aaaahs' as the vision in green viynl stepped in time to 60's music.

Sarah could see the green reflection in the shop window of the record store that sat directly opposite 'Carnaby Crush'. No doubt some arrangement had been agreed with Miss Trim, to provide appropriate music to accompany the launch.

Sarah was not sure if 'Pretty Girl' by the Easybeats was really directed at 'her', all she had was Friday on her mind.

On the mind of Miss Trim was the first costume change. Give the public what they want - more and more until the cash registers started to overheat.

To the sound of "This Little Bird" by Marian Faithfull, sarah emerged in a new wig and an orange and purple mini dress with white boots.

If "Green with Envy" brought gasps of delight then this little number ( "Can You Dig It") served only to enhance the positive vibes.

Outfit three took longer to put together due to the growing line of young women shoehorning themselves through the doors of 'Carnaby Crush'. It was a two-way flow but there was no meeting of the waters. Women emerging with their very own green viynl dresses were indeed the envy of those standing in line.

By the time sarah emerged in a baby pink creation called "Give me some Sugar" the camera's had multiplied and a pair of sunglasses would not have gone amiss.

By 330pm sarah had gone through 6 changes of outfits. For over 6 hours she had strutted up and down and across, trying not to get distracted by the enthusiastic crowds.

When Miss Trim got her back inside snd upstairs to the styling studio she was ready to drop.

" You did well sarah. Thats enough for today. Same time tomorrow. Don't be late"

A jumble of direction that sarah barely took in. She got up and started to unbutton the black velvet waistcoat.

"What are you doing!"

As with everything Miss Trim said when addressing her it sounded nothing like a question, it was either a fact or a reprimand.

She was now standing looking right into her eyes. Not quite fury but it was building.

" Have you forgotten so soon? From 9am this morning you ARE Carnaby Crush! 24...7. No exceptions. Did you think you were going to walk out of here in that dressing gown and slippers? When you stop modelling you stay in your new personality. That is a very beautiful outfit you have on, did you not hear the applause?"

Sarah looked blank. She felt her cheeks go as red as the boots she was standing in.

"You will not be going back to your flat Sarah. I have taken care of things with your Landlord. You might have told me you were in arrears of your rent. You can of course work off what you owe me to settle things. I have a small apartment already prepared for you. Carnaby Crush will live in the World I create without exception".

Sarah was still trying to process this latest revelation. Rent arrears? That did not sound right. And what about his things?

Miss Trim's ability to read his mind paid off once more. She smiled.

"All your things are gone Sarah, you are no longer that person, those things were obviously holding you back"

Should he object? Was she right? Perhaps she was? He could not even decide if he was a 'he' or a 'she' having drifted from one mindset to the other almost effortlessly. He ( there it was again! 'He'?) Looked at his reflection in the mirror. No, a 'he' would ever dress like this.

Again Miss Trim provided the guidance and direction.

"This is all new for you. Up until this morning you imagined this was just some sort of prank, an elaborate and very expensive one if it had been let me tell you".

Sarah looked at the bell bottom pant suit. Definitely not a male outfit.

"But this is no prank Sarah. The sooner you accept that the better it will be. Your new flat will help with that. You will be sharing the space with your life coach, at least until you are without doubt 'Carnaby Crush'

And so Sarah stepped out into now quiet street and waited for the car to collect her and take her to this new flat.

Only now did it start to make sense that she was now and forever going to be 'Carnaby Crush'

Miss Trim had assured her that she would soon settle. She would not be rich but she would not want for too much IF she applied herself fully to her new persona. The ending of the tenancy agreement with the Landlord, the loss of all belongings was surely not in that contract? But then neither did it mention a new apartment or complete new wardrobe.

As the car approached she determined to make the best of it. The first thing to drop was the 'he' nonsense. 'She' sounded infinitely better thought sarah, stepping into the back of the Limousine.

And so Sarah did adopt and grow into 'Carnaby Crush' Each day a challenge and a 'school day' having to learn new things, new ways and new priorities.

Miss Trim continued with the fashion shows, even when the business was booming.

"You have no idea how many " Green with Envy" we have sold in the first three months", She had reminded her when having Sarah model it once more.

New creations were put on her too. Having a walking moving live mannequin certainly showcased the clothes. And the bags. And the shoes.

There was even a London Bus tour with Sarah on the top deck waving to a growing Army of 'Crushettes' ( a term she herself had adopted given that everywhere she went she was instantly recognised) Sarah handed out money-off vouchers and VIP event tickets to her growing legion of fans.

The Business continued to grow. Whispered talk of a second store were on the rumour mill.

Everywhere Sarah ( or rather 'Carnaby Crush') went she was mobbed for her autograph (?) Asked how she managed to look so perfect in so many different looks? Who did her hair, her makeup. Was she every seen out when not 'Carnaby Crush'

She even encountered what was living duplicates of herself! Girls top-to-toe in the very same outfits as her. Only they had paid several hundred pounds for the pleasure.

Eventually she took to wearing sunglasses even on dull days. It turned out to be a somewhat futile gesture. The sunglasses served only to darken the flash of a camera, dressed 247 as 'Carnaby Crush' made her instantly recognisable.

In time she grew more comfortable with the new persona. There was a constant stream of new designs to model. She got one of everything ever created so would never want for new clothes. She wasn't rich but, as Miss Trim said "you will not want for much"

And she didn't.

She accepted her role and knew it was what her life was now going to be.

Only Miss Trim was already fashioning a new venture to further expand her portfolio.

And Miss Trim had a whole new vision for what Sarah might look like next

The End ...?

[airasilver]

It’s been a big week for Robert Eggers.

A day after Focus Features’ announcement of Werwulf, which he’s set as his next film on the heels of Nosferatu, we’ve learned that the filmmaker has closed his deal to write and direct a new Labyrinth film for TriStar Pictures.

The news comes following the unveiling of the 2025 Oscar nominations, which included four for Eggers’ hit vampire flick in the Cinematography, Costume Design, Production Design and Makeup and Hairstyling categories.

Plot details for Eggers’ Labyrinth are under wraps, but we’re told the film is a sequel to, rather than a remake of, Jim Henson’s 1986 classic. Eggers is writing the script with Sjón, his collaborator on 2022 Viking actioner The Northman and with whom he’s also working on Werwulf. Chris and Eleanor Columbus will produce alongside Lisa Henson, with Brian Henson executive producing.

A beloved musical fantasy starring a young Jennifer Connelly and the late David Bowie, Labyrinth follows the former’s 16-year-old Sarah as she navigates a vast, otherworldly maze to rescue her infant brother, Toby (Toby Froud), whom she inadvertently wished away to the realm of Goblin King Jareth (Bowie). Throughout her journey, Sarah encounters a variety of magical creatures and challenges that test her resolve and maturity.

In its theatrical release through TriStar, the original underperformed, grossing only around $34 million against a reported budget of $25 million and faring better overseas than domestically. Still, the film earned nominations at the likes of the Hugo Awards and the BBAFTA Film Awards and now is appreciated as a cult classic. Among its most memorable features is the innovative puppetry that emerged for the project from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. Over the past few decades, the film’s popularity has led to tie-in novels and comic books, video games, perennial screenings and even an annual fan masquerade ball, which is considered one of the largest in the world.

Efforts to get a Labyrinth follow-up off the ground have been ongoing since at least 2017, with Doctor Strange‘s Scott Derrickson most recently attaching to direct a prior incarnation from a script by Maggie Levin.

Still playing in theaters, Eggers’ take on gothic vampire tale Nosferatu is the highest-grossing film of his career, having passed $156 million worldwide since Christmas Day. Heading into its eighth weekend at the box office and recently hitting PVOD, the film also is Focus Features’ second highest-grossing title stateside behind Downton Abbey. It marks the celebrated genre filmmaker’s fourth on the heels of The Witch and The Lighthouse for A24 and The Northman for Focus.

The plot of Eggers’ Werwulf hasn’t been divulged, but the title gives one a good sense. Produced and financed by Focus Features, the film is scheduled to debut in North American theaters on Christmas Day 2026. Eggers and Sjón will produce alongside Focus, with Maiden Voyage’s Chris and Eleanor Columbus executive producing.

Eggers is repped by WME and Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz. News of his attachment to Labyrinth was first reported by Jeff Sneider of The InSneider.

I don't know how I feel about someone else playing Jareth.

[baura-bear]

Circus au thoughts because I can 😈

The circus is originally run by Pulitzer (although he isn’t on the scene it’s Wiesel who is backstage “running the show”)

The Delanceys are the brawn of Wiesels show and help move equipment, handle animals (when they’re not on stage), and just basically do anything that requires muscle.

Davey does trapeze and contortion is one of the main attractions for the show. His main trapeze partner is Sarah they have like a wonder twins kind of act all their outfits are matching and they do a bunch of duo tricks.

Buttons and Romeo are tight rope walkers together (Buttons also does a lot of backstage work with costuming and such)

Stray works with the animals and trains them to do cool tricks (elephants and big cats)

Les, Albert, and Race have a clown act together. Race is the whiteface clown, Albert the Auguste, and Les the character clown. Most of their acts involve Race playing tricks on Albert, Albert getting mad, and Les playing along with either of them trying to decide which side to take. Albert’s make up is a very dramatic frown and grumpy eyebrows, Les looks kinda like a raggedy Ann with two big red circles for blush, bottom lashes and freckles drawn on with a big dimpled smile. Race is a classic friendly looking smiley clown.

Katherine does equestrian acts like riding on horses standing on them and doing handstands and stuff and like shooting bow and arrow while riding. (Toying with the idea that she’s also the ring master??)

Idk what the proper name for it is but Spot is like a miraculously strong woman and does all kinds of crazy weight lifting that wows the audience.

Jack has been hard to place. While I think it would be fun to have him doing freak show acts like sword swallowing and fire tricks and close up magic to warm the audience I think it would be more fun and more conducive to the Javey aspects of this to have him working backstage. He helps put up and bring down the circus as well as artistic aspects like planning out sets, painting and assembling. He also helps the clowns out with makeup. Between acts he does any set changes that need to happen.

Ok so those are all the acts that I have strong opinions about but obviously all the other newsies are sprinkled in there (feel free to comment if you have any strong feelings).

Basically Wiesel is running the circus and he’s obviously not kind to any of the performers and it kind of sucks. They all joined because of their love of the strange and peculiar but quickly become trapped in terrible contracts. They try to make the best of it with the friendships they create throughout performing but it’s pretty dismal at points. Because Davey and Sarah are the main event he’s particularly hard on them. They have to eat well, but not too much because he wants them slim. They have to practice and work out but not to the point that they’re too muscly and “unattractive” they have to get rest so that they perform their best but he keeps them up practicing and running new routines. They’re pretty isolated from the rest of the company because of their strict schedule and all the rules. It’s not until one day David runs into Jack backstage, maybe when he’s helping Les with makeup. David is checking up on Les like he usually does right before he goes on it’s usually a quick in and out so he’s not expecting to run into any delays. Jack has seen David perform but they’ve never spoken up close so of course Jack tries to talk to him (he’s completely enraptured) David runs off so he doesn’t miss his entrance but later that night he visits Davey in his dressing room. David is worried because of Wiesel’s strict rules he tells Jack he should leave so they don’t both get in trouble. Jack knows Wiesel is corrupt but doesn’t realize how bad it is until he starts interacting with Davey. He can tell how tired and overworked David is. He starts sneaking food to him and Sarah and they slowly become friends.

At some point Jack and David kiss and Wiesel finds out. He absolutely flips, blaming Jack for Davey’s incompetence in performance (he claims Jack is a distraction) he keeps Davey even more isolated and he basically doesn’t leave his dressing room unless his act is on.

Eventually somehow the circus ownership is transferred from Pulitzer to Roosevelt. This leads to the firing of Wiesel who is replaced by Medda (She takes over the role of ring master[or mistress I suppose?]) Overall conditions improve wildly and it becomes a light hearted experience for everyone once again. People have the chance to experiment more with their acts and what they do and of course Sarah and David become much more involved with the company.

And for you Delancey lovers I’ll say they get a little act after Wiesel leaves (whatever that is is up to you)

[dubljarnasims]

Genevieve Vatore

Part of the 5th generation of my legacy, Genevieve is one of the friendliest and nicest sims around. Even Allison Volkov likes her. No CC included in the download - please see the list and links below.

Sibling(s): Julianna Vatore Partner(s): Scottsdale Dubljarna

✨ DOWNLOAD HERE (Google Drive)

Clothing/Accessories:

Earrings - Overkillsimmer | Eun earrings

Glasses - Mint-Valentine | Abby glasses

Jumpsuit - Pixelette | Marigold jumpsuit

Nails - Bobur | Round nails

Piercings - Overkillsimmer | Aisha nose ring set

Shoes - Nell | Pixicat simple boots

Hair/Makeup/Skin Details:

Blush - Northern Siberia Winds | Blush n8

Eyebags - Kismet Sims | Eyebags plus

Eyebrows - Pralinesims | N151 sam

Eyelashes - Kijiko | EA eyelash remover

Eyelids - Magic Bot | Eyelid details

Eyeliner - Pralinesims | N100 ava

Eyeshadow - Pralinesims | N09 pearly cupcake

Freckles - Ratmaze | Bonbon freckles

Hair - Liliili | Beverley hair update 1030

Lips - RemusSirion | N320 initiation

Tattoo - Overkillsimmer | Sarah right arm tattoo

Tattoo - Reevaly | Female tattoo n6

Tattoo - Sims4Satan | Bohemian rhapsody head tattoo

Teeth - Simbience | Teeth #1

Defaults:

Skin - Luumia | Vanilla skin default

Eyes - Pralinesims | Oasis v2 default

🐌 Many thanks to the CC creators! 🐌

@bobur-tsr @kijiko-sims @kismet-sims @luumia @magic-bot

@mintvalentine @nell-le @northernsiberiawinds @overkillsimmer @pixelette-cc

@pralinesims @ratmazeplays @remussirion @reevaly @simbience

@sims4satan

[fenmere]

OC tag game

thanks to @the-letterbox-archives for the tag!! this is an association game, using catagories and finding connections with your oc!

Peter Niven (he/him)

We'll do a proper post for introducing Peter later, but he's the subletter for Sarah and Goreth, and boyfriend of Abigail, who brought the Ampersands home as a stray. He works as an EMT and as a persumably cis het white man, he's doing his "best". Erik gives him a pass at most. He's not the villain of the story in any way, though.

seasoning

paprika

weather

that kind of rain that feels like the vegetable sprayer at the grocery store

colour

pastel blue, actually

sky

not exactly overcast and right on the verge of a sunset

magic power

resurrection

plant

Saint John's wart

weapon

a cell phone

social media

Facebook (he's the kind of guy who lists his phone number publicly there)

makeup

uh, probably not, but... blue eye shadow? maybe

candy

candy necklace

fear

medical malpractice and prejudice

method of long distance travel

train

art style

Lego Friends sets (he's as surprised by this as you are)

mythological creature

a black lab (if you've known a black lab and you've heard Peter go up and down stairs, you'll perfectly understand this entry as a "mythological creature")

stationary

college ruled note paper

celestial body

pulsar (you can use him as a benchmark for measuring distances)

Bonus entry from last OC tag game: Peter was inspired by a boss we had, and looks just like him, too.

Tag yourself and then tag us back, please! (sorry)

[jules-has-notes]

La La Land (Unexpected Musical) — PattyCake Productions music video

The movie musical La La Land is set in the modern day, but with the aesthetics of the 1950s. The PattyCake guys decided to lean even further into the trappings of Hollywood's golden age to evoke the stars of the early 20th century in their most iconic roles, as well as the many folks behind the scenes who help make the magic happen. They didn't quite have a cast of thousands, as was often boasted by the epic films of the era, but they did gather quite the crowd of performers, mostly from among their circle of theme park friends.

Details:

title: Unexpected Musicals — La La Land (Classic Edition)

performers: Olivia Adkins (Marilyn Monroe); Rachel Copeland-Evans (Judy Garland); Monica Carlile Edwards (Audrey Hepburn); Felix Deneau (Humphrey Bogart); Erin Cline (Bette Davis); Derek Ostrem (James Dean); Colleen Ella Defeo (Gloria Swanson / Elsa Lanchester); Bebe Caliberr Mercy (Elizabeth Taylor); Elijah Babel (Charlie Chaplin); Jack Defeo (Boris Karloff); T. Robert Pigott, David Kotary, & Jacob McAlister (directors); Amy Garton (wardrobe); Hannah Laird (script supervisor); Jaimz Dillman (reporter); Greg Hernandez (lighting grip); Melanie Simpson (ingenue); Jim Harrison (camera loader); E. Michael Evans (leading man); Jonathan Shane Ferrell (makeup artist); Laura Mansoori & Alex Colvin (showgirls); Deanna Quintero (hairdresser); Brayshawna Bates (flapper starlet)

original songs / performers: "Another Day of Sun", "Someone in the Crowd", and "City of Stars" by the cast of La La Land (2016)

written by: all songs by Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek, & Justin Paul

arranged by: Paul Vesco, Layne Stein, & Tony Wakim

release date: 22 July 2017

My favorite bits:

that brief Flectcher cameo 🐶

Olivia's perfectly breathy Marilyn voice

the contrast of having "Another Day of Sun" mostly led by the stars while "Someone In the Crowd" is mostly the crew

the instrumentation adding more jaunty piano to accompany Chaplin's dancing

the film clip interlude that includes "Will.of.Oz" footage, then turns back into live performance

gradually building rhythmic and harmonic complexity until they reach the final unison line

Trivia:

Rachel had first worn the blue gingham dress as Dorothy Gale in PattyCake's "Will.of.Oz" music video, which was released the previous December.

Olivia was already well versed in Marilyn Monroe's mannerisms, since she is a character she'd been playing for several years at Universal Studios Orlando (and has continued playing since).

Felix often works as a Dean Martin impersonator, but stepping into Bogey's trenchcoat and fedora for the day suited him, too.

Derek is one of Tony's fellow "Beetlejuice Revue" alumni, having played both Wolfman and Dracula for the last decade of the show's run. (He's also married to Stephanie Trilli, who has played Sarah Sanderson in PattyCake's "Hocus Pocus" pieces.)

Robby was also one of the many Draculas in the "Beetlejuice Revue", and he's been playing Marlin in the Disney World "Nemo" live show for over a decade. (Among many, many theme park and theater roles.)

Makeup artist Jonathan Shane Ferrell of Makeup & Creative Arts was actually applying the Frankenstein makeup to Jack Defeo's face while also playing legendary makeup artist Jack Pierce, who worked with Karloff on the 1931 film. Jonathan had been a makeup artist for the "Beetlejuice Revue" at the end of its run.

Jack and Colleen were also already comfortable in the monster makeup, as they are yet more "Beetlejuice Revue" alumni, having played Frankenstein and the Bride in the 90s and early 2000s.

The PattyCake guys created a bit of anticipation with a social media countdown.

They were very specific about recreating several famous celebrity photos and iconic movie moments. They highlighted some of them in a series of social media posts they called "Double Takes".

[unhingedselfships]

ANIMAL: luna moth, silkie chicken

COLOURS: soil brown, canary yellow, kelly green, periwinkle

MONTH: June

SONGS: Stardust - Geoxor, Could Have Been Me - The Struts, Calm Down - Krewella, Savage Daughter - Sarah Hester Ross, I'm Only Joking - Kongos 

NUMBER: 1, 5

PLANTS: climbing roses, strawberries, dandelions, crab grass, cattails

SMELLS: fresh turned dirt, wildflowers, matcha

GEMSTONE: ammolite, japanese coral, moldavite

TIME OF DAY: late morning

SEASON: mid-spring

PLACES: Hanako-oba’s yard, Cumberland Falls, Maikoya in Kyoto, Dance Studio Native in Sapporo

FOOD: dorayaki, omurice, barbecue brisket, French onion soup

DRINKS: watermelon lemonade, strawberry-kiwi juice, strawberry-banana smoothie 

ELEMENT: earth

ASTROLOGICAL SIGNS: Gemini/Sagittarius/Libra

SEASONINGS: basil, rosemary, anise, cane vinegar

SKY: bright pink sunset with wispy clouds

WEATHER: warm and sunny with rain

MAGICAL POWER: florakinesis 

WEAPONS: wit, wile, charm

SOCIAL MEDIA: instagram, full of plant and critter pictures 

MAKEUP PRODUCT: lip stain

CANDY: sour patch watermelon 

METHOD OF LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL: plane, window seat, wide awake the whole flight

ART STYLE: Georgia O’Keeffe

FEAR: restriction

MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE: azeban

PIECE OF STATIONARY: scrap paper

THREE EMOJIS: 🐌🏃🏻‍♀️🌱

CELESTIAL BODY: meteor shower