#selebrate life

[awesomecooperlove]

🕺🏾🕺🏼🕺🏻

[always-a-mad-comet]

if the neighbors don't stop setting off fireworks i'll kill them

[witchxxjpg]

im happy that you liked my previous lestappen hunger games au🥳🥳🥳 and asked for a part of it. it is alive purely because of you, so enjoy!!

******

Charles got picked when he was just 12 years old. It was rare for a tribute to be that young but it happened sometimes.

Jules volunteered for him that year. He could've been 18 the following month but he stayed 17 forever. Charles would always remeber staying up all night to pray for him.

Charles would forever remeber seeing another tribute slashing his throat with a sword.

The whole 10th district mourned his death that day, raising a finger to the sky, pointing to the place where all people went. He was a caring and passionate guy. Even some other districts said their sorries. He was loved by everyone. And by Charles the most.

In just 5 years Arthur was picked. And Charles knew exactly what he needed to do.

The Capitol played his life as a tragic story of a boy who repayed his debt by volunteering himself for his little brother. He knew that Jules didn't want that, but he also knew that Arthur was too small and scared to be a tribute.

He won his games.

He portrayed the role of an innocent brother with angelic face and a pure goal. He wanted to believe the lies that the Capitol made him play. But everyone saw how Markus, a boy from district 4, died. With a dagger in his heart.

Charles was always good with daggers and knives. In his district he was terrible at caring for animals that his family was all looking after. But he was extremely good with skinning and preparing the meat to be sent to the Capitol. He used his skills well during his games.

He never had nightmares. But he saw traits of lost tributes in faces of all people.

Charles lived peacefully for 6 years.

He was more or less lucky with how the Capitol treated him afterwards. He was well aware of how pretty looking tributes ended up. But his role was to motivate all the districts to behave. They filmed a lot of videos with him that they called 'promotional'. To show what happened to people who disobeyed and to people who behaved themselves.

Charles was sick of doing all these lies, but it was better then being a toy for some moneybags.

After 6 years the 75th Hunger Games were announced. The Third Quarter Quell.

There were only three male winners from District 10. Sebastian and Kimi. And Charles.

Charles was picked again. He said his goodbyes to his family.

He was aware that these games would be different and he knew that he won't walk out of them alive. He at least was happy that Sebastian agreed to be his mentor this time too.

******

Max was born to win. That's what his father always said. He was trained all his early childhood to become a winner of the games.

That's why as soon as he turned legal age he volunteered.

His father pressured him into the games and never helped. Max was lucky to have Daniel as his mentor.

He won his first games of course. The youngest winner ever and with a record of most tributes eliminated.

He'd thought that he'd never have nightmares. But now he knew.

Max was just 13 when he won, but as soon as he started to understand the world he knew that he was doomed.

Doomed ro relive memories of his father's puppet.

Max dreamed of his snowy arena. Of all 12 kids that he killed with his axe. Of their distorted faces and hoarse screams. He never wanted to fall asleep again.

After the games he continued to study in the academy to be a peacekeeper. He wanted ro do at least something good. He finished with the highest grades and best results. He was offered a position as a Head Peacekeeper. He chose District 10.

He saw people from District 10 selebrate its win when that boy returned home. He saw them raising a finger to the sky. 'The chosen one'. That's how they called him. Charles.

Max saw him sometimes. When he went to the central fair or left to the Victor's Village. He saw how people treated him. Like a son or a close friend. And he treated them the same.

He was their victor.

All winners had perks and Max saw how he gave them all away to people of his district.

Max had to suppress his inner urge to reach out for him. To ask if he felt the same way.

Like a broken tool that no longer had a purpose to serve

Probably he didn't. He helped his people. And Max was a peacekeeper, wearing a mask to hide his face that's outlined by all the deaths that he'd caused.

He tried to reduce people's suffering.

He was a peacekeeper for 8 years.

When the time of the 75th Hunger Games came closer, Max knew about the Third Quater Quell and how it would be like.

There were a lot of winners to compete for District 2, but during the reaping Daniel was chosen. Max didn't doubt that Daniel would've won the quill, but Max saw the trace that the games had left on him. He saw how the games had treated him. He knew Daniel's story.

Max volunteered again.

Long time ago he cared about himself. But he didn't anymore.

He saw that boy from District 10 being chosen too.

******

Daniel was born in District 2, but his parents weren't.

He never felt like he fit with all the others.

Since young age he had to attend the academy to train there like every child of the second district muct do. He always hated it.

He read once in some old book from the library a phrase that made him understand what he felt. 'Like a bird in a cage'. His 6 year old self was very impressed.

Daniel liked all his survival classes, the ones that didn't include murders. All of his classmates hated them.

He was never like the others. When he first got to his class he tried to make friends. That's what his parents advised him to do. He tried to smile and tell stupid jokes, to share home-made food with the others and help them study. He tried to be himself.

But it never quite worked.

Everyone laughed at him and not with him. They pointed at him, calling him 'a dumb weirdo'. They took his food away and threw it in a garbage bin. They locked him in storage rooms to skip classes that caused him a lot of warnings and later detentions.

Daniel tried not to notice them but he couldn't. He spent most of his life in the academy with bruises on all his body parts and tears on his cheeks. He knew that he was not like the others but he didn't think that he was so difficult that people can't be in the same room as him.

Until he turned 17.

All students from the academy had a queue for games. Everyone fought to have a chance to win the games. And when the reaping started someone from the list of volunteers would go.

Daniel was picked for the 64th Hunger Games. He thought that someone from the careers would volunteer as they always did. But everybody kept silent.

It felt like a death sentence.

His mentor was Mark. He was fun and helpful. He advised to make friends.

On the first meeting with tributes Daniel decided that he liked only Jev from District 8 and Jules from District 10. They were both nice and didn't laugh at his attempts to be nice too. It was the first time that he thought he could have a friend.

It didn't last long.

Jev was one of the first to get eliminated. Daniel and Jules tried to stay together. But one day into the games they had to part ways to get food and water.

The next time Daniel saw him was with a sword slashing his throat.

He tried to heal the wound but his knowledge wasn't enough.

Before Jules passed away he gave Daniel his lucky charm - a small wooden statuette of a bird. Daniel wouldn later return it to his godson.

Daniel won the games. He knew that nobody from his district expected that.

The following year he decided to become a mentor. For 13 year old Max.

Max was always angry with his bright icy eyes shining with rage. But he also wasn't like others.

He was one of the careers, but Daniel didn't see their traits in him. Max didn't want to win for glory and pride.

He just wanted to make his dad happy with him.

Daniel tried to teach him how to live in this world. He tried to make him realise that he didn't need to kill all 23 of tributes for his dad to be happy with his son. He tried to make him feel better. He tried to joke and make him laugh as all early teenagers his age should do.

And he felt pretty cool when he succeeded in that, hearing his small laugh with a shy smile.

He knew that the boy liked him but he didn't know what to do.

And then Max won his games.

He stood there on the podium with a prideful expression on his face, but all Daniel saw were his empty eyes filled with something.

And Daniel was well aware what was that something. He saw it in himself every time he looked in the mirror.

Daniel tried to reach out when Max told him that he's going to be a peacekeeper. They even met sometimes when he was still studying in the academy.

After Max graduated he was sent to District 10 to serve there. And Daniel tried to still talk to him. Even when Max was very busy with his duties they called each other. And Daniel was always happy to hear his voice.

Daniel made friends among other winners. He had Lewis and Sebastian. But there was still something about Max that made Daniel care.

The next time they saw each other was right before the reaping for the Quarter Quell. All of the victors from District 2 were in the same hall, and there were a lot of them.

Daniel barely recognized Max with all the years that they spent apart. He looked broad and tall, even taller then Daniel. Nothing like a 13 year old boy that had won the games. His face was completely different, a strong jaw and no chubby cheeks.

But his eyes. They were still empty.

They shared an awkward hug and Daniel felt too good in his arms. He wished they could stay together for longer.

And he felt fine until his name was called.

He was picked.

Almost third of all the winners were from District 2, so Daniel thought that he wouldn't be in the games again.

He didn't have the time to think because Max volunteered.

When he looked at Daniel his face didn't hold a trace of uncertainty. He looked calm and sure. And his beautiful eyes flickered with something. But it wasn't the same something as after his games. It was something different.

And in a week he found himself in the same situation like 10 years ago.

Helping Max win.

******

Sebastian though he was a good mentor.

He took this role after his win at the 61st Hunger Games. He was the second male victor from District 2.

Kimi was a good mentor too. He was always calm and confident. Sometimes he felt distant but Seb never had a feeling that he didn't care about his tributes.

Sebastial saw a lot of good children that competed in the games. He saw all of them die.

He was a mentor for 8 years until he met Charles.

Everyone in District 10 knew Charles. His family had one of the biggest farms and Charles was extremely skilled with daggers. And everyone knew his story.

Sebastian still remembered mentoring Jules.

For Charles he decided to go for a sad story. That's how they can get more sponsors.

Charles was a pretty good actor and quickly understood what worked the best to get a reaction from the audience. He played well with his adoring face and big eyes.

Even before the games started they had enough donations for Seb to sent him daggers as a sponsor dift, so he didn't need to fight for the weapons.

And Charles won.

It wasn't something that Sebastian was surprised about. But he didn't think that he'd ever experience some kind of happiness. And here it was.

They both lived in Victor's Village. It was almost empty except for 5 houses that were also occupied by Kimi, Silvia and Lily. Both women preferred to live in the Capitol, so usually there were only three of them.

They even met every day for dinners together. It could get lonely sometimes.

Kimi had a family. A beautiful wife and two amazing kids. Seb loved them.

He didn't understand how Kimi could live knowing that his children might go through the same thing in the future. Seb knew that he didn't want kids because he wouldn't be able to live if one of them was picked for the games.

Sebastian waited for the Third Quarter Quell.

When it was announced Charles said that he would go for them if he or Kimi were chosen.

It wasn't necessary. Charles' name was called.

Sebastian knew that it was his duty to protect him.

They decided on the same strategy. Play nice and innocent for the sponsors.

When asked about alliance, Charles said that he wanted Carlos and Max. Seb would've advised on Lewis. But knowing that Nico from District 1 was participating, he would be too occupied fighting his biggest enemy.

Sebastian thought that Carlos was a good option. He was strong and not that arrogant. His help would be great.

But Max was different.

Even though Seb trusted Daniel who said that he was good, he still wasn't so sure.

Max was always quite complicated. He was too aggressive and forward, and despite everything that Daniel told him Seb didn't like him.

The games started in no time.

Charles knew their strategy well. He teamed with Carlos as soon as everything started.

They ran together.

They did pretty good during the first couple of days. Even succeeded in stealing an axe for Carlos and a knife for Charles.

This time the arena was a forest and it got pretty cold fast. They had to help each other.

They found a beautiful lake and a well-hidden cave nearby. There was also a small field with a lot of growing poppies that made it look as it was cowered in drops of blood.

On the first day near the lake Carlos made a small bouquet of them and gave it to Charles.

Sebastian thought that they were a good team. Trusting each other. He saw that something was growing between them.

Until one day Carlos got a spiked arrow in his right shoulder.

Everyone understood that he wouldn't be able to walk out alive.

Sebastian saw Charles trying to help him with all his herbalism skills, Seb himself sent them some good ointment to heal the wound. But it still wasn't helping.

He saw Carlos screaming in agony and Charles crying over his feverish body. Carlos begging Charles to kill him and end his suffering.

They all saw Charles putting his knife on Carlos' throat, choking on tears.

Charles buried him near the shore of the lake, filling his grave with bright red poppies.

The next day Charles decided to go search for the others. He packed all his things and took Carlos' axe. He was shit at working with it but it was his only great weapon as his knife had become dull. And he still remembered some of the tips that Max had shared with him during their training out of the blue.

He walked the whole day and thought that he wouldn't see anyone. But just as the sun set he saw a flicker of light in the distance. As he quickly and quietly approached the bonfire, holding the axe at ready, he noticed him. It was Max.

And Max noticed him too.

"I don't want to kill you", Charles said.

And Max answered, "I don't want to kill you either".

They were awkward at first but Max reached to his backpack and pulled three daggers. "They might suit you better then me. I have no idea what to do with them".

Charles took the gift and decided to give Carlos' axe away in return.

They didn't sleep at night, not really trusting each other yet, and talked. And appeared that they had a lot in common.

Sebastian saw all of this.

He just hoped that it wouldn't end up terrible. And that he wouldn't need to mourn another friend.

[appleblueberry-pie]

How would Yan Miggy feel when his S/O has successfully escaped from him and is moved to another country, she also has a child who is five years old and looks like a carbon copy of him.

So one day the kid decided to write Miguel a letter with their address on it and in the letter the kid talks about how reader never mentions him or talks about him, and also wondering if he's the Child's real father. And so the kid invites him to his/her’s birthday. (plus also having an attached photo of the house that they are living in, in the letter).

Reader is now shocked and immediately pulling her child away from him, and angrily asks Miguel how he got their address.

I love your work💕

THANK YOU <3 also i like this ask lol

Miguel sat in his car, anxiety and happiness causing his stomach to tie in knots. The picture applied to the handwritten note and the house he parked in front of were identical. He saw a children's park and a school on the way here, not too far away. It's also the city you've always wanted to move to to raise a family. This has to be the place.

Dear Daddy,

I miss you alot. Mommy tells me that you were mean to her alot so she left to be happy. I am glad she is happy but i miss being with you. My birthday is on xxxxxxxx and i would be very very happy if you came to selebrate with us!! This is what my house looks like. And i can tell you where we live. PLease coem. i miss you.

Every time Miguel read over the note, the more he felt connected to his little girl, and it pained him it had to come to this. So, he'll make sure that his return in her life is more of a meaningful one. Not one full of lies, excuses and useless arguments that led to nothing but more problems. A year is a long time and Miguel is a changed man. He can make this right.

When he shows up at your door, he takes note of all of the beautiful and small garden growing in the front yard, wondering if the two of you worked on that together.

Your car looks pretty nice as well. Did you buy that on your own? Or did someone else help you? It's pretty difficult to find a house, let alone afford living, in a place as nice as this. Maybe that's why you took money out of his account so often. If you wanted to move, you should've just told him so. Well, it's too late for that now.

As soon as he knocks on the door, it flies open, and there's his little girl he hasn't seen in forever. She gives him that big smile he's always loved and remembered, screaming his name. "Daddy!!" He picks her up and holds her close in his arms.

"Oh! My little ball of sunshine! My favorite girl, it's been too long since I've last seen you, how have you been? How's my birthday girl??"

She laughs when he tickles her lightly and puts her on the ground. "I'm really good now that you're here! Wait, let me tell Mommy-"

She takes his hand to bring him inside, but you appeared out of nowhere, breaking the hand-holding and roughly shoving him by the chest out of the front door entrance. You hold your little girl behind you, your face almost unrecognizable from a mix of fear and anger on display.

"What the hell are you doing here?? How did you find us?" Miguel's face drops at your tone and holds out his arms in the most non-threatening way possible. Yet, his voice showed his true colors. So nervous and....almost scared.

"Hi, Y/n," A crooked smile shows on his face, "Mi amor, it's very nice to see you-"

"I'm gonna call the cops if you don't leave." You scramble to try and pick up your daughter, who fights against it. You aren't in the mind to understand that as you continue to try and back away from who once was your captor.

"No, wait, it's not like that. It's D/n birthday today and......I just wanted to come see my baby." He takes a step inside your abode. Slowly, as if trying to not make things worse. "Please."

You thought you did everything right. You didn't leave any traces. You gained his trust in leaving you to the house all for yourself, which took years and years to do. And when things finally clear and you finally found a normal life to live again, he comes to your doorstep. Was he stalking you this entire time?? Why was he being so nice? So open? You definitely couldn't trust whatever he had up his sleeve, and your daughter....

"I told him where we live!!" She tugged on your arm as hard as she could to get your attention. Your head snaps down to her direction. When she saw your face, she hesitated for a moment but kept talking. "I just wanted to see daddy again.......I-....all of my friends at school have their dads, and i really missed mine. If i wasn't ever gonna see him again, then i just wanted to see him one last time."

[I can't color code anymore😭]

You were in disbelief. As mad as you wanted to be at your daughter for doing something so life changing and unbelievable, you couldn't for the life of you put any of those feelings onto her. She deserved the world. And in all honesty, you took most of it from her. Miguel was a great father despite his many flaws, and all you wanted for her was to experience that perfect family.

And you couldn't give it to her. The rest of the puzzle she needed was right here. You didn't know if you were ready to give Miguel a chance again. But did you really have a choice?

Miguel frowned and dropped his hands.

You promise yourself to deal with it for now. The quicker he celebrates, the faster you find a way to get him out again. You bend down to whisper to your daughter. "Go tell daddy where your bedroom is so I can finish with the decorations, okay?"

Her face begins to beam and, without a second thought, nods her head and rushes off to keep Miguel busy. Miguel doesn't have a chance to see your face, as you already got back into the kitchen to deal with the food, and he lets his lips turn upwards at the corner.

[luckyloser555]

The ones who are selebrating fictional characters birthdays are superior!

Happy birthday Lan Xichen, Zewu-jun, the love of my life

[will41n]

WE HIT 100 FOLLOWERS !!

To selebrate this, I want to hold some kind of an event here with some little prizes!

⭒☆━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━☆⭒

[blacknoiseabyss]

To people who won't selebrate chistmas for one reason or another.

I hope you have a really great day! Love ya 🖤

To people who will selebrate christmas and loves everything about it.

I hope you have a fun and festive one! 🖤 Love ya

To people who will selebrate christmas but who struggle with anxiety, societal pressures, mental health issues, and overall human interactions:

Remember that you can only do your best. Try to not be too hard on yourself. If it gets overwhelming at times, try to take a step back and catch your breath. It's okay for things to not be perfect. It's okay for you not to be perfect.

I hope you have the best time you possibly can! 🖤 Love ya

To people who won't have a good holiday. Who will celebrate christmas in a scary and hostile enviorment, who will struggle with suicidal thoughts, family members, hostility, drug use, alcoholism, abuse and violence.

Please be safe. No matter what people say or do to you you have more value that you can ever imagine. You're worth everything good in this life and hopefully next year will be better for you both mentally and physically. You are stronger than you know.

I hope this day will be as calm as possible for you. You are not alone! Take care. Stay strong. Love you 🖤

[reveriescope]

Floating Magnolia

Trigger Warnings: mention of sexual abuse

Seungcheol as Clinton Zhāo. Kiku as Yara Zhāo. Jeonghan as Arial. Seokmin as Kala. Wonwoo as Silas.

Special mention: Lee Chan as Micah, Xiaoting as Naradia Zhāo.

---

Begitu membuka mata, Clinton adalah orang pertama yang dilihat Natyara. Adik laki-laki yang hanya berjarak satu tahun di bawahnya itu merebahkan diri di sofa bed tak nyaman sibuk dengan ponsel di tangan.

Clinton, pasti sengaja membawanya ke rumah sakit di mana keluarga Zhāo bukan menjadi naratama. Syukur dirasa kala menyadari adiknya itu mengindahkan ucapan Yara sebelum ia hilang sadar. 

"Didi," panggil Yara sambil mengangkat tubuhnya untuk duduk.

"Ce, should I call the doctor?" Clinton bangkit untuk menghampiri ranjangnya. 

Yara menggeleng. Bibirnya yang masih pucat melafalkan kalimat dengan lirih, "Air aja, please?" 

Dengan cekatan Clinton membuka botol air mineral dan meletakkan sedotan agar kakaknya itu bisa minum dengan lebih mudah. Begitu botol air sudah berpindah tangan, Clinton mengamati orang yang sudah dikenalnya seumur hidup itu. 

Yara melirik ke lengan kiri Clinton yang terbuka. Ada plester bekas donor menempel di sana. Golongan darah mereka sama, sehingga Yara masih terselamatkan.

"Thanks, Didi. I owe you world." Yara merebahkan dirinya lagi usai menelan beberapa teguk air.

Clinton terdiam sejenak sebelum akhirnya bertanya, "Whose baby? That Wang guy?" 

"Padahal kamu bisa nebak itu Xavier." Yara terkekeh pelan. 

Yang lebih muda mendengus seraya menempelkan punggung pada sandaran kursi. "Dilihat dari karakternya, nope. Tell me it's the older Wang?"

Perempuan itu tidak menjawab, hanya memamerkan ekspresi tidak terbaca. Yara seolah sibuk dengan pemikirannya sendiri sekaligus diselimuti emosi tak terkatakan. 

Diamnya Yara mengundang frustrasi bersarang di benak Clinton. Lelaki itu melipat tangan di depan dada, mencoba menerka apa yang ada di pikiran kakak perempuannya.

"Ce," kata Clinton pada akhirnya. "That's your body, your choice and your temple. Tapi kalau sampai buat kamu hampir mati seperti ini rasanya gue berhak tahu." 

Yara menoleh ke arah Clinton lalu tersenyum penuh arti. "I can't afford bad publicity for our family's sake," tuturnya. 

Citra sebagai pemain violin dan anak konglomerat otomatis membuatnya bak selebriti. Semua orang seolah ingin tahu kegiatan apa hari ini, produk perawatan mana lagi yang dipakai. Kabar Natyara Zhāo alias Natyara Oetomo sekarat akibat aborsi akan menghebohkan banyak pihak.

"Do you have to play that perfect first born all the time while it costs your life, Sister?" 

"Clinton, katamu Cece hampir mati. And now you're in a heated debate with a dying person."

Ketika Yara memanggil nama depannya alih-alih Didi, saatnya Clinton menutup mulut. Percuma saja membuatnya jujur jika kakaknya itu memilih untuk bersikap kepala batu. 

"Naik darah aku lama-lama, Ce." Clinton beranjak dari kursinya, "I'll send someone here. Jangan dikerjain."

Yara mengangkat tangannya yang dipasangi infus, sebuah bahasa tubuh yang menandakan ia tidak berencana bermain-main dengan suruhan Clinton.

Belum juga Clinton mencapai pintu, suara Yara kembali terdengar.

"If you're really curious why can't I tell you who's the father it's just because I'm not sure..." ucapan Yara terpotong sejenak sebelum ia melanjutkan, "...which one."

"What kind of life you live, actually?" Clinton, kali ini benar-benar naik darah dan hampir meledak saat mendengar pengakuan kakaknya berikutnya. 

"It wasn't consensual, Didi. History repeats. You'll end up killed if you touch them."

"You know, Ce. All I do is to protect you and Meimei. So I can't let this pass." 

---

Bagaimana kakak perempuannya itu bisa tetap tenang ketika memberitahu hak mengerikan telah terjadi? Clinton tidak habis pikir. 

"Kupikir Cece tidak waras." Clinton mengusap wajahnya sebelum 

Arial yang semula bermaksud membiarkan Clinton mondar-mandir kini meminta pemuda itu duduk usai menuang Crown Royal untuknya. Mereka ada di di Arctic Lounge, tempat pertemuan yang letaknya lantai rahasia Tranquiloft Hotel Jakarta milik Zen Point Group yang dipimpin keluarga Clinton.

"Mereka pikir mengakui pelecehan itu memalukan. Apalagi Cece kena dua kali. Dan lebih dari sekadar pelecehan." Arial berusaha lebih hati-hati dalam pemilihan kalimatnya untuk didengar Clinton.

"Dia bukan orang yang nggak bisa melawan,” sergah Clinton. Meski masih gusar, kini Clinton terlihat lebih relaks usai meneguk wiski.

"Biar begitu, dia korban. Kita nggak pernah tau apa yang ada di pikiran dia dan perasaan dia. Aksi dia atau perasaan dia nggak ada urusan sama penilaian lo."

Rupanya ucapan Arial terlalu tajam untuk dicerna Clinton, sehingga ia hanya menanggapinya dengan tawa sarkastik. "Jadi ini yang lo dapet dari peliharaan sebanyak itu," komentarnya.

Arial hanya mengangkat bahu sebelum mengusulkan, "Lebih baik lo kirim Silas."

"Udah sinting ya kalian? Buat apa bikin dia ke-trigger cuma gara-gara Cece-nya Clinton. Nggak!" Kala yang sepanjang waktu terdiam di kursi dekat jendela mendadak terdengar suaranya.

"Tapi yang paling bisa berempati ke masalah ini cuma dia, dan cuma dia yang bisa jaga sikap."

Terkadang Clinton lupa, Arial selalu punya jalan keluar dari segala situasi. Terlepas dari seberapa peliknya yang mereka lalui. 

---

Natyara memandang Silas sebelum mulai menyendok bubur. Sedari tadi suasana tenang, Silas tidak banyak berbicara jika tidak ditanya. Sosoknya memancarkan energi tenang, lain halnya dengan anak-anak buah Clinton lain.

"Kamu pasti tahu aku di sini karena keguguran." Gumam Yara usai menelan makanannya. 

Silas tidak merespons apapun, melainkan hanya memandangi Yara penuh tanya. Melihat pemuda itu, Yara tersenyum tipis menyadari apa yang mungkin diketahui Silas. 

"Iya, I killed my baby." Sambil mengaduk-aduk bubur tak beraturan. 

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Menurut lo, dia akan berterima kasih that I don’t have to send them here or that they will despise my act?" 

Hening setelahnya. Beberapa menit berikutnya, Yara meletakkan sendok tanda ia sudah selesai makan. Setelah perempuan itu menggunakan sapu tangan, Silas menyingkirkan alat makan dari hadapan Yara. 

"Nona-"

"Yara atau Cece, samain aja sama Micah," potongnya. 

Micah yang dimaksud Yara adalah pengawal pribadi adik bungsunya, Naradia. Atas kedekatan mereka, Micah juga memanggil Yara dengan sebutan "Cece" sama seperti siapapun yang lebih muda daripada dirinya di keluarga.

"Apapun yang bawa Cece ke keputusan ini, itu semua bukan salah Cece," ujar Silas. "Or else, Cece akan bawa trauma dan sulit menyayangi anak itu."

Yara diam seribu bahasa, tatapannya lurus ke depan. Sejurus kemudian perempuan itu menghembuskan napas panjang lalu menyandarkan punggung di bantal yang sudah disusun. 

"Silas... kamu bisa main catur? Tolong besok temani aku main itu."

( to be continued? )

[skyrettes]

ÁRTEMIS

Alma

ÁRTEMIS, one of the largest clubs in Bali, owned by the Sinclair Corporation. ÁRTEMIS not only features a club but also includes a bar, golf course, restaurant, library, and business room. All the members are business people and notable figures in town. Terletak di jantung Seminyak, jauh dari area wisata yang sibuk, ÁRTEMIS menjadi salah satu tempat yang nggak pernah sepi sejak dibangun.

Pada intinya, ÁRTEMIS lebih dari sekadar bangunan mewah; tempat ini bisa dibilang sebagai komunitas dari orang-orang paling berpengaruh di Bali. Daftar anggotanya mencakup pemimpin bisnis, selebriti, dan pengusaha, yang masing-masing tertarik ke ÁRTEMIS bukan hanya karena kemewahannya tetapi juga karena rasa kebersamaan yang ditawarkannya. Ini adalah tempat di mana koneksi terjalin, kesepakatan dibuat, dan persahabatan dipupuk dalam lingkungan yang nggak tertandingi dalam kenyamanan dibalut dengan gaya.

Am I the members of ÁRTEMIS? Sadly not. Gue hanya seorang pekerja di tempat ini sebagai bartender tetap sejak tiga bulan yang lalu. Setelah perusahaan percetakan yang menaungi gue selama empat tahun terakhir bangkrut dan gue dipecat, awalnya gue nggak pernah berpikir akan menjadi bartender di tempat ini. I'll be honest, I need money for life, dan gue sudah menganggur hampir setengah tahun dengan menjadi editor freelance dengan gaji yang nggak seberapa. Gue butuh gaji tetap, karena itu gue apply sebagai bartender setelah mendapat informasi dari Valerie.

Sejauh ini, gue cukup menikmati pekerjaan sebagai bartender di ÁRTEMIS. Keindahan tempat, keramahan orang-orang, dan suasana mewah yang terpancar dari setiap sudutnya, membuat gue merasa betah. Menurut gue bekerja di ÁRTEMIS bukan hanya soal meracik minuman, tetapi juga soal pengalaman hidup yang memukau. Maksud gue adalah, empat tahun bekerja dibalik komputer, lalu bekerja dengan suasana baru adalah momen paling keren yang pernah gue lakukan.

Salah satu aspek yang paling gue nikmati dari pekerjaan ini adalah kesempatan untuk berinteraksi dengan banyak orang dari berbagai latar belakang. Setiap malam, gue bertemu dengan pemimpin bisnis terkemuka, selebriti, pengusaha sukses, dan orang-orang yang memiliki cerita menarik. Setiap interaksi memberikan gue wawasan baru yang sebelumnya nggak pernah gue dapatkan selama bekerja di kantor. Berada di tengah-tengah komunitas yang beragam ini, gue merasa seperti bagian dari sesuatu yang lebih besar dan lebih bermakna.

Sebagai bartender di ÁRTEMIS, gue memiliki kebebasan untuk mengekspresikan kreativitas gue. Meracik minuman di sini bukan hanya tentang mencampur bahan-bahan, tetapi juga tentang menciptakan karya seni. Gue lumayan sering bereksperimen dengan anggur langka dan bahan-bahan eksotis untuk menciptakan cocktail yang unik. Setiap kali seorang pelanggan tersenyum puas setelah mencicipi minuman buatan gue, perasaan bangga dan kepuasan itu nggak bisa diukur dengan kata-kata.

"So, who's the guy?" tanya gue pada Cassandra terkait partner exhibition yang dia maksud.

For your information, Valerie Soraya and Cassandra Lee are the members of ÁRTEMIS. Mereka adalah salah satu orang terkenal yang gue maksud. Valerie adalah seorang model dan Cassandra adalah seorang artist. Dan kita berteman sejak duduk di bangku perkuliahan.

"Sarasvati?" Sarasvati Manggala, salah satu artist lokal yang akhir-akhir ini banyak dibicarakan orang. Karya terakhirnya berhasil masuk dalam pameran internasional di Paris beberapa bulan yang lalu, which is pencapaian yang luar biasa. Berkat kesuksesan itu, Cassandra punya harapan besar Sarasvati bisa ikut dalam exhibition solo miliknya yang dua bulan lagi akan terealisasi.

"Nope." Gue dan Valerie pun saling pandang. Dengan ekspresi wajah yang nggak bisa ditebak, Cassandra dengan tenang mengaduk Gin miliknya. Lalu kami mengikuti arah pandangnya pada sekelompok laki-laki di ujung dengan penuh pertanyaan. When realization hits us, gue dan Valerie langsung menutup mulut kaget.

"Bohong banget..." ujar Valerie nggak percaya.

"Enrico fucking Ronan?" kata gue berbisik yang hanya dibalas dengan helaan nafas oleh Cassandra.

"Sumpah, emang lo nggak apa-apa? You hate him, Cas."

Cassandra benci Enrico lebih dari apapun. Mereka pergi ke sekolah yang sama ketika SMA, mereka pernah menjadi teman satu kelas, tapi semua berakhir nggak baik. Singkatnya, mereka adalah rival. Bahkan sampai sekarang ketika mereka sudah sama-sama menjadi artist.

"Gue udah nggak ada waktu. Udah nggak ada harapan buat Sarasvati dan gue butuh orang berpengaruh supaya exhibition ini tetap jalan. And sadly this fucker was the only way left. Dan gue benci dia punya power sekuat itu." Gue dan Valerie hanya mampu gigit jari ketika mendengarnya.

Kita bertiga hidup di dunia yang berbeda-beda. Hidup dengan kebahagiaan dan juga struggle masing-masing. Kami bertiga amat sangat dekat, we got each other back ketika ada yang membutuhkan.

"Gue yakin semuanya akan lancar. Put your hate towards him aside for a while. Lo udah kerja keras sejauh ini dan lo nggak akan biarin ego lo ngerusak segalanya. We trust you, Cas." ujar gue berusaha memberikan support yang semestinya.

"Always." imbuh Valerie yang pada akhirnya membuat wajah Cassandra yang sejak awal ditekuk itupun berubah tersenyum.

Pukul setengah sebelas malam ÁRTEMIS berubah menjadi ramai. Gue izin meninggalkan Valerie dan Cassandra untuk kembali melakukan tugas gue.

Gue berjalan ke arah Enrico dan dua teman lainnya ketika mereka memanggil gue.

"I'd like to order a drink, please."

"Your usual?" Rum.

"Yes, please." jawab Enrico dengan senyum khas miliknya. To be honest, he looks like a horse. A handsome horse.

"Lo mau apa?" tanya Enrico pada teman satunya yang baru pertama kali gue lihat.

"I'm okay."

"Can I get Mojito, please?" ujar Dimitri yang gue agguki dengan senyuman.

I straightened my shoulders, pasted on my best customer service smile when he look at me. I couldn't help but soften a little at the sound of his voice. Rich, silky, and soothing, wrapped in a British accent. For fuck sake.

"Hurricane coming right up."

Hurricane Rum, biasanya mempunyai rasa yang unik. It combines the smoothness and sweetness of light rum with the deeper, more robust flavors of dark rum. Rasanya mencakup karamel, buah tropis contohnya seperti sirup markisa dan jus jeruk nipis. Efek keseluruhan rasanya adalah perpaduan yang seimbang antara manis, buah, dan sedikit asam dari jeruk, dengan rum yang memberikan rasa hangat dan sedikit pedas.

Fascination and an unusual breathlessness slowed my pace as I carried Enrico's drink. Enrico's was on the phone, yet my steps felt increasingly weighted.

"Thank you, Alma." ujar Enrico yang gue balas dengan senyuman.

Gue nggak begitu sadar sosoknya saat itu sedang menatap gue singkat sebelum akhirnya kembali fokus pada handphone di tangannya.

"Gue pikir tadi salah lihat, ternyata emang Adrian." kata Cassandra begitu gue kembali ke tempat mereka berdua berada.

Perhatian gue pun langsung teralih pada sosok yang dimaksud Cassandra yang nggak lain adalah teman Enrico barusan.

"Dia beneran pensiun dini, ya?" tanya Valerie yang membuat gue sukses dibuat bingung.

"Pensiun dini?" ujar gue mengulang pertanyaannya.

"Adrian Sinclair, known as MotoGP rider. Dia udah jadi pembalap dari dia masih kecil. Dan dia satu-satunya perwakilan Indonesia yang udah pernah juara dunia dua kali."

Adrian Sinclair. He's Sinclair after all.

"Lo tahu apa yang lucu? Dari yang gue baca soal statement dia, he's kinda like unhappy with his job."

"Nggak bahagia gimana? Dia udah jadi pembalap belasan tahun." kata Valerie bingung.

Dari jarak sejauh ini, dia kelihatan tampan sampai hampir menyakitkan untuk menatapnya langsung. Rambut hitam tebal yang menyentuh dahi, tulang pipi tegas menurun ke rahang yang kokoh dan bibir yang terpahat, sementara mata cokelat gelap berkilau di balik kacamata yang justru menambah daya tariknya.

Gue bisa membayangkan tanpa kacamata, ketampanannya akan terasa dingin, hampir mengintimidasi, tapi dengan kacamata itu, dia jadi kelihatan lebih mudah didekati. Lebih manusiawi.

"Alma."

"Yes?" gue langsung menoleh ke arah Valerie dengan bingung.

"The gentleman needs your attention."

I jolted back to reality with an unwelcome shock. While I’d been busy with staring at Adrian, new customers had started to filter into the bar.

Shit.

Bersamaan dengan perginya gue, Valerie dan Cassandra pun memilih untuk pamit.

Gue membawa pesanan terakhir itu menuju ke arah pelanggan dan tanpa sadar menabrak Dilah yang baru muncul dari gudang suplayer.

Mata gue membulat sempurna ketika gelas itu tumpah mengenai seseorang. I was so stunned at the back of counter when the cocktails splashed over his shirt. He was about ordering a new drink, but...

Fuck.

"I'm so sorry."

"Yeah, you should."

I splashed a fucking cocktail over Adrian Sinclair shirt. Shit...

[journalingdh]

Good morning everyone. What had happened for these days? Hmm.. Many things but only few of them deserve your attention. It was a selebration of student yesterday that took place in the House of youth. To be frank, I was under false impression that there would be program and people who would try to engage us to have fun and enjoy the day. Actually, it didn't happen. There were many activities but you needed to entertain yourself on your own. However, there was a theatre and I was inspired by the game of actresses. It was marvelous and unusual for me at the same time as I had never attended the theatres like this before. So, It was something to write home about.

Also, I was interviewed by the journalist of the channel Moscow 24. It was so memorable experience! I tried to speak beautifully and not halting. I hope I did it.

And.. The most intimate thing.. Several months ago I fell in love with gay from my university. It sounds horrible but ok.... He was into science and worked as a person who is responsible for scientific works of students. Also he was one of the organizators of the International Conference where I was a volunteer. So, we met at this event. At the beginning, I didn't pay much attention to him but I saw his great interest for me. The main thing (that will become the reason of our breaking) is that he much older than me. I told him immediately that I'm only 17 but it didn't stop him. We only talked and spend time together. But it was enough for me to fall for him. Now, I can't forget about him. I often recall him of my mind. And I want to see him but I'm afraid of it.

I thought that he was the best gay that I have ever met in my life. Maybe it was so but yesterday everything had changed. I met a friend of my mother. I should clear up the situation now: I don't fall in love him and other things like this but I realized that I want to have a boyfriend with the same personality traits that he's got. He's kind and cheerful, frank and gorgeous for me.

I immediately realized that guy from university looked down on me and didn't treat to me like equal. He loved to feel his prevelegese. And I don't think that I will be happy with him in the future. He's not for me but he exerted a great impact on me.

So, I think it high time to start working. Bye!

[halloarruum]

Marriage

Bahasan sensitive untuk usia lewat quarter life crisis ini.

Jadi gimana sobat 90-an ku yang masih jomblo? Udah kenyang dong pasti dengan pertanyaan kayak gini. Hampir gumoh yah.

Ngomongin nikah memang bukan masalah yang bisa kita selesain sekejap mata ya cuy. Soalnya nikah ga bisa nikah sendirian apalagi yang mau dijebak hidup bersama juga belum masuk perangkap. HAHAHA

Sering banget orang-orang nanya

"Kenapa rum kok belum nikah? Apa jangan-jangan standar lu ketinggian?"

ya karena belum ada jodohnya, kalo nikah bisa sendiri, langsung ke KUA nih gw. Canda KUA

Ngomong-ngomong standar ketinggian, ni orang-orang kalo gw kirim catatan harapan gw juga pasti ngakak. Retjeh abiezzz

Tapi gaes tenang, nikah bukan ajang balap-balapan kok. Santai. Take it easy. Jangan lupa doa.

Nih buat ciwi-ciwi doanya :

"Robbi hablii milladunka zaujan thoyyiban wayakuuna shoohiban lii fiddini waddunya wal aakhiroh."

Ya Tuhanku, berikanlah kepadaku suami yang terbaik dari sisi-Mu, suami yang juga menjadi sahabatku dalam urusan agama, urusan dunia, dan akhirat.

Karena nikah urusannya gak cuman duniawi, rasanya melibatkan Allah dalam prosesnya ini gak ada salahnya. Ya emg ga salah lah ya. Walaupun kadang masih suka maksa "sama yang ini kayaknya oke deh ya Allah, boleh ya?" tapi kalo lagi sadar "tapi hamba gak tau hal yang terbaik buat hamba ke depannya, hamba yakin kalo jalanMu pasti yang terbaik, maaf ya masih agak suka maksa dikit kalo doa. Semoga engkau berikan kelapangan dada untuk menerima jalan takdirmu"

Nikah itu ternyata gak simple kita mau hidup bersama dengan orang lain. Hidup bersama artinya harus siap menerima segala apapun yang menjadi jalan hidupnya dan juga jalan hidup kita nantinya.

Gak seindah fairytale. Gak seindah isi vlog para selebriti. Gak seindah romantisme yang diumbar oleh selebgram. Rasanya aku pun sadar kapasitas ini, meskipun selalu berdoa untuk Allah swt. mampukan ketika waktunya tiba nanti.

Salah seorang teman kemarin cerita tentang masalah rumah tangganya, suami yang tiba-tiba teringat mantan kekasihnya, ketemu dengan wanita yang mirip mantan kekasihnya. Lalu, memacarinya saat dia sudah berkeluarga dan mempunyai anak yang lucu. Rasanya kayak hah gimana-gimana. Astaghfirullah bener-bener shock dengernya.

Semoga dia diberikan kekuatan selalu untuk melalui jalan hidupnya. Apapun nnti akhirnya, semoga yang terbaik untuk semuanya.

Ini kata-kata yang dia ucapkan saat cerita :

"Nikah ini kan udh jadi pilihan gw rum, ya harus gw telen apapun yang udh terjadi. Gw kadang marah sama diri gw yang dulu, saat mau nikah dulu. Kenapa gw pilih nikah sama dia kemarin? Gw sebel kalo ada yang mau nikah, dalam hati selalu bilang "ngapain lu nikah""

Sedih ya. Gw gak tau udah sebesar apa beban yang dia pikul itu. Sebagai teman, gw berusaha membantu semampu gw.

But boys, please banget kalo kira-kira masih belum selesai sama yang dulu jangan ambil keputusan besar di hidup lu ya. Selesain dulu aja. Nikahin anak orang artinya lu udah siap bertanggung jawab atas hidupnya. Bahagianya, sedihnya juga. Bukan malah ngebuat mental anak orang ancur.

Aku sebut boys karena orang-orang begini ga cocok dipanggil man. Titik.

Semoga kita-kita yang belum nikah bisa mengambil keputusan secara sadar nantinya ketika memang jodohnya udah datang. Di waktu yang tepat. Tapi boleh lah kayaknya ya Allah agak dicepetin dikit wusss hahaha

Tenang. Jodoh pasti bertemu.

[xatskee]

#QuoteOfTheDay (20230819):

“Dopamin dianggap sebagai selebriti di antara neurotransmitter di otak kita. Tingkatkan secara alami!”

Otak kita memiliki sekitar 86 miliar neuron. Agar berfungsi normal, semua neuron ini harus bisa berkomunikasi satu sama lain melalui neurotransmiter yang dikomandani oleh dopamin. Dopamin membantu kita untuk mudah mengingat, fokus, waspada, tetap termotivasi, menyenangi aktivitas, mengontrol gerakan tubuh, dll.

Saat level dopamin rendah, segera tingkatkan. Kata laman Return 2 Health paling mudah berolahraga. Kemudian makan asupan alami, seperti: beetroot, kunyit, teh hijau, jelai, kacang-kacangan dan makanan yang mengandung asam amino tirosin (ikan, telur, susu, daging, tempe/tahu). Di zaman Nabi ﷺ tidak ada produk olahan pabrik sehingga nutrisi (asam amino) terjaga. Laman Life in Saudi menyebutkan Nabi ﷺ mengkonsumsi sumber dopamin, diantaranya: jelai (Al-Bukhari: 4997), susu (Al-Bukhari: 5179), kacang-kacangan (Abu Daud: 1364) dan daging (Abu Dawud: 3911).

#Dopamine #regarded #as #celebrity #among #neurotransmitters #in #brain #Boost #naturally #sunnah

Telegram channel: https://t.me/x_QoTD

[meccaakagrimo]

🇭🇹🚀⭐️• @mikaben509 Celebration of Life for Michaël Benjamin Michaël Benjamin - Mikaben’s - life will be celebrated on Sunday, November 6th, at the Miramar Cultural Center located at 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar, FL 33025 Doors will open at 1:00 pm. The greetings will be held between 1:00 and 2:30 PM and the memorial service will start promptly at 3:00 PM. Space is limited, thus the family is requesting that everyone come early in order to accommodate the crowd as best as possible. It is encouraged to wear white for the occasion. Guests will also have the opportunity to view the service throughout the Miramar Cultural Center via LED screens in additional areas outside. Fans will have an opportunity to leave messages for his family at various activation points. *********** *********** KREYOL Selebrasyon lavi pou Michaël Benjamin Lavi Michaël Benjamin - Mikaben - pral selebre dimanch 6 novanm nan Sant Kiltirèl Miramar ki chita nan 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar, FL 33025. Pòt yo ap louvri a 1:00 PM. Salitasyon yo ap fèt ant 1:00 PM ak 2:30 PM. Sèvis memoryal la ap kòmanse a 3h PM tapan. Espas yo limite, fanmi an mande pou tout moun rive bonè pou yo ka pi byen akomode foul moun yo. Li rekòmande pou mete blan pou okazyon an. Envite yo pral gen tou abilite pou wè sèvis la nan tout sant kiltirèl la atravè ekran ki ap dirije nan lòt zòn deyò. Fanatik yo ap kapab kite mesaj pou fanmi an nan plizyè kote nan lokal la. (at Miramar Cultural Center Artspark) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkbliKgOWEY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[loverslannd]

JEONG JAEHYUN

like or reblog, if u want sv !

[lisa-is-writing]

as promised, I translated my steddie fic into english. today is the day of ukrainian national flag, tomorrow is our independence day, so we're selebrating, bitches. interact with this post, leave feedback on ao3, have fun! sending kisses. xxx

The feeling of Eddie's lips on his was… normal. Not at all different from a thousand kisses with girls, except for the noticeable smell of cigarettes, a recently smoked joint and cheap alcoholic perfume. Eddie's fingers trembled slightly as they touched his chin; the kiss was palpable, but not persistent. Steve was usually the one in control, his hands on his partner’s waist, their soft sighs, the gentle touches of their hands to his neck. And when Eddie kissed him, he just froze. Crouching on his own couch, eyes wide as Eddie closed his own, long eyelashes fluttering, tickling Steve's cheeks. A second, two, three, — and Munson broke the kiss, his eyes uncertain and frightened. Steve was still unable to get a word out of his throat as Eddie frantically gathered his things up, scattered across the coffee table, and stormed out of the house, slamming the door. A moment later, he heard the rumble of an old engine from Eddie’s van, which quickly faded into the night silence of Hawkins.

“Well, that was fun,” Steve muttered under his breath and lay down on the sofa, covering his face with his palms. The lips still tingled from the phantom feeling of the kiss, the chest tightened more as minutes passed. He had to do something, he had to kiss him back, or push away, — at least something! Did you want to kiss him? The question hung unanswered  under his eyelids, like the neon sign of a shitty bar. It's not that the thought of a kiss with another guy scares him — it'd already happened, damn it! — however, Steve was definitely not delighted. He spent a good part of his life taking up his father’s idea that being queer was wrong, a sin, a crime. And if he wanted to kiss a guy, it means that he himself is queer. As much as he loved and respected Robin, there was something unpleasant about belonging to people like her. Not so much because of his own prejudices, but because of the environment he grew up in.

A disconcerting thought that another dose of Eddie's selective weed would be very appropriate crossed his mind. Steve shooed it away and got up with a strained groan as he started clearing away the empty teacups. Yes, they smoked joint and drank green tea with strawberries — tequila had a place only when there were four or more of them. There was no thrill in drinking just the two of them; it was kind of dangerous, even. Well, they have smoked together once — and one immediately went up to kissing, while the other had no idea what to do with it. And it's not even methamphetamine, not some kind of heroin, just cannabis. Steve sighed and decided to leave it at that for now. His head was a little dizzy from the drugs, his polo shirt felt suffocating, and the house was too big to feel safe in. So he cleaned up and went to bed, putting off the shower for the morning, as well as the conversation with his best friend. Robin, a seasoned girl lover who would know exactly what to do.

***

“You what ?!!”

Robin’s shrill screeching stuffed his ears up. Steve grimaced as she started laughing like a lunatic. He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest, waiting for her to calm down. Still, talking to her was not a very good idea, but he had no better one. You have to work with what you have.

“Okay, alright,” Robin said, wiping her tears with the palm after taking a few deep breaths to calm herself. “But, one question: why did you come to me with this, and not to Eddie?”

“How the hell am I supposed to talk to Eddie about this?”

“Because you kissed him , not me.”

“I came to ask for advice!” Steve exclaimed with a look of complete incomprehension on his face. “What was I supposed to do? Catch him halfway? Run after the van like a dog?”

“You should have gone to him in the morning and sort everything out.”

“Sort what out, exactly?”

Robin blinked once, twice, three times, staring at Steve silently as if he had grown a second head.

“I’m not sure how I feel,” Steve sighed, and then waved his hand as he went back to his work of sticking price tags on cassette boxes. “Okay, just forget it. Sorry I asked.”

“Hey,” Robin placed her palm on his shoulder, her voice calm, “I’m sorry. I had to react differently. You supported me when I confessed to you, I should have done the same.”

“I'm not… gay? Is that what you call when you only like boys? Because I like girls, very much, and I have no idea what to do. I am neither and it drives me crazy. Is that normal at all?”

“I have no idea,” Robin admitted. Steve turned to face her and sighed again. “What I do know is that you need to talk to him. I bet he's just as clueless as you are.”

“But-” he bit his lip, thinking, ”what to talk about? I'm not even sure if I wanted to kiss him. Does this mean we are a couple? I'm not good with girls, what chance do I have of getting a guy?”

“You won't know until you try,” Robin patted him on the shoulder and returned to the register just as a customer entered the store. Steve went back to sticking the price tags on the cassettes, deep in his thoughts. He was determined to go to Eddie's immediately after his shift and figure everything out, no matter what. He could only hope that he would be at home.

***

Concrete confidence did not save Steve from nervousness and the accumulation of unnecessary thoughts in his head. He felt as if his skull had been stuffed with cotton wool, a tight knot had been tied fro m his intestines and was pulling him down. His heart pounded in his chest as he pulled into the trailer park not far from Eddie's house in the rosy twilight. His van was in place, which was promising. Steve wiped his sweaty hands on his jeans and got out of the car, slamming the door too hard. Somewhere nearby, a dog barked, a cat squealed behind the fence. His knees were trembling as he knocked on the trailer door, and almost fell down when instead of Eddie, he was met by a scowling Wayne Munson.

“What do you want?” he barked hoarsely.

“I-is Eddie home?” Steve asked stuttering. He felt his face turn red, and his palms covered with sweat again. Damn that nervous tremor.

“Eddie,” Wayne called loudly, turning his head inside the trailer and opening the door wider, “come in.”

“What,” came a reply from behind the closed door as Steve stepped into the trailer and the elder Munson closed the door behind him.

“You have guests,” Wayne sat down on the couch and stared at the television across from him, completely ignoring Steve, who was still awkwardly stomping in the middle of the trailer with his arms clasped in front of him. He looked around in a daze—the Munsons' dwelling was cluttered, but not too much. Against his huge, polished house, the small trailer seemed lived-in and comfortable. Just as he was trying to look at the picture in the far corner of the living room, the door to his left opened and Eddie, in his usual total black image, stepped out of his room.

His step was springy, as usual, his relaxed face immediately sharpened, his eyebrows furrowed. His outstretched shoulders tensed, and he himself seemed to become a tensed string that would snap with any careless movement. Steve thought he really should be choosing his words, since Eddie didn't look happy about his visit. Immediately, he felt a wave of panic, because how can he explain to someone what he feels if he himself does not fully understand?

“Harrington,” Eddie drawled dryly, as if Steve's name was bitter on his tongue.

“Hello,” Steve awkwardly waved his hand and smiled a little. “Can we talk?”

“Don’t want to.”

“Please. It’s important.”

Steve felt Wayne's gaze on his back, but he kept staring into Eddie's eyes, trying to convince him to give him another chance. The younger Munson's gaze darted from him to his uncle behind him, until he rolled his eyes with a heavy sigh, as if a weight about Kilimanjaro had been lifted on his shoulders, and he gestured toward the door.

“Let's go outside,” he said and nodded at his uncle's worried look.

Steve tried to open the door but fumbled with the handle for a few seconds until Eddie came up behind him and opened it wide, the handle on the other side hitting the wall of the trailer. Steve muttered “thanks” and stepped outside, his face burning with shame. His back covered with sweat, his armpits became unpleasantly damp, but he tried to keep his face and scrape together the last shreds of self-respect. Who would have thought that yesterday it was Eddie who ran away from him, as if a bunch of Demodogs were after him. He probably felt the same way Steve felt right at this moment.

“Speak up or get the hell out of here,” Eddie said, pulling a pack of cigarettes from the pocket of his worn sweats. The lighter clicked, and he inhaled the bitter smoke, avoiding Steve's gaze. He wondered if it would be appropriate to ask Eddie for a cigarette, considering that the boy must be imagining his quartering.

“I wanted to apologize for yesterday,” he began, only to be interrupted by Eddie's nervous laugh and his head shaking in despair.

“Nope, no, if you're going to say that we should forget what happened, I'll punch you in the face, I swear to God.”

“You didn't even listen!”

“And what else can you tell me, huh, King Steve?”

“That I didn't mean to scare you, and that we need to talk about what happened.”

“Nothing to discuss. Everything is crystal clear.”

“But nothing is clear! You caught me by surprise, I didn't even have time to do anything when you already flew out the door, as if someone was chasing you.”

“Sure, and you wanted to kiss me,” Eddie snorted disdainfully

“What if I did?”

“C'mon, cut the crap! In what world would King Steve want to kiss a local freak?”

“Stop calling me that. And speak more quietly, we will be heard.”

“So you’re ashamed of me now?”

“No, I just don't want you to be chased around again by a herd of religious fanatics who believe you're a cult leader.”

Eddie fell silent, staring at Steve with wide eyes. They seemed huge, Steve thought that he could easily drown in them. He wished they had much less mistrust, that the brown colour would once again resemble sweet honey rather than his father's expensive cognac.

“I like you,” Steve admitted quietly, peering at Eddie from under his eyelids. “ Really like you. But– I don't understand anything. I wanted to kiss you, but this is all so new and unusual. I'm afraid. But I want to be with you. I want to understand myself with you.”

“So I’m just a way to understand whether you’re queer or not?” Eddie put out the cigarette butt against the trailer and waved his hands in a theatrical gesture, “Kiss Munson and find out if you like boys! The chance is one to ten!”

“That's not what I meant,” Steve said barely audibly, receiving only rolled eyes and arms crossed over his chest in a protective gesture in response. He felt how his heart sank in his heel, and a chill crept up his back; disappointment filled his whole body, he suddenly realized that he was tired as hell. “You're hurting me right now, you know?”

Eddie sighed and squinted as if in pain, rubbing his forehead with his hand. His eyes were glassy, like he was about to cry, his shoulders slumped when he leaned heavily against the side of the trailer.

“I don't understand what you want from me,” said Eddie. “I'm not a toy, you can't just–”

“Just tell the truth?” Steve shouted, raising his voice. “Just admit that I am crazy about you and that you are one of the best people in my life? Just start this conversation with minimal understanding of my own feelings? Robin says that my emotional intelligence is hovering around the zero mark, and I know that I do not have a worthy example of normal human relations in my life, but–” all the bravado fell altogether, Steve stepped closer to Eddie and took his hand, staring into his eyes. “You are important to me. And whatever it is, I want to try. At least try, because you're worth it.”

“Damn it,” Eddie whispered, shaking his head and wrapping Steve's shoulders in a tight hug that surprised Steve.

He froze, unsure of what to do, then wrapped his arms around Munson's waist and nuzzled his neck, inhaling his smell. He felt the tension slowly leaving his body, his heart slowing down to a normal rhythm. Steve ran his hands over Eddie's back, feeling the soft fabric of his worn t-shirt, again and again. Eddie's muscles also relaxed under his arms, and he began to sway from side to side as if lulling them. Steve wasn't sure how long it had been before they finally broke their embrace, but they still held each other. He could feel Eddie's breath on his face, bitter with cigarettes, so close they were.

“I'll say it again, Steve Harrington: you destroy literally all the canons of handsome jocks that exist in this world.”

“I decided to follow the advice of my good friend and forget about the stereotypical social construct that is popularity. We're not in high school any more.”

“And thank God for that,” Eddie laughed lightly.

“Thank God for that,” Steve replied with a slight smile on his lips.

They stood in silence for some time, looking at each other, absorbing a renewed image. Steve could breathe with all his lungs again, the cool evening air intoxicating him, making his head spin — or maybe it was the boy in front of him, he wasn't sure. He dug his fingers into Eddie's forearm, and felt Eddie’s hands on his elbows. Enchanted, he moved the pads of his fingers up, to her shoulder, then to the neck, to cup it with his palm and feel the boy’s pulse on his own skin. Eddie stared into his eyes, pupils dilated, dark irises cast gold in the setting sun. Steve gasped again, his knees almost buckling from the sudden weakness.

“I'd like to kiss you again,” he whispered and looked down at Eddie's plump lips, then met his eyes again, “if you don't mind.”

“I'm more than up for it, but–” Eddie placed a hand on his cheek, “You said you aren’t sure how you feel, so I suggest slowing down. How about a date?”

“A date?”

“Yeah. You, me, cheap burgers and finest weed in the backseat of your car after a film. How do you like it?”

“Sounds like a dream,” Steve smiled and squeezed Eddie's hands in his own, finally receiving the most sincere and widest of his smiles in return. “We'll figure it out, right?”

“Yeah,” Eddie pulled him close again and placed a light kiss on his temple, making Steve almost purr. “We’ll figure it out.”

[san-fics]

Playing a game

Felix/Bridgette, Felix/Ladybug, Chat Noir/Bridgette, PV-Ladynoir

Part 6/6

“Stupid cat!” Bridgette yelled and hit the door.

What does he allow himself?! Why did he take her here? Chat never dragged Alya away from the fight scene by force. Was Bridgette somehow special to him?

Chat Noir couldn't have known she was Ladybug, otherwise there would be no sense in his actions. But the uneasiness with which he looked at her before dragging her away and locking her up spoke of something special.

Maybe they knew each other as civilians? But Bridgette couldn't remember to have any overprotective friends.

It was kind of sweet to know she was important for Chat even as a civilian though.

When he swore his love to her, she could never fully believe him. There was always the possibility that he simply wanted to get rid of the ring. And as much as she would be glad to remove the curse from him, unfortunately, without a partner Bridgette couldn’t imagine how to deal with Hawk Math.

She was worried that once she let him go, he wouldn’t come back. And Paris needed Chat Noir.

“Tikki, can you open the door for me?” She asked.

Tikki flew out of her purse.

“Of course.” The qwami said, and flew through the door.

The lock clicked and Tikki appeared again.

“Thanks!” Bridgette smiled at her. “Now we really need to go. Spots on!”

*

When Ladybug arrived, Chat was already fighting some sort if giant akumatized clown, who threatened to arrange a selebration in everyone's life.

If only all the akumas had such good intentions.

He shot multi-colored confetti in different directions, and Chat Noir was already covered with spiral ribbons so much, he could barely move.

Ladybug needed to free her partner first and ask if he already figured where the akumatized object was. So she grabbed him bridal stile and jumped with him to a roof, hiding behind a chimney.

“It’s probably a clapperboard in his hand.” Chat said, shaking off the lace strips of confetti. “But he shoots so fast, it's hard to come close. We need a distraction.”

Chat Noir removed most of the strips, but few of them stuck behind the collar of his suit on a side, and he seemed not to notice them.

Ladybug raised her hand and removed it, touching the skin behind Chat’s ear accidentally. He yelped and leaped away, looking at her as surprised as she was looking at him.

For a moment Bridgette was just continued staring at her partner while her brain was solving a riddle she didn't even know she wanted to solve.

It all fell on her at the same time: Felix trying to save her, Chat trying to keep her safe, both Felix and Chat having bad luck, the ticklish spot, that was hidden behind his ear, that she discovered just two days ago...

“Felix...” Ladybug whispered with wide eyes, and immediately closed her mouth with her palm, remembering that Bridgette was the only one who could guess Chat’s identity on such a non-standard basis.

But it was too late.

Chat’s eyes widened in response, his jaw dropped. He looked at her in amazement.

“Bridgette...” He whispered, then a wave of understanding washed over his face. “That’s why you...” He swallowed. “I obviously do.”

“Do what?” Ladybug narrowed her eyes at him, not sure what to expect anymore.

“Care about you.” He was looking into her eyes devotedly, with warmth, and adoration and... love? “But you already know that, don’t you?”

Bridgette looked at him as if she had seen him for the first time. Now she could clearly see that Chat’s feelings were never a lie. And she didn’t even understand how she could ever doubt them.

At this point, Bridgette decided that she couldn’t keep him as her partner forcibly. She didn't know what would happen when she let him go, but she believed him, she loved him, and she wanted him to be happy.

So Ladybug did what she always did: she trusted her intuition. She took a step towards Chat Noir and reached out to him on tiptoes for a kiss.

*

Ladybug reached out to him to remove the confetti tape from his shoulder and brushed his ticklish spot.

Chat Noir yelped and jumped back.

His partner looked at him in shock for a moment.

“Felix...” She finally whispered.

Chat Noir’s eyes widened in shock. How could she know that?..

Wait. Did Ladybug just guess his identity based on where his ticklish spot was? But Felix himself didn’t even know that he had it! He only found out where it was hiding two days ago, together with...

“Bridgette...” Chat whispered. “That’s why you...” That was why she was running towards the akuma. That was how Ladybug knew Bridgette was safe and didn’t want to save her, when Felix was trying to get her out of the debris.

That was why Bridgette was so silent during all that day. She couldn’t understand why Felix rejected her, but refused to leave her in danger...

And this was why Bridgette provoked him, saying that he didn’t care about her, while looking at him like she knew he did. Because she actually did know.

Felix swallowed.

“I obviously do.” He said out loud.

“Do what?” Ladybug narrowed her eyes at him, as if she didn’t know what to expect from him with this new revelation.

“Care about you.” Chat explained.

This absolutely amazing woman made him want her both in and out of the mask. It was her, who caught his attention in many different ways. It was her, bright and warm, and strong and soft all at the same time!

How could he resist her, even while trying to be true to the feeling he had to her without knowing it was her?

Felix couldn’t, and didn’t want to suppress all the feelings he had for both of her sides, now melted in one perfect girl, standing in front of him.

He was looking at her, showing all the love and care, and tenderness he had for her.

“But you already know it, don’t you?” He added.

Ladybug was looking back at him with a very serious expression on her face, as if pondering something important. Suddenly she took a step towards him, and pulled herself up on tiptoes, closing her eyes.

Chat’s eyes widened again. It seemed he stopped breathing, thrilled by her conscious closeness with him.

Felix felt his body engulfed in heat, his lips parted in anticipation of her touch. His eyelids suddenly grew heavy and his eyes began to close. Chat Noir moved towards his lady, unable to resist the temptation.

Suddenly he recoiled from her as if scalded.

“I...” He was breathing heavily, not taking his eyes off Ladybug’s lips.

Bridgette’s lips, Felix thought, and for some reason this thought made them even more desirable.

He forced himself to look up and meet her gaze.

Ladybug looked at him in confusion.

Chat swallowed.

“You can’t even imagine how much I want to kiss you right now.” He said.

“Why wouldn’t you?” Ladybug asked.

“I...” Chat Noir frowned. “What about the curse?”

“Would you leave me if you aren’t forced to be a hero anymore?” She asked calmly, as if they were discussing the wether.

Chat Noir made a step forward and took her hand in his.

“I would never leave you, my lady.” He said, banding to kiss her glowed knuckles. And she didn’t remove her hand this time the way she usually did. “Bridgette.”

“Then...” She was breathing fast. “Then kiss me.”

“You trust me.” He stated.

“I do.” Ladybug looked away. “I was scared not to be able to protect the city alone.” She confessed.

Chat Noir pulled her closer to him.

“You will never be alone.” He said. “Not until I live.”

He took her face in his palm, tenderly caressing her cheek with his thumb. Their lips met as met their souls, set free to coexist together in their free will, not forced by their duties, but in perfect mutual impulse.

In this moment, when Felix was freed from his curse, that forced him to fight along her side until it lasted, he felt that he was given freedom to be with her always, over any limits.

Because that was what he wanted. And that was the way it was meant to be.

They pulled away at the same time, smiling at each other softly. Two people, two powers, combined in one force. The force to fight evil.

And that was exactly what they did next, leaping towards the akuma together.

Together in appearance. And together inside.

[part 1]

[part 5]

[more MLB/Maribat fanfic]

[December 2021 posting schedule]

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