#so i pretended the storms were only in game and then i was fine

[lonesome-pear]

So I saw a video about the epic of Gilgamesh, saying that it contains the phrase in those distant days. Well, I thought that could be a good theme for a poem so I decided to write one. I turned on some Minecraft music (not sure why but it ended up working out) and got writing. It ended up being about missing the past. I kind of wanted to share it so here it is

In those days, those distant days

I would sit there for hours, placing things in new ways

Stuck in a creative haze, in those distant days

In those distant days, I would be with friends

People I loved, people I no longer know

Sitting in the basement, by a warm fire glow

In those distant days, I would find a new thing

Something that was little, but also somehow big

A planet of sorts, where it seemed like I had wings

Flying through the memories of those distant days

In those distant days, I had childlike wonder

Before all I knew was torn asunder

Little me, scared of thunder, was comforted in the moments of those distant days

How I miss those distant days, where there was joy and whimsy

A time where memories made were of good quality

But I cant go back to those distant days

I must relive them in different ways

Find whimsy with new people, in new places

Find joy in new games, with new faces

But I will enjoy this days now

The present can be pleasant anyhow

But even when it's not, I keep going somehow

Those distant days are far away

But I carry on, I find a way

Because I might be looking towards them, those distant days

[repulsiveliquidation]

Did I Cross The Line? || Alexia Putellas

warnings : angst. i am not entirely happy with it but if I kept editing, it would only become worse lol. Loosely inspired by the meaning of ‘Wildflower’ by Billie Eilish.

summary : There were two people to love. Alexia could only have one.

You started off as best friends. Two peas in a pod. One never without the other. You and Alexia were never seen apart from each other. Her mother was like your mother, and vice versa. Both families were like one big one all because Alexia decided she wanted to be friends with you at 4 years old and she kicked a football at you in kindergarten. 

You cried, of course, and she got so scared when the teacher scolded her and called her mother to school for it. She sheepishly apologized and when you accepted it, she kissed your cheek where the ball smacked you. 

“Mami always kisses my booboos so they feel better faster!” 

“Really? My mami does too…” 

A football to the face was the price you paid for a girl whom you would give your life for. 

That was until Jenni came along. 

Alexia looked at her differently. It was new. She’d never been this happy in a relationship before and you could not have been happier for your best friend. 

Alexia was someone who loved her friends. She wasn’t shy to show her affection and to boldly display her feelings. You were more reserved and outwardly didn’t like it when she was being touchy. 

Deep down though, her touch brought calm to your storm. You were always anxious before games and Alexia knew this; she made sure to stand beside you and hold your hand to squeeze three times before you left the tunnel. 

Today, Alexia stood beside you in the tunnel, chatting away to Jenni who was only half listening. Your hands shook with adrenaline and fear, palms itching to reach for Alexia’s hand to calm you down. 

The kind of friend she was to you showed itself in times like these. She could feel the fear radiating off you and without even looking back at you, her hand reaches for yours and you feel your body relax and react to the heat from her palm. 

“You okay? You look pale,” she whispers, looking concerned at you. You look up at her slightly taller figure and nod, gripping her hand tighter. 

“Fine, just nervous for the big game,” you lie, hoping she didn’t see the slight bit of jealousy that creeped into your head. 

“You’ll be fine, hermana, we’ll win this.” 

You nod again, feeling sweat on your brow. She squeezes your hand three times and faces forwards, walking out while you follow. The game went smoothly and you sailed to a 3-0 win easy peasy. 

At training a few days later, you arrive at the changing room a little energized only to be met with screaming. 

You stood at the door and listened carefully, not wanting to interrupt anyone when you recognized the voice yelling her head off. 

Alexia was yelling. 

“She’s my best fucking friend, how could you make me choose?!” 

“Well, she’s all you talk about! If I wanted to know her, I would have wanted to date her instead of you!” 

“You’re not good enough for her!” 

“I’m not good enough?” Jenni laughs, “You’re the one who got rejected when told her I love you while piss fucking drunk! May I add that we were already dating at that point; I knew you loved her and not me!”

”How dare you?!” 

You hear bags being zipped and boots clamoring all over the changing room. Alexia storms out of the room and you back away from the door just in time. She doesn’t even see you standing there pretending you didn’t hear them, seeing Jenni try to run after. She, unlike Alexia, notices you standing there looking like a deer in headlights. 

“Speak of the devil,” Jenni quips mockingly, “you were listening weren’t you?” 

“You didn’t make it hard not to,” you say as you roll your eyes, pushing past Jenni to put your kit bag in your cubby and run after Alexia. 

“Ale!” You call, running through the stadium looking for your best friend. She’s sobbing in her car, crying more when you knock on the passenger window gently. The doors unlock and you quietly climb in. 

“You heard.” 

“I didn’t get there in time to hear all of it, no.”  

“Jenni’s leaving,” Alexia takes a deep breath to stop herself from crying before she continues, “and she’s asked me to come with her.” 

“Why did you say no?” 

The tears start to flow again and she cries harder, now unable to catch her breath. She grabs the steering wheel and still can’t breathe so you take her hands in yours and hope she calms like you do. 

Her panic attack exhausts her and she’s in no condition to drive. A quick text to the group chat and you’ve got both your bags in her car and are on the way to her house. She’s passed out in the passenger seat and snoring a little, still holding your hand in the center console. 

Your hand holding hers feels familiar and comfortable. You’re sure she’s passed out and can’t really feel anything but unbeknownst to you, she was quite aware of her surroundings and knew she was close to home. 

Close to you. 

You really don’t want to wake her but you’ve pulled into her driveway and can hear dogs barking so you tap on her shoulder gently. You’re tempted to kiss the back of her hand but you refrain from it, feeling the restraint tug at your heart. 

She rouses and smiles softly at you, eyes puffy and nose red. She shuffles into the house with you right behind her. 

You make yourself at home, brewing two cups of tea. It fills the house with a lovely smell of jasmine, which eases your anxiety. She takes a mug from you, eyes filling with fresh tears. Her body shakes with fear, brain in overdrive. 

She was always open with you. But this time, her lips stayed sealed. It broke your heart. 

“Alexia, talk to me,” you whisper, eyes searching for hers. She doesn’t look at you, teary eyes instead glued to the floor. 

She sips the tea and it burns her tongue, the sudden rush of pain makes the tears she was fighting with win. They stain her cheeks and reveal her true feelings. 

She loved you. 

And she has for longer than she cares to admit. 

Dating Jenni was just an attempt at denying her feelings. She loved you. But she loved Jenni too. 

It was like she was having an out of body experience. She was sitting right in front of you and she had never seen like you she did right this second. But she knew now that she did in fact see you this way. 

She looked at you differently from Jenni. She took care of you differently from Jenni. She saw you differently from Jenni. She may have loved both of you, but there was a clear difference. 

She did those things differently because she loved you differently. 

She didn’t know you felt the same. You loved Alexia too. Boy did your heart break when they first got together. You wanted to break things she got you. You couldn’t wear her clothes you had in your closet anymore. You pulled away when all you wanted to do was crawl into her skin. 

You had to lie that day at the bar. You had to break her heart. She loved someone else didn’t she? You couldn’t let her be hung up on someone like you when she had someone like Jenni begging for her attention. 

She was La Reina. Two time Ballon d’Or winner. Queen of FC Barcelona. 

You were just…you. 

“I love you!” Alexia yells; fresh hot tears stream down her face. She looked like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. There was a clear release of tension in the room and it was magical.

When her lips touched yours, there were feelings shared that could be left unsaid. Feelings only the two of you needed to know. She loved Jenni, and there was a conversation to be had tomorrow but for today, she had all that she needed to make it through the night. And quite possibly the rest of her life. 

Alexia pulled you into her lap, hands resting on your waist in a deathly grip, clearly afraid you’d just disappear into thin air. 

“I love you too,” you whispered against her lips, feeling her perfect smile adorn her face again. 

As Alexia held you in her arms the rest of the night, you realized something. You were not just…you. 

You were the girl who took a ball to the face like a champ, though it left your cheek bruised for days, all because a 4 year old was too shy to say hello. 

You were the girl who fought a boy twice your size when he tackled Alexia dangerously. 

You were the girl who walked in and out of her house like it was your own. 

You were the girl so scared of walking out onto the pitch you needed your best friend to hold your hand. 

You were the girl Alexia, from the moment she laid her eyes on you at the kindergarten playground, wanted to be friends with her entire life. 

You were wanted, needed and cherished by your best friend. But there was more, so much more left for you to uncover. 

Was the next step in your relationship a line you wanted to cross? 

“Alexia?” you asked, looking back at her. She was smiling and you felt your heart melt. But you remained steadfast. 

“Sí?”

“What are you going to say to Jenni?” 

Alexia’s smile dropped, her arms around you slacked and her face turned into fear. 

What was she going to say to Jenni? She was going to break her heart for sure but what would be the right words? Were there the right words to tell your girlfriend you loved someone else and you were only with her because you were in denial? 

The night dragged on that day, on one hand you were over the moon to have Alexia to yourself but you felt bad for Jenni who was also a close friend, knowing she was in for a day she would want over as fast as possible tomorrow. 

“Jenni, just listen to me, please!” 

“There’s nothing to listen to, you’re in love with her and not me. Moving away was a good idea, that way I won’t be a constant reminder of a barrier in your relationship,” Jenni says calmly, standing right in front of the door outside the changing room. She turns, a pained smile on her face. 

“You two deserve each other. Please don’t break her heart like you did mine.” 

Alexia asked you to wait outside and you did, trying your best not to eavesdrop like before. Jenni walks out and you can see how hard she’s trying not to cry. She sees you and sits beside you, an awkward silence in the air. There was a war going on inside you, one that made your anxiety skyrocket. You were shaking, sweat building up on your brow. You tried to hold your own hand to no avail. It was nothing like Alexia’s palm in yours. 

Jenni takes your sweaty palm and rubs the back with her other. 

“Please don’t feel like this is your fault,” she starts, looking at your hand in hers. “We were having problems from the start. She has always loved you in a way that was reserved only for you.” 

You look at her and tears of your own begin to prickle. You felt bad for her; you should be comforting her since she was the one affected by all this and yet here she was comforting you. 

“Jenni…” 

“No, please. She loved me,” she pauses, taking a deep breath, “but she loved you more. More than anything in this world. She told me she was terrified of losing you when we got together. She was always your girl. She was never mine to love.” 

Jenni stands, leaving your hand in your lap and using hers to wipe her tears. 

“She always wished I was you," Jenni says, taking a deep breath, "now she’s got her wish. I just hope she doesn't regret it.”

[azzifudd]

i don't wanna see you with anyone but me

paige bueckers x azzi fudd

summary: Azzi gets nervous before games. She always has. No matter how low or high the stakes, whether it’s a regular season game against a team clearly a cut below her own or the state championships, the moment she sets foot on the court, her palms break out into a sweat and her stomach churns with nerves.

Today though, she’s not nervous at all. She’s pissed.

rated: teen

3.0k words

disclaimer: as always, this is fictional

[AO3 Link]

Azzi gets nervous before games. She always has. No matter how low or high the stakes, whether it’s a regular season game against a team clearly a cut below her own or the state championships, the moment she sets foot on the court, her palms break out into a sweat and her stomach churns with nerves.

Today though, she’s not nervous at all. She’s pissed. It’s already been a bad morning. Early morning games are always tough on the team, and they’d gotten to the hotel late last night because of an expected traffic jam, leading to even less sleep.

And now, instead of helping her warm up and hyping her up like she normally is, Paige is at the opposite end of the court giggling with some girl on the other team.

They only have a few weeks left together before Paige has to go home, and instead of being with Azzi, she’s off flirting with someone else.

Azzi takes another shot, grunting when it bounces off the rim. The ref finally blows his whistle, signaling the teams to line up for tip off. Paige starts to walk back toward their side of the court, but not before that girl says goodbye with a hand pressed to Paige’s arm.

Azzi’s petty enough that she pretends she doesn’t see Paige’s offered high five before she runs onto the court.

Azzi plays like a woman possessed. By the time the final buzzer sounds, they’re up 25 points after her efficient 33.

“Okay, killa!” When Paige bounds up to her, bumping into her with her chest and trying to wrap her arms around her, she shrugs her off.

“Why don’t you go comfort your new friend?” Azzi heads to the bench to take a much needed drink of water. Paige trails close behind her.

“What are you talking about?”

“Her.” Azzi flicks her head in the girl’s direction. Azzi has to admit she’s pretty; with dark skin, dark hair, and big brown eyes. She’d probably enjoyed it a little too much when her crossover had landed the girl on her ass, but like she’s said, she’s petty.

“Why would I do that? I don’t even know her.” Paige looks dumbfounded.

“You seemed to know her well enough that you spent all of pregame talking to her instead of helping me warm up.” She tries to keep her voice low, knowing that their voices would echo easily in the gym no matter how loud the other games were.

“She said she was a fan! I was just being nice!” Paige crowds into her space, voice defensive.

“Oh, I’m sure you were.”

“Azzi, come on, you’re being crazy.”

Azzi sees red, elbowing Paige in the stomach, pushing her lanky body out of the way easily. “Get away from me.”

“Fine!” Paige throws up her hands. “Come find me when you’re done being crazy.”

The rest of the day drags as they have to take the long drive home together in the car with Azzi’s family. Her parents clearly want nothing to do with their drama, ignoring the two ticking time bombs in the backseat.

When they finally make it back to the house, Azzi storms inside, slamming her bedroom door behind her.

“So… what happened, big dawg?” Tim asks Paige as she helps him unload their bags from the car.

“I didn’t even do anything!” Paige huffs, frustrated.

“I didn’t say you did.” He replies, patient.

Paige hesitates, suddenly feeling awkward about talking about this with her what are they? her girl? her Azzi’s dad, but he stops her before she has to.

“You don’t have to tell me the details, but give her some time to cool down, and then just talk to her. You know how she can be, I mean both of you are stubborn as hell, but when has she ever stayed mad at you for long?

That’s true. It’s one of the things that Paige likes the most about Azzi, that no matter how annoying Paige is being, Azzi still wants her around.

When they’re done unpacking, Paige goes to find Azzi. She stops in the kitchen to grab some reinforcements. When she gets to Azzi’s door, she hesitates. She’s never had to knock before. But before she even needs to, it opens.

She and Azzi stare at each other for a moment before they’re both blurting out, “I’m sorry.”

Then they’re both giggling and Azzi pulls Paige into her room, shutting the door behind her.

“I brought this, in case you were still mad at me.” Paige holds up a cartoon of ice cream and a spoon.

“Only one spoon?”

“In case you were still mad at me,” Paige repeats. Azzi laughs and tugs Paige over to sit on the bed, where they take turns eating bites of the ice cream.

“I’m sorry I called you crazy.” Paige says, wincing as she remembers it. “I shoulda seen how upset you were.”

“And I’m sorry that I overreacted when I saw you talking to someone else.” Azzi twists her fingers together. “I just got so mad when I saw you talking to her. And I know how popular you are, and you deserve every bit of it, but…”

Paige just waits because she knows Azzi needs to talk it out herself, and that she just needs Paige to listen.

“I know it’s selfish, but part of me just wants to keep you to myself. Because as soon as everyone finds out about you, they’re gonna want you.” Azzi glances at Paige then, almost certain she’ll see a cocky grin on her face, but Paige just listens.

Paige gets it. Sometimes someone can just look at Azzi for a second too long and it makes her want to just take Azzi and hide her away. But she can’t, so she just reaches out to hold Azzi’s hand.

There are so many things she wishes she could say to Azzi, things that she can barely stand to consider because they scare the shit out of her.

So she just settles for saying the one thing she knows to be true.

“I’m yours.”

Paige watches Azzi blush, stunned and speechless.

“Can I kiss you now? Lowkey it was so hot how jealous you got.” Paige laughs when Azzi pushes her with a hand to her face.

But then that same hand is gripping at her collar and pulling her on top of Azzi and then there’s no more talking.

//

It’s a Friday night, and Paige is sober.

It’s not the most uncommon occurrence, not anymore. After her ACL, she has learned to be a bit more responsible, a bit more grown up. So when the girls had decided to go out that night, she volunteered to be DD.

And if that gives her a chance to watch over Azzi a little more closely she will take it. The younger girl has been acting off in the past weeks. On the outside, she doubts that anyone else has noticed, but she almost knows Azzi better than she knows herself.

It becomes even clearer that something’s wrong when Azzi returns over and over to the bar, taking way more shots than she usually does.

And now, a few hours into their night, she has disappeared. It’s a small bar, in a small town, so Paige isn’t too worried, but Azzi has never been one to wander off, and especially not on her own.

Paige pokes her head through the door to the back patio which consists of a few picnic tables, lit up with fairy lights. She almost heads back inside when she hears a familiar laugh from the far end of the patio.

When her eyes adjust to the light, she sees Azzi sitting on a table, a tall form looming over her.

“Azzi!” She barks out, strides long as she rushes forward. The figure steps back from her friend, and Paige vaguely recognizes her as one of the members of the girls volleyball team.

“What?!” Azzi fires back, stopping Paige in her tracks.

“What are you doing? Who is this?”

“I’m talking to a friend.” Paige fights the familiar twist in her stomach at the sight of Azzi’s hand on the other girl’s arm. “Is that okay with you? Or are you the only one allowed to flirt with every woman who throws themselves at you?”

Paige feels like she’s been punched in the gut. She sees a hint of regret on Azzi’s face before she turns her head away.

The stranger looks like she would rather be anywhere else, and Paige would be more embarrassed if she wasn’t so focused on Azzi.

“I’ll see you in class, Azzi?” When Azzi gives a jerky nod in response, the girl takes her leave, giving Paige a cold look as she goes.

Azzi’s eyes are glassy, her cheeks obviously flushed even under the dim lights. She takes a heaving breath, face turned away while she clearly fights tears, and Paige hates that she is the reason for her best friend’s pain.

“Az-” Her hands reach up to find their usual place at Azzi’s waist, but she freezes when Azzi flinches away from her. Her fists clench as she drops them at her side.

“Am I not enough?”

“What?” Paige chokes out. The thought is inconceivable. She reaches out again, grasping at where Azzi has wrapped her arms around herself.

Azzi still isn’t looking her in the eye.

“Azzi, come on.” Paige sighs in relief when Azzi allows her touch, hands warm against the skin exposed by her crop top.

Azzi’s eyes brim with tears. “Can we just forget I said anything?”

That’s when Paige knows something really might be wrong. Azzi is always the one pulling her out of her shell when she’s upset, and she wasn’t usually one to hide her own feelings.

“It’s just us. Me and you.” Paige brings one hand up to cup her jaw and brings their gazes together. “Talk to me. We promised that we’d always talk to each other.”

Azzi takes a deep, steadying breath. And then another.

“I know that we agreed when you came here that we’d pull back and keep it more casual.”

You wanted that! Paige wants to say, but she can’t deny that she took advantage of it, loved it at times even. She can’t deny that sometimes it was nice to be able to talk to, flirt with, and kiss girls who didn’t hold the power to crush her with one word.

But none of those girls ever made her feel even half of how Azzi did, like she could conquer the world if only Azzi was at her side, holding her hand.

“And I know that we decided last year that it was best for the team and for everyone if we just.. didn’t complicate things.”

She keeps it unspoken that it was never that simple, and that it had tested their relationship more than ever having each other so close, but being unable to really be together the way they both hoped the other wanted. And then the season had ended with that devastating loss, and neither of them had had the emotional capacity to deal with all of it.

And then her ACL had happened, and just when Paige had thought that she couldn’t be forced any lower, there was Azzi. Azzi, who had just shown up to hold her, and let her yell and cry, and not be okay, for once.

It still sucks, and there are days where she’s so desperate to play that she cries, but she’s not alone in it. She’ll never be alone again, not as long as she has Azzi. And she knows now, sure as anything, that Azzi is all she’ll ever want.

“I thought something had changed between us this summer, and I’ve been waiting for you to be ready, to tell me you were ready.”

Paige feels like this is a conversation she has been waiting to have for a very long time.

“Do you know what my first thought was the first time I saw you? ”

Azzi huffs in frustration. “What are you talking about?”

“I saw you shoot a basketball for the first time, and thought, damn, I have to play with her, and then I did, and it was better than I even imagined it would be. Then I got to sit next to you on that plane, and got to really know you, and then I knew that I just wanted you in my life forever. So don’t ever think that you’re not enough. You’re all I’ve wanted since I was sixteen years old.”

Azzi’s eyes shimmer with tears, but the smile on her face is radiant. Paige tugs her even closer by the waist until Azzi hooks her arms around her shoulders.

“I wish I was as good with words as you are,” Azzi says, pressing their foreheads together. “I wish I could tell you what you mean to me.”

But Paige doesn’t need Azzi to say it. She can feel it in the way Azzi’s heart pounds against her chest where they are pressed together. She can see it in the way her lips tremble like they’re about to kiss for the first time.

And she can feel it in the way Azzi presses their lips together, like she never wants to stop, like breathing matters less than kissing her.

//

Paige is unzipping her luggage when her phone rings with a Facetime call from KK. She taps accept and as the screen fills with an image, she realizes it isn’t a normal call.

The angle is askew and the camera is out of focus showing a gym with a few figures in the distant background. Somehow KK must’ve accidentally called her. She hears KK’s voice loud and clear joking around with someone with an Australian accent. She smiles, happy that her little freshman is getting along with everyone at the Dawg Camp. She almost hangs up the call when the camera focuses itself and the figures in the background become clear.

They’re a bit far away, but Paige would recognize that form anywhere. Azzi stands at the opposite court putting up shots, though her feet stay planted on the ground. Her stroke is still smooth as butter though, and she’s so strong that the shots swish through the net even if she can’t get off the ground yet.

Someone’s under the net, someone tall with dirty blonde hair, rebounding for Azzi, and she says something, too quiet for Paige to hear from this far away, but she does hear Azzi’s responding laugh.

The sound, one of Paige’s favorite sounds, one that normally never fails to bring a smile to Paige’s face, instead sends an uncontrollable roll of unease through her gut.

She knows it’s irrational, to still get jealous when someone else makes Azzi smile. She’s never been more secure in their relationship than she is now, but apparently that jealous part of her is still alive as she squints down angrily at her phone, watching fucking Kate Martin?! standing way too close to her girl.

“What the hell?” She mutters, and then the phone is moving and KK’s face fills the screen.

“Oh, what the? P. Boogers! My bad, how long have you been on my phone?”

“Kamorea!”

KK jumps from the unexpected growl in Paige’s voice. “Damn what’s gotten up your butt? Say hi to Georgia.”

“Hi,” Paige says, brusquely. She swipes the FaceTime to the corner of the screen, tapping open Instagram and navigating to Azzi’s profile.

“Jeez, tough crowd.” She hears Georgia say as she taps on Azzi’s following, scoffing when she sees Azzi’s most recent follow.

“Dude, lemme talk to Azzi.”

“Y’all fightin’ or somethin’? She seemed all goofy after she talked to you last night.” KK thinks for a second. “Oh was it because you were cheesin’ at those dancers?”

“What?” Paige sputters. “I was just being polite!”

“Mm, sure.”

“Whatever, just let me talk to her, bro come on.” Paige nods, impatiently.

KK rolls her eyes, but still walks down the court. “Azzi,” she calls out. “Dumbass on the line for you.”

Paige watches Azzi’s face come into focus, first looking confused before a smile blooms on her face, dimple creasing her cheek.

“Babe, hey.”

Paige feels all the uncertainty and jealousy just fade away at the sight of that smile.

“Hey,” she replies, softly.

“Did something happen?” Azzi’s brow creases with worry, and she walks a bit away so they can speak in a more private spot.

“No,” Paige lies, suddenly embarrassed about how much she overreacted. “I just miss you.”

“Paige.” Azzi's smile grows even wider. “You called KK to tell her how much you missed me? You just saw me like two days ago.”

“Well, she pocket dialed me, and I saw you, so-” She cuts herself off. “Yeah.”

“I miss you too, dummy.”

Azzi’s smile is softer now, the sight of it fills Paige’s chest with warmth, so different from the mess of emotions she felt just minutes ago. Azzi has always been that for Paige, her safe place, her peace, her home.

Paige hears the noise in the background pick up and Azzi looks up, past the camera.

“You gotta go?”

“I’ll call you later?”

“You better.” Paige smirks and Azzi rolls her eyes fondly.

“Okay, I gotta go.”

“Wait,” Azzi pauses with a finger over the screen. “Is Martin still there?”

Azzi looks confused, but she still calls out, “Kate!”

Kate appears over Azzi’s shoulder, looking slightly puzzled at being summoned, but with a friendly smile anyways. “Hey, Paige.”

“Hey, how are ya?”

“Good, happy to be here, you know? Just taking it all in. Azzi’s been really nice about helping me actually. Since she’s been here before.” Kate smiles at Azzi, who returns it.

“Yeah, she’s pretty great, huh?” Paige winks and Azzi snorts softly. But then she says, voice serious, “Keep an eye on her for me, would ya? She doesn’t like to ask for help for herself sometimes.”

“You got it, Paige. Good to see you.” Kate jogs off to join the others in the now starting scrimmage.

When Paige looks back to Azzi, she almost blushes at the look in her eye.

“You’re always taking care of me.”

“Well, I kinda love you a little, so.” Paige scratches the bridge of her nose, feeling bashful all of a sudden.

“I kinda love you a little too.”

[katiemccabeswife]

Daddy Issues

Biv Meadema x Teen!Reader || The Christmas break was ruined by your Dad's anger issues but Beth and Viv are there to pick up the pieces of your broken heart.

4.9k words (proud ✊🏼)

You were more than happy to be back in dreary London after the Christmas break, which was abnormal because you loved your home country and having Christmas with your family.

This Christmas had been a good one, after a couple years of cold and rainy summers, Australia had finally had a cracker of a summer and for the first time in years, the lead-up to Christmas actually felt like Christmas again.

You always loved getting to be home with your family and being able to go to the beach every day and this year was no different. Christmas day was wonderful, it started with a swim at the beach and was followed by a beautiful lunch filled with laughter and joy from friends and family.

Your relationship had always been a bit rocky. Sometimes you got on like a house fire, poking fun at your sister together and doing work around the house but other times you got on like cats and dogs. Your mum had always said that you two were too alike and that’s why you fought as much as you did. But it was also known within the four walls of your house that your Dad could be bipolar at times and had an explosive temper and should definitely be in some sort of program for his anger issues that seemed to come out of nowhere.

It was a few days after Christmas and only a few days were left before left to go back to London. You and your Dad were joking like usual and everything seemed fine, until it wasn’t.

You had some family friends over and you guys had just started a game of poker when your Dad asked you to go clean up the kitchen.

“Dad, we literally just started. I’ll do it after, don’t worry,” You weren’t facing him so you couldn’t see his unamused face and took his silence as a silent agreement.

Not even five minutes later he asked you again, “Alright. Now go do the dishes, Y/N,” He said sternly. You had an ongoing joke between the two of you where he would pretend to be stern about something and you would jokingly say ‘No’ right before getting up to go and do whatever he had asked of you. As you were still facing away from him and knew he could see you were still engaged in the game of poker, you assumed he was only joking.

“No,” You giggled slightly and so did the others around the table, “I’m almost out anyways, I’m running out of candy canes,” You joke as candy canes had been the substitution for money.

He only became more consistent with his asking and it was starting to piss you off. You weren’t very good at gambling and were trying to focus and his nagging was throwing you off.

Once you finally got out, first by the way, you were getting up to go and clean the kitchen when your Dad once again asked you to go and do exactly that, “What does it look like I’m doing?” You were fed up with his nagging and your voice portrayed that and the others around the table picked up on it.

“Someone’s mad they lose,” Your sister called out to you.

“Don’t be mad just because you lost!” Your cousin teased.

“Off you go to clean the kitchen,” One of your Dad's mates called out.

“Don’t be mad that you lost!” Your Dad called out which was the final straw for you.

“I’m not mad about losing, I’m pissed off because you’re sitting right behind me asking to clean the kitchen every 5 seconds when you can clearly see that I was in the middle of a game!” You can understand why your Mum says you and your Dad were so alike, but to be fair, he was extremely annoying with his constant nagging behind you.

After making your way inside and to the kitchen you began cleaning but were soon interrupted by your father storming into the kitchen pervaded with anger, "How fucking dare you?" You turned around and saw him making his way over to you.

You thought he was joking in the way you two had been for the past week you spent together, "What?" Your tone held an essence of humour to cover the genuine confusion.

"Get the fuck out!" Your father screamed at you.

"What!" You screamed in confusion as your entire body filled with dread and fear.

"After everything we've done for you! Get the fuck out!" You were trembling with fear when he stepped closer to you, held your arm with one hand and raised his other. You coward away from the large man you recognised as your father.

You ducked under his arm, picked up your keys and ran out of the house and towards your car. You got in and sat in silence for a moment before a wave of sadness washed over your body like a cold shower and you began to sob. You held your hands over your face and cried, you cried like you did when you were 7 years old and didn't finish your dinner because you were sick and your Dad yelled at you just like he had just now, like you did when you were 14 and stood up for your sister who was too scared to and your Dad's face was just as angry as it was a few minutes ago, just like you did when you were 16 and talked back to your Dad, fed up with his borderline misogynistic comments and you were almost as scared of him as you were right now.

You cried because you were scared your father was going to hit you. Your Dad always had a temper and exploded from time to time but never had he ever grabbed you and never had you genuinely believed he was going to hit you. Your hands were shaking and your chest hurt as you couldn't take in a full breath of air and your head was beginning to hurt from crying so hard. You were 19 years old and still crying over your Dad.

After 15 minutes of crying your heart out you started your car and went on a drive. You drove to the beach and took out the towel that was still in your car from your trip earlier that day and you walked towards the water. The waves had calmed and were no longer crashing into the shore with great force but softly rolled through the water and flattened against the sand with grace. You set down your towel and stripped from your clothes, thanking yourself for staying in your bikini all day and walked into the water.

You dove under the water and relished in the calmness and quietness you felt swimming. Once you'd swam out until you couldn't touch you moved to float on your back, closed your eyes and took a deep breath. You floated there numbly for at least 20 minutes before you got out and wrapped yourself in your towel. You sat in the sad, silent tears rolling down your cheeks as you watched the sun dip below the horizon. Once the light had been stripped from the sky you walked back to your car before the light of an ice cream shop caught your eyes.

You treated yourself to a double-scooped waffle cone and sat down outside the shop, looking over the beach you could barely make out. You knew how your Father would act if you went back home, he would ignore you, pretend you didn't exist and not talk to you until he felt better and after that time was up you would have to pretend nothing happened. You always did so because he was your father, your best friend at times and how could you not forgive him for screaming in your face?

You were grown now though and you weren't going to pretend this never happened and you decided that you weren't going to talk to him until he apologised. You knew that wasn't going to happen anytime soon so, you got out your phone and booked a flight back to London.

Once you had finished your ice cream it was well into the night and you had a flight to catch in 6 hours so you went back to pack your things.

You thought that everyone would have left by now and your family would be asleep but by the number of familiar cars littered through the street and the lights still on in your house, you knew that was not the case. You took a deep breath before walking into the house, keeping your head held high but not making eye contact with anyone. You walked straight past the living room ignoring the calls of your name and headed straight to your childhood room.

You were putting the few things that were spread around back into your suitcase when your Mum walked in, "Y/N, what happened honey?"

You tried to contain your tears as you turned to look at your Mum but as soon as you started speaking, the floodgates opened and you sobbed again, "I thought he was going to hit me," You said through the tears and your mother took you into her arms, securing your head with one hand, the other rubbing up and down your back to comfort you.

"I'm sorry, y/n/n, I'm sorry, but you know that you shouldn't push your father like that," You ripped yourself out of her hold and stared at her in betrayal, "You two are too similar, it's only a matter of time before joking become reality and laughing becomes crying. You know he has a temper, you need to be careful. I also think you should be the bigger person and apologise." She said. Whilst you didn't blame your mother for your father's actions a part of you despised how she always sat and watched you and your sister cry while he yelled at you two minutes after laughing with you.

You turned around silently zipped up your suitcase and walked to leave, "Where are you going, baby?"

You faced her with fresh tears born from anger, " I am leaving, I'm going back to London because I shouldn't have to 'be careful' around my own Dad. You know how fucked that is!? I shouldn't have to be the bigger person! He's a grown man, he needs to learn to regulate his fucking feelings and act like it!" You had never shouted at your Mum and you barely ever swore around her but you were tired of her picking your Dad's side over yours.

She tried to reach out to you but you brushed past her slightly and walked out the door. You should have been the bigger person and left silently but you heard your Dad laugh in the living so you left your suitcase at the door and walked to where your Dad sat. You walked straight up to him with a straight face, flung your middle finger into his direction and said, "Fuck you, you fucking pussy." You walked straight out the door and didn't hear a word from anyone in the house.

You spent the entire 24-hour trip back to London reflecting on the past day and what it meant for the future of the relationship with your parents. You knew your Mum just wanted to be the mediator and that your Dad was too stubborn to apologise. You also knew that you were going to stick to your word and not speak to your parents until they apologised. You also grieved the relationship with your father as you knew that it would never be the same ever again. It was one thing that he grabbed you and then he had to restrain himself from actually hitting you.

You grieved for the little girl who just wanted to please her father, who wished she was a boy because your Dad often talked about how much he wanted one. He was the reason you started football. Girls didn't really play it, it was seen as something only boys should be doing, so you cut your hair and signed up for the local club. He came to every game and cheered you on and after a good game he'd say to you, "Who needs a son when I've got you," It seemed like a nice statement but looking back on it, it really messed with you.

It was only when you moved out and overseas to play for Arsenal at 17 that you realised that your Dad really wasn't the best guy and an even worse Father. Albeit that you never said or did anything about it because you thought of all those kids whose Dad hit them or left them when they were young and reminded yourself that you were lucky.

But now, after 2 years of living by yourself and a therapy session here and there you realised that just because other kids had it worse didn't mean that what you went through was ok or that you didn't deserve to be treated the way you were.

When you landed and got your luggage it was 8 in the morning and you felt your phone buzzing in your hand. Beth was calling you and you weren't sure if you should answer but you knew she would worry if you didn't so you headed to the nearest bathroom and answered her Facetime, "Hey, Beffy," Your voice was a little hoarse from crying and you hoped Beth wouldn't pick up on how red your eyes were.

Beth smiled at you, "Hey chicky," She must have noticed that you were hiding in a bathroom, "What you doing?" She questioned.

"Umm," You hesitated, "I'm in the bathroom... In the airport," You said sheepishly.

Beth's smile dropped and her face took up a concerned look, "Why are you at the airport? Which one?"

You picked at your nails, anxious to tell her where you were and scared she would ask why, "London," You almost whispered.

"Oh," She looked really concerned now, "Do you want me to come pick you up?"

You shook your head quickly not wanting to be a nuisance, "It's alright thank you, I've ordered an Uber," You smiled slightly at the thoughtfulness of your friend.

"Well, why don't you come over for breakfast. I want to hear all about your holiday and I can even get Vivi to make the special waffles you like?" She was so hopeful you couldn't deny her offer and you really wanted Viv's special waffles.

"Yeah ok, I'll be there around 9? Is that alright?" Anxiety pulled at your chest at the thought of telling her and Viv about what happened with your Dad.

"Perfect, I'll see you soon, chicky!" You smiled and hung up the phone. You walked out of the cubicle and splashed water on your face to try and even out your breathing.

"Fucking idiot."

Thanking the Uber you rushed up the stairs towards Viv and Beht's place eager to fill your hungry stomach although once you'd got to the door you hesitated to knock. You checked your eyes in your phone camera and concluded that you could blame the slight redness and puffiness from sleeping and hayfever (it seemed you had hayfever all the time and the girls always made fun of your sneezes and even kept count, each time urging you to beat your 'high score').

You took a deep breath to release the hold anxiety seemed to have on your heart before knocking on the door. You instantly heard Myle and Rona barking and the sound and smiled, now excited to play with the puppies.

"Y/N/N! Oh, my little chicky," You were immediately wrapped in a hug from the girl and whilst reciprocating it you felt the urge to cry taking over you once again but you had cried enough for a long time and told yourself to suck it up.

"Hi, Beffy," Your voice was muffled from you pressing it into the crook of Beth's neck.

Beth waited for you to release the hug (she seemed to have a sense of when people needed a hug) and when you did she took your face between her hands, "How have you been, y/n/n?" She asked worriedly.

You smiled sadly at her, "I'm alright, thanks, how are you?"

Beth didn't seem convinced but knew you were aware you could talk to her at any time and if you weren't ready, she would wait, "I am even better now that you are here!" She exclaimed before taking your suitcase in one hand and your hand in her other and dragged you into the house, "Oh, Vivi! I've just gotten a very special delivery!" She turned back and winked at you but continued to lead you to the kitchen.

"Y/N/N!" Viv said with mock enthusiasm, trying to match Beth's with great difficulty with it being early in the morning.

You met her in the middle and gave her a hug, knowing she was joking and that she wasn't a morning person, "Hi, Vivi," You greeted.

Once you broke out of the hug you sheepishly looked to the waffle machine and back to Viv who caught on to your looks, "They'll be 'bout 2 minutes. I know two fluffy little girls who would love to see you," She egged on and you quickly went to find the puppies.

Once you spotted them you dropped to your knees and soon you had two dogs jumping on you and licking your face, "Hello Miss Rona and hello Miss Myle! How are we today my girls!" You spoke in a baby voice and continued to talk to the dogs as if they were such, oblivious to the conversation happening in the kitchen.

"Is she alright? She looks like she's been crying. And wasn't she supposed to come back in another 4 days?" Viv questioned.

Beth sighed and wrapped her arms around her girlfriend, "I don't know what's up but she definitely has been crying and I bet that would explain why she's back so early. When I called she looked like she'd only just stopped crying, I don't know what happened," She looked desperately at Viv. Beth and Viv were unofficially your step-in parents whilst you were in London or wherever you travelled with Arsenal. Beth was a second Mum to you and she took her role very seriously, always checking if you'd had a good sleep and what you had for dinner and if neither of you had plans she would always invite you over for dinner and a movie.

Viv was your unofficial 'Dad' as you'd claimed and would come over to your apartment to fix anything that needed to be done and give you piggyback rides when you were 'too tired' to walk, "Do you want to ask after breakfast? I don't want her to feel overwhelmed, maybe I'll take Myle and Rona for a walk and you could talk to her then?"

Beth nodded, "Yeah alright, I'll do that," She agreed with a sad face.

Viv noticed the look and hugged her again, "She'll be alright, she's with us now, yeah?"

"I just worry about her when she goes home. I miss her as well," She took a deep breath and put on a brave face when you walked in with Rona and Myle on her heels.

"Umm, I think the waffles are done?" You pointed to the waffle iron that was lightly smoking.

Viv rushed over and took out the waffles that were only slightly burned around the edges, "Crispy edges give them more flavour," she told you when she put them in front of you.

You looked up at her in amusement, "Of course, Vivi," You joked while adding your choice of toppings.

You, Beth and Viv conversed lightly over breakfast about your trip home and what you got up to whilst in Australia. You told them what you did with a smile on your face but they both noticed how it didn't stretch as far as usual and how you talked as if your parents hadn't been there at all albeit you staying in their house.

"Right, y/n/n you can go get yourself sorted in the spare room. You are staying tonight," Beth ordered jokingly to which you smiled and nodded in agreement, not really wanting to be alone for another night, "Vivi's gonna walk the puppies and I'll clean up." She clapped her hands and everyone spread off to their 'assignments'.

As Viv was a very clean cook Beth's cleaning was more or less tidying and she quickly joined you in the spare bedroom, "Hey chicken," She spoke softly when she walked in and noticed you staring at the wall looking crestfallen.

You smiled as brightly as you could, "Hi Beffy, sorry I got distracted. I'm a little bit jet-lagged," You waved off, "Do you need help cleaning the kitchen?"

Beth joined you on the bed, "It's all sorted don't worry sweetheart. How you feeling?" She questioned looking you deep in the eyes.

Her stare was so loving and concerned that it made that stupid feeling of crying come back, "I'm fine? You?" Your voice was slightly off as you had a lump in your throat but tried to play it off.

Beth sighed as she didn't want to press you but had to know what was going on with you, "Chick..." She spoke softly and you had to turn your head so she wouldn't see your eyes filling with tears.

She placed a hand on your shoulder and rubbed it gently and you couldn't hold it anymore, your hands came to cover your face and you brought your knees up to your chest and sobbed loudly.

"Oh, honey, no," Beth hated seeing anyone cry but you had a special place in her heart which hurt her even more. She moved your head to be on her shoulder and your legs to lay across her own. She rocked slightly and continued to rub your back. You were hysterical at this point, the comfort Beth was bringing you reminded you of your mother which reminded you of her taking your father's side which brought on another loud sob from deep in your chest.

Beth had to lift your head from her neck to make sure you could get enough oxygen and wouldn't pass out, "Honey, I know it's hard but I need you to take a deep breath for me please," She grabbed your water bottle from the nightstand and gave it to you and you clung to it like a lifeline.

You truly were trying to calm yourself but you couldn't stop crying and you couldn't get enough air to your lungs which was starting to hurt and you began to cough and gag. "Lovely, what's going on?" Beth was extremely concerned you were going to pass out.

After another minute of coughing and gagging you managed to get enough air into your lungs and nestled your head back into Beth's neck and she took your body back into her arms, "I thought he was going to hit me," You cried out as if the words caused you physical pain.

Beth was shell-shocked from the words that came out of your mouth but quickly recovered to comfort you. "Your dad?" She questioned as you had confided in her before about his temper.

You nodded and whimpered slightly as you had calmed down and were no longer audibly sobbing, "And mum," The thought of your mother made you sob again and it took you another minute to rein it back in all whilst Beth sat there patiently waiting for you to talk.

You managed a deep breath and Beth wiped your face free of tears although they were quickly replaced with new ones, "My dad got really angry and then he grabbed my arm and he had his fist up," You cried, "I thought he was going to hit me!" You sobbed.

Beth shook her head and cooed, "Did he?"

You shook your head and Beth relaxed slightly, "And then mum said- she said that I should know better than to push his buttons and that I needed to be careful and that I should apologise!" You weren't the only one who was angry now but Beth had to contain hers to continue to comfort you.

Beth shook her head, "That's not ok, y/n/n, it's not and I am so sorry you had to go through that and I'm glad that you told me, thank you for trusting me,"

You nodded sadly, "I love you Beffy," And you collapsed into her hold and cried silently as she rocked you.

"I love you too, chick, did you leave straight after that?" She questioned wanting to get a better idea of how quickly you left.

She felt you shake your head 'no', "I drove off to the beach and then got myself an ice cream and booked the flight. And once I got home, that's when mum said all that stuff but I'd already packed my bag so I went to leave but my dad was in the living room and he was laughing. I don't know what he was laughing at but it made me so angry so I went and called him a 'fucking pussy'," You both giggled slightly at it, you weren't known to swear and it always sounded weird coming from your mouth.

"I'm proud of you, sweets," Beth kissed the top of your head.

You nodded into her chest, "Thank you, for being here for me" You spoke quietly. Beth continued to rock you and had to look to the ceiling to stop herself from crying. She looked down when she heard quiet snoring coming from you and laid you down against the pillow and laughed quietly at you hugging your water bottle.

She had walked into the kitchen before she started crying. She didn't know how long she'd been standing there crying until two sets of paws jumped at her thighs and when she looked up she saw Viv's concerned face.

Viv dropped the leads on the kitchen counter and gently took hold of Beth's arms, "What's happened? Where's y/n?" She questioned quickly.

Beth sobbed quietly, "She- and her dad- oh and then her mum-," She couldn't get a full sentence out so after holding her in her arms to calm her down, Viv gave her a glass of water.

They had moved to the couch which was where Beth explained the whole story to Viv who was extremely concerned, "And she was crying so hard she was coughing and gagging. Vivi, I was so scared she'd pass out and oh her little face! I don't know how I kept it together!" She outraged quietly, acknowledging the fact that you were asleep down the hall.

Viv once again held Beth, just like she had you, "I can't believe it. I've met him and he seemed lovely. I mean I know they didn't always get along but I never thought it was that bad," She spoke in disbelief.

Beth nodded and was significantly more calm than she had been previously, "She's sleeping now. God, she must be exhausted. I feel so bad for her, my poor little chicken," Beth pouted at the thought of your sad face.

"I know, love, but she's here now, right? She is safe and she's sleeping, it'll be ok," Viv consoled.

"Yeah," Beth nodded dejectedly.

Once you woke up you checked your phone and realised you'd slept for 5 hours but it felt like you could sleep for an eternity. You didn't feel up to talking to the girls yet so you opened your phone and scrolled through Instagram for a while. Most of the Arsenal girls had posted photo dumps of the year and you smiled every time you saw yourself in one and when you saw the girl's comments. Beth and Viv's photo dumps warmed your heart. You appeared in almost all of the photos and laughed when you saw Katie's comment.

katie_mccabe11 might aswell adopt y/n/n now, hey?

You felt so loved and warmed that you decided to post your own.

yourusername

liked by stephcatley, lliawaelti and others

yourusername eternally grateful for my girls, i love you all ❤️ happy new year!

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kyracooneyx awe stop it you sap 🤭

alannakennedy love ya darls 🩷

leahwilliamsonn my favourite chick 🐥

bethmead_ love you chicken ❤️

Once you had plucked up the energy to head outside you were met with Viv and Beth tucked under a blanket with Netflix loaded on the screen in front of them and a variety of your favourite snacks on the table.

"Hey, y/n/n," Viv noticed you first and Beth quirked up at the sound of your name.

You were standing sheepishly in the hall with one of your pant legs pushed up to your knee, your hair a mess and your water bottle between your arms. Beth cooed at the sight of you, "Come over here chick," She moved over so you would sit between her and Viv.

"Any movie suggestions?" Viv asked teasingly, knowing which movie you would want to watch.

You smiled at her and leaned against Beth, "Grown Ups?" You offered and Viv snickered at the choice, it being your go-to movie.

"Of course," She put it on and whilst you could recite the entire movie off by heart you were still upset that you missed most of it but blamed Beth running her hands through your hair and Viv rubbing your lower legs for putting you to sleep, somewhere where you felt safe, warm and loved.

[mousy-nona]

Headcanon that someone asks Alastor for his body count and this confused man replies with some insane number because he thinks they're talking *literal bodies* and doesn't know why everyone is so shocked

“Three.”

“Three?” Angel Dust gaped, looking like he might pass out and die for the second time from sheer shock. Charlie buried her face in her hands, but she couldn’t hide the blush that spread to the very tips of her ears. Vaggie rubbed her back. 

“It’s not that bad,” she soothed. 

“Speak for yourself, Feathers,” Angel Dust spluttered. “Haven’t you been alive, like, hundreds of years? What the hell have you been doing with your life?” 

“Helping people, obviously,” Vaggie snapped. “Maybe you should try it sometime.” 

“Hey!” So fast almost no one caught it, he cast a nervous glance at Husk. “If you’re so much better than us mere mortals, why don’t you share your body count with the class?”

Vaggie raised her chin, her eyes flashing. “Two.” 

Angel Dust choked, wobbled, and flopped dramatically back onto the couch, fanning himself like an overwrought Southern belle. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you two were running a convent here!” 

“It’s your turn to share, numbnuts,” Vaggie sighed, rolling her eyes. 

“‘Fraid I can’t count that high, doll,” he grinned. “Lost track a couple years ago. Husk, your turn!” He sounded far too casual, as if he was very eager to hear the answer and was trying to pretend to figure out what the regular amount of eager would be. 

Husk grumbled and set his glass down on the counter. “Fifty?” He shrugged. “Sixty? Somewhere around there.” 

“Finally! A decent number. See, ladies, it’s not that hard once you put your mind to it,” Angel Dust sighed. “Niffty, you go.” 

The tiny reincarnation of chaos giggled, practically vibrating as she licked the tip of the knife in her hand. “Bugs?”

“No, Niff. Your body count.”

She scratched her head, looking adorably confused. “Silly spider! Bad boys can be bugs too.” 

“What–? Actually, you know what, nevermind. It was my fault for asking you in the first place. Okay, who’s left…” He brightened when he spotted Lucifer lounging by the fireplace. “Aha! The Big Daddy himself has gotta have some interesting answers.”

Lucifer chuckled, his chest swelling with pride. “Well, I might have slowed down in my old age, but before Lilith and I started our little family I was quite a killer with the ladies.” He thought for a bit, tapping his chin as he counted. Carry the one, times three… He finally gave up. “Maybe two hundred?” 

“A-ha! Is that it?” Alastor grinned. “And you call yourself the king of hell?”

Everyone gaped. Alastor had almost thrown someone out of the top floor window for accidentally brushing up against his hand. He’d once burned a coat after Lucifer had grabbed it. He only willingly touched others to A) show dominance or B) play mind games (this option he reserved almost exclusively for Lucifer).

In short, he was the absolute last person anyone had expected to participate in this game. 

Angel Dust looked like someone had just told him Christmas had come early. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the strawberry pimp himself! Don’t keep us in suspense. What’s your body count?” 

Alastor thought for a second. “Four thousand and five-six.” 

Six jaws simultaneously dropped to the ground. Lucifer felt the insane urge to fly into his circus dimension and scream until his lungs gave out. A strange green beast clawed at his stomach, and he pressed his hand against it, trying to tame it before he did something truly stupid. 

“Four…thousand?” Angel Dust stuttered. “But…you’ve only been alive for a hundred years?”

He shrugged. “I’ve been busy, I suppose.” 

That was the last straw. Lucifer stormed out of the room. He didn’t think he’d be able to control himself if he stayed. So Alastor’s fine with just anyone? What the Hell am I then, chopped liver? He stopped in the main hall, taking deep breaths in through his nose, then out through his mouth, just like Charlie had taught them during her “How to: Anger Management” seminar. 

“What’s all the fuss about?”

A familiar static ripped through the air. Lucifer scowled. 

“I don’t really want to talk to you right now.” 

“How interesting! I don’t want to talk to you ever, but unfortunately it’s out of both of our hands.” Alastor pretended to inspect his nails. Lucifer knew he was pretending, because he couldn’t see them through his gloves. “Charlie threw me out and told me not to return until I’d checked in on you.” 

Charlie did? Lucifer shivered, pointedly trying not to think about what that meant, and what she might know about his Super Secret, Definitely Not Pathetic crush. “Great. You’ve checked in on me. You can go now.” 

Alastor cocked his head, peering at him curiously. “I must say, I’m rather surprised by your reaction to my confession. Is it really so surprising? I’ve never made a secret of my favorite pastimes.” 

Lucifer gaped. “This is literally the first time I’ve heard you talk about this.”

Alastor frowned. Lucifer frowned. They both frowned at each other. 

“Have you gone senile? I ate a man in front of you yesterday,” Alastor asked, looking at Lucifer as if he’d lost his mind. 

“What does eating a man have anything to do with it?” Lucifer asked, the same expression mirrored on his face. “You just said your body count was –” 

Realization hit him like a freight train. Alastor had been born during the turn of the century. He’d struggled with modern day slang before, like vibes and cap and bet – and body count, it seemed. 

“Are you…are you talking about how many people you’ve killed?” Lucifer gasped, barely managing to get the words out in between laughs. 

“Yes?” Alastor wrinkled his nose. “Why is that so funny?” 

Lucifer thought his sides might tear from how hard he was laughing. “Nothing,” he wheezed. “Nothing at all.” 

Then he immediately started scheming ways to get Alastor's actual body count.

[mykoreanlove]

SPINNING BOTTLES

part 1 part 2 part 3 lil' extra

“Eun Woo, wait”, you pushed him away and tried to regain control. His lips found their way back onto yours in seconds, he didn’t even think about stopping. “I’ve waited enough, y/n”, he mumbled against your lips.

Your insides were melting as you felt the same, but the rational part of your brain took over. “No, wait”, this time you pushed him back more forcefully. He stumbled back and looked at you puzzled, not understanding what was going on. “What about your girlfriend?” “What about her?” Anger rose in your body the same way it did when you were a kid. This was exactly what you were afraid of, only this time you weren’t the one that got cheated on, but the one that helped with the cheating. “I can’t believe this”, you muttered under your breath and stormed past him, wanting to escape badly. It took Eun Woo a minute to understand the confusion but as soon as he snapped back into reality, he ran after you. “Wait. Y/N, wait”, he grabbed your wrist and spun you around. “This is not what it looks like”, he explained. “This is exactly what it looks like. Apparently, you are in love with me, yet you are together with her? And now you’re here kissing me? That’s so fucked up, Eun Woo. I knew this was a mistake”, you spat angrily. “Whoa, will you let me talk maybe? You got it all wrong, y/n.” You looked at him confused. Normally, you would have left. But something about the look in his eyes urged you to stay and hear him out. “This is not what this is. Listen…”, he grabbed your hand and drew small circles on it. “After you stopped talking to me, I was devastated. I really was. And then I met her, and we had some fun and stuff, but I was always honest with her. She knew that I was in love with you and only used her to distract myself. Which she was fine with”, he explained. You never understood how people could casually sleep with one another, but you had learned the hard way that this was the norm nowadays. “She and I, we came up with this little play”, Eun Woo continued. “Play?” He nodded. “Listen, I was desperate. I was in love with you, but you stopped talking to me. Ignored my messages, ignored my calls, even my visits. So, her and I came up with that plan. We pretended we were together, like a normal couple.” Your eyes widened in shock. Pretended to be a couple? “I hoped that this would get through to you and trigger some kind of reaction. Bad or good, I didn’t care. I just wanted to have you back in my life and understand what had happened. All this silly game was just for you to finally come back to me, y/n.” You gulped hard. He did all this just for me? “Do you believe me?” He looked at you with sincere puppy eyes, voice cracking from concern. You nodded your head; you actually believed him. “Oh, thank god”, he sighed relieved and put his arms around you, hugging you as tightly as he could. “Don’t you think people will talk when they see you with me now? After that confession in there?” “I don’t care. I don’t care about anyone but you, y/n.” The butterflies returned and somersaulted within you. “If I have to endure ridicule or malicious comments, so be it. If all that was necessary to finally, have you back in my life, then I’ll take that. I’ll take anything for you.” You wiggled out of his embrace and looked up at him, visibly touched by his words. “You really mean that?” Eun Woo’s face came closer, his nose rubbing yours lightly while smiling. “I do, y/n.”

[placeholder-mcd]

(Obligatory "I sound like I'm speaking objectively from authority but this is just my opinion and it's okay for you to like media I dislike for whatever reasons you may have")

Okay so like. while "the minecraft move trailer is so bad that it makes minecraft story mode look good in comparison" is both true and funny, can we please not start pretending that story mode is a well-crafted piece of media. as someone who has played through it multiple times (first when it originally came out and I was 12 and thought it was awesome, then later as an interactive Netflix experience with friends for so-bad-it's-good reasons) I feel pretty qualified to say it blows

Like, yes. There are so many things that MCSM got right that the movie apparently got wrong. But, like, they're all extremely common-sense things to get right -- like having the whole thing be animated, and maintaining a visual style that feels consistent with minecraft, and spending time with individual aspects of the minecraft experience that have their own communities (like redstone contraptions). that sense seems a little less common now that the movie trailer exists, but still, these are all bare minimum expectations of a piece of narrative-driven media set in Minecraft.

MCSM still completely fails, however, to have any compelling characters (RIP Reuben you were just as annoying as everyone else) or non-grating dialogue. The universe they depict isn't even well thought out! Like, okay, example:

Right off the bat, they make a big decision about how they're going to handle MCSM: they are not telling a story about people playing Minecraft the video game, but are instead depicting a universe where Minecraft is inhabited by a civilization of NPCs that have identical abilities to a player (aside from like, pausing the game or changing settings or what have you). This, in itself, is not a bad decision, but it puts the writers in a position where they need to conceptualize what is effectively a Minecraft AU. You're not playing survival mode or creative mode, you're playing Story mode. In this AU, humans exist in the minecraft world and have for a long time (centuries, at least?), they've built cities, they have language, etc. Imagine you're Jesse. Imagine you've grown up inside of Minecraft. Everyone is playing on hardcore, there is no respawning, and you live in a world filled with strange and dangerous creatures that seem hell-bent on killing you. Why the Fuck does anyone go out at night. Why isn't literally everyone combat-trained. Why is Jesse acting like he's never seen a Creeper before. Why is Petra the only member of the main party who knows how to craft a pickaxe.

At the build competition, the party is surprised that the reigning building team has a beacon. But nobody takes a second to actually investigate what that means. Did their team intentionally spawn and defeat a Wither? Doesn't that make them more badass and legendary than the order of the stone? Is there a black market for nether stars? (I think Petra is probably the one who gave them the beacon since she also trades Ivan a Wither skull. But like. Why isn't literally anyone else just going and doing what Petra does. Why aren't they impressed)

Ivan having access to a Command Block is also insane. Like, it has potential to be an extremely cool choice -- did Ivan find a way to break the fourth wall? Did he find an exploit in Minecrafts code that allowed him to obtain this? The command block has the power to just generate resources out of thin air. Ivan could actually use it to become a god and give himself creative mode. But okay, we can assume that the command block is just... Different, in the AU. Fine. It's a computing center / power core for the Wither Storm. Sure

But, like. I, even as an 11 year old, knew everything there was to know about minecraft when I played story mode (and, unlike the Movie, MCSM was actually attempting to appeal to the existing fanbase), so watching these characters who have lived for DECADES within the Minecraft universe just. Be helpless and completely clueless as to how the universe works? It makes me hate like all of them. I don't care about Jesse or Gabriel and if I actually had the freedom to perform the basic actions I could perform in Minecraft -- mining, building, and crafting -- I could use my game knowledge to pretty swiftly end the entire conflict at like any point in the story. And I'm not very good at video games. But I would expect a character who's been LIVING IN THE MINECRAFT WORLD TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. BECAUSE THEY'D BE BETTER AT MINECRAFT THAN ANY OF US.

The whole thing is a contrived and buggy mess that feels like it was written by a Hollywood CEO who watched someone play the game for 30 minutes, looked up some basic information like how to beat the game and whether there's any in-game lore, and then riffed on that until a script outline was finished. The programmers, visual artists, and composers clearly did a ton of work to make MCSM feel like minecraft. And they did a good job -- clearly, a much better job than the Movie is going to do. But that doesn't change the fact that the Story -- the focal element advertised in the title -- completely misses the fucking mark and centers around a group of characters who are largely incompetent and stupid in an unfunny and uninteresting way. MCSM was a shitty cashgrab by telltale games and I am not apologizing to it.

[kiwi-solace]

Devotion’s Fall (Teaser)

Brief: While living may not be as easy and comfortable as many, it was just fine to Y/n. Resigning herself to the circumstances, she’s come to accept her life and the future. When assisting a friend in attending the annual party of the kingdom’s prized royalty in finding their final soulmate for the first time, she expects a few days of playing pretend of what she wishes to be. But one should always be careful with the words you speak into the world.

Word Count: 993

Warnings: moderate injury, yandere (you know the drill), controlling behavior

A/N: Would you believe me if I said this was supposed to be finished in March? Btw Italics are not being spoken out loud! It’s in her head that’s all. Anyways, feel free to message me (￣∇￣)

...

Keep moving.

That’s all she could think of as she navigated through the dense forest that surrounded the kingdom’s domain. Seeking safety was top priority even if it brought her further away from a place she almost called home. 

Dodging the various roots and vines of the forest floor had taken a toll on her bare feet. There was no time to care about something as simple as shoes when there was rarely a moment of opportunity for this getaway. Deluded were she, to ignore the signs and fall victim to their sweet nothings and reassurances. There had to be a catch. It was stark in hindsight.

Lungs has since yelled for her user to stop for a simple break, but that’s too much of a luxury to afford for the situation, let alone being in a simple nightgown. The alarm bells keep the adrenaline pumping, knowing you only had a small headstart. You can hear the storming footsteps behind you even on this stormy night. The thunder unable to drown out those sent after you–those coming after you themselves. They’re getting too close for comfort.

“Find her now! If you come back without her you’ll have bigger problems to deal with than finding a mere human.” 

“We’re tired of this game of cat and mouse love.”

“It’s too dangerous outside for you— stop running.” 

There it was. Those damned commands they started using within you. Their blood is the cause of this. The entire connection is cursed. Why had she been chosen for not just one, but eight creatures that have sought not just her heart, but her unconditional love and obedience. 

Fighting the command with all her might slowed down her pace, a splitting headache begins in dismay of her disobeying. I will listen to you no more.

Being within a 50 mile radius of just one of them— let alone the eight of them— was more dangerous than the outside world. It’s sunshine and rainbows compared to them. With that thought, she attempts to speed up once again, only to trip on a slippery root infront of her beyond the kingdom’s wall. While the rain did aid in masking her scent with its downpour, it came to be her downfall when traversing haphazardly. It mocks her really. To know that you’re so close to being free from their jurisdiction, but even then there’s only one question: what happens? She laughs to herself at the thought. Maybe it’s the adrenaline or she’s losing it completely, but what’s to stop their pursuit even after fleeing the kingdom. They’ve proven to know no bounds when it comes to getting their way. Manipulation. Lies. Murder. It’s nothing new.

Groaning from the fall and newly acquired bruises, she attempts to get up again only to give out as another command is forced through. “Stop Now.” 

Everything begins to hurt as you try to resist again, but it’s futile. Finally, with her knees to the grown and head hung, she stops. 

Things never went accordingly. From your failure in aiding your friend in being chosen all the way to the hell that was to come as being the “missing piece” in this kingdom’s royal bloodline. It’s a curse. She doesn’t know who she wronged in life to be given such circumstances, but they succeeded in making her life miserable and seemingly temporary.

This was never her wish. Her words were twisted from a mere joke. It just goes to show how a person should always be careful with what they put out into the world. She can hear the gods laughing at her.

“Surround the area, I’m approaching!” Not like I can move.

She knows she won’t be let off easily this time being caught. Feigning innocence isn’t possible in this situation when knowingly disobeying the commands of her lovers— the king and his seven princes. The very beings responsible for the well-being of the kingdom and its prosperity.

Beings that promised when they found their missing bond, would they cherish and take care of them wholeheartedly. They’d know nothing except leisure and comfort as they delivered on their word of giving them the love they deserved. Thinking back, is this what she deserved? Tension, anger, exhaustion, skittish, helplessness—all things you’ve felt since your life had been uprooted from its natural continuance of a humble life.

“What did I deserve?” She spoke to no one.

Death seems to be the only way out from here. Her humanity a reminder that she still has something against them—something she can proudly claim. A way out. Maybe she should’ve been one of the many men and women throwing themselves at them. It looks like they got the better end of the stick with just dealing with rejection rather than this. Leaning against the trunk of a tree, she brings her knees to her chest slowly so as to not disturb her injury and rests her forehead atop her knees. The rain still pelting around her seemed to mask the approaching footsteps, or maybe she just didn’t care anymore. There’s no time to decide which one it is when said figure crouches beside her and places a hand on her shoulder.

“Did you finish your little adventure?”

Yeosang. It wasn’t said aloud, either to let the others into the conversation through their connection or because he knew she wouldn’t reply verbally. She didn’t care.

Met by silence, Yeosang sighs before repositioning himself to lift up his prize as the fragile princess he believes she is. The trek back wouldn’t take too long for him even with her in his arms.

“As much as we love you, you know the others will not let this go so easily,” he said out loud knowing it didn’t matter if there was a reply. Effective enough, the threat alone made her shiver because she knew what was waiting for her back in the castle would be the final descent into madness they’d want. Full compliance.

Their heaven, her soon to be hell.

[thegettingbyp2]

I loveeedddd your recent work “would i do this” would you be open to writing a part 2 👀

I Would Do This

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You spent the next couple of weeks avoiding Billy at every opportunity. If you saw him walking in your direction, you’d turn the other way, if he was playing poker in the bar when you left, you quickly left again before he was able to notice you.

The only thing was that Billy was noticing all of these things.

After Billy had left your place a few weeks ago, he’d felt confused, guilty even. Seeing the slightly hurt expression on your face when he was leaving was seared into his mind; he’d left you when you were at your most vulnerable. You were laying naked on your sofa and he hadn’t even bothered to check if you were okay before he practically stormed out.

He’d even begun to miss the way the two of you would argue whenever you saw each other on the streets. He was missing the way you’d grin at him whenever you’d see him, ready to antagonise him even more. It wasn’t until he was playing poker in the bar one evening and he noticed you sitting a few tables away that he realised that he’d actually begun to miss you.

You were sitting at a table that was tucked away in the corner, reading your book, so you didn’t see Billy sitting at one of the other tables and Billy used that to his advantage. He quickly and quietly excused himself from the game before standing up and making his way over to your table, smirking when you didn’t even notice him when he standing in front of you, your head still buried in your book.

‘You’ve been avoiding me,’ he said, snapping you away from your book and you looked up at him with wide eyes.

‘No, I haven’t,’ you reply instantly, closing your book and making to stand up. ‘I need to go.’

‘You’re not going anywhere until you tell me why you’re avoiding me,’ Billy said, pushing you back down into the seat and sitting in the chair opposite you, taking his hat off and setting it on the table before looking at you.

‘I told you I’m not - ’

‘Stop lying.’

You just looked at him before setting your book back down on the table. ‘You want to know why I’m avoiding you? Fine. I’m avoiding you because you slept with me, fucked me with your gun,’ you said, lowering your voice, ‘and made me cum multiple times and then you just got up, looked at me like I was nothing and walked away, leaving me feeling like absolute crap. So that’s why I’m avoiding you. I was stupid enough to sleep with you and feel something for you and you just walked all over me.’

Another wave of guilt washed over Billy as you spoke and you watched as his expression change into something resembling pity when he saw a tear spill from your eye and slip down your cheek. ‘(Y/N), I didn’t mean to - ’

‘You know what? It’s fine,’ you said dismissively, standing up and harshly wiping the tear from your cheek. ‘It’s my fault for feeling something for you when there’s clearly nothing there. I mean, that’s why you came into my place that night right? Because I teased you about being in love with me. You were proving me wrong. It’s fine.’ Picking up your book, you quickly walked out of the bar and headed home.

Billy got up as soon as you left, running out of the bar and chasing after you, calling your name. When he finally caught up to you, his hand wrapped around your wrist, pulling you both to a stop. ‘Would you just wait a minute and let me explain?!’

‘There isn’t anything to explain!’ you exclaimed, spinning round to face him, tears now streaming down your face as you looked at him.

‘You really think that I would have fucked you if I hated you?’ he asked quietly, his grip not loosening on your wrist. ‘I don’t hate you, (Y/N), I never did. The first day I saw you, I thought you were the prettiest girl I’d ever seen but I didn’t say or do anything because I was scared that you’d recognise the wanted posters and turn me in. So, I started trying to ignore you and then it became easier for me to pretend that I hated you.’

‘Wait, what do you mean?’ you began, only to be cut off by Billy hands on your cheeks and his lips crashing onto yours. You were aware of the salty taste of your tears on your lips, but that was quickly erased when you felt Billy’s tongue swipe across your bottom lip begging for entrance. You deepened the kiss and Billy’s arms moved from your face to wrap around your waist, pulling you against him. You only broke the kiss when you needed to come up for air but before you could pull away fully, Billy pressed one more gentle kiss to your lips.

‘The other week, I kept telling you that if I was in love with you, there was a load of stuff that I wouldn’t do,’ he began, using one of his hands to make you look at him while he spoke. ‘But what I didn’t say to you was that if I was in love with you, I would do this,’ he said before leaning down to gently kiss you again.

[formosusiniquis]

🪱 Wiggle Wednesday🪱

Thank you @paperbackribs who tagged me last week, I saw it while I was in class and immediately forgot until I saw people posting their things today. But I'm always excited to share my current brainworms

This is a scene from a fic that I pick at every now and then, so it's basically always on the brain. It started as something about Lucas and Steve and trying to explain away the slight anachronism of Steve (popular and rich) being in Nikes before Jordan made them cool (thank you Air) and it has turned into something much more about Lucas and also his Mom relating through a shared love of basketball and Steve is also there.

It’s a Friday night after the end of the world, and strangely Lucas is at a basketball game.

Or maybe it’s only strange because it’s so normal.

A Friday night in a small town and there isn’t much to do except support the home team. Only Mom won’t watch football, she calls it barbaric, so she reserves all her team spirit for November when basketball season starts. Lucas’ skin itches a little under the Hawkins Tigers shirt he’s wearing, as he’s pretending to be normal when a couple weeks ago he learned monsters were real. What can he do though? Mrs. Byers has Will on house arrest, Mike is still mourning Eleven, and Dustin hasn’t been allowed out since Will’s Lazarus act.

Maybe he’s being too sensitive. Steve is here, who Lucas mostly knows from Mike complaining about being Nancy’s stupid boyfriend. Steve is playing like everything is fine, even though Lucas knows Steve knows. He heard whispering about it with Nancy when he went to the bathroom the last time he was at Mike’s. But Steve is smiling as he paces down the court. Miles better than the other players around him, when Steve has the ball Lucas feels like he does when he’s watching a real basketball game on the couch with his Mom.

If Steve can act like things are normal. If he can sink three pointer after rebound after assist, maybe it’s okay that Lucas is wearing his Tiger green. He floats down the court and everyone cheers. But no one cheers right. When #21 Hagan gets a rebound off of Seymour’s best player, a girl’s voice screams so loud it makes his throat hurt. No one cheers that way for Steve. It’s just excitement for the game, not for him and the way he is playing.

When the game ends, Hawkins 73: Seymour 42, and the crowd storms the court Lucas stands by his Mom in the bleachers. She hates feeling the push of the crowd against her and as he gets older, and people’s hands get rougher, he’s starting to understand. He’s too old to be caught standing by his Mom though. After everything, he knows better than to move too far away from her; going to the game with your Mom is one thing, being the kid getting called out over the intercom because she can’t find you would be life ruining.

Lucas watches the thinning crowd while he waits. Parents and girlfriends crowding their sweaty players. He doesn’t want to get caught looking at any of those boys for too long now that they aren’t playing. He isn’t sure why. So he keeps looking for something familiar.

Steve is standing beside a short, dark haired man who’s got what his father calls a beer gut. He doesn’t look anything like Steve, but he’s also the only adult anywhere near him. He’s the only person at all that’s really near Steve. They’re talking excitedly about something. He claps Steve on the back and whatever he says next has Steve looking down toward the floor.

“Is that Steve’s dad?” he asks his mom before thinking about why that might be a weird question to ask her.

“Who?” The way she says it makes him sure she hadn’t actually heard the question. She’d caught a name, when he interrupted her conversation with the lady next to them, but not enough to answer. It’s a free chance to drop the issue. To say sorry, never mind, and go back to watching people move on the floor below them.

“That guy,” she slaps his hand down as he goes to point. “The guy next to Steve, number 8, is that his dad?”

“How do you know him?” The question, instead of an answer, startles him enough that he looks at her instead of Steve. Stern, he knows he doesn’t want to lie to her, but he also isn’t sure how to say that this random high school boy saved two of his best friends’ older siblings' lives.

“He’s Nancy’s boyfriend. Mike talks about him.”

If he’d just waited. He would have gotten his question answered without asking Mom. They both watch as that man says one more thing to Steve, shakes his hand, and walks out of the gym. “I don’t see Nancy here.” Because they both know he doesn’t really need his other question answered anymore.

“I don’t think she really likes sports.”

Mom sucks her teeth, a judgmental tchk that has heat climbing the back of his neck when it's not even for him. "Well that's a shame, he's a good player." There's finally enough space on the floor that they could leave. He wants, desperately, for them to just go cause something about this conversation is making him feel guilty again. "Do you want to to say hi?"

There's nothing he wants less than that. Lucas thinks if he has to go up to this guy, who went toe to toe with a monster, while his mom trails behind he'll die. Lucas thinks if he says hi to a guy who has only seen him maybe twice in the context of Mike Wheeler's house, and has to sit there while Steve blankly accepts his congrats he'll melt into the floor.

"Can we just go home? I still have homework."

And some tags to @fuctacles, @cauldronoflove, @thefreakandthehair, @stevespookington, @stevieharringtonwifeguy

@eriquin, @grasslandgirl, @augustjustice, and anyone else who wants to play!

[dapperhannah]

Feeling Human Again (part 1)

Chan x Reader

Chan's been too invested in working on music that he's neglected almost everything. You are over waiting for him to finish and take matters into your own hands. Until he takes them into his.

content warning (this chapter but probably the next one): sex, oral, dirty talk, subxdom, please dont ever read this chan or i will jump into the moon

Somehow it had never gotten easier on Chan's studio days. He warned you off the bat that he was almost completely unreachable.

"I really focus on those days, babe. I need you to know it's kinda like I drop off the face of the earth for 12 hours."

"I'll be fine! I'll just text Felix to give me attention. He's pretty good at keeping me entertained with goofy videos or coming over to play games."

But when deadlines would get closer and closer, almost everyday was a studio day. A week would go by with the only messages you'd get from Chan were a good morning and good night both at the wee hours of the night. You knew it was taking a toll on him when you could see the dark circles under his eyes during the few moments you would get with him.

Today was going to be different. Chan's good morning text came around 6AM as usual, with the same kissy face emoji. Great, you think, He's in the studio. Mission is a go.

Sneaking into the studio wasn't very hard. Hyunjin, Felix, Minho, and Jeongin were all practicing in the dance hall. They didn't even question when you came through anymore. It was pretty normal just to come hang out while they rehearsed. They hollered for you to come hang out, but you waved them off.

Passing by the gym, you saw Changbin deeply focused on weight lifting while Jisung very leisurely walked on the treadmill, eyes closed and mumbling the song he was singing. It was always such a treat to see how each of the kids spent their freetime. The album was still a few weeks away, but their managers had them on a short break to catch up on just feeling human.

Chan's studio was right around the corner now. There was nothing in the way of you and distracting your man to feel that human way. But, of course, there was Seungmin.

It was no surprise to see him wandering the halls, but to bump right into him caused both of you to jump.

"Minnie!"

"Y/N!"

You comically clutched at your invisible pearls, Seungmin pretending to cover himself up as though you'd caught him in the shower, both laughing up a storm.

"What are you doing?" Seungmin asked, his little puppy head cocked to the side, "I'm just about to join the guys for dance practice if you wanna join!"

"Thank you, Minnie, but I've got... other plans." You eyed the door to the recording studio, the windows blacked out and the "DO NOT DISTURB" sign plastered on the outside.

Seungmin nodded knowingly.

"He's been in there so much recently. Even though we still see him every night at the dorm, it's like he's not even there. I miss him."

"Me too. I'm going to try and get him to come back to reality - even just for a bit."

The sweet puppy boy nodded again, a goofy grin spread across his face, before he ran off down the hall. It was both sweet as well as heartbreaking that the guys missed him. Whenever you'd text back and forth with Felix, it would eventually go from stupid memes to talking about Chan. You both really loved and admired him so it wasn't very hard to get to the topic.

Turning the door handle quietly, you slid into the dark room. The front room that was usually lit up and comfy was filled with shadows. A glow was emitting from the soundboard and you could see the shape of your favorite Aussie. His headphones were on so you knew he couldn't hear you, but it still felt necessary to tiptoe.

Chan's eyes were closed, lost in whatever music he was listening to. His outfit was lazy comprised of the same hoodie and sweatshirt you'd seen him wearing the last time you two had a whole day of rest together. It took everything in you not to pull open the door and jump on him.

But that wouldn't be necessary when Chan's eyes flashed open and glanced your way. You were in the dark, there's no way he could see you... right?

"You don't have to hide, I know when the door opens and closes."

You felt like a deer in headlights. You'd never bugged him during his producing session. It felt like a sacred time for Chan and who were you to intrude on that.

"Y/N, please. Just come here."

You sheepishly entered the soundboard room, head hung down, looking like a guilty puppy who just ripped up the couch.

"Babe, I just missed y-"

Before you could even finish, your sweet love wrapped you up in a tight embrace. It was warm, needy. The touch of someone who was so starved for any sort of affection.

"Miss you too. I'm sorry."

Pulling out of the hug, you can see the tears well up in Chan's eyes. You felt them in your own as well, overwhelmed by his and your own emotions.

"Baby, Chan, please. Do not be sorry. You've been busy."

"I know, but I've been neglecting everything. It's amazing I at least eat a little bit and shower."

You run your hands through his hair, absorbing the serotonin that just came from the fluff on his head.

"You need to take more breaks - and not just for me. The guys miss you too."

He hung his head down the same way you had before. You took his face in your hands, turning to face you directly.

"And don't give me that pouty face anymore please. I'm here now."

Wiping the wetness trapped in the corner of his eyes, Chan's demeanor changed. Something took over him in that moment that was so out of pocket.

"You are here, huh?" He whispered with a smirk. His arms wrapped around you, where they slowly melingered from your back to your waist to your butt.

"Yes... Chan, what's up? You know we're here. At your studio. With your management and other memebers literally down the hall."

The mischevious look on his face only intensified as you spoke.

"Well, this is a soundproof room. And the doors lock."

[glittering-moonlillie]

I Hate You, Be My Girlfriend: Part Three (Damian Wayne x Reader)

Warnings: Again, bad Barbara characterization.

Word Count: 1,676

Summary: You finally meet Damian's family, and everything goes according to plan...until it doesn't?

You both got out of his car, stumbling your way to the daunting gates of Wayne Manor hand-in-hand. Unlike the other times Damian had returned to his childhood home, Alfred was not there to greet him with the dutiful smile he always carried. It was just another reminder of how much things have changed since he was 13, everything except him.  

His home loomed over him like a pitch black shadow, the lights that cascaded around the green hedges created an ominous glow. Never in Damian’s life had his father’s house felt as huge as it did now. He subconsciously pulled you in closer just so he could feel the warmth of your skin. You turned to him, eyes broad and dilated, the reflection of the inside lights almost making it seem like they were sparkling. 

“We aren’t even inside yet and I am already amazed! I can’t even imagine living in a place this huge!” You giggled like a frenzied child who had just experienced snow. 

The path to the manor’s main door felt like the calm before a storm with every step he was taking feeling like his own death march. One wrong move by either of you and you could be busted. His pride would be demolished and, well, you would be known as the poor unfortunate soul who made the deal with the Devil. 

What annoyed Damian even further was the fact that you seemed so awestruck with your surroundings that you couldn’t even bother to be worried like he was. Didn’t you understand that your reputation was on the line too? It was unbelievably frustrating, but what was even more frustrating was the fact that whenever he looked at you to scold you for it, his throat would clog up and he would suddenly remember how nice it felt to be holding your hand. 

“Do I look okay? You keep looking at me funny…” You asked softly. 

Damian scoffed, his face burning. “You look…fine…I just don’t understand how you look so calm.”

He absolutely despised how you looked at him as if you understood his whole being. “Oh. I guess I’m just excited about meeting your family.” You gave him another smile. “Plus, yknow, it’s not hard pretending to love..people…” 

There was a noticeable pressure in his chest when Damian heard those words, as if he was having heart palpitations, except heart palpitations never felt so torturously delightful. It only worsened when you continued to give him that adorable grin. The best decision seemed to ignore what he was feeling, especially since there was a more pressing matter at hand. 

Just in case all else failed, Damian made sure to create several fool proof contingency plans he could lay back on. He took one final breath before walking up the last few steps of the porch and grasping the golden doorknob, knocking on the dark wood. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dick happened to be the one who let you guys into the enormous Manor, which you still were amazed at even if Damian gave you a side glare every few minutes. The older brother gave you a quick tour of the first floor which followed up with the most stressful game of 20 questions you had ever played. The questions were simple at first - how did you two meet and what classes are you taking in college? Once you met Damian’s other siblings though was when the questions became harder to answer without becoming an oozing puddle or exploding into a kaleidoscope of butterflies.

What did Damian do to gain your attention and by God, what made you want him out of all the other potential bachelors lining up on your doorstep. 

As if there were any other bachelors waiting on your doorstep. 

Thankfully, Damian was there to smooth out all the details with that casual suave charm he had - a charm that you are now realizing belongs to most of the members of his family. It was getting hard not to become antsy when Damian smiled so lovingly at you, all the while explaining the embarrassingly (and true) story of how you met in the library and how he had helped you get out from under a bookshelf that had fallen on top of you. Granted, it was a shelf that you had scaled because the particular book you wanted was on the top shelf, thus making it impossible for you to get. Still, it would have been nice to create a more romantic first meet story rather than just being pictured like an idiot. Although, you supposed, this was Damian and he would take any and every opportunity for you to look like an idiot. 

Other than that, everything seemed to be going according to plan. It seemed like Damian’s family liked you, and most importantly, they showed no sign of suspicion towards your guys’ relationship. His family was a little odd though, and you couldn’t help but wonder how Bruce Wayne managed to adopt so many chaotic and unique children in a row. 

You had met Dick first; He was the oldest there and seemed to keep the peace between everyone else in the family. His hair was dark, but you couldn’t tell if it was a deep brown or black and his eyes were a disturbingly bright blue. He was charming and easy to talk to, instantly making you feel like you were already part of the family. It was clear why Barbara loved him so much. 

You had met Tim next, who seemed to be at a loss at your appearance. Damian couldn’t help smirking at his face. Out of everyone, he was the most suspicious of you and Damian’s relationship, even stating how Damian seemed too sugary and sweet to be natural. Other than that, he seemed nice enough. The brothers seemed to have a love-hate relationship, most of which being perpetuated by Damian while Tim continued to play the tired and irritated older brother. Despite being the CEO of Wayne enterprise, he seemed so young, his face carrying the wrinkles and eyebags of a 50 year old. 

There were three girls at the dining table. You were introduced to all of them - Stephanie, Barbara and Cassandra -  but you talked the most to Stephanie, a blonde who was the closest to your age. She was really ecstatic to see Damian “in love” and she jokingly asked if he would propose to you soon. You managed to laugh off the proposition while Damian’s eyebrows creased as if he was actually considering it. Cassandra was quiet while Barbara exuded a confident quick-wittedness to her that made you feel she could point out everything you were doing wrong in your life. 

Eventually Alfred and who you assumed to be Jason came out with delicious smelling food, the latter of which grumbling about how no one else helped out because he was the only competent one in the kitchen. Damian had always depicted Jason as the black sheep of the family but you weren’t ever sure why. Other than having a chunk of his hair dyed a pearlescent white, he seemed fairly normal.

“Where’s father? Isn’t he supposed to be here?” Damian’s voice was quiet but maintained a steely undertone. Everyone shared a look with each other, then back at you, as if they were all in on a secret and you were the only one left out. 

“He uh, he’s getting things situated before we all leave tomorrow afternoon.” Tim hesitantly said. 

Damian leaned back in his chair, his face pulled into an unsatisfied scowl. “Of course he is.”

Damian never opened up to you about his relationship with his father, but it was safe to say that they weren’t that close. You and him never shared the type of relationship in which he could be vulnerable with you, but it felt imperative that you were there for him, even if he was uncomfortable with it. 

You gently put your hand on top of his seeing as how it calmed him down before, swallowing all the nervousness you had and kissed his cheek. You tried your best to make it seem seamless and natural, but it most likely wasn’t. “I’m sure we’ll get to see him tomorrow morning, Dami.”

The look Damian gave you melted your heart. It was a mix between staggered and confused, like a deer caught in the middle of the road about to be hit by a truck.  

“Jeez, get a room you two! You’re worse than the engaged couple!” Jason laughed. 

“Do you see how red they are, it’s like they haven’t kissed before!” Tim argued, still mildly suspicious. 

That seemed to knock some sense back into Damian’s bewildered state, looking to Drake than back at you. His face lit up dangerously. “Shut up Drake, of course I have kissed my girlfriend.”

“Uh huh, so it wouldn’t be a problem if you two kissed right now?” The water you had previously been drinking almost surged out of your mouth, your eyes wide. 

“I-I…Dami..Damian isn’t really a fan of public affection like that and-” Damian squeezed your hand again, causing you to stop mid sentence. 

“Hush, beloved. It’s just one simple kiss. We’ve done way worse stuff before.” He husked. You did your best to keep the not-so-clean thoughts out of mind when he mentioned the last part. Damian swiftly pulled you closer to the point where you were half in your chair, half sprawled on his lap. “Plus, if I get to prove Tim wrong, then it’s just a bonus.”

Your body was completely on fire, every single touch Damian graced you with sending fireworks bursting along your skin. Breath was in short supply and you were pretty sure your hands were becoming clammy with sweat. He titled your chin up with his forefinger and thumb, looking down at you as if he really did love you. You tried not to let the possibility of it being true drown you. It was an impossible task, especially when you can feel his gentle lips barely gracing yours. 

You were doomed. 

MwahahahahAHAHAHahahhahahAH

I am evil >:)

Writing part three really was a demonstration of patience and trusting the writing process, and how taking breaks are necessary. Four hours ago, I felt like banging my head against a wall at how terrible this originally was and it wasn't until I stepped away, took a nice bath and baked some cookies that I everything started to click into place.

But I am extremely tired and am going to pass out in the next five seconds.

Lastly, here is my awesome and amazing taglist!

@greenkiki, @noah-uhhh-what, @littlemiss-nightshade, AND @itzstaticrainbow

[bubbles-for-all-of-us]

Ik I keep requesting, but ur writing is so amazing, and I need more Ellie and Reader, mother and daughter moments😭

Kinda going based on the game, but imagine if Ellie hasn't told Reader about her liking girls (just pretend Ellie and Dina got together when they were teens💀) and Reader walks in on them kissing and is shook and leaves awkwardly and Dina and Ellie were like "Shit-" and Joel's just like 🤨 "Why you acting weird" but Reader doesn't tell him and he thinks Ellie has a boy in her room and goes all dad mode

Oh keep them coming. I live writing these tiny ideas out it's so much fun. 🤭✨ This low key made me giggle. 🥺🤍

You return home earlier. Ready to tackle all the laundry before both Joel and Ellie come back home. You suspect nothing at first because you know when Ellie usually gets back so when you walk through the main door you don't even call out for her. You're doing your thing humming to yourself as you fold the already dry pieces before hanging up the freshly washed ones to air dry in the sun.

With a basket propped on your hip, you make your way up. Thinking that this might be the best time to sort out Ellie's clothes. Change up the winter outfits for something a bit lighter for spring. And you're so lost in your thoughts that you don't even hear the light music playing in the room. Opening it without a second guess. Your eyes fall onto the two girls who barely have a chance to jump apart as they clearly were in a quiet steamy make-out session. Not to mention the fact that Ellie's hands are still gripping the girl's hips.

No one says anything. You just stare at them. They both are staring at you. Until the situation finally hits you and you quickly close your mouth, eyes falling all over the room but just not look at them. "I'm just... I will just put this here", you awkwardly lower the basket to the ground. Before stepping out and closing the door behind you. You hear Ellie mumbling a quick, "Mom...", but you're out, already walking down the stairs.

Ellie is full-on panicking because a) she has never talked about dating and b) well you just walked in on her making out with a girl that she likes and fucking c) she hasn't even told anyone besides Dina that she's into girls. So she is ready to storm after you so she could explain but Dina catches Ellie's hand, mumbling a quiet, "Your shirt is undone", and that only makes her even more panicked. "This is a disaster", Ellie exhales falling back to her bed. She knows that you would be fine with it all deep down but it's just not how she imagined this would have gone. "Should I leave?", Dina asks and of course, the answer is no. Even more so Ellie has no clue how to walk her out without anyone noticing.

You on the other hand nearly crash into Joel as you storm off the stairs. Too lost in your mind to notice that he had returned home earlier as well. "Wow, easy there, you nearly took my head off", Joel's quick to steady you and make sure you don't fall. Your eyes quickly dart up the stairs. You know straight away that Joel can't see this. Regardless of who is in Ellie's room, Joel is one protective male. And you even more so know that Ellie would die of embarrassment if he was to walk in on her like that.

"Did something happen?", Joel asks already frowning and you instantly grab onto him, "No! Why would there be something wrong?", the fakes of laughter follow suit. Joel tilts his head to the side not believing you because you have always been shit at keeping secrets from him. "You got that dog didn't ya?", he asks and in a way it makes some weight lift off your shoulders as you nod quickly, "Ain't that fun...", you trail off just as the sound of something falling upstairs rings out through the house.

Joel's eyes dart up the stairs instantly and you try to hold onto him. Digging your feet into the ground as you try to keep him from going up there but let's face it how can you keep that hulk down? The fact that two sets of voices can be heard as well doesn't help. Joel shoots you a killer look, "So a dog huh", as he crosses the space between the stairs and Ellie's room in a couple of steps.

He is ready to throw that poor guy through the window. And the fact that both of you said nothing? Joel could understand Ellie in a way... that she might have wanted to reach out for you first but you. How could you not tell him? It was not like he would ban Ellie from dating. He would just make sure the lad knows that he was going to be watched and probably get a broken nose if he hurt his baby girl.

Swinging the door open Joel steps in. Face sour, arms already ready to drag the guy down the stairs. But freezing just like you did when you first walked in. You practically run into Joel's back. "Oh my god dad get out!", Ellie cries out. Stepping in front of Dina who is still pulling her shirt over her head. And Joel has never turned around quicker in his life. You push your head into the room quickly, "I promise I tried to stop him", you shoot Ellie an apologetic look. "Maybe get decent and come down for some tea huh? You don't have to obviously but like...", you say yet Ellie quickly shakes her head at your suggestion. Motioning for you with her eyes to get out and so you do just that.

Joel's sat by the kitchen island as you walk back down, "You know you have warned me", he says, "Well, sorry, it wasn't me who was about to make pancakes out of the poor creature". You sit right beside him. It's a kind of weird feeling. Because of course, you expected her to explore eventually. And you can't help but think about how you were in her shoes once. A chuckle escapes your lips as you rest your palms over your face, "That was so bad", Joel to your surprise joins in. Fingers running through his beard, "I don't know what was worse this or when she walked in on us...", you hit his chest hating that he was making you relive that horror again. "Oh, she's going to be petrified...", you mutter, leaning against your lover as you two still laugh. "You reckon we should mess with her? Pretend that we are like really mad?", "Joel...", you shake your head in disbelief, "What? Start fake crying now it needs to be believable".

[calico-heart]

For the kiss ask: Thancred/Tsimh with #46, "out of envy or jealousy"

I want to watch the fireworks lol.

Thanks so much for the ask! :D This didn't take quite the direction I'd expected, but I'm pretty happy with how it came out :3

(Ask me for a kiss!)

----

Cold the night beyond the tavern door was, and unfit for travel. As winter set in, Coerthan fury found its way south and blanketed Mor Dhona in snow. Adventurers and travelers alike coalesced in The Seventh Heaven, which could always be rowdy given its usual clientele, but was especially rambunctious now.

Thancred had done what any practical man would do, and found himself a girl for the evening. She was bonnie enough, with bright brown eyes and an endowment worthy of a lingering stare. 

She just hadn’t been his first choice.

By the time he’d blown in with the storm, Tsimh had already made her selection for the evening. An Elezen from the Sons of Saint Coinach, with soft eyes and pale cheeks that emphasized his blushing. 

Which was… fine. Thancred told himself. He and Tsimh enjoyed rousing carnality together when the mood struck, and indulged elsewhere when it did not. She made, and expected, no promises. It was not the way of Moonkeepers to do otherwise. 

He hadn’t misunderstood in any way the sort of relationship – or rather lack thereof – they were engaged in. 

What did it matter if her fingers brushed that stranger’s chin oh-so-deliciously? 

…It didn’t.

She was entitled to her fun. Just as he was. 

Honestly, he wasn’t exactly a swan. He had company tonight, and could’ve picked between a great many others. Few men could say the same of their options. And his tryst was certainly showing him off; making the most of the opportunity to inspire jealousy in other girls. Or at least, most of them. 

Mmm, you must tell me what happens next, Thancred urged his tablemate to continue her story. He was only half listening. 

Most Eorzean girls were simple. They wanted to be made to feel special. Like they stood apart from all the rest. Offer up a few charming words and rougish touches, and they’d flock to him in eager desperation, ready to lavish him with attentions. He couldn’t pretend that hadn’t been part of the excitement, each time he made the same promises to a different pretty face. 

Tsimh… really was different. There was nothing he, or anyone else, could offer her that she could not find in her own self. It was an unwavering level of confidence usually reserved for fools. And she was anything but a fool. She’d even toasted him across the room, when she’d seen his selection. Not an onze of jealousy. Or regret.

No, he’d never tried that drink before, he preferred a good ale.

The games he’d played with the others, he’d played a hundred times or more. Tsimh took him down trails he’d never mapped. And her utter lack of concern over where his eyes wandered was supposed to be liberating. 

But here his gaze went, wandering back to her. And a writhing, unfriendly twist in his gut pulled tighter each time she smiled at another man. 

Oh yes, they were so lucky for the storm, for the chance to meet here tonight. It must be kismet. 

He didn’t mind. She’d be back. A night in the arms of another would divert her just a short while. It didn’t mean anything. To either of them. Thancred couldn’t help being held by the weather, and the only reason she’d draped herself across some stranger, instead of waiting, was because…

Because…

Wet lips pushed across his without warning, startling him. Thancred jolted back. But of course it was Kaia, fair further into her cups than him. He shouldn't be surprised. He ought to be glad. 

“You taste better than I thought you would.” She cooed, “Which is saying a lot, frankly.”

Thancred offered back a debonair smile, “And you, darling, kiss better than I could have imagined.” 

As if to prove it to them both, he took the reckless approach, and tugged her back for a second helping. This time, with more enthusiasm. A few nearby adventurers whooped and banged their tables. Kaia pushed into it eagerly. 

The hungry stirring in his gut never woke, though. Whatever queasiness had come over him this evening stole that excitement, too. When they parted, she was breathless, and flushed from more than just her fruity drinks. He was… telling himself it’d been good. 

“Well. I daresay you’re sweet enough to give me a toothache.” Thancred teased with a grin.

Tsimh wouldn’t have been satisfied by the limp banter. She’d have reparted a clever quip, folded in double meaning, and they’d have sparred over it until one or the other could no longer hold back a genuine laugh. He already had half-a-dozen comebacks in mind. Maybe Kaia could surprise him with cleverness of her own.

But he hadn’t picked her to be clever. And couldn’t even really be disappointed when Kaia put a hand on his forearm and replied, blinking over long lashes, “Aren’t you the silver tongue. I’ll rot your teeth right out, if you want me to, sweetheart.”

If he kept telling himself he wanted this, eventually it would become true. 

The night wore on slowly, and no amount of ale seemed to make Kaia pretty or charming enough to compete with the fire in his gut over Tsimh’s attentions to that – that dhalmel of a man. 

Thancred became rowdy. As if sound would drown out what his eyes perceived so clearly. It did work – a little – because others rose up to match his energy, and sometimes they blocked the table in the far corner of the room from view. 

Kaia grew more and more handsy, making it clear enough who he belonged to, tonight. 

And for a while, it seemed all combined enough to dull his frustration, even if not deafen it. 

Until the strum of the lute. The baudiest tavern in Eorzea would have silenced in an instant for that serenade. Here was no exception. 

He really had had too much to drink. Thancred swallowed back a wave of bile. All heads turned to Tsimh. Her eyes were fixed on the rosy-cheeked scholar, as she sang.

Many times past she’d wooed Thancred in similar fashion. He didn’t know if what she lilted now was poetry from another source, or a fancy bit of improv all for her dalliance tonight. But she trilled of chance meetings and beautiful faces wreathed in winter snow, and Kaia leaned up against Thancred with an awestruck sigh.

“I’ve never seen that bard before! I wonder who she is?”

His lip twisted.

“It’s like she wrote this song for us, isn’t it?” Kaia cooed, nuzzling under his jaw. 

Before realizing it, Thancred had pulled himself free and raised to his feet. 

Kaia scrambled for balance, brow furrowed, attention unsteady, “Wha’s wrong?”

“I’ll only be a moment.” He answered, the first, least controversial cover to make it through the murky swirl of his mind. Thancred took his coat off the rack, but didn’t stop to put it on. 

“It’s a blizzard out there –”, she protested as he made for the exit. “Thancred–”

Kaia, and the music, vanished into the wind as he shut the heavy oak behind him. Bitter cold stung with instant venom, bracing muddled thoughts and offering much needed clarity through the haze of a night spent indulging. 

He would not be going back tonight.

[dumbass-tumbler-cryptid]

Do you have any snoppet to share, whatever it is?

Sure!

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

“Do a flip,” Lo’ak yelled from the other side of the skatepark’s bowl. Spider was happy to show off, doing the requested trick and then some, to the cheers of his friends. 

   “That was amazing!” Kiri said, as Spider rolled to a stop in front of her.

     Spider was grinning from ear to ear, “thanks!”

    Lo’ak slung an arm around his shoulder, leading him to the skatepark’s exit. “How about we swing by 7 Eleven, grab some slurpies, some snacks, head home, play some video games, maybe watch a scary movie…”

    “Hell yeah bro!” The boys fist bumped.

     Kiri nodded her approval, “good idea. We shouldn’t be out tonight.”

    The boys gave her matching questioning looks. “Why?”

    Kiri rolled her eyes like it should be obvious. “Because it’s a full moon.” When the boy’s continued to look confused she sighed dramatically. “The full moon makes people crazy.”

   “Sure sis,�� Lo’ak said, clearly dismissing his sisters beliefs.

   “It does!” The sibling banter couldn’t help but make Spider smile as he simply watched his friends. A gentle breeze ruffled his braids, the evening summer sun, casting the whole world in a warm orange glow. For mid August the weather was absolutely perfect, not oppressively hot like the past few weeks had been. Spider savored the moment. In just five days, school would be starting again, forcing him back into the confines of its bland monotonous walls, without the company of his foster siblings…

   Miles jolted awake, the happiness he’d felt in his dream, instantly being replaced by sinking dread. The nightmares had started shortly after his one year anniversary in the cabin, increasing in frequency as the days went by. He only classified these dreams as nightmares because of the anxiety they spiked in his waking life. If Pa knew that he was reminiscing about the old days…..

    Things had been so good between them too. Miles could almost pretend like they were a regular father and son, spending their summer on a camping trip, hunting in the woods, fishing, having bonfires, and sleeping under the stars when the weather allowed for it. It had all been so normal. So easy. Of course his treacherous brain would have to mess that all up.

    The following morning Miles attempted to eat breakfast, his chin propped on his elbow, holding up his head as he struggled to stay awake. Pa’s calased hand reached out from behind him, carding through his hair, giving him affectionate scratches behind his ear. “You haven’t been sleeping well lately have you?” Miles simply nodded his head. “Something on your mind?” The question made his heart skip a beat but he forced it down, shaking his head no. “Is your room too stuffy then? We can sleep outside tonight if you want. You always like that.”

    “I’m fine Pa.” his voice came out low, heavy with fatigue. 

     “Mmhm.” The man didn’t buy it, but didn’t continue pushing the subject. “Take a nap after you eat. Your school work and chores aren’t goin' anywhere.” 

     Neither am I, he thought bitterly. “Thank Pa. I’ll do that.” And he did, making himself comfortable on the couch, basking in the sunlight like a spoiled house cat. He was jolted awake again only twenty minutes later. In this dream Kiri and him had been hanging out in her room, playing with a Ouija board, attempting to summon the spirits of their dead moms. They had thought it darkly funny, starting their séance in the middle of a storm, lightning candles everywhere. Her laughter still echoed in his head as he sat up trying to will the thoughts away.

    “Well that didn’t take long.” Miles looked up to find his Pa watching him. The man approached placing a hand on the side of his face. “You were mumbling in your sleep, but I couldn’t make out the words. What were you dreaming about?”

    “Nothing!” His father gave him a stern look. Miles backtracked, “I mean I don’t remember. Must have been a nightmare.”

    “Mmhmm.” Pa didn’t believe him and Miles knew it.

[emeraldart]

Fanfic of Odalia finding out Willow was technically recruited to the EC (about 1k words, takes place after Any Sport in a Storm but before Hollow Mind)

Having Willow Park over in the Blight household was always a risky decision. Fortunately, Odalia Blight won’t be home for a little while longer. Amity Blight savors the final bit of time she gets with her friend before she’ll have to shoo her home and pretend it all never happened. The two paint each others’ nails. Willow decorates Amity’s with a bright pink, a pleasant change from her usual black polish. Willow insists on choosing a soft red. Interesting, Amity notes, I didn’t know she liked red. It was really no surprise that the plant witch would gravitate toward the color green. The green continue their peaceful moment when there was a knock on the door.

Amity opens the door to find an intricate uniform and golden mask. Willow, standing behind her, runs and tackles Hunter in a hug. He removes the mask while Amity smirks, happy that her friend is finally branching out. 

“Hunter!” Willow cries, happily.

“Oh, hi, Willow. I wasn’t aware you’d be here,” he replies. Amity coughs. “Right. Hi, Amity.”

“Hi. How’re you doing?” Amity asks, genuinely curious. 

“Me? Fine,” he seems surprised she asked. “I kinda expected you to be more, uh, mad. At me.” Willow winces. 

“I was never mad at you,” Amity says, flatly. “I was-” She trails off. I was worried about you. 

“Oh, um, thanks good, I guess.”

“So,” Amity inquires, “what are you doing here, then?”

“The abomatons,” Hunter explains, “I’m supposed to check with your parents on the progress.”

“They’re not here right now,” Amity says.

“And thank Titan for that,” Willow scoffs, causing Hunter to tilt his head in confusion.

“Why’s that?” he asks.

“They don’t really like Willow,” Amity frowns, “They think she’s too weak to be my friend. A bad influence or whatever.”

“Willow?” Hunter looks confused. “As in, Willow Park. The strongest plant witch I’ve ever seen?” 

Amity laughs, noticing the small flowers sprouting in Willow’s hair. She hadn’t seen that happen since they were kids. She fiddles with her scroll, wanting to take a picture of their faces for Luz, when she notices the flyer derby photos Willow had sent her. She smirks. Amity may have an opportunity here. She starts planning her idea, while still spanning a photo of her flustered friends to show her awesome girlfriend. 

“Mom’s always saying that I only should associate with ‘witches of higher status,’” Willow and Hunter turn to look at her. “That people of ‘lower class’ would never get opportunities in the Emperor’s Coven. What if we showed her how wrong she was?”

Both her friends grin. She leans in to tell them the plan, laughing at their silly additions. Titan, she missed this. Being a silly, weird kid. Amity texts Luz to let her know what they’re doing, promising to send her a picture of Odalia’s reaction. What are girlfriends for if not to show each other your pranks, right? After today, she’s positive Willow can agree. 

Before they know it Odalia is on her way home. The girls sneak Hunter around to the corner until his cue. Amity and Willow resume chatting, laughing about when Boscha humiliated herself at school the previous day or that silly game Luz taught them a few weeks ago. The door creaks open. Odalia Blight, stern, uptight, rude, and downright awful, storms in. She looks exhausted, probably from watching Alador do all the work while she just stands there. Amity scoffs. 

“Amity Blight!” she cries, making Amity look up so fast she fears she hurt her neck. “What is the Park girl doing here?” She says it with so much disgust Willow looks equal parts angry and ashamed. Amity holds back the urge to apologize. She’s done nothing wrong. 

“We’re friends, Mom,” she says bluntly, “We’re hanging out.”

“Nonsense, Mittens,” Odalia responds, “Blights only associate with a select few. Half witches are not in that group.”

Amity sees red. “She is not half a witch! She’s my friend and you will respect her!” Amity shouts. 

“Oh, please, Mittens, this rebellious streak of yours has gotten out of hand,” Odalia says.

“Rebellious?” Willow challenges. “What’s rebellious about hanging out with a friend?”

Odalia is about to retort, stooping so low as to argue with a couple of children when there’s a pounding on the door. Odalia rolls her eyes at the girls and opens the door, completely missing their twin smirks behind her. Amity watches as she immediately drops to a knee at the sight of the Golden Guard. Seeing her mother grovel was surprisingly satisfying.

“Sir!” Odalia exclaims. Willow holds back a giggle. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Mrs. Blight,” the Guard addresses her. That’s all Amity can call him because that

doesn’t feel like her friend. He sounds like the boy she’s mad at, not the one she’s worried about. “I’m here looking for Ms. Willow Park.”

“What, to arrest her? I always knew that one was trouble,” Odalia grumbles, “Please, take her away. And don’t blame my family for any of her transgressions. My daughter was merely-”

The Guard cuts her off. “I’m not here to arrest her. I was going to see if I could get her to rethink my proposal.”

“Proposal?” Odalia inquires. Willow blushes.

“I had invited her to join the coven personally, but she declined. Even if I can’t get her to join I’m trying to get Ms. Park to show the coven her remarkable powers.”

“B-but…” Odalia stutters. “She’s simply half a witch! She can hardly do magic at all!”

“Nonsense. Ms. Park’s magic took some time to appear, but it’s amazing, it’s beautiful, it’s-” he coughs. “Anyway, just call her over and I’ll be on my way.” Amity doesn’t miss how red Willow was getting.

Willow strolls up to the door. “Hello, sir,” she says with a little curtsy.

He bows to her, making stifling laughter at Odalia’s shock. “Ms. Park! Have you considered my offer?”

“I have,” Willow says, struggling not to giggle, “And I’d love to accompany you to learn more about the coven. If the Golden Guard, himself, wants to personally invite me to the castle to convince me to join the prestigious Emperor’s Coven, who am I to refuse?” Willow sighs dramatically. 

Amity winks at them as Odalia turns to face her, mouth wide open. “Have fun!” 

Amity doesn’t miss the way their hands join as the door closes. Odalia looks pale, her already light skin gone paper white. She shakes, muttering nonsensical phrases.

“But, I, she, I, what-?” Odalia gasps before passing out in shock. 

Amity finally lets herself laugh, wild and reckless and childish and stupid. She feels better than she has in a long time. She takes a picture of Odalia, sends it to Luz, and smiles, walking back up to her room.