#sorry for being awol i hope this makes up for it

[boxwinebaddie]

hallowhallowhallow~ my dear, sweet children of the scandy eye-man-candy korn! sorry for the trick, my treats ( ...>.>;; thiiis is why i try not to make promises about postin 'cause, before there was jersey, there was he(a)rsay aka me, the og unreliable narrator w/ great hair *flips* )

either way...it's not you; it's me. more specifically, its a fkn MRI that i have to schedule that i have been avoiding like the plague -- and all my responsibilities along with it. most regrettably of all, dearlings...

i missed the most chaotic bisexual day of the year! :( nOO! perolike call me randy marsh the way i RUINED stan's birthday AGAIN! ( also, aaa!~ can you believe ravenstan turned 22? not my eyes leaking :'} rs really is my fkn angel and my sweet son; i mean that. mi amorcitooo~

...i feel oddly motherly things for him in this chilis <333 ( also he really Hates his bday, but i promise him and jersey did something very cute for it xx ) BUT! more on that later, beloveds! because i am breaking my silence to make a Very Important Announcement:

I Put Jersey In COSPLAY. ;)))))

( ljsDsjldskds crYiiiiiN i'll fix the spelling l8r )

basically! every year for ravenstan's faux, goth heaux, celebprettyboy birthday ( aka HALLOWEEN <333 ) they throw gayven a MASSIVE star-studded, spooky-ooky pacifistic majorRAGER; its THE party!

( probably at whatever the fanciest hotel or hottest nightclub is in NYC at the moment -- or maybe i'll have it at the iconique sicktorian manwhorsion so that rs and jk can sneak off into stan's greenhouse and have a *british tolkien vc* cheeky lil snog ala the climax of rm ;) )

but every year, crimson dawn gayng does a themed group halloween costume ( last year, they went as greta gerwig barbie characters; jimmy went as alan, marj was weird barbie, keny was ken, naturally, and ofc, blonde ravenstan had to go as barbie; it was...Necessary. yw.

ALSO, very important to me that you know that kenny and ravenstan were specifically in the Legendary Hot Pink Cowboy Jumpsuits -- i just KNOW yersey was crying and throwing up; my man looked so GOOD...and bent over an Unncessary Amount Of Times; jail foreVA! )

BUT THIS YEAR!!!!! THIS YEAR!!!!! BECAUSE STAN IS A CRINGEY, BOYFAIL LOSER AND STANIME ENJOYER ( y'all are going to have to pry that hc from my Cold Dead Gay Hands! its is the Right answer! so either get with it or get steppin! Cry! Cope! LAME ASS DORK BOY RAVENSTANIME NATION, WE ARE SOOOOOOOOOO UP LOL! )

they are going as CHAINSAW MAN CHARACTERS. ( am...azing ;-; )

okay...so the lineup Might change? but as it stands atm, i am thinking jimmy is denji ( that...makes so much sense to me, i fear ), KENNY AS POWER IS THE RIGHT ANSWER SORRY, marjorine's hair was already a pink/red color, so i think makima is also just...right...yeah? but, uh...

aNYWAYS WHATS IMPORTANt???!!!! IS THAT RAVENSTAN IS AKI AND THEYRE FORCING JERSEYKYLE AT FUCKING NERF GUN POINT TO GO AS ANGEL!!!! ITS NECESSARY!!!! IT IS THAT SERIOUS.

like...oh my GOOOOOD. if you don't know what the hell i'm talking about, you might have to do some light googling BUT??? WHEN YOU DO PLEASE TELL ME YOU CAN SEE THE VISION. i love you so BAD, pierced and yatted up, edgy boy punk rock ravestaki with his hair up,

( shoutout to when teri ~hi teri~ told me that putting stan's hair up is a nina influenced event...too real; speaking of his hair? i think he is...still a little blonde, like maybe just the bottom half or MAYBE oOOH? ill do his lil eboy curtain bangs because...wow. delicious. thank you god. also i know his makeup and his guyliner was FIERCE, BITCH!

also...i am bringing the lipring chain back bc it is my FAVORITE edgy rs hot topic display acessory -- which means it's Also jersey's bc he has...what? TASTE! /for metal, taco bell cinnamon twists, **achem!** a passion for fashion...and also v pretty twinky nerdy emo boys. <3/ )

BUT UHHHHH...listen. if ANYONE ELSE ASKED, jk would tell you to kys and gut you. but...sigh. ravenstan is actually god's angel, HIS EYES ARE SO BEAUTIFUL AND BLUE AND LARGE, like??? when he reliquishes the matte black golden retriever puppy dog pout, bats his very long dark eyelashes at you, juts the lil stanopener ringed lip out at you and his eyes sparkle like gothboy rapunzel from tangled...it really is SOOOO over. i would fold. jerseykyle...did fold. sorry, king.

RAVENSTAN ALSO NEVER, EVER ASKS FOR ANYTHING?! like he is SO nice and selfless and kind. he never, ever, EVER asks for anything. jk actually like actively has to try and force him to ask for things; its his lil project because God Forbid that man do one less than saintly or self-indulgent thing...fyi, its that every year he asks for a Sword...

WHICH IS SO INSANE, LIKE ABSOLUTEly NOt--did they...get him a sword...i--maybe? oh my god. i knOW HE SCREEEAMED KSLSDkj )

but back to cosplay!jersey ( god, i love my life. when i tell you this was an epic win for pathetic loser gamer boys everywhere LIKE HAHA i got my FINE ASS preppy office siren boyfriend to wear The Outfit ) which...actually isnt that different to what he usually is wearing, tbh?

( also...getting ur messy eboy bf to wear any kind of suit and get all cleaned up, is actually a net win for normie preppy office siren boys everywhere so he Also Won; like it really is just worth it to see rs roll up his sleeve w the TAttoOOS WWWWHEEEW with the hair tie in his mouth while he puts his hair up...jk like E-Excuse Me *goes Feral* )

the halo was sooo cute btw, als the cheekbone guylighter? HOOOO. so...beautiful. i also think he got a little guyliner or shadow...just so i can have ravenstan homoerotically applying his makeup pre-party ;)) BUT THE IMPORTANTE PARTE IS THAT WE GET GORG SWOOPY FARRAH FAWCET JERSEY WITH HIS HAIR STRAIGHTENED WHICH rs also like E-Excuse Me *GOES FKN FERAL* in...SAAAAANE.

it was probably so long and luxurious, it was rs' finest work literally. i know it was steamy in that bathroom. unfortunately god bless him, rs is probably a little autistic ( y...eah...yeah ) and jk kept trying to make out with him, help, bc he's very cute when he takes his medication like a responsible king to combat the severe gaydhd and laserfocuses really hard on what he's doing ( ilysm transmaquilladorble rs xxx <333

he does all his makeup, btw, bc he's shaky asf and doesn't like to inconvenience the makeup artists; they just clean it up for him...he's rlly good, btw ) does the squint and stan lipbite and tilts his head and very gently holds your face...Wowza, truly. jkyle was like u are so beautiful to Me. rs like....what do you MeAN actually ethereal 6ft tall avant garde haute couture european vogue italia supermodel boy whose hair i am straightening in this lil bathroom in my big ass ratty teeshirt with my dumb eboy hair back in this headband sitting on the the bathroom counter trying not to hit my inhaler like a vape every five seconds because this does not feel real to me??? sklhdk In Luv! )

but yeah...super best cosplay stanime boyfriends DEVOURING! i also just want them to do the serran wrap kiss and have it go viral. also x2 if you are looking for them, so sorry, ik, they pregamed a little too hard and looked a little too fine and are probably making out and ruining the extensive labors of stan's beautiful star tattooed emo boy silver ringed tan hands one of which is in jkyle's very lucious straight hair and the other one is probably hiking up his dress shirt...woops!

Amen Gaymen.

[theemporium]

If you’re low-key obsessed then I am a gone😍 what about sunshine being awol the morning of a race 🤷🏼‍♀️

thank you for requesting!🫶🏽

.

“Have you seen Sunshine today?” 

“No, sorry.” 

“Hey, have you seen Sunshine this morning?” 

“I haven’t, no.” 

“Have you—”

“Daniel, I don’t think she’s here, mate,” Max muttered, placing a hand on his teammate’s shoulder in hopes that it would stop him from pacing around the garage, and it did. But it didn’t stop his mind from wandering and spinning on where the hell you could be. 

Despite the separate hotel rooms booked by the team every race weekend, you would always find each other using one room. In fact, it became rarer for the two of you to not share a hotel room when you were in another country for the race weekend, and it just so happened that it was one of those weekends.

You had been out late the night before, out with some of the others in the engineering team as you perfected a few faults you had found in the cars during qualifying. You had messaged him not to wait up for you, to not stay up and risk his own sleep just for the sake of falling asleep with you. And as wrong as it felt, he had managed to fall asleep.

However, when he woke up in the morning, you weren’t there. 

And when he arrived at the paddock, you weren’t there either. 

Now, it was a few hours until lights out, you were nowhere to be seen and Daniel was losing his mind.

“Where is she?” Daniel muttered, his brows furrowed in concern as he tried sending you another message, only for it to come up as undelivered once again. “She should’ve been here by now.”

“Daniel—” Max started but his teammate was already pacing again.

“What if something happened to her?” he whispered, a sense of chilling dread washing over him as he looked up at Max. “What if something happened to her and she needs my help?” 

Before Max could even reply, Daniel was jumping up to grab his keys for the car he drove to the paddock. He was ignoring all logic and rationality that was telling him he should stay in the paddock, that he needed to start getting ready for the race with the rest of the team. His only thought was you.

Max, despite knowing better, knew that Daniel was in no state to be alone right now. WIth the rest of the engineering team also clueless on your whereabouts, the Aussie’s concern only shot through the roof, and his friend didn’t think it would be the best idea for him to be behind the wheel just yet. 

They ignored all the warnings other team members gave them and did their best to ignore the cameras following them towards the exit. Daniel had one track mind and it was completely focused on finding you and making sure you were safe. His fingers were itching to hold you close again and it was starting to consume him. 

However, neither boy expected their search to end as close to the exit as it did. 

“I am telling you, I am a part of the Red Bull team! Just go get someone and you’ll see.”

“Ma’am, we have to ask you to leave—”

“Oh my god!”

Daniel’s head whirled around at the familiar sound of your voice, his eyes eagerly seeking you. And he spotted you, on the other side of the turnstiles, a frown on your face as you argued back and forth with a few of the security guards at the entrance. 

“You need a paddock pass—”

“And I usually have one,” you interrupted, already angsty and on edge, and feeling like a broken record wasn’t helping your mood. “Except for today. Now can you please let me in because they need me—”

“We can’t do that, ma’am.”

“Fuck off,” you groaned, running a hand over your face.

“Sunshine!” 

Your eyes instantly found his and he couldn’t bite back the smile that spread across his face. His feet were moving before he could even think to move, his body too eager to be beside you that he didn’t even bother swiping his pass to get through the turnstiles, instead just jumping over the bars. 

“Danny,” you almost sagged in relief the second his arms were around you. 

“Is there a problem here?” Daniel asked, his eyes now on the security guards as he placed a hand protectively on the back of your head. 

“Mr Ricciardo,” the security guard blanched. “No, it’s just she needs—”

“She’s with our team,” Max interrupted this time, giving the guard a pointed look. “A very important part of the team. So, the sooner you let her through, the more appreciative we will be.” 

“Of course, sir.”

Daniel had yet to let you go as the three of you made your way through the paddock, heading straight towards the Red Bull garage before Christian or anyone else could notice you were gone. You didn’t mind though, the weight of his arm over your shoulder was something you found comfort in these days.

“Where were you?” Daniel asked eventually, his brows furrowed together in questioning. “I was worried sick.”

“It’s embarrassing,” you muttered, a scowl on your face which only amused the Dutchman.

“Well, now you have to tell us,” Max grinned, poking your side and only laughing when you batted his hand away. 

“I forgot my keycard last night,” you told them with a heavy sigh. “I couldn’t get into the hotel room so I had to bunk with one of the other engineers. I tried to get a new card at reception this morning but they thought I was some crazy fan trying to get into Daniel Ricciardo’s hotel room. And I couldn’t even get an extra key to my room because I had no ID with me.” 

Daniel snorted. “Why didn’t you just call me?”

“My phone died,” you replied sheepishly. “I had to borrow an extra polo from a colleague before trying to get to the paddock with no phone, no money and no paddock pass.” 

“I’m surprised they didn’t arrest you on the spot,” Max teased. 

You rolled your eyes. “Funny.” 

“Well, if I have to find any crazed fan in my room, I’d be pretty chuffed if it was you,” Daniel joked as his arm around you tightened. 

“Whatever,” you grumbled but there was a smile on your face. “I gotta take you everywhere with me, Ricciardo. Might even say you’re my crazy fan.”

“That wouldn’t be a lie,” he grinned down at you.

.

[owlsie-hoot]

All Creatures Great and small "Holding the baby" 05x02

I don't even know where to start!

First: my internet connection was not AWOL this week and I could watch the entire episode without any trouble. And maybe that is why I still cannot sort my thoughts!

What was this episode? What happened? How many of the predictions came true? How many spoiler dots were correctly connected? A LOT!

Starting at the beginning:

Audrey being on one of her first training sessions to learn everything about her new job, a scene I was eagerly looking forward since the end of February. That the episode started with that was simply amazing. I cried because it made me so happy. Of course it was Siegfried who didn't close the curtains correctly - prediction one. And of course he waited for her because he wanted to make "you were accounted for" - correct prediction two. I mean how many times have we written about this scenario in fanfics? I certainly have used this trope numerous times. Needless to say that this entire sequence already killed me and that was only the beginning. The joking, the banter, the care, the offering of a nightcap, handing her the letter from Tristan. There is no line there anymore. It has vanished.

Only in my rewatch did I notice that episode 2 picks up directly after episode 1. Just one hour later. So we all got to yell "Bingo" if we assumed that Siegfried was only still up, talking to James, because he was waiting for Audrey in episode 1. (sorry was too excited last night to notice this)

Siegfried and Jimmy at the breakfast table: can it get any cuter? Seriously! Reading medical textbooks to the baby is so Siegfried.

The story slowly unfolds after that of course and I didn't dare hope that Siegfried and Audrey would get more than two scenes for themselves. Setting my expectations very low for each episode is hard but rewarding because they were inseparable in that episode. Siegfried storming through the house, yelling her name, ranting about Bosworth, telling her everything he hates about that guy, is so married! Of course Bosworth hears everything and of course Siegfried puts his foot in. "Monopolising my housekeeper" - is one way of phrasing it but I think that 'housekeeper' is by now a very hollow expression, only used out of habit. And because every other term would give him away. He cannot say her first name, he cannot say partner, wife, companion, friend. I wasn't sure if the look Audrey shot him was because he called her 'housekeeper' or because he interfered her meeting and offended Bosworth.

Cue Siegfried apologising (scene number 3 for them!) almost immediately afterwards in his own special way. He fully accepts her terms and conditions and points out that he was only angry with Bosworth and not with Audrey who only had two training sessions so far. "feels like more" he mutters because he misses her and doesn't like sharing her. But he does not really understand that he is jealous. At least they talk now! Still not enough but there is so much more communication between them that is emotionally important and not your regular small talk.

As if this wasn't already enough, the next correctly predicted scene happens. Audrey riding her bike while on a round, finding poor Bingo and calling Siegfried for help. Once again the two share a frame but this time even more flirting is added. The looks are killing me and I can't believe what I just witnessed. There was admiration and pride, thankfulness and a tenderness in that scene that leaves no doubt that Audrey is slowly getting there.

The next scene with them doesn't help either because the first hint is dropped that Siegfried is too old for romance (and doesn't have a family) - which Audrey finds so funny that she has a hard time suppressing her laughter. Bosworth could not be more wrong. Seeing Audrey and Siegfried sitting opposite the warden, like the couple they unofficially are, in a house that reminds us of Gerald's dark bachelor flat, is the cherry on top of the cake. Followed by the epic car ride (prediction number 4!) that I rewatched directly afterwards.

Audrey teasing him and Siegfried knowing that she does but playing along. They are on fire. Additionally we have never seen Audrey so carefree, so at ease and happy, smiling and teasing throughout an episode. Gone is the weight that she had carried around for such a long time. She truly is free and Siegfried welcomes this with open arms. "There should be a line between employer and employee" "when is suits" - that line Siegfried pointed out in 01.02 has eroded. She can endlessly tease him and he joins in. Seize the day! And smile about it.

Only to step hard on the breaks later. Have we ever heard Audrey tease him like that? Or Siegfried answer in such a flirty sarcastic way? I don't think so. Will add "Stubborn beast" to the list of endearments Audrey uses for Siegfried.

And finally, the last scene. Not alone this time but the predicted, apron wearing husband. Adapting, helping, not being grumpy about it. And his wife who lets him fight his own battles because she enjoys the squabble between Bosworth and Siegfried way too much (when it is not about her).

[mrdixon]

A Rugged Muse | Series masterlist

pairing: eventual daryl dixon x f!reader

series summary: when you're left to fend for yourself in the new apocalyptic world as an artist, you lose all hope. your brother was no where to be found, you were still heartbroken, you were considering giving up. until you came across a ragged archer, who was as equally fragile as you.

general warnings (every chapter will have its warnings): swearing, typical twd, violence, gore (wont be extremely detailed im dumb), mental health mentions, abuse/torture, character deaths.

A/N: hi this is mostly like a test series because im not even sure where im going with this, i just have like so many ideas that are not consistent with each other so ill try my hardest to make this enjoyable. and again im super super super inconsistent so im sorry if i post like thirty chapters and then go AWOL. i really do hope youll enjoy this series!!!

DISCLAIMER: reader is more of an oc so if theres things that she does that do not apply to you im sorry shes so me. this story will take place from s1-??? and its going to follow the main story of twd (mainly... probably...) so heres your warning, SPOILERS !!!!!! im also not naming chapters i have no creative juices for that.

for the sake of having glenn as your older brother im having him be around 24-27 years old right now, you being like 23 ish. and daryl will be like 32….??? i dunno im trying to make this as canon as possible BUT UGH IT IS SO $&£”*^%*£ so yeah there will be a little bit of an age gap between reader and daryl but i hope that wont be too much of a problem for you guys…. probably not. and do not quote me if i get settings or the timeline wrong like twd is confusing enough for me……….. again im also like rewatching and making sure to make everything as close to the show as possible, but theres also the possibility of me altering the timeline (muehehehe).

☆ series masterlist

chapter 1 ♫

chapter 2 ♫

chapter 3 ♫

chapter 4 ♫

[diazheartsbuckley]

Make me write (but it’s a life update) 👀

Hi guys. I’m so sorry for being AWOL, not even sure if anyone remembers me at this point. I haven’t been online because I haven’t been doing too great mentally lately and my girlfriend and I broke up, so had to deal with that too.

Next week I have an exam and I also have to move. But I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s kept on tagging me in your works (I’ll be going through them asap, mwah), it really does mean a lot 💕

I also got some other exciting news, I’ve started using she/they pronouns just to see how it feels and I’m hoping you guys will help me with it 🥹

Much love,

C

I was tagged by @bucks-daddy-issues @wikiangela @theotherbuckley @dangerpronebuddie 🩵

Tagging!! (Please ignore me if you’ve already done this) @wildlife4life @spaceprincessem @spotsandsocks @cal-daisies-and-briars @whosoldherout @tizniz @daffi-990 @butraura @underwaterninja13 @honestlydarkprincess @jeeyuns @jesuisici33 @bucksbirthmark @bucksbignaturals @evanbegins @thewolvesof1998 @housewifebuck @steadfastsaturnsrings @giddyupbuck @shitouttabuck @exhuastedpigeon @watchyourbuck @eowon @eddiebabygirldiaz @babybibuck @kaseysgirl86-blog @devirnis @ronordmann @hippolotamus @himbobuck @exhuastedpigeon @extasiswings @poughkeepsies @actualalligator @captain-hen @namjroon @bidisasterevankinard ☀️

[jungwnies]

syn ' a fight sends doyoung missing in action, will it make or break the relationship? pairing ' fem!reader x husband!doyoung

warnings ' cursing, marital problems, arguing, lowkey toxic

requested by @kang-yeosangs-initials

"this is bullshit doyoung!" you shout across the kitchen as he puts on his shoes. "we fight about this all the fucking time!"

"y/n, i don't know what you fucking want from me." doyoung argues.

the second walked out that door, your head was hot. you were angry. honestly, you were hoping he'd never come back through that door.

you grab a glass from the cabinet and pour yourself some wine, sitting alone on the couch.

when you woke up in bed alone, you sighed. "bastard." you mumbled to yourself getting up.

you get ready and leave the house, you didn't come back for the past three days.

if doyoung wasn't going to be there, then what was the point of you being there? the house was supposed to a be a sacred ground for the two of you, but it just felt wrong, even if it was originally your home, it still felt empty without him.

"he hasn't come home yet?" your friend asks you sitting across the cafe table from you.

you shrug, "i don't know i haven't been home in days, but if he was home i would've gotten a motion notification from the security cameras."

"maybe you should just get a divorce, he's not good for you anymore." your friend tells you hesitantly.

"that's if i even see him ever again." you tell her laughing. "he should've never left, we could've talked it out, but i don't know after this argument, it just seems like the end."

⎯ ts

you type in the code to your lock and go into your home, it smelled the same, but it didn't feel the same. you see doyoung in the kitchen sitting down with some take-out.

"hey." he says, with a smile.

you scoff and put down your things walking away.

"y/n, why aren't you talking to me?" he asks putting down his fork.

"seriously?" you snap turning around to face him, "you want me to talk to you after you've been awol for three days?"

doyoung looks at you confused, "y/n i don't know what you're talking about, i've been home."

you laugh, "oh my god, don't you think i would've known if you were home?"

"seriously y/n, don't be delusional." he sneered.

"either way doyoung, i don't want you here, so please just leave." you tell him, with a tired tone.

"what did i do?" he complained.

"what did you do?" you ask with a scoff, "are you seriously asking me that right now?"

"yes?" he says, confused.

"every time there's an argument, you just leave, you never fucking listen to what i have to say, you never want to fix things, you just leave, and then you come back like nothing happened!" you exploded. "you're not the same man i loved four years ago, and i want you out, i don't want you to come back!" you shout, tears coming out of your eyes.

"what?" doyoung asks, shocked.

"please doyoung, just stop acting like everything’s fine when it’s not fine!" you cried, trying to wipe the tears off your face as they kept coming down.

doyoung walked up to you and grabbed the sides of your arms, "y/n..."

you shake him off, "don't touch me, and don't act like you're sorry, because if you were this would have never been a problem."

doyoung steps back, "y/n please stop crying." doyoung said, crying with you.

"i just wish you never promised to love me till death did us apart." you tell him sobbing, "i tried really hard to make this work, and you just walked away every time."

doyoung looks at you with a bittersweet expression, "are you okay?"

you look at doyoung and you laugh as tears fall out of your eyes, "after you just ended our seven year relationship? yeah i'm just peachy."

you walk away from him and put back on your jacket, "when i come back, i want you and your things gone."

2022 © jungwnies

[randomdragonfires]

So he's going to cheat on his grieving wife again..

What a piece of shit he is.. Literally no redeeming him..

Aaaah unfortunately, yes! I think that's a huge part of who canon Aemond is - he keeps messing up without thinking twice, and clearly feels remorse only when it bites him in the ass - no one to properly guide him. He's a teenager in a war, but I also feel like that's just who he inherently is, given the kind of upbringing he had, the bullying, and how he had to grow up quicker than the others with his accident and that.

This translates into his marriage - he's not seen a stable or a happy marriage growing up, what with Viserys going AWOL on his wife and kids and Aegon and Helaena being... their own peculiar brand of loving and sad. He's grown to want affection a lot because of all this, and has gone on to seek it out in either Sylvie, and in the future, with Alys. He simply can't keep away, because it's what he needs, whether he knows it or not - to be taken care of.

When it comes to his marriage however, he has to put in the work. Wife is a regular conservatively brought up woman who has been taught to expect her husband to take the lead. In this situation, he has to put his foot forward for the marriage to blossom, so to speak. But he can't, not when he himself needs someone else to do it for him.

What he sees is that his wife would be willing to, but what he can't wrap his mind around is that he'll have to meet her halfway. Neither of them is experienced, making them both inherent equals. He doesn't know how to navigate a relationship of equals, and she isn't part of an environment that encourages her taking the lead either. Despite that, she tries, and he does too. But the poison, as they say, drips through - and you can't quite change what you inherently are.

Which is what drives him to Alys in the upcoming part, I'd say. The specifics of it, I'd rather you all read in the last act when it comes out (slow writer here, sorry!)

The entire story has connotations to how they're both a perfect mismatch, and they could keep trying to meet each other halfway but unfortunately, it'll never be enough. The story in itself is called 'Parallel Lines,' because of it. They just don't meet. The angst will angst lmao

Regardless of the infidelity arc, I hope you'll read it AAAH. If you don't, that's okay. If it's not for you, it's not for you. Also, I checked after your last ask and turns out, I didn't tag the story for infidelity - I changed it in my warnings now. So thanks for that!

Also, random but I had to tell someone lol - I added coconut water to my coffee and it changed my life! :)

[chronicowboy]

wip wednesday

tagged by @alyxmastershipper ryan idk how you're still writing after the first son au but i respect you greatly 🫡 (i also hate you for chapters seven and eight btw but that's another thing entirely)

okay written so much i like in the past two days so it was so hard to choose what to put here but had to go for the least spoilery extract i could

"I'll be back," he tells her, something desperate in his words as he jerks out of her grip. "Just gotta—" He jabs a thumb over his shoulder at the door that leads out to the toilets and turns away from her wide eyes, scurrying across the dancefloor like a cat on a hot tin roof.

Eddie ducks out of the ballroom with a gasping breath, collapsing against the wall just to the right of the doorframe. It's cooler out in the hallway, but Eddie's chest is still tight, packed full of the pulpy remains of his heart. As he breathes, a cheer from down the corridor catches his attention and he cracks an eye open to see Chris doing a dorky little victory dance he definitely picked up from Buck. It's no use trying to outrun every emotion that makes him feel, but he chases the hope into the bathroom all the same.

He takes a quick look around to ensure there's no one else in there before white-knuckling the sink. Well, back to being the tragic protagonist of an Indie movie then—screw Bill Murray. This would probably be his rock bottom if this was a movie, it's not even the worst he's felt today. Eddie hit rock bottom at terminal velocity and crashed right through it; still falling, falling, falling.

The bathroom door swings open, and Eddie reaches for the soap dispenser like he's just a normal guy who needed a piss, not the AWOL best man who ran out on the love of his life. He glances up at the patter of a familiar gait, gut twisting when he meets Buck's eyes through the mirror—a sickening echo of this morning. Eddie takes a deep breath and plasters on a sorry excuse for a smile as he turns around.

"Hey," Eddie says, cursing the wobble in his voice. "Need me to hold your skirt up whilst you pee?" It's supposed to be an innocent joke, but the quiet intensity simmering in Buck's eyes begins to smoulder, and Eddie swallows thickly in response.

Buck steps closer suddenly, and Eddie flinches backwards. It's not a conscious thing, a resurfacing murmur of I thought for sure you were going to take a swing at me. Something bereft clouds Buck's eyes for a moment, quickly overtaken by that stubborn resolve Eddie sees seconds before Buck runs into a burning building against orders. And then Buck's hands are on his face, both palms curved around the line of his jaw, fingertips digging in almost painfully—Eddie hopes, in some sick and twisted way, that it'll bruise or at least leave behind crescent marks on his skin, a reminder of reality, a Buck was here.

tagging some beautiful people @danielsousa @shitouttabuck @butchdiaz @diazass and anyone else who has something to share <3

[sosohh]

@jilychallenge | Partner: @blitheringmcgonagall  | April 2023: Letters and Texting.

Prompt: First date - “ Words We Should Never Have Left Unsaid / P.S I Still Wait For You’.

I’m so sorry it’s late but I literally had to force this thing out of my birth canal. xoxo

Also mahoosive thanks to @blitheringmcgonagall who helped me decide the most embarrassing events to happen in chapter 1

Read it on AO3

Words we should (never) have left unsaid 

or 

I just keep waiting for the day when I’m not an idiot around you.

If you asked James Potter if he loved the theatre, he would answer very diplomatically that ‘yeah, it was alright’, and ‘sometimes the tunes get stuck in your head, you know’, and ‘my mother brought me up on a diet of show tunes, I can’t help that I sing them out loud sometimes, God’. 

As a matter of fact, being a naturally curious and inquisitive (and sometimes lonely) child, Euphemia Potter had enrolled her son into a summer of theatre classes in the hope that it would use up his endless energy and perhaps guide her son onto the path of acting so that she would always have some free theatre tickets. As naturally, if her son chose that path, she was sure he would succeed.

So when she was called into the theatre to ‘chat’ about James, she was surprised (yet also unsurprisingly unsurprised) to learn that James had gone AWOL for an hour, only to be found backstage watching the technical crew pull on the fly ropes for My Fair Lady – ‘accidentally mum, I swear!’ and had zero intention of retuning back to rehearsals about ‘being a tree in the ocean’ (James’ words). Euphemia Potter, being a woman of many talents, strong maternal instincts and an unprecedented prowess at sniffing out the places and things her son was interested in, managed to sweet talk the theatre into allowing her son to apprentice backstage on weekends, which lasted until he gained enough qualifications for him to earn a paid full-time technical position at the theatre.

And so, nearly 15 years later, James Potter found himself backstage during a performance of the touring production of Cats at the WNAC, having only just started the same week.

A few years ago he done a refresher training residential week and quickly became friends with an extremely tall Welsh man called Remus. They’d stayed in touch, Remus often staying at his and his best friends’ London flat whenever he was working on a production in the city, and a month ago Remus had been in touch about a technical position opening up at his venue. And James, looking for a change in life, scenery and jobs, had applied and got the job.

So here he was, backstage in the labyrinth of a new theatre, belting out Memory along with Grizabella who was singing over the tannoy.

‘Touch me’, he sang, ‘It’s so easy to leave meeee – oof!’.

Rounding a corner, James collided into something soft and firm.  Someone, he mentally corrected. Something soft and warm and -

‘You’re dangerously close to my boob right now.’

‘Oh my god’ – James jumped as though he’d been shocked and stepped back quickly, and in doing so, walked into some lockers which lined the corridor.

His curses now joining the clang of the metal and Grizabella’s voice, he could swear the silence from this stranger was louder – or maybe that was his embarrassment he could hear. Blowing through the corridor like tumble-weed.

‘That’, the woman deadpanned, ‘was either incredibly bad timing or I need to make a trip to HR’.

James cringed. He could well imagine the phone call to his mother if she found out he’d been suspended in his first week pending investigation into inappropriate conduct.

‘Oh, it was definitely incredibly bad timing.’ He closed a locker door which had swung open with the force of his hit and had come to a stop near his ear but the locker door popped open again and slowly creaked to a stop. ‘I would never -’ he cut off, embarrassed, just as Grizabella let out another cry of ‘Touch me!’

The woman laughed – prettily, he thought, before internally berating himself; ‘Not the moment, Potter!’ - and motioned to his head, which he still had a held in his hand to soothe the pain from the locker.

‘Do you actually need me to have a look? I’m a first aider.’

‘That would only honestly make this situation more embarrassing,’ James said, grimacing at the thought, before shutting the locker door again, only to hear it pop open a second time, ‘so no, I’m good. But, thanks.’ He dropped his hand, even thought his head was still smarting.

‘Um, right. Okay, well,’ she gestured past James and towards the crew room. ‘Is Remus in there? I need to have a chat about finding the WOC’s Gobo - I think they’ve definitely misplaced it but they’re looking to blame someone...’

‘Oh, good luck.’ James said wryly, ‘I’ve been trying to find him for ages. I think he’s ignoring my texts because I thought his dinner was ravioli and not tortellini and God forbid I don't know my pasta. Also, if I deviate from this path that I've learned around the building, I just know I’m going to get lost.’

She laughed again, ‘Yeah, this place is a bit of a maze, but you get used to it pretty quickly. Mind, if you’re only here for a week, maybe you need to put some chalk on the walls or something?’

‘Oh, I’m not – I work here, I’m not with Cats.’

She looked at him for a beat, and then with some confusion asked him;

‘Oh, sorry. I just thought – I mean, I could hear you down the corridor singing all the lyrics’.

James flushed and laughed awkwardly, his hand making his way back to the base of his head, willing himself to rid the redness he could feel creeping its way up his neck.

‘It’s my mum’s favourite musical so..’ he trailed off, trying to laugh through a smile, which in hindsight, surely made him look even more bizzare.

‘Right.’ She said, and when the silence almost got too painful she added; ‘Um, well, I better get – I’ll just teams Rem...’ before starting to walk away.

And for some reason, some strange reason which made him question his sanity for the next 12 hours straight and sporadically for a good few days later, he saluted and called after her;

‘Cool, okay, well, bye. And sorry for almost touching your boob. I honestly wouldn’t - well, I mean, you do have nice boobs - not that I’ve looked! Or touched! God. Sorry.’ And with a final note of desperation he added, ‘Bye’. Then he turned around and promptly walked straight back into the locker door.

He could’ve sworn he saw a second bail of tumble weed blowing past in his mind’s eye. Along with an actual trickle of blood with passed his eye from the now angry looking cut above the eye socket.

Ten minutes later, patched up and with a first aid form sheepishly all filled out, he finally located Remus, and accosted him with a nonchalant (or so he thought), ‘Remus, who’s the woman that works here with ginger hair?’

Remus, put down his fork of butternut squash macaroni and said, ‘That’d be Lily Evans, Front of House and she’s not going to HR.’

‘How do you know?’ James cried and sunk into a chair in mortification.

[hotluncheddie]

OKAY OKAY I HAVE SO MANY THIRSTY THOTS…expanding on chubby!eddie and also noting that we’re close to the holidays, it’s important to note that while eddie’s favorite holiday is halloween, steve ADORES christmas. he loves to decorate their shared home, go present shopping, and of course make ridiculously indulgent food. it isn’t like he doesn’t do that the rest of the year, but christmas gives him an excuse to try out recipes multiple times. each time he tries something new, he needs his secret taste tester in the kitchen with him (hint: it’s eddie wearing nothing but low waisted pajama pants) to ensure the quality of each dish. thus far, even if he’s offered pointers for improvement, eddie has eaten four variations of pumpkin pie, two different prosciutto wrapped asparagus variants, six variants of peanut butter cookies, and more without complaint. cooking days are fun because at the end, eddie will worship steve in the bedroom, sucking him off before pressing his belly to steve’s back while he slides in and out of him. when the two go christmas shopping, it’s a magical experience to get to indulge not only the others in their lives, but also each other. each obviously gets gifts for the other separately, but while they’re together, they like choosing things out live and in the store. for eddie, steve plucks a set of model paints and figures for dnd and a bat shaped mug from halloween clearance. eddie chooses a new hair mask he knows steve’s been wanting to try and a new robin’s egg blue sweater in a larger size (although not as prominent as eddie, steve had packed on some subtle but noticeable squish, a symptom of his happiness with eddie). these gifts aren’t a surprise, but the couple (notably steve) love any excuse to show their appreciation as possible. they celebrate with everyone on christmas eve. the hopper byers residence fits the whole crew of teens and adults nicely, but admittedly has to add another table when steve comes in with two entrees, four sides, and three desserts PLUS rolls. everything except for the ham and turkey get finished off, everyone there agrees that steve’s food was the best. the teens and eddie have boisterous arguments about dnd while steve and robin catch up with joyce and claudia. the night always ends with watching it’s a wonderful life because it’s surprisingly one of el’s favorites, but steve and eddie usually slip away a bit early to “prepare for the holiday”. in actuality, they head home and have lazy sex before going to sleep. on the actual holiday, the two sleep in until noon and open gifts quietly. they enjoy an episode or two of a show they enjoy, all the while enjoying rich and decadent desserts. at the end of the night, eddie usually ends up tied up using holiday ribbon, the bright red tulle digging into his fat hips. steve fucks him through overstimulation until the two are sobbing and covered in sweat and cum. the boys just like the holidays. lmao sorry for being awol, my semester has been Traumatic and there have been some pretty serious issues happening but i hope you like it slay -🦂

hello lovely 🦂!!!!! i hope ur doing okay even in the stress <3 but do i like it?? i LOVE it!!!

very obsessed with steve being a christmas lover and that rubbing off on eddie. bc thing with eddie is, his fav thing in the whole world is seeing steve happy and exited - so if that's christmas, well, then eddie’s a christmas guy all the way.

obsessed with them going and spoiling eachother with gifts omg and going shopping together so they know they’re getting things the other loves!! a robin egg blue sweater on steve!! so pretty!!

obsessed with them being a little family unit who sneak away for christmas day where it’s just them wrapped up in eachother. (after steve did his favourite thing and cook for everyone and eddie did his favourite things which is try and out eat and out drink hopper) i feel like they like to think they’re being subtle when they say their goodbyes at the end of the night. but they’ve been staring into eachother eyes for the past 15 minutes and eddie’s hand hasn’t left steve’s back pocket for the past hour... they’re not subtle at all.

and very very very obsessed with taste tester eddie (shirt off, low slung pyjamas, eating all day 🥵🥵🥵). always getting a little plumper over the autumn/winter - mainly because of steve’s cooking. likes having his belly on display to tease steve, likes hefting it up in his hands asking steve what he thinks, how he looks, if his shirt still fits, if his pyjama pants make his ass look big (he looks good, it fits enough for home but probably shouldn't wear it out, they do because his ass is big, biger than it used to be - but again 'looks really good ed's' *steves cheeks pink, half hard*). and omg them organising sundays as ‘cooking days’ - where eddie knows steve’s trying out new recipients ready for an event/holiday and that means batches of variations. and that mean he’s trying every one, secretly planning to try and push himself to finish each one too. belly out, in his lap. always taking breaks to slip up behind steve and annoy him, poke around at what hes doing. but also focusing on eating and enjoying what a good cook steve is. he could never give it up, its too delicious. and god he loves telling steve that - watching him try and brush it off but eddie sees how his pupils get a little bigger watching eddie eat, watching eddie enjoy and indulge.

and obsessed obsessed obsessed with steve getting a little chubby too!! both just happy and comfortable and loving life!!! maybe on those days where steves cooking and on his feet all day eddie makes sure to share the dish hes eating while steve works on the next - feeding steve bites of cookie while he works, sneaking in a kiss and a squeeze of steves waist or ass or belly wherever he can. so while eddie still finishes the most, steve always ends the day satisfied and full of his own cooking. and that's when eddie likes to have his turn at doing something for steve; pampering him after his day of being served dish after dish. holding steve down in the bed, pushing into him and letting steves hand roam eddies body, telling him how good steve looks after him, how well fed and healthy he is - this new body of his, its all thanks to steve. eddies getting him to whimper, close to tears, edging Steves cock and fucking him deep. maybe eddie even teases him, really driving what hes saying home - bringing that last batch of brownies into he bedroom with them to share, to eat while he looms over steve, both of them getting full and satified in multiple ways.

and omg christmas day bondage!!! that’s sooooo hot and sexy of u to say!!! and love the idea of steve fucking eddie through overstimulation, both a little overwhelmed but like, so close, and safe.

like eddie who ate so much over the course of the day and doesn’t want to move anymore so steve makes him look and feel so so pretty by wrapping the binds around him. both loving how the fabric digs into his soft skin and the pressure if it on his full belly makes eddie so hard. and steve is just in service, good boy, care for eddie mode and spends ages eating him out until eddie can’t hold himself up on his hands and knees anymore so they switch positions to steve finally sinks in deep to fuck eddie. steve’s in full on sub top mode just going till he cums bc eddie gave him permission to take. but then hes being told to keep going because eddie’s not ready yet; he’s only half hard again after his first orgasm from steve’s tongue. so steve keeps going, teary eyed and rosy with sweat, wanting to be eddie’s best boy. but it’s so so much. and eddie just keeps moaning and praising how good steves doing, squeezing steves new belly telling him how hot a beautiful he looks above him, how well he takes care of eddie. and eddies second orgasm in building, one palm holding a handful of pec, the other working his cock and hes begging steve to grab a handful of his sensitive belly and squeeze, that pleasure pain pushing him over the edge again and steve finishes so close behind, filling eddie up, other hand gripping the ribbon around his soft thigh. they're panting and sleepy and spent and they can't help but grip each other and trail sloppy, spitty kisses over whatever skin they can reach. devouring each other until they both come down from their highs.

and maybe they end the night sharing a shower, steve slowly unwrapping eddies bind, kissing as he does. eddie washing steves hair, belly pushed up flush agains his back, just the way steve likes. curling up together in bed, happy and ready for another year together.

happy holidays 🦂 lovely!! <3

[localgirlbecomesobsessed]

Cathrine’s birthday

It’s three days late but for good reasons that will remain mysterious. (I forgot)

Her birthday was the 9th October

How each of the houses celebrates their favourite mad scientists birthday.

I’m on the Cathrine and Rui are secretly massive nerds agenda

Obscuary 🌒 🌒 🌒

She had finally come to the bar after days of being awol on what Rui likes to call a ‘project bender.’ She usually came to obscuary dorms afterwards, to crash out and spend time with the gang. She had been away a bit longer than usual, for four days, he barely received any messages from the one track minded girl.

She had quietly and tiredly sat at the bar, sipping the menagerie of drinks Rui had got her to try, whilst smoking through nearly a whole carton of cigarettes. He assumed it was exhaustion after presumably not sleeping the past couple of days but something felt off, much like when she blew up the cathedral…Rui decided to keep an eye on her until after he closed, not wanting to overwhelm her with an onslaught of questions and upset her further.

She was nearly crashed out as she laid her head in her arms, her eyes slowly closing as Rui smiled at his girl.

Professor Nicholas came in by himself, exhausted as he slumped his way over to the bar. He ordered his usual as he glanced over at the almost sleeping Cathrine, eyes widening as a cheery smile spread across his face.

“Cathrine!! Did you have a good birthday? Im sorry I missed it, you was stuck on that anomaly project right?”

Cathrine’s eyes narrowed as she sighed sitting up as she grumpily leaned on her hand. Avoiding Rui’s wide eyed gaze as he realised he missed her birthday…he didn’t even know it was her birthday?!?

“ The project was fun, I’m glad I got it finished.”

She murmured out avoiding the topic of birthdays and hoped that Nicholas got the hint, she lazily sipped her drink and smiled slightly to herself as she realised Rui had made her favourite.

Black cherry frozen daiquiri.

She hummed happily as she sipped at it, ignoring Rui’s rapid texting away to Ed and Lyca as he updated them on the news.

Professor Nicholas and Cathrine quietly chattered as the two tired scientists discussed the latest project that had preoccupied their days.

The bar was busy and Rui didn’t have a moment of peace to chat to Cathrine properly, only being able to do short checks on her throughout the night.

Professor Nicholas left an hour before they closed leaving Cathrine to catch up on a mini nap as Rui served the last few customers.

He swiftly and quietly closed up the bar, Lyca came to join him in cleaning the place so they could take Cathrine back to the dorms without having to wake her up. She must’ve been more tired than usual as she didn’t even flinch when Lyca scooped her up and took her back to obscuary.

When they placed her in bed, they both scrambled their way to Ed’s room as the exhausted vampire gestured for his two dorm mates to join him in bed.

“Our flower 🌹 🌺 🌷 deserves to be spoiled👹😈🥰���but she obviously🥸🙂‍↕️ does not 🙅🏻🚫enjoy her birthday celebrations.🎂 🎈”

Ed sighed dramatically as he relaxed into his pillow, Lyca was flopped at the end of the bed as Rui frantically cleaned around the room, needing to keep himself busy as anxious energy thrummed through him.

“I know, but if Catty doesn’t like it…I think maybe what if we do a subtle celebration, we could make her breakfast and make sure she has a really nice chill day tomorrow…she needs a break and if she’s already down we should just try to be there for her…”

Ed hummed in thought before agreeing happily with Rui’s decision.

“Cat’s been wanting play some game…resident something-“

Lyca tried to remember what she said, she had been excitedly going on a rant about what her favourite video game was, she was ranking all the different ones and then went off three different tangents before telling Lyca about all the games she’d been wanting to play, resident evil 7&8 being the one she’s been desperate to play before coming to Darkwick.

“Resident evil! I have all of them…we could play the ones Cathrine wants and make all her favourite snacks…her drinks, a really chill day, nothing too much…”

He threw Ed’s dirty laundry into the wash bin as he muttered to himself, Ed and Lyca sharing a look as they watched Rui formulate a plan, he was literally buzzing with energy as excitement and anxiety thrummed through him.

🌒🌒🌒🌒🌒

Cathrine woke up feeling drained as she always did the week of her birthday, she’s never had a good one, not even when she lived with her nonna, her luck always felt worse during her birth week, catastrophe after catastrophe, it could be the littlest thing like her umbrella breaking at the start of the week and then that’ll domino effect itself by the end of the week to the point she’s being locked in a cupboard and forgotten about for a couple of days…

It’s really bad luck.

She dragged herself out of bed, the boss sat in her own bed basket as she meowed at her owner. The boss was dressed in a pink ribbon and a pink striped jumper as she pawed at the wrapped gift that had been placed gently in front of her basket. Cathrine sighed as she picked it up, ungraciously tearing the wrapping off before sitting down next to the boss as she felt the fluffy items. She cooed at her cat as she flopped onto her back enjoying the belly rubs from Cathrine as she held out the bat printed pyjamas bottoms in her other hand. They were a black pair with lilac bats printed all over them, they went with a hoody that was also black and had a cute bat winged hood with it, it had tiny bats all over the back that formed into a moon. She smiled as she traced the print, she checked the little card that she had accidentally ripped off when she tore the wrapping off; it had Ed’s name written in his fancy writing with a kiss mark and a heart next to it.

She pressed a kiss to the boss’ head as she went to go get ready, grinning to herself as she went to go get changed into Ed’s gift.

After getting ready she tied her hair into low space buns and trudged out of her room, the boss obediently following behind her as she begrudgingly made her way to the shared kitchen.

She made her way down the stairs as the delicious smell of pancakes swam its way to her. She was drooling when she got into the kitchen as Rui grinned cheerfully at her looking adorable in his apron as he stirred up the whip cream for Cathrine’s pancake-extravaganza.

She blinked in surprise as she looked at the mini feast, a plethora of pancakes, syrups, fruit, chocolate literally any topping you can think of Rui has managed to get it on the table.

Lyca was waiting patiently as he looked up excitedly at Cathrine, practically bouncing in his chair as she came to sit next to him.

“What’s all this~?”

She giggled as Rui dramatically placed the whipped cream on the table bowing towards Cathrine before spinning away, taking off his apron as he slid into the chair next to her, looking adoringly at Cathrine as he leaned on one hand.

“Pretty kitty, can’t I spoil my girl for no reason~”

He grinned at her, blinding Cathrine as he was too gorgeous to look at. He laughed at her dramatics as she shielded her sight, whilst simultaneously hiding her deep blush, she would say it’s too early to be flustered but it was already midday-ish, she had slept in way too late.

“You’re too sweet, thank you Ru.”

She’s decided to ignore it being blatantly because of her birthday, as she started shovelling pancakes onto her plate, both her and Lyca excitedly piling up their plates as they loaded them up with an explosion of toppings.

“Anything for you Catty~~”

He sang out as he watched her demolish her plate.

“What are yaoh’ plans fo’ today?”

Lyca asked with a mouth full of food as he glanced at Cathrine, she raised her eyebrow in suspicion as both Rui and Lyca looked at her curiously, eyes brimmed with hope as they awaited her answer.

“Oh my~why do I feel like you two have something scheming, for your Info I wasn’t planning to do anything today…”

She gratefully grinned at Rui as he handed her a cup of coffee, she sighed happily as she sipped at her drink, hoping her exhaustion will get blasted away by the coffee.

“Well well well, what a coincidence kitty, a little wolfie told me you’ve been wanting to play resident evil~ wellll guess what I have?”

Her eyes lit up as her grin widened and an excited squeak escaped her.

“Really?!?!”

Rui gulped as his heart leaped at the sight as he cautiously nodded, a blush spreading across his face as Lyca smirked at the blonde’s flustered state.

“He has all of em’”

Cathrine’s eyes sparkled even more at that, she’d been wanting to play the last two game for ages but had been both too busy-too broke and then marooned off to Darkwick before she could even treat herself.

“I even have the DLC of the latest one, you’ll love it, we could start with 7 and then 8-it’s a different story and characters so Lyca won’t be completely lost!!”

She nodded enthusiastically as she downed the rest of her coffee.

“I heard the DLC is more scary than the 8th one, but the 8th one is more sad, I’m so excited-“

She quickly brought out her pack of cigs as she tapped one out of the box.

“Let me have a smoke and I’ll be ready to play!! Oh wait is there anything you need me to do before we start playing~ I can help tidy up and-“

Rui waved her off as he started clearing the empty plates, Lyca was still eating the last remains of his pancakes.

“Don’t be silly kitty, just don’t look into the living room yet~~”

She nodded compliantly as she rushed outside, bouncing in excitement as she leaned against the wall. The air was crisp as she pulled her hood up, protecting herself from the strong winds, Lyca quietly came out of the dorm standing next to Cathrine as he held something behind his back.

Ed had told him a week ago to prepare something nice for Cathrine, it’s seems that moth eaten Casanova knew it was her birthday the whole time…it seems the only one he didn’t warn to prepare something was Rui.

“I made you something.”

She snubbed out her cigarette not wanting to blow smoke near Lyca. Lyca thrusted a rolled up canvas into her free hand. It was secured with a black ribbon that had a cute little amethyst attached to it. She unravelled the ribbon as Lyca’s bright eyes watched her with contained anxiety, she gasped lightly as the artwork unfolded before her.

It was a beautiful inky night sky, with a crescent moon painted a stunning gold, he had drew both Cathrine and the boss both looking up at the night sky surrounded by red and pink roses, he had kept her and the boss in black and white, making them stand out. She couldn’t help herself as she lightly traced around the picture, her eyes pricking with tears from the sheer thoughtfulness of his gesture, she blinked them away as she carefully rolled them back up.

“Lyca…this is so beautiful, you really do have an insane talent…thank you.”

She wrapped her arms around him, pulling Lyca into a tight hug as he returned the gesture, his ears popping out from the overwhelming scenario.

🌒🌒🌒🌒🌒

Lyca covered Cathrine’s eyes as he lead her into the living room, it had all of her favourite snacks and Rui had set up a nest with a dozen bean bags, blankets and big fluffy pillows. Though, the back corner of the area had been overtaken by a passed out Ed, who was clutching the boss who was fiercely swishing her tail as she debated attacking the sleeping man.

Rui tiptoed into the room, setting up the ice bucket that kept all their drinks chilled as he gave Lyca the thumbs up to reveal the room the Cathrine. He switched on the fairy lights, star shaped ones that glowed a dim orange as he switched all the other lights off.

Lyca removed his hands as a small ‘oh’ escaped Cathrine’s mouth as she looked at the cozy area. Lyca guided her to sit in the middle as Rui sat in his seperate bean bag at the front. She was overwhelmed by the kindness that had led to them setting up the space for her, her mind racing as she tried to think of a time before Darkwick where someone did something this nice for her…she couldn’t think of any instance, causing Cathrine to swallow her tears as she became thankful for the dim lighting.

They all got comfortable, Cathrine sitting near the front closer to Rui as Lyca laid on his front, arms wrapped around a pillow. Ed shot up scaring all three of them as he flopped closer to Cathrine, the boss came to sit on Rui’s lap as they started the game.

Throughout, the rest of the day the three of them play the whole of RE7, Ed woke up later in the day only catching the end of it as they started RE8, Rui had ordered food from Sho’s truck getting Cathrine’s favourite and whatever the rest of them wanted. Rui wasn’t opening the bar that day, wanting to spend as much time as he could with Cathrine, feeling slightly guilty and annoyed that he didn’t prepare a gift for her.(despite the fact he literally had no idea it was her birthday.)

They were doing well, taking turns whenever one of them died as they tried to unravel the puzzles. Ed didn’t want to play but simply enjoyed quietly watching the gameplay as he lounged over Cathrine, letting her lay against him as he gave her terrible advice of where to go and what to do.

None of them slept until the early morning, enthralled by the game as they ended up watching Rui expertly finish the game, Lyca and Cathrine becoming too tired to play themselves, the two ended up crying pathetically as they watched Ethan’s end, even Rui felt himself tear up a little despite already playing the game.

Ed had crashed out once again arms wrapped around Cathrine as she lay on her front hugging a pillow, fighting sleep as her and Rui got into deep discussion about the past two games. Lyca crashed out immediately after they finished, leaving Rui and Cathrine to their own devices.

Rui lulled the conversation as he watched Cathrine’s slow closing eyes as she repeatedly yawned trying desperately to fight sleep as she enjoyed their conversation. He quietly laughed as she quickly fell asleep despite openly protesting she wasn’t tired at all, a smile on her face as she snuggled into the pillow.

“Happy birthday Catty…”

He whisper out smiling to himself as he watched her.

“Thanks Rui…”

She whispered out, peeking an eye open surprisingly the blond man as she swiftly went back to sleep.

Rui had probably given her the best gift she’s ever had…an actual lovely birthday.

———————————————————

Mortkranken 🧪

“For once in their pathetic lives, those worms at Vagastrom managed to capture an alive anomaly…”

Cathrine nodded in agreement with a strained smile as she looked at the subject in front of them, it was a grasshopper type anomaly, it was quite humanoid looking with wings of a grasshopper and eyes of one too.

They had three specimens to look over and not enough time to evaluate them, they had only four days to do the autopsy’s and analysis. They only get to keep one of the bodies and the rest were going to different squadrons.

The general hospital or more specifically professor nicholas had three specimens to research aswell, meaning neither could burrow support from the other.

They all worked in tandem as they diligently and tirelessly worked nonstop, only taking one hour naps in turns as they finished up the autopsy’s of all three anomalies as well as seperate experiments on the bodily functions and parts in just two days.

When Cathrine woke up from her allotted nap time, she could hear Jiro and Yuri whispering to eachother as they glanced at her, Jiro walked over and offered her ‘his special blend’, causing Cathrine to narrow her eyes suspiciously at him.

He only brought out this blend for special occasions…the only thing different about today was that it was her birthday, which she definitely and clearly didn’t want to celebrate. She gratefully took the cup nonetheless and cathrine started her investigation of the anomalies evolution, whilst Jiro and Yuri conducted their own separate research. They wanted to split it to make things easier for themselves, it also gave Cathrine the day to hide away and fully give her attention to the project and not the fact it’s her birthday.

They all worked quietly until it got to midnight, Cathrine was halfway finished and by the way things were looking she’d be done with her 1/3 or the work by the end of their due date.

“We’ll be taking a break.”

Jiro practically dragged her away from her desk, her favourite spinny chair being used against her as Jiro pushed her towards Yuri’s desk in the lab.

They had more of Jiro’s special blend and cake already prepared at the table.

“You haven’t eaten today worm, how will you be able to keep up with me-the great Dr.Yuri Isami if you’re passing out from a lack of nutrients.”

She sighed as she accepted the plate of cake, swiftly cleaning the plate as both Yuri and Jiro watched her happily.

They had their break for an hour, time away from putting their full focus on their project. Jiro excused himself for a moment and when Cathrine went back to her station she found out where he went, there was a dark green book wrapped up in a turquoise ribbon, it was a Victorian book about strange inventions and as Cathrine carefully flicked through she became enthralled by the mechanics-it had notes written in the margins from the original writer, it was full of different formulas and plans that she couldn’t wait to try out. She turned around to catch Yuri quickly snapping his head away from her the tips of his ears burning red as he caught a glimpse of her wide smile. Next to the book was a pocket knife, a pure silver one with flowers embedded in the hilt, it even had a little chain so she could attach it to her lab coat.

“You two…thank you~”

She spoke into the room, her voice earnest and shy as she smiled sweetly at the gifts, still focused on writing out her research as Yuri awkwardly coughed trying to cover his fluster at her thanks. Jiro huffed out a laugh as he came over to Cathrine tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“It’s useful and pretty, just like you.”

He patted her on the head as he went back to his station, blunt as always as he left Cathrine a blushing mess as she forced herself to focus on her paperwork.

“Happy birthday Worm.”

Yuri huffed out before he placed another sample into the microscope, they didn’t have long to share such kind words as the deadline swiftly approached them.

———————————————————

Vagastrom 🚘

The livestream starts with Leo posing to the camera, flirty winks and smirks thrown to his adoring fans as he waited for his counterpart to storm in.

The whirlwind that is Cathrine came running into the room in a deep panic as she ran to find Sho and Alan. Muffled shouts of Cathrine’s freak out could be heard in the background as Leo continued to aimlessly flirt with his fans, ignoring the chaos as Sho brings a fuming Cathrine into the kitchen.

“WHY DID YOU SAY THEY GOT-“

The camera shook as Cathrine leapt at the amused Leo, who just pulled her into a dance, as he cheekily grinned at her. Winking to Sho as he just sighed and rolled his eyes; calling for Alan as they went to get changed.

“Welcome my lovely fans!~to mine and CxttyChats~birthday collab; did you know it was our favourite pink haired girlies special day~well it was a couple of days ago.”

He chimed out as he dramatically dipped Cathrine who glared daggers down at Leo, the comments were spamming about their height differences, going wild at how cute they look as Cathrine grumpily pushed Leo away, pouting as he wrapped an arm around her. Cathrine had her shoulders scrunched up as she looked at him disgruntled, she was about to snap at him before she got distracted by Sho and Alan making their way towards them.

Sho was in sultry short maid costume, which weirdly suited him as he strutted his way towards them, smirking at the blushing Cathrine as a very distressed Alan in a more accurate and modest maids costume followed behind him, she heard his sleeve slightly tear as he moved slightly, embarrassing him further.

She blinked at them in confusion as they started prepping ingredients, Sho grabbing a hot pink chef hat and apron as he gently took ahold of Cathrine, much to Leo’s distaste.

“Happy birthday Cat.”

Sho’s eyes flickered at Cathrine as she tried to look respectfully anywhere else. Alan prepared Leo’s mustard chefs hat and apron, as he permanently blushed a deep red, as Cathrine flushed even deeper as she met his gaze.

“We are going to make a lemon cake, with the lovely assistance of our adorable maids, right catty ~”

Leo smirked at Cathrine as she relented to his whims, how could she say no to this? He even done it so they’re making her favourite cake…

“Right! My lovelies~ let’s get baking…”

Leo snorted as she immediately switched onto influencer mode as Sho started guiding them on how to make the cake.

The fans, Cathrine, Leo and even Alan all struggled to pay attention much to Sho’s enjoyment and horror, though Leo’s buttercream explosion from being too distracted by Sho was definitely not for anyones enjoyment and they all almost cried as they cleaned up the kitchen the stream ending as soon as they finished. Cathrine mourned her freshly washed hair, she had used a shampoo Rui had gifted her after their gaming session but now it was destroyed by badly made runny sugary cream, yet Leo kindly allowed Cathrine to burrow his bathroom and even some of his bath bombs as he handed her his favourite hair treatments.

When she left the bathroom, the three of them had prepared gifts for her, Sho had gotten her an vintage Italian recipe book, Alan had gotten her a new lighter that he had designed to have a big purple flame and the metallic casing was decorated with vines and swords; Leo announced he got her a 30% increase in followers after their stream and that was a gift itself.

She rolled her eyes as Leo and Sho locked arms with her, guiding her back to the kitchen to where the already decorated cake was presented in the middle of the table, they had fake cigarette candles in the cake and a light pink buttercream (prepared earlier by Sho) spread across it with purple fruit pastels dotted around the tops.

Leo threw his phone up as the three of them enthusiastically sang happy birthday, Cathrine felt as anyone does when someone sings that cursed song to them…incredibly awkward.

Much to Leo’s enjoyment.

In his words, it was a successful birthday celebration…he owes the Wolf guy for slipping up and telling him that it’s his rivals birthday…

———————————————————

Sinostra. 👹

“BB what have you got for me today?”

She grinned maniacally as she pulled up her briefcase. A menagerie of different powders and tiny capsules were carefully organised, sectioned by potency and how impactful the explosion would be.

“We’ve got your casual-your razzle dazzle-your showstopper-your fight ender and my favourite~ the block destroyer!”

She bowed as Romeo grinned at the huge missile, it was a neon pink with a small winking cat sticker on it, a signature for Cathrine’s stuff.

“I’ll take them all! Impressive work.”

She cackled as she slapped him on the back, silently thanking him for the praise, she was too tired to think after spending three days straight making everything Romeo desired, she had gone straight from vagastrom to her lab to sinostra and all she wanted was to crash out somewhere quiet.

“BB, follow me…OLT.”

She blinked as she tried to use her last remaining braincells to decipher what Romeo said as he started dragging her to his room. He was talking to her but the words weren’t quite going through as they passed concerned students.

“One last thing?”

What else did they need to go through, she supplied to goods…?

“In-“

He hissed at her, pushing Cathrine through the door and tugging her onto the bed.

“Open the red box; shower and get changed.”

He snapped at her as he started pulling out a mountains of creams and treatments. She was too tired to argue as she opened the box, eyes widening at the red lace crop top and the softest black jogging bottoms she’s ever felt in her life. She obediently showered using a large amount of Romeo’s fancy shower gels. She got changed, somehow surprised at how well the top fit despite the fact she’s seen both Ritsuo’s and Romeo’s weird files on her, it had a matching gold chained choker with a purple gem that strangely matched Romeo’s eyes…it also came with a matching ring and bracelet, he even included fluffy cat slippers that looked like the boss.

She came shuffling out of the bathroom, already feeling refreshed from the outfit change. She felt like an actual person and prettier than she had previously felt in the past couple of days after finally being able to shower for the first time in days.

Romeo had gotten changed into a matching outfit, a silky red button up with fluffy cuffs and a lace collar; black silky pyjama trousers and one black fluffy sock.

He patted the space next to him as he gave her a headband as he started preparing the face mask.

“We’ve both been WTH, if we carry on like this our faces will crack.”

Both frowned at the thought, Cathrine putting the headband on as Romeo started gently applying the face mask to her cheeks. Cathrine’s eyes fluttering closed as she hummed happily, enjoying the feeling of the cooling m mask, she could almost fall asleep like this-something Romeo must’ve noticed as he clicked his tongue in annoyance, pressing her back into a laying position before putting his own face mask on.

“What colour?”

He grabbed her hand, grimacing at the appalling state of her nails as he started working his way to fixing the mess.

“You chose zaffiro.”

He huffed out a slight laugh as he gently cleaned up her hand, grabbing a deep purple polish, watching Cathrine preen under his care.

“I saw clips from Kusa’s livestream…”

Cathrine frowned as she sighed at the realisation of why he actually was doting on her.

“Don’t get any funny ideas, I’m not doing this because of your birthday…I can’t allow any of my people going around looking like a complete mess.”

She snorted but couldn’t refute it.

“Whatever you say…but thank you.”

They both sighed as Romeo rubbed oil into her hand, giving her a mini massage.

“Plus I feel like we haven’t spoke enough about the those other two in the maid outfits.”

Cathrine’s eyes cracked open as she nodded in agreement, she couldn’t talk to Leo about it and neither Sho or Alan would give her an explanation…Romeo texted and ordered his minions to bring them multiple bottles of wine and snacks as he prepared himself and Cathrine for a full evening of self care.

By the time Taiga and Ritsuo came searching for the two, after a night of gambling (Taiga) and a night at the anomaly cafe (Ritsuo) they had heard from the others that Cathrine and Romeo had disappeared into Romeo’s bedroom and haven’t been heard from since they requested a crate of wine.

Taiga kicked down Romeo’s door as he searched for his favourite beauty, Ritsuo wanted to make sure Romeo didn’t do anything untoward to Cathrine.

Much to their surprise what they came to see was Romeo is a red bralette top and Cathrine in a red button up with fluffy cuffs, Cathrine was doing Romeo’s makeup as she sat on his lap, the two drunkenly giggling as Cathrine tried her best to not smudge his lipstick…something she’s done to every other part of his look, Romeo had already done her makeup, somehow doing it perfectly despite how wasted he was.

By the end of the night they had somehow roped Taiga and Ritsuo into getting their makeup done, the captains and the investigator all crashing out in Romeo’s overly large bed as Ritsu huffed out in annoyance escaping the bed as he quoted a menagerie of laws to the trio, who were either too tired or too drunk to even listen to what he was saying…

It was a successful birthday celebration indeed…

(Why they swapped tops I’ll let you decide)

———————————————————

Frostheim ❄️

“Cathrine you look…questionable.”

She had let Romeo dress her for her progress meeting with Thoma and Jin, almost missing it as she swore Romeo had the comfiest bed she’d ever slept on.

Romeo had chosen a cute short pink leather skirt with a black oversized jumper and white knee high boots.

She wasn’t wearing her usually lab coat, something that had jarred the other frostheim ghouls as Kaito and Luca gushed about seeing her in different clothing as they walked with her to the meeting only to be shunned outside by their king.

Jin had been silent the whole meeting, carefully watching Cathrine who just kept meeting his gaze mouthing ‘what’ at him, it didn’t really do much and the silence that followed only irritated her.

She decided to just ignore him as her and Thoma discussed the project, Cathrine couldn’t help singing Kaito’s praise as he’s been doing surprisingly well at being a lab assistant.

“Leave.”

Jin coldly ordered into the room, Thoma pausing before forcing himself not to roll his eyes at his kings dramatics. Thoma obediently left the two alone, they sat in awkward silence for a while before Jin got up gesturing for her to follow as he offered one of her cigarettes to her, Cathrine gratefully taking it.

“It was your birthday.”

Cathrine inhaled, nodding in resignation as she silently cursed Leo’s livestream.

“Twas my birthday~”

She flicked some ash away as Jin silently handed her a small box. Avoiding eye contact as Cathrine held the cigarette in her mouth as she used both hands to unwrap the carefully wrapped gift.

It was a small music box.

A tiny ballerina spun as the song they first danced too played out to her. She stubbed out her cigarette as she gently traced over the detailed carvings, Jin finally risking a glance at her as Cathrine’s rosy face brought a small smile to his face. She closed it softly turning to Jin as she went slightly on her tiptoes and pulled her closer to her, Jin’s eyes widening as he could feel her hot breath against him, she gently pressed a kiss to his cheek before hesitantly pulling away meeting his gaze as Jin cupped her cheeks.

“Thank you Jin.”

Cathrine whispered out, extremely nervous as Jim’s gaze flickered from her eyes to her lips, Jin was about to say something…about to move in to brush his lips sweetly against hers but like always Thoma came waltzing in, interrupting the two of them before Jin could finally make a move.

“I told you to leave.”

Jin seethed out as Cathrine was still slightly mesmerised, her face flushed as she tried to distract herself with the music box.

“Sorry my liege, but the first years have prepared something for Cathrine.”

Jin sighed as he gestured for Thoma to bring them in, the two excitedly busting through the door of Jin’s bedroom as the captain and Cathrine exited the balcony.

Cathrine paused as the six tier cake came into view, Kaito standing proudly next to it as the thing was nearly the same size as him…hell it might even be the same height as her as she quietly walked up to it.

“Kaito, how the fuck, this is huge-it looks insanely delicious!!!”

Kaito preened under her praise as he watched her circle around the cake, it was covered in pink frosting with a white trim and little black cats eclectically placed all around the cake. He may of gone overboard with the size but he didn’t want to let Leo of all people upstage him, he needed something that’ll beat hot men in maid costumes.

Thoma started preparing tea to go with the cake as the five of them sat down and devoured Kaito’s cake.

In the end, Cathrine ended up taking two tiers home with her, not being able to finish the huge beast of a cake as Luca and Kaito helped her bring it home, wishing her another happy birthday as they solemnly left her to crash out in her own bed, not really wanting to end the day but the bags under her eyes spoke to them, practically begging the two to send her to bed.

———————————————————

Hotarubi 🪷

“Thanks for having me, I’ve brought-“

Haku and Subaru placed the gift bags either side of her, she paused sharing out the leftover cakes as Zenji blew one of those foil whistles, excited as he shared a poem he had written about Cathrine.

“You guys…I told you-“

Haku patted her on the head as he sat beside her, Subaru nervously looking down as anxiety weighed on him. When she originally asked to come over, the trio was ecstatic as they planned what to get her, Zenji already telling them it was her birthday as he found out when she was on the anomaly project at mortkranken.

She had told them under no circumstances to get her a gift or to bring up her birthday, the past few days had overwhelmed her and although she appreciates everything everyone’s done for her she’s become insanely frazzled by it all.

She unforntunately texted them about the ban of birthdays right after Subaru had recieved the items he’d ordered for her…causing him to spiral and Haku had to pull him out of it, assuring him that Cathrine will love it.

“How could we deny our sweet princess, we won’t say it’s for your birthday but more for being in our lives~~•”

Maybe Zenji’s rubbing off on him as he placed his bag onto Cathrine’s lap. She sighed already relenting as Haku’s piercing yellow eyes silently pleaded into her own as he glanced over at a distressed Subaru.

She pulled the bag open, grinning maniacally as she pulled out a red leather jacket, it was like a pilots jacket, patches dotted around with a groovy inner section, a spirally dark blue and green. She���d been desperately wanting one of these jackets but always failing to find them when she’d previously go thrifting…how did Haku even find this one?!?

She swiftly put it on, Haku gently pulling her hair out as Subaru refilled the teacups. Zenji cooed at her as he gushed maniacally about how cute she looked, frazzling her further as the onslaught of compliments spiralled her brain further as Haku leaned over to her tucking her hair behind her ear as he whispered sweet nothings into her ear, only stopping when Cathrine ended up looking like a volcano erupting.

She carefully grabbed Subarus one, smiling encouragingly at the man as she pulled out the slim box, unravelling the ribbon around it as she gasped, a shaky hand trying and failing to gently grasp the intricate hair pin. A curvy silver one decorated in golden butterflies with rose quartz dotted around them, there were small chains and sunflowers all around it as Cathrine studied the intricates of the hair pin.

“You two are insane…you’re too nice but thank you-I”

She sniffed as that overwhelming feeling overcome her, why were they all being this nice to her…

“Sorry…”

She wiped away her tears as Haku clasped their hands together, squeezing it in encouragement as she looked up at him with watery eyes.

“Pretty princess, how bout we put that pin in and you can tell us what’s wrong…”

She shook her head but gave in when Subaru pulled on thicker gloves, despite his own shaky hands, he was being brave and even going out of his way to spoil her, as he shakily came behind her and started threading his fingers through her hair, inwardly thankful as the gloves she developed for him, he was trying to be as careful as possible to not accidentally touch her directly.

“There’s nothing wrong…it’s just-I don’t usually-people usually aren’t this nice to me during my birthday…”

She mumbled out, if she was being fair to herself she was usually only around her family on her birthday. Leaving her to fend for herself against their cruelty.

But this time she has everyone at Darkwick and although the majority are insane and slightly lethal to herself and others…they’ve been nicer to her than her own family.

Subaru paused feeling himself tear up as he gently braided her hair, Haku gently brushed a hand against his cheek as Zenji remained strangely quiet as he and his doll sat next to Cathrine.

“Zenji…what was that song you were practicing for Cathrine earlier.”

Zenji jumped at the chance to cheer up Cathrine and knock himself out of self reflection as he started strumming on his biwa, singing a song of the stars as they all quietly listened.

Cathrine cheering up as Subarus delicate fingers and zenji’s baritone voice soothed her soul.

Subaru had finished her hair as Haku took the opportunity to pull her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her as the four continued to quietly chatter, Cathrine staying the night as they wanted to keep her close and it was way too late for her to walk in the woods and Haku was being sly in his attempt to get her to stay with him.

She couldn’t help thinking as she fell asleep that It truly had been the strangest and loviest birthday week she’d ever have…and if it’s her last one then, at least it was a good one…

[forgivemeforgetmenot]

Unwritten

(Cloud x Aerith fanfic)

Chapter 4: Even Flowers Keep Secrets

Cloud shut his eyes again, but he was far from drowsy thanks to Barret's merciless snoring and his racing thoughts. He rolled his head to the side, scrutinizing Red XIII in the dark; he, too, was fast asleep. Everyone probably was—everyone except him.

He alternated between staring at the ceiling and the inside of his eyelids for twenty more minutes before sitting up. Cloud exhaled deeply. Thoughts of her consumed him; he could still envision the feeling of her kiss against his cheek.

She was so damn frustrating sometimes. Was everything a joke to her?

A muffled crash from downstairs tore him away from his 2 a.m. thoughts; swiftly jumping into action, Cloud seized the Buster Sword and crept stealthily down the stairs to investigate the noise.

He scanned the dimly lit area and found only Elmyra quietly grumbling to herself as she picked up shards of glass off the kitchen floor. Cloud relaxed and put away his weapon. There were no threats in sight, only an agitated Gainsborough.

Cloud quietly approached Aerith's mother; he kneeled, assisting her with the leftover mess. Startled, Elmyra jolted before chuckling, "I can see how you got your job! You're very covert, Mr. Strife."

He noticed blood on her left hand, "You're hurt."

"Perceptive too," she remarked, inspecting the wound as she rose. "I, on the other hand, am not as nimble. Clearly."

Cloud smirked briefly. Elmyra dabbed at the cut with a paper towel. "How bad is it?" he asked.

"Oh, it's nothing," she laughed, "Just a teeny cut. I'm sorry for waking you. You go on up and get back to bed."

Cloud's gaze wavered on Elmyra's hand, "You didn't. Couldn't sleep."

Elmyra tossed the used napkin in a bin, "Something on your mind?"

"No," Cloud answered quickly, "Just…not tired."

"Hm," the older woman seemed doubtful. She passed him and sat down at the table. "Well, if there is, I just happen to be a great listener who's also not tired."

Cloud folded his arms as Elmyra's words echoed in his mind. You guys made a trade—a normal life for power. It was the price of being an ex-SOLDIER.

As if mind-reading ran in the family, Elmyra's expression softened, "I was wrong to ask you to leave that day Aerith brought you home. That wasn't my call to make."

Cloud met her gaze, surprised by the sudden apology. He shook his head, "No reason to be sorry. I get it. I'm dangerous."

"You saved my little girl's life. You brought her back home to me," Elmyra smiled, but her eyes appeared sorrowful, "I'm not sure how much she's told you about her first love—he was a SOLDIER."

She hadn't divulged much; Aerith spoke briefly of an MIA SOLDIER she cared for the night she escorted Cloud back to Sector 7. Her mother frowned, "He broke her heart; whether he went AWOL, died, or abandoned her, it shattered her. I just…didn't want to see her get hurt again. I hope you can understand."

He did. Even when he wanted to defy the concerned mother's demands, he ultimately respected her wishes because Cloud knew her worries were valid. He nodded.

***

The following day, after breakfast, Cloud accompanied Tifa to the clearing to train. Barret planned to spend the day with Marlene, while Aerith and Red would assist Elmyra in the garden.

The pent-up merc was eager to blow off some steam; the sparring partners took their positions, first focusing their efforts on close-combat drills. They exchanged very few words during their practice session.

An hour passed; Tifa suggested a break as she sank to the ground. Cloud nodded, tossing her a water bottle. He felt compelled to encourage her to open up—things between them had been off for days, and he wasn't sure why.

He sat next to her, trying to formulate the proper words before attempting to speak. Tifa beat him to it and talked first, "Cloud?"

"Yeah?"

"I know you said you're not really looking for a relationship," her lips curved into a small smile, "but don't you ever think about what it would be like? To fall in love?"

Cloud pondered her question. Falling in love at this point in his life would be a hindrance. His present endeavors didn't exactly pair well with date nights and childrearing. "Not really," he answered flatly.

Tifa laughed, "Such a romantic."

"Do you?" he asked.

"Well…yeah," she confessed, blushing, "I…"

They locked eyes as Tifa hesitated, "Do you remember when we were kids, and you promised me at the water tower—"

"That I'd save you if you were ever in trouble," he finished for her. "You wanted a hero to come and rescue you."

Tifa beamed, her eyes gleaming, "You remembered." Cloud nodded.

She continued, "It's silly, but…I held onto that promise for so long. I know we were just kids back then, and you were probably pacifying me—"

"I meant it," he interjected.

As they gazed at one another, a resonant silence filled the air. Cloud didn't realize what was happening until Tifa's lips grazed his. He jerked his head back, staggered by her unexpected kiss. What the hell was that?

"Oh God," Tifa groaned, "I'm…I'm so sorry," she apologized, burying her face in her hands. "I can't believe I just did that."

"Tifa," Cloud sighed. He was at a loss for words. How had he not realized she felt this way?

"Cloud, I'm so sorry," she reiterated, "I thought…I don't know what I thought."

"Tifa, I'm not a hero," he said.

"W-what?" she asked, raising her head from her palms with bleary eyes.

"You're confused. You think I'm something I'm not. I'm not that hero you fantasized about when we were younger," he explained.

Tifa shook her head, protesting, "You're wrong. You've saved me countless times. You've kept that promise—you're exactly who I know you are. You're my hero."

"I'm your friend," he corrected, "And I can't be anything else."

Tifa winced, then swabbed at her eyes. She left him alone in the clearing without another word. The realization that he'd hurt her crushed him; he didn't want to make her cry, he didn't want their friendship to change. He hated disappointing her, but what else was he supposed to do? Feed into her fantasy? Kiss her back even though his heart and mind drifted elsewhere?

His priority was defeating Sephiroth. He was a mercenary—not a hero, boyfriend, or lover. Cloud could list a thousand reasons it could never work between them, but justifying it wouldn't take away Tifa's pain. It wouldn't ease the sting of rejection or the fact that he didn't feel the same.

***

Cloud left the clearing and wandered through the Slums. How could he face Tifa again after that? Can a friendship be salvaged after what happened? He wasn't sure.

Wholly absorbed in his thoughts, Cloud hardly assessed his surroundings. He collided with a passerby, scattering various flowers around his shoes. He looked up, locking eyes with Aerith. "Well, excuse you," she said, stooping to gather them.

"Sorry," he mumbled, aiding her.

"What's wrong?" she asked, pausing to study his face.

"Nothing."

"You look sad," she pointed out. He was, but she didn't need to know that.

"I'm fine," Cloud said, placing the last flowers back in her basket.

"Where are you headed?" she pried.

Cloud glanced around, overlooking the streets. People strolled by, shopping, laughing, and talking. "Just going for a walk."

"Mind if I join you?" Aerith asked cheerfully, "I'm dropping these tulips off to a customer."

Cloud avoided her eyes, "I don't really want company right now."

"Oh." Aerith faltered momentarily, then smiled, "Well, I do." She grabbed his hand and guided him through the slums. Why was it always so hard to deny her?

Cloud recognized their path; Aerith freed his hand as they ascended the steps to the church. She approached an older gentleman sitting alone in one of the pews. Cloud hung back, observing their exchange; the man took Aerith's hand, thanking her profusely. They chatted for some time before she returned to Cloud, smiling.

"Alrighty, all finished! Now we can go on that walk. Oh," she hesitated, "One more sec." Aerith whirled around, skipping down the aisle and over to the flowerbed blossoming in the center of the church. The patron smiled at Cloud as he passed by with the basket of tulips, leaving Aerith and him alone.

Cloud leisurely approached her; he overheard her whispering to the lilies but couldn't decipher the words. "What are they saying?" he decided to ask.

Her voice sounded melancholy, "They're sad today, too."

Cloud inspected the flourishing flowers, "They look pretty fine to me."

He kneeled beside her, studying their petals more intently. "Why are you sad?" he asked the flowers. Cloud felt Aerith's eyes on him. He waited as though one of the lilies might explain, but the church remained hushed.

"Did they say anything?" Cloud wondered, facing her.

Aerith smiled sweetly, shaking her head, "Even flowers keep secrets."

"What about flower merchants?" he fished.

"Hmm," she pursed her lips playfully, pretending to think. "Sure. Just like mercenaries, I suppose."

Cloud smirked, but his smile soon disappeared as thoughts of Tifa bombarded his mind. Did Aerith know how she felt about Cloud? Maybe she could give him advice on how to fix things. "If a friend...liked you, but you didn't feel the same way, what would you do?" he questioned as he gazed at the lilies, instantly regretting the decision.

"Oh," Aerith spoke frailly, "Well, I'd be honest and upfront; I wouldn't want to mislead anyone. Why...do you ask?"

"No reason," he replied, withdrawing.

"It's important to be gentle, too," Aerith added softly.

Cloud withered, worried he hadn't accomplished any of that in his conversation with Tifa. Aerith raised her hand to his face but stopped partway. She retracted it, clutching her wrist against her chest. Cloud's mouth parted as Aerith's eyes lowered. You can't just go around touching and kissing people like that—his remark reverberating as he observed her.

"Aerith," he murmured remorsefully. It seemed as though everywhere he went, Cloud was hurting someone's feelings.

"Are you hungry? I'm hungry," she deflected, her mouth bending into a smile, "Want to get some lunch?"

"I'm not hungry," he replied, frustrated with his inability to communicate.

"Oh, okay," she said, standing, "I guess I'll see you later, then."

Cloud stood up, "I...didn't say I wouldn't come."

His eyes darted away, "Unless you—"

A giggle escaped her, "I thought you didn't want company?"

Cloud frowned, blushing, "Do you always have to make things harder than they need to be?"

"I could ask you the same thing," she teased, gliding away from him. 

"Hey," he called after her, causing her to turn back around, "What did you say to the flowers earlier?"

Aerith laughed, then put a finger to her lips, "Shhh."

[anika-ann]

Cookies and Spark(le)s - sneak peek

aka small prequel to Love on the Brain is in making 😇

Pairing: Steve Rogers x reader (Agent Jones) WC: 450 Warnings: fluff, gun violence mention

He was just slipping into the sleeves on his hoodie, catching a glimpse of Rollins patting Agent Finnegan on his back as they were leaving, when he heard your voice, instantly attracting his attention despite the slightly awkward note to it.  

“Captain Rogers? Can I have a second?”

A brief smile passing over your lips made the corners of his own rise higher on instinct. Your hair was messy, some sticking to your forehead, some flying around as you had had to just pull a hoodie over your head, your stance speaking of both determination and hesitance.

“Sure,” he said, gaze involuntary flickering to the Tupperware box in your hands. “How can I help you, Agent Jones?”

A flicker of surprise caught on your face as if you hadn’t thought he’d remembered your name – a pleasant surprise, Steve hoped. He hardly ever forgot names and faces, a blessing and a curse of his eidetic memory; but he had a feeling that even without his gift, he wouldn’t forgot yours. You stood out – subtly, but firmly, at least to Steve; and it had little to do with the fact he had covered you and probably saved your life on your first mission together just a few days ago.

“I, uhm… I know you probably get this all the time, because… well, because you save someone’s life all the time, but. I wanted to thank you,” you explained, a mixture of emotions difficult to decipher sinking into your voice, embarrassment at the forefront as if you already questioned your decisions.

And you should – there was no reason to thank him further. You expressed your gratitude before, thanking him with shock right at the site of the shooting and then again on the plane when he made rounds, checking on all the agents. You owed him nothing.

But he had to admit you were being rather… cute, looking up at him like that, sure and unsure at the same time, clearly hesitant about how to handle the situation and desperately trying to get a read on his reaction.

So, Steve took a deep breath, gaze flickering all over your face and minding to sound sincere – as he was – when he spoke again.

“You already have,” he pointed out gently.

“I know. But. It’s my life and just saying thank you doesn’t really seem like enough for something of that magnitude so. Here. A bit more of a thank you,” you said, standing your ground as you held out the box. Your smile grew, a little playful note in your voice as you shrugged. “You strike me like more of an apple pie kind of a man, but I don’t think anyone ever gets offended with cookies.”

Busted. You clearly weren’t a former FBI profiler for nothing. His hands twitched as he almost reached for the box, slightly embarrassed himself now.

“That’s really not necessary, Agent Jones.”

...

🍪🍪🍪

I hope I sweetened your day 💕

Sorry I've been AWOL... it won't get much better 🥺 But I'm trying.

[pedrito-friskito]

friskito gets a makeover!

thank u @allfoolsinluv for finding me the piccrew 🤍

also sorry not sorry for being awol this week, life punched me in the gut and I am getting my shit back together slowly but surely

new strawberry wine may or may not be up tomorrow before the new ep, but I make no promises!!!

hope ur all having a wonderful weekend 🤍

[bellysoupset]

SOUP!! HI ITS ME 🦦 AGAIN!!

sorry i’ve been AWOL, life’s been a bit chaotic and i haven’t had time to sit down and fangoirl the way i normally do!! i’ve still been keeping up w every single one of the things you post tho, even if i haven’t been commenting!!! your writing is still my all time fav OFC and RAH i appreciate you and your stories sm <3

i don’t remember what’s the last thing i commented on but AHHHH ive loved so many of the most recent ones!! vince’s flu on wen’s bday!! the bromance, the way luke took care of him!!!! jon and leo’s engagement!!!!! so fucking cute and exciting sob!!! jon taking care of angie filled my heart w joy 😭 the jon and leo food poisoning one was also TOP TIER and omfg the fic abt vin overeating did THINGS to me 🤭🤭

totally off topic but i’m so sorry to hear abt your health scare!! sending the best vibes and hoping everything works out for the best! manifesting health!!!!

also, very random but i wanna know if i’m crazy and just reading into things? is it just me or have you been hinting at wen’s ED kinda being back? like ofc not full force but i feel like there’s been little things here and there that kinda point to that and if this is the case,, gosh you know i’m one of the biggest angst enjoyers so i would love for you to explore it a bit more if that’s something you’re comfortable with!! (and i also think it’s good timing bc it would make sense for it to get bad again at this point in her life with everything that’s been going on)

anyways i’m excited to see what’s next for everyone!! i’m probs gonna send one or two different asks w some requests hehehe 🤭

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO!!

KEEP SLAYING!!!

🦦

🦦!! Hi babe!! So glad to hear from you, I was missing you! How's life been treating you?

Tysm for the well wishes, I'm keeping all my fingers crossed!

About Wendyyyy.... Not really, no! Full disclosure, there was a plan to have Wendy relapse, but that was when I thought Vince and her would stay broken up! Instead, they got back together and are going more strong than ever, so that also fell out of the window!

I think what you might be reading on Wendy is that I've brought up her ED a couple times, mostly because I'm writing her getting more and more close with the gang (in particular Bella), so I imagine she'd open up more too.

I got a request a billion months ago that asked for Wendy to be sick and Vince to overthink and assume its her relapsing and I'm very in love with that ask still. I think it fits their current storyline, since he's away and Wendy IS very happy atm so I don't see her genuinely relapsing, and I'm gonna write it, I just gotta write a couple other things first 🙈

There was also a request for Wendy to have a migraine (long time since she had one!) and Max be the caretaker, with Vince being very protective of her once he gets there! SO no ED relapse, but there are some Wendy stories in the makings 💛

[luv4fandoms]

Invisible String

Chapter 3- Easier said than done

Masterlist

Prev/Next

Shaking her head, Lizzie packed up the rest of the "crap ton" of cookies she made and grabbed her bag, luckily it was big enough to fit the Tupperware container in.

Making her way towards her first period she wondered just what this Spider guy was really gonna be like. Ari had filled her in more the night before, letting her know that his name was actually Miles but he preferred to be called Spider...where that nickname came from she wasn't sure, figuring it was something the Sully kids had dubbed him when they were little. The reason he preferred it was cause his dad's name was also named Miles, so...yeah. Speaking of his dad, she had told Lizzie that he was ex military as Neteyam had stated, having gone awol for awhile, so long that everyone thought he was dead. His wife had died not long after Spider was born and so with no father around, the Sully's took him in and raised him with their own kids. Then his dad popped into the picture a year ago and wanted to be part of Spider's life again...and Spider was nice enough that he gave him a shot at being a father. Lizzie honestly didn't know what she would have done in that situation, her own relationship with her father being strained due to him up and leaving when she was a kid, she hoped she would be as forgiving as Spider but she honestly wasn't sure.

"don't look too deep in thought, you'll get wrinkles" she heard a light laugh beside her, causing her eyes to shoot up and be met with Tsireya's dark ones.

"girl don't scare me like that" she laughed, while returning the hug that Tsireya happily gave.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to I swear. May I ask what you were thinking so hard about?" She asked with a head tilt as they fell into step.

"it's nothing really, I was just thinking over some of the stuff Ari told me about Spider...and his dad...it makes me think of my own family life I suppose" she shrugged.

"you never talk much about your family life, is it a lot like Spider's?"

"I suppose just the absent father part"

"Perhaps when the time comes, that is something you two may bond over"

"Ah yes shared trauma does bring people together" Lizzie laughed, causing Tsireya to giggle as well as they stopped outside of Lizzie's first class.

"Oh! You did bring the cookies for lunch right? My brother hasn't shut up about them since you posted that this morning" she smiled... Ao'nung hadn't stopped talking about them? Lizzie tried to push down the blush and slow her heart as the butterflies took off again.

"Y-Yeah I brought them" she nodded, hating how she stuttered, especially with the look Tsireya was giving her for it.

"ok, good, cause I would have to kill him if he didn't shut up I swear" she laughed again, before the warning bell rang.

"oh I better get going! See you at lunch!" She called out, already running to her class. Lizzie took a moment to take a deep breath, he mind racing and yelling at her to stop getting her hopes up, but she couldn't help replaying Tsireya's words, and Ao'nung's comment this morning about someone wifing her up. She quickly made her way into her class and looked around..huh...Spider wasn't here yet? Taking her seat she grabbed her book and notebook before watching the door, she hoped he wouldn't be too late, Mr.Mclanie hated when people were late.

Quickly tucking her phone back into her bag, Lizzie turned her attention to Mr.Mclanie who had turned to begin his lesson, when suddenly the door burst open, causing all eyes to fall on the slightly panting boy who walked into the room, the final bell ringing just as the door closed behind him.

"I take it you are Mr.Socorro" Mr.Mclanie scowled.

"Yes sir, sorry about that, don't know my way around yet" he apologized, before looking around the classroom, quickly spotting Lizzie and giving her a smile.

"Well I trust that you now know your way to the class, so do not be late again!" He dismissed Spider, and Lizzie watched as he cringed at the man's loud tone, before turning and making his way to her.

"Hi" he smiled, sitting next to her.

"Hi, don't worry about Mr.Mclanie, he's always like that"

"Great guy"

"Yeah I'm pretty sure if he had a colonoscopy they would find a stick that's been lodged up there for years" She told him, watching with a smile as he quickly tried to hide his laugh. After that they fell into a comfortable silence, something Lizzie was thankful for. She was honestly nervous about meeting him, she didn't do well with meeting new people, her anxiety was always on high around strangers and she didn't want to come across as the panicked weirdo to someone who had known the group far longer than she had. But Spider had a very chill aura to him, and it helped calm her nerves instantly. As the lesson dragged on the two shared a few more hushed jokes and quips, quickly hiding their smiles from Mr.Mclanie who kept eyeing them until the end of the class.

"so what is your next class?" Spider asked while holding the door for her.

"sadly, Math" she groaned, hating even speaking of the subject.

"ugh, I don't know which is worse, having the class early or later. Like early you get it done and over with, but it's also still too early to comprehend that crap"

"Exactly! Like my brain has not had enough coffee for this" she laughed.

"Now you sound like Kiri"

"coffee is something we in fact bonded over...so what is your next class?"

"History, at least Neteyam is in that class with me"

"there you go, Rotxo is in my math class"

"be sure to bug him for me" he laughed as the pair walked.

"Don't tempt me, he is fun to bug" she laughed back as they stopped in front of another hallway.

"well, this is where we part ways"

"until lunch" she nodded.

"yes! The cookies I almost forgot" he smiled.

"yup" she laughed while patting her bag, causing his eyes to look down at it, before looking up at her with a look that was both questioning and pleading.

"the others are going to kill you if they find out" she laughed, but reached into the bag and container and grabbed a cookie, handing it to him.

"they will never know, promise" he smiled happily biting the cookie, and stopping for a moment, looking at the cookie, then at her.

"are they bad or something?" She asked, suddenly worried, the tester one had tasted fine. She watched him smile just as the warning bell rang and he began to back down the hall.

"No, you definitely need to listen to Ao'nung though, the whole, watch it or someone is gonna wife you up" he laughed, quickly eating the rest of the cookie with a smile. Lizzie could only shake her head with a laugh as the boy quickly disappeared into the classroom, and she turned to make her way to her own.

Sitting down next to Rotxo, Lizzie could only shake her head at Ari's text.

"uh oh, that looks says that was Ari" Rotxo whispered, gesturing towards the phone.

"it was" Lizzie laughed.

"what about?"

"just wanting to know what I thought about Spider" she replied,deciding to leave out the other question so that Rotxo didn't get the wrong idea.

"so what is the verdict girlie?"

"he's really nice, and chill, I think he and I are gonna get along really well" she smiled at him.

"good, definitely don't want any rough waves in the group"

"No definitely not. So how was your weekend?" She asked, acting as if she knew nothing.

"Oh! Y-Yeah it was great, got to hang out at the beach with Lo'ak, Neteyam, Ari, and Kiri" he smiled at the memory.

"Ari wasn't too much of a handful was she?" She laughed.

"Na, course not, Lo'ak and Neteyam kept her occupied of course"

"more like she kept them occupied" they both chuckled before they turned their attention back to the teacher.

The rest of the classes went by fairly slowly, but at least she had a friend in every class. Ari pretty much interrogated her as soon as she stepped into their shared science class. Wanting to know why she hadn't answered her, and when Lizzie replied that the teacher had, in fact, walked in, Ari proceeded to ask her until Lizzie finally conceded and admitted that yes, Spider was a cutie.

"Now can we drop it?" Lizzie pleaded.

"Ok ok...Just wanting to know if there could possibly be a budding romance-"

"Ari"

"Listen, I know you like Ao'nung but-"

"Hello class!" Mr.Spellman entered the room, effectively cutting off their conversation. Mr.Spellman kept them busy throughout the whole class, between mixing chemicals that almost blew up a kid who definitely was not paying attention, to explaining WHY you had to do it perfectly, the conversation had all but died between the two girls. And as soon as the bell rang Ari was out, but Mr.Spellman kept Lizzie back.

"Ms.Mills I was wondering if we could talk for a moment"

"of course Mr.Spellman, what's up?"

"I know you and Mrs.Williams work very well as a two person team. But as you know every table here has at least three people on it"

"Yes sir"

"I'm going to be adding someone else to this class, I know this is an advanced class and it's the middle of the year but we have a spot open and he would do well here. I just wanted to let you know before I spung him on your table" he finished with a laugh.

"well thank you for the heads up" she laughed.

"may I ask who it is?" She added.

"Of course, Miles Soccoro, I've actually known him since he was a child. I worked with his mother and father for awhile, and also the family that pretty much adopted him in"

"The Sully's"

"You know them?"

"I'm friends with Lo'ak, Neteyam, and Kiri, I actually just met Spi-Er-Miles today" she smiled.

"Oh! Great! So no problems then?"

"None at all, can't wait to have him in the class"

"Good good, well hurry off to lunch, I'm sure Mrs.Williams is waiting on you" he laughed, causing the girl to laugh as well, it was more like Lo'ak waiting on the cookies.

"have a nice day Mr.Spellman!"

"You too Ms.Mills"

Sure enough, a little ways down the hall was Ari, leaned against the wall typing away on her phone.

"ok I'm here. He just wanted to let me know that Spider will be joining the class as our third at the table" she smiled.

"REALLY?" Ari grinned, quickly putter he phone away.

"yup, he'll be joining us tomorrow. Guess for now they had him in a different class until they could move him" Lizzie shrugged.

"I can't wait! But let's head to lunch, Lo'ak is getting antsy"

"I fuckin knew it" Lizzie laughed. As soon as the two entered the lunchroom it wasn't hard to spot their group, and as soon as Ari laid eyes on Spider.

"MY SPIDER!!!" She all but screamed before running at the boy and practically launching herself, wrapping her arms around his neck and legs around his waist. Luckily he was able to catch her, but that didn't stop him from stumbling a bit due to the force.

"It's good to see you too Ari" he laughed, placing her down and then giving her a tight hug back.

"Don't ever move away again! You're not allowed to!" She pouted.

"Yes ma'am" he smiled at her, before looking up as Lizzie approached.

"Hey" he nodded.

"Hello again, found the rest of your classes easier I hope?" she asked.

"I wouldn't say easier but, luckily I wasn't late to them" he laughed.

"That's always a good thing" she laughed back as they sat down, Lizzie sitting on the end with Spider and Kiri beside her, while Ari sat in between Lo'ak and Neteyam, who had seemingly brought her some McDonald's chicken nuggets and a Carmel ribbon crunch frappe.

"Ok mama" Lo'ak spoke, rubbing his hands together.

"You are insatiable when it comes to these" Lizzie laughed while pulling the container out of her bag and placing it in the middle of the table.

"That is for everyone" she stated as Lo'ak opened it, already grabbing four cookies.

"yeah yeah" he nodded.

"thank you" Neteyam smiled while grabbing a few.

"You spoil them" Kiri laughed while taking one.

"If this is how she spoils the group I'm really glad I came back" Spider laughed while grabbing a couple.

"You have another man to cook for now" Ari laughed.

"So many men and yet single. I call bs on that whole " a way to a man's heart is through his stomach" talk" she sighed.

"and here I thought it was through his third and fourth rib" Kiri shrugged, making Spider and Neteyam choke on their cookies.

"This is why I love you Kiri" Lizzie laughed.

"so where is Rotxo, Tsireya, and Fishlips?" Lo'ak asked, looking around.

"Rotxo said his and Tesirya's swim coach called them in for something" Kiri shrugged.

"Probably going over last minute things since the competition is coming up" Ari nodded, grabbing a cookie.

"probably, man the pressure they are under" Lizzie sighed

"it's tough, I couldn't do it that's for sure" Spider shook his head before digging into his lunch.

"I definitely give all y'all props that are on a team. I just could never" Lizzie said, looking over at Neteyam and Lo'ak since they were two of the school's best on the basketball team.

"You get used to it" Neteyam shrugged.

"No you get used to it when you have this complex that makes you wanna be the best" Lo'ak added, side-eyeing his brother.

"Do you want to be the best Neteyam? The best best?" Lizzie asked.

"Like no one ever was" Spider added, causing Lizzie to look over at him with wide eyes.

"what?"

"Oh my God shut up I didn't think anyone would get that reference" she laughed.

"how could I not?" He asked, laughing as well.

"Oh my fu-Now there are two nerds at this table" Lo'ak sighed, but you could see the smirk playing on his lips.

"hush, I think it's cute" Ari smiled.

"What's cute?" Another voice spoke up, as an arm reached between Spider and Lizzie to grab a few cookies.

"Spider and Lizzie are referencing Pokemon" Kiri stated.

"God I haven't watched that show in years" Ao'nung shook his head with a laugh.

"Will always be a classic though" Lizzie shrugged, looking up at Ao'nung, who hadn't sat down yet.

"definitely" he smiled.

"Are you gonna sit down or are you gonna stand there and look stupid?" Lo'ak asked, watching as Ao'nung flipped him off.

"as much as I would love to, I'd rather not waste Lizzie's cookies by upchucking cause of your face...beside I can't" he said while looking out towards the door.

"whatever dickhead" Lo'ak scoffed, reaching for another cookie.

"and why not?" Ari asked, looking at Ao'nung with a brow raised, a look that said she knew something, and the way the Ao'nung looked at her then away said she did.

"I just can't, but.." he started, reaching for another cookie, despite Lo'ak's protests.

"Thank you for these, delicious as always" he smiled at Lizzie, giving her a wink before heading off. Lizzie could feel her face warm at the action, sure Ao'nung was always the flirty type but there was something about that look, almost as if something was changing, changing between them perhaps...was he finally perhaps seeing her as a possibility, as something other than a friend?

"who's that?" Neteyam asked.

"I don't know" Kiri answered, and Lizzie found herself looking up at all of her friends, their eyes cast in the same direction, as she followed their gaze she felt her stomach drop, because there, clinging to Ao'nung's arm, was a beautiful girl, smiling sweetly at him. And Lizzie watched as he nodded before they both walked out of the lunch room. She wasn't sure how long she stated at the door, but when she turned back, all of her friends looked at her.

"fucking idiot" Lo'ak spoke, arms crossed as he leaned back in his chair.

"Lizzie" Neteyam started but the girl was already standing.

"I'm um...gonna get some air" she nodded, quickly making her way out of the lunch room and to the only place she knew she could hide... Mrs. Alkebulan's art class. The relationship she had with the teacher was parental in a way. Mrs.Alkebulan was like that with all her students, taking on the living mother role, even more so to any souls she thought needed help or comfort. From her dress that displayed not only her bubbly personality, but also her culture. To the way her words would ring out in her East African accent, wise words that always seemed to make you feel as if you were speaking with the universe itself. Right now, Lizzie needed that comfort.

"what is it dear?" Mrs.Alkebulan asked, as the girl stepped in, she knew it was lunchtime and she should be with her friends.

"I'm sorry to barge in...I just needed someplace away" Lizzie apologized, but the woman simply held up her ringed hand, bangles jingling as she moved.

"nonsense, I have told you many times, my class is your safe space, so come, tell me what is troubling you" she gestures towards the chair she pulled next to her. Lizzie nodded and sat down, confessing how she felt stupid for even thinking a boy she liked could like her back, how she should have known that he would always see her as a friend, but it didn't make it hurt any less, and how she wondered if she ever would find anyone.

"The heart is a complex thing my child, and I fear you are only tasting a pinch of it. You are not stupid for letting your heart feel, but we must not let our hearts run off unless we know they will be safe. The soul and heart are very similar in that way, our soul is us, our hearts are ours to give, but we must give it wisely. You can love with all you have my child, and I encourage you to do so, as often as you can. And when the time comes, which it will, they will be someone, who will protect your heart, who will treat it like the most precious jewel in the world, and in turn you must do the same for them. Then, you will find your true mate" she smiled.

"A true mate" Lizzie mused, she liked the thought of that, that somewhere out there was someone who was perfectly made for her...or at least would protect what was most precious to her"

"they are a once in a lifetime find indeed" the woman smiled before handing the girl some food.

"oh I don't want to take away your lunch" Lizzie protested.

"it's extra, I had a feeling today I would have company, so I wanted to be prepared" she replied with a kind smile, pushing the container towards her...Mrs.Alkebulan always did make the best food.

"So where is she?" Spider asked as he watched Ari sat down her phone.

"Art class"

"I had a feeling she would go there" Kiri nodded as Rotxo came to sit beside her, Tsireya taking Lizzie's spot beside Spider.

"Why art class?" Spider asked.

"Mrs.Alkebulan is kinda like a mother to all of us" Neteyam replied.

"I tried to tell her in Science but Mr.Spellman interrupted" Ari sighed.

"tell her what?" Rotxo asked, stealing some fruit from Kiri's lunch.

"On no" Tsireya gasped.

"Ao'nung was here wasn't he?"

"yeah and his little toy" Lo'ak scoffed.

"oh...Oh" Rotxo replied, everything suddenly clicking.

"So how long has she had a thing for him?" Spider asked.

"we're not really sure" Ari shrugged.

"Lizzie doesn't really talk about her feelings a lot" Neteyam added.

"She is frustrating in that way" Kiri added.

"As if you're one to talk" Lo'ak rolled his eyes, earning a grape being thrown at him.

"unrequited crushes suck though, especially if they've been going on for awhile" Spider nodded, reaching for another cookie, catching Neteyam and Lo'ak's eye, before he quickly looked away, he knew they knew he was speaking from experience.

"I just hope she'll be ok" Tsireya sighed

"Lizzie is a strong one, but the heart takes time to heal" Rotxo replied.

--

Lizzie was already scribbling away as she sat at her desk when she heard the other students begin to file in. Her mind replayed Mrs.Alkebulan's words as she sketched out ideas for a piece. But she soon felt arms around her neck and knew right away that it was Ari.

"I'm fine" she laughed, patting the girl's arms and feeling her let go before taking her seat beside her. She heard the chair on her other side move and turned to see Spider, Kiri sitting next to him and completing their little circle of desks.

"Hello" she smiled at them.

"I'm fine...really" she told Kiri when she caught the look she was giving her.

"what's that?" Spider asked, trying to change the subject for Lizzie's sake.

"Just some doodles hoping to maybe find one I like and turn it into a painting" she told him.

"can't wait to see it" he smiled at her, causing her to smile back.

"Ok class" Mrs.Alkebulan started

"Today's project is going to require you to look deep within" she started, looking around the room.

"You have heard the expression "Go to your happy place" yes?" She asked, looking around as everyone nodded.

"I want you to show me what that place looks like, and why it is your happy place" she smiled.

"You can use any sort of medium for this project, and don't worry if you don't finish it today, we can work on it tomorrow as well" and with that she gestured to everything and made her way back to her desk.

"Shall I get some paint for the table?" Kiri asked

"Yes please!" Ari smiled

"Sure" Lizzie nodded

"I can help" Spider said as he began to get up, but Ari beat him to the punch.

"I'll help, you sit!" And with that she and Kiri walked over to the paints.

"Demanding as always" he chuckled.

"That's Ari" Lizzie smiled, both of them turning at the sound of Kiri's phone vibrating on the table, the screen lighting up with a message, a message that the both of them were able to read before the screen went dark again.

"Hey, I really enjoyed the other day and was wondering if you maybe wanted to do it again sometime? Like this Friday? Dinner and a movie?-Rotxo"

Lizzie turned to look at Kiri who was still at the paints with Ari, but noticed that Spider was still staring at the phone, with a look that she recognized all too well at that moment.

'Oh no'

"Hey, are you o-"

"So when did that happen?" He laughed lightly, but Lizzie could tell it was a forced laugh.

"I'm not sure if anyone is supposed to know...I'm not sure if you can call it a thing honestly" Lizzie started, and was going to end it there, but when Spider's eyes met her she knew what he was feeling, so she continued.

"They hung out this past weekend and ended up going to dinner, that's all" She shrugged, but could still see the far away look in his eyes, and before she could stop herself, she reached out and grabbed his hand, giving it a light squeeze, and a slight smile when his eyes met hers. An unspoken conversation between them, one of knowing exactly how the other was feeling.

"ok, here is the paints" Ari stated as she and Kiri placed the pants on the table, Lizzie letting go of Spider's hand, but not before Ari caught it, but decided not to say anything.

"Ok, our happy place" Ari nodded, looking at the canvas in front of her.

"Happy place" Lizzie nodded, looking over at Spider, both of them now hidden behind the canvas that sat upon the small easels on their desks. Both of their shoulders slumped, the heaviness of their hearts painted across their faces as they looked at each other, and she watched as he mouthed something, and she knew exactly how he felt.

"Easier said than done"

Taglist @arianamhm

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