#sorry for putting this massive ask on everyones dash this morning this just really hit me in the gut

[lanaevyssmoved]

how do you feel about people getting astarion’s scars as tattoos because when i saw it i was like uh….

so i was thinking about how to answer this question for a bit and i've come to the conclusion that my struggles because i am completely gobsmacked that in 2023 we still have issues like this

i am 29 years old, which i think is very important to bring up. i've been on tumblr for over a decade, i remember when people were actually doxxed over kinning a character who did a murder once. i remember when lives were destroyed over how people chose to love a video game character. i remember when an ask like this would cause a witch hunt that ended in someone being genuinely unsafe. i think asks like this can still be dangerous, and i can't post this without making that clear. while i'd like to think this wouldn't happen anymore, i can't say for sure, i think we need to have the self awareness of what can come, when our history, as in tumblrs history, is full of things like this being actually deadly. sorry if that's a little too serious for the vibe you're putting out, but that shit was fucking traumatising and i'm not gonna pretend it wasn't, so this ask was a little scary to receive and my upcoming honesty? i'm scared to put it out there on gut instinct alone haha (insert comment about astarion kinnies here)

astarion is a video game character with intent to make you feel things, good or bad. he is designed to tell a story and attach you to that story. he is designed to make your little brain juices sizzle when he says a funny or makes you sad. i'm sure this is obvious, but your concern for what people do with these feelings makes me think it might not be.

the scars are fucking cool design. they were made to be fucking cool. you're meant to look at them the first time you do and go WHOA.... it is very easy to appreciate the work and effort that went into them by whomever designed them, they have a lot to be proud about. if someone wants the scars as a tattoo because they think it's cool, more power to them. that's a fucking expensive tattoo, it would take a long ass time to be finished and heal, it would never be an easy decision for these facts alone.. and adults can do whatever they like with their money. he doesn't exist, he isn't real, he can't be offended by this, and you shouldn't be either.

and now i have to get sensitive with it because astarions story, whether you want to think of this or not, can, and will, resonate with abused people. many kinds of people of course, but most especially abuse victims. as a victim myself, parts of his story hit just a little too close to home and hurt. now think of someone who might have it hit closer to home than it did for me, someone who finds more connection with what astarion went through and what they went through. now imagine how important astarion is to that person, his reclaiming of autonomy, his reclaiming of agency, etc. i can see someone wanting the scars as tattoos because then in their mind they can be astarion and do what astarion did. they can be closer to astarion and use that strength to survive and push through. they can feel what he felt and survive (obviously it's not the same, but it's the symbolism). unfortunately you cannot dismiss that some people may be doing it out of a place of trauma and using astarion to help them heal. i'm not arguing whether or not this is healthy, i've certainly done similar in my youth when it comes to relating to characters who have been abused, we all find our ways to cope, and we all find our places of strength.

astarion doesn't exist, he was created in a game studio with intent to make you feel shit, as established already, including intent to make you feel so strongly you want to put pieces of him on your skin forever, like, that's a compliment when it comes to making characters. if afhiri had something on her skin that signified trauma, and someone wanted to permanently put that on their skin? wow, she means that much to you? you liked her that much? that's a gods damn compliment. and i cannot see those who worked closely with astarions creation seeing it any other way.

what i can say is that when i was younger, 20-23ish, i probably would have given it an 'uh...' too, but as i grew older i realised that life is draining, it is hard, and there is no room to healthily view video game characters as any more than some code and 3d model that exist exclusively to make you feel something strong enough that you might want them with you forever, because that's the end goal, to make you feel that strongly, and if you wanna spend that hard earned money you make on putting the cool scars on your back, or the scars that make you feel so emotional that you cry on your back, do it. let the character whose made this rough existence a little easier or mean a little more do that for you, and if you wanna express it through a tattoo, do that, it's your body, your flesh.

i'm rambling on because i am so passionate in that life is too short to judge others via this. our lives are too hard already, life sucks enough as it is. the video game character doesn't give a shit if his scars are a tattoo because he's not real. who cares? why do you care? no, seriously, why do you care? does this help you? is it good for you? is judging someone else's decisions an act that brings you actual, real joy? is that how you want to spend your time? where you want to put your free thoughts? you don't know them, their reasoning, what they're going through, and it shouldn't matter. because their body has absolutely nothing to do with you, and i find it weird and uncomfortable that you cared enough about what someone else does with their body that you'd send me an anon about it.

i don't know whether you were looking for validation, or me to generally think about this critically, but i cannot encourage the mindset of caring about this more than "wow, i hope it looks good because that shit gonna be expeeeensive!!!" i cannot encourage sending people anon asks about it, it is strange to do that. this was strange! it was a strange experience and i don't like it. but i couldn't ignore it.

astarion might matter to you, personally, but he himself as a video game character, doesn't, because he isn't real, he has no feelings, he cannot be hurt or offended. but the person getting the tattoo? they're real. they're a real life person with feelings. they can be hurt, you can hurt them. you can judge them and bring them down and make them feel guilty for their choices. deciding whether you are the kind of person who'd do that to a living breathing person over a video game character is something you need to do. do you want to be that person? i know i certainly don't

[finelinevogue]

he’s so vogue

Description - you are the journalist for the new Harry Styles December Vogue Issue

A/N - how is everyone doing? hope you enjoy! if you have any requests please feel free to ask. love you all and have a lovely rest of the week!

warnings: swearing

[masterlist]

Being a journalist for Vogue was probably the biggest flex you could ever make.

After 3 years of studying English Literature at Surrey University, you never thought, only a year after, you'd be working as an apprentice at Vogue UK. If it weren't for your Aunty, who worked in the fashion design section at Vogue HQ, then you'd no doubt still be a broke-ass, single, lonely student. Ok, lonely you still were but your job was so full-on that you didn't have time for a relationship.

Two years into your apprenticeship you were promoted to an official member of the team, and then another two years later you got promoted to team leader in your department of journalism, and editing; The Media - or as you like to call it - "The Celeb Goss". You were beyond happy with your job and found such passion in every article your wrote. Whether it be about a new celebrity romance or the collapse of one, you found a way to story-tell in such a meditated way that everyone loved your pieces.

That's why the Harry Styles had requested you to be the one to interview him.

Of course you'd written about A-list celebrities in the past, producing articles on pregnancy rumours, or engagements, or breakups, but you'd never met them before authoring an article. You'd met plenty of D-list celebrities who thought they were mega famous, but if you mentioned their names people would turn around and ask "who?".

This is why interviewing Harry Styles was a massive thing for you.

Not very often did you get to do work out in the field, especially in these covid infested days, but nevertheless it was your favourite part of the job. Getting to meet the people you were writing about was completely refreshing, allowing you to obtain a clearer outlook on which direction to take on your journal piece.

You were asked to go to Stonehenge, where the photoshoot was being filmed, as your office of interview. Even though you'd lived in the UK all your life, you'd never actually been to Stonehenge. It wasn't really on your bucket-list, but it was a pleasure to get to see it all the same.

Being the prepared interviewer you were, you'd prepared an array of questions that you were set on asking Harry. You'd never met him before, but after much googling and youtubing of him prior to meeting him today you would already be confident in saying he's the most brilliant man to ever exist. You were really nervous that you were going to screw this interview up and make a terrible mess in front of Harry Styles.

"Lisa! What if I accidentally say something I shouldn't?" You ran your stressed hands through your hair.

This whole morning had been frantic. It had started off by you waking up late, no thanks to Lisa, your best-friend and co-worker, pressing snooze on the alarm. You wanted to look professional today so you'd put on your best shirt - only to spill coffee down it ten minutes later. So now, you smelt of coffee and were wearing what was left in your wardrobe - and it wasn't much. The only things left clean were a pair of pink corduroy flares and some, pastel coloured, graphic t-shirt to go with it.    

"You won't. Stop being so negative." Lisa rolled her eyes, probably fed up with the amount of winging she'd heard from you this morning - and you'd only been awake an hour.

"My outfit is hardly professional either." You huffed, pouring the rest of your, second, coffee down the drain.

"Well I think you look gorgeous." Lisa stated, whilst putting her breakfast bar wrapper in the bin.

You and Lisa were back and forth about you stressing, and such, for about half an hour before you had to leave. You had a great panic about losing your glasses too. You could see without them up close, but for long distance viewing and reading you were practically blind. You were taking Lisa's car, since she didn't think you were emotionally stable enough to drive. Lisa was the creative director on the set, and thank goodness she was so you could at least ramble to someone.

After a two hour drive up from London, you arrived at Stonehenge and it was freezing. Although the sun was out, it did nothing to keep your body heated. The journey up had been nice because you sat in your nicely heated car, chatting away with Lisa and blasting some Harry Styles out of the speaker. You'd made it through the first album, and the second one up to Canyon Moon before reaching your destination.

Upon arriving you could just about, without glasses, make out about 15 other cars, arranged at the bottom of a hill. There was an array of Audis and BMWs, a few Range Rovers, which you placed your bets on one was Harrys, and a green, vintage, Jaguar which was most likely belonging to the fashion editor or something. There was also a modern barn, perched at the foot of the hill, which was where Harry would be getting changed in to his various different outfits.

It took you a moment to register that Lisa had parked and was already clambering out of the car, making you look a little idiotic still blankly staring at the beautiful scenes in front, and around, of you.

But it was still bloody freezing.

You jogged a little to the boot and whipped out your white cardigan. Originally you'd thought that this would've been enough to keep you warm, but now you were starting to think otherwise.

The atmosphere here was amazing. People were rushing around left, right and centre loading, and unloading, various pieces of equipment and clothes. You caught sight of brightly coloured fabrics being carried to and from various places. There were the camera crew, and presumably director, all chatting amongst themselves. The smell of the very fresh air was so lush that you'd forgotten what it smelt like - especially after years in London.

You grabbed your bag from the boot, which had your notes, recording kit and laptop stuffed inside, before locking the car and following Lisa in to the barn.

It was lovely and warm inside - a completely different climate to than the outside. It was as if it was Bali inside and Antarctica outside. Better Bali than Antarctica though.

"Ok. Let's put our stuff down over here and then go find people we need to meet and such." Lisa instructed, you still too in awe of the place to fully comprehend what was going on.

You followed Lisa and you two ended up dropping off your stuff next to some other bags. You took a liking to the purse next to your stuff. Next to your bag, it made yours seem ancient - like it was worth nothing more than a penny. It was luscious and a beautiful baby blue colour. You softly ran your hands over it, finding satisfaction in how smooth and subtle it was.

"Hope you're not planning on stealing that, love." A manly voice appeared from behind you. You whipped around to see who's bag you'd been messing with, and it was just your luck that it was to be Harry Styles'. Of all the people's it could've been it had to be his. 

Perfect.

He looked dashing. He was in black flares and his iconic 'But daddy i love him', t-shirt, along with a huge green anorak. His hair was prettily clipped back with a pink clip, presumably placed there to gave his curls greater volume. In his hand he had a pink toothbrush and you guessed he'd come back over to put it away in his bag - only to find you caressing it instead.

"Oh - no, no. Not at all. I - uh - I just thought it was beautiful." You stammered over your words, choosing them carefully to try and make you look less like an active criminal.

"Mhm." Harry nodded whilst looking you up and down, most likely judging why a peasant like you, in comparison to him, was touching his expensive property. "Well, I love your flares darlin'." Harry looked down at your trousers, his compliment making you blush a little.

"Thank you. That wasn't professional, and neither is my outfit, I know, and I apologise." You added, because you knew that if your boss knew you turned up today the way you did she would give you a right bollocking - and potentially even fire you.

"Never apologise for flares. You look amazing." Gemma perked up, making you feel more self conscious surrounded by all these other beautiful women. Gemma was in a slouchy, knitted, jumper and basic jeans - no doubt all from shops beyond your budget - and yet she looked like a model fit for the runway for Vogue.

"Okay, sorry." You apologised again, to which you, creepily, got the exact same, stern, look from the Styles siblings at the same time.

"My stylist, Harry, introduced me to big pants. He offered whether I wanted to try a pair of flares, and I was like, 'Flares? That's fucking crazy'!" Harry laughed as he told his story, earning a laugh out of you too. "Now they're my favourite item of clothing. Have a whole wardrobe dedicated to them."

"I wish he was joking." Gemma laughed at her brother and his flare obsession.

"Well you do look handsome in them, so I understand why." Your words rolls off your tongue before you could even comprehend what you were saying. Only after you finished your sentence did you completely intake what you'd just said.

"Good start." Lisa giggled to you, before turning to walk over to the coffee station. It was a help-yourself coffee bar and you knew that you were going to bed at least five cups to get over the last five minutes alone. You'd probably drain the station before letting anyone else have any.

"Oh god." You awkwardly mumbled, not daring to see how weirdly Harry would be looking at you, before walking off outside.

You had spent less than 10 minutes here and yet you'd never felt like a bigger clown. Joining the circus had never been so easy.

The outside wind hit you like a powerful leaf blower, and your hair blew around like crazy - most likely compiling into a birds nest on the top of your head.

Today was supposed to be the start of something great. Your hopes were set on a promotion from your written masterpiece, whilst enjoying the company of one of the most handsome, most lovely, most talented men of this century. Those hopes seemed a little too distant now. They seemed to mock you, as if to laugh at how you ever thought you were going to be any more successful. You'd completely, in more ways than one, made a fool of yourself in front of your interviewee, you were so underdressed, you were caught fondling his Gucci purse and you were still bloody cold.

It all felt too unprofessional for a job where professional was practically the driving force of the company.

You leaned against the barn, taking a deep breath to try and calm yourself. You were a master in over-thinking, but unfortunately that wasn't something you could add to your resumé. You let your eyes close and the other senses come alive for a few moments. The sounds of distant sheep and the smell of the cold wind were just two of the senses that allowed you to take a step back for a minute, and breathe.

"Thank you." A voice interrupted you from your attempt of quick meditation. You looked to your left and noticed Harry standing there, still in the same outfit as before.

"I'm sorry?" You asked confused, taking a step away from the barn to considerately pay more attention to him.

"Thank you - for saying I look handsome in flares." He repeated, smirking when he added the second part.

"Oh." Was all you could respond, feeling too embarrassed to take the conversation any further. "I should—" You pointed back to the barn, using it as an excuse to leave before yet screwed up anymore.

"Lisa told me you're the interviewer." Harry added, and it only occurred to you that you'd never actually introduced yourself. "So it's lovely to finally meet you Y/N." He stuck out his hand for your to shake, which you did willingly. His hands were a lot softer than you'd expected.

"Ho... You know my name?" You asked surprised.

"Of course. I also know you're the best writer in Vogue right now." He flattered you, which made you blush. You had a feeling he'd make you do that a lot today.

"Sure." You rolled your eyes as you spoke sarcastically.

"Well I chose you for a reason, didn't I?" He rhetorically asked.

"I mean.. I, well.. I don't know?" You stumbled over your words, making yourself look like a larger fool than you did already. Today was just turning out to be exactly what you didn't want it to be. "Sorry."

"Stop apologising. You do it too often." He told you, nearly making you apologise again but he gave you a jokingly stern look, as if he knew what you were going to say, and so you decided otherwise.

"Harry!" You both turned to see there was a man waving towards you both, but specifically to Harry. "Come get changed!" The same man shouted. Harry lifted his thumbs up, as if to signal he'd be there shortly.

Harry turned back to you and noticed you shiver a little.

"I'll start the interview after I come back from the dressing rooms, yeah?" Harry asked, taking off his, khaki green, trench-coat in the process. He handed it to you before you could oblige against it.

"Wait what?" You confusedly looked down at the coat and back up to Harry.

"Gives me a piece of mind knowing my interviewer isn't going to die of hypothermia before actually interviewing me." He smiled, obviously attempting to crack a joke and you have to admit you did laugh.

"Thank you." You say, before he runs off to where he's being called to.

                                                            ••••

You'd been sat inside for a little while, waiting for Harry to come back. It gave you time to perfect your questions though.

Thinking up questions to ask Harry had been a challenging task, but one that you'd been fully invested in. You loved creating questions to ask him that were going to get to understand him on a deeper level. He was a very private man, and you completely respected that. If you crossed any boundaries, with the questions you'd ask, you would write them out of the interview. You liked to think you hadn't thought up a question that would make him feel uncomfortable though.

Pissing off Harry would be on another level of shame.

"Coat kept you warm?" Harrys voice disengaged you from your notebook.

"Hm?" You asked then replayed what he'd just asked in your mind. "Oh, yes. Thank you very much." You stood up, from where you'd been perched on the floor, picking up your nearly finished green tea as you did so.

Only when you stood up did it come to your realisation that Harry was now in costume. He was dressed in luxury. Each item looked like it cost more than your rent, and that was saddening. He looked rich and luxurious. To be quite honest, you were finding it rather difficult to take your eyes off him.

"You think the outfit is Vogue enough?" Harry asked, striking a few poses, which made you laugh. It was refreshing to see him act so relaxed and carefree, rather than a stuck-up-prick you knew some celebrities to be.

"Completely. I love it!" You exclaimed, appreciating the twirl he did for you.

He was wearing a kilt-like skirt and he looked beyond beautiful in it. Fuck toxic masculinity. Fuck being a manly man - like what does that even mean? Harry was embracing gender fluidity and experimenting the ways in which there was no definitive line between men and women's clothes anymore, and you thought it was marvellous. Revolutionary, for times as politically and socially troubled as these.

You started removing the coat in attempt to give it back to him, but he refrained you from doing so by holding on to your forearm.

"Keep it. I thought we could go outside to start the interview, so you'll be needing that." Harry told you, and you agreed - however reluctantly that was. You couldn't really complain though, because the coat did kept you warm and, what's better, it smelt divine - just like you'd imagine Harry to smell.

"Okay. Thank you. Do you want to go now?" You asked hesitantly, not knowing whether he was busy for someone else right now.

"Whenever you're ready, love." He answered, making you feel more relaxed. He was going at your pace and was making you feel settled - he was even more of a gentleman than people described him to be.

The two of you had walked around the backside of the barn in silence, enjoying the comfort of each other's presence. Well, at least you were. It was a blessing no one was back here. It was just you, Harry and the scenery that surrounded Stonehenge.

You approached a bench and you plopped yourself down on one end, whilst Harry sat on the other. He respected the fact that there was a pandemic going on, and didn't want to make you uncomfortable in any way. You still had your mask on, so Harry had taken that as you were very conscious about the virus - which he admired.

You pulled out your glasses, from the depths of one of the coat pockets, and placed them on your face, probably making yourself look even geekier than you already felt. Today was just one of those days you wished you had good eyes...

You opened your spent notebook, musty pages practically falling apart, and turned to the section of questions you needed for that interview. You were so nervous already and you hadn't even asked anything yet, all because of the previous interactions with Harry today. Your shaky hands shuffled through the pages and you cursed under your breath when you struggled to find what you needed.

"Shoot. Come on." You mumbled quietly under your breath, hoping it would make this terrible situation end faster. You mustn't have been as quiet as you thought though.

"Y/N." Harry's name broke through your clouded mind of self-disappointment.

You looked up at him to see him softly smiling at you, blowing all worries away from you away with the wind. "Yes?" You timidly asked, pushing your wind-swept hair out of glasses - where it'd gotten caught.

"You’re alright, love. You don't have to be professional around me, alright? We're just two strangers having a conversation, to get to know each other, okay?" If his words didn't calm you enough, the soothing sound of his husky voice certainly did.

"But that would mean you asking me stuff too?" You replied, confused at his implications of the phrasing 'getting to know each other'.

"Mhm." Harry nodded his head.

"Oh I don't know Mr Styles, i'm not a very interesting person." You answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, pushing your glasses back up the bridge of your nose from where they'd fallen.

"I refuse to believe that." Harry chuckled, making a quick smile appear on your face. "And please call me Harry. Just Harry." He begged, obviously finding it weird you calling him by his professional title. All you wanted, ever, was for your interviewee's to feel comfortable and safe, so if Harry wanted you to call him Harry then so be it.

"Ok, Harry," you sarcastically said, earning a shake of the head on his behalf, "you can ask me a few questions throughout the day." You told him, but you knew he'd struggle to find even two questions when he realises how bland you are.

"Does that mean you only get to ask me a few as well?" Harry smirked, already knowing the answer to that question. Unlike Harry, you had to write an article about today when you got home and so he knew that you'd have to dig as much dirt as possible from him.

"No, sorry. I don't particularly want to lose my job." You paused to look down at your notes, squinting a little as you did to see better. "Okay. Tell me your experience with corona virus."

"Sorry I didn't quite catch that, love." Harry apologised, leaning in slightly to see if he could hear you a second time around.

"Sorry." You looked down to fiddle with your fingers - a habit you'd undertaken when you're embarrassed. "Um..," you cleared your throat, "would you mind if I took off my mask?"

Your timid voice sent tingle down Harrys spine. He didn't think anyone could ever be this sweet. "Not at all, ‘course you can." He replied, again, wanting to make you feel as comfortable as possible.

You hesitantly took off your face mask, feeling like you were in some dramatic movie where they face revealed someone. You kind of liked having the mask on, because, for one, it kept you warm, and for two, you were a little self conscious with how you looked compared to all the other women here today. You shoved the mask in your pocket, with trembling fingers, before looking back down to your notes.

"Woah." You heard Harrys voice being mumbled under the wind. You eyes shot up to his and you noticed him staring right back at you.

"W-what? Is my acne playing up? I knew I should've—" You self-consciously run your hands over the areas you know you got acne. The masks really didn't help when it came to skin care.

"Hey, stop. No. You just... You look beautiful." Harry complimented you, and a roaring blush arose on to your cheeks. You'd never been called beautiful before, and so you were taking the compliment like such a 13-year old.

"Oh, uh, thank you." You awkwardly answered, not really having any other words come to mind in that moment. Harry chuckled under his breath, still keeping eyes on you for some reason.

"Would you mind repeating your last question, I didn't quite catch it?" Harry asked politely.

"Sure. Um, tell me how you've experienced corona virus." You repeated for him, gripping ahold of your pen to start copying what he says and pressing start on your recording device in case you needed it later.

"Well, it's been tedious that's for sure. However, I just want people to be safe and for life to return back to normal, so therefore i've been very MIA for a lot of the time. Keeping to myself mostly. I only went out for hikes or bike rides. All my meetings were online, so it's been very lonely." Harry kept eye contact with your figure the entire time, and if it weren't for you concentrating on writing what he was saying then you'd probably melt away under his gaze.

For such soft eyes he sure was intimidating.

"I presume the loneliness sent you crazy at times." You laughed, because you sure felt that way through lockdown. Curse being single.

"You have no idea." Harry laughed along with you, making you, slowly, feel more at ease.

"Actually, you'd be surprised." You looked at him unsure, before returning down to your notebook.

"Okay then, first question from me," Harrys words made your head shoot up, "How can someone as amazing as yourself be lonely?" He asked and you made a mental tally of how many questions he'd asked.

"Could ask you the very same question, Harry." You slyly replied, avoiding the question by answering with another question. It was a tactic you'd learnt, throughout your years of journalism, when you wanted to dismiss something .

"That's cheating." Harry pointed at you and raised his eyebrows, but you couldn't take your eyes off the big, cheeky, smile perched on his face. You shrugged you're shoulders in defence and returned to your questions. "But you did just call me amazing, so I think i'll let it slide this one time." You blushed, again, when you understood what he meant.

He was amazing though - that was the truth.

"You were in L.A. for the majority of quarantine, am I right to say?" You already knew the answer but your manager had just wanted confirmation.

"Yeah, but L.A. feels like holiday, whereas London feels like home." He answered, which you appreciated. He hasn't got lost in the way that Hollywood could let people. He'd stayed grounded.

"So what did you entertain yourself with during quarantine?" You asked curiously, slightly side-tracking from your pre-written questions - just because you were intrigued (nosey).

"Not much, not to be boring. I ate a lot of bread. I worked out pretty much every day. I wrote quite a bit actually." He used his fingers to pinch his bottom lip, something you'd noticed he did in interviews.

"Does that mean a new album on the way?" Your inner fangirl was screaming at the thought of HS3.

"Can neither confirm nor deny." Harry smirked to himself, like the cheeky bugger he is.

"That's a yes then." You joked, pretending to write it down in your notes.

"You're impossible, you." Harry laughed and shook his head. It made you feel all funny the way you could make him smile like that. You were the source of his happiness for just that moment, and that was enough to make you feel happy for a lifetime - not that he felt the same.

"Next question," you stated, moving swiftly on because you knew you had limited time, "How's your experience with Vogue been so far?"

"Wonderful. Everyone has been so welcoming and that makes it so much easier for me to have fun. It's daunting going at things alone, but i'm getting slowly used to it now." Harry sniffled a little, probably due to the freezing cold weather here.

"Must be strange, not having four best friends around you, all the time, anymore." You stated rather than asked him, sure that he was missing his bandmates. I mean, you were - so he definitely would be.

"Brothers." Harry replied, making you look up at him confused.

"I'm sorry?" You asked, giving him your full attention.

"You said four best friends. Well, actually they're my brothers." His words actually caused a rift in your heart. You could feel it being pulled apart and torn in to two. If you wrote this in to the magazine the fans would have a worldwide passing-away-party.

"Harry." You said softly, slightly tearing up at his words. "God, I swear i'm not normally this emotional." You chest your throat and try to establish your dignity - however there wasn't that much left anymore.

"Oh shut up." Harry looked away obviously trying to hide the fact that he was tearing up too. You laughed at him but didn't draw any more attention to it than you guessed he would've wanted.

"They mean a lot to you then?" You asked, hopefully not treading on any unwanted territories.

"Much more than a lot, yeah." Harry nodded his head, turning it back to face you. He could tell this conversation was now off-the-record because of your closed notebook, your undivided attention towards him and the fact you’d turned off the recording device. He liked being able to look at you, rather than the top of your head. He swore you were the prettiest girl he'd ever seen.

"You still see them often?" 

"Not as often as i'd like. Niall did come around the other week to drop off some old guitars he didn't want anymore, and then we ended up playing around with some music for a bit." He admitted, which stitched your heart back together.

"So does that mean a Narry collab?" You teased, biting your bottom lip in anticipation.

"Narry? You so are a directioner." He laughed along with you.

"And you just avoided my question, therefore there is a song out there written only by you and Niall." You concluded, which shut him up.

This conversation was going a lot better than expected. Certainly a lot better than earlier. You will be permanently scarred by the way you spoke to him and handled his belongings. It was going to haunt you forever - and yet he'd forget about it by tomorrow. Or maybe he wouldn't, which is why you felt the need to apologise.

"Harry?" You asked, clearly indicating this was still a conversation away from the interview.

"Yes Y/N?" He watched you intently, listening to your every word.

"I, um, just wanted to apologise for my behaviour earlier. I was just really nervous to meet you, and to be honest still am. I didn't mean to touch your stuff without your consent and I certainly didn't mean to make you uncomfortable with any of my comments. So, i'm sorry. I can only imagine the awful, yet true, things you must think of me." You rambled really quickly, that you were uncertain whether Harry even caught one word of what you'd says.

"Do you know why I asked for you to interview me Y/N?" Harry asked, which wasn't the first thing you expected him to say after your apology.

"No. I...well Lisa told me it was because I can write well or something." You suggested, not wanting to sound egotistical.

"I mean you do write perfectly, but no." You were intrigued now. "I asked for you because I, and this is not for your magazine, have a secret - but not-so-secret - crush on you." This time it was Harrys turn to blush.

"Harry... you don't have to say that to—"

"I'm not saying it for anything. I sincerely think you are the most delightful, most prettiest, most fucking sweetest person i've ever met." Harry exclaimed, which you were taken aback by. Never, ever, did you think that Harry Styles would proclaim his likeness towards you. Ever.

"Harry don't mess with me, please." You shyly spoke, tilting your head down in disbelief that the Harry Styles was smitten about you.

He shuffled along the bench, stopping a little way from you but close enough to reach out for you. Your heartbeat increased when you noticed his hand move closer towards you. It didn't stop till he reached your face. He took his time, courteously, pushing your hair behind your ear before removing you of your glasses. He held the right-eye frame and slowly pulled the glasses off your face.

Once he'd successfully taken them off he folded them up and placed them alongside your closed notebook.

"Can see those pretty eyes now." He whispered quietly, but loud enough for you to hear.

"Don't lie. They're so dull." You mumbled, lifting your head up slightly. His face was still away from you.

"Not to me they're not." He retaliated, looking deep into your eyes as you did his. "I hate this corona virus."

"Why?" His words were so out of the blue sometimes, it gave you whiplash.

"Because I can't be as near to you as I want to be." Harry told you. And yeah, you hated corona too. It was getting a little laborious now.

"Smooth, Styles." You chuckled. You wondered how many new and weird pick-up lines could be made from covid. 

"I know." He winked, which honestly would have made you throw up if it were any other man on the planet. Somehow, though, Harry just made it seem attractive - along with every other thing that man ever did. "After this, would you like to come back to my house for a cuppa tea?" He asked sweetly, like a five year old asking whether you wanted to play together.

"Okay. Lisa was my ride though." You said more to yourself than anything else, debating on how you'd even get to Harrys. Uber? Taxi? Lisa? Walk?

"I'll drive us, it's fine. I have to drop Gem off, but i'd be more than happy to chauffeur you." Harry kindly offered, to which you were internally screaming about. You were literally, and metaphorically, having a field-day with all this Harry content and interview.

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a burden." You question politely, not wanting to overstep any boundaries - especially in these covid infested times.

"Of course. I wouldn't have offered otherwise." He protested, waving his hand at if to say it was no bother. You were already trying to work out, in your head, how much petrol money you were going to owe him.

"Then i'd be honoured to have a brew with you Harry." You giggled at how cringe you were being, even if this was just your normal self speaking.

"Great." Harry genuinely smiled, teeth and all. "My shoot should take a couple of hours, but feel free to continue to write and journal. I'm looking forward to reading this particular article." He winked at you before standing up.

"Wonder why?" You sarcastically asked, knowing full-well it was due to his exposure of his own feelings towards you. Even though you'd never says anything back you were quite in agreement on how you felt about him, like he did you. He would be a narcissist to say he knew you liked him the same, out loud, but he knew. And you knew that he knew.

"Wonder why indeed." He gave you one last smile before he'd disappeared for the rest of the afternoon, leaving you to digest and relive the past half an hour or so.

Being Harry Styles' crush was probably the biggest flex you could ever make.

                                                          ••••

After Harry had finished up his shoot he was quick to come find you again.

You'd watched parts of his shoot and he looked magnificent. There wasn't a good enough word to describe how amazing he looked. Harry, his stylist, was probably the best stylist out there. His fashion choices were unmatched and you wanted him to be yours. You were not rich enough nor fashionable enough, ironic for working in a a fashion company, to hire a stylist, but you would if you could.

You were so proud to see what he was achieving now as the person that he was. Harry was just being Harry, without the devilish control of shitty managements or ridiculous amounts of PR stunts. Harry was more free than ever, and it definitely showed just how much he was enjoying it.

You were certain that this Vogue magazine would break the internet - his fans were good at doing that. This could be a turning point for many people, with their outdated and ignorant views. There was no room for people with racist or homophobic or transphobic or xenophobic - and the list does go on - views anymore.

You were waiting by the front door of the barn, to catch Harry as he walked past. You caught sight of him in a white robe, presumably to get changed back into his everyday clothes. He looked really pretty in the robe - very domestic actually.

Today had been a good day.

Harry asked you to send over the more specific Vogue questions to him via email, so he could devote more time in to answering them in a lot more depth. You thought he meant you'd be sending them to some PA in his team, but you were shocked to understand he'd given you his personal email.

People were walking back to their cars and packing away the filming kit. You saw Lisa and the director talking to one another, no doubt discussing some in-work gossip.

"You ready?" Harrys voice reminded you that you'd been waiting for him. You looked to see he was back in the same clothes as this morning, only this time without his coat.

"Here?" You offered, having him over the coat once again but he declined.

"Looks better on you anyways." He winked at you, before walking through the car park and to his car. You were very surprised when you found out Harry was the one to own the green Jaguar. You assumed all celebrities drove the Range Rover, but no. The vintage car added to Harrys immaculate vibe and just made him that little bit more hot.

Harry properly introduced you to Gemma, who was equally as lovely as Harry. They were both amazing people and they were crazily alike. From the way they looked, down to the way they phrased their words, they were mistakingly twins. Gemma explained how Anne, their mum, didn't know they were doing this photoshoot and that it was going to be a surprise, which you thought was so cute.

Gemma spilt a lot of gossip on Harry, to which he got very embarrassed over. You learnt that Harrys first word was Cat. You learnt that Harry is godfather to multiple children, which you found heartwarming. You learnt Harry used to be a baker - which was something he elaborated on for a good half an hour. Harry was just a fountain of memories and Gemma was the one sharing them all with you.

The drive back to London was relaxed. You sat in the back, listening to Harry and Gemma pointlessly argue whilst an Arctic Monkeys album played in the background. You forgot that people like Harry drove, and listened to music, just like other regular people. You often misplaced celebrities in society, thinking they had everything done for them but in reality that (often) wasn't the case - at least not for Harry.

Gemma was dropped off quickly before Harry drove to his. It was no surprise that the Styles siblings didn't live too far away from each other. Harrys house was beautiful. Bigger than anything you could ever dream of buying. It was a palace compared to your cupboard-sized house. You were unbelievably jealous. He gave you the tour of the house, showing you where the toilets were, and even his panic room if necessary.

You migrated to the kitchen for a bit, talking about anything and everything. Getting to know the minuscule pieces of information that no-one else was trusted with, made you feel special. Harry made you feel special - even if he weren't meaning to.

Every moment held a spark. Every touch set off a firework. Every laugh was an electric burst. He made you feel so alive.

"We can go to the living room after this has boiled." Harry said, pointing towards the streaming kettle. He wanted to show off his fancy tea collection he had, and let you have a try if you wanted to. Harry was boring and chose the basic green tea, but, after much deliberation, you chose the cranberry green tea. It intrigued you and it sounded delicious.

"Why the extensive tea collection?" Not even you, a certified caffeine addict, had this much tea in your house. Coffee was a different story and one in which you didn't want to talk about.

"They help me with my meditation." He took the teabags and placed them in his glass mugs. They had a delicate Gucci stamp on them, and you just imagined that they probably worth the same amount as your daily salary.

"You meditate?" You were slightly surprised that he did.

"I try to yeah." Harry nodded, focusing on pouring in the boiling water into the mugs. "I've got very tight hamstrings and so it helps if I meditate twice a day."

Harry finished making the tea, in the light-filled kitchen, before showing you around to the open-lounge area. Everything was modern and chic. It was exactly how you imagined it, but better. The open, red-brick, wall was a beautiful feature and one that you were a whore for! It reminded you of New York and the memories you'd made there one summer.

The sofa was a beautiful velvet, green, sofa. It was soft and gentle, a lot like Harry when you thought about it. The whole house was an architectural masterpiece and you'd be lying if you said you weren't jealous. You sat on one end and Harry went to go and sit on the other end.

"I don't bite you know?" You joked, self-consciously wondering whether he didn't want to be sat near you.

"I know, I just don't want to step on any of your covid boundaries - which is perfectly fine by the way." He added, apprehensively taking the spot next to you.

"No, not at all." You ushered him to sit next to you, as you took a sip from your steaming hot cup of fruity tea. "If I smell though, do tell me!"

"Yeah, you smell bloody awful!" Harry sarcastically remarked, but laughing afterwards to assure you he was joking. The atmosphere went quiet for a minute, only the sounds of passing cars and deep breaths being heard.

"Y/N can I ask you something?" Harry turned the tone of the conversation. It sounded like he wanted to be more serious than you two were being beforehand.

"Anything." You encouraged him to continue. You placed the cup of tea down on the table, deciding it was too hot to drink right now, and gave him your full attention.

"Do you believe in love at first sight?" Harry questioned. You didn't think you'd be having a conversation this intense - especially if you had different opinions - on your first day of knowing each other, but here you were.

"I believe you can love someone at first sight. I don't believe you can be in love with someone at first sight. Why?" You were curious as to how his brain had journeyed to this particular topic. You'd never really had this conversation with anyone before, mainly because you were unaware of the true power, and meaning, of love.

"It uh... It doesn't matter." Harry shook his head and you could tell by his body language that he was shutting you out. Maybe you'd made him uncomfortable.

"Sorry I didn't mean to—"

"No, no. Please don't apologise. It's just - I like you a lot more than you may think." Harry shyly told you, which made you all soft inside. He was being vulnerable and that was something you admired in a partner. You didn't just need love, affection and trust in a relationship. No. You needed vulnerability and heartbreak too, and Harry was revealing that part of him to you.

"I like you a lot more than you think too." You repeated, not because you felt bad for him but because you truly did like him a whole lot. Love was a weird yet wonderful thing, and if you were to hazard a guess you'd say you loved Harry. 

You couldn't wait to be in love with him.

"Does that mean I get to crown you my girlfriend?" Harry excitedly asked. Harry happy was something that should be made a constant, and you were more than happy to be in control of that.

"At least take me out first." You bargained, wishing for nothing more than to go on a date with Harry. Where you'd go, you had no idea. Everything was closed right now and there was still the chance of becoming sick with corona, but no doubt Harry would think of something not only clever, but special.

Of course you'd love to be Harrys girlfriend. However, you wanted one more, official, opportunity to really get to know him - unprofessionally. You wanted to make sure that you knew, and he knew, that you wanted to be with him because he was the charming Harry you've come to love, not because he was Harry Styles.

"So you're allowing me to take you on a date?" Harry smirked like a little child, your heart fluttering at how excited he was to be able to treat you to dinner.

"Yes, Harry. Yes I am." You answered sweetly, offering him the cutest smile you could.

You can't believe what a turn of events today has been. You've gone from nearly writing yourself on Harrys enemy list to writing yourself on to his 'people he's dated' list. Who knows what the future would offer you. At the start of the day you had wished this whole day to end and for the ground to just swallow you up, now you never wanted it to end. It was too perfect to be true and yet it was.

Harry was the most wonderful human to exist and you were beyond surprised to be the one to catch his attention. You didn't understand why you were so special, but it was nice to feel like this for a change. It was nice to feel wanted.

                                                             ••••

A few months later and you were officially Harrys girlfriend.

It had been such a crazy few months. Harry religiously took you out on dates every week. Whether it be to grab a hotdog at a local diner, a coffee from a quaint cafe, a walk in Hyde Park or a late-night drive around London - which normally ended up with you falling asleep before you could make it back to yours. On sleepless jet-lagged nights he'll still drive through London's quiet streets, seeing neighborhoods in a new way, just as an excuse to spend time with you.

Harry often stayed over at yours. Even though you looked like you lived in a shoebox compared to Harry, he liked it. He liked the subtly and normality of it all. He wanted your life to remain as normal as possible and, apart from the occasional paparazzi incident, it did. You never had anything to complain about. Of course the online bullying created emotional wounds, at the start of your relationship, but it was nothing that Harry couldn't repair with a bit of love.

Lisa has nominated herself to be maid-of-honour when the day comes - if the day comes. Harry has already pinky sworn that you are it for him. The one, as some may say. You were utterly flattered, but you certainly unsure of what the future help for you both.

You loved Harry, you do love Harry and you will forever always love Harry.

It was ridiculous to think that all this stemmed from you working at Vogue. From you studying English Literature in a city away from London. From you dedicating you extra hours gaining work experience and money to be able get in and afford university. So many moments in life have you stopped and said 'i wish i hadn't have done that', but now you were convinced that they were the best things to have happened to you - because they lead you, all, to Harry.

And, being Harry Styles girlfriend was probably the biggest flex you could ever make.

[a-simple-lee]

Wednesday Afternoon

Timothy Stoker, Reader

Synopsis: Season 1 fluff. Following up leads for Jon sucks, but your other colleagues make the job a little more bearable.

A/n: I went to close my google docs tab and blinked and suddenly half an hour had passed and I’d finished an old fic. I don’t know what to do with it so I’m dumping it here I guess?? Please tolerate my shameless simping for Tim, I’m so sorry

_______________________________________________

The morning hasn’t necessarily been bad, but you’re tired. Commutes on the tube tend to have that effect on everyone, and you’ve had more than your fair share of those - hopping on the train to the British Library for some records was as tedious as could be expected, and after spending precious minutes squinting at tube maps and dashing between platforms, the records you'd retrieved had barely helped with the statement in question. Today has just decided to feel longer, it seems. You sigh.

You’re not expecting Tim to sneak up behind you for a hug in the break room, but it's welcome nonetheless. 

"Afternoon." There's a grin in his voice.

“Hello to you, too.” Tim lets you extract yourself from his arms so you can turn on the kettle. Both of you lean back against the counter. You eye the ostentatiously patterned, partially unbuttoned shirt Tim's wearing, and vaguely remember Jonathan’s double take upon seeing his assistant’s outfit this morning. "Boss isn’t letting you get away with that ensemble, is he?”

“'course he is. Wouldn't dream of having a go at his favourite assistant." He puts a hand to his chest with a flourish.

"Pfft. No, really. What did he say?"

"Oh, you know, the usual. Something about decorum and how I'm lacking - as if he can talk with his corduroy blazers. What I lack in professionalism I more than make up for with charisma. Can’t say the same for him."

"He is stuffy. Tea?"

“Massive understatement.Yes, please.” Tim types something into his phone. It makes a cheerful blipping noise.

“Sash and Martin are out investigating a lead, but we're hoping to pop out for chips later - care to join us?”

“Sure, sounds good." You reach towards the top shelf for some mugs. "Why does Martin have to-oof- put all of these at the back? It's hardly fair."

"It's perfectly fair, you’re the only short one here." Tim grins, tweaking your side. You flinch away with a poorly concealed yelp. Both of you freeze.

It’s Tim who speaks up first. “Oh?”

“Tim-” It’s too late. He’s already reaching out to poke you again.

“Are you ticklish?”

“No?” The fact that you’re already letting a few giggles slip doesn’t help your case at all. Tim continues making pincer motions towards your sides, and at first you manage to dodge him, stepping back each time he tries to reach you.

And then your back hits the wall. Shit.

“Tim-”

“Yep?” He’s got a spark of mischief in his eyes, and a grin that’s starting to bring a blush to your face. His hand makes contact with your lower ribs, squeezing gently. Your hands fly up to cover your mouth.

“Wahait-” The dam breaks, and streams of your badly muffled laughter stream into the break room. Tim lets out a triumphant little “aha!”, only encouraged by your reactions.

“You are ticklish! Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?” He smiles, shifting closer to hold an arm around your waist so you can’t sink down against the wall.

“The tea! I need to make the tea!” You gasp out between hysterics, trying to push at his shoulders but finding it doesn’t do much. 

“But you’re cute when you’re being tickled.” Tim states smugly, chuckling at the flustered noise you make.

“Tim!”

“You’re blushing~”

“Shut up!”

He gasps, trying to sound offended. “Did you just tell your best friend to shut up? I could report you for workplace bullying, you know, I’m the Archivist’s favourite assistant.”

“Plehease-” You whine, turning to hide your face as best you can.

“Please report you? Well, since you’re asking so nicely-”

“No- that’s not what I- Okay, I’m sorry- don’t report me-” 

“Are you sorry?”

“Yes!”

He sneaks his hands under your arms, and you let out a yelp before falling into another bout of hysterics. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, yes, I give, I’m sorry-” You tap his arm a couple of times, weak from laughter, and he finally releases you.

“Apology accepted,” Tim watches as you readjust your shirt with a huff before heading back to the countertop. 

“That was rather mean of you.” You sigh, trying to wipe the smile off of your face as you reach back up to get out the mugs. Tim, inevitably, shifts closer, and you shoot him a wary glance, concerned he’ll try to poke your side again. He holds his hands up, the picture of innocence.

“Nah, it wasn’t mean...” He hesitates. “Was it mean?”

“...No, no. Not really.” You switch the kettle on. 

“You’re still blushing.”

You almost tell him to shut up a second time, but think better of it. “Stop pointing it out.”

“Never.”

“...There’s a lot to hate about you, Tim.”

“No, you love me really.”

“Did I say I didn’t love you?” You screw the cap onto the milk and place Tim’s mug next to him. 

“Aww, look at you getting all soft. Is Martin rubbing off on you?”

You roll your eyes. “Just drink your tea, Stoker.”

“Love you too.”

Suffice to say, the rest of the day more than makes up for your shitty morning.

[writemekpop]

Elevator (127F) | Kim Jungwoo

Pairing: Kim Jungwoo x Reader

Summary: A dashing stranger in the elevator decides to torment you on your way to work. You're trying to ignore Jungwoo's mischievous tricks, but you're falling for him with every second. Could this be start of something more?

Word count: 1.9k

You trudged through the entrance of your workplace, drenched from the cold morning rain. Today, your mental grouching started earlier than usual – you hadn’t even made it to your floor yet.

“It’s not like I’m really looking for a man.” you thought. “It’s just, would it be such a terrible thing if a guy wanted to be with me for once?” You reached the elevator, groaning as you saw the crowd of workers waiting for it.

“I don’t know why I’m surprised.” you thought, your mental dialogue getting whinier as you squeezed past everyone to the back of the lift. “I haven’t had a good hair day since 2012 and my clothes belong in the frickin’ trash.”

“I think your clothes are great.”

You practically jumped out of your skin at the voice behind you. Oh no. Oh please, no. You must have been speaking aloud again.

You glanced at the mirror, and saw a tall young man squeezed in behind you, a gleeful smirk on his face. He was surprisingly pretty, with creamy brown eyes and a soft wavy red fringe that suited him annoyingly well.

You tried not to be swept away by his looks, even if his long coat did hang off him like a K-Drama star. That was one thing you kept close to your heart – never trust a pretty boy.

“You’re being silly if you think like that.” He whispered. A shiver jolted up your spine as his hot breath tickled your ear. You knew you had to respond by now, to save what little dignity you had left.

“Well, I- I think you should stay out of other people’s business,” you said, your stomach twisting. He hadn’t heard you say you ‘wanted a guy’, had he? You fought the urge to cover your face in embarrassment.

“Well, if you’re that concerned with privacy, I would suggest not broadcasting your opinions to the whole lift,” he teased in a cutesy voice that both made your heart jump and made you want to punch something.  

“And also, you have no idea how many guys want to be with you” He said, grinning. Your heart swooned at his words, but you reminded yourself he was probably just joking around. Still, your heart refused to listen, wafting and swooping like paper dropped from a window.

His voice was kind of musical, like a breeze. You were struggling not to squirm at the tantalising touch of his breath. It was like he had noticed how much it affected you and was trying to torment you more.

The elevator stopped at floor 7, bringing your attention to the present. You looked back to see your almond-eyed lift companion making a move to get off.

“Oh thank god” you said. “You do actually work in this building. I was worried you came into this lift just to stalk me,” you teased, trying to hide your disappointment at the thought of him leaving.

“No, I’m not getting off. Wait. You think I actually work here?” he said with such a straight face you did a double-take.  

“Wait, you don’t actually work here?” you stuttered. A worrying part of you said that if stalkers looked like that, being stalked didn’t sound so bad.

“I can’t believe you fell for that! Of course I work here,” he said. “If I was a stalker though, you would definitely be my type,” he whispered playfully. You fought the urge to press your hand to your temple. It was definitely getting hotter in here.

A woman with a stroller entered – oh no – squeezing the whole crowd further back. You cringed, forced to press yourself back against your tormentor’s solid form.

You were surprised when you felt the hard planes of muscles that he was hiding under all those clothes. You felt like he must have been able to hear your heart thudding.

You didn’t dare look at the mirror, sure your blushing cheeks would give away your embarrassment.

Wait! You’d forgotten to press the button to your own floor!

You scanned the lift for where the buttons were, but it was an act, because you knew. They were behind you. Exactly where he stood.

You considered giving up altogether and walking up the remaining floors. Anything would beat the prospect of facing that heart-shaking smirk, those soul-melting eyes.

Just when you decided to make your escape from the lift, you stopped yourself.

You were not raised to wilt under the heat of some man’s smile, dashing as it may be. It was your right to take this elevator, and take it you would.

You steeled yourself, and to the huffed annoyance of the people beside you, you twisted your body around to face him.

His lips were a thousand times more perfect up close. That smirk… it made your confidence flicker like a dying lightbulb.

“Would you- press the button for, the um... 35th floor?” you croaked.

“Sorry?” he said, pouting with a playful petulance that looked crazily out of place on his broad form. “I didn’t catch that.”

Your gaze was trained on the stylish check of his coat, but you knew you’d have to brave that perfect face again if you wanted to press the buttons to get to your floor.

You looked up to stare him straight in the eye, raising yourself onto your tiptoes in attempt to lessen the gap between you.

“Please press the button for the 35th floor,” you spoke as loudly as you dared, your voice calm though your heart was a sea of trembles.

To your surprise, he didn’t shy away, or even seem put-off by your firm stare. He gazed deep into your eyes, smiling at you like you were his favourite person in the world.

Before you knew it, you were swirling inside those chocolatey irises, peering through those thick eyelashes and wondering what lay beyond…

It felt good to be looked at like that. Too good.

“But why should I press the button?” he said, swinging you out of your daydream. “The 35th isn’t my floor….” he teased, head tilted to the side, swivelling on his tiptoes in a move that you hated yourself for loving.

Ugh! His games were messing with your head. You reminded yourself that you had to get to work, and your floor was only getting nearer. If only he wasn’t so darn handsome…

You decided to try a new tactic. If he wanted to play games, you could too. A spark jumped in your tummy as you considered what you were about to do.

Bam! You jabbed past him, your hand darting towards the lift buttons.

But before your fingers could reach their destination, he blocked you with his hand, interlacing your fingers together with a devilish giggle.

It should have annoyed you, but his smooth hand in yours set a dangerously warm feeling rippling through your body. You couldn’t help it; you smiled back at him.

You were enjoying this way too much to give up now. So you decided to go for your killer move. While he was still looking utterly pleased with himself, you removed your hand from his grip and started tickling his neck.

It was a risky move – everything swung in the balance. You told yourself it had nothing to do with the idea of having your hands on this sexy guy’s neck.

The tiny gasp that escaped from his lips was cute beyond description. A smile was stretching his cheeks as he wriggled and tried not to draw attention to yourselves.

There was something irresistible about the way he moved, his hushed chuckling even more attractive than his voice.

You must have hit a sensitive spot, because suddenly he erupted with a massive ‘HA!’. His mouth dropped open in surprise.

A hush fell as every face in the lift turned in your direction. A stern-faced woman actually shook her head at you.

You looked back at your accomplice, a hand clamped to your mouth in shock, neither of you quite believing the mischief you had gotten up to.

You both trained your eyes on the ground and stayed still as walls. Your heart quivered in surprise when you saw him subtly press the button for you.

Gradually, your fellow commuters’ voices rose again, allowing you to slowly lift your gaze to the handsome man that stood near you.

His cheeks were flushed beautifully and his bouncy red curls were slightly dishevelled, in a way that suited him too well.

He took you by surprise again, bending down to your level to whisper something. The brush of his lips against your ear was maddening. “After all you’ve done to me, don’t I at least get to know your name?” He straightened up, his doe-eyes wide and serious. If he’d asked earlier, you may have lied, but there was something about him that made you feel like he could see right into your core.

“Y/n” you whispered back, slightly giddy at his closeness. He rolled your name silently around his mouth, like he was tasting it.

Just then, a ping sounded, and the lift shuddered to a halt. You couldn’t stop your face from creasing in disappointment. 35th floor.

He frowned too, just for a split before recovering, his signature coy smile back on his face.

The idea of having to leave this enchanting boy behind made you sadder that you’d expected.

As you walked out of the lift, you were surprised to see him follow you out. “Wait, what are you doing?” you asked, trying to ignore the flutter of delight inside you.

“I’m on this floor too! What are the chances?” he murmured, still close to your ear despite now having the spacious hallway to walk through.

Just before you entered the door to your workspace, you turned to face him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name,” you said, aching to keep that heart-wrenching grin in your sight a little longer.    

“That’s because I didn’t say it,” he said, his lips pursed into a mischievous expression. He loped round the corner, and just like that, he was gone.  

All day, you found it hard to focus on your work. You just couldn’t stop replaying each delicious moment in your head. A warm feeling kept threatening to take over – as if something magical was going to happen.

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

The next morning, you practically danced to work, a shiny necklace weighing unfamiliarly on your neck and a rare-worn blouse fluttering at your shoulders.

You stepped into the lift once more, making sure to stand in the exact same spot as yesterday. But, to your dismay, your charming companion was nowhere to be seen.

The lift moved slowly upwards, passing floor 10…20…25.

As the lift rose higher, your heart felt like a slowly deflating balloon. Was yesterday the beginning and the end of your relationship?

Just as you were about to give up all hope, something caught your eye.

A folded red note was stuck low on the lift’s mirror. You gasped as you realised it was the exact shade of red as your lift admirer’s hair.

Your reached over and snatched the note off the mirror. With trembling fingers, you opened the note.

Inside were only four lines, in neat black handwriting.

‘I lied. 35 isn’t my floor, I just wanted to spend more time with you.

(Mine’s actually floor 7)

Coffee?

Kim Jungwoo.”

07587563976

[rwby-sk]

Pieces of my Fic, Part 3: Date

“What are you doing?” Cinder leaned over Neo’s shoulder as she was applying makeup from her scroll’s camera. “Can’t you just make yourself look however you want with your semblance? It’d be so much easier.” 

Neo opened a blank message and typed her response. *I felt like doing it myself.*

Cinder scoffed. “Where are you going that even needs makeup?” 

She typed up the next message after finishing her eyeliner. *I have a contact in Mantle that might be able to get us more supplies.*

“Fine. Just do it fast. We need to stay ready in case Ironwood slips up. He nearly doubled his patrols, he must be getting paranoid.” The witch went back to pacing around the room. 

Neo turned away to roll her eyes and leave. She turned herself into a maintenance worker and hid Hush as a toolbox. She might need it today. 

Finding transport to mantle wasn’t that difficult. Cargo came up to Atlas at all hours of the day, which meant empty shipping containers were taken back to Mantle regularly as well. She snuck aboard a cargo ship and enjoyed the ride, staying on her feat without a safety harness wasn’t all that difficult for her. When they were low enough to the ground, she opened a side hatch and landed gracefully onto a rooftop. 

She waited for Jaune at their usual booth in the diner. It had been just over a week since their movie date.  Date. 

She was still conflicted on the idea. Being around Jaune made her feel lighter and happier than she had been in a long time. But everyone she gets close to have a way of leaving her all alone. She wondered what Roman would have thought about it. 

She rested Hush across her lap as she sipped her tea. 

Jaune arrived right on time, like he always did. He was wearing his armor again with his sword sheathed at his side. And his hair was styled up. Otherwise he looked rather dashing. She would have to do something about that. 

“Hey! What’s that side-eye for?” He asked as he sat down across from her. 

*Your hair. It’s better down.*

“The stylist said it was a popular way to do it.” 

She stuck her tongue out at him. *They were wrong.* 

“Hey, I don’t say mean things about your hair!” 

*That’s because you like my hair, remember?* 

They couldn’t keep up their fake argument and broke into smiles. 

“You look really nice today. Are you trying something new with your semblance?” 

Neo pulled an eyeliner pen from her pocket. *Makeup, actually.* 

“My sisters did my makeup once. I looked like I belonged in a boy band.” 

Neo tried but just couldn’t imagine it. She put away her pen and went back to her tea, smiling into her mug at the thought of it. *Are you ready for today?* she asked. 

“I brought my gear with me, if that’s what you mean. Where are we going?” 

*It’s a surprise!*

They finished their meals and this time Neo lead Jaune through the city. They eventually came to stop at a line of warehouses. She counted the metal panels on the side of a building and knocked on the seventh one. 

A voice on the other side of the wall called out. “Who’s there?” 

Neo made a sour face and knocked again. 

A panel shifted so the person on the other side could look out. “Oh, its you! Sorry about that. Who’s this with you?” 

She gave him a condescending stare. 

“Alright I guess it’s fine if he’s with you. Just don’t let him break anything alright?” The guard opened another side panel like a door. 

Neo lead Jaune through the warehouse and down into a storage basement. *This is a smuggling warehouse. That guy back there is a fence I used to work with a lot. I just needed to borrow his exit,* she explained to Jaune as they followed a hand-dug tunnel out of the basement. 

He had to slouch in the low ceiling. “Where are we going? And why do we need our weapons?” 

*You’ll see! Now stop asking, we’re almost there!*

 --- 

She pulled him through the rest of the tunnel and out into the open tundra of Solitas. The air was brisk, but their auras would keep them warm. They ran across to the nearest hill and looked out past its peak. A frozen lake opened into a valley before them. The morning light glistened off the snow like the whole world was made of light. 

“Oh! Yeah it is pretty hard to get out here without going through a military checkpoint.” He looked out onto the pristine landscape, then stared back at her. “The view is worth it though.” 

She blushed and pushed him over into the snow. 

Jaune laughed as he picked himself up and brushed himself off. He collected the snow from his armor and formed it into a ball. He tried to hit her with it, but she was too fast. 

Neo bit her lip and stared him down. “I hope you know this means war,” she signed before scooping up a large clump of snow into a massive ball. 

Jaune pulled Crocea Mors from his waist and extended the shield. “I’d have it no other way.” 

Neo tossed the clump of snow and he smashed it against his shield. He tried throwing a few more balls but she dived out of the way before they could hit. Neo attempted to run around Jaune to get behind him, but he was too fast with his guard. The two of them were locked in a stalemate neither could break. 

He resorted to taunting her. “You’ll have to do better than that if you want to win! I heard you were quick but I guess Yang was wrong.” He dug his shield into the snow in front of him, pointing its flat surface at Neo. They stared each other down as she made more snowballs and he smugly leaned against his weapons. Suddenly he activated the gravity dust in his shield and launched a wall of snow at her. 

When the powder settled, he found her hidden behind her parasol, not a single snowflake on her outfit. She covered her mouth in mock surprise. 

Jaune grinned, impressed and speechless. 

He had been too good at protecting himself from a distance. So, Neo decided to get in close. She ran straight towards him as he scrambled to make another snowball. Just as she approached his shield in the snow, she used an illusion to make him think she was running around it. Jaune pivoted and threw his hastily made snowball at the fake image. It shattered apart. He had just enough time to turn back as the real her leapt off of his shield and tackled him into the snow. They wrestled down the hillside before she pinned him to the ground, straddling his waist. 

Jaune closed his eyes as he braced for her to pelt him in the face with a final snowball. Instead, she smeared it onto his hair in an attempt to wash out the gel. They both smiled as they tried to catch their breath. 

“Okay,” Jaune finally panted, “I lost.” 

Neo smirked. *What do I win?* 

Jaune looked up at her, secluded in the pink and brown curtain falling around them as she leaned over him. He slowly sat up to meet her. 

She froze and gave him a concerned stare. She didn’t want to repeat what happened the last time. 

He stopped short and gave her a slight, silent nod before drifting closer. 

She trusted him. More than anyone in Remnant; she trusted him. If he thought he would be alright, then she was all too happy to oblige. 

His lips were warm and soothing in the tundra air. Every muscle in her body relaxed as she sank into their kiss. He cupped her face with one hand and pulled her closer by her waist with the other, all without breaking their lips. She wasn’t willing to be the first to break it either. It was too special, too delicate. If she pulled away it could all disappear in that instant like none of it had ever happened. So, she clutched him closer and was resolved to never let go. 

Of course eventually they had to. 

Jaune laid back down into the snow. “That’s what you win.” 

She held his hand against her cheek; savored the feeling before falling into the snow beside him. Her face burned as she realized what she had just let happen. How far she let herself go. She tried to ignore the fear growing in her stomach. 

Jaune rolled to his side to face her. There was something enchanting about his eyes. Something in their deep blue that eased her fear; made the knot in her stomach relax. 

She suddenly wanted to give him something more of herself. *I’ve always loved the snow,* she started.  *Winters on the farm were hard. We didn’t have the money to buy food, so we mostly ate what we had canned and jarred over the fall. But every night we’d sit around the fireplace in the main house and tell stories. And every day I would play out in the snow with the Putnam’s son, Basil. We’d build snowmen and ice forts. We didn’t have our auras yet, so, of course our mothers were always so upset with us. But we didn’t care. Those were my favorite things in the world, back then.* She let out a long breath. 

“Everyone kind of avoids talking about the people we’ve lost. If you ever want to talk more about them, I’ll listen. It’s good to remember them.” 

Neo buried her head into his chest and nodded. She didn’t know how to reply to that. 

He brushed a few clumps of snow out of her hair. “We should probably get out of the cold soon.” 

She curled closer to him. 

He moved his hand to wrap around her shoulders. “Okay. We can stay here a bit longer.”

[razorblade180]

Sunshower 6

The day after a party, everyone’s worse nightmare. Even with more to come indefinitely, faunus weren’t immune to the effects of partying too hard. Morning had finally kissed Menagerie and those with jobs were the first to witness or feel the shock of Blake’s Homecoming. Streets and houses were littered with festivities along with plenty of red solo cups. Officer’s were up first to deal with any passed out people that were anywhere but their home. All in all, the first night was a hit; people’s spirits seemed to be through the roof. The wave of pleasure was sure to carry over to tonight.

It didn’t take long for the outside world to start rousing people from sleep; including Ilia. Slowly her eyes open to the dim sunlight hitting them; doing no good for her massive hangover. Things are fuzzy. Not to mention.....aching? Common for downing five too many but this felt different. Since when does drinking hurt your legs? Her right hand rubbed the bridge of her nose as she tried to adjust to being being sober again.

Ilia:(Ugh, where am I? Did I......fall asleep? Am I still asleep? No, too much pain to be a dream. Even my own thoughts sound way too loud...) *rubs her temples*

Ilia:(Okay, if I can survive the white fang then I push through this hangover and open my eyes to the very, very bright lights. Easy as one.....two.....thre-

‘Zzzzzzzz’

Ilia:Was that.....snoring?

Her eyes opened one at a time to lessen the pain. It took a few seconds to see clearly but eventually she did; still, Ilia needed a minute to process what she saw. The interior design told her she was in Blake’s house. The room wasn’t really messy which told her no one had come in during the party. The only visible mess were clothes.....? Her clothes at that. Both hands shot up to her head to feel that her hair was down as well. Finally a gasp was let out as her mind was finally catching up.

Ilia:(I’m in Blake’s house still!!! Not just that, but naked two!? What the actual hell happened last night!!? Party, drank, drank some more, also cried I think? Then I got fresh air with-)

‘Zzzzzzzz’

Ilia:......

Everything in her entire body told her to not look to her left. Pieces of memories she kept recalling demanded to know if they were being remembered right however. Something Ilia knew she most likely was since it would be just her luck. Time felt like it stopped as she finally turned to see the source of the snoring. Sure enough, Sun laid peacefully next to her with his head facing away from her. His short was off and she could spot it near the foot of the bed; along with the rest of his clothes. Brown skin turned white from the shock as freckles went straight to pink from embarrassment. Sun Wukong was currently naked and sleeping next to her who is also naked but now completely awake. Even the hangover took a backseat to this dump of information.

Ilia:.........

Ilia:(Oh fuck.......)

The boy was motionless; almost unnerving motionless. A dark thought started to grow in her head so gently she pulled the cover about an inch down and listened to his heart. Ilia’s nerves weren’t calmed to discover that he sounded and looked find. Now she could focus on major crisis. Leaving. She slid herself out from the side of covers and nearly dropped to the wooden floor. Blaming only the hangover would be a lie for the state of her poor motor skills yet thinking of other reasons why moving was a chore lead to topics she didn’t want to address at the moment. One problem at a time. Right now she needed to be presentable. It took some time but she managed dress herself for the most part. The ponytail was neglected as well as the jacket she wore.

Full stealth mode was happening right now. Each foot gently went in front of the other as she watched him to make sure he was still asleep. There was something unusual about the way he slept that Ilia couldn’t figure out. Oh well. She’d think about it later. Right now she is just relieved to have reached the door knob. At least she was until it started twisting from the other side. Someone was coming in...

Ilia:(No no no no no no no!!!!!!!! Crap what do I-)

*door opens*

Kali:*whispering* Pssst Sun? It’s morn.....ing? Ilia?

Ilia:.......I can explain! Things got crazy and we weren’t thinking! I was dr-

Kali:*covers Ilia’s mouth* Relax, you look like you’re about to faint. I didn’t even know you were at the party. Guess I know why *looks at bed*

Ilia:Please don’t mention this to anyone.

Kali:I wouldn’t even dream of it sweetie. I can’t tell you how crazy parties got back in me and Ghira’s day. My lips are sealed. *steps aside*

Ilia wouldn’t call herself a religious person, but Kali had to be a gift from above. She couldn’t help but hug the older woman as she walked out the room.

Kali:Oh, one more thing.

Ilia:What?

Kali:Blake and Yang are passed out on the couch and Ghira is making coffee in the kitchen so......might wanna use the balcony.

Ilia:I’m getting real sick of that balcony. Thank you.

She made a hard right as soon as she entered the hallway towards the balcony. Ilia was starting to miss simply walking through a doorway. It was time to put her skills to the test. Carefully she hoisted herself up on the railing and looked at the closet tree, then the ground.

Ilia:Should be easy enough.

Her foot slips right as she jumps around she hits the ground below. The only pain she feels is the bruised ego and what can only be described as her brain bouncing around. The fatigue of it all made the ground feel oddly comfortable. She took a moment to stare up at the sky; the shade from the balcony blocking the cruel sun. Soon she’d have to move.

Kali:*looks down* Are you okay?

Ilia:Honestly, not my worst screw up in recent months.

Kali:Fair enough. You forgot your scroll up here by the way.

Ilia:Probably for the best considering what just happened. Kali can you do me favor? I need you to make a call.

xxx

Neptune:.......*sips coffee*

Neptune:Can you walk.

Ilia:Yeah

Neptune:Can you walk well?

Ilia:No......got a feeling I twisted my ankle a little. Among other stuff.

Neptune:And you don’t ask Kali for first aid because.....?

Ilia:I am not going back in that house right now. Just help me up please? My aura will fix it soon enough.*raises arm* Mind being my crutch?

Neptune:I could just carry you on my back?

Ilia:Neptune I need just a little dignity right now so if you could just get under my arm and then stand up please.

Neptune:But your so short. I’d have to be hunched over and-

Ilia:You dined and dash yesterday! Can you please just-

Neptune:Fine! *supports her* happy?

Ilia:A little. Can we go to your motel room? My home is way too far of a walk.

Neptune:Fine by mean. I’d get lost anyways. *starts walking*

Ilia:Thank you...

Neptune:Yep. So.....any reason why you look vanilla swirl with pink sprinkles?

Ilia:It’s been an overwhelming forty minutes since I woke up.

Neptune:Does it have something to do with sleeping with my best friend?

Ilia:*eyes widened* What are you talk- why would I....sigh

Neptune:Not even denying it. Don’t worry about responding to it right now. Just enjoy the fresh air and walk.

Ilia:(easier said then done.)

The duo hobbled in silence for awhile. It would look suspicious if there wasn’t plenty of other people still getting their barrings. Neptune kept his eyes forward to look out for anything. Ilia was busy zoning out. The initial shock of everything had finally warn off and her skin went back to its natural color; except for her freckles. The darker spots were still pink and only getting pinker as she hopelessly tried to think of anything but last night. Blood rushed to her face out of embarrassment.

Neptune:Heads up Ilia.

Ilia:Hmmm? *looks up* Oh......

A menagerie officer stands before them with their hands on their hips; a fox tail wraps around their slim frame as they stare down the two.

Neptune:Who’s your foxy friend Ilia?

Cop:That’s racist....

Neptune:Crap! I’m sorry!!! You know I kinda thought it was stupid to say out loud but-

Ilia:They’re joking around. Neptune this is Judy. Judy this is Neptune, he’s a bit dumb but I’ve been told he’s pretty valid as a person.

Judy:Haha, he must be if Ghira hasn’t thrown in the ocean yet.

Neptune:He....he does that?

Judy:Only to pests. For the record, I’d play it say and refrain from animal puns or jokes. Any other faunus might’ve gotten a bit rowdy.

Neptune:Noted. So....any reason someone as beautiful as yourself came strolling this way?

Judy:Just helping where I could when suddenly I see Miss. Bomb Defuser strolling by. You haven’t checked in with me in a couple of days. I don’t have to remind you that multiple cops and gaurds are still twitchy about your circumstances do I?

Neptune:Wait, is Judy-

Ilia:Yes Neptune, Judy is my parole officer.

Judy:Come now, you aren’t on parole. It just makes a lot of people feel better if you can be accounted for regularly by the authorities and sometimes help around the place to rebuild your self ima-

Ilia:Judy.......it’s parole.

Judy:........*nods* Yeah I guess it is, sorry.

Neptune:Well if that’s the case I can vouch for her and say for the pass few days she’s done nothing but help organize the party and decided to indulge in the festivities last night. You can even find a copy of all the decorations she’s done at the Belladonna estate signed off by Ghira himself.

Ilia:!!!!?

Judy:Woah, well that makes things easier. Thank you Neptune. I guess you really are valid.

Ilia:You’re telling me.

Judy:Anyways, I’m gonna head out but actually go check in next time so we don’t have to think about sending a search party. *walking away*

Ilia:I’ll think about it.

Judy:Ilia.....

Ilia:Goodbye Judy! Start walking Neptune before we here a long winded speech about the wall.

Neptune:*walks* Judy seems nice.

Ilia:Surprised you barely flirted through that conversation. I was waiting for you to make a mistake like most people do around Judy.

Neptune:Mistake? What mistake?

Ilia:If you haven’t figured it out yet then who am I to tell?

Neptune:*smiles*

Ilia:What?

Neptune:You’ve calmed down from the looks of it.

Ilia:Oh, I guess I have.

Neptune:Good, because we’re here.

Motels were something menagerie was getting used to since Haven. Plenty of faunus has stopped by to figure out if they also wanted to move in and even important figures across Remnant wanted to discuss human and faunus relations as a new organization formed. So a motel half the size of Blake’s home was built a little ways west of the main part of the island. Here people could easily access the beach or look inward to all the people and get a glimpse of what a regular day here looks like.

Neptune took pride and being the first human to have an indefinite stay at the beautiful place; even Ilia hasn’t been around it much. He lead her to his room there was a back porch that faced the sea with a hammock. The room itself was wood furnished with a decent sized bed in the middle and two night standing on each side. The golden brown look of it all gave off a vibe of warm flames and deep heritage. Neptune guided her to the hammock then went back inside to grab some pills and water bottles before coming back out. He didn’t have to say anything before she grabbed both of them and open the lid.

Neptune:I’m guessing your hangover headache was really bad.

Ilia:You guessed correctly. Thank you by the way, for all this. Especially with Judy.

Neptune:Someone had to keep track of supplies since you and Sun made a competition.

Ilia:Makes sense. By the way.....Judy is-

Neptune:I figured it out on the way here.

Ilia:Okay, I was gonna feel a bit bad if I didn’t say something.

Neptune:Trust me, I’ve developed a sense for these things after meeting you. Still, they are pretty cool. Probably knows how to party.

Ilia:Don’t tell your date from last night that, or is she already out of the picture? This room is surprisingly clean for a playboy after a party. House keeping works fast.

Neptune:House keeping only had to dust. Nothing happened in this room last night. I took that girl home after the fireworks because boy was she out of it. I tried calling Sun to let him know where I was but he never answered. That’s when a gut feeling told me to look for high points and I saw you two on the roof.

Ilia:Oh......

Neptune:Didn’t think much of it. Even after I saw him pick you up and lead you inside. There was a little chatter about a spunky drunk girl that told of some creep inside with the help of a monkey faunus so I assumed that you were thoroughly wasted; which makes sense after what you did at the restaurant. Sun was with you and both of you were pretty bummed out the whole night so I thought “they’ll probably go ditch the thing and I’ll see him later.” But then I didn’t......

Ilia:Uuuuuuummmmmmm.....

Neptune:Sun is a big boy and knows the place so I didn’t think much of it. I’d catch up with him tomorrow morning. Tomorrow becomes today and as I reach for my scroll expecting apology messages from him, it’s Kali telling me to come pick you up from the house as quickly and discreetly as possible. Now I hate to make assumptions, but I’ve done my fair share of unsuccessful balcony exits. What they all have in common is what I did the night before to prompt such a hasty exit.

Ilia:What are you? Some kind of jr detective?

Neptune:When it comes to crimes of the heart I find all the clues.

Ilia:It’s not a crime of the heart it’s just.....ugh. *lays down* Gods I feel stupid. What possessed me to think sleeping with Sun was a good idea to push away pain.

Neptune:I know your teenage years aren’t exactly normal but that’s about as normal as teenage thought processes go. He was depressed, you were depressed, tons of alcohol, and common ground found at a late night party. I’m not saying I expected this because I didn’t, but makes sense.

Ilia:You don’t understand Neptune! What happened shouldn’t have happened, but it did and now I just feel....weird. I can’t remember all of last night right now but I remember a decent amount. Things I wish I didn’t.

Neptune:Like?

Ilia:I said things. Personal things I don’t share freely. I was hurt but things felt, okay? Yet so wrong at the same time.

Neptune:*frowns* Do you feel used?

Ilia:No, heavens no. If anything I sort of feel like I used him a little. Which was not my intention.

Neptune:What was your intention?

Ilia:I DON’T KNOW!!!!!! I just remember feeling..... something. Whatever the hell it was....

.........

Neptune:Do you....regret it?

Ilia:What?

Neptune:Do you regret last night?

Ilia:I’m, not exactly sure.

Neptune:Well maybe start there and everything else might fall into place? I’m not saying this isn’t a big deal or anything but trust me when I say this does not have to be some staggering revelation. Beer has a way of blurring that line.

Ilia:Sigh, I’m not prepared to talk to Sun about this.

Neptune:Lucky for you, he normally blacks-out when he gets too drunk.

Ilia:Seriously?

Neptune:Yeah he doesn’t like drinking. I think he only did it because of how upset he was.

Ilia:Oh......*turns blue*

Neptune:Uh oh, what’s wrong?

Ilia:Even if he doesn’t remember, it’s wrong to keep that from him right?

Neptune:Tricky question. Personally, I’d tell him if you feel weird about it. Sort out your feelings on the situation and if it meant nothing to you and was just something that happened then by all means, I’ll keep the secret.

Ilia:But.....?

Neptune:Blake and Sun are only friends with compassionate people, so I know last night meant something to you in one shape or form. I’ll be here figure it out if you want and anything else you might need. That way you can tell him with a clear head.

The more Neptune spoke, the more Ilia had to keep rethinking her description of him. Sun wasn’t just hyping him up whenever he told her that Neptune has more heart than she realized. His words, his smile, everything he did today made that statement....valid.

Ilia:I’m sorry Neptune.

Neptune:For what?

Ilia:Downplaying you constantly. You’re actually really sweet. So I’m sorry.

Neptune:Oh *red* well don’t go spreading that around alright. Some of these girls are really buying the whole cool yet distant act I’m putting on.

Ilia:*snickers* Alright, I guess I can do that. Hey is it alright if I can just lay here for a bit and just relax?

Neptune:Sure, it’ll help get my lien’s worth out of this place. *going inside*

Ilia:How much is this room?

Neptune:Too much Ilia! It’s too much! At least the water is free, I hope.

Ilia:(Funny, forgot to call himself compassionate as well. Maybe that’s why Sun likes him?)

Neptune:*scrolling* Hmm?

*one new message*

Sun: “Hey man, sorry about last night.”

Neptune: “Don’t sweat it dude.”

Sun: “So uh....can I come over? I gotta talk to you.”

Neptune:........

Neptune: “About?”

Sun: “About something that happened last night.”

Neptune:*turns around*

Ilia:*sleeping peacefully*

Neptune: “How about we meet somewhere for breakfast instead? Just to get out and about?”

Sun: “Sounds like a plan. Thanks bro”

Neptune:(Well I guess this is happening now.)

xxx

Sun:*holding Ilia’s scrunchy*......... oh boy.

Part 5

[shera-dnd]

The Hunter - Like Everyone Else

I FORGOT TO UPDATE THIS FIC! I’M A DUMBASS!

So yeah this one is a bit rushed, but it’s still good...I hope

Also I hold no shame over all the references I made in this

Lonnie had been surprisingly chatty the next morning. As they chased after their mark once more, she retold some stories of her time in the wastes and even some odd rumors she heard whispered about herself.

“You know how I only started doing this once the portal opened?” Lonnie asked, not really wanting or waiting for a confirmation “Because of that a lot of people think I’m some sort of alien bounty hunter who came to Etheria in search for more exotic and dangerous prey” She put on a gruffer voice as she spoke those last words, getting a loud laugh out of Catra. Lonnie couldn’t help but smile at that sound.

“How do people even come up with that shit?” Catra asked once she managed to contain her laughter.

“Right? And you haven’t even heard the worse ones” Lonnie answered, with that same bright smile from last night “Like there is one where I lost both my parents to bandits and then I spent my whole life training with assassins so I could someday take revenge on-”

Catra raised her hand and they both halted. She took her binoculars and looked towards the horizon. Among the mountains and canyons in the distance there was one pass that seemed to have crumbled onto itself, the same pass their target was currently riding towards.

“Looks like we found where that ship landed” Catra commented. She turned to see what Lonnie planned on doing now, but the woman was busy looking through the scope of her rifle.

“There seems to be a small settlement at the entrance of the pass” She informed Catra “Probably not their main camp. I suggest we go up and around and rappel onto the ship from above”

“How good is that scope?” Catra asked, dumbfounded by how far that thing could see.

Lonnie took a shot and their mark dropped unconscious onto the floor. “Good enough” She answered with a smug smile.

“Show off” Catra complained. This was a challenge and she would absolutely take her up on it.

~~~

The climb around the pass was surprisingly easy. Catra had always been the best at those climbing exercises back in the Fright Zone and Lonnie was perfectly equipped for this kind of terrain. Now from their vantage point they could see the clear trail of destruction the massive warship left as it crash landed.

Beneath them the pass seemed closed off by a terrible landslide, but knowing what to look for it was easy to find bits and pieces of the ship poking out from the rubble. Yet there were no signs of life down there.

“You think they’re hidden inside the ship?” Lonnie offered.

“It would be the most defensible position” Catra agreed “Good thing one of us knows their way through Prime warships” 

“And how did you get that information again? Right, you got captured” Lonnie taunted playfully. Catra played along, sticking her tongue out at Lonnie and getting a chuckle out of her “Okay, I’ll take us down and you guide us through the ship” She secured a grappling hook to a rock and extended one hand to Catra “Hold on”

Catra took her hand and was pulled close. Held safely against Lonnie’s chest as she began rappelling down the pass and towards the ship. Those stray thoughts about Lonnie’s defined muscles returned with full force. Catra refused to look up as to avoid seeing the undoubtedly smug and overconfident look on Lonnie’s face.

She wondered if Lonnie could do all this without the powered exoskeleton, probably not with the same ease, but she had seen what Lonnie could do last night and she wouldn’t be surprised if she could. The more she thought about it the more tempted she was to look up and see how Lonnie looked doing this.

Before she had the chance, her feet hit the ground and she pushed herself free of Lonnie’s embrace, trying to focus on more professional thoughts. When she turned around to look at her companion she looked almost hurt. It was the second time she looked at Catra like that in less than 24 hours. Catra mentally kicked herself for that.

Lonnie sighed and put her helmet back. She too had to be professional now and, liking it or not, the helmet was useful. It would just be a weird for Catra to get used to the helmet again after nearly a whole day of normal Lonnie.

“I’ll set up a breaching charge” Lonnie declared in her distorted voice “You lead the way once we’re there”

“Where the fuck did you get a breaching charge?” Catra asked. Lonnie gave her a look that, even with the helmet, Catra understood meant ‘don’t ask’ “Fine. Ready when you are” She sighed.

With military precision Lonnie placed and detonated the charge, leaving a whole with the perfect size for the both of them to enter. They jumped in to find an old, dusty, and poorly lit corridor. It looked exactly the same to either side of it, but Catra already had a good idea of where they were.

“This is the way” Catra declared and began marching down the corridor. Lonnie following behind.

“And what way is that exactly?” Lonnie asked.

“We gotta hit engineering first to see what parts of the ship are still standing so we can have a better idea of where to go” Catra explained, taking a turn as she spoke.

After a few more turns and a considerable amount of walking they found themselves in a large open room, covered wall to wall with complex machinery, several layers of scaffoldings traversed the room and at its centered sat a computer console. Catra completely ignored the proper path leading there and simply jumped through the machinery and climbed onto the platform with the computer, leaving Lonnie to take the long way around. 

“When did you learn how to operate alien computers?” Lonnie asked as she calmly walked down the path to meet her.

“I had to learn a few tricks before my daring escape” Catra answered, half jokingly. Lonnie shook her head and continued walking, but as she went further into the room she couldn’t shake off the feeling that there was someone else in there with them.

Quickly wiping around, Lonnie drew her rifle and aimed towards a figure in the shadows between the machines. The figure darted through the shadows and Lonnie followed in pursuit until it was cornered.

“I’m sorry! I wasn’t trying to escape, I swear!” The shape pleaded as it threw itself on the ground before Lonnie, revealing itself to be a scraggly old man in torn clothes “I got lost is all. I’ll get back to my post immediately” the man scampered to his feet and began running for the exit

“Hey, wait!” Lonnie called, causing the man to halt in the spot “We’re not here to harm you” The man turned around with a confused look on his face, that was soon replaced by one of admiration.

“The Hunter” He whispered and Lonnie had to contain a sigh at the title “We are saved!”

“Saved from what?” Catra asked as she landed behind Lonnie “Who is the old guy?” The man took a trembling step back at the sight of Catra’s whip.

“She is a friend of mine” Lonnie explained, surprising both the man and Catra “We are here to deal with the gang”

“Then you’ll free us?” He asked. Catra shot him a confused look and he explained “They raided our village and when they found out we knew how to work this machinery they forced us to build weapons for them. Please, you must be here to save us”

“You built those weapons?” Catra asked “So you know how to break them?”

“Yes, of course” The man agreed “We can teach you how to destroy what we created”

Lonnie and Catra looked at each other. They had a new plan.

~~~

An entire village hidden inside the hangar bay of a massive spaceship. That was not something Catra ever expected to see, but here she was now, crawling through a vent and watching the poor villagers be dragged from place to place to work on the machinery of the ship. In the farthest corner a massive tent hid what Catra could only presume was the super weapon, but dealing with that was Lonnie’s job.

Catra dropped from the vent, silently landing behind one of the thugs roaming the village and swiftly taking them out. One down, several dozen more to go. Time to prove she was still the best at her job.

One by one the thugs dropped. Not all of them, for that would be a waste of her time, just enough for the captives to have an opening, but not enough for the other thugs to notice. Stealth came naturally to her, like martial arts came to Lonnie and Rogelio and like most things came to Adora.

“Take the back door” Catra whispered to a few villagers as she opened one of their tents “The way is safe, but keep quiet” They moved as fast as they could, whispering ‘thank you’s as they passed Catra. A wave of satisfaction washed over her. She never expected to enjoy helping people as much as she did.

Catra started making her way to the next tent when the ground shook beneath her. She looked towards the large distant tent just in time to see it being torn apart by a terrifying explosion and from the green flames walked a colossal spider bot. Dozens of weapons adorned its sides and on its back stood what Catra knew was the ship’s main cannon.

“Change of plans!” A way too familiar voice commands from the ship’s speakers “We march today and tomorrow the Fright Zone falls and I’ll have my revenge!”  

Several question flashed through Catra’s mind at that moment. How was Tung Lashor still alive? How did he manage to command this whole operation at all? But the most important of all those questions was, is Lonnie okay? Catra ignored the bandits as they ran to keep up with their leader’s war machine. She dashed for the wall of green flames, hoping that Lonnie was still alive somehow. 

She couldn’t lose Lonnie now, when she had just found her again. She lost her when she pushed her away, she lost her when she fled to the Wastes, she refused to lose her a third time. Even if she had to burn in her place, Catra would not let Lonnie die here.

A dark shape emerged from the flames. Her armor was charred, the outer plates melted, the visor cracked, her weapons were completely destroyed, but she was still alive and she wasn’t stopping. She limped past Catra and began following the escaping bandits.

“What are you doing?” Catra asked. She would have held Lonnie back, but the heat from her armor kept her away.

“Chasing them” Lonnie coughed out. Clearly struggling to breath.

“There is no way you can go after them like this” Catra said as she jumped in front of Lonnie.

“We can’t let them reach the Fright Zone” Lonnie declared, trying to make her way around Catra, but she wouldn’t let her.

“And we won’t, but if you don’t get help right now you will die” Catra pleaded.

“I’m fine!” She insisted “Now get out of my way”

“Lonnie, I’m not-”

“Get out!” She shouted.

For a moment their roles were swapped. A young Lonnie tried to comfort a very tired Catra. ‘Go! Leave like everyone else!’ Catra screamed and Lonnie scampered away. They froze in place as the memory hit them both. Lonnie stepped back, looking anywhere but at Catra.

“I-” Lonnie started, before collapsing on the floor.

[krat395]

W.D. Gaster, the Ultimate Tickle Master (Chapter 10)

After a grueling battle in the forest, Gaster once again managed to get the best of all five of his “enemies.” But, before he could tickle them all at the same time once again, he was hit by a powerful lightning blast! A lightning blast so powerful that it sent him sliding about 60 yards away from everyone! :O Where did this lightning blast come from?! Or, maybe the better question to be asking is, “WHO did this lightning blast come from?!”

Undertale© Toby Fox.

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

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 11

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

W.D. GASTER, THE ULTIMATE TICKLE MASTER

Chapter 10: Axe of Retribution

Gaster: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! *Gaster shouted, sliding about 60 yards away from Toriel, Asgore, Sans, Papyrus, and Undyne after being hit by a mysterious blast of yellow lightning* Gah, what on earth?! *he asked, moments after witnessing the individual that attacked him and his clones with lightning*

 ???: Ehehehehe. Hello, Gaster. *said the attacker casually (and confidently) while summoning an axe that looked a little too big for them to wield effectively* It’s me, the girl that’s about to kick your ass! Ehehehehe~

 Gaster: Oh, is that so? *asked Gaster, summoning his scythe while proceeding to stand up* Well then take your best shot, ALPHYS!!! I dare you!!

 (WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?! ALPHYS?!?! THAT’S WHO ATTACKED GASTER JUST NOW?!?!?! ALPHYS?!?! :O :O :O :O :O)

 Gaster’s eyes sockets do not deceive him! Alphys is indeed the one that’s responsible for attacking him just now! Like Toriel, Asgore, Sans, Papyrus, Undyne, and Gaster himself, Alphys has magical abilities of her own. And with them, she is going to “fight” Gaster and make him pay for what he did to Toriel, Asgore, Sans, Papyrus, and Undyne this morning and Muffet, Blooky, and Mettaton yesterday afternoon. ;) Or, at least try to make him pay for what he’s done. She is going up against W.D. Gaster after all! But with her axe, lightning magic, and Undyne attire (again, everything minus the boots and eyepatch) aiding her however (the Undyne attire gives her a boost of confidence), she might just stand a chance. ;)

 Alphys: Ehehehehe. That’s all I needed to hear. NGAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! *shouted Alphys, as if she were Undyne, while charging at Gaster with her axe*

Gaster: Hehehehe. Oh you. *said Gaster with a chuckle, summoning Gaster Blasters in an attempt to slow Alphys down* Do you really think that charging at me like that is going to work? Hehehehehehehe~

 But it did work! Before the blasters could hit her, Alphys dashed out of the way with lightning-fast speed; as if she were a bolt of lightning herself; and before Gaster knew it, she was directly in front of him, just itching to dig with her clawed fingers and toes into his hopefully sensitive bones! But before Alphys could do that though, she and Gaster then clashed their weapons; Alphys with her large axe and Gaster with his demonic scythe; and they continued doing so for the next couple of minutes. All while Toriel, Asgore, Sans, Papyrus, and Undyne quietly made their way over to them to find out exactly what the two of them were doing, using the trees as cover to prevent Gaster from seeing them.

 ………

 Toriel: Oh my goodness, can anyone explain to me what we just saw? Or, WHO we just saw? Asgore?

 Asgore: Hey, don’t ask me, Toriel. I’m just a confused as you are.  And… so is Papyrus by the looks of it.

 Papyrus: Nyeh heh heh! You’re gosh darn right, your majesty! Nyeh heh heh!

 Sans: Hehehehe. Oh, don’t worry, you guys. You’ll find out what or who that was in a little while, trust me.

 Undyne: Fuhuhuhu! Yeah, what he said. Fuhuhuhu! And once you find out, you and Toriel are going to be like, “What the *bleep*!!” Fuhuhuhu!! *said Undyne with a massive smile on her face before getting her ponytail yanked by Toriel* OUCH!! OW!!

 Toriel: Language, young lady!

 Undyne: OW, OW, OW, ok, I’m sorry!! I’m sorry!! Ow, ow, ow!!

 Toriel: Ok, that’s what I thought. *said Toriel, moments before letting go of Undyne’s hair*

 ………

 A few minutes later…

 Gaster: Hehehehe. You’re skills are admirable, young lady. *said Gaster, complimenting Alphys* But let’s see how they fare against this!

 Moments later, Gaster teleported directly behind Alphys with a full intent of digging his bony fingers into her overly sensitive sides. But right before he could do that though, Alphys dashed away from him with lightning-fast speed and then towards him with a full intent of digging her clawed fingers and toes into his bones. But then right before Alphys could do that, she was placed into a telekinetic hold by Gaster. Damn those telekinetic powers of his! And to make matters even worse, he summoned ghostly hands to try and tickle her everywhere on her sensitive body; her feet, her belly, her sides, her ribs, her neck, her knees, her thighs, her tail, you name it! But before that happened though, Alphys destroyed every single one of them with numerous bolts of lightning!  

 Alphys: Haha! Take that, G-Man! Yeah, I can cheat too! *teased Alphys in a cocky manner, moments before striking Gaster with lightning to free herself*

 Gaster: fjhefuisirfhwauifrhsubgisheiushrbrfbrerguregushierisigefarhsihs!!!

 Alphys: Haha! Yes! I’ve escaped!

 Gaster: Hehe! Indeed you have! Hehehe. Now try to dodge this, why don’t you! *shouted Gaster, summoning bigger hands (2x bigger) to tickle Alphys with* Mwahahahahahaha!!

 But then, before the hands could actually tickle Alphys, Alphys managed to destroy them all WITH FIRE FROM MOUTH; just like that of a fire-breathing dragon!!! :O In addition to summoning an axe and creating and controlling lightning, Alphys can also create and control fire!

 Gaster: Hehehehe. You’re full of tricks, lizard. I like that about you. *claimed Gaster, summoning magical orbs to attack Alphys with in the form of spinning sickles*

 Alphys: Ehehehehe. Good. Because there’s plenty more than where that came from! *exclaimed Alphys, moments before creating a large fire wall to protect herself from the sickles*

 ………

 While Alphys was busy protecting herself from Gaster’s orbs with her fire wall, Toriel, Asgore, Sans, Papyrus, and Undyne, while continuing to stay out of sight, finally reached her and Gaster’s current location.

 Toriel and Asgore: *surprised gasp* OH MY GOD!! ALPHYS?! THAT WAS ALPHYS?!

 Undyne: Fuhuhuhu! Hell yeah, it was! She really got him good, didn’t she?

 Sans: Hehe. Yep. Pretty cool, huh?

 Papyrus: (Oh, good. That was Alphys. I’ve never seen her do that type of attack before. So when she attacked my dad a while ago, I thought it was some random stranger. :/)

 Toriel: …Why was she in the house all this time?! *asked Toriel with a bit of sass in her voice, confused as to why Alphys didn’t physically assist her, Asgore, Sans, Papyrus, and Undyne in combat from the get-go*

 Sans: Good question, Tori. You should ask her that after we all tickle my old man together. *said Sans to Toriel with a cheeky-looking grin on his face* Hehehe.

 Asgore: Well, what are we waiting for then? Let’s get over there and help her!

 Undyne: Oh, no, no, no. Not yet, Asgore. Let my little lizard bae have a little more fun first. Fuhuhuhu! (EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I’M SO PROUD OF YOU, ALPHYS!! X3)

 ………

 Gaster: Mwahahahaha! Really? A fire wall? You’ve already got plenty of those on your computer, you know; and everyone else’s computers for that matter. *teased Gaster*

 Alphys: Oh, shut up and ��burn,” old man! *exclaimed Alphys, without any intention of offending Gaster as she began redirecting her fire towards his current location* NGAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! *she shouted, like that of her fish waifu once again*

 Gaster: *absorbs Alphys’s fire with his left arm and then fires it all back at Alphys*

 Alphys had a feeling that Gaster was going to absorb her fire. So, in response to this, she too absorbed the fire; but not with one or both of her arms. Instead, she absorbed her own fire with her axe! Then, immediately after the fire was absorbed, Alphys jumped high into the air and then came down with a powerful slam, creating a fire shockwave that sent Gaster soaring through the air about 20 feet away from her!

 Gaster: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH~!!! *shouted Gaster while flying through the air*

 ………

 Papyrus: Ok; now, Undyne?

 Undyne: Fuhuhu; nope, not quite yet, Papy!

 Papyrus: Well, when will it be time?

 Undyne: I’ll let you know! *said Undyne in a bit of a sassy tone to Papyrus*

 Toriel: Hey, no need to be so bossy, young lady! *shouted Toriel, scaring Undyne a little in the process*

 Undyne: …I’m sorry. *Undyne apologized with a worried “Oh *bleep*!” expression on her face*

 ………

 After being launched into the air by Alphys, Gaster then worked up enough energy to summon two giant hands; two giant hands that are capable of delivering some serious tickling to Alphys!

 Gaster: Oh, you are so asking for it now, young lady! Hehehehehehe~

 Alphys: Hmph! You talk too much. *teased Alphys, moments before obliterating both of Gaster’s giant hands in quick succession; the first one with a combination of her fire and lightning magic and then the second one with her axe* Hahahahahaha~!!

 Gaster: *puts Alphys in the strongest telekinetic hold possible; a telekinetic hold in which she’s unable to move her eyes :O*

 Alphys: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Noooooooooooooooooooo!!!! *shouted Alphys frighteningly, struggling to free herself from her current predicament* Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!!

 ………

 Undyne: Oh *bleep*!! Ok, everyone, let’s go!! My lizard weeaboo is in danger and needs our help!!

 Toriel: Uh, “weeaboo,” Undyne? *asked Toriel confusingly, not expecting such a word to come out of Undyne’s mouth*

 Undyne: (Oh, *bleep*! Did I really just say that out loud?!) Uh, nothing, just a silly little name I made up! *lied Undyne* Fuhuhu! Anyway, let’s save Alphys! She could really use some help right about now!

 With that said; Toriel, Asgore, Sans, Papyrus, and Undyne all proceeded to run as fast as they could towards Gaster; attacking him with their weapons to make him let go of Alphys; Toriel with her sword and shield, Asgore with his trident, Sans with his double-bladed scythe, Papyrus with his weapon in its scythe form, and Undyne with her spear.

 Gaster: Gah! Not again! *exclaimed Gaster, summoning hands and orbs to fend off his five attackers*

 Of the five attackers, Toriel managed grab a hold one of Gaster’s limbs with her weapon its bladed whip form, Gaster’s left arm to be exact, before the hands and orbs began attacking her. Noticing this, Alphys, who had just recovered from being trapped in a telekinetic hold, felt the need to imbue Toriel’s weapon with lightning, electrocuting Gaster to make him lose control of his magical orbs to some extent.

 Gaster: fjasdfshegiuraefwjoiuseofnafsfwenfoanfonaos!!!

 Toriel: Mwahahahaha! I got you! *shouted Toriel, firmly grasping Gaster’s left arm and shoulder to prevent him from teleporting away* Mwahahahahahaha~ Wait! Oof! Gah! No! Oooof! S-so many things pushing against meeeeeeee! Gah! I… I can’t tickle him! Ahhhhhh~

 Despite having a firm grip on Gaster’s left arm and shoulder, Toriel is unable to tickle Gaster due to his summoned hands constantly pushing against her arms, legs, head, and torso. All she can do is hold onto him until he gets fully subdued and pray to God that he won’t try to tickle her in an attempt to make her let go of him!

 Alphys: *gasp* It worked! Asgore, your turn! *shouted Alphys, moments before imbuing the monster king’s trident with lightning*

 Asgore: Hohoho! Thanks, Alphys! *said Asgore in response*

 Asgore then proceeded to fend off some of Gaster’s hands and orbs with his lightning-imbued trident with incredible ease. Then, once the hands and orbs were taken care of, Asgore managed to poke Gaster with his trident; electrocuting him once again and making him lose even more control of his magical orbs.

 Gaster: afiaefiufwaeiofonaesvnrjeksanerkjenskjerasj!!!

 Asgore: Hohohoho! Another step closer! *shouted Asgore, firmly grasping Gaster’s right arm and shoulder to prevent him from teleporting away even more* Hohoho! Oof! Gaster, stop that! Oooooof!

 Just like Toriel, Asgore, despite having a firm grip on Gaster’s right arm and shoulder, is unable to tickle Gaster due to Gaster’s summoned hands constantly pushing against his arms, legs, head, and torso. It appears that it’s going to take more than the brute strength of two boss monsters to subdue Gaster!

 Undyne: *gasp* Oh, I see what you’re doing, babe! And I like it! Fuhuhuhu! Well, come on then! Just like we practiced! *exclaimed Undyne, summoning spears from the ground in a straight line directly towards Gaster’s left leg*

 Alphys: Hehe. Aww, nice! Ehehehehe.

 Undyne: Papy, do the same thing with your bones!

 Papyrus: Nyeh heh heh! Will do, Undyne! *exclaimed Papyrus, summoning bones from the ground in a straight line directly towards Gaster’s right leg*

 Alphys: Ehehehe. Ok, here goes nothing… KAMEHAMEHA!!! *shouted Alphys, sending chain lightning from bone to bone and spear to spear until eventually reaching both of Gaster’s legs* (Ehehehehe. Yeah! Giant energy beam or not, shouting that was definitely worth it!!! *gasp* Oh dear, now I’m starting to sound like my “little bro!” The extremely rare not-so-sweet side of him to be exact!)

 Gaster: safjhreugiersgurwhtugiersogniowernstboerooesranew!!!

 By electrocuting Gaster a third time, Alphys has managed to make Gaster lose practically all of his control with his magical orbs. That and make it possible for both Undyne and Papyrus to grab Gaster’s legs; Undyne with a firm grip on Gaster’s left leg and Papyrus with a firm grip on Gaster’s right leg.

 Undyne: Fuhuhu! Beautiful, babe! Just beautiful! Fuhuhu! Oof! Urgh!

 Papyrus: But still not quite enough, I’m afraid! Gah! Nyoo hoo hoo!

 Just like Toriel and Asgore, Undyne and Papyrus are unable to tickle Gaster due to so many summoned hands pushing against their arms, legs, heads, and torsos. Clearly four individuals aren’t enough to fully subdue Gaster either! So, upon observing this, Sans, who has been fending off Gaster’s hands and magical orbs in a nearby tree this entire time, teleported directly above Gaster and landed directly onto his shoulders to subdue him even more.

 Sans: Hehehehe. Gotcha, Dad! Hehehehe. And now you’re blind! *shouted Sans, covering up his father’s eyes just like a little kid riding on one of their parents’ shoulders*

 Gaster: Gah; really, Sans? Urgh! Just how old do you think you are? *asked Gaster in disbelief, struggling to keep control of his magical orbs as he summoned hands to push against his older son’s arms, legs, head, and torso*

 Sans: Hehehehe. I am 7 years old! I’m a little kid! *said the 28-year-old skeleton jokingly, keeping a firm grip on Gaster’s head with his hands and legs* Hehehehehe. Wheeeeeeeee~ Oooooooooof!! *he exclaimed as skeleton hands started pushing against him*

 Gaster: Uraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!

 By covering up Gaster’s eyes, Sans has made Gaster lose all control of his magical orbs. But not his summoned hands though! The summoned hands are still pushing against everyone’s arms, legs, heads, and torsos with all of their might in order to prevent everyone trying to subdue him from tickling him! Even more so now with Sans firmly grasping Gaster’s head!

 Alphys: Eeeeeeeeeeeeeek! H-h-hold on, guys! *panicked Alphys* If I could just… * she shouted, making her way close to Gaster only to be stopped by some of his summoned hands*

 At this point, Gaster has summoned the maximum number of hands that he’s capable of summoning. All 200 of them! And with them, he is fending off Toriel, Asgore, Sans, Papyrus, Undyne, and Alphys; enough to prevent them from tickling him but not enough to make them let go of his limbs and head. So, that’s where Alphys comes in. Somehow, while fending off some of Gaster’s summoned hands with her axe, lightning magic, and fire magic, the nerdy lizard girl herself needs to find a way to fully subdue Gaster. Somehow, she needs to make something happen. Anything! Literally anything at this point! Gaster is very strong! And Toriel, Asgore, Sans, Papyrus, and Undyne don’t know how much longer they can hold him!

 Alphys: O-o-ok, you guys! Eyaaaaaaa! *slices through some of Gaster’s summoned hands with her axe* How’s this work for you? *charges up and then fires lightning from her axe directly at Gaster, affecting him and only him with her lightning*

 But the lightning blast didn’t do any good! If anything, it made it more difficult for everyone to fend off the hands. Hmmm… perhaps fire will work better?

 Alphys: *bleep* *bleep*!! Um, ok, uh, h-h-how about this? Will this work? *charges up and then fires a steady stream of fire (like that of flamethrower) from her axe directly at Gaster, affecting him and only him with her fire*

 Nope! Fire didn’t work either! Just like the lightning, the fire made fending off Gaster’s hands even more difficult! But, luckily for Alphys though, there’s one more thing she can do; something that might easily subdue Gaster; but, also something that might make it harder for everyone to tickle him. :/

 Alphys: Ugh! All right, I was hoping I wouldn’t have to do this, but I’m kinda out of options over here, soooo… here goes nothing…

 With that said; Alphys proceeded to take a really deep breath. Then, once she was ready, SHE BLEW ICE BREATH IN GASTER’S DIRECTION, completely freezing Gaster and the ground around him without affecting Toriel, Asgore, Sans, Papyrus, and Undyne in any way, shape, or form!! :O But not just that though! Just in case Gaster tries to find a way to escape his frozen predicament, Alphys felt the need to make it harder for him to try and escape by surrounding him with a plethora of ice pillars and spikes! Of course after Toriel, Asgore, Sans, Papyrus, and Undyne all moved away from him! That’s right! In addition to summoning an axe and creating and controlling lightning and fire, Alphys can also create and control ice! Lightning, fire, and ice; that’s three different types of elemental magic at Alphys’s disposal! And with them, along with her axe, she makes for one fearsome warrior under the guise of a nerdy scientist that lacks combat skills. In other words, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Or, in this case, a lizard in fish’s clothing; literally since she’s currently wearing Undyne’s clothes minus the red boots and black eyepatch.

 Sans: Woah, CHILL out, Al! ICE think you’ve made your point! Hehehehehe~

 Undyne: *sarcastic laugh* Oh, shut up, bonehead! *Undyne shouted at San before saying the following to Alphys,* Alphys, that was very COOL of you! Fuhuhu!

 Toriel: Hee hee hee! Yeah, way to LET IT GO, young lady! *cheered Toriel* Hee hee hee!

 Alphys: Heeheeheeheehee!! Awwww, thanks, you guys! *said Alphys while blushing* Heeheeheehee!!

 Asgore: Hohoho! Of course, Alphys! Hohoho! Of course! Hohoho! Of course!

 Papyrus: Nyeh heh heh! Yes, indeed! But, there’s just one problem though! How are we going to tickle my dad while he’s frozen solid like this?!

 Alphys: Oh, ehehehehehe, I have no idea! Ehehehehehe; but, hey, look on the bright side. At least now we don’t have to worry about him tickling us! Heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee~!! *giggled Alphys; moments before feeling something tickly dig into her overly sensitive soles underneath the grass and dirt* PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF… HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! *SNORT* HUHUHUHUHUH?!! *SNORT* HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, *SNORT* WHAHAHAAHAHAT THE HEHEHEHEHEHELL?!! *asked Alphys confusedly in between spurts of adorable giggles and laughter as something tickled her feet underneath the part of the ground she’s currently standing on* HEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEE!!!!!!! *SNORT* *SNORT* EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!!!! *SNORT* OHOHOHOOHOH GOHOHOHOHOD, *SNORT* *SNORT* HAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA, *SNORT* OH MY GOHOHOHOHOHOD, *SNORT* HAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA, *SNORT* SOMETHING’S TIHIHIHIHIHICKLING *SNORT* MY FEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEET!!!!!!! *SNORT* *SNORT* *SNORT* BLAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! *the nerdy lizard girl giggled and laughed once more, moments before falling to the ground and onto her back; and moments before something began restraining her to the ground in a spread eagle position with her tail lying flat against the ground in between her legs* HEHEHEHEHEHEHELP ME!!!!!!! *SNORT* HAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, *SNORT* SOMEBOHOHOHOHODY, *SNORT* HEHEHEHEHELP MEEHEEHEEHEE!!!!!!! *SNORT* *SNORT* EEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEE~!!!!!!!

TO BE CONCLUDED...

[lefaystrent]

Round and round we go

Fandom: Thomas Sanders, Sanders Sides

Pairing: none

Summary:  Logan stood there long after the commotion began outside, the one where everyone realized what had happened and were running to help and call an ambulance. 

Notes: I had this idea of “How do I ruin a coffee shop au?” So have this dark little ficlet.

AO3 Link

There are some days that you can never forget. Some of them you don’t consider as important at the time until they resurface years later, and you’ll ask yourself why, of all the memories, your brain decided this one was too important to let go. Just as well, there are moments in life that occur and you know without a doubt, then and there, that you will remember that day forever.

For Logan, the day itself would remember him

He sat in a coffee shop down the street from his place of work. Most mornings, before he began the daily grind of his job, he chose to wake his sleepy mind over a cup of caffeine. At the wide windows he’d sit, half the time huddling over the warmth between his hands. The other half he’d spend gazing out the glass, content to stare emptily at the passing cars and bodies. Sometimes his coffee tasted just right and he’d sip the rich, sweetness down. Other times, no amount of creamer or sugar could sweeten the bitterness.

Today, Logan couldn’t find it in himself to drink pass the halfway mark. Really, he should have seen it as a sign of things to come, but more and more these days he couldn’t wrap his cynical thoughts around the idea that everything happens for a reason.

That’s why he was startled by the man sprinting down the sidewalk. Maybe he wouldn’t have noticed him even then, but just as he was passing Logan’s spot by the window, he tripped on the curb and stumbled to the side. He didn’t fall, merely lost momentum and had to right himself, giving him the perfect opportunity to look up and let their gazes meet.

He had a frenzied air about him. A tall figure, lanky limbs swathed in a patchworked hoodie. His brown and purple-dyed hair stuck up in places, having been blown back in the man’s mad dash, or maybe it was always so disheveled. The under part of his eyes was so dark that make-up had to have been used, the product standing out against pale skin and making his deep brown eyes pop.

Those eyes seemed alarmed, not at the near fall, but at Logan himself. There was an intensity there that gave Logan the most peculiar sense of invasiveness, like the man saw more than him or into his very being. Whatever the man saw, it left him stock-still and staring.

Then suddenly an emotion flickered in his eyes, something akin to realization, and his cheeks strained in a large grin. Barely-there crinkles edged the corners of his eyes as something danced in his irises. Relief. Happiness. Affection? Logan couldn’t place it. Whatever it was, it stole his breath and built a wispy connection between them. That connection, he couldn’t explain it fully, but he knew that it was important, precarious, and affected him strong enough to make Logan cry out when the bus hit him.

They’d been too busy staring at each other. Neither of them noticed how the man stood on the road vulnerably. The bus driver didn’t notice either, as he would attest to later. The massive vehicle slammed into the man at over forty miles-an-hour—a blur that sent him flying across the concrete. Logan couldn’t see where he landed, but what he did see had him standing on his feet before he registered the movement. He knew that he shouted something, knew that his drink spilled over the table and the other patrons must have been looking at him. Somewhere in his mind though, he’d shut off everything else besides this one incident.

The man. The bus. The impact.

Logan stood there long after the commotion began outside, the one where everyone realized what had happened and were running to help and call an ambulance. He should be out there too. He should tell someone what happened, that the man had been staring at him when it happened. He should see if he was okay. But in his gut the knowledge boiled nauseously.

The man was dead. He died and Logan had watched it happen.

When he finally left the coffee shop, Logan didn’t wade through the crowd. He didn’t go to work either. His legs carried him mechanically, one automatic step after the other. Eventually he found himself at home with hardly any recollection of how he came to be there. Listlessly, Logan wandered around his apartment in endless circles, confused when he stared into the pantry or when he sat by his half-filled laundry basket. He didn’t know what to do with himself.

At some point, his phone rang. Logan didn’t remember hearing it, nor answering.

“Logan, what the hell?”

He frowned and, with more struggle than the task warranted, placed the caller as a coworker.

“Remy?” Logan asked, voice coming out incredibly monotone.

A sigh on the other line and then a rebuttal came. “You should have called in, gurl. We were worried. It’s not like you to be late, like ever.”

That’s right. Logan had work today. He was missing work right now. He never missed work. Why didn’t that concern him as much as it should?

“Sorry, I had to come home,” Logan explained, puzzled by his own answer.

“You should have called,” Remy said again, though more calmed. “Ah, it’s probably lucky you didn’t come in today anyway.”

“Why?”

“There was this accident with a bus down the road. Can you believe it? I heard someone got hit. Everyone’s been in a tizzy.”

The guy. The brunet he’d met eyes with. The smiling stranger a bus slammed into—

“I saw it,” Logan admitted.

“Saw it? Saw what?”

“The guy . . . I saw it happen,” he responded, voice small and ringing in his ears. “I was there.”

“Oh. Oh. Oh Lo,” Remy began, tone racing to sympathy. Whatever he was thinking, it was far worse than that. Logan wanted to tell him, tell him about the encounter, the way the guy was smiling at him when the bus hit him. He’d wanted to tell someone earlier, had needed to share that and let it out. But now....

“I need to go Remy,” he said suddenly.

“What? Wait,” Remy started but was cut off.

“I’ll talk later, goodbye.”

Logan hurriedly hung up. It was only when he stared down at his phone that he noticed his hands were shaking. How strange; he didn’t feel cold.

The rest of his day proceeded in a stilted fashion. He would lay down but then rise to pace around his apartment. He’d turn on the TV and his eyes, along with his thoughts, would stray from the screen. His throat tightened up every now and then in a suppressed sob, these moments alternating with bouts of anger, like when he stopped brushing his hair to violently throw a brush in the bathtub.

On and off. Back and forth.

His emotions couldn’t decide on where to settle. He’d seen a man die that day, and he couldn’t eat or clean out the dishwasher without the memory slapping him anew. He wanted to pretend it didn’t happen, or at the very least like it didn’t affect him. He didn’t want to remember that smile or the look in his eyes and feel this gnawing grief. He hadn’t even known him.

His mind continued in a cycle, over and over, on into the coldest hours of the night. Nearing dawn, he fell into a restless sleep until his alarm clock reminded him that he had work today.

Defeated, he dragged himself from the tangle of sheets. He bathed, he dressed, he ate—all the while with a blessedly blank mind. It was as unthinking as his walk home yesterday, so it was no surprise when he checked the time to find himself running late.

Logan put his cereal bowl in the sink and headed out the door. The farther he walked in the fresh air, the more his numb senses stretched and let the blood flow once more. This was routine, going to work, and he could fall into it gladly. As his mind gained momentum, so did his body. Encouraged by the swiftly passing time, Logan picked up his pace in a run. He’d never put this much effort into hurrying to work before, not even when he’d ran later than he did today. But something prompted him into a jog and he didn’t stop to question it.

Down the road from his workplace, Logan nearly tripped onto his face and managed to save himself by stumbling over the curb. He righted himself, still holding his breath from almost falling, and looked up.

The first thing he saw was that he stood outside the coffee shop he frequented. Next he saw through the window where a man was sitting. It was the man from yesterday, the one who got hit by a bus.

Logan gaped at the sight. He remembered yesterday clearly, could recall the man’s exact expression when the bus barreled into him. And yet, here he was, sitting at a table inside, very much alive and looking Logan’s way. He seemed taken aback by Logan’s intense stare, as if it wasn’t odd at all that he was sitting at a table without a scratch on him.

A dream? Had yesterday been some strange, lucid dream?

It had to be, seeing as how the man was right in front of Logan, just as alive as he’d been before the bus hit him. It was really him, same purple-streaked hair, shadowed under-eyes, and patchworked hoodie. It was him and he was alive.

A wave of pure joy swelled in Logan the likes of which he’d never felt. He couldn’t help but smile at the man, his eyes prickling with wet heat. It didn’t matter that this man didn’t know him or was confused by his actions. Logan wanted to laugh in happiness, because he was alive and that’s all that mattered.

As he watched him, the man’s expression flickered with some emotion, something like horror. The next instant, a brutal force slammed into Logan’s side. His flesh flattened, his bones crushed, and for a split-second the world fell and he along with it.

Then it was over.

[rainyrowan]

Sunkissed - Chapter 2

description: Wedding of the century rolls around as the previous college clique, along with the rest of their family members, stay in preparation for it. During this time, Riley meets Lucas, a gorgeous, green-eyed wallflower who happens to be immediately taken by her. Little did she know, he has a deep secret. One that will either change her views on him forever or make her feel closer to his world.

word count: 2,801

pairings: riley x lucas

Song: Troublemaker by Olly Murs (Ft. Flo Rida)

chapter two; lucas

"Please stop!" I pleaded. As much as I've begged for him to stop, he wouldn't. He kept going.

He began walking towards my mother. Her eyes were filled with so much sorrow and fear that it was too painful for me to even look at her. She quickly scurries over to me. "Lucas, listen to me. You need to leave, okay? Aubrey is in the basement downstairs. Take her with you and go as far away from here as you can." She whispers, but he then grabs her from behind and pushes her up against the wall.

I couldn't bear to see him do this. Again. "STOP HURTING HER!" I yell. He turns around and stares at me with his bloodshot eyes. In that very moment, I was ready for whatever would happen next. He lets out a drunken chuckle before taking a swing at me.

Like always, he doesn't stop. He only kept going.

Punch.

Kick.

Hit.

"No," I whimpered. I couldn't take him. I was too weak."No..."

"NO!" I suddenly jerk up, panting. I feel the sweat dripping down from my forehead. "Just a dream," I whisper to myself repeatedly. The same dream I've been getting for the longest time.

I glance over at my clock. Too early. I graciously plopped back down and wrapped myself in my covers.

I think I had a good ten minutes before someone came knocking on my door.

"Lucas," a voice from behind it says softly. Knowing who it is and why I'm being awakened so early, I ignore it.

"Hey, buddy. It's six-thirty, we've got a flight to catch." I feel a hand rub my back, but I still continue to ignore. "Fine! If this is how you want it-" All of a sudden, I hear footsteps skid across my floor before a crushing weight falls on top of my chest.

"Ow!" I cry as my eyes flung open to see my Aunt Rachel seated on top of me. What a goof.

"You know, that really wasn't necessary!" I say looking up at her.

"Um, it really was! I've been trying to wake you up three times already." She exclaims, getting off.

We're supposed to fly to California today in preparation for my Aunt Rachel and Uncle Jack's wedding. It's safe to say that Aunt Rachel is very, very excited. Apparently, they're hiring these two wedding planners, who were their close friends from college, to help them plan and run everything. However, their timing isn't really the best. Due to Uncle Jack's schedule complications, they had to move the wedding earlier than anticipated. Earlier as at the end of this week. How they're going to plan this whole ceremony in one week, I don't know. But, I'm quite certain that with Aunt Rachel around, they can surely do it. She's always been a believer of the fact that if you really put your mind to something, you can accomplish it. And she has. I've seen her done miraculous things with this mindset. She's someone I surely look up to.

I finally find all the strength to pull myself out of bed. "Is Aubrey ready?" I ask.

"Yes, sir. As a matter of fact, we all are. So, if you don't hurry, I will literally beat your ass!" She jokes, leaving my room. I let out a chuckle as she shuts the door behind her. She may be my aunt, but she treats me like a little brother on a day to day basis.

I quickly peel off my sleepwear and put on a pair of jeans, along with a black hoodie. I then grab my stuff before leaving the room.

The smell of freshly cooked bacon and eggs greeted me as I entered the kitchen.

"Good morning, Lucas! Your food's right over there." Uncle Jack points over to the plate next to my little sister, who is currently inhaling her breakfast. I laugh at the sight. Can't blame her, though. Uncle Jack never fails to delight our taste buds.

"Hi, Aubrey," I say, setting my bags down and taking a seat next to her. Still chewing, she smiles up at me in response.

I dig into my delicious meal as Uncle Jack sits in front of me. "You know, you didn't have to make us breakfast. We could've grabbed Starbucks at the airport or something."

"Well, I just-"

Out of nowhere, Aunt Rachel storms into the kitchen, picking up all our stuff. "Okay! I'll be bringing our bags downstairs since the cab will be arriving any minute now. Hurry up and finish your food! We don't have all day, so chop chop!" She yells. Before I could even offer any help, she's already out the door.

"As I was saying, I feel bad for leaving you two with all that craziness." Uncle Jack jokes. I let out a soft chuckle.

Uncle Jack mentioned something about this huge conference going on for his company, which takes place this week. So, he won't be coming to California until two days before the wedding. He really tried getting out of it, but it just impossible. I felt bad for him, of course, but all I could really think about is how on earth are we all going to survive this crazy week.

Aunt Rachel pokes her head into the apartment door. "Cab's here!" Uncle Jack quickly dashes over to her and grabs her arm. He spins her around so she's facing him, then plants a kiss on her lips. Smooth.

"You think I'd let you leave without saying goodbye?"She gushes.

"I guess it'd be a little out of character of you if you did."

"I'll miss you," He whispers, pulling her into a hug. "Take care."

"You too." She pulls away and kisses him once again. They're honestly so perfect for one another. Why didn't get married sooner?

Uncle Jack then picks up Aubrey and showers her with my more kisses. "You have fun, my little princess." It means the world to me that he loves her, loves us, this much. From the very first day we moved in with them, Uncle Jack, in particular, seemed far more understanding of our situation.

"And you," He turns to me. "I know how you are with others." I already know where this is going.

"Look, the people you're about to visit- They're our family. They mean more to us than anyone would ever know. Please don't push them away, shut yourself out, or anything else along those lines. They're special, so I expect you to keep an open mind throughout this trip, alright?"

He's not in the wrong for saying all this. Past experiences have allowed me to disconnect from the world, even with the people around me. I just find it so hard to trust people. Only ones I've ever really trust are them. They were my only family after all.

I purse my lips, offering him a slight nod.

"Good." He says, pulling me into a hug. He pats my back before letting go.

"Alright, I don't want to keep you guys for too long." Uncle Jack smiles. "So, take care."

Once we've all said our goodbyes once again, we finally head out the building and into the taxicab that had been waiting for us. Aunt Rachel gives the address to the driver before we head straight to the airport.

- - -

California isn't really that far from Seattle, which is pretty convenient on my end because Aubrey absolutely hates plane rides. She threw a massive tantrum at first, but I managed to tame it. I spent the whole two hours of the flight trying to calm her down but cradling her in my arms whilst telling her multiple stories. Nothing too bad.

Once we exited the gate, a woman instantly spots us and starts running towards us. Aunt Rachel dropped her bags and ran towards her as well.

"Angela!" She exclaims, pulling her into an embrace.

"How are you, sweetheart? What have you been up to?"

"The usual. Oh, no big deal, but I also got engaged!" She pulls away to show off her hand with the engagement ring Uncle Jack gave her. They both squealed.

Angela then turns to smiles at me. "You must be the infamous Lucas Friar. I've heard a lot about you." Great. Someone else who knows about my awful past. She pulls me into a hug as I shoot Aunt Rachel a despising glare. "Sorry!" She mouths silently.

"Infamous, I am," I mumble, pulling away. I already hate this.

Angela turns to Aubrey in awe. "Oh! Who might you be, you gorgeous one?"

"My name is Aubrey." She says sweetly. Angela places her hands over her chest, turning to Aunt Rachel. "She's adorable!"

Aunt Rachel smirks. "Takes after me, obviously!"

"Well, we better get going. Cory and Topanga are really excited to see you." Angela says. She offers to carry Aubrey's stuff as we walk out of the airport and into the parking lot.

"Oh my gosh. I miss them so much," Aunt Rachel beamed, getting into Angela's minivan. "How are they?"

Sticking the key in the ignition, Angela laughs. "They're doing great. And Riley, oh my goodness! She's growing up to be an absolutely beautiful woman."

"You're kidding?! Last time I saw her, she was only a little baby!" Aunt Rachel gasped.

"It can't be that long! She's practically running the flower shop!"

"Who's Riley?" Aubrey asks out of curiosity.

"Honey, Riley is the daughter our friends," Aunt Rachel explains.

Angela turns to look at me. "Yeah, and she's about Lucas' age." She winks. Everyone in the car giggles. I silently roll my eyes.

The last thing I need is to have a thing with some California girl that I would probably never see again after this trip.

- - -

One thing that I worried about before this trip was how much I'd miss the city. I was pretty much born and raised there. I've never really gone anywhere else. Although, I have to admit- The drive to Cory and Topanga's, made me realize that it wouldn't be much on an issue. Apparently, they live alongside the beach, so the drive only consisted of beautiful beach scenery.

I focus on the clear blue water glistening as a handful of children run around the shoreline, ready to jump into the water. Other kids would stick around the far end to build sandcastles. Aubrey would surely have fun. I thought, planning to take her as soon as we've settled in.

As we drove closer and closer to the beach, I also happen to spot a ton of girls. I don't really think that much of them. As a matter of fact, I try my very best to avoid them as much as possible. Back in the city, a lot of them would practically throw themselves at me. Sometimes I wonder if they've still got their dignity or if they even had it in the first place.

Most girls here on the beach were either sunbathing or taking photos. Although, there was one who caught my eye. She obviously stood out since she was doing neither of those things. Even though we were close enough to where I could still get a good look at her, I couldn't capture a glimpse of her face.

Unlike the others, she was sitting on a rock by the shoreline. She had on a maroon sweater as her long brown curls flowed behind her. She was staring off into the ocean. She also had a camera by her side. Probably a photographer. I think to myself.

We finally pull up in front of what seems to be a flower shop called The Floral Boutique. According to Aunt Rachel, The Floral Boutique is a family business which is currently run by Topanga.

My eyes then fixate over to Ever After, a bridal shop which looks like it's connected to The Floral Boutique. From what I've heard, both Angela and Topanga co-own this business together. Topanga must be some kick-ass woman for being involved with two businesses.

With our bags, we all walk into The Floral Boutique. Behind the counter, a man looks up at us with a smile. "Well, I'll be damned!" He exclaims.

"Cory!" Aunt Rachel yells, offering him a hug. "This is my niece, Aubrey, and my nephew, Lucas."

He bends down to shake Aubrey's hand. "Nice to meet you, sweetheart!"

His gaze then leads to me. Cory stands up and folds his arms. "What are you, like 20?" He asks.

"No, sir." I laugh. "I'm 17."

Cory gasps."BOYZ!"

I tilt my head in confusion as he brings his face closer to mine. "What are you doing?" I mumble.

"Just examining your facial structure," He answers casually. Once he steps back he turns to my aunt. "He's too perfect! He shall remain five feet away from my daughter at all times." Riley.

Angela scoffs. "Don't even, Cory."

"Yeah," Aunt Rachel says. "Lucas is a wonderful guy."

I press my lips together. I don't know why everyone's insisting on anything, rather, why we're even talking about this. I truly have no desire to start something up with anyone this week.

"Rachel?" Someone calls out from the back room. All eyes fall on her as she approaches us.

"Oh my god. Topanga." Aunt Rachel says with a smile.

Based on appearance, I could already tell that she is a bad-ass woman. She just seems so... Strong. Like a fierce Amazon warrior type.

After a few short minutes of rekindling with one another and greeting Aubrey for the first time, she turns to me. I've never really met her, at least I don't think I have. About ready to introduce myself, she stops me.

"You're Lucas Friar."

"We've met?" I asked.

"Well, you probably don't remember me," She pauses. "But, yeah. We have. A long time ago, though. You were probably about this tall." Topanga levels her hand by her hip. Then her eyes fall on me once again. "I know all about you," She says casually. Okay, so does everyone know about me?! I slightly clench my jaw, planning on making a comment on that fact. However, Topanga speaks before I could.

"You're really brave." She smiles before walking back to everyone else. No one's ever told me that before. Because I've had such a horrible past, no one seems to want to fully acknowledge anything about it. If they do, it would usually be more of a negative remark, which is why I definitely preferred it being that way. Although, I do feel just slightly better about myself after hearing Topanga's comment.

Everyone follows her and Angela as they offer to give us a tour of both shops. I quietly tap Aunt Rachel on the shoulder.

"Hey, is it okay if I head off for a bit?" I ask.

"What? Lucas-"

"Please, I want to go explore the beach." I plead.

"Well, alright." She says hesitantly.

I subsequently slip away from everyone and head out of the shop. The scent of saltwater lingers through the air, which evidently brings a smile to my face as I make my way down to the shore.

As I was walking, I glance at three girls who were staring at me, giggling. Not wanting to have to deal with any more of that, I throw my hood on and hang my head down. I continued to walk like this whilst my peripheral vision focuses on the sand beneath me. This goes on for a bit before I bump into someone. I look up and I couldn't believe my eyes.

It was her.

The girl in the maroon hoodie. Well, now looking at it, a Harvard hoodie. She was standing right in front of me.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She apologizes.

For a moment, I am unable to breathe. Instead of responding as a normal person would, I just looked at her. My gaze fell upon her chocolate brown eyes, that I surprisingly found quite mesmerizing. This can't be happening. Snap out of it, Lucas. I shake my head.

"It's okay," I mumble before heading off. For some reason, I still felt her stare. I had a feeling she was still watching me. I kept walking long enough so that when I turned around to look back at her, she was already heading her way.

What just happened?

[yevonscribbles]

To Date a Hopps

In which Judy Hopps enters the dating world and learns a little bit about love.

“I can’t escape this!” Judy Hopps screamed in frustration. “It’s on the radio, every billboard, every website I go to, even my puzzle app had it plastered all over the place!” The grey rabbit slouched in the driver seat of the police cruiser she was currently patrolling in. Her partner, Nick Wilde, gave her a concerned side eye and muttered under his breath before return to his own phone. The pair was taking their morning break in Sahara Square before going back to patrol duties. With an angry huff, the rabbit glared at her fox partner. ‘What did you say Wilde…” A hint of malice leaking through her normally cheery voice.

Nick once again looked up from his phone and met his partner’s eyes. “Fluff you need to calm down. So what if your undateable. Not everyone can- OUCH!” Judy punched his shoulder much harder than usual and the fox tried to rub away the stinging pain. “Real lady-like Carrots… Look, if being single is bothering you that much, why not let me find you a date again?”

“You mean like when you tried to hook me up with Fennick?” Judy began to angrily tap away at her phone. Nick meant well and thought the fennec fox and rabbit would hit it off well. The pair was having a wonderful night until the tiny fox excused himself to the bathroom and never returned, leaving Judy with the bill and Nick with a few bruises after the rabbit got her revenge on the officer.

“How was I supposed to know he was going to dine and dash! He still won’t return my texts by the way.” Nick said with a droop of his ears.

“I know, it’s just...ugh. I stuck at dates… Cheese and Crackers! You and Gid are engaged and I can’t even get a second date!” Her foxy friends had proposed to each other over the Christmas holiday and Judy was still excited about it. While the pair was still trying to pick out a date, Judy had made a vow that she would find a partner before the ceremony or die trying.

“Well, why do you suck at them?” Nick tried to turn the conversation in a productive direction. “Do you talk too much? Do you get nervous?”

“No… I just don’t feel a connection with the other mammal.” The rabbit let out another sign. “Like I can find someone attractive but I don’t feel a personal connection ya’know?”

“Can’t really tell ya Fluff.  I didn’t really date much until Gid.” The fox said with a shrug. “How about talking with some of our co workers?  Maybe you need a female insight?” Nick offered.

Judy took a quick stretch before buckling herself into her seat. With a flick of her wrist she started the cruiser up and prepared to start working again. “Maybe Francine can help…” Judy said with a grumble.

The rest of the day passed without much action; a speeding ticket or two and one false alarm. The rabbit and fox made their way back to the ZPD central station after the emotionally productive day. The working pair said their goodbyes with a hug as Judy made her way to the female showers. After changing, the rabbit lucked into finding Francine before she left for the day. The rabbit flagged down the large elephant and Francine looked around to find the source of the noise.

“Hey! Francine!  Hey! Down here!” Judy finally got the elephant to look down. The large mammal had always treated Judy with kindness and was known as the “officer mom,” to all the mammals at the ZPD.

“Well hello Judy! Sorry, it took me awhile to see where you were talking from! What can I do for you?” Francine said with a large smile.

“Your fine Francine. I actually had a question, erm, about dating.” Judy tried to remain calm but dating had become a touchy subject for the rabbit as of late. With a worried look the elephant leaned down to meet Judy at eye level. With a serious, dry tone, the elephant put the end of her trunk on the rabbit’s shoulder and said.

“Judy...Did you finally ask out Nick?”

The rabbit felt crimson come to her cheeks as she tried to stifle a laugh. Judy began to wave her paw. “Oh no! Oh no no no! He is already engaged and gay-” Judy threw her paws in front of her mouth. Nick had been very clear to leave his engagement private and had yet to come out to his co-workers. The elephant looked relieved then the realization that she had learned the foxes secret crept its way across her face. Standing up to her full size, the elephant placed her massive hooves on her hips with a satisfied smile. “Oh cheese and crackers! Please do not tell anyone! Not a soul or Nick will kill me!” Judy begged.

“Alright, alright, bunny! I won’t pry into the foxes personal life even though it would be a great time for some payback on the sneaky thing... But why do you want to know about dating?” The elephant asked. “Didn’t you bunnies write the book on dating?”

“Har har! Actually, while most rabbits do tend to date a lot, I had other goals and kinda skipped dating in high school.” Judy explained. “I have had a few dates since moving to the city, but they all end...horribly…” The rabbit admitted with a droop of her ears.

“Oh please they can’t have been that bad.” Francine laughed. “It’s not like they left you at the restaurant to pick up the bill-” The elephant officer saw the sad look from the rabbit… “Oh...Oh no honey!” Once again the towering elephant placed her trunk on her co worker. “I am so sorry Judy…”

Fighting away a few tears and horrible memories, Judy lightly patted her friend’s trunk. “It’s ok. I wanted to ask where did you meet your boyfriend? Didn’t you just meet a few weeks ago?”

The elephant gave a large smile. “I meet him online actually! There is a few apps out there but I found Paws to be the best one. Here, come with me to get some dinner and we can get you set up with an account!” Judy hesitated for a moment. She had heard of online dating but had yet to try it. “You don’t ever have to go on a date if you don’t feel comfortable Judy…” Francine added with a smile.

Judy looked up to her friend with a weak smile. “Fine..Why not?” The odd pair of an elephant and a rabbit left the ZPD on a mission.

A few nights later, Judy was busy texting on her phone while perched on Nick’s couch. Gideon was in town and the trio had decided on pizza and movies. The baker fox had been in the Meadowlands working on his first bakery in the area that was scheduled to open early in the new year. Judy looked up from her phone to see that the fox pair was curiously missing from the living room. She rolled her eyes and called out. “At least wait until I leave you horny teenage boys!”

The pair of foxes came into the room looking a little ruffled around the edges. Each fox had a silly grin on their face. Nick could keep his composure but Gideon had a horrible poker face. His cheeks were a deep red, embarrassed that he was caught.

“You two are horrible!” Judy said with a laugh. The rabbit heard a small ding come from her phone and she turned back to her phone to check the message she had received from the Paws dating app. She quickly began to reply to the message and was absorbed in her phone. The baker fox gave his partner a confused look.

“Our favorite rabbit was convinced to give online dating a go.” Nick explained. “She has been texting this ‘Earl’-”

“Edward.” Judy corrected without looking up from her phone.

“Edward...Along with about thirty different mammals.” The fox officer grinned. “At this rate she’s gonna get free dinners for life!” Nick and Gideon shared a laugh at the rabbit’s expense much to her dismay.

“Ah could never get any good matches on those things.” Gideon said. “Granted the gay apps tend to be known for other purposes.” The officer fox gave his fiance a grin and wiggled his eyebrows. “Hey! Ah am a hopeless romantic! Ah wanted to wait till ah knew I met the one.” The baker gave Nick a kiss.

“Oh really? And here I thought you were a pro in bed.” Nick teased. “The way you-”

“La La La don’t need to know!” Judy called from over her phone. The pair of foxes let out another laugh. “Oh…”

“Oh? What kind of oh?” Nick asked the rabbit.

“I just got asked out for drinks tomorrow…” The rabbit officer said, hesitating.

 “Say yes!” The foxes said in unison.

“Wha!? But I don’t know him very well…” Judy protested.

“Drink’s is how ya get to know someone Fluff!” Gideon said, causing the rabbit to give him a glare. “Ah..ahm sorry for the nickname...maybe Nick is a bad influence…”

“You shut your mouth Pumpkin! I am a model citizen...now…” The fox officer threw his paws in the air. “But we are getting off topic. Judy, what do you know about this mammal who asked you out!?”

“Umm, he is a raccoon, he lives down in the Rainforest District, he is a waiter and bartender at a few different restaurants around town, and he is a big Gazelle fan…” Judy found herself blushing a little. They had started messaging each other a few days ago and since then, he had sent a cute good morning message daily. Nick noticed the rabbit growing redder and decided to call her out on it.

“Spill it sister, how big is it.” Both Gideon and Judy gave the slender fox a punch in his shoulder. “Ow, HEY!”

“Yer horrible Mr. Wilde.” The baker said rolling his eyes.

“You love me Mr. Grey! But back to the topic, what are you so worried about Carrots?” Nick asked his friend.

“Fine! I will say yes!” Judy said and threw up her paws in frustration.

*****

“WHY DID I SAY YES!?!?” Judy yelled in her head. The grey rabbit waited outside of a decent looking restaurant waiting for her date to arrive. She wore a shimmering lavender cocktail dress that had served as a bridesmaid outfit for one of the up-teen weddings she had attended for her family. A pair of modest matching high heels completed the outfit. At Nick’s insistence, she wore a little make-up and rhinestone earrings which gave her a female elegance far from the ruff and tumble tom-boy look the rabbit usually wore. Gideon had even given her some extra cash.

“Ah heard about last time…” The baker said with some concern. “It’s not bad to have a plan ‘B’ and ya call if anything happens.” Judy smiled at how protective Gideon had become. With a sigh, she checked her wristwatch and saw her date was a few minute late. A feeling of dread washed over the rabbit. Maybe Edward had decided the rabbit was too much. Maybe he was hurt or worse… The rabbit closed her eyes and began to tap her foot in both worry and frustration.

“Umm, Judy Hopps right?” A warm voice asked from behind the rabbit.

The officer snapped back into the present and turned to the voice. “Oh, yes that’s me! And your Edward Rumpke right?”

“Yes Ma’am, erm, yes that's me.” The raccoon offered his paw to the rabbit and she took it with a friendly shake. The male was about the same size as Judy with a healthy amount of chub around his cheeks and torso. He had the distinctive black mask of his species and wore a tan newsie hat that covered his top fur. His deep blue eyes were as warm and welcoming as his voice. Edward wore a button down white shirt with black pants and suspenders. “I apologies for my delay, I had to clean up a few extra tables before I clocked out.”

“Oh, you work here?” Judy said with some confusion, she had assumed they were going to dine there. The raccoon placed his paw on his chin and gave the rabbit a confused look.

“Wait… Seeing you in person...I know you from somewhere.” Judy felt her ears droop. One of her biggest fears was people recognizing her as the rabbit that almost ruined all of Zootopia. While raccoons were technically predators, they could also survive off veggies and protein supplements. ‘He was probably persecuted during the Night Howler scare…’ The rabbit thought. ‘Welp might as well address it and go from there.’

“Yeah I am that bunny cop that-” Judy began.

“Your that rabbit that got dined and ditched a few weeks ago!” Edward said clapping his paws together. Judy looked at the raccoon with a mixture of shock and worry. The rabbit spun her head to look at the name of the restaurant. Sure enough, this is where Fennick had left the rabbit with the bill.

“Sweet cheese and crackers, kill me now…” Judy hissed covering her face with her paw.

“Oh no! I am so sorry!” Edward put his paw on his dates shoulder. “I shouldn’t have said anything! Everyone felt so bad. Here.” The raccoon offered his arm to the rabbit. “Let me try again. I know a small jazz bar down the block. I thought we could enjoy some hors d'oeuvres and a live band.” The raccoon gave a weak smile. “Only if you want to… Sorry, my mouth can be faster than my brain sometimes and I say stupid things.”

Judy giggled to herself and wrapped her paw around the raccoon’s arm. “I know a thing or two about that…” The pair began to make their way to the jazz bar making small talk along the way.

*****

“She’s late…” Nick paced across the living room. Judy had been due home around ten thirty and the clock currently read eleven. Gideon sat on the couch and twiddled his fingers. He was just as worried as his partner. The baker had decided to call the cops once it turned eleven thirty. A small jingle of keys and the slow opening of the door caused both foxes to whip their heads towards the door. The rabbit walked in holding her shoes in her paw. She was smiling and still blushing around the cheeks, equally parts happy and tipsy.

“Judy Hopps! You are grounded!” Nick scolded crossing his paws. He began to tap his foot on the ground much like his rabbit partner did when she got upset.

“Nick, she is not yer daughter.” Gideon said. ‘With that, why didn’t ya text us! Ah was about to call the cops!”

“Cheese and crackers you two…” Judy placed her shoes on the ground and flopped on the couch. She carefully removed her ear rings and placed them on the table. “Have you been taking lessons from my parents? I am sorry I didn’t text but I was dancing and having fun.” The rabbit stretched and hoped the foxes would let her get some sleep. When the foxes didn’t move from their spots, Judy gave a sigh of defeat. “You each get one question then we all need to get some rest.”

“Me first!” Gideon called dibs. “What was the guy like? Did he treat ya well? Did ya kiss?” The fox leaned forward in his chair as his tail took a few quick wags. He was obviously excited for his friend and any gossip he could get.

“That is three questions Gid.” Judy laughed. “Edward is really cute; his last name is Rumpke and he works at a few dining establishments in town. Oh! He also does lighting work at some theaters over in Tundra Town. He insisted on paying and we had a few bites at a jazz club in the City Center. We drank some wine and he convinced me to dance a little. Ed took a Zoober with me then walked me to your building. He asked if he could kiss me…” Judy felt her already warm face turn a bright crimson. “And it was great! I didn’t know date’s could actually be fun!”

Nick continued to cross his arms. ‘I hope you know I am looking into this guy’s criminal history at work tomorrow…”

“Oh, please! Nick you do not get to judge anyone on criminal activity, Mr. Tax Evasion!” Judy huffed. Her phone pinged in her bag. The rabbit fished out the device and read the new text message aloud. “Thank you for a wonderful night Judy. When can we do it again? With a winky face!” Judy smiled at her phone.

“That winky face is highly suspicious Carrots…” Nick said.

“Love; shush. Let Judy be excited.” Gideon said getting up from the couch. “Now come on Nick, it’s bedtime.” The baker let out a yawn and gave his fiance a nuzzle.

“Wait I still get to ask my question!” Nick huffed. “Judy, and I am being serious, can you trust this guy?”

The rabbit noticed the worry in her work partner’s voice. “As of right now, yes. He has given me no reason to suspect otherwise. If I get a bad feeling, trust me. You boys will be the first to know. Now, go! Let me get some sleep too.” Judy said.

After saying their good nights, the fox pair made their way to their bed. Gideon wrapped his arm around the slender form of his partner and could tell something was wrong. “Nick? Are you still worried about Judy?”

Nick sighed and pulled his partner’s arm closer. ‘I know everyone in this city and I have never heard of an Edward Rumpke… Either he just moved to town or there is a reason I don’t know him…” Gideon kissed the side of Nick’s cheek.

“Fer now, love, lets get some sleep. If we need to help Judy we will. Goodnight my love.”

“Goodnight Pumpkin…”

*****

 A few weeks had gone by, and Judy Hopps and Edward Rumpke had go out every few nights for either drinks, dinner, and even one play that Edward had insisted taking the rabbit to. The officer was happy how the relationship was moving forward and had asked the raccoon to be her boyfriend. Edward had seemed to be happy about the request but had since not returned any of Judy’s text or picked up any of her phone calls. It had been about a week since their last date and the rabbit had taken a personal day to hide from the world, convinced that the raccoon was avoiding her or worse.

When word got out that Judy Hopps was taking a personal day, the entire ZPD was buzzing with rumors and gossip. The rabbit had never taken a day for herself. At one point, she even had to be handcuffed to her bed to make her rest when she was sick. Many mammals wanted to ask her partner Nick, but whenever the subject came up the fox would grown noticeably angry and his tail with start trashing in annoyance.

Chief Bogo had enough on his plate without his officer’s acting like a bunch of school children. Thankfully, a package had been left for Judy at the station so the police chief had the perfect excuse to send someone to check on her without seeming like he was overly worried about the rabbit. If Bogo was honest with himself, he would admit that Judy Hopps had made herself irreplaceable on the force and without her his staff was getting a little out of hand. To deliver the package and get accurate information about his employee the chief sent the best mammal for the job.

A knock on the door of her small apartment caused the rabbit to look up. Her eyes hurt and her body felt weak. She tried to ignore the door as another knock echoed through the one room apartment. A soft voice spoke up from behind the door.

“Officer Hopps...Judy...Hey hon, its Clawhauser...Come open the door ok?” Judy grumbled to herself as the chubby cheetah receptionist of the ZPD knocked again. He had been her first friend at the ZPD and in the years since, he had been a vital co worker for the rabbit. “Judy...don’t make me break open the door...come on! I have ice cream and a package that was sent to your desk at work.” The door flung open to reveal a very disheveled rabbit with a mad look in her eyes. Ben had seen some horrible things in his time as an officer of the law, but the wild look in his friend’s eyes had the cheetah contemplate calling for backup.

“What do you mean I had a package sent to my desk?” Judy demanded. Ben offered the small wrapped box and a pint of ice cream to the enraged rabbit. She took both items and marched back to her bed. With some hesitation, the chubby cheetah followed into the small apartment. The officer threw open the blinds to the one window and started to pick up the random trash that had gathered in the small space.

“Lordy Judy! What did this boy do to you?” Ben asked as he took a seat across from the bed and began to eat his own ice cream. “Don’t worry, we already ran the box through an x-ray machine. It's not a bomb.” The cheetah said with a smile. The box in question was about the size of a tissue box and was wrapped in brown paper.

Judy had been staring at the box and with the added light pouring from the blinds she could see and scrawled handwriting on the wrapping that said ‘To, Judy’. She thought about destroying the box and refusing to check its contents but decided against it. Carefully, she undid the paper and removed the tape to reveal a broken phone and a handwritten letter. The rabbit quickly read the letter as Ben reached over and took a closer look at the phone.

“Wow this thing is shot! Looks like it landed on this edge and just shattered. There is no way to fix that…” The cheetah may just work at the desk but he still had a good head on his wide spotted shoulders. Judy gave a quick glance to the broken device and recognized it as the same brand Edward had. She began to read the letter to herself before Ben made a loud coughing sound. He obviously wanted Judy to read the letter aloud. With a roll of her eyes, Judy began to read the letter so the cheetah could here.

“Dear Judy,

I am so sorry I have been out of contact this week. I know it sounds like a cheap excuse but my phone really did break and I couldn’t afford a new one just yet. I was hoping to have a new one in a few days but so many things are going wrong. Everything is going wrong. I wanted to send a letter to you but your address was in my phone. I didn’t memorize your number so I couldn’t call, and I have been so nervous to speak to you. Probably why I dropped my phone working in the scaffolding during a show. I have not been completely honest with you and if you still want to date me, you need to know the whole truth. Please, come to my apartment anytime you want. I am off the next few days and will stay at home on the off chance you stop by. My address is 1776 Hamilton Drive Apartment 14. Just ring the bell.

Yours,

Edward.”

Judy exchanged a look with her co worker. She felt some tears welling in her eyes and quickly wiped them away before the cheetah could see them. So the raccoon had something he had to tell the rabbit and had destroyed his phone by accident. That would explain why he hasn’t been texting back or why she could never get him to pick up the phone. It also explains why he delivered the box to her work, he knew the rabbit would get it. After a moment, Ben broke the silence.

“What do you say Judy? Do we believe the letter?” The cheetah had long finished his own ice cream and began to eat the one intended for Judy.

“I’m not sure...where you there when the package was delivered?” Judy asked, holding her paw to her chin, her nose twitching.

“Yeah! The guy was a raccoon. He looked like he hadn’t slept in a few days. He kept apologising for the hassle and asked about you. As usual, if we don’t know the mammal we don’t tell them where our officers are. Then he left the box for you. To be on the safe side we ran a few test to make sure it wasn’t a hazard. Does that sound like our little heart breaker?” Ben asked with a swish of his tail. Nothing got the cheetah more excited than gossip.

“His name is Edward Rumpke and yeah he is a raccoon. About my height with super soft fur. Did he dress like a dork?” Judy asked with a laugh, the first time she had laughed in a few days.

“Ummm…. he had suspenders so I think dork works.” The cheetah had pulled out his phone and started updating the other officers that Hopps was going to be ok. He resisted the urge to spread rumors...for now. “Hon, I think this is legit. If you actually care about this guy you need to head to his address and find out what he wants to say.” Ben then held up a large paw. “But you take backup or some self defence. He may not seem like a crazy but better safe than sorry.”

With a hug, Judy Hopps waved her friend goodbye and took a warm shower to shake off the lingering doubt she had been feeling. Was this all just a misunderstanding or something more?

Back at the ZPD, Nick had taken a much needed coffee break and was heading back to his desk when his phone lit up. Ben Clawhauser had sent a ZPD wide message letting everyone know that Judy would be ok and it was just relationship drama. The fox cursed under his breath. He went back to his cubicle and once again searched for ‘Edward Rumpke’ to see if any files had been saved for the mammal. Other than a three year old speeding ticket that was paid the raccoon had a clear record. What concerned the fox was before five years ago the mammal didn’t exist. Going back through a few graduating classes of local high schools the fox officer could not find where the mammal came from. At Nightwood High, located in the Rainforest District there, was a raccoon mentioned under E. Rumpke but that one…

“Ohhhhhhhh.” Nick could feel the light bulb click on in his head. He had found his mammal. Now the fox had a decision to make. Does he tell his work partner or let Edward do it himself. The fox took out his phone and sent a quick message to his boyfriend. ‘I think I found out why Edward ghosted on Judy, please call later. Love you.’ The fox went back to actually doing his work and secretly hoped everything would work out.

*****

Judy found herself in front of a large two story brick apartment building that seemed to have been built in the 1970’s. Wood decorations and simplistic geometric shapes created an inviting warm feeling that reminded the officer of an old sitcom. To the right of the door, a panel with a printed list of apartments was displayed with corresponding buttons. An old intercom rested on top of the panel. Finding the right apartment, the rabbit gently pressed the button next to the number and waited.

“Ye-yes?” A tired voice came from the intercom.

“Ed...Is that you?” Judy asked with some hesitance.

“Judy? You came?!” The rabbit could hear excitement in the voice. “Here come on in, take the stairs and I will meet you there.” With a buzz, Judy heard the lock open and went through the door. She made her way up the stairs located near the door as a million thoughts rushed through her head. The rabbit had decided to take part of the advice Ben had offered. She had the fox spray given by her father in her pocket. In her heart, she didn’t think she would need to take action, but it always paid to be safer than sorry.

At the top of the stairs, Edward stood looking a little worse for wear. Judy noticed that the raccoon had bags under his eyes. He offered a wave but from his body language he desperately wanted to hug the rabbit. With an awkward smile, he motioned for the rabbit to follow him and began. “Thank you for coming…” He pushed open a door and jesured for Judy to enter the apartment. “Please excuse the mess...It’s been a week…” Judy found herself in a living room and kitchen combination. A few dishes were piled up next to the sink and clothes littered the floor. A futon and a couch formed an ‘L’ shape and faced a moderately-sized TV. Judy could see other rooms off to the right but chose to sit on the futon and make direct eye contact with the raccoon.

“Alright Ed, what is going on? If this is some trick or prank I am not laughing! You went to a lot of trouble just to get a laugh?” Judy said. Her eyes furrowing at Edward. He made his way to the futon and sat on the other side leaving a space between the mammals. With a sigh he began.

“I have really enjoyed going out with you. But there is something you have to know about me. And about the time I get enough courage to tell you I dropped my phone while climbing the lights for a show. Scared the crap out of the actress that was on stage.” The raccoon added with a laugh. Judy didn’t budge and continued to glare at the male. “Anyway I didn’t have enough money to buy a new phone just yet. So I figured I would just call you...until I realized I didn’t have you number. It was in my phone...that was destroyed...I figured I would just send a letter...until I realized your address was on the phone as well. I spent a few days trying to find you out and about before work but that didn’t go well.” The raccoon let out a labored sigh. “And here we are; a very sorry raccoon who feels that he let down the girl he cares about and who he wanted to be honest with.”

Judy turned away from the raccoon and processed the story she was just told. It made sense and would explain how rough the raccoon looked. She reach a paw over and once again looked into the eyes of the man she was starting to fall for. “Alright. I believe you, but I am not forgiving you until you tell me what has you so worked up. What has you so nervous you broke your phone and went to all this trouble just to talk to me?”

Edward stoop up and faced Judy. With a gulp he tried to find the words he wanted to say. Sensing his difficulty, the rabbit took his paw and gave him a warm smile. Finally, Edward spoke. “I...wasn’t always Edward.” The raccoon paused, waiting for the rabbit to catch on to what he was trying to say. “As a kit my family called me Elissa and thought I was a happy little girl in fluffy dresses and-“Judy place a digit in front of the raccoon’s mussel. She gave a soft sigh and smiled.

“I understand what you mean Edward. I have about twelve siblings that are transgender. That doesn’t change who you are. Nor does it change how I feel about you...” Judy admitted as she wrapped her arms around the raccoon. He returned the hug and felt tears start to fall from his face. Judy let him cry on her shoulders as he held her tight. It was obvious just how anxious Ed had been about coming out to the officer. Eventually, he caught his breath and pulled away from the rabbit. She smiled up at him. “Is there anything else you would like me to know?” Judy asked rubbing the raccoon’s shoulders. Sure, she had not expected to be falling in love with a trans man, much less a predator, but she felt oddly calm about the revelation.

“Not really… I legally changed my name five years ago. And two years ago, I had saved enough to finally get top surgery.” Edward said wiping the last few tears from his face. “I’m not the biggest fan of the scars the surgery left though...They tend to remind me of who I was and not who I am.” The raccoon continued to hold the officer close as an idea came to his mind. “May I show you them? The scars I mean?” Judy gave the raccoon a confused look. “I mean, if were bearing it all might as well lay it all on the table so to speak.” Edward could feel his cheeks getting warmer as a blush formed around his muzzle. Secretly he wondered if the rabbit would be grossed out or confused, so maybe being up front would be the best option.

“If you want too...I would be lying if I said I have been wanting to see you without a shirt for awhile” Judy said with a blush of her own. ‘Good answer,’ the raccoon thought to himself.

Edward hesitated a bit then slowly removed his shirt revealing a soft cream-colored belly of fur. Judy couldn’t see anything different between the mammal in front of her and a typical raccoon. The now shirtless raccoon held out his paw. “May I have your paw?” With a nod Judy let Edward guide her had to his chest. At first, she could just feel the soft fur she had been dying to touch over her time with the raccoon then she felt a slight bump. Moving her hand, Judy felt the other side of the raccoon’s chest and found another raised bump. Two c-shaped scars were hidden under the cream colored fur of Edward’s chest. The rabbit locked eyes with the raccoon as the pair shared the intimacy of the moment. Judy took her paw from his chest a moved it to his cheek.

“Let me see your paw…” Judy said. The raccoon was a bit confused but willing offered his right paw which Judy moved to her left cheek. After a moment Edward’s eyes grew as he tenderly rubbed his thumb across three raised lines hidden by a layer of grey fur on the rabbit. “When I was a kit I was clawed by a fox… But I don’t let these scars define me. Now, that same fox is a very dear friend whom I care about.” Judy felt a smile spread across her face. “If I had only focused on the past and what those scars meant, I would never have become who I am today. Scar’s don’t define us Edward, they remind us of the road we have taken to the present. I hope one day your scars remind you of how far you’ve come and not of where you have been.” Judy opened her arms wide offering the raccoon a hug.

Edward wrapped his arms around the rabbit and they both let loose the fear and tension they had been holding on to for the past week. “I am so sorry Judy. I should have told you sooner…But I couldn’t figure out the right time or the right words to say...I was really scared you wouldn’t-” The raccoon began to feel tears welling in his eyes..

“You told me when it was right. But you better be more scared of what I will do to you if you break your phone and don’t talk to me for a week again!  You hear me?” Judy threatened. The unlikely pair shared a warm laugh. Breaking the hug, the rabbit looked into the eyes of the man she was falling for. “May I give you a kiss Ed?” The raccoon smiled and kissed the girl of his dreams like it was the last thing he would ever do. After a few moments, the pair broke apart from each other. With a wiggle of his eyebrows, Edward gave the rabbit a mischievous grin.

“So to answer your question from about a week ago; yes I would like to be your boyfriend if you would let me.” Edward said. “As with that said; would you like to spend the night here with me so I can start begging for my life for making the last week so stressful on you?”

Judy smiled at her now boyfriend. “I think I would like that very much, but first I need to send a few text messages to let a certain few foxes that I am ok.” The rabbit once again rubbed her paws across the raccoons chest marveling just how soft his fur was. “If I don’t, we might have a SWAT team busting through your door and they might find us in a...compromising situation.” A sly grin spreading across her muzzle.

“Why Judy Hopps, what ever could you be implying?” The raccoon responded with a grin of his own.

*****

Nick Wilde had volunteered to work a few hours in the morning. With his boyfriend out of town and Judy having an interesting week, the fox thought an extra few hours of distractions and some extra pay wouldn’t hurt. After a few hours of paperwork, the fox had changed into his street clothes and was making idle chit-chat with Ben Clawhauser and two of the wolf officers that had recently joined the force. Finally, the familiar form of Judy Hopps came bounding through the main entrance. Nick noticed a certain scent coming off his female companion.

 “Well hello Miss Hopps. I like your new perfume.” Nick teased with a wicked grin. The wolf’s began to snicker. Judy gave the gathered mammals a confused look. With a roll of his eyes, the fox pulled a small bottle from his pocket and tossed it the rabbit.

“What’s this for Nick?” Judy asked catching the small bottle. “Scent-B-Gone?” The wolves began to howl with laughter. Ben even joined in with the laughter at the rabbits expense. The fox placed an arm around the rabbit and in his best fake whisper decided to teach his partner an important life lesson.

“Oh Carrots, what am I to do with you? Mammals like our fine wolf officers and to a lesser extent foxes like me can pick up on certain scents that come with certain...deeds… If you catch my meaning.” The rabbit’s grey muzzle had turned a deep red hue. She quickly took the bottle and began to spray its contents over her body. “There, that's better.” Nick said coyly.

The rabbit gave the bottle back to her partner and mumbled. “Thank you…”

“Now lay off her Nick, it wasn’t that long ago we caught you smelling differently as well.” One of the wolves added.

“And that's why I asked you two to join me waiting for our co-worker, so she would only be embarrassed by us and not the entire ZPD and half of Zootopia.” The fox gave a quick wave to his fellow officers and walked with Judy out of the ZPD and back into the busy city.

As the pair walked, Judy remained silent while her nose twitched in frustration. With a sigh, the fox decided to let the rabbit knew what he had found about her boyfriend. “You don’t have to worry, I know all about Edward. And judging from your smell earlier you do too.”

Judy stopped in her tracks and gave her friend a worried look. “How did you? Never mind...you probably used ZPD resources which is totally not cool Nick.” Judy scolded.

“He made you cry! I had every right to do some digging.” Nick protested.

“So why didn’t you tell me?” Judy asked.

“Because it wasn't my story to tell Fluff. And as long has he had a good reason for not communicating with you for a week, I don’t need to make his life a living hell…” Nick said.

“Well, hopefully it won’t come to that.” Judy laughed. “Would you be opposed to meeting him right now for lunch?”

“Well, if he is gonna be dating you he better get used to the foxes in your life.” The fox said with a toothy grin. “Besides, next year at Pride you’ll have someone else to drag around all day.”

“You know you love me.” Judy smiled.

“Yes, yes I do.” Nick said giving his partner a one-armed hug.

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

Whew this was a long one! I have actually spent the longest on this one work than any other. I hope you enjoy the original character that was made for our favorite Judy Hopps to date while her favorite foxes are engaged. Big shout out to my friend/ adoptive brother Sam for helping me write the coming out scene and to my editor for helping my writing work! Thank you for all the love!

[spacednp]

Zombies

TW: gore, zombies(is that a trigger?), panic attack (kinda), shitty title

SUMMARY: whats the guidelines 4 dis lmao ima need to fix this later

ADDITIONAL NOTES: the ending is BAD

 the title sucks fuck off i knoww 

yo yo follow the people below (and me cough cough) bc.. Yeet

Beta- @callmekiddo-2 (thank for putting up with my constant grammar errors fam)

Artist- my bro,,, @owlpip (Art links gonna go here when i get them)

WC: 7.3k (really short i knowww)

The sound of rushing water filled the room and the steam from it rose into the air. Small bubbles occasionally flew from the sink, floating away gently, like a peaceful and soft dance. Dan’s hands were covered in suds and began to wrinkle because of the constant stream of hot water embracing them. Dan picked up the last plate and wiped it in a swift motion with his sponge, making a circle of soap that he quickly rinsed off. He set that final dish aside before washing off his own hands and turning the water off. He then grabbed the dish towel and set to work, drying off the dishes. He swabbed the clear droplets of now cold water from each dish, concentration etched onto his face. Once each dish was dried he rushed about the kitchen, putting them all away. He and his flatmate had only been living in that flat for a few weeks and he was still getting used to, well, everything. Due to this, he was sure he had put a few things away wrong. But hey, Phil had asked him to do the dishes, and he did. Kind of.

The padding of footsteps behind him made Dan jump, nearly dropping the rag in his hand. “Fucks sake, Phil,” Dan hissed, throwing his damp rag onto the counter behind him. He came very close to knocking over an unlit candle, “You nearly gave me a heart attack!”

“Whoops,” Phil replied, crossing his arms in the doorway, a smile painted on his face. Dan loved Phil, they were best friends, after all, but Phil was probably the least empathetic person when it came to scaring people. He couldn’t care less. Every once in awhile dan would like to hear a, “Oh, I’m sorry, are you okay?” instead.

“You’re an ass,” Dan muttered, turning back to his abandoned rag to put it away.

“Pfft, you know love me,” Phil said. (what should i do here looks kinda lame)

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” Dan responded, trying to not smile. Dan and Phil had been best friends for years, hell, they had pretty much grown up together. After being essentially joined at the hip for almost ten years, the boys were pretty much family. They even started going on family holidays together, calling each other’s mothers’ “Mum” the whole time just to spite the other. The two were as close to brothers as anyone could get without the matching birth certificates.

“Thanks for doing the dishes,” Phil said after a minute.

“No problem, but you’re sweeping tomorrow to repay your debt,” Dan countered.

“What? But it’s your turn,” Phil whined. Dan turned back to Phil and shrugged, the smile that had left Phil’s face set on his own.

“It was your turn to do the dishes,” he pointed out, smile widening.

“Fair enough,” Phil sighed, rolling his eyes a little. He didn’t really think it was fair as sweeping was much harder than washing a few plates, but he didn’t say anything. After all, Dan did have a point and it was Phil’s turn to do the dishes. Phil turned and began to walk away.

“You heading off to bed?” Dan called after him. Phil turned, smiling a little.

“What, you want a goodnight kiss?” Phil teased, laughing lightly at his own joke.

“I don’t, but about eighty percent of the internet would want me to,” Dan joked back, causing both to snicker. The shipping didn’t bother the two anymore. After years of thousands of people reading into their every move, it got kind of dull. Of course they made jokes about it, it came naturally after a while. It was apart of life for them, and everyone made jokes about their life. People made death jokes because it was a part of life, they made sex jokes because it was a part of life, and Dan and Phil made shipping jokes just like that because it was a part of their lives.

“See you in the morning, Danny,” Phil shouted over his shoulder as he walked to his bedroom. Phil never really called Dan by the nickname, unless he was in the teasing mood. Just as an older brother would tease the younger.

Dan looked to the clock to see that it read about midnight, which was the usual time for Phil to turn in for the night. As for Dan, he had a sort of reputation to uphold-stay up on the internet for a few more hours until the blinding light of his laptop screen made his eyes red. Sometimes Phil would join Dan and they’d sit on their couch and occasionally tap the other on the shoulder, pointing to their own screen when they found a post they thought would make the other smile. For whatever reason that made the whole experience way better for Dan. Maybe he liked Phil being there because they were best friends, maybe it was just the presence of another person being sat next to him, or perhaps a tangle of both. Dan wasn’t sure. Whatever it was, Dan enjoyed it very much.

Dan soon retreated into his bedroom as wasn’t comfortable with just standing in the kitchen alone. He unplugged his laptop, glad to see it at full battery, and sat down on his bed. In record time, Tumblr was pulled up and he was scrolling through impressive amounts of shitposts and the occasional problematic rant by some self-righteous teen. He only skimmed through the posts, reblogging the few that made him blow a bit more air out of his nose than usual. Years of being a “full time internet homo” had that effect on him, barely laughing, mostly just exhaling more intensely.

One post on his dash stood out to him. Usually he’d scroll through phanfiction, ignoring the ones that seemed badly written by some 12 year old girl in twenty minute. That seemed to be the majority. However, every once and awhile he’d find one so amusing or highly requested he had to read it. Hell, he even found a few really well written ones that almost could be published or poetry. Naturally, when Dan found something like that he just had to read it. In any case, fanfiction was just writing-sometimes bad or… inappropriate writing, but: writing. It was better than getting high or drunk, so Dan figured he might as well support it, even if there were a few bad and emotionally damaging seeds.

The room was almost pitch black. The only sources of light being Dan’s open Macbook and the light peeking in through Dan’s window with the drawn curtains, caused by the street lamps, head lights, stars and moon of the outside world. It made the whole situation seem way more scandalous than it really was. Of course Dan would clear his search history after reading, and of course he’d deny ever reading the fic, and of course he would die if Phil found out, but that didn’t make it scandalous. Okay, maybe it did, but that was only because Dan made it so scandalous, it could be totally innocent and Dan could be open with his dirty little secret. However, that seemed too easy. Dan didn’t get much excitement in his life, so why not act like the whole reading phanfiction thing was this whole secret that was done behind closed doors and drawn blinds in the dead of night? It wasn’t like he secretly got off to it or anything, it just- he was just curious. That was it.

Well Dan being just “curious” lasted all of five paragraphs into the story. Then, he started to enjoy it. He loved the word choice, the characters (even if he was one of main ones), and even the plot. The whole story was based off of the zombie apocalypse and what would happen. Now, since Dan was such a massive nerd, the story called to him. It was thousands of words long- double digit thousands. However, Dan didn’t mind it at all. In fact, that was another thing he liked about it. If he could ignore the fact that it was he and his best friend’s names’, he could actually picture it being a real young adult novel. The writing was excellent and the pace was just right, he could actually see the characters falling in love. Shamefully, he fell in love with the characters as well. He even caught himself wondering why his Phil wasn’t like the one in the fic. If that was his Phil, of course he could be in love with him, the way the shippers wanted. That hit really close for Dan. He loved Phil, of course he did, but as a brother. The Phil in the story, however, he was different. He was more empathetic without being suffocating, he was strong and still sweet. Dan could see the resemblance to his Phil- wait, what? Dan just ranted in his own head about how great this character was, how he could have a romantic relationship with him, and then compared him to his 100% platonic best friend. That had to be crossing a ton of friendship boundaries, even for he and Phil. They were friends. That was it. But maybe it didn’t have to be… No. That was how it was. Friendship, only friendship. Period.

Dan knew that phanfiction was doing weird things to his brain. He knew he should click out, unfollow the person who put it on his dash, delete his search history and never go back. He didn’t though, he should of, but he didn’t. God, how he should of.

Instead of doing what was right, Dan gave into the alluring temptation. That had to be some kind of a sin, right? Imagine Dan being damned to Hell because he didn’t click out of a phanfiction, that seemed to be a very Dan thing to do. Rather this was true or not, it didn’t prevent Dan from reading the fic, and enjoying it. His bloodshot eyes focused on the brightness of his laptop screen and the black words on it in front of him, the rest of the world a massive blur of grays and streaks of white light shining in. Dan continued to read until the whole world went dark around him and he slipped into the warm embrace of sleep.

Dan awoke in a bed that was not his own, a warm hand on his left arm shaking him. Not wanting to wake up just yet, Dan rolled over onto his right side, away from the hand. Doing so, he was met by a sharp pain in the arm he’d rolled over on, which was luckily his right and non dominant arm. He heard a familiar voice, but it seemed distant and echoey, almost like it was at the opposite end of a tunnel. A long, dark, warm tunnel… Dan found himself drifting back into unconsciousness but was pulled out of it by the calloused hand that was still gripping him whilst shaking. Dan decided because of the the sharp pain burning into his flesh and the constant shaking there was little to no chance of getting back to sleep. The pain confused him because it wasn’t the type of pain you got when you slept wrong, it felt as if it was more of a open wound that could quite possibly be infected. Not that it would even make sense to have a sleeping pain in his arm, as Dan both went to bed and woke up laying on his back. As well as the odd pain, the weight of Dan’s laptop was gone. Had Phil came into his room, found the laptop on Dan’s stomach, and put it away for him? Oh no, had Phil seen what was on the screen? Dan didn’t remember closing the tab.

“Dammit Dan! Don’t you quit on me now!” The voice suddenly came into focus, like a camera. Once fuzzy and blurry, then sharp and clear. He knew that voice, it seemed a little worn though, broken from yelling. It was Phil’s voice.

“M’up, I’m good,” Dan slurred, opening his unfocused eyes trying to sit up. Doing so, the pain intensified, burning so fiercely Dan fell back. “What the fuck?!” Dan shouted.

“You got stabbed, idiot, remember?” Phil said, setting a hand on Dan’s chest to keep him down. When the world came into focus around Dan, he saw that the Phil next to him was not Phil. Or at least it wasn’t his Phil. This Phil’s skin was far too tan, his face was smeared with dirt (or dry blood, but Dan hoped it was just dirt), and his hair was way too long, his roots showing way too much. Dan looked at his pained right arm, seeing a white rag knotted around his slightly larger and more muscular bicep that was stained crimson with what Dan knew was his blood.

“Stabbed? What?” Dan gasped, voice coming out breathy and strained. His breathing quickened and he tucked his hands into fists, ignoring the pain caused in his right arm, digging little crescent moons into his sweating palms. He tried to force himself upright but was held down by Phil’s hand, who was ridiculously strong, so much so it was discomforting.

“Dan, you need to calm down,” Phil sternly said. Dan threw his fists at Phil’s hand, which seemed to be crushing. He just wanted to be alone, wanted to wake up in his room to the sound of Phil- his Phil, waking up obnoxiously loud. He didn’t want to be in this strange place with this strange Phil like some strange phanfiction…wait a minute. Phil’s description, his actions, Dan being stabbed- this was just like that phanfiction he fell asleep reading. But that was impossible, and even the idea of it increased Dan’s panic. He opened his mouth to scream at the weird person who was kind of like Phil, yell at them to go away, bring him back to his home, to his Phil, but nothing came out. His tongue felt too big in his mouth and his saliva felt like thick, dry cotton. He just wanted to go home! He wanted to wake up in his bed, yell at his Phil for waking him up so early, catch his Phil eating his cereal- he wanted it to be a weird dream. How could it be a dream? Dan felt pain, that didn’t happen in dreams, did it? So it wasn’t a dream? Did it mean Dan could never go home?

“Daniel!” Phil’s hand pressed harder on Dan’s chest and somehow brought him back to reality, or whatever it was, kind of. “Breathe Dan, breathe.” Dan was heaving for breath, he tried to listen, tried to breathe, tried to do what Phil said, but it wasn’t working. Dan just wanted everything to stop, please just stop. After a few minutes of struggling for air Dan felt himself start to calm down, the shaking he wasn’t even aware of started to slow, breath came easier, until he was only crying, yet another thing he wasn’t aware he was doing. He wiped his now unclenched hands on his face, trying to rid it of tears. He felt stupid, like an idiot. He’d just cried, like a complete child.

“I’m good,” Dan breathed,  relaxing his head on the pillow under it. He went to bring his hands over his face to cover it but was brutally reminded of his injury in the form of a sting.

Dan had never been one to believe in the supernatural or even religion. He believed facts. Yes, a zombie apocalypse was theoretically possible. It was also something religious, to a sense. No, zombies didn’t carry around bibles and sit in pews on Sundays, that just sounded stupid. However, there was three main things religions tended to have. A higher power, the beginning of time being created in a ‘big bang’ sort of sense, sudden and with no explanation besides before mentioned higher power, and, of course, “The End”, or, in other terms, “The Apocalypse”. In a way, it made sense. Logically, life itself had to have a start. Therefore, it also had to have an end. Who’s to say life doesn’t have to follow the same rules it creates, a beginning and and end, birth and death? However, that theory didn’t explain why Dan was magically sucked into some post apocalyptic universe birthed from the brain of one of his fans. That didn’t make any sense. Dan wished he could make it make sense. When things made sense you weren’t scared of them, you could convince yourself it wasn’t dangerous. Dan didn’t have that luxury.

“I think I need some fresh air,” Dan announced, moving to sit up. He, of course, was blocked by Phil’s hand. It was really starting to get annoying, being pinned down. He felt trapped, caged in like an animal, a beast with no humanity. He felt like Phil didn’t trust him, then again, why should he? Dan wasn’t the person this Phil knew, and deep down he thought Phil would know that. Maybe Dan should just play his part, calm this man a bit. After all, why should both of them feel lost? From reading the phanfic he knew how sickingly codependent this universe’s Dan and Phil were, who was he to rip that apart? After all, Dan knew everything the other Dan knew. They acted quite alike - this universe’s Dan and the real Dan. It made sense, after all, this Dan was based on the real one.

“Good luck finding any,” Phil snorted. Dan had almost forgotten he had spoke, so lost in his own thoughts, trapped in the prison of his mind. Phil lifted his hand off of Dan’s chest and instead used it to help Dan stand, which was a difficult task. Soon Dan was upright and he and Phil were heading to the rotted door decorated with metal locks and deep scratch marks, which were pale in contrast to the dark finish of the door. As they walked Dan noticed the many weapons and cobwebs littering the walls of the cabin, he appreciated them, though he had no idea how to use them. Phil grabbed a machete off the wall, very worn and coated in a brown substance that Dan knew was dried blood. Dan hoped he wouldn’t have to see Phil use it.

No part of Dan protested when Phil walked him out, or when held the door for him, or even when Phil rested his hand on Dan’s lower back. He wished he would have, wished he could have made himself. The truth was that Dan didn’t mind. His stomach didn’t drop, his skin didn’t burn or tingle. If anything, Dan felt safe. Warm. Content. Like what was happening was just… right. Was that insane? None of it was right, he wasn’t where he was supposed to be-not by a long run. He was supposed to be home, in bed, eyes bloodshot from his bright laptop screen. He wasn’t though, and that wasn’t right. It would be nice if it was, it’d be nice if his own kind of paradise wasn’t standing there consumed in the feeling of a man he didn’t know, a man that wasn’t real.

When the two exited the shack Dan woke up in they were engulfed by a forest. Shrubs, moss, and mushrooms littered the floor and above the canopy of the trees were so thick you could only catch a sliver of blue when you angled your head right. It wasn’t what Dan expected at all. He expected a city in ruins, bloody human like creatures digging into the corpses of children. The air, however, was just as he expected it. Thick, hot, smelling of rotting flesh, far from the musky, cool breezes a forest should carry. Dan suddenly remembered why everything was the way it was. In the phanfiction Dan and Phil decided to take shelter away from civilization because the cities… they were just as you’d picture. Gray, covered in a thick layer of crimson blood, only populated by zombies or sick bastards that couldn’t care less about you and only wanted your supplies. Evil place, the world had become.

“Zombies aren’t even the problem anymore,” Phil said, as if he was reading Dan’s thoughts. “Hell, they weren’t even the problem to begin with. People were. People created it and let it out. People… People started this mess…” Phil’s voice trailed off meaningfully. Dan understood what Phil meant, thinking back to the phanfiction. The writer had a bit of a prologue before they wrote the story. It described the beginning of the end, in a sense. It was like most starts to fictional zombie apocalypses, new drug that’s not tested enough creates a sickness. That drug was somehow leaked into the water supply and the world got sick, however, a few were immune. The drug was fought by a mutation in the genes of certain people. That gene was the blue eyes gene, which Dan did carry. Blue eyes was a recessive trait that didn’t show in Dan because of the brown eyes trait (a dominant gene) he also acquired. Phil too had this the blue eyes trait but his did show. However, those infected were given the instinct of spreading the pathogen. The only way they could do so when someone carried the blue eyes trait was via injection of contaminated DNA. Basically, if you carried the blue eye trait you were fine to drink, but it could still get the illness if you got bitten.

In Dan’s peripheral vision he spotted movement. He grabbed at Phil for reasons he couldn’t explain nor did he want to try and understand. Phil seemed unphased by this and just shook Dan off. “I think there’s one,” Dan tried to explain, pointing to where he thought he saw movement. Dan swore he saw concern paint Phil’s features for a split second before it was gone, but it was probably nothing. This version of Phil wasn’t the one Dan knew so well, it was a variation of him, but it wasn’t him. This Phil was made up by some teen girl on her laptop at four in the morning, and Dan couldn’t forget that. No matter how real this Phil seemed, he wasn’t.

Dan didn’t have much more time to fuss over his weird feelings for his friend’s character in some story he was somehow a part of (wow his situation was complicated) because they were joined by a freak of nature. The creature burst from the undergrowth, running towards them with a slight limp, arms outstretched and fingers like the talons of an eagle. The creature was just as you’d imagine a zombie; It’s pale skin was almost green but still carried the gray tint of death. It’s features were hollowed out, reminding Dan of one of those before pictures on an eating disorder recovery story. It’s clothes were torn and blood soaked. Gashes covered it, skin peeling away to show bloody and rotting flesh. Around its mouth there was the trace of its last meal, dried blood and chunks of flesh that didn’t seem to be its own. It’s eyes no longer held the glimmer of life and carried dark bags under them, far worse than the eye bags you got after a few nights of restless sleep. Everything about it was horrible and made Dan do a little sick in his mouth. A scream lodged itself in his throat but stayed there.

Phil stepped into action immediately and Dan wished he could say he didn’t find it ridiculously hot. The way he pushed Dan behind him and raised his machete up made Dan audibly gasp. If he hadn’t been so terrified out of his wits he’d consider it a turn on, which was concerning because this was Phil, Dan’s no homo best friend and roommate. Well, maybe it wasn’t Phil Phil, but still. The zombie ran faster and just when Dan was certain they were dead and Phil had no idea what he was doing, Phil surprised him. He stepped forward (towards the terrifying monster, Dan might add) with his left foot, and used all his strength and sung as he stepped, slicing the zombies head off. The body collapsed and the decapitated head rolled away. Dan was certain he was going to actually vomit.

“You’re bloody insane,” Dan breathed, staring at the open eyes and mouth of the head on the ground a few feet away from him. He felt like it was looking into his soul, and it was terrifying.

“You’re welcome, for you know, saving your life,” Phil said, turning to Dan and glaring at him.

“You’re an arse,” Dan spat, angry at Phil and not really knowing why. He had a point, without him Dan would be zombie food. He should be grateful, so why was he angry?

“Excuse me?” Phil’s eyebrows furthered and it seemed like venom laced his words. “You know what? I don’t even care!” Phil let out a dry and humorless laugh. “You know what the funny thing is? For a minute there, I thought you gave a half of shit about me, looks like I thought wrong, you don’t care about anyone. Not even yourself.” Phil growled, pushing his way past Dans and making his way to the shack.

Dan remembered why this was happening. Why he was angry, why Phil seemed like someone shoved a stick in his butt. In the fic, Dan threw himself in danger, went off without Dan and ended up getting hurt, Phil ended up saving him from getting eaten/infected, but still, a few heated words were shared. Before this, they had a bit of a, well, they slept together. Dan knew from the fic that Phil was felt that made the two more than friends, but the fic Dan didn’t think so. The fic Dan didn’t mean to hurt fic Phil he just didn’t think one night changed anything whereas fic Phil thought it meant everything. The whole thing was a mess and Dan was stuck in the middle of it, it was like if The Walking Dead was a gay soap opera. Shaun of the Dead meets General Hospital meets… gay. As for Dan, “not caring about himself” was probablybecause of when Dan got hurt, he wasn’t careful and overall it was like he didn’t care anymore.

Dan was lost in an ocean of thoughts and of course he was so deep that there were sharks. His senses failed him, he didn’t hear the shuffling of footsteps, couldn’t see what was coming as it was behind him, nor did he smell the putrid stench of rotten flesh and despair nearing him. No, all those senses failed him. However, one did not. The final sense, the one that paints a soft blanket or your lover’s hand, was the one that told him. The boney hand lacking any fat and only covered with a thin layer of peeling skin was what told Dan that he wasn’t alone. It pulled Dan back with remarkable strength for a creature with deteriorating muscles. Maybe a scream found its way through Dan’s mouth, maybe it didn’t. Perhaps it stayed lodged in Dan through, glued there by pure terror. Either way, Dan was pulled back and somehow managed to get himself turned around so he was face to face with husking skin and yellow, sharp teeth. It’s breath smelt of rotting teeth and metallic blood. Dan’s whole body was shaking and he could feel death nearing. He imagined a grim reaper lurking in the bushes near by, scythe in hand and dark cloak on its back.

The world was in slow motion, Dan felt every millisecond pass and felt like he could write an entire novel of each passing moment. Dan watched as its yellow teeth neared him, felt his heart beating out of his chest and shut his eyes tight, waiting for death. Dan wondered if this was the way out of the nightmare he had someone gotten himself in. He had heard of death being the one sure fire way out of any dream, maybe it was the same kind of thing. Maybe he would finally wake up in his own bed. Maybe he would finally be able to go hug his own Phil. Dan doubted he would sleep alone in his bed for weeks after this whole ideal, he’d just sleep with Phil. They used to do that all the time, it was just comforting. Dan was sure Phil wouldn’t mind, why would he? He always enjoyed it just as much as Dan did.

There was a swoosh sound in Dan’s ear and then he felt chunks of something splatter all over him. The grip that once help extra tight on his already hurt arm weakened and then slid off. A violent shudder ran through Dan’s body. He opened his eyes and felt tears run down his cheeks. Phil stood behind the limp body of the zombie that had previously been three seconds away from killing Dan. It didn’t even matter that it wasn’t Dan’s Phil, the real Phil. It didn’t even matter that this whole thing was probably some kind of odd hallucination. None of that mattered, because his eyes were Phil’s eyes and if Dan focused hard enough he could pretend this man in front of him was the same Phil he watched from behind a computer screen as a teenager, the one that ended up being his first and only best friend. So, Dan wrapped his arms tight around Phil’s neck and he cried, but he only cried harder when Phil didn’t smell the same as he should have and when he felt way too broad to be his Phil. Still, Phil dropped his weapon and held Dan close and at least that was comforting. This Phil still wrapped his arms tight around Dan’s waist and let him cry on him. Even if this wasn’t the real Phil, he still shushed Dan and rubbed his lower back and didn’t care that Dan was getting tears and snot all over his shoulder.

“I hate this place,” Dan sobbed, and he didn’t care that Phil wouldn’t know the truth behind his words. He didn’t care. He just wanted to be held and told ‘I know, I know,’ even if it wasn’t true. Even if it was all a lie, it was the only lie Dan would let himself believe, just for now, just until he felt a little better. They were both covered in dirt and blood, but that was okay. It was okay that Dan’s wound opened back up, it was okay that he almost died twice within an hour, it was okay that this Phil was in love with not this Dan but a different one, that was all okay.

“Let’s go inside, yeah?” Phil suggested, slowing the circles that he was rubbing on Dan’s back. Dan nodded into Phil’s shoulder and let Phil pull away and guide Dan inside. Phil sat Dan down on the bed. “I’ve gotta go get my machete, okay? I’ll be right back,” Dan nodded even though Phil was no longer looking at him and was already halfway out the door.

Dan’s heart felt sad. It was like a huge cloud of sad decided to park above his rib cage and just sit there. It was like the days when Dan would just wake up sad. Dan wasn’t depressed or anything, sometimes he just had sad days, and that’s okay. However those days he didn’t have any reason to be sad, but today he had all the reasons to be sad. He missed Phil, his Phil. He wanted to hug him, not this store brand version of him.

“Do you need another hug?” Phil asked, frowning above Dan. Dan didn’t even realize he was back.

“Yes, I need a thousand hugs,” Dan breathed. Phil smiled sadly and sat next to Dan, wrapping an arm around his waist. A few minutes passed before Phil spoke.

“You don’t feel the same way about me as I feel about you, and that’s okay,” Phil paused for a minute and moved Dan over a bit so he had more room to sit. “However, I don’t want you to lie and say you do, I can’t handle that. I’m in love with you, and you’re not in love with me, that’s okay, but please don’t lie to m-”

Dan didn’t know why he did it. But he did it. He cut Phil off by sitting on his lap and forcing their mouths together. He didn’t let Phil pull away or object; when he felt like Phil would try and stop him he kissed harder. He did that until Phil set his hands on Dan’s sides and kissed him back. The kiss tasted dirty and wrong and it made Dan’s heart sad even more, but he still did it. Even after they pulled away and caught their breath, Dan’s heart was sad. So, he kissed Phil again. He knew it was wrong and he was just using Phil, but he didn’t stop. He could tell Phil wanted him, he could tell he loved him, and that felt nice. Dan liked to be wanted and loved. He let Phil’s hands learn their way around his body and he forced his brain and heart away and just acted. He traced his hands all over Phil. He let Phil take off his clothes and he took Phil’s off as well, and he let the thing that started the first argument happen again. He let Phil think Dan felt the same way for him, but one dark truth lurked. This Phil was in love with his Dan and Dan was in love with his Phil. Dan didn’t want to believe it but he knew it was true. He wanted this, but not with this Phil.

The only way Dan could cope with his new realization was to block it out. He let fic Phil have whatever part of Dan he wanted and Dan pretended he loved this man. Because the two Phil’s were completely different people, it only got hard when fic Phil did something that reminded Dan of his Phil. That’s when Dan’s heart would get sad again. Dan would block that out too though, and soon Dan hated himself. He hated how naturally deceiving Phil came to him. He hated how no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t bring himself to look fic Phil in the eye because those eyes reminded him of the real Phil. Slowly self hatred and destruction became a habit. Even though the world was full of actual zombies plagued with a cell destroying disease, Dan still felt that the sick monster was himself. Fic Phil still took care of Dan and saved his life almost daily but sometimes Dan wished he wouldn’t. Maybe if Phil was a little late one time then Dan wouldn’t have to be the one to break his heart, it would just be cruel Mother Nature and another case of star crossed lovers.

Well naturally the one wish that did come true during that whole ordeal was the one involving Dan’s own death. Of course. It wouldn’t of made sense for it to be Dan wanting to wake up or not having one useless arm that always hurt and the second he moved it would begin squirting blood, no, that was just too nice of whatever cruel higher power put Dan in that mess. That angsty God just wanted more drama.

It happened when Dan left the wood rotted shack for a little time away from the mess he’d weaved himself in with Phil. Phil ran up and gave Dan a kiss on the forehead before he left and Dan felt he was going to be sick. Still, he smiled at the gesture and gave Phil a peck on the lips and a muttered “I love you”, still holding back his sick. He’d never really been one for mega sappy relationships and it didn’t make it easier that this whole relationship was lacking any love from his part. He wish he meant the “I love you”, but he felt nothing as he said it, only longing for someone who had aspects of this man but who wasn’t him. Dan quickly got out of that hell house of a shack and walked a bit deeper into the forest than he should have. He stood on the ledge that overlooked a gray city and a lake that looked to be covered in a thick layer of dust. He watched creatures that weren’t quite human limp about and tear apart corpses of what might of been a person that might of had a family. Then again, maybe they were the last one of the family and they wished death upon themselves like Dan did. Even if life beyond this wasn’t life at all, even if he didn’t wake up in his own world with his own Phil, maybe that was okay, at least then he wouldn’t have to lie to anyone. No matter what happened after this, Dan never wanted to lie again. Lying was too much for Dan to handle and it was tearing him apart.

Dan had a bit of Déjà vu when he felt the boney hand grab him, digging into his upper arm. He felt it began to bleed but he did nothing, not even scream. Then it dug into his other arm, the healthy one. That one started to bleed too. He felt crimson liquid drip down his body but he did nothing but shut his eyes and wait for the teeth. They snuck into the part between his neck and shoulders, they ripped through tendons and ligaments. They crunched nerves and punctured veins. Then they were ripped from him and took the chunk of flesh with them. The hands digging into his arms also pulled out of him. He heard familiar slicing and he felt his knees give out, he opened his eyes when he felt arms around him. He swore he was going to be sick. It was Phil, and as always, he saved him. Well, not really. Dan looked at him with glassy eyes and smiled sadly. He felt his resolve fading and he slipped into insanity and sickness.

“Do it,” he croaked. Tears covered Phil’s cheeks and it made Dan ache. Even if he didn’t love this Phil, his eyes were still the same three-colored ones of his flat mate and best friend, and those eyes should never cry. Dan wanted to dry his tears but he couldn’t move his arms, they were in too much pain.

“I can’t,” Phil managed, voice breaking. “I just can’t do it.”

“Please, Phil, it hurts,” Dan said, voice dripping with pain. It was like the worst flu ever mixed with open wounds and bleeding out. Phil nodded once and returned Dan’s sad smile. He got his machete and laid Dan down comfortably on a soft patch of grass.

“I love you,” Phil told Dan as he raised his weapon. He was determined to do it quickly and in one even swipe, that would make Dan suffer less, and that’s all he wanted at this point.

“I love you too,” Dan lied. Or maybe he didn’t. Of course he was grateful for this man, he had saved Dan’s life a few times, but did that equal love? Probably not. Still, Dan wanted the last words Phil heard from him to be that he loved him, even if it was a lie. He needed that, so he would give it to him.

Phil raised his machete and one minute Dan felt all his pain, then for a split second he felt incredibly sharp pain in his neck, and then he felt nothing. For a moment there was black, nothingness, but then Dan was opening his eyes in his room, in London. He felt the familiar weight of his laptop on his lap and he didn’t feel any pain. Dan sighed in relief. He got up to go find Phil, needing him right that moment.

The smell of coffee and the clinking of dishes lead Dan to believe Phil was in the kitchen. As he walked into said kitchen he was aware that his suspicions were indeed correct. Phil stood next the a counter in his pjs, stirring a cup of coffee.

“Good morning, Danny Boy,” Phil said when he saw Dan walk in. He took a minute to go back to making his coffee but then he continued the one-sided conversation. “I read last night that more people are killed by donkeys than plane crashes, isn’t that cool?”

Dan was so happy that Phil said it. It meant it was the real Phil, the Phil that he met in Manchester on the train station so long ago. This was Phil. His Phil. Dan had so many emotions that he didn’t know what to do with them, so he cried. He just burst into sobs right there, a few feet from Phil.

“Dan are you okay? Did a family member of yours get killed by a donkey? Did I just bring back traumatic repressed memories from your childhood?” Phil rambled, and Dan just cried harder. “Can I do anything to make it better?”

Dan nodded once. “Hugs, please,” he requested. Phil nodded and abandoned his coffee to wrap Dan up in his arms. Dan cried harder, happy tears, because this was the Phil he knew. He smelled like coffee, liquorice, and apples. He smelt like Phil. His arms wrapped tightly around Dan’s back and made him feel safe. He felt like he could say anything and it would be perfectly okay, so he said the one thing on his mind. “I love you,”

Phil didn’t say anything back for a long few seconds. It stretched out like an eternity, but he didn’t lessen his grip on Dan and Dan was beyond grateful for that. Only sound in the room was their breathing and Dan was nervous about how heavy his was compared to Phil’s, who kept his composure too well for Dan’s liking. Dan expected Phil to reject him or something. Phil didn’t say anything. It seemed like eons of waiting for something-anything. Finally, Phil responded.

“I love you too,” and Dan’s heart stop and he started over analyzing. Of course Phil loved him, as a friend. Friends say ‘I love you’, right? Was it just he and Phil that never said it? Or maybe they did, Dan’s mind was too fuzzy to recall. Well, there’s really only one way to find out how Phil meant it. Dan somehow managed to loosen Phil’s grip on him enough to push their mouths together. Phil didn’t retaliate for a few seconds and Dan thought he was going to die of embarrassment and waited for Phil to again, do something.

Phil did do something. Dan felt the pressure being returned and he actually thought he was literally going to die. He didn’t though and when they had to pull away to breathe Phil hugged him tighter and Dan was glad that Phil’s breathing was just as heavy as his. As happy as he was, Dan was still kind of worried for the Phil in the phanfiction. What happened to him? When Phil finally let Dan go and Dan looked into his eyes Dan felt guilty again.

“I’ll be right back,” Dan breathed, as if he was scared that if he was too loud what just happened with he and Phil would shatter. Phil didn’t say anything but looked concerned.

Dan hurried back to his room and quickly read the end of the fic and almost threw his laptop across the room. The last line was:

“After Dan and Phil shared their kiss Dan rushed back to see the ending of the story he was trapped in, wanting to know the ending.”

And then it ended. Just like that, an open ending. Everyone hates those and yet authors keep writing them. Over and over again.

The end.

[lunamusings]

Gravity Well

Chapter 8: Into Nothing

A Loki x Lithium Fanfiction (CanonxOC)

Set before the events of Thor, Loki receives as large mysterious crate of alcohol the day before his birthday. What seems like a strange yet benign gift from an anonymous person ends up being more than he, or the woman at the bottom of the crate bargained for.

Chapter Warnings: This chapter contains the end of Thor 1 and all the horrible stuff that means :(

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It felt like years of things unsaid where coming out as he goaded Thor into fighting him. There was no carefully crafted filter for his words. All else was forgotten, just the hard lump of emotions, both white hot and frigid all at once.

"I NEVER WANTED A THRONE! I ONLY WANTED TO BE YOUR EQUAL!”

Thor’s attacks were slow, his brother clearly pulling them at the last moment.  He was not taking him seriously when Loki was, and enjoying it, no less. His irritation only grew at this evidence that, once again, Thor did not see him enough a threat to fight at full capacity.

He knew had had gone too far when he threw out a vague threat to Thor’s newly-found human love. And not just because Thor sent him flying, but in the split second before he went hurtling out the Observatory door, Lithium looked him dead in the eye, shock and disgust across her face.

What he would not give to never see that face directed at him again?

But he had started this, and he had to finish it, or there was no hope for him. He had to succeed.

Everything depended on this.

He would do as Odin had done, and his father before him.

Odin would be proud. He had to be. What greater loyalty was there than to end your own kind for the kind who took you in? He would do this for everyone and his father would see his worth.

Right?

Then Thor destroyed the Bifrost. No amount of logic in begging form stopped his brother from fracturing the bridge with every impact of his hammer. Not even never again seeing his human love made a difference.

Had he underestimated how much Thor had actually changed in his short stint on Midgard? Or was this just another bid for the approval of sleeping Odin, as he always had when they were children, even unknowingly? Had nothing really changed?

The Bifrost shattered like all his plans, the massive explosion a sight to see, or at least he thought so as he hurtled through the air alongside Thor. It was a twist of chance and athletic skill that he held onto Gungnir and that Thor caught the other end.

And a mixed surprise that Odin caught Thor's legs at the last second, before both of them went tumbling into the void.

It was one more chance. He could explain this. Odin would understand. He would be proud, even if things did not go as planned.

He had to.

"I can do it, Father! I can do it for us. For everyone!"

Odin adjusted his grip on his brother, struggling ever so slightly at the weight of both his sons dangling into the void. This did not stop him from looking Loki dead in the eye and say two little words that weighed more than the universe around him.

"No, Loki."

Two little words.

No, Loki, you could never do it.

No, Loki, you never mattered.

No, Loki, monsters cannot do anything right, anything good.

No, Loki, you are not worth anything, let alone leadership.

No, Loki.

NO, LOKI.

It was over.

In the last moments before his let his fingers slip from the spear, he watched Lithium come into view, barely held back from the edge by Odin taking a step in her direction, blocking her from going over as she slid to a stop.

"LOKI!"

Her scream even drowned out Thor's as the abyss closed around him.

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*Thor*

It took both himself, once he was back on his feet on the broken edge of the Bifrost, and Odin to hold back Lithium from diving off after Loki. Such a tiny person should not have been able to break both of their grips several times before he wrapped both his arms around her whole torso.

Even then, she still kicked Odin square in the face.

He only held onto her long enough to get her in the Observatory. She slipped from under his arms and bolted form the building, faster than he had ever seen a human move. It would not have been that weird, had she not untied the frantic horse his brother had ridden there and then proceeded to keep up with it on its mad dash back to the barn.

He stood at the exit of the Observatory, watching her flight as the deep sense of loss settled on his shoulders.

How did this happen?

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Lithium bolted past everyone she came across, even Frigga, despite the Queen calling out to her as she slid across the tile floor to take a turn faster.  Her feet took her to the only place they wanted to go; Loki's room. Once the door was closed behind her, she stood in the middle of it, the exact place she had met him not so long ago. Her legs went out from under her, exhausted from running, more exhausted from the situation.

She let the rest of her body sink to the floor, screaming and crying into the rug . She had no idea how long she laid there, but she was beyond caring, until the arm under her head fell asleep. She used the one of the bed posts to pull herself up with her awake hand, only to collapse onto the bed with a soft flump.

A painfully familiar scent surrounded her and just made the tears fall harder.

The door opened slowly, revealing Frigga's tear-stained face. "Lithium?"

She lifted her head, knowing by the look on Frigga's face that she was a big a mess as she felt. The moment their eyes met, their tears well up anew. She pushed herself off the bed and ran to her. She didn't know how long they hugged but for Lithium, it was the only thing holding her down.

They ended up sitting on the bed in silence aside from the sobs until they quieted. Frigga squeezed her hand, looking toward her with questions on her face. Lithium nodded her permission to ask, while dabbing at her tears with the handkerchief Frigga had given her.

"Did…did you see him fall?" Frigga looked down at the ground, as if she was sorry she asked immediately after the words left her.

Lithium frowned, glancing sideways. Maybe it was just a coincidence that she said he fell. He did in fact fall, but it was no accident in the end. It was not something she could let pass though. There was too tremendous a difference between accidental death and suicide to not make that distinction, even at the risk of hurting poor Frigga more.

"I was there." Her voice cracked after all the sobs and silence. "But…he did not fall…"

Frigga's eye grew wide. "Whatever do you mean? Odin said he fell."

Lithium suppressed the growl that threatened to rumble out of her. "He didn't fall. He let go!"

Frigga's eyes filled with tears again, her face shocked. "….I cannot believe it…I cannot…"

"I wish I didn't have to…"

They sat in silence for a while longer before Frigga left her, her face steeled in a way Lithium had not seen before. She shivered, feeling suddenly cold now that she was alone. Rather than waste her time trying to find her way back to her room, which was still a struggle, she curled up under the covers right where she was, enveloped in warmth and scent. She curled tighter around herself and let sleep take her.

She woke later, the midday sun pouring through the large windows, though that was not what woke her. Had she not held her disguise through the night, her fur would be standing on end at the feeling of someone watching her. She took a deep breath and jumped over the end of bed, running toward the sitting area, ready to knock whoever was in there into the next realm.

Thor at least had the decency to look surprised when she went over the low coffee table at him, stopping with one foot on, one foot off and her fist just shy of hitting his nose.  "Good morning to you too, Tiny Lithium. I brought lunch."

He sounded subdued, not speaking in enthusiastic all-caps, and it was no surprise to her. He may not have understood Loki well, but she could see in his face that he cared about him in his own way. Though she had things to discuss with him about that, she put it in the back of her mind and sunk into the chair next to him.

"Thanks." She sighed deeply and forced an appreciative smile. "I am pretty hungry."

"You should be." He gestured to the tray. "You've been asleep for three days."

Lithium felt too tired to look surprised. "That does explain why eating a horse's weight in food sounds like the thing to do."

"I only brought a horse leg's worth. I hope you are not disappointed." His smile was small and forced as well.

The two began to eat the food she had, by some miracle, not knocked over in her attack, in silence. Thor was not lying about bringing a partial horse's worth of food.  Someone in the kitchen must had caught wind of her fondness for hard boiled eggs, because there was a dozen larger ones between her and Thor, and that was on top of the enormous bowls of stew and more bread rolls than two people should consume in one setting, had one of them not been Asgardian and the other was not her, the bottomless pit where calories went to die.

Thor paused before eating another egg. "May I ask you something?"

Lithium nodded, her mouth full of roll.

"Why did he do it?" Thor's face fell as the words left him. "Why did he let go? You have been close to him since you arrived. What could have caused him to do?"

Lithium swallowed the bite of roll slowly and sighed. How to answer this question was not something that came immediately to mind. Did she say what she thought, or be as vague  as possible to spare Thor's feelings? Was there even a good answer at all to this?

There was none, so she went with what made the most sense.

"He was so broken…no one saw it in time…" The piece of roll she held fell into her stew. "…I tried…but I couldn't do enough fast enough…"

Thor frowned deeply, leaning forward in her direction. "Why would he be so broken? His life's opportunities have never been remotely less than my own? "

Lithium shook her head. "Then you never really saw him, never really knew what his life was like. You would have had to miss how other people treated him, the horrible things they said when they thought no one was listening, even your friends."

"It's jest in good fun, at least for the Warriors and Sif." Thor's frown grew deeper.

She pointed her partial roll at him. "But in the month and half I've been here, I have been listening. While you were gone, people were spreading nasty rumors about him having a whole group of similar-looking sex slaves who were "no doubt" been impregnated by his "lascivious proclivities". I can't call that in good fun, even if the so-called group of women was just me."

Thor started to protest but she cut him off, suddenly in no mood to hear flimsy excuses. "This is especially disturbing to me, considering he had been nothing but understanding when I set boundaries. If you know him as you think you do, you would know that what they said isn't remotely good natured ribbing. And that was just the worst I'd heard in the short time I've been here. A joke isn't a joke if another person is hurt by it."

Thor stared down at his stew bowl, confusion plain on his face. Lithium had a flicker of guilt, but she could not sugar coat this, not when she saw so much he clearly had not noticed. She would dull the edge of her words a bit more though. No need to twist the knife she already stabbed in his emotions.

"He wasn't lying when he said he wanted to be your equal." She took a deep breath, the sound of Loki's angry broken screaming still echoing in her fried mind. "But it was clear no one did. No one who could have changed how he felt, at least."

"But why take the throne while I'm gone?" Thor shook his head, unable to believe her words yet. "Why attack Jotunheim? What was the point of that? Had the Warriors and Sif not found me, what would have befallen Asgard?"

Lithium's frown became a deep scowl. "Take the throne? He didn't steal it. You were banished, Odin asleep. Frigga handed the throne to him until he woke up!"

"How can you believe his obvious lies?"

"Because I was outside the door when your mother declared him King and Gungnir passed to him. It was no lie. Ask your mother yourself if you don't believe me. I can’t believe you think so little of him when you claim to care about him..."

"His actions would have brought ruin to Jotunheim and Asgard!" Thor stood from the couch, fists clenched.

Lithium was out of her seat mere seconds after, resting lightly on her feet, arms up defensively and ready to run. Still, she held his gaze, hers daring him to try and make the wrong move. "And your actions toward Jotunheim wouldn't have done the same? Genocide is genocide, Thor, even when Asgard's Golden Boy commits it. Loki at least had the sense to do it without dragging other people into it."

Thor offensive stance held, but his face betrayed that some of her words were hitting home. "It appears there are aspects of this I had not considered."

Lithium also kept up her guard, but tears welled up in her eyes. "For all your differences, you are brothers who made the same mistakes. But Loki did it out of desperation for approval. He loved you and wanted to make sure you were ready to be King, ready to lead…ready to take advice and make Asgard greater than it is…he want you to value him as more than just...more than just a cheap trickster"

Her tears were not alone when Frigga walked in the door. Lithium and Thor dropped their guard and were crying freely by then. Frigga said nothing but gathered them both on either side of her on the couch. Her arms around their shoulders pulled them close, letting them lean on her. The three wept together until there were no more tears to cry.