#sorry if you didn’t want to see a bug on your dash

[floral-hex]

Today’s little guy is:

uuuuuuh this little guy 😬

[itskattkm]

The air in my lungs

Chapter 8

Cairo Sweet x Fem Reader

Summary: A stroke of fate changes you and leads you into the arms of Cairo Sweet. Will she be your downfall or save you?

Warnings: 18+, SMUT, Grief, Injuries, Smoking, Trauma, anxiety, sexual content, student x teacher mentioned, harm, blackmailing, bad grammar

A/N: for my Cairo lovers. I’m sorry for not updating so long. Much is planned and the fic will be long! I wanted this chapter to be longer but since a few asked for new updates her it is my dears🧡 I’m having some days off now and hope to get some new chapters done. Have fun.

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The pressure of the dash was massaging your back when you sat in the whirlpool with closed eyes and your head leaned back resting on the edge. When you entered the pool house you didn’t saw the whirlpool immediately, only when Cairo showed it to you. It was actually right beside the pool, in a corner and covered by many of plants. “You like plants and the color green right?” You asked. They were so beautiful and you wished you would now what they all were called.

Cairo was right by your side and watched you inspecting the plants “I do… I also like bugs, beetles and spiders” you laughed and sighed looking at her “spiders?” Cairo nodded and shrugged her shoulders saying “yeah…”. You grinned wide and shook your head. This made Cairo curious “are you afraid of spiders?” She asked teasing. You looked serious at her but your eyes were still showing the joy you felt “I hate them… but somehow they love me. I could call myself spider man… or well spider woman” this made Cairo laugh.

You sat up and turned towards her “I’m serious! They follow me everywhere and I find them in the craziest places without even trying. It’s like an instinct. I look into a direction? Boom there’s a spider… the house is empty? My bedroom is their hotspot… even my car. I once jumped out of my car while trying to drive, because of a spider”

Cairos eyes widened and she tried to hold her laugh back “seriously?” You smirked and nodded “I was about to shift the gear to start driving. But a spider was sitting on the gear lever and then I just jumped out… making the car choke off” Cairo looked at you speechless wich made yourself giggle when you leaned back beside her.

“I already found three different spiders on those leafs” you said and pointed out with your finger into one direction. Cairo furrowed her brows and turned to look into that direction. And there she was. A Yellow garden ball weaver spider. Cairo was impressed. “Well… I love them” she said teasing and looked at you. You grinned “so my instinct maybe brought me right into your arms then? Or your attracted by my presence like the spiders”

She smiled wide and watched the spider crawling away “but why do you like them? And what’s about the color green? I see it everywhere. I know you have a green bag pack… headphones but this mansion? It’s like you’re living that color out…” you said curious and looked softly at her.

“Well green stands for things like harmony, stability, hope and nature in general… It always makes me feel relaxed and calm. Green is a color that is often underestimated. A lot of people always go for the colors red and blue when it comes to things like logos or colors of clothes. But green is a color that people don't think about much, and I like that. It's a nice and relaxing color. It just makes me feel so calm when I see it now. It's just that simple!"

Y/n nodded and said in a calm tone “it really is underestimated. Did you know that our human eyes see 50% green, blue 25% and red 25%?”

This made Cairo smile and chuckle slight. She nodded and appreciated the fact that you showed interest and tried to have a conversation about her interests.

“And the spiders?” You asked again while putting your hand on her thigh.

“They make me feel safe. They make me feel like I can relate to them. When people see spiders.. they are always scared and they always try to kill them or stay away from them. But when I see a spider I feel like I can trust it. Because I am the same way. I am a mysterious type of creature that people want to destroy." You looked at her with pure admiration and smiled about that comparison.

“I won’t kill you… I promise” you said a bit joking while moving your thumb in circles on her knee. The corners of her mouth quirked up, leaning in slowly “I really appreciate that”. Turning towards each other. The warmth of the water making your body feel so relaxed and comfortable in the moment.

Cairos body came closer and closer, you could feel her presence getting intensive. Her eyes were switching between your eyes and lips till they just remained at your lips. You were moistening your lips unintentionally, felling the heat coming from her body when she sat down in your lap. Her hands moving slowly and smooth on your shoulders just to hold your neck. Stunned. that was your reaction to that. You couldn’t even react properly cause in the next moment you felt Cairo pulling your hair so you would lean your head back, you did and her lips met yours. Fierce she made you almost gasp for air with the amount of passion she was using. It didn’t took her long to explore your mouth with her tongue and a soft moan escaped you.

Your hands rested on her hips. Pulling her closer, feeling a pulsing between your legs. Your body’s merged and you could smell the scent of vanilla, coffee and burned wood wich hit your nerves.

Lips found their place on Cairos pulse. You inhaled deeply, brushing her cold and soft skin with them. You were trembling. Her scent making you fall into a haze where nothing else mattered anymore. Just her.

Cairo felt your wet lips on her pulse, a shiver went down her spine, making her grind on your lap slowly. Breathing heavy you felt like something was missing. She reached out for your jaw and held it tight in her hand. You could see a flicker in her dark eyes, showing you the lust she was feeling. You felt so intimidated by her that you almost felt dysfunctional.

Still holding your jaw in her hand, she kissed you hard. Her saliva moistening both your lips before she bit into your lower lip. Quite sounds were leaving you, making you feel like you could explode by every touch. Her hand moving down your chest, going their way through your breast and resting on your stomach. She was caressing your body, moving herself as close to you as possible while her hips kept moving into your lap.

Your face was still held by her with the other hand. It was interesting how she was taking out all the air of your lungs but also managed to keep you breathing. Cairo was holding the band of your underwear and pulled slight on it wich made you twitch. She smiled seductive, feeling good about the fact how she made you react. “Relax…” she whispered into your ear before placing her lips onto your pulse, feeling your heart rate going up. Your head fell into the back of your neck and Cairo began to move her lips along your throat.

Soon both your bikinis were lying on the floor somewhere near the whirlpool. Cairos body rocking into your thigh while her hand began to explore you in a more private place. You were breathing heavy, feeling so much pleasure that your mind couldn’t handle it. It kept shutting down just to come back with a need of more.

“Cairo…” you whispered heavy when she bit slight into your neck. Satisfied Cairo licked along your pulse before penetrating you with the full length of her two fingers. It made you tremble slightly, you felt your walls get tight around her fingers wich made it hard for you to stay quiet. “I Wanne hear you say my name…” she whispered luring and moved her fingers slowly out “again…” they moved back in “and again” then she angled her fingers which made you moan.

She smirked satisfied and gave your lips a light bite before going deeper wich made your jaw turn stiff and you only manage to say her name with a breaking voice. Cairos grin turned wider and she kissed you hard, her tongue getting lost in your mouth before she whispered teasing “what? Can’t you handle me?”. Your head fell back again and a brief “fuck…” escaped the back of your throat. Cairo making you curse already. Then her movements became faster and you could feel her eyes watching every reaction she could get from you while placing open mouth kisses along your jaw and neck. Tasting your skin with her tongue.

Like this wasn’t already killing you, she kept grinding on your tight. You couldn’t really feel her wetness due the water but you felt her clit moving over your skin again and again which made you even more turned on.

“You’re killing… me…my dear” you panted which made her smile almost evil before she moved her fingers even deeper. Her knuckles touching your cunt. You arched your back, craving for more. Cairo felt you getting tighter around her fingers, she began to move in a slow pace now, turning her fingers while doing so. You felt your clit throbbing, getting so tight it was almost too much. Sitting up you pulled your hand around Cairos neck kissing her deeper almost in a starving way. You were breathing heavy like you were taking a long run. Your heart was pumping so much blood through your body you felt like you couldn’t breathe. That’s what she made you feel like. You moistened your lips brushing them over the skin you could reach above the water. The effect Cairo Sweet had on you was crashing down on you like hard rain. No matter how hard you tried to keep your defenses up, keep those feelings deep inside of you away and hidden… she managed to get them all out. You had no control. One moment you felt nervous and shy, the next you forgot about it all and became a pool of desire and longing. This woman was your weakness and you were sure she could bring out things of you… you wouldn’t recognize yourself.

[pippytmi]

kacy au + a prompt from this list: "this is the first time I’m living on my own and my parents decided to spontaneously drop by in a few hours to see how I’m doing pls let me borrow some cleaning supplies and food so that my parents will believe I’m a functioning, responsible adult who totally cleans and doesn’t just have condiments and eggs in my fridge AU”

////////

“Hey! Hi, you’re—you're 8C, right?”

Kate nearly drops her bag at the sudden voice and its proximity, entirely unused to any kind of attention whatsoever. Embarrassingly, her first response is to reach for a gun that isn’t there, succeeding only in pulling out her keys as a makeshift weapon.

“Whoa,” the stranger before Kate says, raising both hands up. She looks vaguely familiar, dark eyes and curly hair and a short enough stature that Kate presumes she won’t be a real threat. “Is that a…key? No offense, but I don't think that would stab very well.” She squints up at Kate suddenly, almost like she’s trying to figure her out. “Please don't test that theory.”

Kate can only hurriedly lower said keys, feels her cheeks burn under the scrutiny. “Sorry,” she says. “I guess I’m a little jumpy.”

“It’s all good, I totally get it,” the stranger says cheerfully. “There’s not really a welcoming committee around these parts.”

“Is that why you’re here?” Kate asks slowly, cautiously on guard once more. She had first moved into this apartment two months ago, so it’s a little late for a welcome-to-the-neighborhood kind of thing.

“It could be,” the woman says, and she holds out her hand. “I’m Lucy. You might know me better as 12B, I’m the one always throwing empty bottles at the landlord’s head.”

Kate just stares back, accepting the handshake a beat later than socially acceptable. “I…didn’t know anyone did that, actually.”

“Oh it’s fine,” Lucy’s quick to reassure her. “He hasn’t found out it’s me.”

“Okay.” Kate is still very, very confused as to what Lucy of 12B (who throws water bottles at people) could possibly want. Or why she has decided to introduce herself in such a strange manner.

“Sorry to bug you," Lucy says, “but you’re kind of my last hope. I’ve been trying to find one friendly neighbor in this shithole, and so far, everyone has been shutting their doors in my face. You’re kind of on another level since you tried to shank me, but I am completely willing to forget that if you can let me borrow some stuff.”

“I didn’t try to…” Kate trails off as Lucy gazes up at her with such a hopeful expression that her resolve immediately weakens. “What kind of stuff?”

“Nothing major,” Lucy says. “Long story short, my parents decided to drop in on me, and I basically have nothing in my place. Any chance you can lend me some cleaning supplies? And maybe some groceries? I will one hundred percent pay you back. I just need them to think I’m an actual functioning human being.”

“I guess I can see what I have,” Kate says reluctantly, gripping her groceries a little tighter to her chest. “Come in, I’ll get you everything you need.”

This is probably a bad idea. Scratch that—it is definitely a bad idea, and Curtis will actually kill her for this, but Kate invites this literal stranger into her (government-assigned) home and leaves Lucy alone in order to briefly dash into her room and lock up the gun kept in the bottom of her purse.

Lucy, at the very least, stays firmly in the living room where Kate left her, though her eyes obviously wander around the room. “I like the color,” she says, gesturing to Kate’s couch. “Funky.”

Kate grimaces. “It was the only one they had,” she says of that neon-green monstrosity.

“Well, I think it’s really cool,” Lucy says. With Kate back, she seems emboldened, takes a turn about the room with a curious half-smile. “Your place seems smaller than mine. How much are you paying? Because if it’s the same as mine, I can totally get the landlord with a bottle for you.”

“I’m fine, thanks,” Kate says. “Um, I think I should have everything you need in the kitchen.” She ushers Lucy right over, gestures to the fridge and says, “You can pick whatever you want for food. I’ll get the cleaning supplies from under the sink.” Still on edge, she crouches down to retrieve everything while watching Lucy out of the corner of her eye.

If Lucy can feel Kate staring, she doesn’t show it; she happily accepts the invitation to rummage through the fridge, clanking of bottles and rustling of bags audible. Finally, Kate focuses on the task at hand, and packs the basics into a plastic bag: bleach, window cleaner, Lysol.

“Okay, this might be more unbelievable than having nothing in my house,” Lucy suddenly declares. “Do you have anything good to eat?”

Kate lifts her head. “What?”

“This is all health food and green juice, 8C,” Lucy says. Pauses. “Oh fuck. I never asked for your name.”

Honestly, Kate forgot she hadn’t, either. “It’s—”

“I really hope you’re not a serial killer,” Lucy continues, as if Kate isn’t even in the room and she is just musing aloud. “That probably should’ve been my first question. Can we start over? Here. 8C, are you a serial killer?”

Kate blinks. “No,” she says. “But I also don’t think serial killers would tell you if they were.”

“Fair enough,” Lucy says, and peculiarly enough, she doesn’t seem threatened at all by the possibility. Obviously she is not afraid to be in unfamiliar situations with unfamiliar people, and Kate wonders if she should rethink her assumption that Lucy is not a threat. “So what’s your name, then?”

“...Kate.”

“Kate,” Lucy repeats. “Hm. It’s not what I was expecting, but it fits.” With that information, she just turns around and…continues going through Kate’s fridge. “Are you single?”

Kate coughs. “W-what?”

“Single people always have those sad frozen meals, at least,” Lucy says. “I do too, normally, but I haven’t hit the grocery store in a while.” She opens the freezer and actually whoops at the sight of Marie Callender's finest. “Jackpot! I will take these off your hands.”

“And your parents will…be fine with that?” Kate decides that, overall, she is utterly confused by Lucy the neighbor from 12B. There's no other possible way to put it.

“Oh not at all, but it is what they expect,” Lucy says. “I’ll take some of your health foods too, I guess. Let them think I’m trying to stop bad habits.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear with a self-conscious laugh. “I mean, only if that’s fine with you.”

And something about that moment where Lucy becomes a little awkward—when she bashfully looks down at her feet, then looks back up at Kate from underneath her long eyelashes—it endears Kate completely. At the very least, it makes her relax, stomach twisting in itself in a tell-tale weakness for pretty girls in trouble. “Sure,” she says. “Do your parents like wine? You can take a bottle, I have a few.”

“I would never turn down wine,” Lucy says, brightening. “I don’t even care that I don’t have wine glasses. We can drink out of paper cups for all I care.”

Kate opens the liquor cabinet to make her selection: a nice red that had been a gift from her mother. (She’ll just have to email her later and say she loved it when her mother asks.) “I would offer to lend you some, but I also don’t have wine glasses,” she finds herself saying, then immediately regrets it, because Lucy obviously expects an explanation and all Kate seems to be able to do is make a fool out of herself today.

“Are you also a connoisseur of paper cups? Kate from 8C, I think we’re going to be friends,” Lucy says easily, and Kate’s lips twitch from the effort of biting back a smile.

“I actually like to drink wine out of mason jars,” Kate says. “I know it’s a little weird…”

Lucy has absolutely no qualms about smiling, and her smile lights up her whole face in a way Kate can’t look away from. “I think that’s cute,” she says, and Kate’s face burns so hot she knows that her status as this building’s number one gay disaster is 100% secured.

“Here,” Kate barely remembers to blurt out, handing off the wine bottle. “And let me get you a bag for the food too.”

After everything has been successfully squared away, Lucy is left with three large bags that will definitely require more than one trip. “Thank you,” she says. “Seriously. You’ve saved my life and I promise I will replace everything I’ve stolen today.”

“It’s no problem,” Kate says. “Do you need help taking it to your place?”

Lucy feigns a double-take, mouth falling open in an exaggerated gasp. “Already trying to invite yourself over? Wow, 8C. At least buy a girl dinner first.”

Kate’s mouth inevitably twists into that damned smile anyway. “Is that not what the frozen meals are? Technically, I did buy them.”

“Touché,” Lucy says, biting her lip. “You are…surprising.” She snags the smaller of the bags which contains the cleaning supplies, then swings it over her shoulder. “Alright, you can walk me home. But no funny business.”

“Okay,” Kate says with a laugh, taking the last two bags herself.

“But,” Lucy says as they walk outside, “you officially have a rain check.”

“For dinner?” Despite the circumstances of Kate’s arrival here—despite the looming undercover op that is about to consume her life—she feels light. Hopeful, even.

Lucy throws a wink over her shoulder. “For the funny business,” she says, all but skipping in the direction of her apartment.

Kate, meanwhile, freezes in place. Nevermind about Lucy being a threat to her life—she’s just going to be a threat to Kate's sanity.

(Which…may or may not be a bad thing. It’s to be determined, at any rate). 

[ronance-romance]

Concept: Robin and Nancy are seen leaving the Wheeler house together after Robin has spent the night. Chaos and rumors ensue.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Nancy rubbed the edges of sleep from her eyes and opened the door to see Robin. Suddenly she was wide awake. A visit that wasn’t from one of Mike’s friends was rare. Because she didn’t have friends. Except…for Robin. And here she was, rain soaking her to the bone and shivering. Nancy had no idea what to say for a solid minute or so before Robin broke the silence for her, as was customary.

“Can…I c-come in, Nancy?”

“Yes,” Nancy blurted, entirely too loud of a volume for the time of night that it was. She stepped aside and went on a dash for some towels to dry the soaking wet girl.

“Sorry to bother you so late, I just couldn’t. I had nowhere to. Uh. Never mind. Sorry. Maybe I should go home. I mean, it’s 2:30 a.m. and I probably woke you up.”

“Here,” Nancy said simply, handing over a stack of towels. “Bathroom is that way.” She pointed. “Take all the time you need to get dry.”

“T-thanks.” Robin sounded on the verge of tears and Nancy thought it would tear her apart.

She wasn’t sure why Robin’s pain was affecting her so much. It wasn’t like they’d been friends for very long. Not like her and Barb, who she had known forever. Definitely not like her and Barb. First of all, Robin was still alive and not dead by her hand. The secret dreams she had of the blood she had on her hands because of her ambition and since. It was enough to bring her to tearful panic under her covers every night.

Did she tell anyone about this? Of course not, why would she?

“Hey, Nancy?” Robin called faintly.

Nancy pushed her way up the stairs, moving through fog inside her and past the urge to open the bathroom door as fast as she could. Her heart was in her throat as she looked at Robin’s pale, wet face once again. Damn her for coming here at all. And damn herself for answering the call. What the hell were they doing? For once, she didn’t have a Nancy Wheeler-esque answer and it bothered her to no end. It really bugged her, not knowing something. It was worse than getting a test question wrong at school. Especially if it was her best subject.

“What’s up?” Her voice sounded normal. Thank god.

“Clothes aren’t getting dry, I’ll have to borrow yours,” Robin said as if she was announcing the weather and not the single most panic inducing thing she could’ve possibly said that night.

“Right, right…”

Was it too late to declare this as some kind of fever dream and wake up to the sound of her alarm? She forced herself to move. Grab an outfit for her to sleep in. Return to her friend.

“I’ll get changed now. I mean, with the door closed. Duh. You probably don’t wanna stare at me. I mean if you do, that would be-”

“Close the door,” Nancy said. She wanted to jump out the window.

Robin emerged in clothes that were a bit small for her because of Nancy’s size, but it was passable for the night till her actual clothing dried. Nancy threw it all in the dryer and switched it on.

“Can I stay in your room?” Robin whispered.

“Sure.”

Nancy didn’t ask questions. If Robin wanted to talk about what happened, she would. So she kept quiet and let her guide the moment. It seemed to be working so far. She had barely laid down when she felt another presence in her bed. She was too exhausted to be able to tell if this made her uncomfortable. One thing was for sure, she didn’t dislike it.

BEEP BEEP BEEP—-

“Stooop,” Robin whined, slamming the alarm violently. Nancy was up and out of bed before Robin had even finished her sentence.

“Your clothes should be ready in the laundry room. I can drive you to school.”

“Hey Nancy?” She turned and looked back at her.

“Thanks…for not asking questions. I don’t like talking about home stuff, you know. Shit’s embarrassing.”

“Of course, Robin.”

The drive to school was uneventful. Nancy stopped and got them both some much needed caffeine to get through the day after such a sleepless night for the both of them. Robin’s clothes were rumpled, like she had slept in them. She didn’t seem to much care. Meanwhile, Nancy was touching up her makeup in the parking lot, even triple checking it. They couldn’t be more different and yet they seemed to be closer than ever.

“Oh. My god.” Dustin snorted as they walked up to the school together.

“What?” Nancy rolled her eyes and sipped at her coffee. Vanilla, caramel, whipped cream. Oh she so needed that.

“You guys spent the night together?” Mike said in disbelief. “How did I not even notice??”

“Because you’re all hung up on Will,” Nancy quipped.

“I’m not!”

“Why does it matter so much if we stayed the night together?”

“There is a running bet,” Lucas spoke up. “On whether you guys are dating.”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Nancy spluttered, her face going as hot as a stage spotlight. “I’m still dating Jonathan.”

“Barely,” Dustin pointed out. “You said yourself..”

“I said NOTHING of the sort.”

“Right,” Robin said nervously. “That would just be silly. Us, dating. Nobody even thought of that besides you weirdos!” She chuckled. For some reason, Nancy felt a twinge of regret at how vehemently she had responded.

“I mean…I’m not really into girls,” Nancy continued quietly.

“Now that’s a lie if I ever heard one,” Will said through a mouthful of Poptart. He appeared with Jonathan.

“Hey babe!” Jonathan smiled. “What are we talking about?”

“Umm look at the time we have class!!” Robin shrieked, grabbing Nancy’s hand and disappearing down the hall with her. It was in that moment Nancy realized Robin holding her hand made her heart race than anything else in her life up to that moment.

Well the rumors were sure gonna fly now…

[cringemesstickles]

Joseph Joestar: The Phobia Expert

[TickleTober Day 10: Spidering]

Summary:

Word Count: 2091

Pairing: Josecae implied

A/N: This is my first jjba fic yippeee

I always found it funny how it's canon that Caesar doesn't like bugs, so here we are. :]

(also im posting this on my laptop because mobile tumblr is busted for me rn. so if the formatting looks goofy, sorry :'))

Joseph was on the balcony of Lisa Lisa’s castle, watching the waves dash against the rocks of Air Supplena Island. Despite the gorgeous view, the Joestar was left grumbling and irritated.

“Stupid Caesar… stupid Lisa Lisa… stupid Island…” He huffed, chucking a pebble over the rails.

Of the three things he mentioned, his new training partner took the cake. Joseph had never met someone so insufferable.

Simply thinking about his smug face got under the brunette’s skin even further, bringing him to kick the concrete like an angry child.

“Who does he think he is?! He’s nothing but a-”

Before he could finish that thought, a panicked yell echoed through the halls of the massive building. It was hard to place where exactly it was coming from, but it sounded like it was from… Caesar’s room? And that was certainly Caesar yelling!

In spite of his distaste towards the man, Joseph dropped everything and darted through the halls.

Was Caesar okay?! What was he yelling about?! Were they already under attack?!

Joseph couldn’t get the worried thoughts out of his head. Sure, he hated his training partner… but he didn’t want him to get hurt.

When he reached the Italian’s room, he kicked the door open and frantically scanned the area.

“CAESAR?! WHA-“

But the sight had him stopped in his tracks.

The normally pristine room was now a chaotic mess. The bed sheets were crumpled and peeling off the mattress, pillows were on the floor, the desk was a disorganized sprawl of papers— it was as though Caesar had already been fighting a battle which he was losing terribly.

The Italian was standing on his mattress, holding onto the wall and gasping for air. His normally neat hair was mussed and his skin was a few shades paler than it usually was. His eyes were wide and panicked and… maybe even a little wet.

It looked like a tornado had struck the room, which was NOT how Caesar liked things. 

What the hell happened? It looked like the threat was still present by the state the older man looked.

“CAESAR!! WHAT HAPPENED?! ARE THEY HERE?!” Joseph asked wildly, his eyes scanning rapidly around the room.

Caesar’s head snapped to the door, a bit panicked by the fact that someone else was witnessing this. Nevertheless, he was relieved to have some backup.

“J-Jojo!! The chair!!”

Joseph blinked, his brows knitting in confusion. He looked at the chair, but nothing was there… at least nothing big enough to see from where he was standing. 

He stepped closer…

“CAREFUL, JOJO!!!” Caesar pleaded.

What on earth was the blonde so freaked out about? It must be some sort of invisible- wait…

Joseph froze in his place.

There was no way… no way THAT was what the great Caesar Zeppeli was so freaked out about.

Joseph kept his eyes glued to the spider at the top of the backrest. Sure, it wasn’t a tiny spider by any means… but a SPIDER?! Caesar was a hamon user for crying out loud!

“Um… Caesar?”

“What?! Why aren’t you doing anything?!”

The spider, however, was getting a bit antsy from all the noise happening around it. It started crawling to the back of the chair, and the movement made the poor Italian squeal in terror as he clutched onto the wall with a death grip.

The Brit couldn’t stop the laugh that jumped from his throat. This was just too good…

“Caesar, it’s just a little spider!”

Caesar, however, wasn’t finding this funny in the slightest. He shot the taller man a look of desperation, his eyes wide with terror as they flickered between Joseph and the spider.

“It’s not little, you dolt!!! I-It’s the size of my hand!!!”

Joseph snorted. “Yeah, your palm…”

The spider, oblivious to their conversation, started skittering down the backrest, getting closer to the floor. The sight made the Italian more frantic and he squeezed his eyes shut, a slight waver to his voice.

J-Just kill it or something… anything!!!”

The brunette’s head tilted at that. 

Caesar sounded legitimately distressed… as much as he didn’t like the guy, he couldn’t just let him suffer mentally. 

He sighed and bent over to untie his shoe, taking it off his foot and standing back up. Fearlessly, he strode over to the innocent creature and squished it with a loud thump. He almost felt bad about it, but he knew the Italian wouldn’t calm down unless the thing was dead-dead.

He put his boot back on and stood up, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms.

“There. Nothing but a pancake now.”

Caesar was speechless for a few moments, staring at the little corpse. He eventually exhaled, his shoulders slumping as the tension drained out of his body. As he let the air out, he let his body drop onto the mattress, crossing his legs and burying his face in his hands.

“T-Thanks…” He muttered under his breath.

The Joestar cocked his head to the side, raising a brow. He wasn’t used to seeing his partner like this and he kind of hated it.

Not that he LIKED the guy’s cocky, know-it-all attitude… but seeing him all undone like this? That was worse.

Sure, over his interactions with Caesar, he’d think to himself that he wanted to see the guy undone and break that stupid facade. But he didn’t mean he wanted to see him terrified over a stupid little spider, though it was admittedly kinda funny at first…

“What makes you so terrified of spiders? I mean… you fight nasty, immortal beings, so what’s the deal?”

The question caught Caesar off guard. Joseph sounded legitimately curious… he wasn’t mocking him or anything, just asking a simple question.

“Well, I don’t know. It’s an irrational fear, okay? And it’s all bugs… the way they skitter around… they’re all disgusting and they’ve got too many legs and some of them are slimy and-”

“Alright, alright, point taken.” The Brit cut him off, rolling his eyes. Something inside of Joseph wanted to help… but he wasn’t much for feelings, nor was he a therapist.

But something about that spider gave him a different idea…

Suddenly that signature cheeky grin spread across the taller man’s face as he rose from the chair, striding over to the bed to plop next to the Italian.

“You know, Caesar… I’m a bit of a phobia expert. I bet I can get rid of your weird bug thing in no time!”

Caesar looked over at the cocky look on Joseph’s face, a mixture of annoyance and dread filling his stomach. 

He knew that look… it was the look of someone up to no good.

“Oh yeah? And how do propose we ‘get rid of it?’” He scoffed, crossing his arms.

“Close your eyes.”

“Absolutely not”

“C’mooon…” Joseph whined, “just do it!”

The Italian wasn’t easily swayed… not at all. But the guy was offering to at least mitigate his phobia. He knew it was likely a load of crap, but he couldn’t help his curiosity. 

“Fine…” He grumbled, his eyes fluttering shut.

Seeing the shorter man listen to his command, Joseph’s eyes sparkled with mischief. He raised his hands and wiggled his fingers in preparation, then they dove into the blonde’s neck, skittering against the soft skin like the legs of itty bitty spiders.

Caesar’s eyes shot open and he jolted.

“GAH!” He yelped, immediately trying to swat the Brit’s fingers away. “W-What are you doing?!”

The response made Joseph’s heart leap.

“Exposure therapy!” He exclaimed cheerfully, giving a playful wink.

He continued to mimick an insect’s walk with his fingers, spidering his nails along his partner’s neck and occasionally wandering up behind his ears, eliciting uncharacteristic squeaks. The Italian was a mess of giggles, a state the Joestar never thought he’d see him in.

It was quite refreshing. But was it adorable? Absolutely not!

…

Okay, maybe a little…

“J-Jojohoho, stop it, you oaf!” Caesar protested between noises of mirth, bringing his shoulders up to his ears and his chin to his chest, a failed attempt at protecting his ticklish spots.

No matter what he did, the Brit was persistent, digits scrabbling over any spot he could reach. It didn’t matter if his targets were cut off, he’d easily find a substitute.

“No can do, Caesarino! You gotta face your fears!” Joseph snickered, enjoying the Italian’s frantic laughs and snorts.

Caesar was squirming every which way, trying to get the brunette’s hands away from him, but that only seemed to make the tickling more intense.

His cheeks had tinted scarlet by now, the smile on his face more genuine than his usual cocky smirk. His nose was scrunched and his eyes squeezed shut, refusing to look at the taller’s teasing expression.

His attempts at pushing the offending hands away were futile. 

He was a skilled hamon user, sure… but with all the laughter, he couldn’t regulate his breathing. He would surely blow Joseph out the window once this was over though, regardless of whether it was helping or not.

“Q-Quit it!!” Caesar insisted, still batting at the fingers while trying to twist away from them. 

He was also desperately holding back his amusement. He really didn’t want to give the annoying brunette the satisfaction of giving him a good time… even though he kind of already did.

“You know, Caesar… I didn’t exactly peg you as the ticklish type~” The Joestar teased with a mischievous smirk, fluttering his fingers down to the smaller man’s collarbones, earning a loud squeal, which got an amused chuckle out of the tickler.

“S-Stop laughing!!” Caesar huffed, but as soon as the words came out, a wave of bright, hysterical laughter tore from his throat, his head falling back from the strength of them.

What caused this? Joseph had found his ribs.

The spidering gimmick was given up in favor of digging into the sensitive ribcage, the younger man’s eyes lighting up with glee at the dramatic reactions.

“Aw, did I find a good spot?~” He teased with a grin, easily overpowering his training partner due to how weakened he was from the tickling.

Seeing the uptight Italian shrieking and giggling like a little kid was something Joseph couldn’t have predicted. He also couldn’t have predicted how cute it would be…

Why was this so cute?!

Caesar was oblivious to the subtle blush on Joseph’s cheeks as he himself was reduced to helpless flailing and stuttering giggles as those damned fingers dug skillfully between each bone, lighting his nerves on fire with tickly sensations.

He fell back on the bed, still squirming and laughing like a madman.

“M-Mercy…! Plehehease!” He cried frantically, a couple mirthful tears falling down his burning cheeks.

Joseph immediately pulled his hands away, snapped out of his slight daze. He was so wrapped in his own thoughts that he forgot the poor guy needed to breathe and-

Wait… did Caesar just beg for mercy?! He never thought he’d see the day.

The brunette crossed his arms and leaned against the bed frame, giving his training partner some room to calm down. There was a cocky smirk on his face as he watched the normally suave hamon user reduced to a giggly mess.

He was starting to like the guy more than he’d like to admit…

It took a few moments for Caesar to catch his breath. His cheeks were flushed, and his eyes were still slightly watery from the attack. 

As he sat there gasping, he shot a glare towards Joseph.

“S-stupid idiot…” He muttered breathlessly. But there was no real bite to his words, and the corners of his mouth were upturned in a slight smile.

The sight drew a red hue to Joseph’s cheeks, but he played it off by carrying his playful demeanor.

“Well? Are you still freaking out about that silly spider?”

The question caused Caesar to huff and roll his eyes. He didn’t wanna admit it, but…

“Fine… maybe you’re not totally useless like I thought before…”

Joseph’s grin widened and he was going to make a snarky comment, but something in the Italian’s expression prevented him.

“Thank you, Jojo…”

Caesar’s words made the taller man blink with surprise. His face was overtaken with disbelief and he waited for the Italian to follow it up with a sarcastic remark, but that moment never came.

The man was serious.

“N-No problem.”

When his training partner gave a smile in response, Joseph’s heart leaped.

Maybe Caesar wasn’t so bad after all… maybe Joseph even liked him a little bit.

[cloudninetonine]

A Player's Aid: Chapter 11

Fandom: Legend of Zelda, Linked Universe

A/N:....I'm just sorry OUYDBUDHD but also my tag list got lost, if you could please say if you'd like to be tagged in the comments! (I know I can look at previous chapters but I lost some new names and it would be easier to build from scratch so I have it HDOCDHJ)

Warnings: Foul language, descriptions of gore, violence and mentions of injuries

Enjoy!

The effect was immediate. 

The sound of many boots against concrete was deafening and your vision blurred as Hyrule tugged you along, his grip still tight as you stumbled after the men in the direction of the castle. 

The Hero's instinct is what you deduced, it’s what powered these boys. To jump so readily into action, unafraid of what was to come- these men had a mission to protect the people of Hyrule and you admired everything they did for them. Not even Wind flinched at the scream, didn't hesitate like the others as they raced away from the Sacred Ground, you tumbling along almost unable to keep up with Hyrule's speed (Jesus christ these fuckers were fast-) 

You finally broke through the treeline to see the scene before you- horrid and bone-chilling as it played out. 

A lone adventurer had seemed to be downed, blood running down a deep gash on their arm in rivers as they tried desperately to claw away from the behemoth of a creature, hissing and spitting towards them as it stalked closer, the giant skull on its back just as intimidating as its many eyes and snapping fangs. 

Skulltula were always intimidating enemies in theory. Spiders were already scary, making them the size of a horse with a withering skull on their back, legs similar to knives and pincers dripping with what you could only guess to be venom only made them even more terrifying- you didn’t want to shame the Zelda graphics, but there was no way, from the deepest and darkest depths of hell they could even begin to bring justice to the creature that stood before you all.

"Not a fucking Skulltula…" You whispered in a blood-freezing horror, ducking behind Hyrule when it turned towards your group, seemingly hearing your words. "Christ on the cross, set it alight." 

With another hiss, it dashed in your direction, your whole body locking up only for it to cry out in pain as an arrow landed right in one of its many eyes, the group dashing forward with Hyrule removing something from his pocket and pressing it into your hands: a dagger. 

"Stay here." He held your cheek softly. "I'll be right back." 

He turned towards Wild, situated in front. 

"I've got them." The blonde reassured, sending him a knowing look. "Don't worry." 

With a firm nod, Hyrule ran to the group sword at the ready with a pat on Wild’s shoulder, your eyes wide in awe as you watched him hurl a phantom red projection of his sword right at the gigantic monster, its shrill calls making you cringe.

As its wails pierced the air, you could vaguely see Sky raise the Master Sword with a calculating look on his face, an almost holy light climbing up the length of the sharpened blade until a familiar sound reached your ears and the hero slashed across the air, the sight of a skyward strike cutting through the lengths of grass and slicing one of its many legs clean off its body, the appendage flailing before disintegrating into dust as the monstrous bug got even louder.

Sickening to see this close.

"Stay behind me." It was a soft order but you weren't about to defy him, slightly ducking behind him as he continued to aim at the Skulltula, the men fighting valiantly. "I promise to keep you safe."

You dug your fingers gently into his tunic. "I know you will, no need for promises."

His ears fluttered subtly at the words.

Watching the guys fight up close was much better than watching from afar, you could have only imagined just how amazing the fight from the riverside bokoblin must have been- breathtaking would have been too small a word to use, there wasn't any word the dictionary that could begin to perfectly describe how the boys fought. Calling it a movie scene would have been underrated, no, it was an art piece even with something as pathetic as a Skulltula, these men looked as if they had just been plucked from the Renaissance itself and you almost went breathless as you continued to bear spectacle to the scene.

Their footwork, their swings, the looks on their faces- they were heroes alright, not a doubt in your mind would refute that. Wild's steeled gaze and the way he handled the bow were just so amazing to you, he was a professional of course but there was an energy about him, not the goofy wild man but the hero that bore the Triforce of Courage.

You were in the presence of some of the strongest men in the current world…

Twilight and Warriors had rushed over to the fallen victim while the others had continued with the battle, arm over each shoulder as they had hauled them further away with reassurances of safety, appearing close to your side as they fished into their bags for a potion to deal with their wounds. The gash on their arm was horrible but the apparent one on their side was worse, bleeding profusely and long, your stomach churning at the mere thought while Warriors called for their attention, deeming this “no place to die.”

…You weren’t about to see someone die, were you?

The idea sickened you to the core.

A cry echoed out as Hyrule used a nearby boulder to leap onto the back of the great beast, the shrill shrieks of the horse-sized spider bloodcurdling as the Hero raised his bejewelled sword and thrust it into its head, tainted blood gushing onto the grass below leaving a bloody mess.

Your heartbeat pounded in your own ears as the monster screamed.

A horrid sound, disgusting and gut-wrenching, you felt even more nauseous as you were able to hear the faint sound of a popping squelch as your hero dug the sword deeper and deeper, blood spurting onto his forest green tunic and catching some of the other boys also. 

From your vantage point on that cliff, the destruction of these creatures wasn't something that had gotten to you but seeing this was way worse than your own imagination, no matter how majestic the men looked as they fought, this was still disturbing when the valiant filter was pushed aside. This wasn’t the pg-rated game any more, the one you would play for hours when you were younger, not a care in the world as you gathered the convenient drops- this was real life, these were real living things-

And this was real gore.

You gagged, hiding your face into Wild’s shoulder to force away the morbid curiosity as the other heroes continued to beat down the monster, its shrills engraining into your mind as one of the boys dealt the finishing blow.

(It had been Legend, watching Hyrule flail about as the Skulltula tried to rid him of its back, the man sliding down beneath the monster while digging his weapon into its stomach as he skidded against the grass, opening a mortal wound that had entrails spilling from its underbelly)

The familiar sound of a monster’s corpse poofing away was what brought you back, shyly peaking over Wild’s shoulder as you watched Legend stand, the stains of his tunic a gruesome eyesore that dusted away in the wind along with the smoke of dark magic that was once the Skulltula, Hyrule’s own caked clothes cleaning in a similar fashion until both were free of the thick, murky substance that was monster blood and huffing from the fight. The two looked at one another, conflicting feelings dancing on their faces until they nodded at one another, a sign of acknowledgement in their tense times.

You felt embarrassed at the shaky sigh you released, Wild looking back at you worriedly as you took a step back to compose yourself.

Why were you even scared? It’s not like you contributed to the fight in any way.

“Are you well?”

“Y-Yeah- yeah I’m good.”

His brows furrowed, his hand coming to hold yours. “You can talk to me.”

Your thumb gently danced over his knuckles. “It’s just…scary seeing them up so close.”

Cringing at his soft expression, your free hand moved to rub at the back of your neck. 

“Monsters are a disturbing sight to many, you don’t need to be embarrassed for your reaction.” 

“I know I just don’t like being some sort of damsel- I can’t fight but I’ve got enough sense to know how to protect myself and it just feels ridiculous and sad hiding behind you like some scared kid.”

It wasn’t a fault of yours, of course, especially in the presence of such skilled fighters it made sense but you couldn’t help it- you felt inferior, you felt weak, you hated having to hide behind your friend and you wished that you could at least stand beside him, a partner more of a cowering fool.

Wild hesitated, his mouth pursing in thought when both your attention drew to coughing close by, the presumed random traveller spluttering as the ranch hand and Captain pulled them into a seated position, the group circling her.

“Are you alright?” Twilight asked, a supporting hand on the person’s back. “Are you able to speak?”

“Yes.” The young woman coughed, covering her mouth with her arm, “Yes, thank you, I thought those moments would be my last.”

A shiver run down your back at the thought of something as hideous as a Skulltula being the last thing you saw before your body grew cold and stiff- would it eat you in that state? Could Skulltulas even eat?

“Do you know of what became of the people here?” Straight to the chase, Time leaned down to the level of the woman, face gentle similar to your shared first interaction, a show of support from such a traumatizing moment. “It was filled with many but now it lays barren.”

Her face curled in confusion. “You mean…you’re not here to help us?”

Your stomach dropped.

Help with what?

She continued. “The head of the people sent a bird not two days ago- we were attacked, by these things-”

“The Skulltula?” 

“Yes- they came in every direction, there were so many, we couldn’t run so we held up in the castle-” Warriors rested his hand gently against their shoulder, a soft mutter of ‘breathe’ leaving his mouth as the person panted, her shaky breaths slowing in an effort to calm her racing heart. “There was an opening and I took it when no one had responded then I got caught by that monster- I- I thought you were responding to our call-”

Time’s face had hardened with each word, his scowl like his sharpened sword. His anger was evident, the lingering tension in his shoulders shown even under that heavy chest plate; you knew why, everyone did, it was very much obvious this was the work of the Shadow, predictable and vile, coming for the public like the coward he was to draw out the many heroes for his own gain and entertainment.

This was a trap.

And a very obvious trap.

And he dragged innocent civilians into this mess.

“Can you stand?”

The woman stumbled over herself before nodding, pushing to her full height with the help of the other elders.

“Good- leave to the nearest Inn, we will clear the castle.” 

Your mouth dropped at the words, looking towards the towering Hyrule Castle in horror.

The whole thing!?

“T-The entire castle?! But that’s not possible!”

Not possible for most, but then again these were the Links you were talking about, heroes of the times- if they had fought against Ganon, Demon King and bringer of Darkness, of course, they could fight off a few Skulltula.

A few dozen sounded a bit of a stretch though.

“We’ll be fine.” There was a cocksure attitude to Warrior’s words, his smile confident and eyes sparkling with his fighting pride. “A few giant insects won’t be getting the best of us.”

Oh yes, he did sound very cocky indeed- you wondered if the woman was judging him silently from his tone, god knows you would have had you not known he was a great hero.

She tried to argue more, stumbling over her words and trying to reason however it reached deaf ears her stance slowly falling as the group began to discuss their next plans- Wild was the focal point of this, after all this was his home and he knew it like the back of his hand, planning a rescue mission was going to fall to him. 

You studied her for a moment now that you could- pale skin, black hair and dark eyes, just a regular-looking adventurer who seemed to be caught on the wrong side of things.

Something felt…off though. Maybe it was just your skewered sense, or your simple wary nature after being thrown through a magic portal by a magic shadow.

It felt like one of those scenes in movies: discovering the wounded adventurer, aiding them in their time of need and watching as the hero lets them accompany them on their quest, after all, it’s not a hindrance right? Betrayal would usually follow, disguised by that weak damsel now shown to be their deceitful enemy this whole time, tearing apart the group by the seams and leaving them all to rot with nothing but a prideful cackle.

Yet, that was the work of fiction, this was real life (such a strange thought now that you pondered it) and so nothing like that would happen, right?

“Please, let me at least join you!”

…right?

Your eyes narrowed, watching the expression on her face then shifted to study the rest of the men, sharing uncertain glances with each other.

Did they feel a similar unease or did they simply want to keep this woman safe?

“I don’t think that’s for the best-”

“My family is in there! My friends too! I’m not just gonna sit by while they’re suffering!”

Any persuasion was met with refusal, the woman becoming only angrier with every second until Time let out a sigh, steeling his gaze as he looked down at the woman.

“Your name?”

She stood taller, “Maggie.”

“Do you even know how to handle a weapon that hangs off your hip?” This was a test, you could tell, the complete shift in his personality was a warning of sorts for what was to come- you would reasonably back down from such a hard look and you were positive that was what Time was trying to do. “Fought any monsters? Been in any battles?”

It didn’t work, as shown when Maggie glared right back. “I’m fully capable of taking care of myself.”

“Seems you can’t.” Legend quipped and Time sent him a scolding look, the pink-streaked blonde throwing his hands with a look of surrender. “I’m just saying we saved you.”

She flushed a deep red “I was by myself but if I’m with you guys I should have a chance- strength in numbers.”

Your eyes stayed trained on Time as he listened intently, the others sharing different glances with one another as they waited for their chosen leader to finalise his decision, your shoulders dropping when he sighed in defeat, dragging a hand down his tired face.

“....Maggie, I will be responsible for you if you venture back into this castle with us- so, you must stay close and not stray far, no matter what you see, is that understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good, we move now.”

“Old-” Twilight’s mouth snapped shut, eyes averting from the flaming ones of the eldest. “...”

With a sigh, the man backed off, whistling for Epona who perked up happily, trotting back over to the forest. "I'm not taking her in there."

And you couldn't blame him, not with the threat of something like Skulltulas lurking around the castle halls, Epona could be jumped without a second thought- but leaving her alone wasn't an option, someone had to watch her just in case, right? So taking Gilda gently from your hair, you gestured her over.

"It'll be safer for you with her."

She crossed her arms. "(Name), I've been in more fights than you."

"...Gilda please-"

"I'm just teasing! I'll keep an eye on her, you've already got your fairy by your side~"

Had Hyrule been in hearing range you knew he would have swiped at her, so you spared her a chuckle and watched her whizz off after the ranch hand with a shake of the head.

"Should have guessed these fairies were just as cheeky as the fae."

Time glanced back over to Maggie, gesturing her forward once Twilight had returned, adorned with weapon and shield. “I want you to lead us, if you were able to escape then there may be a good chance that it was a blindspot to the monsters.”

You didn’t trust this, not a single bit. Your radar was going haywire, your body pumping the adrenaline into every little crevice within your body, hands shaking as you watched Maggie take the lead, the others slowly but surely following behind her until you were trailing right at the back with your fingers tightly secured around the dagger Hyrule had only given you moments ago.

The traveller had rejoined your side in haste, eyes ahead as his hand came to grab your own protectively, Wild marching on your opposite with a similar protective sense hanging over him.

“He’s got a plan…”

Hyrule muttered more to himself than anyone but Wild wasn’t far behind with his scepticism.

“A dangerous one- thought that was supposed to be my job?” The comedic tilt in his voice did not aid you at all, Wild’s face pinching in worry at your expression. “We’ll keep you safe, I promise.”

You knew they would, they were your heroes and you knew they would do anything to keep you safe.

Yet something told you that it wasn’t going to be that simple.

~~~~~~~~~~

You wouldn’t say you suffered from arachnophobia. Sure, you weren’t a fan of the things, but not in a way to say you had a fear of them. They were certainly freaky looking, eight eyes, eight legs, could produce cobwebs and drunk the blood of flies and other such small insects- but a true fear of them was not what you had, nowhere near. You had seen someone with the phobia, their dropping jaws and the way they raced to the opposite side of the room-

To avoid the tiny money spider that hadn’t even gotten close to them.

That was true fear- that fear would have had them dying right on the spot at the sight before you at this very moment.

The webbing was huge, like sheer curtains decorating the old stone walls of the castle, the few egg sacs a disgusting sight as the men cleared them out, the many Walltula shrieking and spitting fiercely only to die by the steel of the heroes’ blades, monster smoke almost thick enough to choke on.

It was terrifying how quickly the monsters had seemingly taken over, not a place in sight was free of the streams of natural mesh, over the carpets, over the paintings, over the windows and in the doorways- suffocating was the best way to describe it all, especially from the number of times you had walked into the cobwebs, spitting and waving your arms in a horrid frantic boogie to be rid of the texture.

Wind could only laugh so many times.

“Shut the fuck up, Wind.” You had whispered harshly, patting down your tunic once again. “You’re only laughing because you’re too fucking short to get hit by them.”

He waved off your insult with another hushed laugh. “You just look so fucking stupid when you do that.”

You flipped him off, pushing your finger into his face harshly and jerking back when he tried to nip at the skin, calling him another colourful nickname in which he elbowed you painfully in the side.

Fucking hell he was strong for a fourteen-year-old.

"Just around this corner here." Maggie's voice brought you back in, focusing on her head between the many others. 

The feeling still hadn’t gone away, not with you and certainly not with the others- you all knew you were walking right into a trap. The signs were evident to them all, a reason as to why Wind had been sent to the back with you three.

“The old man says as soon as anything sketchy happens he wants us to split!”

“Isn’t that dangerous? What if you guys get hurt?”

“Have some faith, (Name), we’re stronger than you make us out to be!”

You knew that- of course you did! Yet the threat still lay bare to the world. Skulltula were probably surrounding you at that very moment and it was clear that you could all be ambushed at any time, the further you walked into the castle, the deeper and darker it got only certainty grew in your brain that the upcoming fight would be inevitable if you were caught in a small corner.

That had to have crossed the old man’s mind, right? Under the blonde head of hair was a smart man, a calculating one so Time must have had a counteractive plan just up his armoured sleeve. He’d get everyone out of here, maybe with a few bumps and bruises, but you’d all come out of this ordeal alive and well with only a little major life-changing trauma- nothing you hadn’t gone through already.

The thought didn’t help though, not really without some partnering action, the weight on your shoulders only growing with each step you took, each room you passed, each corridor you turned into-

…You recognised this corridor.

Rebuilt and better than ever, with the help of the construction team and two years of passing, the winding path that lead to the Dining Hall was almost unrecognisable, the one you had trekked so many times when scouring the castle as you played. You wanted secrets, you wanted weapons and you wanted Korok seeds, if it meant having to lap the entire behemoth 100 times to get what you wanted you were ready to do it, you had practically memorised the route in game but it seemed the rebuilding of Hyrule Castle alongside the millions of cobwebs and the fact you were currently walking through its corridors had gotten in the way of your near photogenic memory of the place.

The archway to the armoury lay only a few feet ahead, along with the following path towards the library-

“The library’s this way, there should be some patrolling but we can easily get through them if we work together.”

The library….

There was a resounding click in your mind, footsteps stopping before they could meet the stone of the walkway, the dawn finally breaking in your mind.

It didn’t make sense- it didn’t make sense.

These hallways were always full, they were the main paths, why would she go through here when they were clearly the most dangerous routes?

Why did she take this way when she could have gone through-

“The secret passage.”

Pause.

You were staring, waiting, watching for that reaction.

And here it had finally come.

Time had been looking for an opportunity, and that had to be it, a broken piece within the glass that was her facade, once pristine and perfect, now so obviously cracked as Maggie finally paused just a few feet ahead of you all, the Chain having stopped when noticing your further figure.

You had given them all they needed.

“Pardon?”

It was cryptic in a way, horror and thriller running down your spine as your body shook with the adrenaline now running its course through your body as you readied yourself for what was bound to come.

“The secret passage, behind the bookcase.” There wasn’t a way they didn’t know about it, Wild had left it open for fuck’s sake, they had been rebuilding, it had to be common knowledge that Hyrule Castle had a secret passage. “In the library, why didn’t you just go through there?”

“I didn’t know there was one.”

Wild looked at you.

You looked at him.

He shook his head.

Liar- as expected.

“I really fucking doubt that.” The Chain had backed up to you quickly, quietly, aware that one false move would have broken the hypnotic spell your words had cast over them all. You licked your dry lips in an effort to stop the dryness from taking over your mouth. “How could you, as part of the restoration, not know about the secret passage in the library?”

“I’m not part of the team.”

Your voice was shaking. “S-So you just stayed ignorant about the place you were inhabiting for the past year or two? Not a single soul bothered to tell you about the cool secret passage in the library?”

“No.”

You grasped Wild’s hand frantically, terrified tears in your eyes.

“You’re a really bad fucking liar, Maggie.”

You could hear the grin in her voice. “I know.”

Weapons were pulled from sheaths, battle faces pulled sharp as you were quickly yanked once again behind them all, their stances deadly as they waited for something, anything that Maggie- whoever this was was about to bring down on you all.

“Are you with the Shadow?” Time called, a sneer on his face. “Or did you just crawl out from one of its portals like the rest of them?”

She laughed, still refusing to turn around as she did, her voice bouncing off the stones and echoing throughout the area- almost masking the rumbling footsteps that were quickly making their way to your direction, a quick glance back the way you had came showing a Skulltula quickly making its way towards you all- no, many were heading over and a quick glance in the opposite direction showed the same. 

Fuck you were being cornered.

"Link." 

One look and the circle drew tighter.

You were in real danger this time, weren’t you?

“I was just passing through,” Maggie’s voice was quick to change, sinister and cold, curling into this scratchy forced sound as if talking itself was a struggle. "Though I will say that Shadow of yours had an offer too tempting, so I thought why not?"

"And what offer did he give you?"

There was a snap, crack and following pop as Maggie finally turned, your stomach dropping at the body horror of her face expanding to form a snout, skin tearing away to reveal the blue fur beneath and murky gold tint taking over her face.

"The death of the Hero of Courage, of course."

Poof!

The cloud of magic saved you from the horrific scene of the monster’s full transfiguration, dark purple blocking your vision before the sound of flapping wings caught your attention, eyes widening in surprise as you watched the view return to you and replaced what was once Maggie, was a blue bat-like creature also similar to a keese.

"Ache?" You muttered in confusion, backing into Hyrule warily and feeling the man tense beneath you.

Not a common monster, not at all, the eyes of Ganon that hailed all the way from the traveller's timeline- they weren't impossibly hard to beat, well, depending on the Ache of course, a single hit usually was enough to have them out. But that's not what they were for, they weren't exactly fighting monsters, Ache's were pretty much spies for the other foul, grotesque beings, the ones watching for your hero closely so they could snatch him up and use him as a sacrifice for their master: Ganon.

The Ache was here for Hyrule, you knew that and so did Hyrule, so without another thought, you sidestepped to keep him out of its view.

It's the least you could have done.

Even if it was useless in this moment of time.

"I'm not really one for fighting." The creature cackled, hovering a little further away. "So I'll just let them deal with you- no need to worry though, I'll be back soon."

It swooped away into the armoury, just as another group of Skulltula came rounding the arch, their hisses and squeals like nails against a chalkboard.

Shields were up at the ready, swords poised and you, little old you, were in the middle with your dagger at the ready as if you knew the first thing about fighting.

"There's more than anticipated."

"Can we take this many black-blooded?"

"Who's to say they are black-blooded?"

"You think the Shadow wouldn't do that?"

"Enough- stand at the ready, do not break this circle."

The feeling had come back, but then again it hadn't gone away either, crawling up your back, poison seeping into your skin as you glanced around frantically for the feeling.

Something was watching you.

Not the heroes.

You.

Just, you.

And you knew that, because it was the exact same pair of eyes that had stared at you from atop that cliff the other day, menacing, cold and cruel, every dark intention you could think of rolling through your mind space. It wasn't the Chuchu back then, their googly eyes were never that evil, they could elicit a body-numbing reaction, but they could have never brought this kind of primal fear that laid deep into your stomach- not like that night after work had.

Dink was looking straight at you.

But from where? You couldn't see him through the bodies of monsters that the boys were fending off, nor in the Dining Hall, in the shadows of the dark corridor, hell, even the damn ceiling didn't have those red piercing eyes of his.

So where-

Fingers grasped your ankle firmly, nails practically piercing through the fabric and digging into the skin as a deep, breathy chuckle caught your ear through all the noise.

"Got you~"

You didn't have time to scream as you were dragged straight through the portal beneath your feet, catching a glimpse of the others turning in surprise, the feeling of a hand trying to grab yours, a possible scream- before your whole body had disappeared into the absolute black.

It took mere seconds to re-emerge from the inky abyss, spluttering and coughing for stolen breath where your body met the floor violently, cheek meeting the scratchy carpet beneath that tore at your poor, victim skin as you were dragged across the floor, a weird sound echoing through the room before you could take a small glance to see the portal vanish into nothing, leaving a stone wall in its place.

You looked at the area solemnly, wishing it would just open back up to you so you could jump back towards the boys, gut-churning with a violently sick feeling at the thought of looking back.

To make the situation real.

"Awh, are you scared, little guide?"

Yes.

Yes, you were.

[justmeinadaze]

Saying Sorry Part 3 (Steve X You)

A/N: Look at that utterly adorable sleeping boy <3 Ok, this took me awhile but alas my brain give you this.

Warning: Smut, a dash of angst, and all the fluff, friends to lovers

Word Count: 3378

Steve’s eyes kept glancing over to your empty chair in class as the teacher droned on about things he could care less about. Since that night after the game, he found himself being more lethargic than usual. It had been a couple of months since he talked to you but he did pass you in the hall a few times and, of course, still saw you during P.E. Every time you caught him looking, you would give him a soft smile before focusing on whatever else you were doing. 

He hated that you were being so kind to him. Part of him wished you would go back to glaring at him with disdain filled eyes so he could continue acting like he didn’t care. 

Steve had started seeing a girl he barely liked hoping it would take his mind off you. Jessie was nice enough and definitely pretty. She had this slightly vapid personality though that drove him up a wall but she was what the popular kids considered “acceptable.” 

This was the second day you hadn’t show up and he was starting to get worried. As the bell rang signaling the end of the period, he bolted to the lunchroom searching for your friend.

“Hey. You’re Y/N friend, right?”

Carrie looked up at him in utter confusion. “Yes? Why? Are you and Tommy missing her since you have no one else around here to make feel bad?”

He flinched at her comment and she caught it, scrunching her nose even further. “I, um, she just hasn’t been in class and I know…I mean…I just want to know if she’s ok, Carrie.”

Your friend sighs, feeling sympathy for his broken tone. “She’s fine, just sick. She caught a cold so she’s been at home. Y/N said she’ll be back after the weekend.”

Steve thanked her before running down the hall, out the door, and towards the parking lot.

###########

“Steve? What-what are you doing here?”

Loud knocking had startled you awake from your cocoon you had made on the couch. You thought it might be Carrie to bring you your homework from class but were totally throw off guard when you saw your old best friend standing at your front door.

“I talked to your friend and she said you were sick. You haven’t been at school…”

“Yeah, no, come in.”, you quickly usher him in as you close the door. “I just got a bit of a bug but I’m okay. My parents are visiting my aunt this weekend so I thought I could just rest here.”

His worried eyes scanned over your face as he reached out to touch your forehead. “See? No fever.”

“Can I keep you company?”

“Oh, Steve. I don’t want to get you sick.”

“Pfft. You underestimate me and my immune system.” He smiles cockily making you giggle. “What are you watching?”, he glances at the screen. 

“An Affair to Remember. We can watch something else—”

“No, no. I think it’s cute you still like these black and white movies.” He grins as he comes around to sit on the sofa and you follow him bundling back up in your blankets. “What’s it about?”

“It’s about two people who meet on a cruise who lead very different lives on land. They fall in love and give themselves 6 months to get their affairs in order and meet again at the Empire State Building.”

His smile grows as he watches you speak. Movies like this were always a weakness for you especially when you were feeling low. When he was younger, he would always sit with you and watch your eyes light up as you watched the cheesy romances or film noir style dramas unfold. 

Twelve-year-old Steve throws on his father’s suit jacket and hat causing you to chuckle at the sight; everything on him two sizes too big.

“What are you doing?!”, you laugh.

“If that plane leaves the ground and you're not with him, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life!” He tugs at your hand, twirling you into his arms as he tilts the hat up so you can see his face. “We'll always have Paris. We didn't have, we, we lost it until you came to Casablanca. We got it back last night.”

“I said I would never leave you!”

“And you never will…”

Steve had always loved doing little things like that to make you laugh. Truth be told he had only ever put in that kind of effort with you. None of the girls he dated ever got to see that side of him. 

Without thinking, his hand reaches out to brush some of your hair behind your ear. Your eyes didn’t leave the screen as you scooted your body closer to his and curled up into his side.

A pleasant sigh leaves your chest as his cheek rests on top of your head and his arm pulls you closer to his body. He had told you before he couldn’t be what you needed to him to be but right now all you needed was this. 

##############

You woke up a few hours later, placed flat on the couch with the covers tucked up over your chin. 

“Steve?”

“Yeah. Hey, I’m right here.” He came from the kitchen holding a tray in his hands before placing it on the coffee table in front of you. “How are you feeling?”

“A little better. I can breathe through my nose so…”, you laugh as he smiles. “What’s this?”

“Oh.” He sits on the floor and you slide off the couch to sit near him. “I have here grilled cheese and some tomato soup with some juice and a bottle of water. Your mom used to make this for me when I wasn’t feeling so hot. I still make it at home when I’m sick.”

You reach out and gently caress his cheek. “Steve, baby, why are you here?”

He exhales heavily as his hand comes up to take yours. “I don’t know…You weren’t at school and I just kept thinking…what if something happened to you? What if you were hurt or… I needed to know you were alright.”

“Does Jessica Sampson know you’re here? Or Tommy? Carol?”

“To be fair, I don’t think Jessie even realizes I’m not there. She’s so absorbed with her fucking hair; I swear one day it’s going to absorb HER and she’ll turn into that thing in The Addam’s Family.” You couldn’t help but cackle at his comment and he couldn’t enough. “I’m serious! She already talks in that high pitch voice.”

“I’m not here to make things difficult.”, he continued. “I’m so fucking confused, Y/N. To them I’m somebody. To my parents, I’m a nobody. I hate both options. I hate the somebody I am around them but I hate feeling nothing at home. I feel like I can’t win.”

“How do you feel around me?”

Steve flashes you a playful smile. “Before or after freshman year?”

“Surprise me.”

“You’ve always made me feel seen, like I matter. And how did I repay you? Forgetting your birthday and ditching you. Letting people like Tommy hurt you.” He pauses as he looks down at the floor. “Fucking you…the way I did.”

“What do you mean?”, you asked in a delicate tone. 

“You deserve to have someone make love to you. Y/N, we have yet to even do any kind of foreplay. I feel like I’m…using you.”

His eyes flutter shut when he feels your fingers run through his hair. “Steve, I’m not going to push you. I get it. I really do especially with how things are at your house. I just wish I could make you understand how much it hurt me when I lost you. You made me feel seen to and I loved the way you looked at me. I loved…you.”

You crawl into his lap with your back to his chest and he promptly encases you in his arms. 

“You understand how I feel. How long was it we had, honey?”

You smile softly as he quotes from the only movie he can seem to remember the lines to. Turning your forehead against his cheek you respond as Ilsa did in the film.

“I didn’t count the days.”

“Well, I did. Every one of 'em…”

##############

For the rest of the afternoon, you leaned against him watching tv or sleeping. As nighttime rolled around you felt one hundred times better. 

“Ok, I’m going to go take a shower because I imagine I smell like disease.”

“What does that even mean?”, Steve chuckles.

Grinning at him, you start to climb to stairs, pausing to turn your head in his direction. “Are you coming?”

The boy stumbles as he quickly rises, heading for the stairs and follows you to your bathroom. After turning on the hot water, you two disrobe and he holds your hand as you enter the shower. Steve is incredibly stiff at first, unsure of how proceed or if he even should as his fingers tenderly caress your cheek.

“You said we hadn’t done any kind of foreplay and I thought…since you’ve been making me such delicious meals…maybe I can offer you one of my own.”

“Fuck me.”, he stuttered.

Steve fell forward, kissing your lips before trailing them down you neck to your breasts. His mouth wrapped around your nipple, tongue playing with your erect nub as you gently moan. Descending to his knees, you reached behind his head to tangle your fingers through his damp hair as he kissed along your tummy. 

“I-I feel like I should tell you…no one has ever gone down on me before.”

His eyes squinted up at you playfully. “Are you joking?”

“No!”, you giggle. “You remember, the other guys we double dated with at most fingered me and then the one other guy I was with said he didn’t want eat me out because…because he thought it was gross.” You cringe as you say your last sentence and Steve’s forehead leans against your body as he laughs. 

“Are you fucking kidding me? Like this dude had no problem sticking his dick in something he thought was ‘gross’ but couldn’t fucking…oh my god…what an idiot.” The man lifted your leg and placed your foot on the edge of the tub. “I mean look at this beautiful pussy that belongs to this beautiful woman.”

A small moan falls from your lips as he leans his head between your legs and his nose grazes your clit. “Y/N, you smell so fucking good.” Your palms shoot out to balance on his shoulders as his tongue licks a long stripe through your folds. “Jesus… and you taste so fucking sweet, honey.”

“Please…”, you beg. 

He obliges, enveloping your clit in his mouth as he flicked it with his tongue. You had never felt anything like this before as he devoured you feeling overwhelmed by him with just his tongue alone. As you continued to whimper, he hummed in approval, the vibration hitting your core as your eyes rolled back. 

“Y-yes, Steve, please. It feels so…mmm.”

“Cum for me, honey. I want to feel your cum on my lips.” Two of his fingers breached your entrance, thrusting rapidly into you as he pressed his head as deep between your sex as he could, shaking it from side to side as he sucked on your nub. 

Your fingers clung to his hair as your hips grinded against him, stuttering slightly as you mewled his name and came harder than you ever had before. He quickly removed his digits, replacing them with his tongue as he drank you in. Your thighs trembled around him as you gradually came back down. 

“Steve…Steve, please. I can’t…”

As soon as he rose to his feet, you promptly wrapped your arms around his waist and panted into his chest. 

“Are you okay?”, he whispered.

“Yeah. That was…amazing. I’m just… I’m so tired.”

Steve couldn’t help but giggle. “Too much too soon? Come on. Let’s get you clean and into bed. 

###############

You woke up a little after midnight to the darkness of your room, Steve fast asleep beside you as your head rested on his chest. Before you both had crashed, you suggested he take off his jeans to get more comfortable as a friendly gesture but right now when you looked down you couldn’t ignore the massive bulge outlining his boxers. 

The first time he got a boner in front of you he was so embarrassed.

“Steve…Steve…STEVE!”, you whispered trying to gently shake him awake. 

“Mm, what?”

“You, um, are you having a good dream?”

“What?” He looked down, immediately jumping up from your floor and covering his lower half with his backpack. “Shit. Y/N, I’m so…so fucking sorry!”

“Steve, it’s ok! My parents kind of explained how…some mornings... for boys…” He groaned as he blushed. “It’s ok. I’m not offended or anything. Do you want to use my shower to…cool down?”

“Yes, please.”

“Ok and when you come out, I promise I will never mention this again!”

He flashes you another embarrassed but thankful smile as he runs to your bathroom. 

You grin as you look up at his sleeping face, your palm rubbing his stomach over his shirt. He still had some features of the boy you met all those years ago especially as he slept. He seemed so calm as his face relaxed. Right now, he wasn’t thinking about the kids at school or his parents. Steve wasn’t thinking about how he had hurt you or how much he fucking missed you every day. Right now, it was just you and him. Two best friends that found each other amid all the chaos in this word.  

You watched his face as your hand glided under the fabric and gently caressed his skin. He didn’t move as the pads of your fingers grazed over his happy trail to the hair along his chest. Carefully, you lifted yourself to a seated position as you continued to rub him. The cock in his boxers had gradually began to harden and was threatening to poke out of its confinement. 

Steve heavily sighed, turning his head in the other direction as your hand reached into his underwear to pull out his dick. You had obviously felt him inside of you so you knew he was big but seeing him in your tiny hands had you wondering how he fit himself into your body. No wonder he left you sore afterwards; not that you minded. 

As you slowly pumped him with your hand, you heard a tiny moan emit for his lips. Bending over his waist, you ran your tongue along his length from the bottom of his shaft up to his slit, leaving a tiny kiss before you repeated your actions. 

A small whimper left you as a long line of spit fell from your lips and you twisted your palm around him feeling him throb in your hands. A hand rested on your back and your turned to see Steve’s lust filled eyes meeting yours. 

“Does it feel good?”, you whisper.

“Baby, you have no idea.” Focusing back on your task, you wrap your lips around him and steadily bob your head. “F-fuck. Let-let me help you…” You lean out of his way as he lifts his hip to slide off his boxers and removes his shirt, tossing it to the floor. Grabbing your cheeks, he pulls you to him for a sloppy kiss as his tongue invades your mouth.

“Wait, Y/N.”, he pants as you continue to pump him with your hand. “I-I-I don’t want you to think this why—mmm—I came over. I really was worried.”

“I know, Steve. I know.”

“These past two years, I always thought about you. I—”

“Steve, it’s okay. It’s okay. Please… just fuck me. I need to feel you inside of me.”

He scooped you into his arms, placing your back against the mattress. After you tossed your clothes on the floor next to his, Steve’s hand gripped your thighs, encasing himself between your legs. 

“This is how I should have done it the first time, honey. I should have made love to you instead of fucking you.” His palm reached between your bodies, guiding himself into your entrance as your arms fly up to grip his shoulders. “Fuck, baby. You feel so good.”

Steve’s head fell beside yours, switching between kissing your neck and whispering in your ear as he pumped into you with long, deep strokes that had your eyes rolling.

“You should have been allowed to feel every inch of me, slow and hard. I know I can feel every part of you. Jesus, you’re so fucking tight.”

“Mmm, Steve.”

“Fuck, I love the way you moan my name. Say it again, Y/N.”

Your fingers wind in his hair as you wrap your other arm around his neck, whimpering his name as he thrusts into you a bit faster. He tenderly kisses up your jawline, lifting his head as he looks into your half-lidded eyes. 

“I should have told you how…beautiful you are. How I’m…mmm… never going to be that asshole again.” His own eyes close as his forehead falls on yours. “I’m never going to hurt you like that again, honey. I screwed up, I know. No one has ever cared about…mmm…me the way you did. I…I love you, Y/N…so fucking much. God damn. Can I cum inside you?”

You nod as you bring his head back down to the nook between your neck and shoulder. You couldn’t let him see you cry. He told you he loved you and that he would never hurt you again but you knew the truth. It was all a fantasy. Tomorrow he would wake up and go back to his girlfriend with his popular friends. He would say hello to you but that would be it. He couldn’t give up that life… He had promised you up until freshman year he would always be there for you…then he wasn’t…

Holding him tightly to you, your body shook underneath him as you came. A few moments later, his rhythm faltered and he grunted into your neck as he thrust his seed inside of you. 

You wiped your eyes before he could lift his head, delicately kissing your lips before pulling out of you. 

“Did you want to take a shower or?”

“No, Steve, I’m ok.”

He reached over to your nightstand, grabbing a tissue before cleaning between your legs. Steve laid back down beside you and to his surprise, you didn’t curl up on his chest again. 

“Are you alright, Y/N?” When you didn’t answer he sighed. “It’s because I said I love you, isn’t it? I wasn’t lying about that.”

“Hm. You love me but yet you’re with someone else.”

“Y/N, I haven’t even talked to her in three days. I’m not even really into her—”

“Wow. I’m sure she feels special.”

“God damnit, Y/N. I…”, he cuts himself off as he tries to gather his thoughts. “I don’t want to be this guy anymore. I don’t want to be someone I’m not. I don’t… I don’t want to hurt you.” His eyes emphatically meet yours. “I don’t care what I have to do. I’ll tell Tommy and Carol to fuck off. I’ll set every fucking kid in that school straight about you. I’ll go to school on Monday and remain on my knees all day because that’s where I belong. Forever on my knee, Y/N, begging for your forgiveness.”

You can’t help but chuckle making him smile. “Do you understand why it’s hard for me to trust you?”

“Yeah, I do. I’d like to prove it to you. Prove that I can be a better person than King Steve.”

You lean back on your pillows and roll to your side to face him as he does the same; just like you two used to do when he spent the night those many years ago. His palm brushes some of your hair out of your face before gliding down to the small of your back. You bring your body closer to his, resting your hand on his hip. 

“Ok.”

[xxxninjaxxx23]

You’ll always be strong to me no matter what.

Sibling bond between the Carpenter sisters!

Tara carpenter has always been the follow up to her older sibling, well not like that exactly. More like how Sam would always carry Tara’s things or most of the groceries herself. Tara insists on helping but Sam always told her the stuff she carries is “too big or “heavy” in her words.

To this day, Tara wished she could prove to Sam that she is just as strong and capable as her.

When it was time to go grocery shopping for this months food, Tara took it as her chance to help out. At first Sam didn’t intend on bringing Tara but the little one wouldn’t stop bugging her about it so she gave in.

(Later)

As they entered the big supermarket, Sam grabbed a cart and headed down the main isle “Ok Tara, stay next to me. I don’t want you getting lost or hurt in this big store.”

Tara grabbed a bag of candy for herself and tossed it in the basket. She folded her arms hearing what her sister said “I’m not a kid anymore Sam, I can handle myself you know?”

Sam smiled “Yes you can Tara, yes you can.”

The first thing on the list was bread which the siblings headed to “Sam. Can I please push the cart?” She shook her head “No Tara, I got it.”

Tara flailed her arms “But Sammmm”

Sam didn’t respond until they got to the bread isle “Most of this stuff I’m getting is pretty heavy Tar. I wouldn’t want you to break your back or drive the cart into the shelf.” Tara sighed “Fine but at least let me get the bread at. I’m sure it’s not “heavy!”

Sam nodded “Tell you what, I’ll let you get some of the items we need then put them in the cart, starting with the bread.”

Tara beamed in joy as she dashed over to the bread. Unfortunately the one they need is at the top shelf out of Tara’s reach “Eh. No matter” the young sibling stood up on her tippy toes, giving her the length she needed to get the bread.

As Tara was about to grab the item, she felt herself hovering over the ground “What the-“ she looked to see her sibling holding her by her legs, smiling “Go on sweetie. Get that bread we need for our breakfast. Two loafs to be exact.” Tara groaned as she got two loafs of bread.

Next up was the 40 pack of water. “I could have gotten the bread myself you know.” Tara said with a pout.

Sam nodded “I know.”

As the siblings made their way to the beverage isle, Tara was about to grab the water before being tugged away by Sam. “No,no,no. This is too heavy for you, I got this.” Tara rolled her eyes

“Sam I can handle-“ before she could finish her sentence, Sam was already lugging two cases of water over her shoulders before quickly dropping them into the basket.

“Sorry what were you going to say?” she asked, wiping some sweat off her forehead. Tara shook her head “Never mind. Let’s just get the rest of the food.”

As the trip went on, getting the rest of the groceries was no struggle but it took longer because Sam was “Doing most of the work” in Tara’s words. As she loaded the last of the items into the basket.

Ironically the only thing Tara got to “help” out with was the bread but that was from her sister’s unneeded boost.” The rest was just her standing off to the side like a kid waiting for their mother to finish shopping.

After the sisters went to check out, an employee loaded the items into the car for them. Her and Sam flirted for 20 mins and Tara had to watch that too, whilst gagging in the process.

“She’s cute. Maybe I’ll call her tonight.” Sam said as she started the car. “Oh brother” Tara said.

The car ride was quiet until Tara connected the phone to the stereo and picked out a song. She was shuffling through her playlist until it randomly selected “I just wanna party” by YG.

Unfortunately she only heard the first minute before Sam disconnected the Bluetooth and changed the station to a cheesy 60’s group. Sam hummed and tapped her fingers on the wheel to the rhythm.

Tara lightly slapped her leg “Aw come on! I was listening to that! What the hell is this hippie shit you put on?”

Sam shot a glare at Tara “Sis that music you were “listening” to is inappropriate and offensive.”

Now Tara was mad “So?! It’s just music, Sam! Put it back, now!”

Sam shook her head “Nope. I’m not listening to that garbage. Honestly I don’t know why you or anyone likes that kind of music. All they do is degrade themselves with their massive ego and treat women like sex toys.”

Tara crossed her arms “Like I said. It’s just music and who the fuck are you to insult my playlist?”

Sam huffed “You insulted my music first and second, maybe you shouldn’t be listening to that genre If all it’s going to do is turn you into a potty mouth.”

Tara laughed “Oh my god you didn’t not just say “potty mouth” I’m not a kid anymore Sam!”

“No but your sure as hell acting like it. I don’t want to argue with you anymore Tar just let me drive home and you can listen to whatever you want.”

Tara hits her head on the door “First you wouldn’t let me help you with the groceries and now you want me to listen to this junk? What a great sister you are Sam.”

Sam shook her head as she drove the last few minutes home. As they got there Tara opened the back door and was about to grab the groceries until Sam swooped them all and the waters “Hey!”

Sam looked down and handed Tara a few bags, light ones to be exact “Sorry, here.” Tara snatched them and went to open the door. She held the door open as Sam made her way to drop off all the items on the counter.

Tara decided to head to her room, seeing as there’s no point in asking to help now. She took her shoes off and laid down on her bed before selecting another track from her playlist.

She was getting into the music before Sam hit the wall “Tara! Do not blast that music out loud. Use the headphones I bought you.

Oh right. She means the “hello kitty” headphones. Surprisingly they worked and sound good when Tara got them but they were for kids and Tara wasn’t a kid.

But she reluctantly put the headphones on and continued to listen to music until Sam knocked on her door and called her for dinner.

Sam made lasagna but as Tara took the big knife to cut it, Sam quickly snatched the knife away and cut Tara a piece. She lightly shoved her sister away “Sam! Will you stop hovering over me and acting like I can’t do anything by myself.”

Sam patted her sister’s shoulder “I just want to make sure my little girl didn’t get a cut on her finger.” Tara gritted her teeth and had to restrain herself from punching Sam in the stomach.

‘Bitch, did you forget I was STABBED SEVEN TIMES while you were in Modesto! Did you forget we fought masked psychos twice who had buck knives?!’ Tara thought.

Sam took the plates over, setting them down and pulling out a chair for Tara to sit, the little sister threw her hands in the air before eating.

Halfway through their meal Tara spoke up “So are you gonna call that girl later?” She teased. Sam smiled “Maybe. If she’s into me.”

Tara laughed “I know she is, you just have to call her.” Before whispering “So you can finally get out of my hair and dump all her mommy protection on her.”

(The next day)

Tara was reaching for a box of cereal that was on top of the fridge until she felt Sam pick her up again “Sam put me down please. I got it.” She said. “It’s ok Tara, grab the cereal you want sweetheart.”

Tara felt anger build up inside her “Sam I can stand on my toes and reach. Put. Me. Down.”

Sam wasn’t letting up “Tara, I don’t want you to hurt your-“

“I SAID PUT ME DOWN!! RIGHT FUCKING NOW!!” Sam quickly did what she was told, startled by her sister’s outburst.

Sam stood there for a minute while Tara kept staring her down. Then heavy tears start to pour from her face “I-I’m sorry…..I’m so sorry.” She said as she quickly ran into her room and closed the door.

Tara sighed as she grabbed the cereal, pouring herself a bowl. As Tara was eating her cereal. She felt bad for snapping at Sam but was never going to let up if she didn’t speak up.

Finishing her cereal, Tara washed the bowl and spoon in the sink before sitting on the couch, watching a movie (readers choice of the movie)

Two hours have passed and Sam still hasn’t came out of her room. Tara was a bit worried but was debating on either leaving Sam alone for the day or going in there herself.

She didn’t take long to make that decision

As Tara got to Sam’s door, she didn’t hear anything “Sam….can I come in?” She still didn’t get a response. “Ok I-I’m coming in sis.” Tara said as she opened the door.

The room was a mess and Tara found Sam on her bed facing the wall with a photo album in her arms. Tara felt like she was about cry but went over to Sam’s bed and laid down next to her.

Sam turned around to face Tara, her eyes red and puffy. Tara extends her arms for Sam which she falls into.

She cried and heaved in Tara’s embrace “Shhh, shhh it’s ok. It’s ok” Tara said while lightly stroking Sam’s hair and back. They stayed that way for a bit until Sam calmed down and both pulled away.

“Can we talk?” Tara asked

Sam nodded “yeah”

Tara took a breath and began to speak “Look Sam. I love you and I know you’re scared of losing me again. I don’t blame you but……you can’t keep treating me like a child or some fragile object. I may be small but I can still handle myself sis.

Sam nodded in understanding “Ok. I won’t do that anymore. Is that why you were in a bad mood yesterday at the store?”

“That, yes but I just wanted to prove to you that I can lift heavy objects and be a big help. All my life I’ve been made fun of because of my height and weight. Mom didn’t do anything to help either, agreeing that I would struggle with a table.”

Now it was Sam’s turn to comfort Tara “Please just let me prove that I can be just as strong as you Sam. I may not have your figure but I want to try.”

Sam kissed Tara on the top of her head, smiling “You already did.” Tara was confused for a minute “Weren’t you the one comforting me earlier when I was down.”

“That’s different Sam. That wasn’t physical strength.”

Sam shook her head giving Tara another head kiss “Physical and Emotional fall on the same category. You showed that you can be emotionally strong and comforting in situations like this.”

Tara took a breath “I guess you’re right. But can I still help out more with the groceries next time? Watch me carry a case of water by myself.”

Sam laughed in joy “Alright my little one. I’ll stand off to the side while you get most of the food and push the cart…I’ll even, Eh let you choose the music too.”

Tara laughed “I may be little, but I can still go for your stomach with a good punch.”

“That’s won’t be needed Tara because

You’ll always be strong to me no matter what.”

Yeah this story was more on the silly side buts it’s pretty relatable that some people deal with siblings or mothers like Sam.

[mimicteruyo]

Closing Time

The night had grown old, and the first signs of dawn were already threatening to spill over the horizon. Accordingly, the bustle around Mystia's cart had long since petered out.

As it happened, Mystia had rung the bell to announce she was closing over half an hour ago, but still two customers remained. She sincerely hoped they weren't planning to dine and dash — between them, they had ordered enough food and drink for eight.

She wiped the counters again, neatly dodging around Kyouko as she entered the cart to escape the bugs outside. It was her policy to keep serving until the very last customer paid up, and she wasn't quite bored enough to revoke that policy just yet. She could wait for as long as it took. Or for at least another fifteen minutes.

She hummed under her breath as she worked, replaying sections of her new song in her mind over and over. She had it almost right by now. She couldn't wait to surprise Kyouko with it.

"How long are they gonna take?" Kyouko kept tapping her foot while simultaneously idly banging her tray against her leg. "Soon I won't make it back to the temple before I need to start sweeping the courtyard."

"You can go. I can handle two customers alone."

Kyouko paused in her fidgeting to shake her head. "It's okay, really. I wanna see how much our total for the night is."

"I've already estimated it." Mystia grinned. "We just might have enough."

Kyouko's ears perked up. She was at least as excited as Mystia was that they just might be able to buy the extremely cool Outside World guitar with its even cooler flame decals in time for their next concert. When she resumed drumming her leg, she did so with a song on her lips.

Mystia paused and listened to her closely. The tune sounded good. And completely unfamiliar.

"...Duelling new songs?" she finally asked, tilting her head.

The surprise on Kyouko's face quickly morphed into delight. "Just wait till you hear mine! It's gonna wake up everyone in Gensokyo when we play it!"

They were grinning at each other, already picturing the roaring smash concert, when there was a heavy thump against the cart. Mystia jumped without meaning to as they turned their heads just in time to see a clawed hand latch onto the door frame.

The person who dragged herself into view was a kamaitachi not much larger than Mystia and Kyouko. She was unsteady on her feet, and the corners of her lips were shiny with grease. "I wanna isshue a complaint."

Mystia resisted the urge to sigh. "If you could first move to the front of the cart, dear customer. Then I'll be happy to hear your complaints."

The kamaitachi didn't budge. She swayed in the doorway like a reed in heavy wind before rising to her full, still not particularly impressive, height. "The food here'sh dishgracheful."

Now that was just plain rude. "I'm sorry to hear that, b—"

"The menu'sh all wrong," the kamaitachi lamented as though she was beginning a long tale of woe. "There ain't anything shweet on it to go with my drinksh."

Mystia and Kyouko exchanged looks.

"I will keep that in mind the next time I revise it," said Mystia. "If you want something sweet now, I could try making you a peach sa—"

"And another thing!" The kamaitachi interrupted. "Where'sh all the chicken?!"

It had been a while since Mystia had last been asked about the lack of poultry on the menu. She hadn't missed it at all. "We don't serve bird meat here. How about some grilled lam—"

"I already had lamprey!" The kamaitachi said in a voice halfway between a growl and a whine. "'Shnot the shame at all! I want chicken! Or shome other bird, at leasht."

Mystia had heard it said that the customer was always right. She suspected whoever had coined the phrase had never dealt with a drunk customer only a few moments away from suggesting she could go for some grilled shop owner.

She glanced at Kyouko again. The situation wasn't necessarily dangerous yet — she could still play her ace in the hole and offer a free drink  — but with the kamaitachi so firmly blocking the only way out, she was starting to have a less than great feeling about this.

As it happened, Kyouko looked just about ready to shout. Knowing that would definitely start a fight, Mystia hurried to speak. "Dear customer, how about we—"

Before she could finish, the kamaitachi yelped as she was swept away from the door. A spray of red and yellow bullets shot into the night after her.

"She told you there's no chicken," a voice rang from without, chirpy but almost rivalling Kyouko's bellows in resonance. "Let it go!"

"What'sh the big idea?" The kamaitachi stumbled back into view, more startled than angry. "I ain't looking for trouble. I jusht wanna eat chicken! Even ya musht...er..."

With a look of dawning horror, the kamaitachi vanished into the night.

Mystia stirred as she heard running footsteps heading away from the cart and rushed outside. "Hey! You can't leave without paying!"

The kamaitachi didn't even slow down. There was a tinkling of coins as she threw something haphazardly onto the grass. "I'll pay the resht later!"

"...Oh no." Mystia already knew she would never see the rest of the money. She could eat the loss, but it was situations like these which made her wish she had higher profit margins.

"...I'll go see what she left behind." Kyouko had hurried over to Mystia's side and now scurried into the shadows.

Before Mystia could follow after her, the lone remaining customer seated herself by the bar. The small chick dozing off in the soft confines of her hair accessory opened its eyes and made a small peep.

"Go back to sleep." The mysterious customer stroked the chick gently with her index finger as she gave Mystia an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry I ended up causing you trouble. I didn't mean to."

As nettled as Mystia was, she found herself sighing. "No, I understand why you spoke up. I really do."

The customer nodded with the same solemnity as Wriggle did whenever she and Mystia got together to lament the challenges faced by insects and small birds respectively. "I'd like to make up for it anyway."

"That's very generous of you, Miss..."

"You can call me Kutaka!"

Just then, Kyouko stumbled back into the cart, cupping her hands. "I think I got all of it. The grass is pretty tall so I can't be sure, but..."

Mystia studied the miscellaneous small coins on Kyouko's palms. While she still couldn't make heads or tails of written language, she had always been quick at counting. "It's better than nothing." She peered closer. "And the bits of coloured glass?"

"Maybe they're supposed to pass for jewels?" Kyouko took one of the smooth-edged glass drops between thumb and forefinger and brought it closer to the nearest lantern. It shone like a ruby in the light. "I don't think even fairies would fall for these, but they're still pretty."

"By how much did she leave you short?" Kutaka asked, leaning across the bar.

"Only a little." Mystia said, giving Kutaka a resigned smile. "You don't have to worry about it."

"I want to take care of it! I need to pay now anyway."

Mystia could have continued to demur, of course, but it would have felt churlish. Besides, fancy guitars didn't pay for themselves. "In that case, thank you."

Kutaka smiled as she paid, almost as if she loved using money. "Thanks and goodbye!"

Just like that, she was back on her feet and gone with a cheery wave.

"Um..." Kyouko blinked like someone waking up from a dream, then gave Mystia a worried look. "Is it enough?"

Mystia laid the money on the bar so that Kyouko could see it for herself, then remembered she wouldn't know the total. "It's enough."

Kyouko's ears rose. "So that means..."

Mystia grinned. "The guitar's ours."

"YES!" While nowhere near her maximum volume, Kyouko's cry of joy rang out far and wide. Without further warning, she threw her arms around Mystia and squeezed her tight. "Can we go buy it tomorrow?"

Mystia hugged her back, laughing. "Of course! And then we'll practise our new songs!"

"The next concert's gonna be the best one ever!"

They kept laughing for a long while. Only after they pulled apart did Mystia notice something strange. "Hold on. Where did the tray go?"

"Oh no!" Kyouko stared into the night, then dashed out of the cart. "I'll be right back!"

---

By the time the tray was found and Mystia and Kyouko had hauled the cart to its usual spot at the edge of the clearing, Mystia could taste daylight in the air. "I'm going to be so tired tomorrow."

"Me too." Even as she said it, Kyouko was smiling. "It's gonna be worth it."

They parted ways with a wave and a promise to meet up again as soon as possible.

Mystia watched Kyouko vanish down the path before turning towards her home. As she walked, she tossed the glass jewels Kyouko had graciously left in her care in her hand. She smiled at them, wondering if real rubies, emeralds, and sapphires would actually be a disappointment in comparison.

Just as she thought that, the shadows shifted by the tree to her right. She jerked back, immediately regretting she hadn't been holding a spell card instead. Her horror diminished as she saw pale wings and an earnest smile. "Miss Kutaka? I thought you'd gone home."

Kutaka beamed. "I was waiting for you."

"Um... why?"

"Actually..." Kutaka tilted her head to the side rapidly as if trying to dislodge something stuck to the side of her head. "I forget why. I know there was a reason, but..."  Eventually, she simply shrugged. "Since I'm here anyway, how about we walk together?"

Mystia hesitated. But then, why not? Kutaka didn't seem like someone who was simply biding her time to mug Mystia. "I'm not going far, but I'd be glad for the company."

Kutaka joined her side. For a few minutes, they simply walked without speaking. The silence lasted long enough for Mystia to start feeling awkward, and to allay the feeling, she focused on the chick in Kutaka's hair. It was fast asleep now and looked very cosy as it bounced up and down with Kutaka's steps. Mystia envied it a little.

Kutaka noticed Mystia's stare and smiled again. "I gave it some morsels from my dish. I've never seen a chick peck at anything so eagerly before."

"I'm happy to hear it."

"You're a wonderful cook! The noodles were so tasty."

"Um, thank you." Mystia peered at Kutaka in confusion. Maybe instead of a mugger, she was a confidence trickster. Even with that suspicion, Mystia saw nothing but sincerity in her expression. "I think it'd be even better with some seaweed powder in the sauce, but that's hard to come by."

"I see." Kutaka stared up at the pale dawn. "If I ever see some, I'll keep you in mind!"

"You don't have to."

"It's selfish of me, really. I want to know what your sauce will taste like with it!"

Mystia found some of the tension she had been unknowingly carrying in her body evaporate. "If I find some myself, I'll make sure to save it until your next visit."

"It's a promise!"

They continued talking for the remainder of the short trip, soon finding a rhythm of conversation that suited them both. In fact, by the time they parted, Mystia found herself with too much left to say.

"I hope to see you again soon!" she said quickly, hoping it wasn't too weird.

Based on the jaunty wave Kutaka gave her, it wasn't. "I don't have a lot of spare time, but I'll do my best! Take care!"

Mystia watched Kutaka go, then flew up to her house. As long as the night had been, it had been a good one. The next day would be phenomenal.

She got ready for bed in record time and was soon dozing off, thinking drowsily about food and music and having fun with her friends.

Oh, that's right. I forgot to invite Kutaka to the concert. But that could wait until another day and another closing time. For now, it was time for night sparrows to sleep.

[evelynmlewis]

Okay, ah, this is dumb, but about the goncharov thing and the post you just reblogged on your other blog (I don’t know if tumblr is being broken or if you have asks turned off rn but I couldn’t send this there, I’m v sorry about this) but… I’ve cried and had a massive panic attack because nobody would tell me if a bug I was seeing actually existed or not. When you don’t trust your own perceptions of reality and depend on other people to tell you if what you’re seeing or hearing or whatever is real, then yeah, something like goncharov can be really scary. And obviously I can’t say for other people, but for my experience with this whole thing:

I really didn’t care about goncharov. I saw posts about it being fake before I’d even heard of it. Found it kind of funny. But if I’d come across it in a different mood, where I was having a bout of whatever-you-want-to-call-it, like I said I’ve cried over insects. Panic isn’t logical. I encountered goncharov when I was feeling fine, but if I had come across it in a situation where I was already doubting my perceptions, and I’d decided to look into it and been unable to find anything and have people telling me relentlessly it was real… my heart starts pounding and I start tearing up just thinking about that situation, honestly? I can see it messing me up really bad for days, if I’d come across it while already doubting myself and unable to think logically and realize that if tumblr is insisting something is real but the rest of the internet isn’t, it’s probably not true. So yeah. That’s my take, and it’s honestly a little hurtful that people would think nobody would care about being lied to about something small. In my mind, if I can’t trust someone to tell me if something so silly or small is real, then how can I trust them about something important? And if I can’t trust what I see and I can’t trust anyone else either… that’s really, really, really terrifying.

In all seriousness, I do understand that you can't exactly just block or unfollow people when a meme is so big it's taking over your ENTIRE dash. So I do support making it blockable with tags. (I know the post didn't say that but I often reblog things when I only agree with them in part.)

But the other thing is, we're not exactly keeping a tight lid on this thing. If you ask anyone, they'll tell you it's fake. We all just want other people to get in on it.

Trust me I understand what you're saying, because I do believe that purposely intentionally deceiving someone about something they cannot disprove (that is, LITERAL gaslighting) is a form of psychological torture.

But the fact that this is a meme is no secret. And if the influx of untagged posts gets to be upsetting for any reason, (being pulled around by reading a post then realizing it's fake. could be annoying) the x button is right there. If you're in a very delicate emotional state, it's a good idea to close the internet browser. I've had to do it myself.

[punkscowardschampions]

Lush pt.1

Dash: welcome 👋🏽

Dash: 🤞🏽🤞🏽 you’re digging the scene here 🌱

Lux: Hello, oh, yes, I’m so grateful for the place to stay

Lux: Everyone has been quite welcoming

Dash: I’d’ve rapped at you sooner but I didn’t wanna 🐞🐛 you before you were in the groove

Dash: not my 👜🎒 y’know

Lux: I don’t expect anyone to, I certainly wasn’t thinking you ill-mannered for having not, there are lots of people here I still don’t know the name of

Lux: but you aren’t bugging me, it’s a nice surprise and nice to meet you, virtually, Dash

Dash: I can give the hook up of everyone I’m tight with however you want it

Dash: no biggie 

Lux: I know Hazel, so I know [list her crew of people you would have at least had a convo with including Amber and her dad etc]

Lux: It seems like you know everyone

Dash: right on

Dash: she’s your mama 🐻

Dash: you’re with the freedom riders & I hang with the other dropouts

Lux: She helped me out, even though it wasn’t technically her job, obviously letting me stay here goes beyond

Lux: What do you mean by dropout?

Dash: nah we’re not flakes who’re gone all the time 🚀🪐💫

Dash: means we’re 🏡 here

Lux: I understand

Lux: Home not being where you’re raised, necessarily, that is

Dash: I was born here but 👶🏽 ain’t true for most

Lux: Oh, wow, I didn’t know that

Lux: Who are your parents?

Dash: my da’s Caleb, ma cut out when I was young so you’d not know her

Lux: I’m sorry to hear that

Dash: a downer but she had her reasons 

Lux: People should be there for their kids no matter what

Lux: but they aren’t

Dash: I don’t let her unglue me

Lux: You have to find a way to be you

Dash: you get it 🌷

Lux: And you have your daddy, that’s not nothing

Dash: I’ve a whole family here 

Dash: 👶🏻👧🏼🧒🏽👦🏿👨👩‍🦰👳🏽‍♂️👩🏿‍🦱👴🏼🧓👩🏾‍🦳🐣🐓🐈🌱🍃🍂🍁

Lux: That must be comforting

Dash: it’s far out

Dash: if we were 🟫 only the Ambers would be lucky

Lux: Sorry?

Dash: everyone gets 👶🏻👧🏼🧒🏽👦🏿👨👩‍🦰👳🏽‍♂️👩🏿‍🦱👴🏼🧓👩🏾‍🦳🐣🐓🐈🌱🍃🍂🍁 here & to have a blast

Lux: Oh, right, now I see

Lux: What do you do for fun?

Dash: me or what’s cool about this place?

Lux: I’d been led to believe those would be the same thing

Dash: I can’t take all the credit 

Lux: Less credit, more meaning you seem passionate about this place

Dash: 🏡 sweet 🏡

Lux: You aren’t going to tell me?

Dash: I’ll give a demo, how’s that?

Lux: I’m not sure

Lux: though you’re kind to offer

Dash: you can jet if you don’t feel the passion

Dash: no 💦

Lux: I’m not very confident, if it was awkward, that would be me

Dash: I hang loose

Dash: nothing heavy

Lux: I can tell

Lux: Not everyone is as chill, I fear

Dash: chill with me at the bonfire later

Lux: Really?

Dash: it’s gonna be laid back

Lux: I haven’t talked to anyone our age

Dash: lay it on me til then if you’re feeling uptight about the 💭

Lux: It’s not that I don’t want to, I don’t know what to say

Lux: Everything is heavy, where I’m from

Dash: you don’t have to talk

Dash: there’ll be 🎶🕺🎸🥁🪕🎵💃🌠🎇🎆

Lux: So I’ll just be there?

Dash: if you wanna just 👀 nobody’ll be turned off

Lux: Woah, you’ve made me sound SO creepy! 😰😅

Dash: nah you’re 🍒 & 🦊 

Lux: More slang I’m too lame to know? Oh no

Dash: decoded idk, the meaning’s like, new & hot or shiny & pretty ✨🎀

Lux: No way 😳

Lux: just new, maybe shiny, outfit depending

Dash: yeah way 🐥

Lux: It’s very hard to tell when you’re being serious and when you’re joking, you know

Dash: I don’t joke about 😍

Lux: I remember what boys can be like, remember

Dash: how many boys like me were there where you’re from?

Lux: Fair point

Lux: none that I knew

Dash: welcome to the new 🌎🌍🌏

Lux: Do you go to [the school that Amber goes to]?

Dash: you going? I’ll catch you there 👑

Lux: I get taught here right now, safer, I figured

Lux: but it’s different

Dash: bummer

Dash: school would’ve been way less of a drag with you

Lux: It’s mostly little kids here

Lux: You don’t like school?

Dash: I tune out

Dash: what they try & teach’s lame

Lux: I enjoy learning things, schools, not as much

Dash: I’m learning to make stuff here

Dash: sewing, whittling, cooking, y’know hands on things like that

Lux: I make things too

Lux: Clothes, art

Dash: you 🧵 [an item of clothing he’s seen her wear]?

Lux: Depends if you liked it

Dash: you looked way out

Lux: 😌

Lux: Thank you, I could make you something similar, if you like

Dash: unreal

Lux: I think it could suit you too

Dash: what do you want in trade? I could make you or teach you something

Lux: Whittling sounds cool, I’d like to see how that’s done

Dash: 👌🏽

Lux: When do you want to show me?

Dash: I’ll go look for some wood now & bring my knife tonight

Lux: It’ll take me [however long this garment would, idk but you would is the point] but I’ll start right away

Lux: What colours do you like to wear?

Dash: no discrimination

Lux: 🌈 it is

Dash: but I’ll wear ✨🎀 later for you

Lux: For me?

Dash: yeah

Dash: so you’ll spot me

Lux: Of course

Lux: I wouldn’t say you need the help standing out though

Dash: for you cos I 💭 you’re outta sight then

Lux: Says you

Dash: what do you mean?

Lux: I’ve never seen a boy with hair like yours

Dash: til you got here & laid eyes on ½ the boys

Lux: Yours is still different, it isn’t straight but it isn’t afro hair either

Dash: my ma’s as white as you but 👩🏻‍🦰

Dash: irish as they come

Lux: Is that where you get all the freckles from?

Lux: Well, aside from the sun, obviously

Dash: right on 🌞

Lux: She must be pretty

Dash: I’ll show you a picture

Dash: [scroll and find one from when she was young and lived here, pre-accident obvs, I’m sure you could without having to go home and dig out a literal photograph because the time periods we’re in]

Lux: Oh woah, she is

Dash: I’ve got the same 👃🏽 piercing when school stops forcing me to take it out

Lux: That’s a dumb rule, how’s it getting in the way of you or anyone else learning

Dash: all their rules are, they care about control down to what time you 🚽 & nothing else

Lux: What are your rules? Your personal philosophy

Dash: [I’m not gonna write out all his hippie cliches but we know damn well the kinds of vibe]

Lux: 🌞🌎🌍🌏🌈

Dash: what’s yours?

Lux: I think I’m still working that out

Dash: you could be born here too, I dig that

Lux: Being different makes you have an open mind to everyone else's different, right?

Dash: that’s been my scene

Lux: You’ve been kind to me

Dash: love’s the point

Lux: Who could argue with that particular philosophy

Dash: haters but I’d argue back ✌🏽

Lux: Haters, you’re funny 😅

Dash: knock, knock

Lux: …

Lux: Who’s there?

Dash: honeydew

Lux: honeydew who?

Dash: honeydew you wanna dance at the bonfire?

Lux: Okay

Lux: only because that was an incredible joke, obviously

Dash: 😁

Lux: What kind of music will there be?

Dash: all kinds

Dash: [and then namedrop different peeps who play different instruments and what styles they go for, I’m sure there’s girlies giving full irish folk and lads trying to be rockstars etc etc]

Lux: Do you play?

Dash: want me to play for you?

Lux: I was wondering if you would, at the bonfire

Dash: what music you into?

Lux: [tell him, lord knows I ain’t lmao]

Dash: I’ll play [the easiest song possible from the options she gave lbr because I’m not saying he’s an amazing musician]

Lux: Wow, you really are rolling out the welcome wagon for me

Dash: you really are welcome 🦊

Lux: I’ll have to call you 🐺

Dash: calling us a pack is rad

Lux: Yes, I thought you’d like that

Lux: it does seem rather fitting

Dash: [send her a voice note of you howling and then getting whichever friends you are with/are nearby to join in, turning into lols at the very end]

Lux: Oh my Goodness 🐶 perhaps suits moreso

Dash: nah that was my best 🐺🔊

Lux: Don’t be offended, Mowgli

Dash: [send her you playing a song from the jungle book because just picking up a guitar randomly from wherever you are duh, whichever one would be the easiest idk, but it should probably be bare necessities cos I feel like that’s the only one Mowgli sings on as far as I can remember? Even if you’re only doing the instrumental]

Lux: 😍😍😍

Lux: Are you meant to be giving sneak peeks before tonight?

Dash: idk I felt like you’ve been giving so much

Lux: Most people say I’m closed off

Dash: they gotta be putting their wipe out on you, cos nah

Dash: you’re open to me 🌻

Lux: It’s a learning curve

Lux: I haven’t been me for very long

Dash: jazzed to meet you

Lux: It’s mutual

Dash: it’s a learning curve rapping to someone so 🍒 & 🦊

Lux: No one makes you feel 🍒 I can tell

Dash: I’ve been in this groove for long, my jungle, y’know

Lux: It’s been a while since you had to kill any 🐅s

Dash: yeah, you get it

Lux: And you talk as old as that film

Dash: people say I’m an old soul

Lux: I see it

Dash: I 👀 you living your best, new life here in this brave, new 🌎🌍🌏

Dash: 🦁🐯 & 🐻s

Lux: I’d really, really like that

Dash: 🏡 sweet 🏡 of yours too

Dash: no place like it that film says

Lux: THAT film?

Dash: [send her the wizard of oz clip that’s like lions and tigers and bears, oh my, as you ref-ed above]

Lux: It’s so much more than just a film!

Lux: Shall we watch it so you remember that?

Dash: when?

Lux: Whenever you’re free

Dash: I’m free now

Lux: It’s nearly 2 hours long, won’t the bonfire be happening by then? Or, you’ll be needed to get firewood

Dash: I got some when I found my whittling piece

Dash: but if you’ve gotta get ready

Lux: Do I?

Dash: gimme a twirl 🩰 show me what hip creation you’re wearing today

Lux: [send him a lil self-conscious video]

Dash: you ain’t gotta do zilch 🌟

Dash: split from Hazel & come hog the 📺 with me

Lux: Who else is in there?

Dash: [tell her whoever is because peeps everywhere all the time]

Lux: They’ll all be cool?

Dash: 🧊

Lux: Okay

Dash: 👌🏽 I’m saving you a seat

Lux: Shall I find snacks?

Dash: [send her the song hungry like the wolf as a yes, a clip of them singing that bit lol]

Lux: 🥩 is off the cards

Dash: since I was [an age you’re saying you stopped eating meat even if that’s a barefaced lie, it’s giving toddler or something silly considering you’re not Amber and you don’t have those parents, you probably stole the age from her if anything, which is hilarious cos she’s out here sneakily eating meat and junk food now]

Lux: Committed

Lux: The 🐓🐣 thank you, I’m sure

Dash: lifestyle’s been mine from 👶���

Lux: It is pretty easy here

Dash: & the 🐓🐣 are friends of mine too

Lux: Don’t tell them I’m a 🦊

Dash: whole place knows

Lux: I don’t think so, Dash, it’s just you who says it

Dash: they’re all thinking it

Lux: I’d rather everyone was thinking that than the alternatives that seem more plausible 

Dash: they are, trust 

Lux: It’s okay if you’re just being nice, that’s still nice

Lux: You’re a sweet boy

Dash: I know everybody

Dash: you’re in a safe place

Lux: 😌

Dash: 🤗🥰

Lux: I’ve got roped into washing up… bear with

Dash: 🧼🧽 you’ve got 5, Snow White

Lux: You’d offer to help if you were concerned, Dopey 😏

Dash: princesses don’t sit on the floor

Dash: I’m keeping our seats

Lux: Do you have a bed here? 👸🏽 

Dash: I’ve got beds everywhere 🪑🛁🌳🛌🏽

Lux: That’s what I meant, yeah

Lux: I guessed the people who have been here longest had priority though…

Dash: I give mine to the youngest

Lux: That’s good, kids need stability like that

Dash: & elders but they’re rarer here

Lux: Yeah

Lux: I can’t see this being a great place for old people to be

Dash: how long’ve you been crashing with us?

Lux: [however long, probably not long at all is the vibe]

Lux: I’ve been talking to Hazel longer

Dash: she give the tour?

Lux: Sure, showed me all the work that needs to be done

Dash: scope of the sink & dirty dishes, yeah, I heard

Lux: The issues are slightly more than cosmetic 

Dash: issues? 🧦’em to me

Lux: You know, the outside, the stairs could fall through any second, all that stuff

Lux: I don’t mean personal, I’m good, grateful, like I said

Dash: it’s been standing [however long] 

Lux: Sure but nothing lasts without upkeep

Dash: [someone who calls themselves the handyman for this place but clearly doesn’t do fuck all]’s already on that 🔨🧱🧰 trip

Lux: It’s more than a one-man job, how many people live here, come on

Lux: Hazel has lots of plans though, you must know that already

Dash: I know Hazel, sure

Lux: She says the attic could be a whole two bunks, everyone could have beds

Dash: it’d be electric up that high under the 🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔🌙

Lux: Right?

Dash: a choice room, I’m stoked for you

Lux: Don’t you want a real bed too?

Dash: gonna save me one?

Lux: Well, you’d have to be in the guy’s bunk, obviously but why wouldn’t you get one, yeah

Dash: nah I crash where I fall 🍃

Lux: Oh, okay

Dash: tonight we’re in the orchard

Lux: You’re camping out? Cool

Dash: join if you want

Lux: I couldn’t but thank you for the offer, sure it’ll be awesome

Dash: couldn’t?

Lux: Yeah, you know why

Lux: I need privacy, a trusted person, safety measures

Lux: more than any normal girl

Dash: I’ll be your trusted person

Dash: there’s no plastic on me, I’m being real with you

Lux: Don’t you think that’s a lot to ask someone you’ve just met?

Dash: you’re not in a lot of danger

Lux: You say that like you don’t know what I am

Dash: nobody’s looking to hassle you 

Lux: For now, because I’m being quiet and helpful and keeping to myself and doing everything just so

Lux: that’s how it is, I don’t expect you to get that, any cis person

Dash: nah, they wouldn’t be rattled whatever, ain’t the vibe here

Lux: I can never not be careful, that’s all

Lux: It’s my responsibility, not a judgment on anyone here personally

Dash: you’re used to a bad scene

Lux: Guess we could say that

Dash: it’ll blow your mind when you let it all hang out though

Lux: That’s how it is for you? 🤯

Dash: 🤯✨🌠🎇🎆⚡️☄️🪐🌌💫🌟🌞🌝🌛🌜🌚🌱🌳🍄🌼🌻🌷

Dash: magic

Lux: You believe, don’t you, no bullshit

Dash: no fake 🧚‍♀️✨🧞‍♂️🌠🧜🐚🧜🏽‍♂️🧙‍♀️🍄🧙🔮🧝‍♀️

Lux: You’re very lucky

Dash: don’t shut yours down when 🍀 brought you home & us together

Lux: Me and you?

Dash: you & everyone

Lux: Right, totally

Lux: It was entirely by chance, meeting Hazel, that is a kind of 🍀

Dash: right on

Lux: I don’t know why I thought you meant me and you, what a dumb thing to say

Dash: I’m part of it

Dash: one of everyone

Lux: 🌎🌍🌏

Dash: I don’t wanna lay a trip on a girl who just got here

Dash: sweet as she is

Lux: We can be friends

Dash: friends

Lux: 🤝

Lux: I could use all the friends I can get

Dash: beats me why you won’t come to the orchard

Lux: I can come hang, ‘til I need to crash, if that’s okay

Dash: you can crash next to me but I’ll back off & cut you some slack

Lux: Before here, I’d only ever shared a room with my brother

Dash: I’d protect you like a lil sis 

Lux: Do you have any?

Lux: I was oldest, a brother and two sisters

Dash: lost count how many 👶🏽s Caleb has

Dash: [but give it your best guess]?

Lux: WOAH

Lux: That’s insane

Dash: that’s free love

Lux: The pill came with the movement for a reason

Dash: & the babes he scores with are as free to use it

Dash: like Amber must’ve

Lux: What about Amber?

Dash: she’s not showing 🤰🏽

Lux: Are you saying that your dad and Amber… Hazel’s daughter Amber?

Dash: the one & the same

Dash: the Amber

Lux: Your dad is old

Dash: age’s a number

Dash: people want who they want

Lux: Umm, woah

Dash: she made the move

Lux: I don’t think it’s your business to tell me this, I’m sure she doesn’t want everyone talking about it

Dash: we’re talking about the sexual revolution

Lux: No, you’re talking about Amber, for whatever reason

Dash: you know her I didn’t 💭 it’d be news to you

Lux: I don’t know her like that, I only just got here

Dash: 👌🏽 my bad

Lux: Y’all should start the film without me

Dash: don’t be like that

Lux: It’s fine, honestly, the cupboards are super dirty and need organising

Dash: I’ll bring people through with me to help then ✌🏽

Lux: This is really awkward

Dash: I said I was sorry

Lux: You don’t need to be sorry to me

Dash: you don’t need to be off with me but that’s the craic now

Lux: Why would you even bring that up?

Dash: idk 

Dash: like I said, I figured you knew 

Lux: Even if I did, why would we talk about it

Dash: we were rapping about my da, that’s his bag

Lux: That’s really horrible

Dash: I’m not him

Dash: I do my own thing

Lux: No, like, I’m sorry you’re around that

Dash: no 💦

Lux: It can’t feel good

Dash: he can be uncool he ain’t alone 

Lux: Parents shouldn’t be peers, that’s confusing

Dash: takes a village & I’ve got one 

Lux: Nothing can replace the real thing though, can it

Dash: chosen family is real

Lux: But it’ll never be the real one again

Dash: can be better

Lux: I don’t know how that can be true

Dash: bonds are bonds, what’s blood to do with it?

Lux: People back home know me, have known me all my life

Dash: I could know you the rest

Dash: as deep, deeper

Lux: That’s a lot of faith, that anyone will want to

Lux: blood is meant to be indisputable, you can’t help but love your family

Lux: but, here we are

Dash: anyone here would want to, I keep that faith

Lux: I’m scared I don’t belong here either

Dash: I’ve freaked you out

Lux: I’m permanently, it’s really not on you

Dash: take 5 for your cupboards

Dash: it’s been real but got heavy too

Lux: Sorry

Dash: nah, I did it

Lux: I’m heavy

Dash: you’re golden 🐥🌻🍯🌞🌝🌛🌜👼🏼🎇🎺🌟🧚🏼‍♀️⚡️👸🏼📀🔑

Lux: 🐺🕸🦈🐚🪨🐁☄️💨🎤🎧🎼🗿🛸🎡🌁💿📺📻🔩⚙️📡🔦🔭🔬🔗🧷

Lux: you

Dash: what a gas

Lux: You like emojis more than words

Dash: idk what to say sometimes

Lux: pictures say a lot

Dash: & don’t lose it til they’re rapping about downer stuff

Dash: killing the mood

Lux: Forget it happened, seriously, we’re cool

Dash: I’m not cool though

Dash: you make me not

Lux: I think you’re the coolest person I’ve ever met

Dash: 🤯😳🥵

Lux: It makes me wanna never open my mouth again, seriously

Dash: you can’t be serious

Lux: I’ve never heard anyone talk like you

Dash: you must’ve tuned out

Lux: You’re still awesome, no downer changed that

Dash: still friends?

Lux: Definitely

Dash: gonna let me squirrel into the cupboards then? 

Lux: They’re not MINE, so, yes 😳

Dash: but I only wanna help you

Dash: say yes to that

Lux: Yes

Dash: & the rest

Lux: the rest?

Dash: 📺👠🦁 & 🔥💃🏼🕺🏽 & 🌳🍎💤

Lux: Okay, yes x3

Dash: [do come and ‘help’ her with these cupboards even though you’re defs being more of a hindrance and making more mess by messing with stuff instead of cleaning it up]

Lux: [lord knows any attempt is better than the fuck all that has been done here in forever but honestly, at least the shyness this girl is experiencing will mean she is doing double the work for y’all]

Dash: [soz that he’ll make you feel more shy because can’t stop watching her do everything, by which I mean shamelessly checking her out the entire time because he thinks she’s the absolute cutest]

Lux: [very much doing the trying to look at someone without them knowing you are glances because 0 way we are directly meeting your eye right now but we can feel you watching us]

Dash: [we’ll be kind and say he’s looking away sometimes when his interest is piqued by the gross cupboard in some way/he’s attacked by an avalanche of things he then has to pick up etc etc so that she can sneak those glances, probably get a cobweb on you sir those are really sticky and take ages to get off]

Lux: [you can help him deal with that cobweb instinctively, not realising that you’re casually upping proximity and attention like that until you have, flicking your eyes up briefly and doing the smallest smile]

Dash: [the biggest smile back as he’s looking at her with what are essentially heart eyes because can’t not, the kind of laugh you do when you know this is a moment and you’re trying to put her at ease and make the vibes less !!]

Lux: [smile bigger at his smile and then fully grin at his laugh, wiping some of this cobweb onto whatever t-shirt he’s wearing, like you’re playfully pushing him back here but you’re lingering]

Dash: [we all know he’ll be getting this cobweb onto his hand and starting the softest and most flirty playfight of all time like he’s gonna wipe it on her but also like she’s the most delicate beautiful dainty girl and we absolutely can’t and will not play rough about this because gotta validate how she wants to be seen and how we clearly see her]

Lux: [heart eyes yourself as you avoid getting covered in cobwebs in the girliest way imaginable, not quite squealing because you never bring attention to yourself so it’s lowkey like a squeak]

Dash: [1000% live the cliche of getting some dirt off her cheek whether it’s really there or not, simply must because of how his fingers are basically shaking because of how gentle he’s being when he does touch her face and how much he’s holding back when he typically never does]

Lux: [closing your eyes and breathing as shakily because you know how hot your cheeks are gonna feel and you weren’t spring cleaning hard enough for that to remotely be the excuse]

Dash: [STARING at her when her eyes are closed as if she won’t feel it and you can freely be that intense in that aspect at least because whatever dirt has not come off with how lightly he brushed her face but dare not do it more dramatically and so his bright idea is to lick his finger just slightly with the tip of his tongue very quickly and re-do as if that’s any more chill purely because it’s barely wet and he hasn’t fully spat on it in a feral manner, god bless]

Lux: [your eyes SHOOTING open big and wide like he fully just licked your face but you can see his finger and what actually occurred and it’s such a childishly adorable image so you can grin at him again, even if it is a breathless and !! grin in comparison to the former ‘thanks’ as the first thing you’ve said to him out loud, though to call your quiet self-conscious voice loud is misleading]

Dash: [grin back in exactly the same way because it’s infectious and yours has all the !! and mischievousness as if she caught you in the act of doing something way worse ‘it’s chill’ which is misleading because he’s clearly the most not chill he has ever been lol]

Lux: [do that arty thing of framing his face up with your hands, squinting as you line it all up before quickly licking the tip of your thumb and as speedily swiping it across his cheek before he can catch on or stop you, taking several steps back and looking down but with a smile still ‘now we’re even’ like it is now chill even though, yeah, arguable lol]

Dash: [when you’d literally be able to see on his face, after the shock and playful oi! expression has hit and he’s grinning again, that he’s remembering she said she makes art, like yeah okay that tracks, his smile becoming more of a genuine one to mirror that as opposed to his wide grin a sec ago, giving that he’s thinking and wondering about said art as he nods to being even, technically, and then has to run a hand through his hair because it’s in his eyes and in his way] 

Lux: [shaking your head like he’s trying to show off his hair when you’ve already complimented him for it, carrying on with this cleaning/organising task but we’re noticeably less concerned with the task, completing it to a that-will-do level so you can look at him expectantly because was going to watch the film after]

Dash: [gonna say that he very half-heartedly also goes back to this cleaning task, blowing his hair out of his face as if he’s so hard done by and overworked which simply isn’t true because as she’s looking at him expectantly because she’s done he’s messing with a different cupboard and eventually opens it properly, I imagine to get out movie snacks more than to clean lbr, after ages just pissing about swinging the door open and shut, to find there are ants everywhere because ofc there are with all the open food just lying about and so instead of whatever he was gonna say in reply he pulls her behind and into him SO protectively as if these ants were gonna fly at her face and attack her and then pulls her away to the living room like omg we g2g, lowkey running away because it’s such a vibe to flee the scene romantically but also typical irresponsible him]

Lux: [thanks for giving her no time to react because not only would she scream too loudly for her liking but she’d also actually want to deal with this problem that should not just be left, trying to vocalise as much as y’all are running but you’re half laughing half out of breath more from the shock than the running, same for the permanently pink cheeks]

Dash: [sadly y’all don’t have far to run so pull her into the living room, laughing with her and grinning, obvs, but because you’ve lost your saved seats with all these cupboard shenanigans you can enjoy another cliche of having to sit somewhere together that isn’t quite big enough for you both and leaves you in such ridiculously close proximity with all the accidental knee and thigh and arm touching moments etc etc during this film, whether you’re in a beanbag or loveseat or a literal shared seat, whatever]

Lux: [shrugging your oops, sorry at him wordlessly, scrunching your face up in sympathy as if he was always the princess who could not sit on the floor because where’s the lie there, at least it’s not a long old film because you’d be DEAD if you had to sit here that long with all this closeness you’re acting like you don’t notice but clearly do because the hair on your arms is standing up and you have goosebumps all over whenever your bodies accidentally make contact, snack bag hand touch cliches to boot, why not]

Dash: [gotta shrug back as if you’re unphased and don’t mind because clearly or you’d move and sit on the floor to give her the full seat to herself but he is not that gentleman and he’s LIVING for every accidental touch, as am I because I gotta give this gal all the romcom cliches I can while I can to make up for this boy being a flop in so many ways lol, likewise acting like he is just watching this film unaffected but we all know he’s shifting in this seat to make more accidental touches happen, bonus points if it is a beanbag type thing because literally every time he moves she’d lowkey fall into him, and he’s sporadically also moving his hair out of his eyes like he did earlier as if he can’t see otherwise but that’s the same ploy, I’m sure at least a strand of it has fallen onto her somewhere accidentally on purpose because long hair is notorious for that]

Lux: [it’s cruel of us because you are thinking this is a romcom and then you’ll find out it is not and feel like a massive fool who made it all up but you know, tis the point, I’m afraid so be here having all your Moments ™ and developing a bigger crush on him by the second, it’s fine hahah]

Dash: [we are rude, especially because I know there will come a point (idk when because I haven’t seen the film) when the snacks run out and his attention span goes (even though this is a film he probably likes, he’s just that bitch) and he’s looking at her more than he is the screen, soz gal]

Lux: [me like Judy didn’t get abused for this lmao but you’ll just think it’s romantic, obviously, back to peeping at him almost like it’s a game but it isn’t, you’re truly that shy about it all, pulling this strand of hair off your clothes and tying it in a bow and untying it to do it again, repeatedly, assuming he isn’t truly paying THAT much attention to you that he’ll notice that but he clearly will hun]

Dash: [me likewise offended like just watch the film sir please but he isn’t because he’s gotta watch her do that not at all subtly and then use the v flimsy excuse of sharing some blatantly obvious piece of trivia about this film that she 10000% already knows because she’s obvs a fan and I’m talking OBVIOUS trivia here, insert my personal Junie eyeroll, to lean in and whisper in her ear, to get that close to her and tuck a strand of her own hair behind her ear, and for no other reason because there’s 0 need to whisper for anyone else’s benefit, I imagine there’s chaos surrounding y’all in this room]

Lux: [jolting back an inch or so, hair falling fully in front of her eyes, shaking your head to shake it back into place and to shh him, with wide eyes like everyone else in this room is a. Silent and b. Paying any attention to what is on this TV right now, god bless]

Dash: [giving her such an oh you look and smile, so affectionately because she’s adorable, before half-heartedly turning his attention back to the tv again his hippo self like okay I’ll be good, but within minutes this boy is here FIDGETING again on this seat even more than before, cannot keep still soz, meaning all the touches again]

Lux: [when you can’t even be mad, mainly because you’re crushing on him lbr but also because it’s not as if you’ve been able to pay any real attention to the film so you get how much harder that makes it to tune back in when you were never really there in the first place ‘you don’t have to watch this’ practically mouthed you whispered it so quietly but facing him so he’ll be able to get the gist, pulling the corner of your mouth in on itself with your canine teeth awkwardly, as if you really forced him to in the first place]

Dash: [shamelessly pretending like he did not get the gist purely as an excuse to put his ear practically against her lips like go ahead, we see you sir, we see you]

Lux: [making the near cartoonish GULP sound, suddenly SO self-conscious of even breathing never mind saying words when his ear is that close to your lips, hence it takes you a while, the cogs clearly whirring in your head for the simplest of sentences ‘we don’t have to finish watching’]

Dash: [we ALL know he’s enjoying how long this takes and the blatant effect everything he does has on her, mhmm, hence staying ridiculously close when he mouths ‘I’m hip to how it ends but that’s the grooviest part’ translation, I know how it ends but we gotta see it through because the ending slaps, whether it does or not or he’s just saying that for the cliche of giving her her own happy romcom/disney ending I’ll let you decide, I know damn well what I think the answer is]

Lux: [honestly this ending right now is going to be really upsetting in ways you haven’t thought about until you are now thinking about it like oh fuuuuuuuuuck, there’s no place like home?! How could we do this to her, honestly accidentally because you were just thinking about the technicolour of it all but now you’re like oh I don’t actually want to be sat here with these random people experiencing those kinds of emotions; run girl, some excuse of going to the bathroom thrown quietly but carelessly over your shoulder to Dash as you bolt for the exit]

Dash: wanna be followed or backed off of?

Lux: Sorry, I just realised how heavy that was going to be

Lux: I’m cool, I’m just taking some quiet, we’re good

Dash: not 🧠 surgery why you split 

Dash: but take 5 more & I’ll hit you up later

Lux: I’m really sorry, I was having a nice time with you

Dash: there’ll be others

Lux: I’m not like…

Lux: a total wreck

Dash: you’re not in the zone yet either though

Lux: yeah, it’s fresh

Dash: 🌱

Dash: don’t grab for 🌈 cos you’re colouring me gone without 🌷🌹🌼🌻 I’m around

Lux: You’re so cool

Dash: you’ve given me time to find the threads & ✨🎀 to be

Lux: You saved me from bug bites, that could make us equal

Dash: 🐜🐜🐜🐜

Dash: they dig you too, I get it, but I’ve never had to be jealous of no ants before, be a trip

Lux: They dig all the crumbs 🍯 talker

Dash: they’d score a bigger rush from you

Lux: Where’d you learn all this?

Dash: all ??

Lux: You know what

Dash: I know I’m not scamming

Lux: I didn’t accuse you of that

Lux: this is just how you are, all the time

Dash: I don’t meet girls like you all the time

Lux: I see

Dash: you feel it

Lux: I don’t know what this is

Dash: chemistry

Lux: What are you? 

Lux: 🤦‍♀️ like, how do you identify

Dash: what you 👀 is who I am

Lux: It’s okay if you don’t know

Dash: I’m with it

Lux: You’re so vague sometimes

Dash: idk what you’re asking

Lux: If you’re straight or gay or something between

Dash: labels are your 👜🎒 huh?

Lux: Labels keep people like me safe

Dash: hurting you ain’t my action

Dash: but if you need somewhere to put me ~

Lux: Alright, that’s all I was asking

Dash: I’m about the energy, if we vibe 

Dash: 🐥 or 🐈 or whatever, all the animals

Lux: Cool

Dash: yours is

Lux: I’m the least cool person to exist, I’m pretty sure

Dash: nah you’re the most

Lux: I do not feel it now

Dash: bonfire’s a reset, we’ll meet again

Lux: You think I’ll just click into place this time?

Dash: being in the same place’s enough for me

Lux: There’s lots else to do and see

Dash: yeah

Lux: Everyone here is so interesting to look at

Dash: you’re still the most

Lux: Do you have a partner right now?

Dash: I love the words you rap with

Lux: If I’d said boyfriend/girlfriend you’d say oh so the binary is your bag

Dash: the binary is your bag 🦊

Lux: It sounds very accusing 🐺

Dash: nah, I’m hip to that, I’m a boy 💙

Lux: It’s not like I’m phobic

Lux: that would be ridiculous, I’m just a girl and I’ve only ever liked boys before

Dash: I’ve only ever been a boy, it’s cool if you like me

Lux: We’re friends, we already decided that

Dash: just friends?

Lux: Friends means I like you

Dash: 👌🏽

Lux: And you like me?

Dash: before I scoped you out in the kitchen even

Lux: That’s the look

Lux: but I guess we don’t know each other much better than yet

Dash: I wanna get to

Lux: I would like that too

Dash: we’ll be tight by the AM

Lux: Can you see the 🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔🌙 through the 🌳s?

Dash: I’ll show you everything there’s to 👀 through the 🌳s

Lux: I’m looking forward to it

Dash: new heights

Dash: & branches’ll be more laid back to share than [wherever they were sat]

Lux: You won’t rock me out this time?

Dash: I didn’t that time

Lux: Felt like you were trying to

Dash: beats me how anybody wouldn’t be amped up to move closer to you

Lux: You’re 🐒

Dash: I feel it

Dash: 🐒 like outta control

Lux: You’re completely in control though

Dash: tell my 💓

Lux: Woah

Dash: can’t blow your mind you’re a babe

Lux: Shh, you’re ridiculous

Dash: cut me some slack I’m 😍

Lux: I’ve never seen eyes like yours

Dash: that why you can’t look in ‘em?

Lux: Only partly

Dash: no biggie, I’ll look into yours til you’re there

Lux: I don’t know how to be like you

Dash: keep being yourself

Lux: I’ve only kissed one boy

Dash: kissing [however many, I honestly dread to think because that’s mostly what you’ve been doing at this age, kissing and touching] girls don’t mean I wouldn’t be 🤯😳🥵 to kiss you

Dash: that’s fresh

Lux: What if I mess that up too?

Dash: we’d try it again, unless you didn’t wanna

Lux: I’d want to hide under a rock, may have to run away, again

Dash: gotta climb down a 🌳 to jet

Lux: You’ve made it sound like a plan

Dash: cos I can’t quit 💭 about kissing you

Lux: Aren’t other people going to be there?

Dash: not in our 🌳 

Lux: No one will see?

Dash: I’ll 🐒 so you’re covered, if we’re spied on they’ll only see me

Dash: & ⭐️🌙⭐️

Lux: I will have to think about it more 

Lux: but that means you can keep thinking about it too

Dash: 💭🐥🌻🍯🌞🌝🌛🌜👼🏼🎇🎺🌟🧚🏼‍♀️⚡️👸🏼📀🔑💭

Dash: you’re a song playing on repeat in my head

Lux: It would sound like I was just copying the movie to say everything else looks 🖤🤍 right now but…

Dash: it’s the mood

Lux: What kind of thing will people be wearing to the bonfire?

Dash: 🧚🏼‍♀️🪐🩳🧙‍♀️🩰🌻👗👖👼🏽👒🩱👠👑🌌👩🏼‍🎤🥻👸🏾👚🌼👙🦚🦋👢🌈🧜🏻‍♀️🦄🌷✨

Dash: free expression

Lux: 💭🤔

Dash: bring technicolour back

Lux: Oz over Kansas

Dash: be where you are

Lux: It’s another vague brief but I’ll see what I can do

Dash: you’ve got this 👩🏼‍🎨🧵

Lux: I don’t want to be overdressed but it sounds like that’s not possible

Dash: [send her a selfie of you dressing up in as much of those emoji vibes as possible, like a kid raiding a dressing up box and putting on everything lol, not as your finished lewk which we know is gonna be pink and girlie but just for funsies]

Lux: Where did you find all that?

Lux: ✨ the kids will be so mad at you 😅

Dash: [a video of this rabble of kids loling and helping him get dressed in all this and also getting dressed up themselves cos they are clearly his silly besties and have been helping him]

Lux: Sweet 🍧🍨🍦🧁🍰🍭🍬🍫🍩🍪🍯

Dash: how old’s your brother & sisters?

Dash: if the question’s not a drag

Lux: [so we have a sister that is closest in age, giving a year, 18 months apart, then your other sister is giving 3 or 4 years younger than you and then your brother is the youngest probably 5 to 6 years younger]

Dash: were you tight, y’know, before?

Lux: Perfect family, yeah, 2 of each

Lux: I messed up the ratio, the image

Dash: nah 3:1

Dash: & they’ve still got their 💙

Lux: That isn’t how it went

Dash: that bummer’s why you’re here

Lux: For now

Dash: now’s good

Lux: Now is where you always focus, no need to say

Dash: now’s where we met

Lux: No moment is guaranteed, I know

Dash: tonight’s guaranteed far out, trust

Lux: Is Amber coming?

Dash: search me

Lux: Oh, well

Dash: we’ll have a blast

Dash: Amber or no Amber

Lux: Of course, she’s the only other kid our age I vaguely know, that’s why I asked it

Dash: I’ll hook you up with intros, I said so

Lux: I’m nervous

Dash: they’ll dig you & I’ll protect you, like the 🐜s

Lux: What if they want to bite me too?

Dash: that’d eat at me

Dash: but you’re a catch, best thing since 🍞

Lux: Not how I meant it and you know it 😳

Lux: but you’re popular, if I’m with you, people should be pleasant

Dash: 🤴🏽👸🏼

Lux: Hmm, let’s not get carried away…

Dash: I’m not full of it, you’ve got the 👸🏼 look

Lux: That would be quite the costume choice

Dash: you’d be choice in a 👑 babe

Lux: You’ve got all the dressing up on your body, last I saw

Dash: I’ll take it off for you

Lux: You’re terrible! 

Dash: [send her a pic of this crown wherever you’ve left it]

Lux: 🗺 ✖

Dash: 🏴‍☠️🧭

Lux: That seems more legit for you, yes

Dash: you’re a trip

Lux: You’re a pirate

Dash: 🦜 would be a killer pet, I’d dig it

Lux: You could teach it all your old man talk

Dash: old man’s boyfriend in my talk

Dash: 🦜 making a move on you’d be worse 💔 than 🐜s, real uncool of a friend

Lux: It could only mimic what you teach 

Lux: maybe someone can train the ants 🎪

Dash: I can 🤹🏽‍♂️

Lux: Can you do it with 🗡s?

Dash: find [however many he’d need to juggle idk] & I’ll give it a shot

Lux: Someone’d lose an eye before you lost a finger, probably

Dash: you want a pirate, hook hand’s the deal

Lux: When did I say I wanted a pirate? 😏

Dash: when you said 👌🏽 x 3 📺👠🦁 & 🔥💃🏼🕺🏽 & 🌳🍎💤

Lux: Is okay the same as wanting

Dash: don’t you want me?

Lux: You can’t just ask that

Dash: why?

Lux: Okay, you can’t ask and expect an answer

Lux: that’s too much

Dash: that’s an answer

Lux: I can’t be like you, the people you’ve kissed before

Dash: I’m not asking you to be like nobody else

Lux: You are, free, easygoing

Lux: I’ve never been that, wouldn’t know how

Dash: you know we’ve got something

Lux: I know what you look like

Dash: hang a mirror in the attic when Hazel gives the go ahead

Lux: Everything about you is effortless

Dash: everything about you’s more electric than 🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔🌙

Lux: I want to look in your eyes

Dash: yours are like jumping into a river

Lux: Feeling like I could drown is exactly how it feels

Dash: floating ain’t drowning, that’s how I want you to feel

Lux: like in your song, Mowgli

Dash: like I’ve got you & 0’s too deep

Lux: You’re a good friend, I think

Lux: I only had the couple, none now

Dash: pick a number & that’s how many you can have here

Lux: 🤞

Dash: it’s in motion

Dash: first me, then everyone

Lux: First you

Dash: let me stay high for a sec before you cut me low for the others

Lux: Do you think that’s what I’ll do?

Dash: there’s loads of 🐥 & 🐈s doing beautiful things

Lux: Aren’t you too

Dash: I help keep things running smooth but idk if it’s more than that

Lux: If that’s what you want to do, what makes you happy

Dash: the way I was travelling through before today was a straight line but you’ve got me twisted

Lux: I don’t want to 🌀 you

Dash: I’m bent like 🌱🌿🌹🌼🌻🌷 to your ☀️

Lux: Woah, wow 🥺

Lux: You could be a poet

Dash: I know you’re poetry in motion & we ain’t even danced yet

Lux: Will you cover me again?

Dash: totally

Lux: I can’t handle anyone else’s eyes on me if yours are

Dash: beats me how you’re gonna make friends cos my eyes won’t go nowhere else now

[heartspiked]

that’s not how you pray | eddie munson

summary: eddie wants you to know he’s not guilty

content warning: cursing, crying obvi, mentions of blood, angst

songs that inspired this: hey lover by the daughter of eve + do you want to die together by stars

you hadn’t seen your boyfriend in weeks and it was tearing you apart for more than one reason. you so desperately needed to talk to him and you know he needed you too. it was hard dating a high schooler who flunked more than once and attend college a couple hours away from the sleepy little town of hawkins. arriving in hawkins made your stomach churn in all the wrong ways. there wasn’t kids riding their bikes around town and even a curfew had been implemented. you didn’t even attempt to visit his trailer in fear the police would question you and slow you down in your search for your “murderer satanic” boyfriend. you really needed to talk to him. to sort things out.

you knew he was chicken hearted and wouldn’t hurt a fly. literally, he asked you to step on spiders and those furry worms that stung you if you touched them. he learned his lesson and visited the hospital convinced he was dying. from then on you became designated bug killer. gripping your steering wheel and clenching your jaw you made your way from house to house of eddie’s known friends and associates. they were all dead ends completely fucking useless. his so called band members had no idea where he was and you just wanted to hear his voice to make you feel better. you hoped he wasn’t alone somewhere by himself. when three days went by you decided to risk going to visit his trailer.

it was late and you were speeding but the police, if you could even call them that, were far too understaffed and useless. you sped into the trailer park past the police tape and swerved into an bad parking job not even bothering to turn the engine off. the lights were on! they were on! you threw the door of his trailer open to see one of the little lost lambs dirty and scared. he turned to you in pure shock and you never felt more relieved.

“it’s eddie! he… hee stayed! we need to get him!” it was then you noticed the unmissable massive fucking hole in the ceiling. you didn’t even know what to say you couldn’t stop smiling that you were so close to seeing eddie. you were massively freaked as you watched dustin dash and jump up a chair and onto the roof and you followed him. you didn’t know why his friends were so weird dressed in a homemade medieval knight outfit but you’d make sure to question him. “we don’t have time hurry up, (y/n)!”

you grunted and pulled yourself halfway up the hole before dustin lifted you up and you both were sprinting out the trailer door. unfortunately for you dustin was limping behind and you couldn’t even begin to process what you were seeing. it looked like pure hell and it scared you oh god did it scare you. you didn’t think the crazy conspiracy theorists were right when they said there was hell in hawkins. you laughed it off but holy shit you’d never seen more red in your lifetime. hawkins looked like a deserted town filled with ugly thick vines and dead trees and the hoard of crazy killer bats?

oh my god. it’s eddie. it’s eddie! “eddie! dustin i see him!” your screamed was terribly loud. he’s hurt. you hurried over to him as fast as your legs could take you. they felt crazy numb as your knees skidded on the ground and hurt terribly. “eddie baby my love! you’re okay you’re okay.” you cooed and ran your hand through his tangled hair. eddie gave a gigantic smile,”you’re here… i’m so glad i can see you.” he said weekly and with his cute little laugh he did when he was nervous. you put your hands on his wound. you knew that in all the movies it was best to keep pressure on wounds you knew that. “i wanted you to know i’m sorry for running away i didn’t kill chrissy… i didn’t.” you shook your head tears in your eyes. “eddie shut up i believe you! i never doubted you for a second babe.” you cried out as he placed his hand in yours.

he weakly slipped one of his rings on your finger and you shook your head,”keep it you’ll thinking you lost it babe..” you dug your face into his neck and sobbed as you tried to pull him or pick him up with dustin’s help. eddie started slipping off as he spoke to dustin and you couldn’t let him, no you couldn’t. you two had a life ahead of you. he’d finally graduate. he would you knew it. you slapped his face gently, “baby! seriously baby! you can’t slip off right now you’re gonna be fine!” eddie looked at the curly haired boy sitting on his other side and they both had sympathetic looks. you hated it. he said i love you to his underling and supposed acolyte.

his eyes began to be swallowed by darkness and you couldn’t take it any longer. “please baby! eddie.. edward baby i’m pregnant.. i’m pregnant! it’s our baby..” eddie’s tears began to flow as he grabbed your stomach weakly. “you need to be here for the baby!” you sobbed hitting his chest. he smiled this big fucking shit eating grin that you loved so much. being raised in a religious house you felt like this was punishment how dare the lord how dare god take the love of your life. how dare he. you did all your hail marys and all your confessions on sundays every week since you were young. “stay alive… if not for me for the baby!” you pleaded your sobs deafening.

your throat was raw and burning painfully,“i love you and our unborn baby. i know you’ll be the best mom i love you. find steve okay?” you shook your head as you watched the love of your life take his last few breaths. you kissed his face erratically. “i don’t want steve i want you baby..” you sobbed uncontrollably as dustin tried to pull you away from the munson boy. you wanted to die there and then you wanted to go with him so bad, so fucking bad. you cried into your cold lovers chest for what seemed like hours. you left the body of the man you loved behind. your unconditional love in a place you didn’t understand could exist. you knew he’d never want to be alone ever.

you knew him better than anybody and you had planned a joking little argument for when you’d find him but you’d never play fight with him again and it killed you to see him bloody and surrounded by fucking hideous demon bats. you knew no one would ever know his innocence or his personality and how he was heaven on earth. how your baby would never know how good their daddy was at guitar or hear his band preform live or teach them how to play dungeons and dragons. you knew he wanted a baby girl. you talked about it when you’d get high in his van when you’d meet each other half way from your college on nights he didn’t have his club. you knew he’d want to take care of his baby.

you felt like the earth swallowed him silently the day he died.

[smoll-tangerine]

JUST FRIENDS, a timestamp mini-series (5/5)

[14:35] → [11:13] → [15:37] → [18:00] → [01:21]

[a/n]: i can’t believe this is already the last timestamp of this mini-series! i enjoyed writing this au so much, thanks for sticking with me. i hope you all look forward to my other works! 🤍

[tw]: hospital, mild anxiety attack, slight profanities, you swatting jaehyun like he’s a bug because he’s an annoying bf

you and your best friend jaehyun pretend to date each other because you are a broke university student who likes to take advantage of some deals that require you to be, well, not single. 

[01:21] You were completely breathless by the time you got to the hospital.

When you received the call from the hospital, you felt your heart drop to the pit of your stomach and felt how erratic you were slowly becoming with every passing minute as you rushed to the emergency room.

You didn’t even bother waiting for the nurse to greet you back and immediately asked, “Where can I find Jung Jaehyun’s room?”

The nurse seemed to be used to this sort of situation and handled you calmly. “I’m sorry, but I can only disclose this information to family members only — are you a family member?”

“Wh– But–” You were completely baffled by this turn of events. Weren’t they the ones who called you? And now that you were finally here, you couldn’t even see your boyfriend? “How is he? Is he okay? Is he–”

“I’m really sorry, but that information can only be disclosed to family members.”

You wondered just how long it’d take before you lose your patience completely. There was no point in arguing with the nurse, but you also had a feeling that they wouldn’t let you see Jaehyun if you were to tell them that you were his girlfriend.

What was the point of him putting you as his emergency contact if you couldn’t even see him or get updates about him as his emergency contact?

“I’m, uh, his…”

The nurse waited for you patiently, though you didn’t miss the skeptical raised brow.

“–fiancée.”

Wait, what did you just say?

“Yep, I’m his fiancée,” you continued. What was with you and fake labels? Was being his fake girlfriend not enough, now that you were finally Jaehyun’s actual girlfriend? God, you just wanted to bury yourself in the big hole you just dug.

You even flashed your left hand, making sure that the nurse saw the ring that was sitting on your fourth finger. It was just a cheap couple ring you and Jaehyun bought for fun as you two window-shopped, but they didn’t need to know that.

“Room 0214.”

You let out a big sigh of relief and gave a small, “thank you,” before quickly dashing towards Jaehyun’s room.

You forced yourself not to imagine the worst case scenarion as you speed-walked through the hospital. But your anxiety was present as you frantically looked for the correct room number. When you finally found it, you forced yourself to take a deep breath and kept repeating to yourself that Jaehyun was fine like a mantra.

You braced yourself for the worst as you abruptly opened the door, to only find Jaehyun guffawing at the television. You recognized the show as Brooklyn 99.

“You motherf–” you exclaimed as you began to swat him like he was some mosquito.

“Ah, what the f–” Jaehyun blurted in surprise. “Love– What– Hey! I’m a patient!”

“Patient, my ass!” you yelled, holding back the tears that threatened to fall. And it was only then — when Jaehyun saw that you were on the verge of crying — that he noticed just how distressed you were.

“What’s wrong?” he asked you softly.

“It’s stupid,” you mumbled as you wiped your tears with the sleeves of your shirt.

“Come on, tell me,” Jaehyun cooed and gave you a small smile. “I promise I won’t laugh.”

You bit your bottom lip and looked away from him, slightly afraid to make eye contact with your boyfriend as you confessed, “They said family only…”

“Mhm? Sorry, love, can you speak up a little?”

“They said family only!” you shouted and crossed your arms with a huff. “They told me that I was allowed to see you only if I’m your family. So… I lied.”

Jaehyun snorted. “What did you lie about? Did you tell them that I was your brother or something.” He chuckled and shook his head. “You had me worried there for a second. I thought something big happened or something.”

You were slightly taken aback. Granted, perhaps it wasn’t a big deal to him but it was to you. “How– How can you say that?! Do you even know how distraught I was when I got that call from the hospital? When they told me that I couldn’t see you unless I was your family? That I had to lie and tell them I was your fiancée?”

“Love–”

“So, of course, I just thought of the worst possible scenarios like, what if you were actually dying and I couldn’t see you because of that stupid label? What if–”

Jaehyun suddenly engulfed you in a tight hug and rubbed your back soothingly. You could feel and hear Jaehyun’s strong heartbeat, effectively calming you down and ending your rambling.

“Better?” he asked.

You hummed and hugged him back. “Yeah…”

“Then, should we just become a family?”

THE END.

© SMOLL-TANGERINE [2022]. All rights reserved.

[ficthots]

A Sense of Normalcy

A/N: Another Peter piece here! As always I hope you all enjoy and let me know what you think! 

Word Count: 2.3k+

It wasn’t hard to assume that being in a relationship with a literal superhero meant that your life was always hectic. Between early morning emergencies, afternoons at work, and late night patrols, you craved any sense of normalcy with your boyfriend. Having a full day off together was few and far between, but when those days presented themselves, you both jumped at the opportunity to spend the day fully in one another's presence.

Peter couldn’t and wouldn’t keep his hands off of you and you didn’t fight him on it, no matter how weird you two looked in public to strangers eyes. You would stroll the aisles of the grocery store practically attached together. Leaning against the shopping carts handle, hands holding the list as you eyed the items Peter had scratched onto it in barely legible writing. You squinted and pointed to it.

“Bug, what does that say?” Peter was standing directly behind you, pushing the cart, his large arms caging you in. “Um, cereal. I’ve been stuffing it into baggies and keeping them in my backpack to have to snack on during patrol,” his cheek was pressed into yours, head resting on your shoulder as you two continued moving through the store. You reached out over his arms, grabbing a can of pasta sauce as you leisurely strolled.

To anyone else it would look like a far too clingy couple, but to you two it was reveling in the time you had together after not seeing one another for more than your thirty minute lunch break every Wednesday.

Peter had shown up to your office one random Wednesday after going almost two weeks without more than a quick kiss in the morning as you raced out the door for work or the mind numbing, knee weakening, heart pounding kiss he always gave you before patrol. You were in the middle of giving a tour of the historic building when you noticed an insanely attractive man join the back of the group. He shot you a quick wink and a small smile as you continued, trying not to get distracted.

As the tour finished up you practically skipped to Peter, wrapping your arms around his neck, lips meeting yours as you giggled. You were completely elated to see him there instead of the normal blur of red and blue as he dashed around the apartment grabbing his items he would need for the night or the sleepy figure that could hardly register when you would leave in the morning.

“Bug, what’re you doing here?” He pecked your nose, heart flipping in his chest at the pure joy seeping from you. “Well, I brought lunch for us to enjoy if you can sneak away for a few minutes,” his eyes scanned the crowded building, his brow furrowing in a moment of worry that you wouldn’t have time. “But if you’re too busy it’s okay. I’ve just missed you so much and I wanted to spend some time with my best girl.”

His heart felt like it would explode at any minute watching your eyes widen in surprise before you pulled him in for another kiss. “Of course I can have lunch with you. Let me go get my bag, I’ll be right back, okay?” He almost didn’t want to let you go as he watched you speed walk to your office, quickly calling over your shoulder to your boss that you were taking your lunch break.

You hurried back to Peter’s side, immediately lacing your fingers together, your other hand grabbing his bicep and wrapping around his arm as you two walked out. “I’m so happy you stopped by, babe,” you didn’t care how giddy you seemed. Peter took time to pack a lunch for you two and surprise you at work and it had sent you over the moon.

His eyes watched you, seeing how you clung to his side, your excitement clear on your face as you told him about your day. You took a deep breath at the end and looked up at your favorite person in the world. “I’m sorry, I was rambling. I’m just shocked you did this for me. I’ve missed you so much lately and I’m just happy we can spend some time together,” you were gnawing at your bottom lip as you finished.

Peter’s large hands cupped your cheeks, pulling you towards him. When your lips met, your hands fell on his stomach, gently balling into fists with his t-shirt, leaning fully into him. As he deepened the kiss a small moan fell from your lips, realizing how touch starved you’d been recently.

When he pulled away, he didn’t remove his hands, resting his forehead on yours. “I love you so much. I am so sorry we’ve been apart like this for the last few weeks,” you shrugged, kissing his pouty lips gently as you sat on the park bench you had walked to.

“It’s not your fault, Petey. We’ve both been super busy. I’m just happy to spend any time I can with you,” you sighed happily as his arm wrapped around your shoulder, pulling your head towards him, his lips landing on your temple, placing a chaste kiss there. “Alright, I’m starving. What’s for lunch?” His eyes lit up at your question, going to remove two brown sacks from his backpack. “Only the best for my love,” your smile grew as you opened the top and saw a pudding cup sitting there, knowing he packed your favorites.

Peter had felt so guilty about your pure shock and joy about a stupid lunch, he made it his mission to meet you at work for lunch every Wednesday after that. They quickly became your favorite day of the week, waking up and knowing you would have a small sliver of time with Pete.

On a summer Saturday evening, you sat almost naked on the sofa. You felt like you were baking in the 98 degree day, not being able to run the air conditioning, knowing your bill would triple if you even thought about it. Instead you sat in a pair of panties and one of Peter’s oversized t-shirts. All the windows were open, a soft breeze pushing the curtains from the wall every so often. You had a wet towel on the back of your neck that needed to be dipped in cold water again, but the thought of moving an inch made you sweat even more.

You hadn’t moved in an hour when the tv shut off. A groan fell from your lips, searching the couch for the remote. When you finally found it and tried turning it on, nothing happened. Your own reflection stared back at you as you waited for it to turn on, praying it just needed new batteries and that the tv itself hadn’t died. You went towards the kitchen to grab a new set of batteries when you realized the fridge wasn’t giving the constant hum it did when it was running.

“Fuck,” you muttered under your breath, going to grab your phone and call Peter to ask if there was a power outage. When he didn’t answer after the first try you sighed, taking to Twitter instead and seeing that it was the number one trending topic. Massive power outage sweeps New York City on hottest day of the year. Peter was probably going to be out all night helping with emergencies that were sure to come up with a power outage in the middle of summer.

The sun was dipping low in the sky and you knew you needed some form of light. You gathered all the candles you could find, placing them all around the apartment and lit them as you went. A soft glow filled the small space and you groaned, sweat dripping down your neck as you plopped back down onto the couch.

Grabbing the book you had started earlier in the week, you took to reading by candlelight. You hadn’t been reading for too long when the familiar thump on your fire escape sounded through the room, signaling the arrival of your favorite superhero.

You checked your phone showing it was still early in the night and he climbed into the window, removing his mask as he did. “Careful! I have a candle there,” you pointed to the pillar candle by the window that he had almost knocked over and his smile grew with what you knew was relief.

“Hi baby,” he crossed the small space between you two, kissing you as he removed his gloves. “I’m sorry I didn’t call. My phone overheated and died while I was out. Are you okay? How long has the power been out here?” He moved away from you, going to change as he continued asking you questions.

You laughed as he tripped while trying to get a leg out of his suit. “I’m fine, just slowly melting is all. I was watching TV and it went out about an hour ago. I thought it died,” you giggled as he walked back into the room. He had changed into a loose shirt, shorts that hit his mid-thighs that were as pasty as ever, and his hair stuck out in a million different directions.

“Thank god it didn’t,” he sat on the couch, a loud sigh escaping him as he closed his eyes, throwing his head back as it hit the cushions. He took your feet into his lap and peeked an eye open at you. You gently poked him with your toe and set your book on your lap. “Why’re you here so early? Isn’t New York in dire need of superhero help right now?”

He chuckled, hand running up your leg. “Unfortunately, there is absolutely nothing I can do to help with this until they get the power back on. I just wanted to be home so bad tonight and I was worried about you in the dark all night,” your heart flipped as you listened to him talk, watching the veins in his neck move as he continued.

“Have you been reading?” You nodded, showing him the book as he reached out his hand to see what you were entertaining yourself with while he was gone. “Is this another dirty book?” his nose scrunched at the question, reading the summary on the back. Your laugh echoed in the quiet room, snatching the book back from him. “For your information I do not read dirty books,” his eyebrows shot up at that, leaning towards you.

“I strongly disagree with that! I read over your shoulder one time and saw a mention of a certain throbbing member and I haven’t been the same since,” your face burned at his teasing and you shoved him back. “Yeah yeah, whatever,” you mumbled as your eyes went back to the page you had left off on, biting back a smile.

The sun had fully set after a while, leaving you two in only the light that the candles gave in your space. You gave up on trying to read as it was far too dark to continue. Peter had been almost completely silent since he had gotten home. He had his feet up on the ottoman in front of him, your legs in his lap that his hands absentmindedly rubbed as he had his head back, eyes closed and gently dozing off every now and then.

He heard you set the book down with a sigh and he peered over at you, a soft smile coming over him. “I missed you, bug,” you smiled at his words, moving to climb into his lap as he accepted you with open arms. It had cooled down just a bit, the breeze picking up more, having the curtains push even further from the walls, moving around the open space.

You sat on his lap, a leg landing on either side of him. Peter hadn’t changed his position at all, hands settling on your thighs, stroking the bare skin. He had a lazy smirk as he stared up at you, thoughts racing with how lucky he was and how in love he was with you. Pete started humming horribly off key, but you recognized the melody right away.

You leaned forward, resting your forehead against his, humming back. His smile grew, eyes getting wide as an idea formed in his head. He kissed your nose and gently moved you off of him as he got up and went to your room. “Hold on one second, baby,” you laid there waiting for him to return and when he did, you couldn’t hold in the laugh at the sight before you.

Peter came out with a bluetooth speaker in one hand, his phone in the other, your song playing loudly through the small device. He was belting the lyrics to ‘This Magic Moment’ as he set the two items on the counter, moving to you and taking your hand in his, pulling you off the couch.

Your arms crossed behind his neck, his pulling you as close to him as possible, arms wrapping tightly around your waist and lifting you onto his feet as he swayed you both to the melody filling the apartment. His forehead rested on yours, you both savoring the moment, your eyes taking in his features half-lit by the candlelight.

The breeze gently filtered through the apartment, you could only see what the candles illuminated, and you loved the sight in front of you. His eyes were like a deep honey that bored into yours, a smirk gracing his lips as he gently kissed you. Your hands tangled in his locks, his hands splayed across your back, as you took advantage and deepened the kiss.

As the song came to an end and another started playing, Peter made no move to stop, continuing to move you two to the music. Your hands twirled his hair around your fingers, as Peter tilted his head and kissed your cheek. “I’m gonna marry you, you know that?” You bit your lip and nodded, letting him kiss you again.

You didn’t know when it would happen, but until then you savored the little moments you got with him. A life that you wouldn’t trade for the world as long as Peter was by your side.

[harlowsbby]

My little love part 2

“Mommy I missed you mommy I’m happy you’re home.” Kiya laughed her little chubby arms wrapping around your legs. Jack didn’t know how to feel or what to feel I mean he couldn’t really feel anything it wasn’t his place to judge you but he just wanted to know why you never told him.

“I uh baby girl why don’t you go inside I’ll be right there.” Kiya’s big brown eyes sparkled like the night sky as she inspected Jack.

Jack smiled warmly at Kiya and waved at her as he crouched down meeting her height.

“My name’s Jack I’m your mommy’s friend and why’s your name little bug?” Kiya was a bit hesitant at first seeming as this was the first time she’s met Jack but she wasn’t really a shy child.

“Kiya.” She said bashfully before shaking Jack’s hand that he had extended out for her to shake. You were thankful Jack didn’t make the situation as awkward.

“Go inside now baby girl I’ll be right up why don’t you pick a book for us to read.” She nodded before dashing back inside leaving Jack and you on the porch alone. The street lights being the only thing lightening up your faces.

“So you got a kid why didn’t you tell me Y/N I don’t care that you have a kid but why lie to me.” You rubbed your arms the cold crips Atlanta air blowing heavily.

“What was I suppose to say Jack every guy I’ve been with just ends up running away once they find out I have Kiya so it was best to keep her a secret.” He shook his head at you and sighed he was just hurt, hurt that you lied to him and didn’t just tell him the truth.

“I just need a break right now Y/N I’ll hit you up soon ma.” Jack pulled you into him one last time before kissing the top of your head and going back to his car. You watched with sad eyes as he pulled out your driveway maybe you should’ve told Jack about Kiya but you loved Jack and didn’t wanna mess this up but you still somehow managed to mess it up.

“So you’re not messing with her anymore because she has a kid and didn’t tell you?” Druski questioned Jack who just nodded and went back to scrolling through messages of the two of you.

“You know how much of a jackass you sound right now man. She’s a single mother and that isn’t easy and besides I’ve known and know many of single mothers that are afraid of dating because of men like you.”

“What are you on about now Druski she lied to me and didn’t tell me the truth from the jump I can’t be with someone like that.” Druski shook his head at Jack and started collecting his things.

“Where are you going?” Druski paused and looked up at Jack who had a confused look on in his face.

“Do you not hear yourself Jack maybe she was protecting her child from knowing about you or maybe she wasn’t ready for you to know because you’d react the way you’re reacting now. Y/N made you light up and brought back the old Jack but you’re gonna throw that away because she didn’t tell you she had a child, think about it man.” Druski left Jack that night with him deep in his thoughts he knew he was overreacting and should’ve heard you out first before letting his emotions take control.

The following day Jack drove to your house and your sister Nina answered the door. She wasn’t to thrilled at seeing Jack at the door but she didn’t want any problems.

“Can I help you Jack?” She stood in-front of the door with her arms crossed and Jack couldn’t help but to laugh I guess he knew where you got your attitude and sass from.

“Is Y/N here? I just wanna talk to her please.” Nina chuckled before closing the front door.

“What do you want with my sister huh? She doesn’t wanna see you nor hear from you especially after you completely turned her down after finding out she has a child.” Nina sneered at Jack who bit his lip in silence he knew he deserved to be talked to like this because how he reacted was wrong.

“I’m sorry and I regret acting the way please just let me talk to he-.” Jack was cut off by the front door opening again revealing you, he smiled softly at you but you rolled your eyes at him.

“I’ll take it from here Nina.” Nina was hesitant at first but she huffed and nodded before going back inside.

“What do you want Jack and make it quick.”

“Y/N look baby I’m sorry I didn’t mean to act that way I was just taken shocked I just wish you would’ve told me about Kiya sooner. Can you please forgive me because I miss you ma and I wanna get to know Kiya I promise I won’t hurt either of you.” Your lip quivered before you dashed into Jack’s arms he coo’d and rubbed your back brining you into him.

“I love you baby girl and I always will love you, as long as we got each other there’s no need to worry.” You nodded and smiled when Jack brought your face up to his before kissing your lips but the two of you were interrupted by a little somebody.

“Ew mommy is kissing a boy mommy is kissing a boy.” She laughed as she pointed at Jack and You making the two of you laugh.

“Mommy’s allowed to kiss me I’m mommy’s boyfriend.” Jack grinned and crouched down in-front of Kiya again.

Her little chubby hands went up to touch Jack’s cheek before she smiled and hugged him taking you and Jack by surprise but Jack happily returned the hug.

Your family was complete and this is all you could ever ask for and more.

https://harlowsbby.tumblr.com/post/678562779844722688/my-little-love-you-and-jack-have-been-talking-for

[choking-on-tae]

ATEEZ Reaction To: Waking up next to you for the first time

A/N: I wanted to write something soft for these wonderful boys that I love with all my heart. As usual gifs aren't mine and credits to the rightful owners! x

Seonghwa

Seonghwa opens his eyes to find you already staring at him with a fond smile on your face. His heart rate picks up as he feels his cheeks heating up. He tries not to smile but it's impossible when he sees you looking at him like that.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Y/N?"

"Because you're beautiful." You whisper, gently caressing his cheek with your thump.

If Seonghwa wasn't blushing before he sure is now as he chuckles awkwardly, still not used to hearing your compliments. He quickly composes himself as he moves closer to you. His hand on your waist as he nuzzles his nose against yours.

"I want to wake up next to you from now on. I like hearing your compliments in the morning." You roll your eyes at his cheesy words as you softly hit his chest, making him chuckle.

"I love waking up next to you too, Hwa. Let's do this more often."

Hongjoong

Hongjoong smiles when he sees you're still asleep next to him, or at least he thinks you are. He feels his heart flutter as he moves closer, snuggling closer against you and resting his chin on your shoulder. Your soft chuckle lets him know you're awake. "I thought you were still sleeping." He mumbles, holding onto you tighter as he feels your arm gently holding his own.

"No I've been awake for a while, but you looked so cute when you were sleeping and I didn't want to wake you."

Hongjoong's cheeks heat up at you calling him cute and he hides his face in your neck, making you giggle. "You can't say stuff like that in the morning!" He groans.

You turn around in his arms so you're facing him and cross your arms in response. "Oh so I can't call my boyfriend cute?"

"You can! It's just... I didn't expect you to say that."

You chuckle softly when you see his pouty expression and lean in to press a soft kiss against his lips. "Well, you better get used to it because I plan on doing it more often."

Yunho

Yunho is the first person who wakes up. He glances at the clock on the nightstand and is surprised to see that it's already nearly 10 am. When he turns around to look at you he sees your sleepy eyes staring at him, which makes him giggle.

"Ah you look so cute when you wake up!"

You groan in response and hide your face under the covers. Yunho is having none of it as he wraps his body around yours and squeezes you tightly. "My precious Y/N is so cute in the morning!"

"Yunho!" You groan, now feeling your cheeks heat up at his words.

"What? It's true! You should see yourself baby you look absolutely adorable."

You poke your head out from under the covers to see your boyfriend's dashing smile. Finally giving in you lift the covers slightly, giving him room to slide underneath them and to cuddle with you, which he does. Yunho holds you close as he rests his chin on your head.

"It's still early. Let's stay like this for a little longer"

Yeosang

Yeosang feels someone staring at him and so when he opens his eyes, he isn't surprised to see you doing exactly that. "Why are you staring at me, Y/N? Am I that good looking?"

You're surprised by his teasing tone but quickly compose yourself as you lean your head onto your hand, staring at him lovingly. "You are actually. I'm still amazed by how beautiful you actually are."

Now it's Yeosang's turn to feel flustered as he feels his own cheeks heat up at your compliments. He chuckles nervously as he hides his face behind his hands.

"Why are you doing this to me, Y/N? This is so embarrassing!" He laughs, finally removing his hands to look at you. Only to find your face mere inches away from his own. You flash him a charming smile as you lean in to peck his lips softly.

"It's not embarrassing when it's the truth. You're really beautiful, Yeosang. And I hope you know that."

Yeosang smiles softly as he gently takes your face between his hands, staring at you lovingly. "I love you so much Y/N, I hope you know that too."

San

San is a big cuddle bug. We've all seen how much trouble he has waking up so when he actually does, he's holding onto you like a koala. His face buried in your chest as he tightly holds on to your waist. You giggle at his cuteness as you gently run your fingers through his hair. Not knowing that this actually woke him up. He hums softly as he tilts his face slightly so he's able to look at you.

"Good morning beautiful." He mumbles, a warm smile plastered on his face as he stares at you.

You feel your own heart flutter as you stare at your boyfriend. "Good morning Sannie. Did you sleep well?"

"Like a baby. I don't remember the last time I slept this well." You chuckle at his words as you gently caress his cheek, admiring his beauty.

"You know, you're really beautiful San."

He lets out a squeak as he removes himself from your arms, moving up a little higher so he's face to face with you. The blush on his cheeks more evident now that he's so close to you.

"You know, Y/N. So are you." He whispers, slowly leaning in until his lips brush against yours.

Mingi

Mingi hates waking up in the morning and having to leave his bed. That's why most days when he can he stays in it as long as possible. The fact that you're here laying next to him doesn't make it easier for him to get up. You're laying onto your back with Mingi's head laying on your chest. Both of you are awake but neither one of you actually wants to get up and get out of bed. "You're only making it more difficult to get out of bed." Mingi mumbles, breaking the comfortable silence.

You hum in response as you continue running your fingers through his locks. "Because it was already difficult for me to get up, but on free days I got up so I could see you. And now you're already in my bed so there's no point for me to get up."

You chuckle at his words as you pull him up slightly, so you're able to look at him properly. "You do have a point, but we're gonna have to get up eventually if we still wanna see that movie tonight."

Mingi hums in response as he rests his head on your collarbone, pressing a kiss against the skin there. "I know, but for now I want to cuddle some more."

Wooyoung

Wooyoung wakes up before you do, and spends about 5 minutes staring at his surroundings before he gets bored and turns to you. He gently bites your shoulder, making you chuckle. "What are you doing?" Wooyoung flashes you his charming smile as he leans closer to nuzzle his nose against yours. "Good morning, I just wanted you to wake up."

"And you thought biting me was the best option?" "Yeah."

You chuckle at his cuteness as you snuggle closer to him, resting your head on his collarbone. Wooyoung wraps his arm around you as he presses a kiss against your head.

"I like this a lot." He whispers, holding onto you just a little tighter.

"Me too, I should stay the night more often." You whisper back, now fully snuggling him. Wooyoung giggles as he pulls you up a little so you're face to face to him. You stare at him, waiting for him to make the next move, which he does. Wooyoung places his hand on the back of your head and pulls you down till your lips meet his.

Jongho

Jongho's hair is sticking in all directions as he tiredly rubs his eyes. Your heart melts at the cute sight of your boyfriend as you feel yourself smile. Once Jongho looks at you he notices you smiling at him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because you look adorable."

Jongho seems a little taken aback by your words and can't help but blush as your words. "Why?"

You move to sit up straight and pull him closer to you. Jongho raises his eyebrows until he feels your hands pressing down his hair. It's then that he realizes it must look hilarious and he can't suppress a giggle. "You finally realize now?" You ask, fully knowing why he's laughing.

"Yes, sorry it must look very funny."

"No, it's cute!" You say, wrapping your arms around him and pulling him into your chest. Normally Jongho is the one who cuddles you so it surprises him when you pull him into your chest.

You press a soft kiss against his forehead as you lay back down, pulling Jongho with you as you close your eyes again. "Let's stay like this for just a little longer. I like cuddling with you."