#stopping myself at season one here for the sake of going to bed at some point

[elegantmarigold]

I'm going to go off of season 1 archives here, since we don't have enough data points about how far characters/relationships may or may not deteriorate in protocol yet. Anyway:

-S1 archives crew are experienced researchers. (+1 librarian but Martin has his own cleverness to bring to the table, see: the corkscrew exchange). I feel like those skills will at least somewhat translate.

-Sasha in particular is top of her game right now, she's clever and inquisitive. I'd say Jon also falls along those lines despite everything, also he's that stubbornness, if coaxed he's going to take this way too seriously. Tim is pretty reliable in his prime here too, and despite goofing around a bit he'd probably be up to the challenge. For Martin, again the corkscrew exchange, he brings ideas to the table too.

-despite Jon related tension they get along well enough. Also, if this is after colony Jon is much less harsh on Martin but that's definitely a big if. If we're talking pre-colony there might be some disaster moments and putting them together in an enclosed space feels like a bad idea. Tim and sasha are probably chill though.

-OIAR gang have less specialized skills, their job is just "hey read these things and label them"

-That said, they've got the character for it. Sam is earnest and has that inquisitiveness to look for clues. Alice is more clever than she tends to get credit for. Gwen has the stubborn pride too and if prodded she'll be too serious about it, but that hinges on the others. Celia so far seems pretty good at staying calm but also being determined enough to investigate.

-Alice also probably plays around a bit but her, Sam, and Celia are probably all pretty chill with each other. Alice and Gwen are probably going to be a distraction though, even if she drags Gwen in with her prodding they're probably pausing every few minutes to snipe at each other.

-Colin is a sticking point though. He's probably smart enough but he also probably doesn't want to be here and he's been getting real paranoid in the last few episodes. He might find clues but he is NOT going to communicate that. I fear Alice's influence is not enough to fix this, but she'll probably try.

-Also Gwen doesn't seem to work well with other people. She seems like someone who wouldn't like group projects, she's too individualistic and stuck in her ways. 50/50 on whether she does get involved and whether that actually helps.

-Getting Lena and Elias involved is equal points to both sides in brain-power but the vibes are ruined. Gwen would be at Lena's throat so that might be worse, but Elias is not someone anyone in the archives really actively seemed to want to hang out with so I think there's still some level of bringing down the mood.

So anyway both have their own strengths and weaknesses but I feel like OIAR is slightly worse off. Both would be really fun to watch though, because of the actual process and because of the inevitable drama that's going to happen. Do not let my compliments fool you I do in fact believe they're all disasters

enough episodes of protocol are out, let’s stop wasting our time and get to the REAL questions

[thenasoneshots]

Lucifer/Alastor Oneshot - A Tale of Two Dads

Requested?: No

Prompt: None

Type of oneshot: Fluff/Angst

Reader's Relations: Alastor’s ex-girlfriend

Warnings: Spoilers for eps 7-8 of season 1! This was written the say those two came out

Other notes: Don’t ask how I thought of this…Somehow, my brain fixated on these two, and well oneshots is what happens when my brain gets fixated on characters.

-------------------------------

“You absolute bastard, Alastor!” I shouted once he’d shown up at Charlie’s hotel, seven years after leaving, “You leave for seven years and all you have to say is ‘hi’?! Someone hold me back before I fuck his face up!”

“Hello, My Dear, it’s good to see you too.”

“Fuck you,” I retorted, making eye contact with him, in an easy feat due to the fact I was the same height as him. He just smirked at me, using his microphone to lift my chin, an unnecessary thing due to the fact I was already looking at him, “Now now, that’s not the right way to talk to me, is it, My Dear?” I didn’t respond, instead I just growled and tried to punch him continuously, him dodging every blow I attempted to make.

“You should know that’s not going to work, (Y/n).”

“Fuck. Off. Before. I. Kill. You. Myself. Bastard. I’ve had to deal with a child that you-”

“Mama? What’s going on?”

My head immediately shot around to see Alianna standing at the bottom of the stairs, the seven-year-old rubbing her eyes as if she’d just been woken up. I gave Alastor another glare before rushing over, “It’s okay, Sweetie. Nothing you need to worry about,” I spoke, ruffling her red hair.

“You always say that!”

“I say that because most of the time, you don’t need to worry ab-”

Alianna cut me off, asking the question I had wished she would never have to ask, “Is he my Papa?”

If I’d been drinking something, I would definitely have spat it out in shock, “Now now, Ali, that’s something you don’t need to worry about you. You can learn more about your father when you are older.”

She pouted for a few seconds before, “Okay, I’m older!”

I chuckled, “I meant in a few years, now back to bed with you.”

Alianna sighed and nodded, running off back upstairs towards our room in the hotel. I let out a sigh of relief and stood up, turning around, only to have Alastor directly in my face, “For fuck sake, stop doing that, you bastard,” I shouted, punching him in the arm.

“Why should I stop when I get-”

“Were you listening to our conversation?”

“It was kind of hard not to, (Y/n)... I think you owe some people an explanation, and I’d be happy to loosen up your strings a bit if you know what I mean,” I heard Angel’s voice saying before I saw one of his arms dangling in front of my face and, what I guessed was another, on my head.

I rolled my eyes, “How many times, Angel? I’m not interested in you. Stop trying,” I growled, shoving him off me, “But, I guess you’re right about the explanation. This Radio Demon Bastard here,” I paused and pointed over in Alastor’s direction, “Is Alianna’s father. She doesn’t know, so please keep it quiet. I’m begging you.”

“You can always beg more, (Y/n). If you catch me drift…”

“Angel, shut up for once. Not the time for your sexual fantasies.”

------------------------------

“Alianna. No. Get back here right now!” I shouted, running up and pulling her off Lucifer gently, “I am so sorry, Sir. She got out of my sight. I apologise again.”

“It’s alright. She’s cute anyway. Much like her mother.”

I felt my face turn red as I looked away, but before I could say anything, Alastor was in front of me, glaring down at the Short King of Hell, “She’s mine. Get away.”

“Oh really?” Lucifer questioned, before walking around the Radio Demon and up to me, taking my hand in his, “Because there’s nothing on her hand to show she belongs to anyone,” he finished, bringing my hand up with his and kissing it, “But if she really is ‘yours’, she has had ample opportunity to stop my advances, and isn’t so…”

“I do not belong to anyone. You,” I turned and glared at Alastor, “May be Alianna’s father, but it doesn’t mean that I am ‘yours’. As a matter of fact, you lost all rights to even seeing her when you left, so you can just go away and leave me alone!” I shouted.

------------------------

A few days later, I found a(n) (F/c) rubber duck sitting on my bed, along with a note. “I wasn’t messing around when I said you were cute, I meant it. Call me? L.” there was a phone number at the bottom and I giggled. I knew it was probably wrong as he was Charlie’s dad, who was my best friend… But he’d made an impression on me. So I added the number to my phone under the nickname ‘Short King’, and sent a message, “I got your note. Thanks for the duck. How’d you know (F/c) is my favourite colour?”

--------------------------

I groaned in pain as I lay on the ruins of the hotel, after having come face to face with one of the angels, blood seeping from my side. It was just as I was losing consciousness, that I saw a flash of white in front of me, fighting off the angel.

LUCIFER’S POV

Once the angels had retreated, I turned back to (Y/n) to see her unconscious, with blood surrounding her. Immediately, I retracted my wings and knelt beside her, realising she’s been severely wounded, “(Y/n)? Please wake up. You have to. (Y/n), please. I- love you.”

“Dad?”

I looked up to see Charlie standing there, a saddened smile on her face, “You can’t bring her back.”

“Is there nothing?! No one can bring her back?” I asked, despair wreaking through my voice, as I felt tears cascading down my cheeks.

“I’ve got one idea… but it’s a long shot, so don’t get your hopes up,” Charlie replied, running off. She came back a few minutes later, dragging a girl behind her, who seemed to be complaining, “Charlie! I told you, I can heal, but I can’t combat the second death!”

“Just try. For me? Please?”

“I’m telling you, this isn’t going to work if she’s dead, Charlie!”

“Try though? Please, Brianna?”

“Fine, I’ll try, but no one get their hopes up,” the brunette replied as Charlie pulled her over. I noticed Brianna take a deep breath before kneeling on (Y/n)’s other side, cracking her knuckles, “I’ll say it again if she’s truly dead, then this isn’t going to work, but I’m going to need help,” she paused and turned her attention towards me, “May I ask for your help, Sir? This will only work if I have the help of someone she loves.”

“M-me? I-Isn’t there someone else that she loves? Like her daughter?”

The brown-haired demon just chuckled in response, “I mean it’s got to be romantic love, not platonic love.”

“Oh... Wait a minute, do you still want me to help? As much as I hate to say this, shouldn’t you be getting that Radio Demon to help? In the sense that he’s the father of her daughter, therefore she must love him.”

“As a matter of fact. I know she hates me. She lit-”

“Alastor’s right, Dad. You may not have realised, but that duck you gave her has pride of place in her room. Every day she makes a point of dusting it, and no one’s allowed near it. I’m surprised it’s not in a locked box that only she has access to. She wouldn’t have kept it if you didn’t mean anything to her. Plus you deserve to be happy as well,” Charlie spoke, placing a hand on my shoulder and kneeling beside me, “Trust me. You’re the one we need to bring (Y/n) back.”

“Well? Are you going to do this or not? We don’t have much time left.”

With a final boost of confidence from Charlie, I nodded, turning to Brianna, “Okay.”

She smiled, “Okay. In that case, I need you to place both your hands above where her heart is and keep your eyes closed. Can you do that?” I nodded, doing as she asked me, remembering to close my eyes.

YOUR POV

I woke up with a start, and I lifted my head in shock, but before I could say anything, I’d been wrapped in a hug, “(Y/n)!”

“O-oh.. hello, Mr Lucifer. I-It’s good to see you too,” I replied as he continued to squeeze the living Hell out of me, “C-can you let me go though? Personal space.”

“Sorry! I’m just glad you’re okay,” he started, letting me go as his face turned the same colour as his waistcoat, but before I could mention it, Charlie had spoken up, “See, Dad? Told you it was you that she loved.”

“CHARLIE!” I all but screamed, “HOW IN THE ACTUAL HELL DID YOU KNOW THAT?! You better start running. I don’t care if you’re the Princess of Hell, telling someone that your friend has a crush on them is not funny!” I continued, standing up and starting to chase after her, but before I could get too far I felt a gloved hand wrap around my wrist and pull me backwards, spinning me around, before I felt pressure on my lips. It took me a second to process, but once I did I wrapped my arms around the King of Hell’s neck and kissed him back.

“You have nothing to be ashamed of, (Y/n).”

I grinned widely, “Still embarrassing that it took your daughter to get us together though.”

“I have something for you, (Y/n)...”

“Let me guess… is it another rubber duck?” I asked, my voice laden with sarcasm. Lucifer’s face turned red as he looked at me a shocked expression on his face before out of thin air, a small box appeared. Lucifer took it in his hands before handing it to me, “I-I’ve been working on them since I left you the first one… I hope you like them.” I smiled and took the lid off, my eyes widening with glee at the sight of the small family of ducks. Two adults, one a light yellow, the other a (H/c) colour with lashes painted around the eyes, with two baby ducks, one the same colour yellow as the adult, also with eyelashes, and the other a red colour. I giggled at the meaning behind the colours, the adult ducks supposed to represent me and Lucifer, and the two baby ones representing Charlie and Alianna, and hugged the blonde male in front of me, “I love them, thank you. I know exactly where these are going,” I spoke, pecking Lucifer on the cheek after leaning down to do so, whispering in his ear, “Short King.”

“I am not that short!”

“Hmmm. Compared to me, you are,” I smirked, “Now, who wants to rebuild this hotel?”

—------------------------------END OF ONESHOT

The ending was not how I imagined it, but at least it didn’t go over 2000 words… This was originally supposed to have more Alastor x Reader in too, but it didn’t fit with the plot I was going with.

[lilpotatjj]

A/N: took me a bit to finish this but here we go. My first HBO Ellie fic. Hope you like it. It's just cute fluff and some kisses♡

HBO Ellie x Fem!TattooReader (could be season 2 of the series)

Wordcount: 1,5k

Masterlist

♡just one stare♡

"Next!" The canteen waitress can't shout louder for gods sake.

You're waiting in line to get food. Your left arm tattooed, pricked by yourself.

While you wait, you keep feeling glances on the back of your neck, turn around and can't recognize anyone.

When you have your meal you sit down at one of the tables so that you sit rather apart to avoid others. More of a lone wolf, you start to eat as a girl with a braid sits down one table over.

You do not bother anything, as you notice how she constantly stares at you. But WTF is wrong with this girl that she look at you the whole time.

You take a deep breath, finally slam the spoon next to your plate and stand up abruptly. "Why the hell are you staring at me like that?"

"Oh I...I was just staring at your tattoos" She looks at you surprised and yet relaxed.

"Who did you get those from?" You look at your arm. "I made them myself" you grin a little too proudly.

"What!? cool. I'm looking for someone to get me a tattoo. Would you do it?"

"Just like that, with nothing in return? I don't even really know you. Aren't you on patrol now and then?" You just sit back down at your table and continue eating.

"Yeah, I'm rarely out yet. They think I'm too young, but I already shoot better than anyone else." She looks at you, a little annoyed.

"What's your name?"

"Ellie, and you?"

"Y/N" You just keep eating.

"Oh come on. When I get back out I'll see what I can find for you. Then we would be fine" Ellie just sits down across from you and stares you in the face.

"Ok ok alright, but only if you stop staring at me like that!" She jumps up with joy and goes back to her seat, grabs her tray and with a big grin she just sits down at your table to eat her food.

Now you stare at her silently. Unbelievable. How can someone radiate so much positivity.

"Come to my place tonight and we'll just get started. Is it going to be big?" Ellie shows you her arm.

"It's supposed to go all the way up my arm, up here."

"ok there we might need two sessions. It's your first one obviously."

"Ok. I'll see you tonight then!" Excitedly she gets up, leaves your table happily and you can't help but look behind her questioningly. "Jeeez..."

☆Evening☆

With a knock on the door Ellie announces herself. You open it, let her in and Ellie can't help but look around.

"Wow, it's like a tattoo parlor! Awesome!" She can't get out of her amazement, which makes you smile. Oops, yeah gotcha. Well.

"Just sit there on the bed. I'll get everything ready. Let's see your arm" She takes off her jacket and rolls up her sleeve.

"How exactly are you doing that? The color, how does it stay under the skin?" Bella ask curious.

"I pierce the underlying layers of skin with a needle. I don't know how exactly it works, it just works that way." You explain this to her and get a questionable look on her face.

"Sounds kind of painful" She looks at her arm and finally watches every step you take.

"Don't worry, you might feel it a little, but it won't kill you" you have to smirk as she rolls her eyes

"Oh come on...I thought my last hour had come."

You sit down next to her and grab her arm to look at it closely.

"What motive?"

"This one" she holds out her diary, in which she has drawn the motive.

"Ok I would start up here with the moth and then...-" you stroke her arm and notice how she gets goosebumps "-...I work my way down" Ellie notices that you paused for a moment and gets red cheeks.

That's really cute. You catch yourself thinking and trying to collect yourself. Ok ok fuck hold your horses! Now this is all about the tattoo.

You grab the tattoo gun and test before briefly whether everything works.

"So put your arm here on the table. I'll just disinfect your arm"

"Are you okay? ready?" You ask her and Ellie just nods silently. "Ok, I'll start now" the hum of the gun is the only sound that fills the room. Ellie doesn't make a face and looks at her legs all the time. After 10 minutes you ask her again if everything is ok, to which she nods.

After 2 hours the tattoo is half finished. The outer lines are made and finally you cream the whole place gently what gives her goosebumps again.

"Is everything really ok?" Now you are just curious and look at her expectantly but Ellie stands up without saying anything, with too much momentum that she comes threateningly close to you with her face.

She suddenly turns around quickly and thanks you. "See you for the second session. I'll get back to you when I have time." With a slam of the door, she's gone and you don't get a word in edgewise.

"What the hell....!?" You look at the cream in your hand and back at the door.

☆Next day in the cafeteria for breakfast☆

You smack the cream on the table Ellie is sitting at. "You forgot yesterday, silly" this time you sit down at her table.

"Thank you" is the only thing that can be heard softly from her mouth and you look at her silently for a moment.

"So? why did you literally flee yesterday? did I do something wrong?"

"No it's not that. I mean no it's all right. It was just so late and I was very tired. That's all..." she explains and you just raise an eyebrow. "ah ha" with the fork in your mouth you think.

"Then I'll get back on track, I'm on patrol." you were about to get up when Ellie looks at you.

"Wait! ah.." she starts to talk.

"Uhm...w...when can we proceed with the tattoo?" she stutters.

"it has to heal. about 4 weeks" you get up. "I'll let you know when I come to see it. Then we'll see when I can get back to it"

You leave and Ellie looks after you like she hasn't finished speaking.

The days go by and every time you are in the cafeteria, you both exchanged looks at each other, but in a way that neither of you notices.

After about 4 weeks without talking much, you go to Ellie's table.

"how's it looking? show your tattoo" you're so cheeky and just grab her arm. Ellie lets you do it and tolerates your touch, but not without blushing.

"I think this looks very good. You're welcome to come around tonight and I'll finish it for you"

Ellie grins widely and quickly finishes her meal. "I'll see you tonight then!" and she's gone again.

"seriously?

☆Evening☆

You are preparing your things for tattooing when there is a knock at the door. Yup Ellie.

"come in" She sits down on the bed.

"How long will it take today?" Ellie frees her arm.

"about 2 hours" you clean everything again.

"Come a little closer then I can see your arm better" the moment she slides forward to you, you turn away to get your towels and when you turn back you are right in front of her face, feeling her quick breath.

"are you OK?" you whisper unintentionally.

Your eyes widen in surprise when you suddenly feel her lips on yours.

A quick kiss more of a test kiss, which is why Ellie gives you an apologetic look afterwards.

"what..-" you don't get far. "sorry..." She can't even look at you anymore.

"For what?"

She gives you a questioning look and is immediately involved in one of your kisses. This makes it clear what you think of her.

Ellie smiles into the kiss and melts into it. Both of you stop and she looks straight into your eyes. "Whe should start finishing the tattoo" you smile at her and grab your tattoo gun.

Ellie just laughs playfully and puts her arm on the table. "ok and what do we do after that?"

"hang out together?" you grin cheekily and the only thing you can hear is the hum of the gun.

"We're done" You clean her entire arm and put cream on it.

"wow, that looks great!" Ellie looks at her big tattoo. "Thanks!" she looks at you and you clean the rest of your tattoo stuff.

"Unfortunately I couldn't find anything that I can give you in exchange"

"I know something..." you come very close to her and kiss her carefully. "I'll tattoo you again" She looks at you in surprise.

A look at the neck and a cheeky smile does not bode well. You kiss her neck but it turns into a short suck. "hey! what the...!"

Ellie looks at you fiercely and touches her neck. "now you have a temporary tattoo that reminds you of me" you wink at her but Ellie just pouts playfully.

"Nice..." You both start laughing.

[tmrwithyou13]

❆ winter - sunoo oneshot

word count: 1.7k | genre: angst, some fluff | sunoo x male!reader

✮⊹ ࣪ ˖ ‘ Seriously? ‘ I thought to myself. 

I sit up from bed, take a peek by the window, and sigh. I watched the snowflakes slowly fall from the foggy sky, piling up with the snow that was covering the ground like a blanket. 

I despise this gloomy and crispy weather. 

I had school today, so I had to force my freezing self to get up from bed and get ready for school. For fuck’s sake, I wish I was back in my hometown. My hometown was where I could feel the warm embrace of the summer, where I could see the kids chase each other at the beach, leaving footprints on the sand, and where I could see the sun celebrate and shine with the color of yellow. 

I finished brushing my teeth as I wiped my mouth, and then my face. I changed into my uniform as always and grabbed my bag that was hanging by my door. I couldn’t wait to go to school to see… him. 

– SCHOOL –

I open the door going to my classroom, and I’m greeted by my only friend who was hurdled up around my chair, how ridiculous. I love him for it.

“Took you long enough, Rain..” Sunoo scoffs.

I love it when you call my name.

“Oh shut up.” I smile “It’s snowing outside, and I hate it..” “You always seem to hate the snow. It’s the best season!” she chuckles after saying so.

When he did, I wanted to stop time just to see that smile. His name matched who he was. That’s how I described the summer. His smile was my sun. His presence is a warm embrace. Memories with him feel like footprints on the sand. I love you, Sunoo.

“Earth to Rain?” he flicks my forehead. I didn’t even realize I was dozing off like that.

“Right, right.” I look at the whiteboard, slightly embarrassed.

“We should go out later since it’s snowing. We should have a snow fight then go ice skating… maybe the park too?” He leans a bit closer with that smile.

How could I say no to that?“Fine,” I mumble. 

Talking with you made me realize I can never say no to you.

The teacher enters the room, and class begins. And now, I’m stuck in a wave of thoughts.

I’ve been carrying this fondness for him for as long as I can remember. And when I’m about to confess, something always stops me from doing so. When I look at his eyes, I see a reflection of myself and I look like an idiot. I’m a grumpy person. I wasn’t like the shiny and joyous person he was.

But I swear I will confess today. I won’t hold back, even if it means crying in front of you. 

The uneventful day at school ends. Finally - 

We walk out of the class alongside each other.

“Finally. I swear, one more word from Sir and I was going throw my desk at him…” I comment. I never even liked any of the teachers here at all.

“You’re so stubborn, Rain.” Sunoo pouts as we leave the school building. Thank god we weren’t assigned to clean the classroom..

I immediately change my face to a smug one. I hate this snow, really… It’s insufferable. I’m just not used to this. Sunoo, please change my mind after we hang out together.

We arrived at some place full of snow, kids were running around, even chasing each other.

How cute.

This scene reminds me of when I could watch the kids run after their friends by the beach. It was something I wanted to engrave in my mind since I wouldn’t be able to have that same feeling ever again. I miss my warm home. I feel nostalgic.

Sunoo suddenly grabs my wrist and runs through the snow with me behind him. He was laughing, and his eyes were smiling too. Even your eyes could smile, Sunoo.

“C'mon, don’t be such a party pooper and make a damn snowball.” He teases, as he forms a snowball in his hands

Oh shit.

Sunoo throws the snowball right at my face…“AH– ARE YOU FUCKING–” I get cut off by another snowball from Sunoo

“LANGUAGE, THERE’S KIDS!” Sunoo laughs, he runs in another direction, hiding behind a pile of snow

My eyes get irritated. Okay Sunoo, if that’s how you want to play it. 

I scoop some snow, and I try to make the biggest snowball that I can make with my bare hands. I hurriedly look for you amid the fog. Seriously?

I could hear you and some kids laughing, as another snowball was thrown at me by the legs. I quickly throw the snowball back at him.

I run to you, “Dammit, Sunoo... You’re so childish” I jokingly remark. The kids run away, laughing and chasing eachother as usual. I don’t even know who they are, but I assume you were friends with them. I kneel to you with my knees dug through the snow. He laughs harder, followed by my laugh. 

I didn’t want to stop laughing with you because I felt so content in this moment. I love this memory with you, so I’ll keep my heart open for it. I think I’m falling for you even more, I’m sorry.

I stand up and grab your arm, “Get up, you energetic thing.” I scoff after saying so.

He gets up, with a smile again. He really was a ray of sunshine. A smile tugs at the corner of my lips at the sight of you.

Snowball fighting with you made me realize how much I wanted to lay next to you every day.

“Okay, next stop! Ice skating!” He says with his hands on his hips. He looked like a superhero in that stance. Yes, you are my hero, Sunoo. 

We stopped by the Ice Skating rink, there were professional ice skaters and I felt so intimidated by it.. They were so flawless and perfect with it, so elegant. Like a swan. 

He enters the rink, with a polar bear for support. The struggle was visible… this will be a problem for both of us. 

“Well..” He mumbles

“Well?” I scoff as the white breath comes out of my mouth.

“Just hold on to that polar bear, sucker.” I chuckle after. “I paid extra for that, you know?”

“You’re so mean!” He lightly hits my shoulder with his one hand

“Fine, fine. Hold me, and we’ll ice skate away.” I slightly smile

He puts himself behind me, as he lays his hands on the back of my shoulders, supporting himself. Can we stay like this forever? 

“Go!” He says. I slowly skate, if I went any faster, both of us would fall.

“Why are you so slow…” He says in a ‘i-need-princess-treatment’ tone. 

“Don’t be sassy. You’ll fall if we go any faster.” 

“Go quick!” He says in a cocky tone “We won’t fall, trust!” He laughs

“I swear…” I say in a teasing yet irritated voice 

I went quickly, and we actually didn’t fall. This is so ridiculous but… I didn’t care. Atleast I was being ridiculous with you right now. I felt the breeze on my face, I could feel my face becoming numb as I kept skating. 

  I feel infinite, Sunoo. “I feel infinite, Sunoo.” I said that out loud.

..

“I feel infinite with you too, Rain.” He said followed by the sweetest laugh I’ve ever heard.

Suddenly, I don’t regret saying that out loud. I always felt like I could tell you everything without a filter and you’d still have something to say. And at this moment, Sunoo, I want to spend all of my seasons with you whether it be the season I hate most.

The guy who was in charge of the rink said our time was over. Sigh.

“That was pretty fun.” I scoff

“That’s my first time hearing you say anything was fun… I’m astonished.” He teases

I roll my eyes, “Yeah okay, you make it sound like I don’t feel emotions.” I say as we both remove our ice skates and go back to our school shoes. “Can we just go to the park already?  I feel like I’m about to get a frostbite.”

Skating with you made me realize that I wanted you to hold me and that I wanted to feel infinite with you.

- PARK -

We sit on the bench together, it was already night time so it was extra cold.. I couldn’t feel my face. I couldn’t feel my hands either. 

The white blanket of snow piles up even more and the snowflakes fall elegantly as I watch you look up at the stars.

Time stopped for a bit. You were as soft as a melody, as bright as the sun rays, as lovely as the spring that arrives before the winter, and as warm as the summer beach I spent my days in. Honestly, I didn’t know it was this hard to tell you how I feel. I thought I could just say it. 

Looking at you at this moment made me realize I will love winter because I get to spend it with you. 

“The stars are beautiful tonight, Rain.” He continues to look up at the perfectly dark blue sky, his pink hair flawlessly falling.

“I agree.” I keep your face in the frame of my eyes. 

I want to live the rest of my life with you. I want to have snowball fights with you again. I want to ice skate with you holding onto my shoulders again. I want to sit next to you in school every day. I want to wake up to your voice. I want to look out the window and see you waiting for me just to walk together to school. Sunoo, “I love you.”

I said it out loud.

He looks at me.

Don’t look at me like that, Sunoo. 

It was silent.

“I don’t love you like that.” His smile slowly fades, he stands up.

5 minutes.

Please, lord. 5 more minutes.

Maybe in 5 minutes, you’ll change your mind.

Maybe in 5 minutes, you’ll love me.

Maybe in 5 minutes, you’ll catch me in a warm embrace.

Sunoo looks at me like it is the final time.

When did it feel this awkward? ‘Ahem’ Sunoo lets out.

“I.. don’t really know what to say. I don’t love you. We’re just friends and.. you’re a boy. Goodnight.”

I watch you walk away from me. Not even a smile. In fact, it was a look of disgust.

I don’t know what to do.

I hate winter.

—

heeyyy, this is my first oneshot and I hope it meets the people's expectations. English isn't my first language, but I would love to write more stories in that language ^_^ THIS IS VERY RUSSSHHEEDDD!!!!! thank you for taking the time to read this, give me more recommendations or ideaaasss!!

[punkscowardschampions]

GC, Ronali & Cali

Ali: Who’s gonna fill me in on what I’ve been missing out on/did any of yous care I might’ve been 💀

Ali: Carls not included, of course 😘

Ronan: ‘Course we did

Ronan: not much you’ve missed is all

Carly: told u 🥱😴💀👻

Ali: Boo 👎

Ali: is it not the season, like

Ronan: Barely, like

Ronan: cut us some slack

Carly: no we shan’t

Ali: oh mein gott

Ali: it’s actually THE most festive night of the season, you’ve just reminded me Ro

Ronan: What? You’ve lost me

Bartley: Is she speaking German

Ali: Barely, like

Ali: you don’t know about Krampusnacht?

Ronan: Are you on about [insert some crap krampus horror film you think she’s talking about cos they exist]

Ali: Yeah but it’s not just a film, boy

Ali: it’s folklore, so tonight 🎅 & 👹 come, if you’ve been good, you’ll have a present from 🎅 if you’ve been bad, 👹 will get ya

Ali: [tell them about the Krampus run vibe and how it’s an excuse to get pissed and scare people, in a nutshell lol] so…

Ronan: Ah, now I get it

Ali: Did you keep your costume, you’ve got a headstart if you did

Bartley: Once again mine is useless

Carly: my ma’s for sure a whip yous can borrow 🎅👹😈❤️

Ali: See, resourceful

Ali: sure [Halloween pop-up girl] sold you a lasso

Moses: Sharing is caring

Carly: tis the season 🎁🎁

Bartley: I thought you had a boyfriend, Ali

Ali: What’s that got to do with anything?

Moses: Where’s your sense of fun, Bart

Ronan: He only means what’ll he, if not your parents, say about partying for a made up holiday

Carly: made up when yous dont wanna party

Carly: any excuse when yous do

Ali: Honestly, like

Ali: if no one is bothered, I’ll take the party elsewhere, no big

Carly: it’ll be fun eejits 🎅🎁👹🔔⛓🌜😈🐐

Moses: Ignore them, it’s a party, ‘course, where else would you want to be, really

Ronan: It weren’t a no

Ali: the enthusiasm I love to see

Carly: what a day when im w mosey boy

Carly: never thought I’d see it again

Bartley: didn’t you say that last time

Carly: have u something to say yourself boy?

Bartley: I just said it

Moses: 🤣 fuck’s sake, calm down children

Ronan: I am calm

Ronan: confused as to what’s going on or not now though

Bartley: that’s new

Ronan: Who got you out of bed on the wrong side?

Ali: let’s not, a fake holiday is not worth the aggro

Bartley: Fine by me

Moses: Jesus, you really are in a pissy mood, boy

Johnny: Leave him be, taking the piss’ll make it no better

Moses: A party’d sort you out

Moses: all work no play, as they say

Johnny: Enough, least he pulls his weight on jobs

Johnny: you want to worry yourself less about parties little girls throw

Moses: I don’t pull my weight? How come I got picked for [a job, idk, but you know the vibes lol] and you didn’t?

Johnny: How come you reckon you’re to air our business here when it’s no place? Sort yourself out and find me where you’ve the knowing I’ll be if you’ve something more to say when there’s no girls listening

Moses: I’m not trying to talk to you

Moses: and no one else is trying to talk about work but you

Johnny: What you’re trying to do is lead my brother astray how you did your own

Ronan: Come on, don’t let’s fight

Bartley: Yeah, stop it

Ronan: Ali, if the party goes ahead and I’m still invited, count me in

Ali: not going to be accused of not being able to read a room that much, like

Ali: but I’ll be sure to catch you soon

Ronan: [private @ Ali]

Ronan: What was all that? Do you have a clue?

Ali: Maybe I really did bring demonic vibes to the chat because no, not really

Ronan: I had myself crossed you coming back would be a different vibe, yeah

Ali: Sorry

Ali: if it’s consolation at all, that’s mutual

Ronan: Some

Ali: you’ve forgotten how boring school is, that’s the problem

Ali: lost so many IQ points forcing myself in that place every day

Ronan: Every day? I don’t believe it

Ali: Alright, alright but Carly really did need me that day

Ali: compared to my usual, gold stars all ‘round, like

Ronan: What’s wrong with Carls

Ronan: she seemed grand then, unlike the rest

Ali: Girl problems

Ali: I thought all that might be family troubles, hence I kept myself tactfully quiet

Ronan: No one’s told me of troubles but I’d be last to hear

Ali: ah, look, I’m probably way off and it’s just me coming around again pissing them off

Ali: long as you’re more pleased to hear off me than you gave out at first?

Ronan: I didn’t mean nothing by calling it a made up holiday

Ronan: I’ve missed hearing off you

Ali: I know you didn’t, we’re all good

Ali: it’s been so weird, not coming ‘round here

Ronan: Been as bad not having you

Ronan: as you can see

Ali: Be why I was trying to bring you the party

Ali: but it’ll wait

Ronan: It shouldn’t

Ronan: Moses had his point, who can be in a mood and have a face on in the middle of a party

Ali: He would think so

Ali: I don’t want to piss off Bartley and Johnny though

Ronan: The one’s that way through no fault of yours and the other’ll cheer up for it, trust us

Ali: Should you try talking to Bart or is that the worst idea ever

Ali: worse than switches and forked tongues, even

Ronan: I’ll give it a lash

Ali: You might wake up to a present yet, boy

Ronan: What’ll it be?

Ronan: and don’t say a surprise

Ali: 🍊🪙is probably traditional

Ali: you’d rather coal, I bet, or a surprise 

Ronan: You can decide on what you reckon my saving the party is worth, was your good idea in the 1st place

Ali: You really want to?

Ronan: Yeah

Ali: and obviously I’m gonna bring way better presents, you knew that right

Ronan: Might’ve crossed my mind

Ali: ‘tis the season 🎀

Ronan: Have you watched [more bad krampus films]

Ali: [tell him the ones you have from that list but some you have not]

Ali: I could definitely make a better one tonight though 📹😱🩸

Ronan: Find me whenever you’re after being filmed, I’ll do it for you

Ali: Okay Mr. Director

Ali: it’s a shame how well your name lends itself to a Roman Polanski ref because it’s not a compliment 

Ronan: Am I best not to look up who he is?

Ali: In your defence, you’re allowed to date teenage girls

Ronan: Right, he’s that sort

Ronan: someone should’ve filmed him strung up by the balls

Ali: There’s still time, along with the rest still working

Ronan: Gonna need to give us a minute

Ali: 📜🔪⏱

Ali: you can have the night off, as you’re coming to my party

Ronan: You’re having it then

Ali: things can’t be made worse by it, can they

Ronan: Nah, I don’t reckon so

Ali: Blame you entirely if it’s not so then, yeah?

Ronan: Yeah

Ali: 💛 you wanna be on the nice list so bad

Ronan: I’d be a dope to wanna be on the other tonight

Ali: 👹 not a fan?

Ronan: Be a list who’d volunteer if I was after being beaten up without 👹 busying himself

Ali: Never

Ronan: Join us in the nice corner, like

Ali: I don’t know if that’s a possibility 

Ali: but I have banked a whole fortnight so we’ll see

Ronan: You’ve a start made

Ali: 😇 make heaven yet

Ronan: Gates are staying closed a long time with all the living you’re yet to do, getting ahead of yourself there, girl

Ali: no 💀 wish

Ali: just

Ronan: Just?

Ali: Sorry, that was ominous

Ali: nothing important

Ronan: Or nothing you want tell me

Ali: I’ve just missed you all

Ronan: Least you never forgot all of us

Ali: am I 👩‍🦳, boy?

Ronan: Taken like you are now

Ali: Hardly

Ronan: What’s hardly to mean

Ali: I’m not 🤰💍🤱

Ronan: I wasn’t saying that, going there

Ronan: you who called him your boyfriend, don’t it matter?

Ali: It matters how?

Ronan: To you and to how you act

Ali: I can still party

Ronan: Well, I’ll talk to my moody cousin and get the party brought

Ali: I can

Ronan: I don’t know his mood’d be improved but go for it

Ali: Dunno about that either but least I can do

Ronan: You’ve done nothing to upset him far as I can tell

Ali: Everyone just gets lairy in group chats, sure it’s nothing more

Ronan: Maybe he’s been working too hard, everyone heard that said

Ali: Oh, I thought you meant Bartley

Ronan: I do, who else would I?

Ali: like you’ve not so many cousins, cut me some slack

Ronan: Could always be more

Ronan: [and tell her about some other peeps you know who have loads more than you]

Ali: Crazy I could have that many

Ali: but my parents families aren’t exactly around, they don’t feel real even if they exist

Ronan: We’re all of us within shouting range here, I can’t think what you having family you don’t see must be like

Ali: I feel sorry for my daddy, he never wanted to leave his brothers and sisters

Ali: just how it is though, for me, always has been

Ronan: ‘Til we arrange our roadtrip for you to go and stay 

Ali: 😁 ‘til then

Ali: awkward if they all suck

Ronan: Bad craic and odds if it’s all of ‘em, yeah

Ronan: yours are both good enough to make the amends for it though, I reckon, and pick up any slack

Ali: when’d you get so good at pep talks, damn

Ronan: I dunno that I am really

Ali: I’d not lie to you

Ronan: I’ve alright odds for getting the party back on track then

Ronan: just give him his own

Ali: Godspeed, Ro

Ronan: Be grand

Ronan: have yourself ready for your fake holiday when wes show up later on

Ali: do you even know me

Ronan: I’ve some knowing of you, sure

Ali: then you know dressing up is half the fun

Ronan: Were on halloween

Ali: see

Ali: your costume was sick

Ronan: We might’ve left a 👿 mask over somewhere, see if I can’t wow you again

Ronan: [speaking of trying to impress her talk about what you currently have in your fireworks stash and what you could feasibly get in the short notice of this impromptu affair]

Ali: my kid brother is not invited this time so 🤩🤩🤩

Ronan: Between us we’ll give him something to watch from his window so’s he’s not left out

Ali: you’re adorable

Ronan: I know the aggro when they are, ‘course I’d spare you

Ali: can blame himself for his previous making it a no-go

Ali: learn him a lesson

Ronan: Would’ve had you down as a more fun sister

Ali: Wow, shocking 

Ronan: No harm done, ah come on, could let him have his invite

Ali: it’s my parents not me!

Ali: also who do you propose looks after him all night, boy, ‘cos I know it wouldn’t be you

Ronan: Carls

Ronan: do you not trust her to?

Ali: I don’t think that’s how she wants to spend her evening

Ronan: She spent ages with him at your last party, what’s the difference

Ronan: and won’t your brother who likes doing women’s work be there?

Ali: that’s a new one, he’ll like it, so retro

Ali: and he’ll be keeping his keen friend away from Bart, like

Ronan: There’s why you’re the smart one, you’ve only gone and solved what his pissy mood must be about

Ronan: I’d forgot her

Ali: Mhmm, he’s wishing she’d forget him sharpish 

Ronan: Ha

Ali: You could do the right thing and distract her yourself

Ronan: Distract her how, she’s keen on him not us

Ali: You don’t think you could change her mind, come on

Ronan: Nah, I don’t

Ali: you could

Ali: but I’m also just messing around, obvs

Ronan: You reckon?

Ali: Totally

Ronan: If I weren’t messing myself, like

Ali: there’s so much else for us to be getting on with 🎇💥🎆

Ronan: True enough

Ali: can’t let me down now

Ronan: Never

Ali: You’re the best

Ronan: Give over

Ali: sorry sorry, lack of socialisation getting me cheesy

Ronan: Your boyfriend coming this time?

Ali: Do you think I’m making him up?

Ronan: I’m asking when’s he gonna prove he exists if you’re not

Ali: coming for me hardcore tonight, I see how it is

Ronan: Or him, why don’t he wanna be at your party, all your parties

Ali: shy is going to sound like a copout at this point

Ronan: It does

Ronan: girl who’s mates with your brother is shy, she still parties when you throw ‘em

Ali: He just prefers alone time, idk, it doesn’t bother me that he doesn’t want to be at my parties

Ronan: Aren’t you bothered about him meeting your friends?

Ali: would you be?

Ronan: I’ve no girlfriend

Ali: if you did, would you want her to meet all that lot

Ronan: Isn’t how we do things

Ali: yeah, there you go

Ronan: There I go, but it’s different for you

Ali: girls usually only intro their boyfriends if they want to show off, in my experience

Ronan: He’s not worth showing off, is it?

Ronan: say no more

Ali: Ha ha, dickhead

Ali: some things make for good secrets, that’s it

Ronan: If you’d rather keep secrets

Ali: if you’d been given the choice, wouldn’t you have rather no one knew about you and Carly?

Ronan: Me and Carly was shaming

Ali: would it have been if not for everything Moses did

Ronan: Would’ve been a mistake still

Ronan: is your boyfriend that?

Ali: no, I like him

Ronan: What’s the sense keeping secret and away someone you like?

Ronan: I don’t get it

Ali: He’s older, alright

Ali: old enough he’d get in trouble

Ronan: Old enough he’s the need to be strung up himself, like?

Ali: nah, still a teenager

Ali: but you know how my kind can be if the mood takes

Ronan: Where’d yous meet, school? Be why you’ve been going in regular

Ali: that was all down to my ma, trust me

Ronan: If you say so, I do

Ali: he doesn’t go to my school, I don’t get to see him much

Ronan: Don’t he drive?

Ali: he does

Ali: but when I’ve school I HAVE to go to and we’ve both jobs, barely any time really, what I meant

Ronan: Your ma’ll ease up now you’ve behaved, she’s not banned the party

Ali: she would if she knew of him

Ronan: None of us’ll tell her, even Barty boy at his sulkiest and he won’t be when I’ve finished

Ali: I appreciate it, you know that, yeah

Ronan: Carls might want watching when she’s a state but it’s nothing you don’t know yourself

Ali: She’s cool

Ronan: No troubles is what I like to hear

Ali: You and me both, boy

Ronan: I’d hate for you to be off the minute you’re back

Ali: No way

Ali: unless I get a better offer, of course

Ronan: I was the best earlier

Ali: and I had all the faith in you that you didn’t yourself

Ronan: Keep it, unless your secrets are weighing you down

Ali: You’re acting like it’s weird but think about it, you never told anyone what happened between us

Ronan: To do you a favour, he’s the man you’re not to protect him it’s the other way ‘round

Ali: it does me a favour too

Ronan: With your mammy but as I’ve said none of us are snitches

Ali: so what favour were you doing me?

Ronan: Of Moses not treating you the way he does Carly

Ali: I can handle Moses

Ronan: You’ve no need to with how I handled it

Ali: Sure but you get my point

Ronan: Yeah

Ali: you don’t want him to come to the party?

Ronan: When did I say he’s not to come?

Ali: I’m asking

Ronan: I’m cool with him, I dunno why you’d ask

Ali: Okay

Ronan: Right then, I’ve a cousin to find and fireworks to source

Ali: In a bit then

Ali: [Private to Carly]

Ali: Well

Ali: that was tense

Carly: - craic all round ☔️🥀

Carly: cept your boy making himself known to tell mosey to shh 😅

Ali: wasn’t expecting a banner or anything but damn

Ali: he’s probably pissed off with me now too

Carly: why youre talking to me instead of him 👀 none taken baby

Carly: & you can always have your banner off us 🥳🥁🏆🎊✨🎉🎈🎁

Ali: I wanted to check on you, actually, shh

Carly: im grand

Ali: that was a dick move from him

Carly: used to moves like that & its nothing a party won’t fix

Ali: he seems really bothered, too bothered to just be business as usual

Carly: I got too in his & hes 😤😠😡🤬 @ me

Ali: in his head

Carly: idk

Carly: werent far enough to find sense still 😵‍💫🙃🤯

Ali: boys are so confusing 

Carly: ive never had the knowing of a boy so 🥵🧲😈🔥🧨💥 to 🥶🧊🍦❄️⛄️

Ali: conflicted comes with the territory, sadly

Ali: does he want what his body is saying he wants or what his head is telling him he should

Carly: w them 2 the other 2 acted on what they wanted

Carly: no chance of whiplash like only different injuries

Ali: do you reckon you’d rather

Ali: or it’s a ❌ for all of them for now

Carly: spite of what hes putting about in the groupchat I’d never go back esp not crawling to moses, my god

Carly: ive sense I was born w if no more

Ali: you know I’m not judging

Ali: I remember all too well what 🥶🧊🍦❄️⛄️ was like to act otherwise

Carly: moses true colours arent ❤️🍄🧡🐅💛🌞💚🍀💙🧿💜🔮

Carly: his 🥵🧲😈🔥🧨💥 scares me, what he’s said & i know he’d do

Ali: I won’t let him

Ali: and he doesn’t need to come

Carly: im in no danger @ this distance & thats to include if he comes

Carly: idm

Ali: only if Johnny comes which he never will

Carly: theyve 💪🥊🤕 from 👶👶 nothing’ll get em to quit never

Ali: too much difference between them

Ali: it happens

Carly: look @ my ma & me 🍏 & 🍊 to be sure

Carly: we’ve only no bad 🩸🩸 cos I let none spill

Ali: I know, problem is Moses is made to be his when there’s nothing to be done

Carly: maybe he’ll outgrow it some as an elder, hes time to

Ali: never say never

Carly: I did ⬆️ but I take it back 💙🧿💙

Carly: & 🙏💙🔮💜🤞🌠 on everything they’ll find their peace of sorts 1 day

Ali: you don’t owe nice

Carly: u sound like bb when hed have me leave my ma for 💀👻

Ali: that’s your mother, like

Ali: nothing is that simple

Carly: he dont know complicated, his cooks & cleans for him when hes home from a long day working w his daddy 🍀🐇🌠🎲

Ali: their parents seem really sound, from what I’ve been told and seen around

Carly: I love his mammy shes really nice to me 🦘👑💎🌞🐻😇🐘

Carly: not that she would b if she’d found me in his van but hey for now shes 

Ali: I wish I could know her

Ali: have you been back to his since?

Carly: how we left things hes probably moved his spare 🔑 since

Carly: wouldnt blame him but Ive not got it in me to check

Ali: I wouldn’t be able to either

Carly: i’ve already been knocked 🤢🤮 giving up everything for him to still call me mental the same as if I never

Ali: what about your proper meds?

Carly: ive my knowing of the date cos u said it idk

Ali: no wonder you feel 🤢🤮 babe, you have to taper that shit if you wanna go off it or your body is gonna go crazy

Carly: oh

Carly: so maybe hes right & I am ❤️🐇🐛☕️🌹

Carly: ah no the 🎢 is me

Ali: well, he could’ve definitely still been a prick, no need to rule it out but yeah

Ali: we’re to get an appointment and the doc will tell you how to get off ‘em and not feel insane/terrible

Carly: am I to get off em?

Carly: should I?

Ali: do you want to or did Bartley tell you to?

Carly: idk if he’s knowing about 💊👨‍⚕️ i dont remember ever telling him it werent all from cavante

Ali: he could’ve misunderstood, saying to stop them is more reasonable if simplistic 

Ali: I’m not going to go and smack him one anyway

Carly: is erin coming tonight cos he’ll be 👀 for me to smack her

Carly: I’ve memory of saying so

Ali: I’ll get Tommy to put her off

Ali: no 👊 needed

Carly: I cant 👊 you’d have to do it 🦋🐝

Ali: I’d begrudge it when Moses and now Bart have been nos, like

Carly: if I talk to him either @ the party or before & hes in a worse mood for it please please don’t be 😤😠😡🤬 @ me too

Ali: of course not

Ali: the bad vibes are nothing if not appropriate, I guess

Carly: theyre my fault & its your 1st party since ur ma got 😤😠😡🤬

Carly: i feel so bad

Ali: you feel bad because you’re poorly

Ali: we can just cancel the party

Carly: no feckin way r we 🎅🎁👹🔔⛓🌜😈🐐

Carly: i’ll drag myself to yours if ive to & bring the deadliest party on my own

Ali: well, we can’t have you getting gravel burn

Carly: wouldnt be the 1st time but the most worth it of many a

Ali: okay, okay, no party💩ing, promise

Carly: yay

Ali: though I am going to have to brave talking to Johnny now, as you’ve brought up gravel burn, so, give me all the luck I need

Carly: you dont need none he loves u

Ali: maybe he’ll talk to his brother

Ali: though I don’t think Bart would tell him the truth? Idk, still might make him feel a bit better

Carly: I’d bet hes as wes talking

Ali: yeah, he will be

Ali: I’ll not bother him for a bit, be good

Carly: might be they’re 🍻🎱🎯 down the local

Carly: name a lad who wouldn’t be 😁 by it ☔️☀️🌈

Ali: a shout

Ali: I’d be 

Carly: me too but only if theyve 🎵🎶 & not just 👴🍺🚬 ive often that craic waiting @ home

Ali: no music no party

Carly: your 🎤🍯💛‘d get it going anywhere

Carly: sing tonight & everything’ll turn round

Ali: I’ll sing for you, how about that

Carly: do you mean to?

Ali: Yep

Ali: whatever you like

Carly: I’ll sing for you too then though I’ve nowhere the power you’ve

Carly: weve to stick together & combine our 🌑🌌🔮🌠🎱🎇💣🌌🌑 all we can when it’s shite & wrong, how u said

Ali: 🐇🐣🦋🌼 soft power all of your own

Ali: 🔁 always

Carly: ive felt im a trapped 🦋🐞🐜🐛 climbing walls

Carly: after ripping my wings or legs off like

Ali: we’ll get it in the morning, okay, first thing

Carly: dr’ll be 😤😠😡🤬 @ me

Ali: they just don’t know how to talk to people nice, not like nurses, I’ll be there and do the talking, so they know how upset you are and struggling

Carly: he cant be told that, he’ll away me to somewhere like your brother is

Ali: no he won’t, not for that

Ali: you can tell me what you want me to say but trust me, they don’t have the space to be putting everyone with struggles in there

Carly: [her mum’s name] says I’m to keep my gob shut or lie if its to be open & all I do’s make her look bad telling I’ve struggles at all

Ali: It isn’t about her, it’s your brain and your feelings

Carly: yea but she’ll be v 😤😠😡🤬 if we go

Ali: we’ll say we’ve gone for me then

Carly: k that’ll work

Ali: it’s all in hand

Ali: and you’ll feel all the better for it

Carly: I wont have to speak to him you’ll do it?

Ali: Yep

Carly: k 💛

Carly: drag myself there next 🍓🩸

Ali: 🚲 us there

Carly: ilysm id carry u

Ali: I love you too

Carly: I wish you could talk to that boy how u are the dr

Carly: youd find words to put to whats wrong w us & they’d be right 1s not like what comes out of me all wrong

Ali: If I thought he’d appreciate that and not be full 😤😠😡🤬 at the lack of privacy

Carly: I just want him to understand

Carly: when he asked me what I shouldve said so

Ali: you weren’t in a good headspace, the fact you got any words out to make sense is impressive enough given

Carly: he were impressed by my 🧽✨🧼🧺🧹🥄🍴🍳 anyway 

Carly: least that sort of mental has its use

Ali: Of course he was

Ali: they’d have gorja girls so incapable we don’t know how to work a microwave, bless ‘em

Carly: my ma’s example doing nothing ever to change their way of thinking

Ali: but she’s really got the aesthetic, eh

Carly: ah that what we’re calling it now?

Carly: of all the cultures to take from what matters the least she didn’t bother herself to venture far from the front door

Ali: suppose I’m not to talk when I’m trying to think of a Krampus costume but yeah

Carly: but no youve an important point

Carly: what are we to wear? he told me I looked nice when I dressed for him

Ali: you could go full 🤶?

Carly: feels too erin idk

Ali: right, we need to workshop that

Carly: im still me w out 🍭🍬🚬🌿🌼🍄

Carly: or I hope ive some personality underneath

Ali: of course you are, you’re always the youiest you

Carly: heads together 🧠💫🧠

Carly: we’ve need to be of a mind to shut em up calling u 🥱😴💀👻 for being taken by ur man johno while we’re about it 

Ali: do you think I am

Carly: don’t u be daft!

Carly: theyre gobshites

Carly: ro for his jealousy, moses to stir & bb cos of my carry on

Ali: I know I’m different but I don’t know how to act as if I’m not

Carly: you’ve no cause to act no way for them lot

Carly: youre magic as is & theres nothing in all whats unreal to b changed

Ali: 💜💜💜

Carly: 💛👼💡👩🏼‍🎤🌟🐱🧚‍♀️🏆✨🐝🧙🏼‍♀️🌞🦁🌻👑🌝🧜🏼‍♀️🍯🎇👩🏼‍🚀

Ali: You’re my best friend

Carly: i’d never had 1 before & now I dont want another ever ever again but u

Ali: you better not replace me

Carly: w who? erin? or your neighbour girl?

Ali: yeah, exactly

Ali: you’re too smart to waste your time

Carly: youre the only 1 to say im smart & not mean it as slagging

Ali: people are dumb if they don’t see it in you

Carly: or blind by ur 💡🌝💫🌞🌠🎇🌟🌜✨��⚡️☄️

Ali: i’ll go 🖤 with my outfit, you shine solo

Carly: I’m not after no solo spotlight, duet or never

Ali: 💞 it is

Ali: but there’s a lot I need to cover for real

Carly: & lots im to get out since im no longer ❤️💜💙

Ali: fur bikini for sure

Carly: sure id win @ 🥶🧊🍦❄️⛄️

Ali: they’d all be 🥵🧲😈🔥🧨💥 but right so they��ve not earnt it

Carly: if his attention could be earned id try it

Ali: he’s paying attention, fuming or otherwise

Carly: how many drinks in him before I give mine?

Carly: 🍺🍺🍺? 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺?

Ali: 🍺🍺🍺

Ali: too much could go badly as easily as it could go well

Carly: & we’ve no knowing if theyve started yet

Ali: I’ll ask Johnny for you

Carly: as you’ve to talk yourselves, yea

Ali: 🤞🤞🤞

Carly: 🌑🌌🙏💙🔮💜🤞🌠🍀🐇🎱🎲🎇💣🌌🌑

[xclxgdx]

Chapter 1 of my book has been published!!!

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! The alarm sounded rudely, awakening me from the deepest sleep of my life. I reached across the white sheets towards my side table to silence it. My head pounded. I was hungover. Again.

My mouth was dry, and my vision was blurred. That's the last time I get into a tequila drinking competition with the whole of my boyfriend's fraternity. I chuckled to myself, "Oh, for fuck's sake, I can't believe I did that," I reminisced on jumping into the pool fully clothed. It was only supposed to be a small gathering; I said I'd only stop for a few drinks. My Boyfriend – Dylan, is a part of the Xi Alpha Upsilon fraternity as well as the lacrosse captain. They throw some of the best parties on campus. Almost everyone on campus has been in the Xi Alpha house at some point, and I had a season pass to enter whenever I wanted. It's like an investment. Apart from, you know, being in love. I date a member of one of the most popular frats on campus, and I get access to any party on campus. And dating Dylan had granted me the honour of being crowned the Xi Alpha Upsilon party princess. Not a real title that carried any responsibility other than status and a plastic party crown, but it felt nice being beloved.

It's not like i'm some massive party animal or something. I don't get drunk at every party, but I'm in college, and I've just turned 21. I'm going to party while I can. And I'm good at it. I'm really good at partying. And it's not just the drinking. It's the music, dancing, everyone's having fun, and the deep nonsense conversations you get into while drinking are unmatched. I've made some of my best friends in the club's bathroom. And I have a person for everything. Need a locksmith? I know a guy. You need a bundle of horsehair? I know a guy. Or I know a guy who knows a guy. And I met them all at the club or in someone's living room at 4am. So, I guess it's like networking? I think that makes sense, seeming that I'm a communications major. A major I took as it seemed the easiest and required the least amount of work, but actually, as it turns out, I'm a natural.

I manage to peel myself out of bed without making my headache worse. No time to shower. I throw on the leggings and sweatshirt that are thrown over my desk chair. They've been worn too often to mix with the clean clothes in my overstuffed drawer, yet they still need to be dirty enough to put into my laundry pile. Doing my laundry takes a lot of mental strength, so I put it off as long as possible. Usually, till I run out of underwear.

...

As class ended and I slipped out of my seat I went to go over to Professor Donaldsons desk to hand over the extra credit he'd asked me to complete so I could recover my GPA. Still in my daydream I walked into something hard.

"Ouch, watch it neanderthal! You could have broken my nose".

The giant was stood at Professor Donaldsons desk, handing over some sheets of paper with a wide smile on his face. I'd never seen him before. What a kiss ass. The words internship had barely left Donaldsons lips, and this guy was already first in line to hand over an application. He thanked Donaldson for his consideration and finally turned to answer me.

"Maybe watch where you're going princess, and you wouldn't walk into people who were standing here first."

I barely even looked up at him, I rolled my eyes and walked around his gigantic frame to handover my work. I went to parties almost evert night, I was the most popular girl on campus. The Xi Alpha Party Princess. Who did he think he was talking to me like this. I turned round to give him a piece of my mind but by the time I'd placed the paper on the desk and turned around he was gone. 

Who the hell was that guy? 

[whoneedslovewhenyouhaveknives]

Honestly, the thing that really gets me some of these days is that… we’ve just got a routine now. We’ve got cots in the back, so one of us can pass out while the other two work the counter. Lyell grabbed a couple of those water purifier thingies before everything went nuts, so we can trade clean water for the ingredients we need. And well… no one ever said me and June weren’t some of the twitchiest and paranoid people working here. Give us a couple’a knives, a shotgun and some shells, and we’ll sort out any safety issues.

We’ve still got regulars comin’ ‘round, for Christ’s sake. Albeit, they come ‘round mainly ‘cause we don’t let any infected through the doors.

Infecteds tend to stay away after the sixth or seventh time they get their heads turned to red mist, courtesy of a well-placed shotgun blast.

 Fathers Peter and Taylor hold services in our place, each Sunday. I was never really into religion myself, but watching them over the counter, teaching Bible stories to all the little kids who had clambered into the same booth, I can’t help but smile a lil’.

Dr. Martins wanders in sometimes too, when she can afford a day or two away from her bunker full of patients. She’s real nice, all blue-ish hair and smile lines, even if she insists on calling all of us “kids”. She even brings ‘round refills for our first-aid kit; bandages, painkillers, stuff like that.

I’ll be honest, we weren’t real close before all this started. June, Lyell and me were just co-workers stuck on the dead shift together. I hadn’t seen Dr. Martins since I left my moms’ place, and I hadn’t gone to church in even longer.

But the infection came along, and everyone who could left town.

But the Fathers didn’t leave town, not with a whole Sunday school sleepover to look after and protect.

But Dr. Martins didn’t leave town, not with patients to monitor and an immunocompromised grandson recovering in his bed.

But me and my co-workers- my friends- didn’t leave town. We didn’t have anywhere to go.

And so, we stayed.

So, if you ever wander through a small, abandoned town down South, and you happen to see a Waffle House near the edge of it, all lit up with out-of-season Christmas lights and a couple’a old menorahs, stop on by.

We’ve got weapons, we’ve got water, we’ve got a place to sleep.

We’ve also got a place to confess, we’ve got some tired laughs, we’ve got a shoulder to cry on.

And most of all, we’ve got good food, fast.

~~~

Thanks for reading! If you liked this story, or if you just wanna support me, consider tossing me a Ko-fi! (Link is in my bio!)

[ay4kshalatus]

spoilers from the interlude chapter: act II of the perilous trail!!

edited - important notice 📢

"don't blame me, love makes me crazy" but xiao version!!

you're an adeptus and morax entrusted you to conquer the evil that lies on the chasm and guard it. the darkness of the chasm was not for you all to ignore.

you sometimes roam around liyue when trouble is not present at the moment.

then when the qixings decided to involve themselves in the chasm for business, you welcome them in silent and protect them to a distance.

once morax stepped down of his throne, you join the fun of your fellow adeptus to travel. of course you still guard the chasm from time to time.

then in the present where yanfei, yelan and the others fall on the predicament without your notice but then fate seem to have it's own plan. you crossed paths with the conqueror of demons and then you noticed the familiar aura on the male that wasn't involved with his karmic dept.

so you followed him.

and he lead you to the depths.

however when you arrived in the chasm's bed, no one's there. you're quite late though but you can sense their presence. especially xiao's.

dear archon, you have a job to do.

and it wasn't that easy as you thought.

you decided to follow xiao first so you'll regroup with others later and get them out but the darkness are playing tricks with you too.

you're one of a seasoned adeptus and you're experienced with the illusions of the chasm. but the space is so desperate on separating you from xiao.

so you decided to go for the group.

after tries of getting contact with them, you finally made it when they're on the middle of solving a puzzle.

you help them and while assembling the mechanics, you can't help but to worry xiao's well being. the chaos was hard to bare for anyone especially to you too even you know how to cut through the illusions.

what you didn't expect was there's some sort of a telegram that you all able to talk to xiao.

but you know that's your cue to move.

before the fissure disappeared, you quickly entered and expected to meet him there but you were landed on the different area.

you didn't know that danger awaits for your arrival.

"a lot's happened here. But this wasn't just for our own safety. you're injured, we can't just leave you alone." yanfei stated. "yeah. y/n seriously went to find you and help them to get us all out." then the traveler added. xiao widen his eyes in fright.

"y/n's here too? and it's just a flesh wound. i am fine. i shouldn't let myself burden you and i have to find them before--" the traveler held his arm to stop him.

"y/n went to the spacial rift when we're communicating with you first. i guess they landed somewhere. and you're not a burden. don't think that for one second. we need you. for y/n and our sake, please stay here." the lawyer pleaded.

oh no. how tables turned. you're now in trouble as xiao made back safe to the group.

xiao knows you're competent of handling the situations in the chasm. and you're an adeptus! still, there's a constant of anxious pit on his stomach.

normally he doesn't mind with other adeptus managing the problem but he hesitate to let you burden your duties. was it because that the dangers on chasm are unavoidable? or maybe he is worried on other way around.

oh how many years you spent with him, imprinting a lot of memories. you leave a big mark to his heart with morax and the traveler. he have a desire to protect you from afar.

then there's another spacial rift, surprising them again with your figure was shown.

"i won't... let you kill them.." you huffed heavily. you sound like you're fighting with someone.

"seeing you in pain like this is amusing. even you're an experienced adeptus, you won't get out to this void. plus aren't you tired jumping around to find your little yaksha?" there's a familiar voice added. xiao isn't happy to know you fighting him alone.

"you're assigned the responsibility of the chasm by morax himself and yet you failed.." then the rift suddenly disappeared. equipping his mask, xiao was about to follow but once again stopped him.

"xiao wait! if you wander off again, they might lure you to a trap once more. we'll get them don't worry. just get some rest first." yanfei and yelan convinced him again.

"y/n will be able to get out from there. have faith on them." and the traveler joined.

xiao could only look at the direction where your form was showed on the rift earlier. you don't like him do anything recklessly here anyway so right now, he'll do whatever other wish. you better make it out alive.

how is your pulls on the current banners? congrats getting one of them or two!! but if you're one of the unfortunates, don't give up and farm for more primos! manifesting for you guys~

and don't be afraid correcting my mistakes!!

[allthingsfangirl101]

A Tricky Thing Called Trust–Joe Keery

The last three months have been the worst three months of my life. Each one was worse than the one before. Three months ago, my boyfriend, Lucas broke up with me. He didn't really give me an explanation. He just said that he was getting bored and felt like our relationship was starting to get bland.

The breakup sent me into a dark pit of depression. I shut myself up and blocked out everything and everyone. The only person who could get through the darkness was Joe.

After the breakup, I called Joe sobbing. He rushed over and stayed with me all night. We fell asleep on the couch, binge-watching our favorite show. The next morning, I woke up with my depression episode already in full motion.

Joe stayed with me for a couple of days, but he eventually had to leave for work. When he left, my depression officially started to feel like I was suffocating. I stayed in bed and didn't move for days. Joe called me every day to make sure I was okay. I pretended I was fine, for his sake, but he saw right through me.

I've been getting worse with the more time that passed. Three months and I haven't slept, I've barely eaten, and I haven't left my bed. My phone kept ringing, but I didn't have the strength to get out of bed and grab it.

It kept going off until it finally stopped. Ten minutes after it stopped, there was a knock at my apartment door. I ignored it at first but they kept knocking. I slowly sat up and shakily made my way to the door. I opened it to see Joe standing there.

"Why haven't you been answering your phone?" He asked.

I tried to answer him, but I got dizzy. Joe jumped forward when my knees gave out. He didn't say anything as he easily picked me up bridal style. He carried me back into my apartment and to my bedroom. He laid me down, pulling the blanket up to my shoulders.

"When was the last time you had anything to eat?" He asked gently.

"I don't know," I said weakly. Joe sighed as he moved some hair out of my face.

"I'm going to go make you something," he said softly. "Stay here until I get back."

I was in and out of sleep as I heard Joe moving around in the kitchen. A little while later, the door opened back up. He didn't say anything as he helped me sit up. He put pillows behind me and handed me the sandwich he made.

Joe pulled my desk chair over to my bed and sat next to me while I ate. When I was done, he took the plate from me.

"I know you're mad," I whispered.

"I'm not mad," he sighed. "When you opened the door, you were so pale. . . It scared me, Y/N. I've never seen you like this."

I opened and closed my mouth, struggling to hold back my sob. It finally broke through when he grabbed my hand.

"I'm not doing well," I said through my sobs.

Joe jumped up and instantly laid down next to me. He wrapped his arms tightly around me as he pulled me into his chest. He rubbed my back and let me sob into his shirt.

"I know you're not," he sighed. "I'm here now and I'm going to help you get better. I promise."

                                * * * * *

Joe's been staying with me since I almost passed out. He's been taking care of me, making sure I eat and don't go to bed too late. The few times he's had to run an errand or go meet his manager, he'd make sure I knew that if I needed anything, his phone would be on.

Joe got back from a late lunch meeting with his manager and I was still laying on the couch. He hung his keys by the door and kicked off his shoes. I didn't look away from the tv as he walked in and stood behind the couch.

"Hey," he said softly. "What'cha watching?"

"New Girl."

"Ah," he laughed as he walked around the couch. He moved my feet briefly so he could sit under them. "Your favorite show," he continued. "What season are you on?"

"Season three."

"Is that before or after they hook up?"

"After," I mumbled. "They just ruined Cece's wedding."

"I love that episode," he laughed as he started rubbing my feet.

We sat in silence, watching several episodes. Joe continually glanced at me and I could tell something was on his mind.

"Say it."

"What do you mean?" He asked, clearing his throat.

"I know you have something you're dying to say," I sighed as I sat up and paused the show. "Just say it."

I turned towards him, clutching a pillow to my chest. He sighed before reaching over and putting his hand delicately on my knee.

"I hate how much this is affecting you," he sighed. "I understand why, I just. . . I wish there was something I could do."

"You've done everything," I whispered.

"Except listen," he said. "You know, we haven't actually talked about what happened."

"What is there to talk about?" I started to ask, but he cut me off.

"All you told me was that Lucas broke up with you," he said, his anger clear. "You didn't say why. I can tell you know why, so just tell me. Please? Y/N, I can't help you if you don't tell me why he ended things."

"It's because I'm not good enough," I finally confessed. The look in his eyes dropped. He grabbed my hands, unwrapped my arms from the pillow, and scooted closer to me.

"Y/N. . ."

"He said he was getting bored," I continued. "I wasn't exciting him anymore. He wasn't. . . He wasn't getting turned on by me anymore."

"That's ridiculous," Joe scoffed.

"It's what he said."

"Lucas said that to you?" He asked. When I nodded, his grip on my hands tightened.

"That's bullshit."

I tried to reassure him, but Joe's anger was building. I bit my bottom lip, struggling to hold in my sob.

"He's wrong," Joe said through his teeth. "He's dead wrong. Any guy who looks at you and thinks you aren't enough. . . I don't care what he thinks. He's an idiot and he never deserved you anyway. You're too good for that sorry excuse for a. . ."

"Joe."

My broken voice made him snap back to reality. He tossed the pillow on my lap aside and pulled me into his chest. He tightly wrapped his arms around me, refusing to let me go.

"I trusted him," I sobbed.

"Y/N," he sighed.

"You don't get it," I cut him off and roughly pulled out of his arms, instantly wrapping my arms around my knees.

"What don't I get?" He asked gently as he reached over and put his hand delicately on my arm.

"I trusted him."

"You said that," he whispered. "What do you mean. . ."

"He broke up with me the day after we slept together for the first time."

I held my breath as I waited for his reaction. I could see the anger in his eyes as he let my words sink in.

"He broke up with you after. . ." Joe let out what sounded like a growl. "I'm going to kill him."

"Joe," I whispered. "Please."

Joe took a shaky breath, struggling to control his anger. We sat in silence, neither one of us saying anything. Once he had calmed down, he scooted closer to me.

"I'm sorry," he sighed, "but can you blame me? You're my best friend, Y/N, and I've had to sit back and watch him treat you like you were nothing. He treated you like you weren't as amazing as you truly are. If I'm being honest, it was frustrating to watch. And now finding out he basically used you until he got what he wanted, just to break up with you after? It's infuriating."

Joe cut himself off when he saw the tears streaming down my face. He reached up and instantly caught it with his thumb, his hand lingering on my face.

"Anything else you want to get off your chest?" He asked softly.

I opened and closed my mouth, struggling to open up. He smiled as he dropped his hand, instantly grabbing mine and intertwining our fingers.

"You know you can trust me," he whispered.

"Can I?"

"Y/N," he stuttered.

"I don't know who I can trust anymore."

"Whoa," he cut me off, "Y/N, you know you can trust me. You've always been able to trust me."

"I know," I stuttered. "It's just. . . Lucas. . . I feel like. . . I can't trust anyone anymore."

I looked down at our intertwined hands with tears streaming down my face. I heard Joe take a few hesitant breaths. He put his other hand over our intertwined hands.

"Can I be the one to help you trust again?" I looked up at him when he finally spoke. I studied him, stunned by his question.

"What do you mean?"

I waited for him to explain, but he continued to hold back. "Joe?" I pressed, leaning closer to him.

"I love you, Y/N," Joe said sounding like this was a weight finally being lifted. "And not just in the 'you're my best friend so I love you' kind of way. In the 'I'm head over heels in love with you' way. I have for a while now. I've just been too afraid to tell you."

I studied him, trying to wrap my head around his confession. After all these years, could he really feel the same way I've felt about him since we were teenagers? How have I never noticed? Was I really that clueless? Or was he just that good at hiding it?

Joe took a shaky breath before continuing, "And when you started dating Lucas. . . He was such an asshole and he treated you like shit. Every time I heard the way he talked to you, I swear, I wanted to. . ."

My heart sank as he took a shaky breath. He looked down at our intertwined hands, slightly changing his gripping.

"Then I got sucked into Stranger Things," he sighed, "and I wasn't around as much. My schedule got crazy busy and it seemed like whenever I thought about telling you the truth, something always got in the way or stopped me. Those things weren't the only reason why I didn't tell you how I felt. It was because I was too much of a wimp. I can't tell you how many times I wish I had had the guts to tell you the truth."

He shook his head, still avoiding eye contact with me. He took another deep breath, letting it out audibly.

"I can't help but wonder how things might have been different if I had stopped being such a coward and told you. But I'm telling you now. I know it may not be the best time and if you don't feel the same way. . ."

My heart sank when his breath got stuck in his throat.

"If you don't feel the same way," he continued, his voice shaky, "then that's fine. I completely understand. I don't want things to be weird or awkward between us. That's the last thing I want. You're the most important thing in my life and, after all these years, I thought it was finally time you knew the truth."

I opened my mouth even though I didn't know what to say, but Joe kept talking.

"I know you're in a dark headspace right now," he sighed. My breath got caught in my throat when he finally looked up at me. "I know you've been through a lot of shit, mostly because of Lucas. But I want to show you that there are people in this world that you can trust and rely on. There is someone in this world who wouldn't dream of hurting you the way he did."

Joe held his breath as he waited for my response. I was shocked and my ability to speak was suddenly gone. We sat in silence and I struggled to process everything that Joe just confessed to me. The more we studied each other, the thicker the tension between us grew.

"Please," he whispered, "say something."

"I love you," I rushed out. I smiled when Joe let out a relieved sigh. He started to lean in, but I stopped him.

"But I'm not good enough."

Joe didn't let me finish my thought. He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. I sucked in a breath, unable to understand why he would be kissing me. He broke the kiss and pulled away with a big smile on his face.

"You're good enough for me," he whispered.

"But Joe. . ."

"But nothing," he said quickly. "I know Lucas put negative thoughts in your head. Let me help you get them out."

"Joe."

"Y/N," he cut me off again. "I know you feel like you can't trust anyone right now. And that's fine. We'll work through it until you gain that trust back. I promise, Y/N."

This time it was my turn to cut him off.

"I trust you."

"You do?"

"Of course, I do," I whispered. I quickly added, "But it's still going to take some time for me to work through everything. . ."

I dropped my sentence and nervously chewed on my bottom lip.

"Let me help you with that," he whispered. "Please?"

I hesitated before leaning forward and pressing my lips to his. I blushed when I felt Joe smile into the kiss. I broke the kiss and leaned my forehead against his.

"Help me," I whispered, my breath getting stuck in my throat.

"You can trust me."

[bi-bard]

Chick Flick Moments - Sam Winchester Imagine (Supernatural)

Title: Chick Flick Moments

Pairing: Sam Winchester X Reader

Requested: by an anonymous reader

Word Count: 2,363 words

Warning(s): violence, cussing, Sam embarrassing himself, spoilers for any movie/show listed in the author's note

Summary: (Season 11) Gabriel takes a break from hiding to teach (Y/n) and Sam to forgive each other.

Author's Note: I had so much fun putting this request together! Also, if I remember correctly, this reader wanted to remain anonymous.

Here are links to all the scenes that inspired parts of this imagine:

1 (Princess Bride), 2 (8x12 Criminal Minds; can't find just the scene to link), 3 (Moulin Rouge), 4 (The Notebook), 5 (The 10 Things I Hate About You), 6 (Gilmore Girls), 7 (La La Land)

Hey! I did a rewrite of the ending of Supernatural. It took a really long time to complete, so it would mean a lot to me if you check it out. Here’s a link! (it’s on my personal account)

-----------------------------------

I rolled my eyes as I walked through the bunker.

Sam was still ranting about the most recent hunt. I was just tired of listening to it. Dean had long since given up trying to control his brother, who had shown no sign of listening to anyone.

"You can't just throw yourself into every single enemy," Sam yelled. "Fun fact, you're not Superman!"

"Oh my god," I finally, turning around. I had been halfway through the library at this point. Dean continued through the bunker, ignoring us. "I ran up to one extra vamp because you were about to get your throat ripped out! Yes, I put myself in danger but it was to save you!"

"Why are you so desperate to be a hero," he asked.

"Why are you so pissy that I saved you," I shouted back.

I let out a yell before turning and leaving.

"Where are you going?"

"To bed," I shouted from down the hall. "Maybe you'll be nicer in the morning! You're welcome for saving your ass!"

I stormed into my room and slammed the door shut. I changed quickly, throwing my old clothes into the corner before curling up on my bed. My emotions got the better of me. I started crying into my pillow.

Imagine saving the man you secretly loved... and then he got mad at you about it.

I fell asleep crying that night.

--time skip--

I shot awake, cringing at how bright it was.

I looked around, letting my eyes adjust to the light.

I was on a hill. I was on a hill, lying in the grass with the sun shining on my face. This is not good.

I stood up and did a circle to look around the long stretches of grass. Nothing looked even slightly familiar.

"For fuck's sake," I muttered.

I decided that the best option would be to try to climb down and find a person... somewhere.

I was just about to start making my way down the hill when I felt a hand grab me.

Out of pure fear, I grabbed the person and pulled them from behind me. The person went flying down the hill.

"(Y/n)," I heard Sam's voice yell as he rolled down the hill.

I put my hand over my mouth. He soon stopped rolling and then he stood up, scrambling to pull the black mask off of his face. I sighed, dropping my hand when I saw he was alright.

"Sam," I called.

"Your instinct is to throw some down a hill," Sam asked.

"When a masked man tries to grab me, definitely," I replied. "Fun fact, Sam, I can actually defend myself."

He gave me a sarcastic smile. I shot it right back to him.

Sam looked down at his outfit before sighing and shrugging at me. He had just started to move back up the hill when my visions went dark.

I opened my eyes a few moments later.

What had been an open field was now a dark warehouse or factory. I saw Sam across from me, but also a group of people behind him. I recognized them. They were characters from Criminal Minds, a guilty pleasure I watched when we weren't hunting.

I tried to figure out what was happening.

Then, I became all too aware of the barrel of a gun pressing into my neck.

"No," Sam yelled.

It clicked.

Sam was supposed to be Spencer. I was Maeve. This was Zugzwang.

My heart dropped.

"Wait, please, don't," Sam yelled as the gun pressed harder on my neck.

"Sam, shut up," I snapped.

"Me for (Y/n)," he shouted.

"You would do that," Diane- the unsub of that episode- asked.

"Yes," Sam replied.

"No," I yelled. "Sam, shut up."

"You shut up," Diane growled at me.

"One difference between me and her...," I growled back.

I grabbed the gun, pushing it forward, away from my neck. The bullet she tried to fire hit the brick wall. I turned, bringing an elbow down on her arm. Her hand dropped the gun into my grasp. I pointed it toward her.

"...I'm not scared of a simple gun."

The others walked over and arrested her. I looked at Sam.

"If you continued, she would've killed herself, which would've killed me," I explained. He furrowed his eyebrows. "I watch this show when we aren't hunting."

He walks over, going to hug me before the scene changes again.

"Holy...," I trailed off as I looked around.

Around us, we could see the tops of roofs and a beautiful night sky. It was almost a dreamy setting.

"Where are we now," Sam asked.

"Only the great Moulin Rouge," Sam and I both twirled around to face... Gabriel. "I know, I know... I'm not dead, anyway!"

I rolled my eyes.

"You two need to learn a lesson," he pointed at us.

"It's like back in 2010," I mumbled. "Play our roles to get out. Probably why we were pulled out of the last two."

"You'll fall into them naturally, I promise," Gabriel smirked. "And yes. Stop ignoring the plotline."

"Alright... sure, I was gonna get shot for your crappy game," I snapped sarcastically.

Then, he was gone. I rolled my eyes.

"So, what are the roles," Sam asked as I walked around the top of the elephant.

"Well, Christian and Satine," I pointed between us. "Maeve and Spencer. The Princess Bride and Westley. It's all romance."

"Why," Sam scrunched his face up.

"Because Gabe wants to get his rocks off," I said sarcastically, "I don't know, Sam!"

I walked down the stairs of the elephant. It was gorgeous here. It was just as vibrant as the movie made it look.

"Wow," I look back at Sam. "This is awesome."

I chuckled and nodded.

"What seen is it?"

"The Elephant Love Medley," I said. "Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman sing this mash-up of famous love songs as his character tries to convince her that there is nothing more important than love."

"I'm not gonna sing," Sam shook his head.

"I was not gonna ask you too," I chuckled. "I've heard you sing."

"Rude."

I just shrugged.

I looked around at the room, trying to figure out how to play these roles without the singing.

"Wait," I said. "Come on."

I grabbed his hand and pulled him back to the stairs.

"What is it," Sam asked as we made it to the top.

"At the end of the medley, Christian and Satine are dancing and they walk out onto this field of clouds and are held up in the sky."

"What-"

"This whole movie feels like a fever dream the first time you watch it."

"Come on," Sam held a hand out to me.

"Can you dance?"

"Not well," he chuckled. "The role didn't say I needed to be good."

He grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him.

I tried to lead his steps and laughed as he stumbled into a pattern.

"Come on," I moved back so I could grab only one hand.

I led him a few steps forward and onto- what seemed to be- steps in the clouds. I let out an excited laugh when it worked. Sam looked at me and grinned at my excitement.

As soon as got to the top of the steps... it was gone.

We were in the middle of the street now.

"Aw, that was just mean," I mumbled. I glared at Sam when I heard him laughed.

He held his hands up jokingly before extending one toward me. I furrowed my eyebrows at him.

"I know what movie this is," he shrugged. I motioned for him to continue explaining. He walked over, hand still held out to me, "The Notebook. Noah and Allie dance in the street. So... will you dance with me? Even without the sequence where we dance in the clouds."

I bit my lip as I smiled.

I took his hand and let him pull me into the street. I laughed as I stumbled into his chest.

We fell into the scene naturally.

Sam held one of my hands in his and held my waist with the other. I placed my free hand on his shoulder. I looked up at him. It felt strange that we so casually fell into the scene but I was happy.

Sam jokingly twirled me around before pulling me back to his chest. I closed my eyes and chuckled.

"What," he asked.

"Nothing," I shook my head. "I just never saw you as such a romantic."

"Well, don't tell anyone, you'll ruin my reputation," he said sarcastically.

I rolled my eyes.

Sam spun the two of us in a circle before going to dip me. I didn't think I'd ever get to experience something like this. It always just felt like something I should forget about as a hunter. I was starting to forget why I was so angry with Sam in the first place.

I barely noticed that Sam was leaning in before the scene around me changed.

I was on a football field.

I looked around.

There was no sign of Sam.

"Crap," I mumbled, trying to figure out where to look first.

Then, there was a voice going over the field's speakers.

"You're just too good to be true... can't take my eyes off of you..."

I looked around toward the stands to see Sam walking with a mic. Can't sing, my ass.

"You'd be like heaven to touch... I wanna hold you so much"

"Oh my god," I muttered.

"At long last love has arrived... And I thank God I'm alive... You're just too good to be true... Can't take my eyes off of you."

I tried to bite back my laugh. He shrugged at me with an embarrassed smile and stepped into the actual stands.

We both jumped when the marching band started playing. I looked to see Gabriel smirking and leading their march.

Sam and I shrugged at each other. He continued on with the act.

Now, Sam Winchester pretending to be Patrick in "10 Things I Hate About You" was a treat... and was exactly what you imagined it would be.

He was almost stumbling down the steps as he continued on with the act. I was laughing hysterically by the time I saw the security guards starting to run in.

"Sam," I yelled, pointing behind him.

"Crap," I heard through the mic (which made me almost double-over in laughter) as he tried to take off running.

As soon as he was grabbed, the scene changed.

We both took a deep breath when we realized we were sitting together in a car.

"Thank god," Sam mumbled.

"That was a great performance, by the way," I said, still chuckling.

"Shut up," he muttered, laughing along with me. We fell silent after a minute. "So... what scene is this?"

"I have no idea," I replied.

"It's Gilmore Girls, dumbasses," we heard Gabriel's voice but saw no sign of him. "Season 1, Episode 16... absolute idiots."

"Didn't peg him for a Gilmore Girls fan," I said. Sam laughed.

"Me neither."

We fell silent again.

"I'm sorry," Sam said, looking over at me. "You were right. You can defend yourself and you were just trying to help me. I'm sorry for being such a dick about it."

I grinned, "Thanks... I forgive you. I know you were just worried about me."

Sam smiled back.

"I... umm...," Sam looked down for a moment, clearing his throat and collecting his thoughts. "I just... I love you."

My heart leaped up into my throat. I blinked at him a few times and forced a chuckle out. Which was the wrong response but I panicked. Hunters... we could face the devil but emotions were a no-no.

"(Y/n)," Sam's smile dropped slowly when he realized I wasn't responding.

I was just about to respond when the scene changed again.

Sam was gone again and I was on a city street.

"Dammit," I muttered.

I ran down the street, turning the corner. I looked at the wall of the building I was by. Was this a jazz club?

I walked through the door and was guided to a table so I could sit down and watch the performance.

"La La Land," I said.

Sam and I watched this together. Dean had gone to bed. We weren't tired and just turned this movie on because it looked like it was mostly happy.

Big dance numbers, beautiful effects... and the epilogue that made me hide tears from Sam.

I looked at the stage. Sam was sitting there, wearing a suit, looking at the audience nervously. He hesitantly reached toward the piano. It was like it was a prerecorded track. It sounded just like the movie.

I smiled.

I just wanted to talk to him.

Soon the performance ended.

I stood up and started walking over, seeing Sam starting to walk out.

I grinned at him, "Sam-"

He cut me off by cupping the sides of my face and kissing me softly. I touched his sides lightly, smiling against his lips. It was... magic. Absolute magic.

Then, I shot awake, back in my bed in the bunker.

The game was over. Thank God.

"(Y/n)," I heard yell through the bunker hall.

I ran into the hall and ran toward his room.

We stopped as soon as we saw each other.

"Please tell me that wasn't a dream," I said. He shook his head, smiling widely at me.

I ran over, pulling him down to kiss him again. It was softer than our last kiss and I loved it. His arms wrapped around me and pulled me closer. I buried my hands through his hair.

"Woah, what did I miss," we pulled away when we heard Dean.

I could basically feel Sam chuckle against my lips before he moved to look at his brother. I turned around in Sam's arm.

"A chick flick moment," Sam answered.

"Alright," Dean gave us a weird look before leaving without another word.

I looked back at Sam with a smile, "I love you."

"I love you too," he grinned and leaned in to kiss me softly again.

-----------------------------------

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[brainrattlers]

Play It Cool - Tyson Jost (22/n)

Author's Notes: This chapter is all over the place, figuratively and literally. Playoffs are always emotional, this season was no different. All in all, it's definitely a segue to a new chapter in both AJ and Tyson's lives. It's tough to say goodbye, which is why AJ refuses to, rather, says "seeya later." Also random note: I told myself I was going to bed by 1am. It's now nearly 3:30am. I edited it quickly but... yeah I'll re-read in a few hours and probably cringe at something I missed. Love you all for putting up with my late night/early morning typos!

Pairing: Tyson Jost x OFC

Chapter 21: https://brainrattlers.tumblr.com/post/695263081501196288/play-it-cool-tyson-jost-21n

Word Count: 3251

Warnings: Language, and there are some sad feels going on, for sure.

Tyson looked damn fine in his suit leaving the game. And don’t think for a second that Tyson missed AJ biting her lip and quirking an eyebrow up when he came out of the locker room, scanning him up and down with her eyes. The smirk that hit his face when he caught eyes with AJ would have normally been enough to make her blush and look away, but it hit differently this time around.

Instead, she stared intensely back at him, nodding with a grin.

This would have been one of those nights that, had they been back in Denver, would have led to Tyson either pulling AJ in for a long kiss, or otherwise found a dark corner somewhere to make out a bit.

But alas, they weren’t in Denver, and also they weren’t alone with Laura along for the walk back from the arena.

It was AJ’s last night in St. Paul for a bit - she didn’t want to distract Tyson for the playoffs, even though Tyson swore up and down she wouldn’t be an issue. Just like him though, there were a few things she had to deal with in Dever first. But unlike Tyson, she didn’t have money in her pocket so she could just hire folks to box up the rest of her stuff and get it moved. Instead, it was on AJ to make decisions on what was going to make the cut to move to Minnesota eventually.

Thoughts fluttered about AJ’s mind since she had dropped the bomb that she was intending to move, and that Tyson wanted her to pick out their apartment. However, luckily for AJ, Tyson wanted to keep the stress of moving to a minimum and wait until after the Wild’s playoff run had come to an end before really digging into finding a place. She didn’t really want to be burdened with moving right now either, considering she had no idea where they’d be in the coming weeks.

Also… as AJ does, she had one more surprise up her sleeve - she didn’t want to cram everything in before that.

But for now, tonight was all that mattered. Both were shockingly adult about the night, knowing that morning would bring practice for Tyson, and the long road back home for AJ.

Scratch that… not the long road back home, but the long drive back to Denver. Home was now TBA.

Anyway, after making sure things were cool in Tyson’s space for Laura, he beelined it to AJ’s room. He barely made it inside the room, and with the door lock clicking, Tyson found himself pinned against the door with AJ unbuttoning his shirt as he was struggling to get his arms out of the sleeves of his jacket.

“Oh for fuck’s sake Tys, hold still!” AJ was having problems undoing the buttons from their holes.

Tyson couldn’t stop the laughs. “Let me get my arms free first and I can help. You clearly need more practice with this!”

AJ rolled her eyes playfully. “Fine, fine… I’ll practice every day once I move up here.”

Tyson loved the way that sounded. Even though the playoffs should have been number one in his mind, finding a more permanent residence was way up there, especially since it meant less facetime, and more face to face time. With his arms finally free of the confines of his suit jacket which he slung over the breakfast counter that fell onto the sofa just beyond it, Tyson started helping with the shirt buttons AJ eventually gave up on.

The intensity of the moment faded quickly - it occurred to AJ that Tyson had just played an entire game, and even scored a goal earlier that night. The adrenaline of it all was wearing off, and Tyson had a different idea anyway.

Breaking away, he shuffled over to AJ’s backpack on the ottoman in the bedroom area of the studio room, grabbing her tank top and shorts she’d been sleeping in and tossing them to her. She eyed him with curiosity, but complied with his silent request. After getting changed (and honestly a little surprised Tyson didn’t try to sneak a peek), she found him in the tiny kitchenette, only in a pair of boxers. Phone in hand, he scrolled and tapped a bit until music softly started playing from the tiny speaker of his iPhone.

“May I have this dance?” Tyson offered his hand to AJ, who gingerly wrapped her fingers around his as he pulled her in close. 

With a bit of awkwardness figuring out which hand was supposed to be on AJ’s hip, and which should be holding her’s, seeing as Tyson’s a lefty, and AJ’s a righty, Tyson guided AJ around the kitchen in a small circle, keeping beat with the music. He looked down into her eyes, feeling like the luckiest man in the world at this particular moment. Another song came up on the playlist, which caught AJ’s attention instantly. Looking up, she found Tyson still sharing that soft look into her eyes, followed by a kiss on the very tip of her nose. With eyes closed, AJ snuggled her face into the crook of Tyson’s bare neck and shoulder as they swayed with the smooth vocals of Chet Baker. It was fast becoming a favorite of his, almost as much as AJ loved it.

With the conclusion of the song, Tyson kissed AJ softly, but poured his heart into the kiss. Even with no music now playing, he twirled AJ around and pulled her back to his chest, posing a one-word question.

“Bedtime?” 

With a quick detour to brush teeth and get ready for bed, Tyson wrapped himself around AJ under the covers. Even though no naked shenanigans followed, slow dancing in pajamas in the tiny kitchen was the perfect ending to the night. 

In Tyson’s eyes, it was even more perfect when he noticed AJ was scrolling away on her phone as he peeked over her shoulder. She wasn’t even hiding what it was. Twisting her neck a bit to try to look at Tyson, she asked a question.

“Do you want to live closer to the arena and practice facility, or are you thinking elsewhere? Maybe Eden Prairie? Edina?”

Tyson continued to peek over AJ’s shoulder as she scrolled through apartment listings, stopping occasionally to look at floor plans and discuss wants/needs. At some point though, AJ felt the soft snores of Tyson resonating against her shoulder. Realizing she was having to drive 13 hours back in the morning, sleep was decided to probably be a good idea. With her phone on the nightstand, AJ rolled over to face Tyson, where he unconsciously pulled her body in close. It was unbearably warm, so she somehow managed to get herself uncovered and left the blanket on Tyson, drifting off to sleep as well.

The alarm on Tyson’s phone rang out early, as he had every intention to get to the gym for a bit of a workout before practice that Sunday morning. Knowing she’d be back soon enough, he insisted AJ stay in bed and get a couple more hours of sleep before the trek back to Denver. With not having work the next morning, it was perfectly acceptable to get back to Lakewood late. She could sleep in on Monday, she had nowhere really to be, other than watching Game 1 between the Wild and St. Louis that night.

A long kiss and the promise of seeing each other soon followed, along with the typical “text me along the way.”

AJ actually got up a bit later and snagged breakfast with Laura, promising to keep in touch and let her know what plans were as far as, well, moving at this point. It’d probably be a few weeks at least, or at least they hoped. With a final once over of the room, AJ once again had her backpack packed, and she retrieved her car from the valet, and was on the road.

Thankfully the 13 hour drive was uneventful, and AJ rolled into her driveway right around midnight after the time zone difference. A quick text was sent, hopefully not waking Tyson since it was now 1am for him, and he had a game later that night.

AJ: Back at my place. Miss you already. Cuddling with Maple just isn’t the same. Kick some ass tonight at the game. Love you so much

Thankfully the pillow she brought with her on the trip was still ever-so-slightly smelling like Tyson. AJ couldn’t even pin down what it was. A mixture of the hair product he was trying out, a little bit like his aftershave, a bit of deodorant, but mainly, it was just Tyson. AJ held the pillow close to her chest, breathing in what remained of the scent. It lulled her to sleep fast, and hard.

The buzzing of AJ’s watch against her wrist slowly brought her out of a deep, dreamless sleep.

Tyson: Miss you too, and love you more. Slept like crap without you. Glad you’re there safe. 

Tyson: Hey eggo you sleeping still? Just checking in before my pre-game nap.

AJ rubbed her eyes and groggily looked around at the room she was in, realizing the sun was streaming in the windows.

AJ: Oh damn, it’s already noon. I must have been tired. Tagging you in for a little sleep. Sweet dreams babe. Think I’m going to order pizza, see if Jess maybe wants to come over to watch the game.

Tyson: Sounds like a good plan. Text after the game.

The afternoon was actually spent looking through a room full of stuff, and deciding what she could part with, and what was an absolute must have. She was making pretty good progress, losing track of time as Jess knocked on the door and let herself in. With alcoholic beverages in hand (especially as AJ didn’t want to pack bottles to move with, so drinking it seemed to make sense), the two sat on the sofa watching the game and chatting about what all had been going on the past few days. 

AJ actually felt pretty crappy suddenly - and not because they were mixing a lot of alcohol and eating greasy pizza, but more in the fact that she wasn’t going to get to have these nights with her best friend once she moves away. Self-doubt was creeping in on whether this was the right idea, but without a decent job in Denver and the fact that her secret fiance was living in a different time zone, it really did make sense to make the move. Jess was pretty sad about it too, but it was indeed pointed out that summers could be spent traveling a little bit. It wasn’t like now that AJ was tied to the Wild with Tyson, that she wasn’t allowed in Denver. And if Jess had her way, AJ and Tyson would be making their way up to Cole Harbour to see her and Nate at his summer home. Hell, maybe they could even come out to Alberta and all spend a few days there. The options, within reason, were pretty much limitless.

While the thought of traveling and getting to see everyone made her happy, the 4-0 Game 1 loss was tough to swallow. AJ had been cursing the fact the Wild put in Fleury, and questioned where the offense was. Ultimately, it just wasn’t the Wild’s night.

The rest of the week was spent putting a handful of items up on Buy/Sell/Trade sites, and coordinating pickups. With her own place starting to look more empty, the Wild won the next two games, the first at home, the next in St. Louis. A couple of the evenings that week were spent with Jess, watching the Wild, or the Avs, if Jess wasn’t at work or at Ball.

Finally it got to Saturday night, where the Wild were scheduled to play in St. Louis Sunday. AJ’s next plan went into action overnight - catching a red-eye, and catching a ride to the arena thanks to a wonderful Lyft driver.

Breezing by security this time around, AJ didn’t have her normal seat, but did get herself up against the glass, tiny sign pressed up in front of her as the teams took the ice for warmups. A few players nodded in acknowledgment. Deslauriers gently launched himself into the glass in front of AJ not wanting to potentially injure himself. And finally, Tyson saw her there with the small poster. He shook his head, smiling as he read the words plastered against the glass.

I’m JOST WILD about you, Tyson!

Unfortunately, that was going to be the high point of the game for Tyson. Another loss to the Blues, another crowd of fans that were taunting the few Wild fans there. AJ up and left during the recap of the three stars of the game, taking her Blues-jersey-shaped microfiber towel with her. Despite her better judgment, she snapped a photo of it and posted it with a caption of “oh look, a nice dusting rag!” on Instagram.

(To be fair it did get a lot of likes from her Avs fan/player friends, as well as new Wild fan/WAG/player followers. But… it was petty.)

Tyson couldn’t believe AJ was crazy enough to make the trip in less than 24 hours flying back to Denver, but seeing her in the stands wearing his name and number was just about his favorite thing in the world.

Unfortunately, the series went to six games, ending in St. Louis. AJ sat home alone that last game, pretty much in tears that the playoff run was cut so short. She could only imagine what Tyson and really the rest of the team had been feeling. There was so much hype for them, and then it all fell flat.

Not sure how to approach it, AJ sent a simple text to Tyson, letting him really take control of the conversation, if he chose.

AJ: I’ll be up for a while, packing some boxes.

She knew at least the thought of her getting ready to move might cheer him up some… and while it did, obviously it still stung that he was done for the summer.

Tyson: I’ll text you when we land. Need sleep.

Tyson: Love you

AJ: Love you too (heart emoji)

It was nearly 2am by the time the team got home, after a grueling round of media availability. It doesn’t make much sense to rub salt in the extremely fresh wound of the playoff exit, but the journalists still have to write, and without interviews, other than the game recap, there isn’t much to report. AJ had to shut off the post-game wrap as it was absolutely heartbreaking.

After falling asleep on the sofa, AJ’s phone started buzzing with a notification that Tyson was trying to facetime. The face that greeted her was not the typical happy, bubbly Tyson, but instead a very tired Tyson, with puffy, red-rimmed watery eyes. 

The two just stared in silence for a moment, but AJ was the first to break it.

“Tys, I’m so sorry, I…”

He wasn’t usually one to interrupt, but this was one time that Tyson did.

“When can you get here?”

The small voice, and the tears that were threatening to fall over his lashes were absolutely devastating to AJ. He could see her looking around the room, silently taking inventory of something he wasn’t sure of. After a few more moments of quiet deliberation with herself, she brought herself to look back at the camera on her phone. Tyson had dropped everything for her previously when she mentally needed that extra support. This was her chance to return the favor. 

“It’s.. oh, it’s Friday morning already, I didn’t realize I slept that long,” With one more glance around her very empty home, she made another snap decision. “How does Sunday sound?”

With a sniffle, Tyson nodded quickly with a small smile indicating he was going to be okay due to the answer. 

Friday was an absolute blur. The team had a day of debriefing, a rather sobering day of feelings no one really wanted to deal with yet. It really wasn’t anything new for Tyson, the Avs had a 2nd round exit the previous three years. But it never gets easier, it’s just a wound that reopens. The only thing he had going for him at that point was literally counting the hours until AJ would be back in St. Paul.

And on that note, Friday was a blur for AJ as well. Coordinating the last few large item pickups, and packing was most of the day. Seeing as how Nate wouldn’t be playing for a few more days, a final hurrah for AJ, dinner at Nate’s with Jess happened. Lots of tears, happy and sad, mainly from AJ and Jess, but even Nate was a little upset that AJ was leaving. The dynamic of their friendship had evolved so much over the last two years, and even though he had Jess, he was going to miss random texts to play Fort, or to snag lunch after Saturday practices like they used to back in the day. 

“You dork, I’m not dying, and depending on how it plays out… I may actually have more time for Fort!”

There were so many hugs that night, and it took a lot to separate the three at the end of the evening when AJ had to head out, as she had one more day to finish cleaning and getting what few items she was taking with her to Minnesota loaded into the trailer she rented.

Saturday was emotionally tough, finishing the last of the boxes, and handing her extra keys to Jess to get the last few items out when they were sold off. With the last of the “seeya laters” - AJ spent her last night in Denver. She walked to the park behind her home, watching the sun drop behind the backdrop of the mountains. Denver had always been her dream, and she made it there. But that was now a past dream. Her current dream was seeing where life would take her with Tyson. 

One last dinner of In-n-Out, and AJ called it a night, sleeping on the air mattress that Nate had lent her. She was barely able to sleep, as a mixture of anxiety but also excitement overtook her. It also didn’t help that Tyson was nearly texting her every hour with a countdown of the hours until he expected her there. 

Waking up earlier than expected, the last of AJ’s things were collected and thrown into her backpack. She deflated the air mattress and secured it into the little bag it came in, and tossed it by the front door. A photo was snapped of the empty home. And with that, AJ locked the front door, and buckled Maple into the passenger seat next to her. Once in the car as well, the photo from moments earlier was posted to Instagram.

wicketthewarriorThough my time here in Denver was short, it was amazing. I met so many good people, saw so many beautiful sights, and cannot forget all the great food and drink. So many memories made. But it’s time to start a new chapter. Trading the mountains for the land of 10,000 lakes. It’s not goodbye, but “see you later, Colorado.” josty17 - I’ll be home soon.

Chapter 23 is at https://brainrattlers.tumblr.com/post/696530198978576384/play-it-cool-tyson-jost-23n

[trulymadlysydney]

Scorpio Season: Two

Harry is the ghost that haunts the sorority house, Misty is the only one who can see him, and Scorpio season is far too short.

tw: Death, brief mentions of sexual assault, lots and lots of filthy smut

(This is also 26.k words so like... be prepared for a long read)

Read Part One Here

***Do Not Repost Without Permission***

It’s Halloween, and Misty is drunk.

Okay, so perhaps she isn’t quite drunk, but she’s getting there, and Harry is doing his best to take care of her.   (And his best isn’t exactly good enough, considering she’s the only one who can see him.)

It takes him fifteen minutes to get her attention, and he lets out a sigh of relief when he finally sees her walking towards him- dressed head to toe like the devil (if the devil were, of course, sexy and wore a skin tight red dress and fishnets).

When she reaches him, she smirks, and he doesn’t know why.   “What?” She asks, raising her eyebrows challengingly.

For the sake of Misty’s pride, Harry turns away before anyone can see her talking to nothing.  “Follow me,” he says, nodding over his shoulder and leading her into the hallway.

They turn the corner into her bedroom, and Harry gently closes the door behind them. When it’s just the two of them, Misty grins.  “What’s up, buttercup?”

Harry smirks. “You doing alright?”

“M-hm!” Misty says with a nod.  “You want a drink?”

“Can’t, love.”

Misty’s smile slowly fades into a frown.  “You mean ghosts can’t let loose? Have a little fun?”

“Who says I’m not having fun?”  

Misty considers his words and offers him a shrug.  “I mean you’re just watching a bunch of drunk college kids in stuipd costumes get even more drunk and make out with each other.  That isn’t really my idea of a good time.”

“And yet here you are.”

Misty giggles.  “You know what I meaaaan.”

“I’m watching you,” Harry says smugly.  “That’s all I need.”

She laughs again, turning away so he can’t see the tinge of embarrassment on her face.  “Don’t watch me,” she says.  “Creep.”

“Not a creep,” Harry insists, plopping onto her bed.  “Just want you to take care of yourself.  That’s all.”

“I wish you could take care of meeee,” Misty says, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively and punctuating her sentence with a half-hiccup, half-giggle.

Harry doesn’t know if Misty meant to say that, or if she even meant it in the way that he’s taking it,  but he knows that if he had a beating heart, it would be racing at her words.   He brushes it off, smiling at her softly.  “M’taking care of you right now, aren’t I?”

“S’not what I meaaaaan,” Misty says, through another giggle, and now Harry knows exactly how her sentence was meant to be taken.

He laughs.  “Sunshine why don’t we get you some water, hm?”

“I like it when you call me that,” Misty says, sauntering clumsily towards Harry.  “‘Sunshine.’  Makes me happy.”

“I like making you happy,” Harry replies softly.  “Now, will you make me happy by getting yourself some water please?  I would get you some myself but, you know.”  He gestures vaguely with his hands.

“You can’t!” she says, tittering to herself.  “Cause you’re a ghost.  I know that.”

Her words sting just the tiniest bit, even though Harry knows she doesn’t mean it in a negative way.  He laughs them off anyway.  “You’re stalling, Misty.”

“I’m not stalling!” Misty says.  “I wish I could stay in here with you all night.”

And God, Harry wishes that too.

“And miss all the fun of the party out there?” Harry asks, eyeing her as she wobbles a bit around the room.  “I saw the way those guys were looking at you.”  He wiggles his eyebrows, and laughs as she gags.

“Ew,” she says, face twisting up in disgust.  “They’re the worst.”

“You didn’t like their flirting?  I thought that the trick the one guy did with the beer can on his head was very appealing. Especially with him dressed like a Greek God and all that.”

“You’re stupid.”

Harry grins.  “Water, Misty, “ he reminds her.   “You need to get yourself a glass of water.”

“Alright alriiiiight!” Misty holds up her hands in surrender. “You’re so neeeeeedy.”

Harry giggles, rising to his feet just in time to steady her a bit when she wobbles.  She laughs softly at the feeling of his cold hands against her hips, turning in his arms to face him.

“You smell good,” she says, her face mere inches from his.  “Have I ever told you that?”

Harry realizes that he’s held his hands in the same spot for just a tick too long, and he quickly drops them to his sides.  “No,” he says,  “Never told me that.  What do I smell like?”

“Like…”  Misty sniffs the air dramatically.  “Like cinnamon.  You’re laughin’ at me but it’s true!  Smells really good.”  She frowns up at him, as if a new thought just crossed her mind.  “What am I gonna do when you’re gone?”

Now her words really sting, and Harry struggles to just laugh them off this time.  Still, he knows tonight isn’t the time for sadness, and he doesn’t want to ruin Misty’s buzz.  So he grins.  “Buy a cinnamon candle?”

Misty pouts.  “Not the same.”

Harry laughs, booping her nose with the tip of his finger.  “Now I know you’re stalling.”

“Is it working?”  Misty grins mischievously up at him, and Harry shakes his head.

“No,” he says through another laugh.  “You little sneak.”

Misty giggles.  “But you’ll stay with me, right?  All night?”

“If you want me to.”  Harry nods.  “Yeah.  You can’t talk to me though.  Unless we’re in here.”

Misty frowns.  “I know.  Sucks.”

She turns like she’s going to leave finally, but then stops again.  “Why can’t you show yourself in front of everyone?” she asks, as if the thought just dawned on her.

Harry sighs, because as much as he knows she’s stalling, it is a valid question.  “I suppose I could,” he says, “If I really wanted to.”

“Don’t you want to?”

“Not really, no.”  Harry offers her a half hearted shrug, and when he sees her face drop he quickly tacks on, “Not that I don’t want to be able to openly spend time with you, of course! You know I do. It’s just difficult.”

“Why is it difficult?” Misty cocks her head to the side like a curious child, and it’s so cute Harry could burst.

“It’s exhausting,” he explains.  “As ghosts we only have so much energy. And it’s affected by the energies of others in the room as well. Manifesting takes up a lot of that energy, especially when you’re manifesting in front of a lot of other beings.”  He smiles, pausing to allow her to process what he’s just said before continuing his explanation.

“When it’s only you who can see me, the amount of energy I’m putting forward is far less than, say, the amount it would take for me to manifest in front of everyone else.  On top of that, being around all different energies-- feeling them interact with your own-- you sort of adopt those energies as well.  You take them upon yourself.  I don’t like doing it.  It doesn’t feel good.”

“Oh.”  Misty frowns.  “That sucks.”

“It does suck,” Harry says, nodding his head.  “Especially since I can’t walk around tonight and show you off the way you deserve.”

Misty giggles shyly, and Harry beams at her before continuing.  “Now if you don’t go and get yourself some water, I’m going to have to expose myself to everyone.”

Misty’s laugh is louder than it usually is, and Harry has no choice but to laugh along with her.  “Okay!” she says.  “Sorry! God.”

Misty makes her way over to the bedroom door with Harry close on her heels. He holds his arms out just in case she needs extra stabilizing.  As soon as the door opens, she’s met with a loud cheering from the people in the hallway.

Harry recognizes Rosie and Greg, but there are two other guys there that he’s never seen before.  And by the looks of their cheers, they’re super happy to see Misty.

“Mistaaaaay!” One of the guys, who is dressed as a lifeguard, shouts.  “What were you doin’ in your room all alone?”

Harry scrambles to come up with an excuse for Misty, when she surprises him and comes up with one all on her own.

“My little sister was calling me, weirdo,” Misty says. “She forgot our parent’s wifi password.”  She glances over her shoulder and shoots Harry a very subtle wink, and honestly Harry’s impressed.  He chuckles to himself, shaking his head.

“Quick thinking there, sunshine.”

Misty ignores him but her smirk does not go unnoticed.  Her attention is quickly pulled, however, when the original guy speaks up again.

“You’re lookin�� good tonight, girl.  You know Josh is looking for you?”

And just like that, Harry’s ears are perked and his stomach is sinking.

“Yeah?” Misty asks, completely uninterested as she tries to push through the crowd. “Well I’ve been here!”  She almost seems to sober up, and Harry is intrigued as to why.

“You should go see what he wants.”  Lifeguard wiggles his eyebrows, and Harry takes a protective and unintentional step forward.

Misty rolls her eyes, seemingly unbothered.  “If it’s really that important he can find me.”

Lifeguard whistles.  “Damn, Misty, alright!   Not interested?”

Misty spares a quick glance in Harry’s direction.  “I’m not, no.”

It should make Harry feel much, much better.  It really should.  But it doesn’t.

Misty, of course, offers no time for explanation-- which she shouldn’t, Harry knows, but still. She only continues to push through the crowd, with Harry close behind-- and he tries to ignore the random shivers from the people he accidentally walks through.

“Misty--” He says quietly.

“It’s fine.”  It’s barely audible, and of course Harry can’t blame her for that; for fucks sake, she can’t look like she’s talking to herself.

Misty stumbles a bit as she enters the kitchen, opening the fridge and reaching inside for a jello shot.  Harry keeps a close eye on her-- not because he feels he has to, by any means, but mostly because it’s getting to the point in the night where things are starting to get a bit nutty.  The boys are becoming handsier, the girls are becoming more giggly and loud.  In his lifetime, Harry had been to quite a few parties-- so he knows exactly the direction this night is headed.

Misty is about to close the fridge when Harry offers her a pointed look.  “Forgetting something?”

“Water!” Misty says out loud, without thinking.  “Duh! Sorry.”

She reaches into the fridge just as a voice comes from behind Harry.  “There you are, babe! Who are you talking to?”

Harry and Misty turn at the same time to see who the voice belongs to, and Harry immediately frowns.

He comes to the conclusion (based on little to no evidence) that this must be Josh-- just by the way he’s eyeing Misty like prey.  He’s dressed like Tom Cruise from Risky Business, only he’s left the shirt unbuttoned far enough that his abs (or lack thereof) are visible.

Misty speaks, confirming Harry’s thoughts.  “Hi, Josh.”

She sounds less than thrilled to be seeing him, and she goes stiff when he throws a hand around her waist and pulls her in for a hug.  He leans in to kiss the side of her head, but Misty quickly ducks away, regaining her distance from him and opening her water bottle.

“Not happy to see me?” Josh pouts.

“No, I am,” she says, unconvincingly.  She opens her water and is about to take a sip when Josh scoffs.

“You’re drinking water?  Lightweight.  Thought you were gonna get lit with us!”

“I am!” Misty insists. “Just don’t want to end my night with my head in the toilet.”

“You know I’d take care of you babe,” Josh says.  “What’s in your cup tonight?”

Misty takes a few long sips from her water bottle, eyeing Harry pointedly, before she speaks.  “Uh.  I don’t know exactly, Kennedy made it for me.”

“Hell yeah,” Josh says, eyeing her glass.  “You’re runnin’ low though, want me to get you another?”

Before Misty can even answer, Josh has taken the cup from her hands.  He’s walking over to the stash of various liquors on the counter, and Harry immediately moves to stand beside him.  He watches carefully as Josh pours the liquor into Misty’s cup.

“Heard you talkin’ in here,” Josh says.  “Who were you talking to?”

“What?”  Misty and Harry share a quick glance before she speaks.  “Oh.  No one.  I was talking to myself.”

“Yourself?”  Josh scoffs, still pouring vodka into Misty’s drink.  Harry has to stop himself from reaching out to stop him from pouring.  “You’re a little weirdo sometimes, Misty.  You know that?”

Harry lets out an annoyed sigh, wanting more than anything to put Josh in his place. Misty only smiles passively.  “I know.”

“Quite a bit of fuckin vodka he’s putting in there,” Harry says.   “He’s trying to get you drunk, love.”

“I know,” Misty repeats, both to Harry and to Josh.

“Hot little weirdo though,” Josh says, adding only a tiny splash of cranberry juice before turning around to offer Misty her cup again.  He pauses, just as he’s about to hand it to her.

“Did it suddenly get cold in here?”  he asks, glancing around him.

“I could kill him,” Harry states, emotionless.

Misty has to fight a giggle, reaching forward to take her drink from Josh.  “No, I don’t feel anything,” she says.  She takes a quick sip, immediately regretting her actions when her esophagus is burned with the taste of vodka.

Misty shivers and gags, coughing in an attempt to get the horrible taste out of her mouth.  “Jesus, Josh, what did you put in this?”

“Vodka cran baby!” Josh says.  “Know you like those!”

“Vodka with a fuckin’ shot of cran,” Harry adds.

Misty coughs, putting her cup down on the counter.  Josh frowns.  “You don’t like it?”

“No,” Misty chokes, “I mean it’s fine but… fuck, dude, how much vodka did you put in there?”

“Nothing you can’t handle, Misty!” Josh steps forward, hip checking Misty and nearly knocking her over.  “You’re a tough little girl aren’t you.”

“I really could kill him,” Harry adds.

Misty clears her throat, finally done with coughing.  “You need to work on your bartending skills, Josh.”

“Yeah?”  Josh puts his cup down, moving in on Misty.  Before she even has time to react, he has her pinned against the counter, with both his arms trapped on either side of her. She leans her head back in an attempt to get further away from him.  He, completely oblivious to social cues, only grins.  “Maybe I do.  But I know of one skill I don’t need to work on.”

“Josh—“ Misty couldn’t lean any further back if she tried, and she glances at Harry out of the corner of her eyes.

Josh leans in, pressing his lips to Misty’s neck. “C’mon, baby, you know what I’m talking about.  Don’t you remember how good it was?”

Harry takes a step forward as Misty manages to get her hands unpinned and shoves them weakly against Josh’s chest. “You’re drunk,” she says.

“And you’re not?” Josh licks his lips, trying to kiss Misty again. “Take another sip then.”

Harry has never felt so helpless in his entire existence, and he doesn’t even think twice before reaching forward to yank Josh off Misty. Misty coincidentally pushes at his chest at the exact same time, sending Josh practically toppling over.

He regains his balance after a moment,, glancing at Misty with a confused look.  There’s a thick silence in the air, and Harry instinctively takes a step between Josh and Misty.   Josh glances around, as if searching for whatever just yanked him, and Misty shoots Harry a nervous look.

A menacing grin spreads slowly across Josh’s face, and he swipes his teeth with his tongue. “Damn, girl. You’re strong.”

Misty blinks back at him, swallowing. “Josh,” she says slowly. “I’m not interested.”

“That’s not what you said last time.”

Harry feels like his insides are on fire with anger, and Misty rolls her eyes.

“Yes, it is actually.  Interesting how you don’t seem to recall that.”

“Say the word and I’ll kill him,” Harry says.

Misty rolls her eyes, which goes completely unnoticed by Josh as he continues his tirade. “Look, I know you’re just being stubborn and I get it! I do.” He picks up Misty’s abandoned drink, sloshing the cup around in his hand. “Why don’t you just finish this drink I made you and then come find me when it hits you and you stop being such a prude?”

Harry can’t hold back any longer, and he doesn’t even think twice before he moves in- slapping the cup and tilting it all over onto Josh’s skin and his stupid white shirt.

Josh shrieks, and the look on his face is a mix between shock and confusion. He eyes the now empty cup in his hand as if he can’t believe he just spilled it all over himself. Misty scoffs quietly to herself.

“Wow Josh, you might want to lay off the drinks.”

“Fucker,” Harry adds.

“I’m not that drunk!” Josh insists, raising his voice and taking a step towards Misty.  Harry immediately steps between them once again, ready to push him away at a moment’s notice.

It’s at that exact moment that Kennedy walks in, saving the day.  She instantly notices the tension in the room, and her eyes dart between Misty and Josh.  She laughs when she notices his spilled drink.

“Woooow,” she says.  “What happened here?”

“I stumbled,” Josh laughs, trying to regain his composure and play the situation off.  “Misty saw it, huh?”

Misty shoots Kennedy a glance before muttering, “Yeah.  It was crazy.”

“Mm,” Kennedy says, and it’s obvious that she seems to have an idea of exactly what happened. She doesn’t like Josh, that much is obvious. Harry is immensely grateful for her, knowing that she’s going to take care of Misty in a way that he can’t.  “Well you should probably get that cleaned up, huh?  And maybe lay off the drinks a bit.”

Kennedy immediately walks to Misty’s side, and Harry can tell Josh knows his game is over by the look he gives. Neither Kennedy or Misty hint at being upset, and Misty shoots Harry a thankful look.

“I’m not drunk, Kennedy,” Josh lies, a smile on his face that makes it very obvious that he’s offended.

“Okay,” Kennedy scoffs.  “How bout you, Misty?  Need another drink?”

Misty’s eyes dart from Kennedy to Josh to Harry, who watches her with helpless and sympathetic eyes.  Misty wants more than anything to curl into Harry’s side, but she knows she can’t, and she’s thankful for Kennedy for stepping in when she did.

“Uh,” Misty says, clearing her throat.  “Yeah, actually, I do.  This idiot here spilled mine.”

Kennedy rolls her eyes, but it’s apparent she knows about the situation with Josh.  “What a douche,” she teases. shooting Josh a look as if to say she’s not actually teasing-- she means what she’s saying.  “Why don’t you go clean yourself up.  Misty, I’ll make you another drink.”

Josh rolls his eyes, scoffing as if he can’t believe what just happened.  “Yeah,” he says.  “Alright.”  He winks at Misty, shooting her an overly confident “I’ll see you later” before exiting the kitchen.

Kennedy, Misty, and Harry all watch him exit most ungracefully before Kennedy turns to Misty.  “You okay?  Like, actually.”

“Yes,” Misty lies.

“No,” Harry adds.

Kennedy rolls her eyes as she gets to work making Misty another drink. “He’s a fuckin douche canoe. I can’t believe he even still thinks he can talk to you.”

“I know.” Misty grabs a paper towel to clean up the bit of the drink that spilled onto the ground. “I don’t either.”  

Harry watches Misty, continuing to feel helpless— almost as if he’s butting in on a conversation he shouldn’t be. But he doesn’t move. He remains still, almost frozen in place as he watches Misty clean up the mess he made.

“I’m sorry,” he says quietly. “I should’ve planned that better.”

“It’s okay,” Misty says, both to Harry and Kennedy. “I’m fine. He didn’t do anything.”

“He wouldn’t have given up though,” Kennedy says, pouring the actual correct amount of vodka into Misty’s cup. “He’s a creep.”

Misty sighs. “He is. But—“

“No buts.” Kennedy and Harry both say this at the exact same time, and it takes Harry a moment to process.

“God I hate him,” Kennedy says. “Don’t let him intimidate you.  Here.”  She finishes mixing the drink in Misty’s cup and hands it to her. “Stay with me, yeah?”

Misty smiles gratefully at Kennedy. “Thank you.”  She glances over at Harry, a soft grateful smile directed in his direction as well.

Kennedy and Misty make their way out of the kitchen, and Harry once again feels helpless as he follows them.  Should he leave her alone? She asked him not to, but now he feels awkward and, if he’s being honest, angry that he couldn’t help her more.  

Harry numbly follows Misty and Kennedy through the house and into a cozy but messy living room filled with tons of other drunk people.  He feels a slight sense of relief when, immediately upon sitting down, Misty’s eyes search for him. She seems to visibly relax when she sees him, and he smiles sadly at her.  He reaches out to stoke lovingly at her cheek, and try as she might to not react, she can’t help but flutter her lashes closed for a brief second and lean into his touch.

The rest of the night seems to pass by slowly.  Misty hardly touches her drink at all, and as normal as she’s behaving around everyone else, Harry-- and Kennedy, it seems-- can tell that something is wrong.  She seems sad, her eyes less bright, and as the hours tick on she becomes less and less secretive about her glances towards Harry.

The party ends-- finally-- around 3am, with most of its guests falling asleep in various places throughout the house.  Misty moves slowly, helping Kennedy clean up the apartment, and Harry follows her anxiously-- wishing he, too, could help.

“Are you okay?”  Kennedy asks, once she and Misty-- and Harry-- are alone in the kitchen.  “Like, actually.”

“Yeah,” Misty insists.  “My buzz just wore off and like… I dunno.  I just want to sleep.”

“I get that,” Kennedy says, turning on the sink to wash out a glass.  “Well why don’t you go up to bed?  I’ll finish up in here.”

“I don’t want to leave it all to you--”

“I’m good! I’m just gonna do a couple more dishes and then head up to bed myself.  We can do the rest tomorrow.”

Misty hesitates, glancing from Kennedy to Harry before sighing, smiling a little relieved smile.  “You’re the fucking best, Ken.”

Kennedy grins.  “Duh.  Go get some sleep.”

Misty throws her arms around Kennedy from behind, giving her a big squeeze and pressing the most obnoxious kiss to her cheek before bidding her goodnight.  She still seems upset-- something is still very clearly on her mind, but she seems a bit relieved that she’s finally able to leave.  

As she pulls away, she shoots Harry a questioning glance, as if asking him to come with her.  He nods, holding up his finger to indicate that he’ll be right there.  Misty smiles, nodding her head before disappearing out of the kitchen.

Harry turns back to Kennedy, making his way slowly towards her.  He reaches forward, hesitating before giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze.   He’s thanking her, in the only way he knows how to without revealing himself, and much to his relief, Kennedy only jumps slightly before giggling.

“I knew you were here,” she says softly.  “Whoever you are.  And I know you care about our girl, too.  Don’t worry, I’ve got her.”

Harry smiles to himself, wishing he could verbally thank her.  But just her knowing about his existence-- and being okay with it, at that-- means more to him than he can explain.  So without any more delay, he disappears from the kitchen and makes his way to Misty.

He finds Misty in her room, waiting in the doorway, and she smiles when she sees him.  He makes his way quickly into her room and she closes the door behind him, her face immediately dropping the moment it’s closed.  Harry waits for her to speak, but she doesn’t-- she only busies herself with retrieving the items she needs in order to get ready for bed.

“Are you alright?”  Harry finally asks, voice gentle.  He doesn’t know if he should step closer, touch her, hug her, or just stay away, so he stands awkwardly off to the side.

“I’m alright,” Misty says, most unconvincingly.  

“You sure?”  This time he does take a step towards her.  “I don’t think--”

“It’s nothing,” Misty insists.  “Seriously. He’s a creep.”

‘You shouldn’t have to deal with him,” Harry says.  “Does he treat you like that often?”

Misty pauses, then sighs, nodding her head slowly. “And everyone kinda just… lets him get away with it because….” she scoffs cynically, “He’s Josh.”

“Fuck Josh.  Where does he get off?”

Misty shrugs, opening a drawer and rummaging through it in search of a t-shirt.  “It’s just who he is.  I don’t know.”

“Well I mean…”  Harry isn’t sure how to word his next question.  “What makes him think that he can mess with you like that?”

“It’s literally nothing,” Misty says, exasperated.  She pauses, considering her words before turning to face Harry.  She opens her mouth, then closes it, and then finally decides to speak.

“You really want to know what happened?”

“If you don’t mind,” Harry says.

Misty sighs again, removing her little devil horn headband.  “We were drunk at a Kappa party my freshman year.  We kissed a little.  I was… stupid.  He kept pouring me drinks, and I just… kept taking them.  And….”

Harry waits for a moment, before gently pressing her a bit more.  “And?”

“And stuff happened.  We didn’t like, have sex or anything. I know that for a fact.  But he…”  She trails off, lost in thought, before continuing. “I don’t remember a whole lot of it.”

Harry is furious, and he wants more than anything to go find Josh and kick his ass.  But he knows that isn’t what Misty wants-- and definitely not what she needs right now.  So he stays put, offering her a sympathetic sigh.  “Oh, Misty.”

“It’s okay,” she offers. “I remember he made me a drink that was particularly strong. We went up to his room and then… next thing I remember I was throwing up in the yard.” Misty laughs bitterly. “My big was the one that found me. With him, I mean. That’s how I know we didn’t have sex. But she saw what we were doing and I—“ Misty trails off, shaking her head. “I don’t remember it at all.”

Harry swallows heavily as he takes in her words, scanning her face. The way Misty is looking at him right now, with her big soft eyes and genuine smile, he’s feeling guilty for even bringing it up.

“So. That’s what happened.”  Misty shrugs.  “I wish it didn’t, but it did.  And that’s it.”

Harry runs a hand through his hair, feeling for the first time just how cold he really is.  The only thing Harry can settle on in this moment is a sigh, and so he lets all of his anxieties out in a big puff of air that actually, admittedly, does make him feel better.  As soon as he’s pushed all the air out of his lungs, his guilt increases, and he meets Misty’s eyes.

“Misty,” he says softly,  “Sunshine.  I’m so sorry.”

Harry reaches for Misty, nervous that he’s pressured her to talk about something so personal. She does lean into his touch-- thank God-- and she lets out the deepest sigh she feels she’s ever let out in her life.

“Harry….I don’t know how to navigate a situation like this,” Misty admits, voice hardly above a whisper.  “I only want to make you happy.”

“Darling, you do make me happy. I can’t believe he would ever—“

“It’s not about him,” Misty says. “I’m okay. I’m talking about you. I don’t know how to navigate… this.”

Harry pauses, realizing that she’s talking about the blatant chemistry between the two of them. “Well, I—“

“You’re just…. such a wonderful guy. And I wish—“ she trails off, as if second guessing her words, before starting her next thought. “All I know is that you’re someone I just… want around. All the time.”

“I want to stay around,” Harry says gently.  “I wish I could stay around longer.”

“Me too.”  Misty smiles sadly up at him.  “Our situation is unique.”

“Unique,” Harry repeats.  “That’s a nice way of saying ‘weird as hell.’”

Now Misty giggles.   “But I like it,” she tacks on quietly.  “I like…”  She trails off, closing her mouth as if the rest of that sentence hangs heavy on her tongue.

“I know,” Harry offers.  “I do, too.”

They stay like this for a moment, before Misty sighs.  “I have to get ready for bed now.  So--”

“I’ll go!” Harry says quickly.  “I’ll let you get to sleep and--”

“No, wait!” Misty holds up her hand.  “I’ll be right back.  I’m gonna change and stuff in the bathroom.  But then I’ll come back so we can… say goodnight.”

Harry wonders what exactly she means by that, but he doesn’t even allow himself to question her.  He smiles.  “Alright.  I’ll be here.”

Misty looks almost relieved.  “Alright.”

Misty disappears into the hallway, leaving Harry behind with the silence and his own thoughts. He knows Misty is still a bit buzzed, sure, but her words were pointed.  He tries not to overthink what she could have potentially meant by ‘say goodnight.’

He sighs, walking around her room and trying to distract himself from the nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach.  He looks at the pictures in the frames along her dresser, the unfinished homework lying on her desk, the paddle made by her “big” hanging on the wall.  All these pieces of Misty’s life make him smile, but what really gets him is the framed picture on her bedside table.

It’s a picture of her family, taken from when Misty couldn’t have been more than fifteen years old. She’s smiling the biggest smile Harry thinks he’s ever seen, and she’s the spitting image of her beautiful mother, who stands behind her, laughing.  

Beside her mother stands her father, a tall, broad man with some wrinkles around his eyes and graying sideburns.  He looks like the kind of guy that Harry would love to chat with, sharing a whiskey neat or two while giving each other shit.  He seems pleasant, and he seems like a wonderful man just from this picture alone.

Surrounding Misty are her siblings: an older brother, and a younger sister and brother.  Harry wants more than anything to be able to meet them.  To have to earn the respect of Misty’s older brother, to spoil her younger siblings and make them love him.  He wants to be close to the whole family, really.  He wants to be the boyfriend that Misty brings home one year for spring break.  The boyfriend who brings a new plant for her mother, who watches football with her father and impresses them with his knowledge of American traditions, despite being british.

Harry wishes, more than anything in the world, that he was still alive.

He doesn’t realize how long he’s been staring at the picture until he’s startled by Misty’s presence as she enters her room once again.  He jumps a bit, and Misty giggles.

“Hi,” she says.  “Sorry.  Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Hi. Ghosts don’t get scared.”

“Debatable,” Misty says.  Harry gets a good look at her, and he’s completely enamored. He’s just watched her transform from a sexy demon, with dark makeup and long lashes and the plumpest red lips he’s ever seen-- to the most adorable person he thinks he’s ever laid his eyes upon.

Her makeup-less face reveals a few zits on her cheek, her lips look chapped, and she’s dressed only in a long t-shirt and shorts.  She discards her costume into her hamper without a second thought, completely unaware of the way Harry is watching her.

“You look cute,” he says, as she pulls back her comforter.

“Shut up,”  she says, rolling her eyes as she crawls into bed.  “Ew.”

Harry snorts.  “I’m serious.  You’re so pretty.”

“Well,” she says, plumping up the pillows behind her.  “You’re so nice, but I’m going to have to respectfully tell you that I think you’re lying.”

“Well,” Harry mocks, “agree to disagree then.”

Misty relaxes against her pillows, rubbing sleepily and adorably at her eyes for a few moments.

“Thanks for being so wonderful to me,” she says after a bit, pulling the covers up tighter around her hips.  “Like, all night I mean.  You didn’t have to do that.”

“Don’t be silly,” Harry says.  “I care about you.  I had fun.”

“Me too.  I just…” she sighs, and Harry takes a step towards her.

“What, love?”

“I just wish you could’ve actually like… had a good time.  Like, drank and hung out with us and stuff.  I wish I wasn’t the only one who could see you all night.”

“You don’t like havin’ me all to yourself then?”  Harry fake pouts.  

Misty rolls her eyes, but she smiles anyway. “It is nice to have my own personal ghost, but I just… wish you weren’t one.”

Harry smiles sadly.  “Me too,” he says.  “But I like watching over you.  Like your own personal guardian angel or summat.”

Misty giggles.  “Yeah, I guess so.”

“Feelin’ okay?” Harry asks, trying to change the subject. “Need more water or anything?”

“No,” Misty says. “Think I just need to sleep off the rest of this buzz.”

“Yeah,” Harry agrees.  “Sometimes that’s best.”

“Yeah.”  There is a weird sort of tension fizzling in the air between them, as if Misty has something else she wants to say.

Harry waits patiently, watching as she avoids his gaze. She seems deep in thought and on the verge of asking something, but when she doesn’t Harry realizes that maybe he’s the one being awkward. Maybe she wants him to leave now and she’s too polite to tell him so.

So Harry clears his throat. “Alright. Well. Goodnight, bug.” He nods in finality.  After a few more seconds, he takes a step back before vanishing right in front of Misty’s eyes.  He’s about to actually leave, and he figures he can go inspect the house.  Maybe see what damage has been done, and try to discreetly clean up a bit in order to help speed up the process tomorrow for what he knows is going to be a very hungover group of girls. But something catches his attention that he absolutely cannot ignore.

“Wait, don’t go!”

Misty’s voice sounds so pitiful that Harry can’t even pretend like he’s not going to come back.  He manifests immediately in the corner of her room and he coos at her.  “What is it, sunshine?”

“Can you sleep with me?”

She seems so embarrassed to be asking, it makes even Harry’s cheeks flush.  “You want me to… get in bed with you?”

Misty nods, eyes bigger than Harry’s ever seen.  “Yeah,” she mumbles.  “Can you?”

Harry doesn’t remember the last time he spent a night in a bed-- much less with a beautiful girl-- but the thought of doing it tonight excites him.  He doesn’t want to come across as too eager, of course, but he can’t help but feel touched by her request, and he all but runs to her side.

As he makes his way towards the bed, he speaks.  “I might be a little bit cold,” he offers.  He looms over her, reaching down to brush a bit of her messy hair off of her forehead.

“S’okay,” Misty sighs, “I have lots of blankets.  Just wanna cuddle.  Is that okay?”

Harry smiles at how cute she looks, bundled up and sleepy in her bed.  He chuckles softly, reaching to tug gently at her covers to pull them back for himself.  “Yeah,” he says,  “That’s okay.  I can do that.”

As Harry settles himself in bed, he tries not to beat himself up too hard for the slight shiver in her body.  She obviously doesn’t seem to mind as she cuddles up close to him instantly.  The feeling of her warmth is almost too much for Harry to handle-- similar to the feeling of getting into a hot tub too quickly-- but he doesn’t mind.  It feels so good, and if he closes his eyes he can pretend, just for a moment, that he’s human, too.

“Can ghosts sleep?” Misty asks abruptly, tearing Harry from his fantasy and reminding him of his actual form.

Harry chuckles. “Yeah, we can sleep,” he says.  “It’s not exactly the same as how you sleep, though.”

“What’s it like then?”

Harry thinks for a moment, choosing his words carefully to explain this in a way that it makes sense.  “You know how I mentioned I can visit dreams?  When I’m… gone.”

“Yeah?”

“So if I go to sleep while I’m here, I’ll just go there.  To the dreamscape.  Where I can visit anybody’s dreams that I want. That’s usually how I visit my mum or say, a friend.”  Harry chuckles.  “Or someone who wronged me in the past.  So I can haunt their ass.”

“But you’ll still be here when I wake up right?”  She sounds so sleepy, almost needy, and it makes Harry hold her that much tighter.

“If you want me to be,” he answers.

“I do,” she says softly.  There is a beat of silence before she’s changing the subject again. “Tell me what it’s like.”

“What?”

“The dream stuff.  Like how do you just… do that?”

“Mmm. It’s like… how can I explain…”   Harry thinks carefully once again.  “I’m in a black… room?  Sort of.  Like where I go when I’m gone.  And there are a ton of doors, right?  In this room I mean.  And I can enter any one of them that I’d like, at any time. Anywhere in the world.”

“You can enter anybody’s dream?”

“Mhm.”

“At any time?”

“At any time.”

“Woooooow.”  Misty’s sleepy exclamation tickles softly against his neck.  “That’s so cool.”

“It is yeah,” Harry says, smiling to himself.  

“Can you come into my dream tonight?”

“If you want me to, yeah.”

“Can you make me dream about you?”

“Well,” Harry says, tracing a circle into Misty’s spine.  “Yes and no.  Whatever you’re dreaming about, I can enter it if I want to.  But I won’t know what you’re dreaming about until I’m in there.”

“Oh,” Misty says through a yawn.  “Ew.”

Harry snorts. “Why ‘ew?’”

“Because what if I’m dreaming something embarrassing?”  

“Then I can embarrass you about it forever,” Harry says.  “How fun!”

Misty pulls Harry closer, burying her face deep into his neck.  He can feel her visible frown, and it makes him smile.  “Don’t pout,” he coos, scratching at her back.

“Don’t tease meeee,” she whines, but the way she says it sounds like she has another thought to add on.

Misty hesitates, and Harry gives her time to think about what she’s going to say.  She arches her back the teeniest bit, leaning into a particularly good scratch, and it makes Harry smile. Finally, she finishes her thought.

“I actually did have a dream about you the other night,” she says,  “although now I’m guessing you already knew that.”

Harry nods.  He did know that, because it was his doing. Nothing out of the ordinary had happened; if anything it had just been pretty mundane-- similar to every day he’s spent with her in real life.  But it felt more real, more permanent, more tangible.  Harry had been careful, of course, not to be too obvious with it-- he didn’t interfere with the natural plot line of her dream as much as he normally would if it were a real visit.  He had just wanted to spend more time with her, and it had been lovely.

“Was it weird?” He asks, although he already knows the answer.

“It wasn’t weird,” Misty says.  “You were just kinda… there.  But I…” he feels her body tense up, and she curls herself even further into his side, as if hiding herself.  “I wanted to kiss you so bad.”

Harry feels his breath hitch in his throat, and his fingertips cease their movements along her spine.  “Yeah?” he chokes out.

“Yeah,” she whispers back.  “Is that weird?”

“It’s not weird, sunshine,” Harry whispers.  “I wanted to--”  He trails off now, letting the rest of his sentence fizzle out in a sigh.  “It’s not weird,” he repeats.

“I’m falling asleep,” Misty announces through the softest yawn Harry thinks he’s ever heard.  “It’s not weird right?  Like, things between us aren’t weird just cause I got drunk and kinda… confessed some shit?”

“Confessed what?”  Harry says.  “You’ve told me nothing.”

Misty giggles  “You’re a good man, Harry.”

“I’m not a man,” Harry teases.  “I’m a ghost.”

“Can you not be annoying for like, one whole second?”

It’s Harry’s turn to giggle now. “Alright, I’m sorry. I’ll chill.”

Misty yawns again, and the feeling of her breath against his neck makes him shiver.  He smiles, snuggling his cheek against the top of her head. “Well,” he says.  “Goodnight, sunshine.”

“Goodnight, Harry,” she mumbles.  Without thinking, she presses the softest little peck against his neck that almost goes unnoticed by him. It makes him freeze, letting out the rest of the air in his lungs in a little sigh. He doesn’t know if he should kiss her back or not, but she doesn’t seem to mind either way.  So he lets it slide.

But he spends the entire night replaying the feeling of her lips against his neck over and over and over again.

------

Misty sighs as she reaches into the fridge for a bottle of water.  Somehow she’s been roped into a conversation that she wants no part of; gossip between Lindsey and Rosie about Lindsey’s boyfriend who’s been openly cheating on her for weeks. Perhaps she had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time, but somehow Misty has found herself listening to the girls chat away, one feeling sorry for herself, and the other kissing her ass.

When Misty closes the door, she jumps when she sees Harry, who has manifested right in front of her.  She lets out a frustrated sigh through her nose, and Harry grins cheekily at her, raising his eyebrows and daring her to speak.

“What’s wrong, Misty?” Rosie asks, and Misty realizes her little scare hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Misty glances between Harry and the two girls, who stare expectantly back at her.  “Uh,” she says,  “Nothing.  I… thought I saw something.  Sorry.”

“Is it that fucking ghost again?” Rosie’s face grows pale at her own words. “I swear to God if that fucker is back I--”

“No,” Misty says, cutting her off.  “He-- it-- isn’t back. Continue with your story.”

Lindsey launches right back into it, hardly giving Misty’s words a second thought. “Anyway, Brad was like, totally flirting with me that night right?”

“He totally was,” Rosie replies.

“Thank you! I thought he was, and Jade thought he was, but then now he’s back with Jessie again and--”

“God who cares about any of this?” Harry’s voice drawls in Misty’s ear. “She’s been going on and on about this for ages.”

Misty sighs softly so that only Harry can hear her.  She knows she can’t verbally respond to him, but he hears her response and smirks. It’s then the idea pops into his head.

“Whatever you do, don’t smile,” Harry says, voice low and teasing in Misty’s ear-- a surefire way to make her smile.  

The corners of Misty’s lips twinge and she visibly gulps, and Harry knows he’s got her.

“I said don’t smile,” Harry, sing-songs, inching closer to Misty’s ear and trying his hardest to get her to break.  “You’ll look like a crazy person.  Can you imagine?  Lindsey’s pouring her heart out, and you can’t stop smiling?  What will they think?”

Misty clears her throat a bit more aggressively than normal as a desperate plea to get Harry to shut the hell up.

“No,” he replies, with a cheeky grin, knowing exactly what her noise meant.  “I’m not going to stop.”  

Misty holds her breath as an attempt to hold her composure as Harry continues.  “Imagine if Lindsey’s water like, came out of her nose right now. Wouldn’t that be crazy?”

Harry notices the way Misty runs her tongue over her teeth, setting her jaw firmly so as not to slip up again.  And honestly, he’s impressed.  He presses her further.  “Did you know I could make that happen?”

This time Misty’s breath hitches, and she eyes Harry threateningly out of the corner of her eyes.  “I really can,” he says. “I can snap my fingers and she’ll be like a faucet.  A free flowing spirit.”

Harry thinks he’s almost got her, her lips twitch up again and she raises her water bottle to her lips to cover it up.  Harry snorts.

“Nah, I’m fucking with you,”  he says,  “you think I could really do that?  Who do you think I am, fuckin Harry Potter?”

Misty rolls her eyes without giving it a second thought, which luckily goes unnoticed by her sisters-- but not unnoticed by Harry.  He raises his eyebrows.

“Ope! Careful there.  Going to give yourself away, eh?”

When Misty stares blankly ahead, Harry laughs.

“Wow,” he says, “so you’re really not gonna smile, are you?  You’re good at this.”

His tone makes Misty think he’s giving up, and she gives a subtle smirk of satisfaction in his direction.  

But Harry is nothing if he isn’t persistent.  And he is not going to give up that easily.

It’s when Misty raises her arm to run a hand through her hair that Harry gets his idea.  He doesn’t even allow himself time to think about it before he’s setting his plan into action.  Before he knows it, he’s going right for Misty’s ribs.  

Harry digs his hands into Misty’s lower ribs, squeezing a few times, and Misty folds instantly into his arms.  She lets out a surprised shriek mixed with an almost honking laugh, and both Lindsey and Rosie stop the conversation immediately to shoot her a puzzled look.

It’s all too good, and Harry is so utterly pleased with himself right now.  He’d be lying if he said this kind of power didn’t go to his head, especially when Misty immediately realizes that she’s got to stop giggling.  Harry doesn’t let up on her ribs, lowering a hand to pinch softly at her side, and Misty tries desperately to cover up her remaining giggles with a cough.

Harry would also be lying if he said that seeing her laugh like this didn’t turn him on.  But that is neither here nor there.

After a few more seconds of tickling her and watching her desperately try to contain her giggles and cover them up with the fakest coughs Harry’s ever heard, he decides to show the poor girl some mercy.  He removes his hands from her torso, and it takes her a few seconds to realize she’s free.

The silence that follows is charged with awkwardness, and Harry almost feels a bit bad.  Misty, whose face is visibly hot, reaches for her water bottle on the counter and takes several long sips from it.

“You alright?” Rosie asks, slowly raising an eyebrow.

Misty gulps down one more sip and gestures vaguely at her throat.  “Yeah, sorry I just--”

“Have a tickle in your throat?”

Harry beams, voice low in Misty’s ear.  “Something like that,” he says.

Misty closes her eyes and lets out a long sigh, as if she’s just heard the worst joke of her life.  Harry snorts.  “I know,” he says.  “That was a good one, wasn’t it?”

“Linds, I’m so sorry to interrupt,” Misty says,  “But I have this huge paper due in a couple of hours and I’m super behind so--”

“Oh is it that stupid paper for english?” Lindsey nods sympathetically.  “I worked on it like, all night last night.”

“Yeah,” Misty lies,  “I have to work on it.  I promise in a few hours I’ll be right back down to--”

“No worries, baby, do your thing!” Lindsey says, shooing Misty with her hand. “I get it.  You’re good.”

“Thanks.”  Misty begins making her way out of the kitchen without even sparing so much as a glance in Harry’s direction. “I want to hear all about it later though.”

Misty storms up the stairs with Harry close on her heels. He is giggling the entire way, but Misty doesn’t even smile.  It’s about halfway up the stairs that Harry begins to get a bit nervous.

“You have to admit that was good,” he says through his laughter, obviously trying to lighten the mood.  “Come on.”

Misty ignores him, continuing her path to her room.  When she arrives, she doesn’t even check to see that Harry is behind her.  She closes the door a bit harder than she intends, and Harry effortlessly glides through it.  The silence that follows is absolutely deafening.

She turns, agonizingly slowly to face him, and the look on her face is unreadable.  Harry isn’t sure if the smirk on his own face is appropriate or not, so he tries his best to suppress it while he waits for her to say something.  When she doesn’t, his lips twitch.

“I take it you’re angry,” he tries.

“How could you do that?!” Misty hisses, the sort of whisper that’s stupidly loud.  He knows she isn’t angry, not fully, but he almost worries he took things a step too far.

“Sunshine, I’m sorry, I didn’t--”

“Made me look like a fucking idiot.” Misty runs her hands through her hair and shakes her head at him.  “And for what?  So you could get a laugh?”

Harry tries desperately not to smirk, but the corners of his lips turn up ever so slightly-- giving him away. “Yeah.”

Misty stops, not exactly expecting that answer.  She pauses for a moment before sighing through her nose and closing her mouth.  “Ridiculous,” she mumbles, before brushing past Harry to rummage through her closet.

“I really think you should lighten up,” Harry says, walking over and plopping himself on her bed.  “Wasn’t meant to be a personal attack.”

“Lighten up?!” Misty says, whirling around on her heels.  She hesitates, realizing that she’s raised her voice a tick too loud.  She takes a step towards Harry, lowering her voice significantly before speaking.  “You think I need to lighten up?  Harry, you--”

“I didn’t mean to ruin your bloody day, Misty, Christ.  I was just trying to make you laugh.”

“Well don’t.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

There’s an intense pause between them, and Harry doesn’t shy away from Misty’s intimidating stare.  In fact, there is hardly any emotion on his face at all, and Misty can’t tell whether it infuriates her or turns her on. She can feel the blood rushing to her cheeks growing hotter by the second, and she lets out a flustered sigh.

“You seem like you have something else to say,” Harry states calmly.

It’s so unfair, Misty thinks.  It really fucking is.  She scrambles to find words to express how she’s feeling, but her brain is cloudy with the thought of how goddamn attractive he is. When she really thinks about it, she isn’t angry at all, really.  The thought of Harry being able to do whatever he wants to her- whenever he wants- in front of people both embarrasses her and makes her excited.  

Truth be told, she’s never been more excited in her entire life.

Harry raises his eyebrows expectantly.  “Well?”

“I don’t have anything else to say,” Misty says quietly.

“Are you sure?”  Harry asks, rising to his feet and taking a cautious step towards her.

Misty lets out a frustrated breath, reaching up to push her hair off of her face.  “Yes, I’m sure! Will you stop doing that?”

Harry scoffs, mockingly.  “Stop doing what, Misty?  Trying to call you out on what we both know is true?”

“No!” Misty’s voice is dangerously loud, and she catches herself again before she can get any louder.  She rolls her eyes at herself before continuing at a much softer pace.  “Stop… looking at me like that.”

And oh, now Harry understands.

Harry shakes his head.  “I’m not looking at you like anything.”

“Yes you are!” she insists, closing the space between them just the tiniest bit more.  “You’re always looking at me like… like that!”  She gestures indistinctly.

Harry licks his lips, eyebrow subconsciously raising challengingly.  “I’m going to need you to be more specific, Misty.”

“You know what I’m talking about.”

“Sunshine,” he drawls, voice thick as honey,  “all I ever want is to make you happy.  That’s a promise.”

Misty swallows, nostrils flaring as she tries to get her breath under control. “Harry, I…”  She trails off, because truth be told she doesn’t know where she was even going with this thought.

“What?” he asks, taking another step towards her.  “Tell me.”

After a beat of intense silence Misty groans.  “I don’t know! You’re so annoying and you’re so perfect and you make me so happy and I just--”

“What?” Harry says, inching closer.  “You just what?”

Misty lowers her voice, eyes thick with sadness.  “I just… don’t want to be feeling this way about you.  I can’t.  But you make it impossible to not.”

“To not what?”

“Fall for you.”  Misty sighs.  “I’m trying so hard not to because… well, you’re not actually here  are you?”

“Can you see me?”  Harry asks, matter-of-factly.

“Well, yes, but--”

“I’m here.”  Harry reaches forward, lightly caressing Misty’s arm.  “I’m right here Misty.”

Misty glances down to his hand, then back up at him.  “Harry, I don’t know what I’m feeling.”

He pulls away, not wanting to pressure her into feeling any type of way at all. “What do you mean?”

“I mean-- God.”  She lets out all of her air and shakes her head, almost cynically.  “Harry I… really, really like you.”

If Harry had blood running through his veins, it would run cold at her words.  “You do?”

“Have I not made it obvious?”  Misty scoffs.  “Fuck, dude, you’re so perfect.”

“I’m not,” Harry says in a breath.  He steps forward.  “Misty, I’m not.”

“You are,” she insists.  “I want you so bad, Harry.  And I’m scared.”

Harry processes her words slowly, and he knows he shouldn’t say what he’s about to say. But he does it anyway.

“I’m scared, too,” he admits softly, feeling more human than he’s felt in a long time.

“I’m scared that I’m going to really fall for you,” Misty continues, “because I know you’re just going to have to leave in the end. And I’m going to be sad, and I’m going to miss you, and—“

“Well then why don’t we just pretend?” Harry tries. “We’ve still got a few more weeks, haven’t we?”

“Yes, but the thought of you leaving won’t go away, Harry! It’s all I can think about. Every time I feel something for you I’m reminded of our situation and how you’ll never actually be mine.”

“I hate it,” Harry agrees, his own voice matching hers in volume now. “I absolutely hate it, but Misty, we can’t let that thought hang over the time we have left like a raincloud.”

“But--”

“You make me feel alive again, Misty!” Harry doesn’t mean to cut her off, but he can’t help it.  “I know that’s forward, and we haven’t known each other for all that long, but it’s true.”

Misty looks like she wants to cry, and her eyes feel thick and heavy.  She wills herself not to break, taking a moment to regain her composure before speaking.  “Harry, I don’t know what to do,” she whispers.  “I don’t… we can’t--”

Harry leans in, taking Misty’s chin in between his thumb and forefinger.  He tilts her head up softly, effectively quieting her, and she realizes her lips are still parted. Harry can feel her breath, and it feels far too intimate to be real.

“Can I kiss you?” He asks, voice tender and quiet.

Misty blinks up at him. “God,” she breathes, “I’ve been waiting for you to ask me that.”

Harry smiles, leaning in gently and fastening their lips together slowly.  He takes her top lip between his own, and he can feel her instantly relax against him. She smiles faintly into the kiss as well, but makes no movement to pull him closer— as if she’s still a bit unsure.  He kisses her again, then pulls away, scanning her face for any sign of discomfort.

“How do you feel?” He asks after a moment.

“Like I want to do that for the rest of my life.”  Misty reaches up to cup Harry’s face and bring him in for another kiss.  

Harry, of course, happily complies to her nonverbal request, snaking his hands around her waist and holding her gently to him.  He timidly peeks his tongue out, gliding along her lip as if asking for permission, and she willingly submits— opening her mouth for him to lick into.

Misty giggles into his mouth the minute their tongues interact, and it makes Harry pull away. “What?”

“You taste good,” she says. “You taste…. sweet. I don’t know. I love it.”

“Oh.” He grins, pulling her back into him to pick up immediately where they left off.

It’s beautiful, and Harry feels happier than he’s felt in a long time now that he’s finally kissing her. He licks into her mouth softly, trying to convey all the words he isn’t yet brave enough to say.

“Harry.”  Misty pulls away, smiling up at him.  She’s so happy that it feels like everything her eyes land on is glowing. “God, I can’t tell you how long I’ve wanted to do this.”

“Why didn’t you do it then?  I wanted it, too!”

“Well why didn’t you?!”

Harry grins.  “Wanted to see how long until you gave in, I suppose.”  When Misty rolls her eyes, Harry chuckles.  “Alright I’m kidding.  I guess I was just… scared.”

“Me too,” Misty admits.  “I mean… feelings are scary one way or another, but then when you add our situation in there its…”

“Weird as fuck,” Harry says, nodding.  “Yeah.  I hate it.”  He smiles, cupping the back of her neck and bumping his nose tenderly against hers.  “But I don’t fully. I’m very happy that I have you, sweet girl.”

Misty smiles, leaning gently into his touch.  “Kiss me again,” she asks,  “Please.”

Harry grins, pulling her close to him and pressing his lips gently to her forehead.  “With pleasure.”

They continue like this for a while, giggly and unsure and so, so happy.  It is weird, as they both admitted, but it’s so incredibly wonderful and fills both of their hearts with a warmth that neither of them have felt for a while.  And as Harry continues to kiss against Misty’s smile, he forgets his situation— if only for a moment— to revel in the fact that he’s kissing the most beautiful girl he’s ever known.

He doesn’t think his entire existence could ever get better than it is right now.

------

Later that night, Misty sits cross legged on her bed, fresh from a shower and rubbing lotion into her arms while Harry explores her vinyl collection.  She’s wearing the cutest t-shirt and pajama shorts combo Harry thinks he’s ever seen, and it’s driving him crazy.  Things are definitely not awkward between them by any means, but the whole situation feels silly and exciting, like two middle schoolers who just admitted they had a mutual crush on one another.

Misty nods towards the Fleetwood Mac record Harry currently holds in his hands.  “I found that one at a garage sale,” she says.  “Luckiest find of my life.”

“No kidding.”  Harry turns, smiling at her.  He holds the record up.  “Do you like Fleetwood Mac?”

“Nah, just thought the vinyl looked cool.  I don’t even know any songs by them.”

Harry halts all movement, eyeing Misty to figure out if she means what she’s saying.  She’s got him for a moment, her expression remains completely unbothered as she rubs her vanilla lotion into her arms.   But then she giggles, face twisting up like she can’t believe Harry would even ask her that.  “What the fuck kind of question is that, Harry?  Hello?  Why else would I have that?”

Harry snorts.  “You know what?  I’ve had enough of your sarcasm.”

“My sarcasm?” Misty says.  “You’re one to talk!”

“Me? I’m a dream!”  Harry returns the record to it’s rightful spot and makes his way over to the bed.  “You on the other hand--”

Harry reaches for a pillow to whack Misty with, but Misty is quicker.  She grabs the other pillow on her bed and shields his attack, squealing as he continues his fight on her regardless.  He eventually tosses the pillow aside, going for what he knows will absolutely get her to cave and digging his fingers into her sides.

Misty squeals, instantly bucking into his touch as he squeezes at her.  “Wait, no! Fucker!  This is cheating!”

“Careful!” Harry taunts, fingers wiggling up to her ribs. “No one else knows I’m here! Would be awful embarrassing if they heard you talking and giggling to yourself, wouldn’t it?”

“Well then fucking stooooop!” Misty whines, wriggling under his grasp.  “Why are you making me--” She is cut off by her own cackle before she continues-- “Do this?!”

“Because I can.”  Harry beams down at her, leaning down to press a kiss to her nose.  “Because it’s cute and you like it.”

“I don’t like it!” Misty practically howls.  “You’re annoying!”

“Oh,” Harry says, ceasing the movement of his fingers.  “I’m annoying?”

“YES!” Misty whines, pouting up at him.

He smiles, leaning closer into her face and enjoying the heat radiating off of her cheeks.  “Do you really not like it?”

Misty pants, catching her breath and smiling up at Harry.  “No,” she admits after a beat.

Harry squirms so he’s fully on top of her now. “‘No’ you don’t like it? Or ‘no’ as in you do like it and don’t want me to stop?”

Misty reaches up to cover her face as much as Harry’s body pinning her will allow.  “‘No’ as in… don’t stop.”

Harry grins, pressing a kiss to Misty’s nose.  “I figured.”

Harry trails his lips lightly along Misty’s cheeks leading up to her mouth, pressing smiley kisses to the soft skin and loving the way he can feel her smile beneath him.  “Pretty girl,’ he mutters.  “You’re the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”

When he finally fastens his lips to hers, Misty sighs.  She opens her mouth willingly, allowing him to lick his way in, and she delights in the sweet taste of his tongue against hers.  She allows her hand to trail up Harry’s icy neck, tangling her fingers in his hair before she tilts her head away slightly to speak.

“You know,” she muses,  “You could be awful mean to me if you wanted to be.”

Harry quirks an eyebrow, cocking his head to the side teasingly.  “Do you want me to be mean to you?”

Misty only sighs. “If you have to ask--”  She trails off, fingertips lightly toying with the hem of Harry’s shirt.  There’s a moment of tense silence in which she bats her eyes up at him innocently, and that’s all the starting gun he needs.

“Ohh, sweetheart,” Harry coos.  “You’re going to have to be more convincing than that.”

Misty groans, her facade crumbling away little by little.  “I cannnn’t,” she whines, hiding her face in her hands.  Harry can see her smile between her hands however, and it eggs him on.

“You can,” he says, voice almost mockingly sweet. He rises to sit on his knees. “Know you can.  You just won’t.”  

Harry reaches up, trying to gently coax her hands from her face as best he can. “You know why you won’t?”

Misty peeks through her fingers, shaking her head but not verbally answering Harry.  He flashes her his cheekiest dimpled grin.  “Because you want me to make you say it. Am I right?”

Misty giggles as Harry successfully lowers her hands.   “You can’t make me say it,” she says teasingly.

Harry shrugs, placing his hand on Misty’s calf and squeezing lightly.  “It’s true.  I can’t. Can’t make you do anything you don’t want to, baby.”  He walks his fingers up her leg, tauntingly tracing his pointer finger around her kneecap and making her shiver.  “But darling, this cute little act of yours is only going to get you so far.

“It’s gotten me far enough, hasn’t it?” Misty licks her lips subconsciously, reaching forward to scratch behind Harry’s ear.  “Obviously things have gone my way.”

“Have they?” Harry says, cocking his head.  “I haven’t given in yet, have I?”

“How much longer until you do?” Misty asks, giggling nervously.

Harry shakes his head, leaning in to press a kiss to the side of Misty’s chin.  “Dunno,” he says.  “Wanna see how long you’re going to act like this for.”

Harry presses a few more rapid kisses directly to Misty’s chin before trailing them up to the fleshiest parts of her cheeks.  After a few kisses there, he pulls away.

“Your cheeks are so hot, sunshine,” Harry muses, reaching up and tracing a knuckle along the tender skin.  “Why?”

“Hot in here,” Misty breathes, voice so low that Harry can barely even make out what she’s saying.  

Harry’s honey drip of a voice sends shivers down Misty’s spine when he speaks.  “No,” he says with a grin.  “That’s not it.”  

With his other hand, Harry trails his fingertips down the sensitive skin of her arm, making her squirm a bit.  “Know what I think it is?”  His fingers squeeze delicately over her hips before resting on her exposed thigh-- where he gives her a soft scratch.  “I think somebody is embarrassed about how badly she wants me to be mean to her.”

Harry leans in, pressing an icy kiss to her neck that makes her instinctively tremble.  A breathy moan floats past her lips as Harry ghosts his own along her collarbone.  He takes his time with this, really inhaling her scent and her warmth as he makes his way down her body.  His fingers trace delicately along the waistband of her pajama shorts, her stomach jolting a bit when he hits a sensitive spot on her hips.  Misty watches his face with parted lips, so completely enamoured by him and his touch that she’s rendered speechless.

Slowly, gently, Harry lowers his hand to the spot between her legs, feeling the damp heat against the soft fabric of her short pajama bottoms.  He grins, slowly adjusting to sit up on his knees once again.  He takes her in, her entire body, and allows himself to really savor this moment.  When his eyes fall on the beauty between her legs again, however, he stops.

“And you know what else I think?” Harry says, grinning over her as his fingers tease her waistband once again.  “I think you like being embarrassed like this.  I think you like that I can do this to you, and we’re the only two who’ll ever know about it.  Hm?  Am I right?”

Misty gulps, goosebumps prickling her skin and lips glistening.  She nods.  “Yes,” she breathes.  “You’re exactly right.”

“I knew it,” Harry says, hooking his fingers into her waistband. “Filthy girl, aren’t you?”  He begins lowering the shorts from her hips, never breaking eye contact and smirking at how willingly she complies with his movements.  When he pulls the shorts past her feet he flings them carelessly to the floor, then glances down at the ever-growing wet spot on the fabric between her legs.  He grins up at her.  “Messy thing you are, too.  Look how wet you get just from some teasing.”

“Harry--” Misty breathes.

“Love it when you say my name like that, darling,” Harry purrs.  He leans forward to press a kiss directly to her bellybutton. The kiss is wet, and the sound of it mixed with Misty’s beautiful sighing is enough to make Harry melt.  He can’t help but to close his eyes and take a deep breath in, sighing when he’s met with her heavenly scent.  “Smell so fucking good,” he mumbles.  “Haven’t smelt anything like this in years.”

“Don’t--” Misty breathes,  “Don’t tease.”

“Ohh,” Harry tuts, tracing the spot where her inner thigh meets the fabric of her panties.  “Poor thing doesn’t want me to tease?”

He glances up at her from under his lashes, and the look on her face sends Harry over the moon.   Her eyes are wide and the smile on her slightly parted lips is so warm and inviting that Harry almost has a hard time keeping this up.

“Well, I find that hard to believe.”

He sinks his teeth into the waistband of her panties without any warning, and she gasps at the sudden sharpness mixed with the temperature of his mouth on her hips.

Misty lets out an unfiltered moan and immediately flings her hand up to her mouth to keep herself quiet.  She gives herself only a few moments to compose herself before whispering, “Harry, I… I need you--”

“Aww,” Harry coos, his teeth still hooked around her panties. He shakes his head a bit, curls falling in his face as he pulls the fabric away from Misty’s skin. “Needy,” he mutters, tugging a bit in an attempt to remove the panties.

When the lower half of Misty’s body is exposed to the chill of Harry’s skin, she shivers, and he delights in the movement for the first time since he’s met her.

“Know I’m cold,” he says quietly, teeth still clenched around her panties as he drags them down her leg.  “But it feels good, doesn’t it?”

Misty nods.  “M-hm…”  She’s eyeing him, and he’s moving slowly because he can tell she has something she wants to say.  He discards her panties onto the ground and tries not to outwardly show just how fucking delicious she looks right now.  He’s practically drooling at the sight of her, but she’s nervous, and he doesn’t want to push her too far.  So instead, he trails his nails slowly up her calf, looking only in her eye  and waiting patiently for her to speak.

“Nervous?” he asks.

“Well, no,” she says.  “But I…”  she trails off, squirming when his eyes land between her legs once again.

“What’s wrong?”

“I…” she starts, squirming a bit.  “I didn’t shave.”

Harry almost laughs at her when she says this. “Oh, darling. That’s what’s got you so nervous?”

She nods.  “Yeah.  I mean, I didn’t think… I don’t know.”

“Your pussy looks amazing,” Harry says, deciding to just bite the bullet and be as forward as he feels.  “Looks fucking delicious.  Smells delicious as well.  I certainly don’t mind a bit of hair.”

“You don’t?”  she asks, sitting up.

“Are you kidding?” He reaches forward, brushing against some of the hair with his finger.  “Fucking sexy as hell.  Don’t be silly.”

“I mean,” Misty says quickly, “I suppose it’s probably been, like, a minute since you’ve seen a pussy.  So I guess any pussy is gonna be fine.  I mean, not to assume your preferences, or anything, but you know--”

Harry leans forward, biting Misty’s thigh and making her yelp.  “Shh,”  he mumbles.  “Please.”

Misty giggles nervously. “Okay,” she says.

Harry leans down and kisses the spot he’s just nipped at, trailing his lips up her thigh and settling himself on his stomach. Being this close to her core ignites something in him that he hasn’t felt in years, and just the smell of her alone makes his mouth water.

With one hand Harry coaxes Misty’s leg up and over his shoulder, and now with a clearer view of her beautiful pussy he licks his lips.  

“You’re already so wet,” he observes. “Wanted it this badly, did you?”

“Want you,” she replies, squirming. “So bad.”

Harry takes his time with it, eyeing her body up and down before leaning in to press the most velvet soft kiss directly at her center  His scruff tickles her lightly, and she lets out a sigh.

Harry hums against her core before really diving into his work, peeking his tongue out from between his lips to lap delicately at her clit.  He watches her from under his long lashes, waiting for a reaction from her as he explores her with his tongue— wanting to find the best spot to really devour.

She watches him intently, as if in a daze, while he sucks at her, and it takes him a moment to realize she’s holding her breath. So he pops off of her clit gently, making her jolt, before reaching up to place a hand on her belly. “Breathe, baby.”

Perhaps Misty didn’t realize she was holding her breath, because she lets it all out in a puff. Her tummy immediately grows a bit and Harry loves it, loves seeing her fully relaxed for him like this.

“You okay?” He asks. “Genuinely.”

“I’m okay,” she says.

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

“Cross your heart?”

Misty snorts.  “I swear on my life, Harry, come onnnn.”

He giggles, “Alright alright.”  Without any further warning, he leans down and presses the softest kiss directly to her clit, resuming his work and licking against her.

The only noises in the room are Misty’s heavy breathing and soft sighing, mixed with the wet noises of Harry’s mouth-- and it all feels so filthy and intimate that it makes Harry lose himself in his work. He moans, even louder than she does, and it makes her back arch a bit off of the mattress.

“Harry--” she sighs.

Harry tilts his head, ghosting his lips against her thigh.  “Careful,” he says.  “I don’t have to be quiet. You do.”

Misty smiles to herself, enjoying the feeling of his tongue between her legs. The sensation of his temperature down there is something she’s never experienced before in her life, and it makes the entire experience all the more intoxicatingly wonderful.

“God you taste so fucking good,” Harry mumbles, pulling his head back only slightly and reaching up to rub at her clit. “Like fucking honey. Delicious.”  He lowers his fingers to collect her wetness, observing the stickiness coating the digits before raising his hand to her mouth.

He doesn’t even have to tell her to do anything, she’s already opening her mouth and sticking her tongue out. Harry rests his fingertips on her tongue, and she envelopes them with her lips, giving them a nice long suck that causes Harry to make a most obscene noise in the back of his throat.

The temporary distraction lights a fire in Harry’s soul, and he ducks down to bury his face in her pussy once more. She arches her back when he hits a particularly good spot, and she accidentally bites down gently on his fingers— which Harry is surprised to find that he loves the feeling of.

Harry hums against her, wiggling his fingers a bit as a silent request for her to loosen up.  She opens her mouth, unable to contain the moan that escapes her lips when she does so.  Harry envelops her clit with his lips and sucks harshly, and she squirms against him.

“Harry--” She breathes.  “It’s so… fuck-- you’re so good…”

“Quiet now,” Harry mumbles against the skin of her thigh.  “Unless you want them to know how filthy you are.”

“I don’t care,” Misty pants breathlessly.  “I’ll blame my vibrator, I don’t care,  I’ll--- oh fuuuuck.”  She’s cut off when Harry sinks his teeth into the flesh of her thigh, and even he moans at the sensation.

“Fucking shit,” he mumbles as he pulls away, admiring the dents that his teeth left and the string of saliva trailing from his bottom lip to her plushy skin.  “You taste good everywhere.”

“More,” Misty pleads.  “Harry, more, please.”

Harry sits mesmerized by the imprint of his own teeth on her thigh.  “They’ll think you’re crazy if they hear you.”

Misty groans, and Harry instinctively reaches up and covers her mouth without hesitation.  He considers stopping, punishing her for not listening to him and being loud.  But looking up at her, seeing how needy and fucked out she already looks has him weak.  So he buries his face between her legs and prepares to finish the job, licking her out like it’s the one thing he was born to do.

Misty’s hand flies to Harry’s hair and she tugs so hard it makes him wince.  Honestly, it’s the best feeling he’s felt in ages.  No one has pulled his hair like this since long before he died, and the feeling alone causes him to moan out loud against her core.

“Fucking shit, Misty,” he mumbles.  “Do that again.”

“You like that?” Misty cries breathlessly, her fingers moving frantically to grasp at his curls once again.  

Harry groans, lapping against her clit and enjoying the most pleasure he’s felt in years. “Misty,” he breathes, relishing in the way she twitches against the tickle of his breath against her skin, “You’re so fucking perfect.”

“Fuck,” Misty groans.  “Holy shit--”

“Is this good sweet girl?”  

“I need more,” Misty cries, and who is Harry to deny her of her simple request?

He reaches down, fingering gently at the wetness pooling between her legs before teasing a single finger into her-- never once removing his lips from her clit.

He sucks harshly while his finger simultaneously searches for the spongy spot inside of her. She squirms around his digit, and Harry has to use his other hand to pin her hips down.

“Hold still,” he instructs.

“I can’t,” Misty whines. “I need another finger.”

She’s practically begging at this point, and it makes Harry so smug. “Ohhh,” he says, lips ghosting her thighs again, “So you’re the one calling the shots, are you?”

He’s teasing, of course, because he knows that she absolutely is the one in control of everything that’s going on right now.  But the way she��s dripping, tugging on his hair and practically shoving his face into her-- as well as verbally begging him-- strokes his ego.

“Please,” she groans.  “I want-- fuck-- I need to cum.”

Harry smirks up at her, tutting his lips.  “Not even embarrassed to be so needy?” he teases.    “My god…”

As much as he loves to tease her, though, he wants to make her cum more than anything else. And seeing her on the brink like this-- already-- makes him all the more eager. So he adds a second finger, pumping his digits in and out and lapping at her clit like it’s his last meal.  

She lets out an obscene moan, louder than any of the others she’s let out, and he knows she’s close. But for the sake of her pride, he knows she has to stay quiet. So he removes his hand from her hip and presses it to her mouth.

“Quiet,” he instructs, giving her face a little squeeze before putting his entire heart and soul into eating her.  

Misty is wiggling like mad now, and it takes everything in Harry to keep his mouth on her.  He knows that if he lets go of her mouth to try and pin her hips down again, she’ll expose herself— loudly— so this is a challenge Harry gladly accepts.

She stills briefly when her orgasm hits, and then her thighs are trembling around his face.  Her stomach is clenched and she’s drooling against the palm of his hand.  Her muffled moans are music to his ears, but they do sort of catch Harry off guard because he’d never guess that she’d be such a vocal cummer.  Of course, he isn’t complaining, and he wishes that he could hear her, completely unfiltered, with no one around to catch them.

Misty’s stomach relaxes a little bit at the same time she lets out a few little cries, and Harry realizes that she’s finished-- although her pussy continues to flutter with aftershocks against his tongue.  He slowly removes his hand from her wet mouth and looks up at her from under his lashes.

She looks utterly fucked, with tears in her eyes and chest rising and falling gently as she tries to catch her breath.  Harry is fascinated, thinking he’s never seen anyone so beautiful in his entire life, and he realizes that he hasn’t moved in a while when Misty squirms beneath him.

He removes his lips from her but continues to watch her, relieved when her features seem to relax and she lets out a breathy giggle.  “My god,” she says, voice somewhat hoarse.  “That was--”

“A dream,” Harry says, now allowing himself to relax a bit as well.  He looks down at her soaked pussy and grins.  “You’re messy.”

“Can you blame me?”  Misty reaches up to run a hand through her hair.  “Fuck, that was good.”

“Yeah?”  Harry smiles.  “I’m so glad.”

Misty hums, reaching down to playfully muss up Harry’s hair.  “Now, come up here so I can take care of you, pretty boy.”

Her words hit Harry’s heart, causing it to sink immediately. “Oh, doll,” he tuts,  “God, I wish you could.”

Misty frowns.  “What do you mean?”

“No blood in my veins,” Harry explains sadly, still making no effort to remove himself from between her legs.  “No blood… no boner. I don’t get hard.  I don’t cum.”

“Holy shit.”  Misty props herself up on her elbows, looking down at Harry and causing the cutest double chin Harry thinks he’s ever seen.  “Seriously?”

Harry nods.  “Seriously.  So even if you did… I wouldn’t feel anything.”

“Do you…” Misty’s voice gets quiet, as if suddenly going shy.  “Do you still get horny?”

“Yeah.”  Harry kisses Misty’s knee.  “Of course. You think I don’t feel anything while I’m eating your beautiful pussy?”

“I don’t know!” Misty whines.  “I feel like there is so much about you that I’m still learning.”

“Well,” Harry says with a sigh.  “You turn me on.  More than anyone I’ve ever known.  My body may not be able to physically show it… but you do something to me that I haven’t felt in years.”

“So I’ll never be able to suck you off?”  Misty pouts.

Harry smiles sadly.  “I’m afraid not, sweet girl.”

“Holy shit.” Misty frowns. “That fucking sucks.”

Harry laughs. “I mean… it’s not so bad. I get to make you feel good.” He licks softly at her pussy in an attempt to begin cleaning her up, and she flinches out of sensitivity, causing him to chuckle.

“I hate it though,” Harry admits, “kind of. I hate that I can’t…. well… pardon my French here but—“

“Fuck me?” Misty finishes. “You hate that you can’t fuck me? Because I want you to.”

Harry snorts. “Well damn, miss Misty. Never expected you to be so forward but yes, I hate that I can’t fuck you the way you deserve to be fucked.”

Misty frowns. “I just want to make you feel good.”

“You do make me feel good.,” Harry says with a smile. “Every second that we’re together feels better than the last.” He licks at her pussy once again, smiling at the way she wiggles against his tongue instantaneously.

“Now,” he says, “let’s get you cleaned up and get that English paper done, hm?”

-------

It’s the night of Misty’s sorority homecoming, and Misty is having a less than ideal time.

It isn’t that the venue isn’t wonderful, or that her friends aren’t being lovely. Everything seems perfect from the outside, and Misty knows she should be enjoying it. But her problem isn’t with the event itself— it’s the fact that she’s here alone.

Because the one person she’d wanted to bring as her date happens to be a ghost.

Harry had watched her get ready all day, constantly telling her how gorgeous she looked and laughing, amused, when she’d tried countless times to get him to give in and come with her. Of course he wasn’t going to do that, and she understood, but still.

He’d sent her off with a kiss, reminding her one last time how absolutely stunning she looked and promising to be waiting up for her the minute she returned home.  And she’d left, reluctantly, because she knew he was right— she did need to go off and live her life.

But god, what she would give to have him here right now.

“Misty!”  

Misty realizes she’s been staring at the wall, the drink in her hand nearly spilling over, when she’s startled out of her thoughts.  Angie walks excitedly towards her.  

Angie, of course, looks stunning.  She’s wearing a long, blue gown that compliments her eyes nicely, and her hair is done up in curls that are so perfectly put together they don’t even look real.  She flashes Misty a warm smile as she approaches.

“Girl!” she says.  “What’s wrong with you? You alright?”

Misty smiles, realizing that she probably looks silly all zoned out like this.  “Yeah, no, I’m good! Sorry. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

“You look sad,” Angie says, worry creasing her eyes.   “You sure you’re just tired?”

Misty sighs, because god, she really wishes she could explain her situation to Angie. Or anyone really.  “Yeah, I’m good.  Sorry.”

“Well you should get out there and dance!” Angie says encouragingly.  “The DJ kinda sucks but like, if you take a shot beforehand it’s not that bad.”

“He does kinda suck, doesn’t he?” Misty giggles.

“Oh, also…”  Angie hesitates before speaking her next sentence.  “Josh is looking for you.”

Misty rolls her eyes, but Angie continues talking.  “I knoooow, I know he sucks but like… I don’t know, maybe if you got drunk and made out a little bit it would--”

“Why would I do that?” Misty asks.  “He came here with Brooke anyway!”

“Oh yeah, and she’s pissed about it,” Angie giggles. “Everyone knows he was just trying to make you jealous.  Poor Brooke.”

“Yeah,’ Misty says.  “Josh sucks.”

“You know, I don’t know why you won’t give him a chance!” Angie leans against the wall, taking a sip of the bright orange drink in her glass.  “I mean, he like, very clearly wants you.”

“I don’t want him,” Misty replies.  “Like, at all.  If he can’t take a hint, then--’

Misty trails off when she notices Angie squinting over her shoulder.  “Who the hell--”  Angie whispers.

“What?”  Misty turns slowly, and her jaw drops when she sees what it is that Angie is looking at.  

In walks Harry, physical body and all, waving at everyone like he’s known them all his life.

Is she dreaming? Surely she has to be.  She shakes her head, then reaches up to her forehead as if to check her temperature.  Can everyone else see him?  How is he here?

Her movement catches Harry’s eye, and he beams at her, turning his full attention towards her and heading in her direction.  “Misty!” He calls, waving at her.

Angie’s jaw is practically on the floor, as are the jaws of almost every girl in the room.  “You know him?” Angie asks.

And honestly, Misty isn’t sure what the right answer to that question is.  “I--” is all she can manage to get out.

Harry approaches, and Misty is not only greeted by his delicious cinnamon scent, but a strong, spicy cologne. He looks delicious in this suit, and when he hugs her she shivers, partly because of his cold skin and partly (mostly) because she can’t believe her eyes.

“Hiya, darling,” Harry says, wrapping Misty up in a chilly hug and kissing her cheek.  “You look absolutely beautiful tonight.”

“Thank you,” Misty manages to stammer out, although her facial expression must give away how confused she is.  

Harry only smiles down at her, reaching up gently to close her mouth.  He then turns to Angie with a pleasant smile.  “I don’t believe we’ve met,” he says, extending a hand.  “I’m Harry.”

Angie wastes no time, reaching forward to shake his hand quickly.  She seems taken aback by the temperature of his hands, but Harry pays it no mind.  Instead he brushes it off with a quick, “Don’t mind the cold hands.  Can never quite get used to the weather out here.”

Misty giggles, awkwardly, wrapping her arm around Harry’s back.  “Darling,” she says, as forcibly normal as possible, “I had no idea you were coming tonight.”

“Wanted to surprise you!” Harry answers cooly, before turning back to Angie.  “I’m sorry, love, I didn’t catch your name…?”

“It’s Angie!” Angie blurts, cheeks growing redder by the minute.  She giggles like a little schoolgirl.  “Misty never mentioned she had a boyfriend… much less such a handsome one.”

Harry smiles.  “I’m flattered, Angie.  Thank you.  But no, actually, Misty and I are just casual for now.  We met a few summers ago during her spring break back home.  We’re… oh, I don’t know what to call it… talking? I suppose?”  Harry laughs, grinning down at Misty.

Misty, still in shock, misses a beat before realizing that he’s addressing her.  She laughs stiffly.  “Yes,” she says, “‘talking’ is a good word.”

Harry grins back at Angie.  “And you?  Where’s your lucky fellow tonight?”

“Oh,” Angie says, biting at her lip, growing visibly excited at the mention of her date.  “He’s um… he’s somewhere around here. I guess we’re uh— talking as well.”

“Ah,” Harry says, “I see.”

He’s so ridiculously chipper, so casually cool, and Misty is growing more and more impatient by the minute.  She laughs, accidentally cutting Angie off just as she begins a sentence.

“Angie, I’m sorry, but would you mind if I took Harry outside for a bit? I didn’t realize he was going to be here tonight and we… uh…” She looks up at Harry, who only grins smugly back at her,  “We have a bit of catching up to do.”

“Oh sure!” Angie says.  “Of course, babe, go have fun.”  She smiles brightly at Harry.  “It was so nice meeting you, I’ll catch up with you both later, yeah?”

“Yeah!” Harry says, warmly. “Of course!”

Misty smiles at Harry,  but the look in her eyes informs Harry that she has a lot to say.  He smiles, so ridiculously casual and sweet, and takes her hand.

“After you sunshine,” he says.  

Misty rolls her eyes, but she does smile softly to herself as she leads him outside. Harry doesn’t know if she means to, but she gives his hand a slight squeeze as she walks.  He gives her hand a squeeze right back, far more intentional than hers, and her breathy little giggle does not go unnoticed by him.

Harry eyes the room, taking in his surroundings and looking for who he has decided is his number one enemy in life (and technically death)-- Josh.  He doesn’t find him at first, and he has to admit that his heart sinks a bit at the thought of not being able to show Misty off right to Josh’s face.  But then he finds him, outside smoking a cigar with a few other guys, and Harry perks up once again.

Misty doesn’t even acknowledge the boys as she continues to lead Harry to a quiet corner of the garden, but Harry of course isn’t going to stand for that.  Not when he has the satisfaction of seeing Josh’s face light up upon Misty’s arrival only to completely drop half a second later when he sees she’s with somebody.  Harry’s not letting it end there.

“Evening, guys.”  Harry raises his free hand to his forehead, giving the group an effortless salute.   “Gorgeous night, innit?”

Josh takes the bait, immediately stepping out of the circle and making his way over to Harry and Misty.  Misty doesn’t even notice until Harry is resisting her tug, and when she turns around to see who’s approaching she rolls her eyes.  “Fuckin hell,” she mumbles.

Harry, of course, has the complete opposite reaction, smiling warmly right back at Josh.

“Hey man!” Josh says, holding out his free hand.  “I’m Josh.  Don’t think I’ve ever seen you around?”

“Never been around,” Harry says matter-of-factly.  He takes Josh’s hand with a grip so firm Misty can sense it.  “I’m Harry.”

“Nice to meet you, Harry!” Josh’s smile is so fake Misty wants to scream, and she wishes she could evaporate into thin air to escape the awkward tension in the air right now.  “How do you know Misty?”

“I’m from her hometown!” Harry says.  “Met her a few spring breaks ago.  We’ve been casual for a while now.”

“Have you?”  Josh looks pointedly at Misty, and she rolls her eyes.  Harry never looks away from Josh.

“I would say so, yeah,” Harry smiles.  “On and off of course.”

“I see.”  Josh nods stiffly.

“Oh wait!” Harry says suddenly, as if a thought has just occurred to him.  “Ohhh, you’re Josh!  Misty here has told me quite a bit about you!”

Misty can feel the blood rushing to her cheeks as she glances frantically between Harry and Josh.  Josh smiles.

“Oh yeah?  All good things I hope!”

“Mmm…” Harry says in a questioning tone, shrugging a bit but maintaining his smile.

Josh stares blankly back at Harry, completely unsure of how to process what he’s just said, and Misty can’t help but giggle.

“Okay, well!” she says, trying and failing to hide the smile on her face.  “This has been super lovely but Harry and I have quite a bit of catching up to do, don’t we?”

“We sure do, pumpkin!” Harry wiggles his nose exaggeratedly at Misty and she laughs.    He turns back to Josh.  “Nice to finally meet the famous Josh,” he says.   “I’m sure I’ll see ya around!”

“Uh,” Josh stammers.  “Yeah.  See ya.”

Misty tugs Harry away from Josh and over to a secluded corner of the garden, and Harry shoots Josh a pointed and intimidating look over his shoulder before turning to Misty.  She tries to be serious, but she can’t stop herself from giggling.. “Harry what the hell!” She hisses.

He smiles.  “Surprised?  Happy? Do you want to kill me?”

“Um, yes to all of the above!” Misty lightly slaps his arm.  “What are you doing here?!”

“Wanted to surprise you,” he says, reaching forward to gently hook his pinky with Misty’s.  “Figured a beautiful girl like you shouldn’t be alone on a big night like this.  I wanted to help make it special.”

Harry leans in and places a kiss right on Misty’s cheekbone.  “Besides,” he says, softer,  “I couldn’t give Josh the satisfaction of thinking he had a chance tonight.”

Misty giggles, oblivious to the way the nearby group of boys are all watching her longingly.  Harry laughs along with her, kissing her nose and then her smile.  “Are you happy, sunshine?”

“So happy,” she says, kissing him back.  “Beyond happy.”  

Misty pulls away, eyeing Harry in his suit.  Never in her life has she ever seen a more handsome man, and she lets out a hum of satisfaction.  “But,” she says slowly.  “I don’t… understand.  Your energy--”

“I’ll be fine, love,” Harry insists.  “It’s one night.  As long as you’re happy.”

“Yeah but--”

“No buts.” Harry smiles.  “Now, something tells me you haven’t danced much tonight. Is that true?”

Misty smirks.  “Didn’t feel right dancing without you.”

“Well, that’s a shame,” Harry says. “We’ll have to fix that, won’t we?”  He holds his arm out to her, raising his eyebrows.

Misty eyes his arm before giggling and linking arms with him. She shakes her head. “I can’t believe you.”

Harry leads her back inside, shooting Josh one more pointed look before holding the door open for Misty.  She’s like a giggly schoolgirl as she walks through, taking Harry’s hand in hers and giving it a long squeeze.

Misty practically floats onto the dance floor as a slower song begins, and Harry can’t believe she’s real. He twirls her under his arm, admiring the way her skirt swishes and catches the dim lights. She beams up at him brightly before wrapping an arm up around his shoulders and pulling him in. They begin swaying together as Harry pulls her in closer by her hips; the scent of her perfume just below his nose. He can feel her sigh contentedly against his chest, and it makes him smile to himself.

“It’s so nice to finally dance with you like, out in the open and stuff,” Misty says.  “Instead of looking like I’m possessed.”

Harry laughs.  “I know.  It’s nice to be seen.  It’s nice to show off my dancing.”  The minute he finishes his sentence, he spins Misty out, then in, before dipping her.  She squeals, giggling up at him and going limp in his arms.

“Love hearing you laugh like that,” Harry says, mirroring what he’d told her the first night they danced together.  “I mean it.”

He pulls her back up into him, her hair flying behind her.  “No one makes me laugh the way you do,” she admits.  “I love it.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.’

A comfortable silence falls between the two of them for the next few moments, and they can’t seem to keep their eyes off of each other. Harry let’s out a boyish giggle and leans forward, pressing a peck to her nose.

“You know,” Misty says. “You’re actually a pretty good dancer for a ghost.”

“I’m not sure whether I should take offense to that or not.”

“It’s a compliment,” Misty laughs. “I’m just impressed. A lot of guys I know aren’t really good at dancing.”

“I was known to be quite the dancer in my day,” Harry says, spinning her out and then quickly back into him once again.

“Really?”

Harry gives Misty a soft little hip check. “Not at all.”

Harry and Misty laugh their way through the rest of the dance, hardly even realizing when the music slows to a stop. Harry leans down, pressing the sweetest kiss to Misty’s lips before she even has a chance to say anything, and she smiles into the kiss— communicating exactly how she’s feeling just by her kiss alone.

After a few more dances, they make their way to a table, giggling and out of breath. Harry orders Misty another drink, socializing with everyone at the table like he’s known them his whole life. And as Misty watches him through slightly buzzed and love drunk eyes, she allows herself to feel, just for the moment, that everything in her little world is perfect with Harry.

———

About an hour and a few drinks later, Misty wanders into the restroom, leaving behind a very happy Harry— who chats effortlessly with the other people at their table.  She realizes halfway through her journey that her face hurts from smiling, and she giggles to herself quietly.

Her situation may be incredibly unique, but she’s so lucky to have Harry here on her arm this evening.  She giggles, throat thick with the sweet drink she’s been sipping on and eyes hazy, before washing her hands and making her way back out into the hallway.  No one is around, and she begins to make her way back into the large dance hall when she nearly runs someone over as she turns the corner.

“Oh, sorry!” She looks up, immediately relieved to find that it’s Harry she’s bumped into.

He smiles down at her.  “Slow down there, speed racer.  Where are you going in such a hurry?”

“Coming to find you,” she says, smiling at him.  She rises up onto her toes and kisses his chin.  

“Mm.”  Harry hums, tilting his head to kiss her lips.  “Having a fun night?”

“Yes.”  She wraps her arms around his waist, pressing her face to his chest and inhaling the delicious cinnamon scent of him.  “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Yeah?” Harry presses a kiss to the top of her head.  “Me too.  So glad.”

Misty pulls away, licking her lips and adjusting Harry’s bowtie that she’d accidentally muffed up.  “How are you feeling?”

“Fine!” Harry insists.  “Like I could run a marathon.”

‘Oh yeah?”  Misty eyes him quizzically, and he laughs.

“I mean… no,” he says. “But I feel fine.”

Misty groans.  “You’re using too much energy.”

“Will you stop?”  He asks, pulling her closer by the small of her back. “I’m fine.”

“Promise?”

‘Promise?”

“Swear?”

Harry chuckles.  “Swear.”

“Cross your heart?”

Harry boops Misty’s nose.  “And hope to die.”

Misty rolls her eyes, reaching up to comb her fingers through Harry’s slightly messy hair.  “You’re not funny,” she says, booping his nose right back.  “But you are handsome as hell.  Especially tonight.”

“Yeah?”  Harry tilts his body, tugging at the ends of his suit jacket.  “Like it?  Picked it out myself.”

“How?”

Harry winks.  “Magic.”

“Oh god,” Misty giggles.  “Well, however you actually did it… I’m glad you did.”  She runs her hands along his shoulders and down his arms, squeezing his hands gently.  “You look fucking delicious.”

“Hardly.  You’re far too sweet to me, angel, but I figured that if I was going to be this beautiful girl’s date tonight, I needed to look the part.”

Misty hums, pulling him in by his lapel and buttoning her lips with his. He smiles against her mouth, and she licks eagerly against his bottom lip.  He knows exactly the kind of mood she’s in just by the way she’s kissing him, and he reaches up to cup the back of her neck.

“God,” she breathes, lips ghosting his. “The things I would do to you.”

Harry gulps, loving the forwardness coming from her pretty lips. “Yeah?” He nods, as if urging her to go on.

“Mm, I could devour you. It’s all I want.”

Harry tilts his head, pulling Misty closer and kissing her ear. “What else do you want?”

“To feel you,” she says. “I bet you’re so big.”

Despite having no blood in his veins, Misty’s words stroke Harry’s ego and twist his stomach into knots.  “Mm,” he hums, trying to maintain his smug demeanor.  “I am, actually.”

“Damn.”  Misty pouts, softly fingering at Harry’s bowtie.  “God I wish I could suck you.”

Harry gulps, because fuck does he sure wish that as well. He raises a hand to brush Misty’s hair back from her face, eyes flickering between her lips and her eyes.  “I know, sweet girl.  Me too.”

They spend a few moments just looking at one another, speaking without words.  Harry gently caresses her cheeks, wishing more than anything that his touch wasn’t so damn cold.   He clears his throat softly.  “We have to get back out there, you know.”

“I know,” Misty sighs.

‘You look so beautiful.”  Harry smiles, reaching forward to take Misty’s hand in his own.   “Never seen anyone so beautiful.”

“You’re one to talk,’ Misty says softly, making Harry scoff.  “Can’t take my eyes off of you.”

“Then don’t,” Harry teases.  “Does wonders for my ego when you look at me like that.” He wiggles his eyebrows.

Misty hums, reaching up to thumb at Harry’s cheek. “I want you,” she says quietly.  “So fucking badly.”

“Yeah?”  Harry says softly, gears turning in his head as he realizes the exact kind of mood Misty is in.  “What is it you want exactly, baby?”

Harry has only known Misty a short time, comparatively speaking, but he knows her well enough to know exactly what buttons to push.  He knows what that look in her eyes means, and he knows how to turn her on with only his words.  

He also knows that making her put into words exactly what she wants turns her into a messy, embarrassed puddle that turns them both on.  So he watches her expectantly.

“Well,” Misty says slowly, heat radiating off of her face.  “I want…. To suck you off.”

“I know,” Harry coos, trailing his fingertips along her jawline.  “Said that already. But you know you can’t, baby.  Doesn’t work like that.”

“I hate it,” Misty pouts.  “I just want to make you feel as good as you make me feel.”

“Making you feel good makes me feel good,” Harry says.  He waits for a response, and when it doesn’t come, tense idea forming in his head comes to fruition.

He reaches around to cup the back of her neck, scratching lightly at the hair there.  “You want me to make you feel good right now, pretty girl?  Hm?”

Misty snaps almost fully out of her trance then, glancing around nervously.  “Harry, we can’t right now.  Are you joking?  We’re in public--”

“Why not?”  Harry grins down at her.  “You know I can disappear.  Make it so that only you could see me.”

“Yeah but--”

“Nobody would know,”  he shrugs, tacking on a quick,  “that is, if you can keep quiet for me.”

Misty sighs sharply at his words, and he chuckles.  

“Sunshine, if you don’t want to, I won’t.”

“No, I…”  Misty lowers her voice, despite the fact that they’re still the only two in the hallway.  “I want to.”

“Yeah?”  Harry asks.  “You sure?  Not trying to pressure you.”

Misty looks up at him, a nervous smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “You’re not pressuring me.  I’ve always wanted to do some raunchy shit like this.”

“Oh yeah?  Bit of an exhibionist are we?”

Misty giggles.  “Harry.”

“I’ll go under the table. No one will even know I’m there.  Even if they look.”

“But where should I tell them you went?”

“Hm.”  Harry hums, considering this for a few moments.  “Cigar break.  Went out to smoke.  You were out with me for a bit but I got a phone call and you got cold.  So you came inside.”

Misty frowns. “You don’t smoke.”

“I’m also not a living human being, but here we are.”  Harry grins, pulling Misty in closer and lowering his voice.  “Gonna let me make you cum, pretty girl?  Hm?’

“Yes,” Misty whispers back, shyly avoiding his gaze.  “Yes.”

“In front of all these people?” Harry asks teasingly.  “Naughty.”

“Harry--”

He laughs, pressing a kiss to her nose.  “Alright, alright.  Go sit at the table.  I think they’re about to serve dessert anyway.”

“And you’re going to miss it?”  Misty pouts.

“Misty,” Harry says,  “You know damn well I’m going to be enjoying my own dessert.”

Misty rolls her eyes.  “I walked right into that one, didn’t I?”

“You did, yeah.”  He pinches her butt.  “Now go.  Please.  I’m hungry.”

“Oh my godddd. Fine.”

She presses one more quick kiss to Harry’s cheek and turns to leave, but he reaches forward-- taking her hand and spinning her back around.  “Wait.”

“Hm?”

“When I come in, you’ll be the only one who can see me. You’ll have to cover for me when I get under the table.”

“Okay.”  Misty nods.  “I’ll pretend I dropped something under there, and I’ll lift the table cloth.”

Harry grins.  “Alright.  Good girl.”

“God,” Misty laughs,  “You’re relentless, huh?”

“What do you mean?” The way Harry’s smiling, he knows exactly what Misty means.

“You just want to get me as worked up as you possibly can, don’t you?”

“You caught me.”

Misty rolls her eyes.  “God you’re annoying.  Okay, I’m going.  See you soon.”

“See you soon, bug.”

Misty turns once again to exit, and Harry gives her bum a quick and subtle slap, which makes her giggle.  

As Harry watches her go, he tries to ignore the ache in his bones.  He’s exhausted-- of course-- from exuding so much energy, but he doesn’t even care.  It feels so good to feel alive again like this.  To be on the arm of a pretty girl, in the midst of a bunch of young happy people with their whole lives ahead of them.

He sighs, pushing his yearning feeling far out of his head and ignoring the exhaustion in his body.  He’s going to give Misty a few minutes to get settled in her seat before he joins her, and he thinks maybe he should go hide in the bathroom for a moment to give himself a bit of an energy break.

The idea is quickly shattered, however, when Angie and her date turn the corner, giggling all over one another. Angie stops dead in her tracks as soon as she sees Harry, and she grows visibly embarrassed.

“Oh! Harry! Hi!”

Harry smiles politely. “Hello Angie. This must be your lucky man.”

Angie smiles shyly up at her date. “Yeah,” she says, “this is Eric. Eric, this is Harry.  He’s Misty’s date tonight.”

“Hey man!” Eric removes his arm from around Angie’s shoulders and holds it out for Harry. “Nice to meet you!”

Eric seems like a pleasant guy, a bit on the short side with big brown eyes and hair that has been perfectly gelled for this evening. Harry shakes his hand warmly, grateful for the fact that Eric hardly seems to even notice the temperature of his hands.

“Where you from, brother?” Eric asks. “Never seen you around before.”

“I’m from Misty’s hometown.”  Harry nods. “Known each other for ages. It’s a sort of casual thing between us, you know?”

“Right on!” Eric grins. “Sort of casual for Ang and I too, I suppose.”

Angie’s face falls just the slightest bit for only half a second, and if Harry had blinked he’d have missed it. She smiles. “Yeah!” She adds. “Super casual.”

“How wonderful.” Harry grins. “You’re a lucky man, Eric.”

Angie blushes at Harry’s words, then gives Eric’s arm a squeeze. “Harry you’re way too nice.” She lets go of Eric’s arm, turning towards the restroom door. “I’m gonna run to the bathroom, if you guys will just excuse me for a second.”

Harry and Eric mumble their goodbyes as Angie makes her way quickly into the bathroom.  Harry smiles at Eric, nodding his head as a parting gesture before turning to make his way to Misty.

“Wait, Harry.”

Eric’s voice surprises Harry, and he whirls back around.  “What’s up man?”

Eric seems hesitant, opening his mouth and then closing it.  He laughs, as if embarrassed of his own self, before speaking.  “Man… I don’t know why I’m asking you this.”

Harry steps back towards Eric, his friendly smile never leaving his face.  “You alright?”

“No I’m good! I just… maybe it’s cause I’m drunk… but I’m--” Eric sighs.  “Dude, I don’t know what to do.”

“About what?”

“Angie,” Eric admits.  “You know, like, I really like her and I-- I don’t know.”

“Mm.”  Harry nods.  “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know if… if she feels the same.”  Eric seems nervous, and Harry smiles reassuringly.

“Are you kidding me?  Do you not see the way she looks at you?”  Eric’s eyebrows furrow, as if what Harry is saying makes no sense to him, so Harry continues.  “She looks at you like you hung the bloody moon, mate.”

“Seriously?”

“You know, I asked her about you earlier. ‘Course, I didn’t know who you were.  But when I asked who her lucky man was, her face lit up like the sun.  How long have you been an item?”

Eric smiles a dimpled smile, seemingly relaxed.  “Almost two months now, I would say.”

“Why the hesitation, then?  If you don’t mind me asking.”

Eric sighs.  “I don’t know, man.  I guess I just…I don’t want to do things wrong.”

“You want to know what I think?” Harry takes a step forward.

“Yeah. If you don’t mind.”

Harry takes in a big breath, pondering the words he’s about to say. He opens his mouth, then closes it, before taking a step towards Eric. “I think,” he begins slowly, “that life is too short.”

Eric chuckles. “Man, it really is, huh?”

Harry nods. “Way too fucking short—pardon my French- to let perfect moments pass you by.”

“Yeah?”

“Mate, if you really feel this way about her, and you know you have this beautiful connection… why wait? You know what I mean?  There were--er, are-- so many moments in my life that I look back on and think, ‘god if only I hadn’t been so stupd.  If only I had done this, or said that.  If only, if only, if only.  And I think…”  Harry sighs.  “I think that when it comes to telling someone how you feel about them…  it’s important to be honest and vulnerable. That’s what makes you feel human.”  Harry smiles, almost lost in his own thoughts.  

“And feeling human,” he adds,  “The good and the bad, is what life is.”

Eric doesn’t reply right away. He smiles, taking in everything that Harry is saying to him. “Shit dude,” he says, after a long while. “That’s some profound shit.”

“Nah,” Harry says, playing it off with a cheeky smile. “We’re just drunk.”

Eric laughs at this. “Maybe. But that was really good advice.”

Harry shrugs. “Just telling you what I wish someone had told me.”

“Yeah.” Eric grins. “Well thanks man.  Ang and I were coming over here to like….” Eric lowers his voice, “.... do stuff, but like, I want her to know it’s more than that for me. You know?”

“I know.”  The door to the women’s restroom begins opening and Harry raises his eyebrows cheekily. “Off you go then,” he tacks on quietly.

Harry turns to exit just as Angie enters, and he can’t help but feel somewhat giddy in his stomach for Eric. He hears Eric and Angie chatting softly behind him when he’a suddenly stopped by the sound of his own name.

“Harry!”

Harry turns on his heel. “Hm?”

“Thanks.”  

Angie glances between Eric and Harry, a bit confused but still smiling. Harry shoots her a quick wink before raising two fingers to his eyebrow and saluting Eric loosely. Eric smiles, an unspoken confirmation between him and Harry, and Harry rounds the corner, leaving him and Angie to talk things out.

And now, there’s only one pressing matter on Harry’s mind:

Making Misty cum until she can’t think straight.

Misty’s stomach churns as she watches Harry enter the room.  She is so nervous for what she knows is about to happen, and yet she’s so excited.  She makes casual small talk-- of course about Harry-- with the others at her table.  “Yeah he went out for a cigar and then got an important phone call from work” and “oh yeah, we met a few springs back.  It’s been very casual” and “God, I know, he’s handsome, isn’t he?”

Harry’s eyes never leave Misty’s face, and he’s smirking so deeply it makes Misty’s stomach (and other parts of her) twitch. “Hiya, baby,” he says quietly, and Misty has to raise her drink to her lips to cover up the enormous smile on her face.

“You remember you have to help me out here?” Harry asks, and Misty doesn’t answer him. Instead, she subtly knocks her knife off of the table.

It doesn’t cause much of a commotion, just enough for the others at the table to glance in her direction.  “Oops!” Misty says, “My bad!” She leans over, lifting the tablecloth and shooting Harry a subtle glance.

He grins. “Sneaky girl,” he mutters, before dropping to his knees and crawling under the bit of space that Misty has opened up for him.

Misty tries to cover up the rustling of the tablecloth as Harry crawls, and luckily the movement goes pretty much completely unnoticed by all of her drunken peers.  Harry settles himself beneath the table, and grins at her.   He presses a kiss to her knee.  

“Still good with this?”

“Yes,” Misty whispers.  “Are you?”

Harry scoffs, gently running his hands up her calves.  “What a dumb question.”

Blood rushes to Misty’s cheeks as she drops the tablecloth and sits up straight. She offers the others at her table a forced smile, but no one seems to notice or care.  She squirms, parting her legs ever so slightly.

Harry reaches for the bottom of her long dress, taking his time and really teasing her by building up anticipation as he drags the fabric up her calves. He kisses the skin he exposes as he goes, taking care to love on her knees a little extra because he knows they’re sensitive.  Misty instinctively opens her legs a bit more, and Harry chuckles quietly.

“Gonna need you a bit more open than that, love.” He gently pries her knees apart, bunching up the fabric of her dress and gasping quietly at the sight before him when he realizes what he’s looking at.

“Ohhh, baby,”  he breathes, “no panties?”  He reaches forward with a single finger, teasing at where he knows she’s already damp. “My god, you’re a dream.”

She wiggles a bit in her seat, hoping for more friction from Harry’s finger, and Harry chuckles almost menacingly. “Squirmy little thing, aren’t you? Barely even touching you yet.”

Harry leans in, pressing another slow kiss to her knee before trailing his lips and tongue up her thigh. He drapes the skirt of her dress over his head, immediately shivering at the feeling of her warmth and wondering if she likes the sensation of his coldness.  

Under the protection of her skirt, all Harry can see, hear, and smell is Misty, and he takes a moment to really soak it all in. Her scent is intoxicating, and he swears that if he were alive, he would be more than content to live out the rest of his days with his face buried between her legs.

Harry takes a big deep breath in through his nose, and exhales slowly, making a point to blow against her skin. He can feel her subtly shiver, and he grins.  This is going to be easier than he thought.

For him at least.

“Now careful,” he taunts.  “Gonna keep quiet for me?” He smirks, pulling away to tease her skin lightly with his finger.  “That was a trick question.  Know you’re going to because you don’t have a choice.”

Misty kicks lightly at Harry, and he grunts.  “Ouch.  Feisty thing.”  He grins. “Alright, alright.  I’ll stop teasing.”

And somehow, Misty doesn’t believe him.

Harry leans in, licking and kissing softly at her clit, just to get her nice and relaxed.  His curls tickle at her thighs, and he hooks his arms around her legs to hold her in place. He’s hardly even started, and yet she’s already so wet. He’d be lying if he said that didn’t do wonders for his ego.

He can faintly hear the conversation going on above the table, but he does make out his name and something about missing out on dessert.  

“He’ll be fine,” Misty says.  “I’ll grab him a slice in a bit.”

“What a generous girl you are,” Harry mumbles, although he isn’t sure if Misty’s heard him or not.  If she had heard him, though, he doesn’t give her time to react.  He opens his lips wider, lapping at her clit from a new angle that makes her shiver.  She squirms in her seat, lowering herself just a bit so that Harry has easier access, and he unhooks one of his arms from her legs to rub gently at her clit while he repositions himself.

Misty squirms against him, and her hands make their way under the table.  Harry isn’t sure what exactly she’s doing until her skirt is lifted up from over his head, and he blinks in the dim light.  

“What, baby?”  he asks.

She threads her fingers through his curls, squeezing, before gently trying to push his head back down.

“Oh you want my hair?”  Harry chuckles. “Cute.”

He licks gently at her clit, enjoying the way her fingers scratch a bit harshly into his scalp. He hums. “Fuck, that feels good.”

Misty jolts when Harry kisses a specific spot, and he chuckles. “Ohhh...You liked that, didn’t you?”  Harry pulls back, examining the spot he just kissed.  “Noted.”

Harry leans in then, attacking the same spot he’d just been lapping at, and the way Misty yanks suddenly at his curls informs him that it’s definitely a good spot.  He moves his hand to grip either side of her waist.

“Misty,” Harry gulps quietly, grasping at her as if he can feel her slipping through his fingers. “Baby, please, I need—“

Misty’s fingers curl into Harry’s hair even more, tugging slightly until Harry finds himself with his forehead pressed to her thigh. He shivers, mumbling against her skin,  “Need you to open up just a bit more for me, baby.”  Without thinking, he presses a kiss to the fleshy spots just below her pussy as she continues to scratch affectionately at his head.  “You’ve done such a good job.  Been good so far.  Need you open.”  Harry sponges kisses along the hem of her dress.

Misty pulls Harry’s head up gently by his curls and rubs her thumb along his cheekbone before squeezing lightly at his cheeks, opening her legs more and pulling him closer to her pussy.

Harry needs only that squeeze as a starter gun, and then he’s off. His hands find their way up to her hips as he bunches up her skirt.  He presses several chaste kisses to the velvet soft skin of her inner thigh, taking his time to soak in her warmth before attaching his lips to her pussy again.

He flattens his tongue along her, licking a long broad stripe just to get the wetness all soaked into his tongue before wrapping his lips around her clit.  He sucks softly, flicking his tongue between his slightly parted lips to give her a heavier sensation.

Misty hums quietly, letting her nails trail along his scalp to the back of his neck.  He knows she wants to moan, and it only encourages him to work harder.  He removes his lips from her clit with a popping noise that startles her, and she lifts the tablecloth ever so slightly.  Their eyes meet, and Harry can tell she’s already fucked.  He grins.

“They couldn’t hear that,” he reminds her. “You’re the only one who has to keep quiet here.”

There’s a visible lump in Misty’s throat as she sighs, begrudgingly removing her eyes from Harry and focusing on the party occurring around her.  Harry clicks his tongue.

“Ohh,” Harry coos,  “poor baby.  Feels so good and she can’t even moan for me, can she?  Sweet girl.”

Harry pulls the tablecloth out of her hands, yanking it back down before resuming the movement of his tongue against her clit. She squirms against him, obviously growing impatient.

“You love this so much,” Harry says,  “don’t you, sunshine?”

Harry doesn’t know if he’s ever in his existence had it this bad for anyone before, and somewhere deep down he knows that Misty fully cognizant of the power she holds over him. It’s exciting for the both of them really, and Harry knows that Misty does not take it lightly.  Still, he loves the exhilaration of teasing her to no end-- he loves how wet it gets her and he especially loves being the only one who gets to see her like this.

Harry lets out a low-bellied grunt, and Misty sighs, an almost inaudible mumble of “oh god” passing her pretty lips.  Harry removes his mouth from her clit, tilting his head to attach it instead to the sensitive skin of her inner thigh with a mumbled coo of,  “Careful.”  He sucks harshly, pulling until he feels her skin against his teeth and then he lets off with a pop.  Misty wants to moan so badly it’s killing her, and Harry can see her toes curling in her heels.  He kisses the spot he’s just bitten, where he knows a mark is already beginning to blossom.

“Feel how wet you are?” He asks.  “Feel how messy you get just from a bit of teasing?  Are you not embarrassed to be so wet??”

“Christ.”  Misty’s voice is so low only Harry can hear it, but he smiles against her inner thigh when he does.

“How cute,” he muses, reaching out to feel the stickiness pooling between her legs. “I wonder what everyone would say if they knew how messy you get for me.” He brings his fingers to his lips, tasting the wetness against his fingertips and humming to himself.  “Wonder if they can smell you.”

Harry buries his tongue directly into the center of her and shakes his head a bit, ignoring the one loose curl of his that falls into his face.  He can feel Misty’s entire body tense up, and he knows she’s close.  He takes his opportunity to make it a million times worse for her; with one hand he reaches up and spreads her lips further apart.  With the other hand, he gently tickles at the back of her knee.

She squirms, partly from his touch against the sensitive part of her leg but mostly from the sensation of his tongue against her clit.  He can see her fingers clench against her chair, and he smiles before buying his own fingers inside of her warmth.  Misty all but lurches forward, and Harry is almost worried he’s given her too much too quickly.  Still, he’s nothing if not a tease, so he curls his fingers gently inside of her.

He smirks, deciding that she’s had enough teasing and wanting to make her cum. He can hear her let out a quiet, breathy giggle, obviously confused at the sensations she’s feeling, overwhelmed with the desire to both laugh and moan, and when he thinks she’s had enough he pulls his fingers away from her knee.

Harry hums against her core, shaking his head. “Cum for me, sweet girl.”

Misty grips the edge of the table at the same time Harry notices her stomach clenches, and then he knows she’s cumming because her knees begin trembling.  He can feel her orgasm pulsating through her, and he works her through it patiently with his tongue.  He curls his fingers a bit more, and sucks a bit harsher, and for a moment he completely loses himself in his own actions.

He’s never seen Misty so wound up, and she lightly stomps her heels against the ground in frustration.  He knows she feels good-- hell, he feels good, too-- and he tries his best to keep her as grounded and still as he possibly can.

It’s when she tangles her fingers in his hair to lightly tug his head away that he realizes he hasn’t stopped, and she’s completely spent.

Harry sits for a moment, staring at her soaked pussy and now slightly bruised thighs, and he admires his work.  She combs her fingers lovingly through his curls, and he knows she’s thanking him for making her feel so good.  It’s then, of course, that he realizes exactly how exhausted he is.  He turns his head to kiss gently at her wrist, then allows himself to sit for a moment and catch his breath.

He doesn’t know how much longer he’s going to last like this. He’s never used this much energy in manifesting before, and he didn’t expect it to be this hard. But Misty is having a wonderful time, and of course so is he— he doesn’t want the night to end by any means, but god, is he ready to lay down.

Harry musters up all the strength he can manage and taps Misty’s knee. “Can you let me out, sweet girl?”

It takes Misty a moment before she lifts the tablecloth, pretending to mess with her heels.  She gives Harry the softest smile the moment their eyes meet, and she looks completely wrecked in a way that only he would recognize.  He chuckles.

“Got you that good, did I?” He begins crawling out from under the table, trying his best to cover how exhausted he is.  As he passes Misty he presses a chaste kiss to her nose, making her giggle.  “I’ll be back.”  

He rises, weakly, to his feet-- and he hopes Misty doesn’t notice how slowly he moves, but she does, and she frowns.  He brushes it off, refusing to make it into a big deal, and then disappears from sight.

Misty is left, trying to cover up the fact that she’s struggling to catch her breath-- and she smiles the moment she sees Harry physically enter the room.

He’s grinning- because of course he is— and his finger guns in Josh’s direction do not go unnoticed by Misty. She rolls her eyes as he approaches the table, smiling brightly at everyone in the small circle.

“Sorry,” he says convincingly, “my mum called.”

Misty smiles up at him. “Oh that’s okay, my love! Everything okay?”

Harry grins at her, reaching over to take her hand in his own. “Everything is absolutely fine. Couldn’t be better, in fact.”

Misty grins, obviously flustered just by the way he’s looking at her. “Yeah?”

He leans forward, kissing her nose lightly.  “Yeah.”  

Harry turns to everyone at the table, smiling that charming smile that Misty is so obsessed with.  “Now,” he says, “Am I too late to get a slice of this cheesecake?”

----

Harry drops, completely spent, onto Misty’s bed.  As soon as she closes the door behind her she rushes to him, immediately undoing the laces on his left shoe.

He’s paler now, his skin looking thin and white, and he smiles sleepily down at her as she gets to work tugging his shoe off.  She seems worried, but he only chuckles.

“Had so much fun with you,” he says, voice weak.  “Did you have fun?”

“Harry, you shouldn’t have put so much energy forward.”

“Wanted to,” he says.  “Worth it.”

“Harry,” Misty coos, tugging the shoe off of his foot before working on the other.  “My god, look at you.”

“Just sleepy,” Harry says.  “I’ll be completely back to normal tomorrow.  Promise.”

Misty is unconvinced; she frowns as she tugs off his other shoe before sitting fully on the bed, crawling up the length of his body.

“I’m gonna undress you,” she says.  “Is that okay?”

“Yeah,” he sighs,  “‘Course it’s okay.”

Misty begins by unbuttoning his suit jacket, then the buttons of his shirt. Harry watches her the entire time, reveling in her warmth. “Feels nice to be taken care of like this.  Wish you didn’t have to.”

“Harry, it’s the least I can do.  You’ve done so much for me.   You shouldn’t have come out tonight.  You should have…”  She notices the way he’s watching her, and it catches her off guard.  “What?”

Harry grunts, trying weakly to prop himsef up on his elbows.  “Do you realize,’ he says, voice frail, “that this is the most fun I’ve had in years?  That getting to feel alive, with the most beautiful girl I’ve ever known, is worth any pain I might be in now?”  He catches Misty’s worried frown, and quickly tacks on, “But I’m not in pain. Just sleepy.”

Misty sighs. “I can’t help but feel like it’s my fault.”

“Awfully selfish of you,” Harry teases. “Not everything is about you, you know.”

Misty rolls her eyes, using all of her strength to sit Harry up and remove his jacket. Harry chuckles, a weak laugh that trails off into a cough. “I promise,” he says, as she settles him back down. “I’m okay. I’m just sleepy. It’s not like I’m dying.”

He watches her expectantly, waiting for a reaction and obviously proud of his stupid joke.

Misty shoots him a deadpanned glare that makes him cackle. “Come onnn,” he says, “that was a good one!”

“How can you still be so annoying when you’re so exhausted?” Misty says, chuckling as she works to unbutton his shirt.

Harry doesn’t answer her, propping an arm up behind his head and watching her work.  She allows her eyes to trail down his body as she reaches the bottom button, pausing at a small patch of hair she notices leading from his bellybutton down into his trousers.  Her breath hitches in her throat as she comes to the realization that she’s never seen him beneath his clothes.

Harry seems to realize this at the same time, and his smile fades just a hair.  “What, baby?”

Misty doesn’t answer him.  Instead she slowly pulls the two sides of his shirt apart further, exposing his entire torso.  She lets out her breath slowly, surprised at how completely normal he looks. She reaches a hand forward but stops herself, unsure if she should actually touch him.

“You know I used to have a tattoo there,” Harry offers.

Misty’s eyes flicker from his tummy to his face.  “Yeah?”

“Yeah.  I had a ton actually.  But I guess when you die, they don’t come with you.”

“What were they?”

Harry trills his lips.  “God I had so many I don’t even remember all of them.  There was a butterfly right here--” he points to the direct center of his stomach, --”some swallows here--” his collarbones,  “and…” Harry smirks, pointing to his hip bones.  “Some ferns here.”

“God.”  Misty continues to scan at his body, eyes landing on a soft purple mark on his ribs.

Harry knows immediately what Misty sees, and he smiles softly at her, taking her hand in his as his face takes on a far more serious expression.  “Where I landed,” he explains. “When I—“

“Oh my god...” Misty is torn between wanting to touch the scar and wanting to leave it be, and Harry seems to be completely sympathetic to that because he only chuckles.

“It’s weird, isn’t it?” He asks. “Took me a while to get used to.”

“I didn’t…” Misty trails off, confused as to how she should even word her question. “I mean, I didn’t think—“

“I know,” Harry says. “It’s weird. I mean how could you ever even know what to expect to see on a ghosts body? How could you  expect, like… a sign of death on another body.”

“I just—“ Misty genuinely doesn’t know what to say, and she’s so thankful that Harry doesn’t pressure her at all.

“I know,” he repeats. “It’s weird.”

“Can I…” Misty’s voice is hardly above a whisper when she speaks. “Can I touch it?”

Harry smiles softly.  “If you’d like.”

“I--”  Misty trails off, unsure of what exactly it is that she’d like to say.  She reaches forward with a timid hand, almost pulling her hand completely back before touching the gentle purple mark.  It’s not raised-- she doesn’t know why she was expecting it to be-- but it’s colder than the entire rest of his body.  She gasps without even realizing what she’s doing.  Harry flinches slightly at her touch, but he doesn’t move.

He allows Misty to run a loving finger over his scar, taking in exactly what it is she’s looking at, before he speaks.  “Are you alright?”

“What?”  It takes Misty a moment to realize what he means, and she tears her eyes from the scar immediately. “Oh god, yeah, sorry.  I’m okay, I just--”

“It’s weird,” Harry says for what feels like the ninetieth time.  “I know.”

Misty sighs, hesitating a bit, as if she wants to say something more. She scans his body again, glancing up at his eyes sadly, before slowly moving forward.  

She moves as if in slow motion, and Harry watches her with baited breath. She squirms a bit, angling her body a certain way, and lowering her face towards his torso.  Harry realizes with sadness what she’s doing, and pressure builds behind his eyes when she lowers her lips to the purple scar.  She presses the most velvet soft kiss Harry thinks he’s ever felt into his flesh, and his eyes cloud with mist.

Misty trails her lips from his ribs up to his collarbone. There is nothing but love in her movements, and Harry tries to swallow down a lump in his throat.  His breath is shaky as he looks down at her, loving on his body.  

She seems lost in her movements, kissing all over his torso as her lashes flutter slowly.  She lowers her lips to his stomach, and he can’t stop the single tear that slips from his left eye.

He hasn’t been loved on like this in years, and he’d almost forgotten what it felt like.

There is no sexual intention behind her kisses, and her low breath from her nose tickles gently just above his belly button.  Harry reaches up to dab at his eye, trying to prevent another tear from escaping.  “Misty,” he says, voice cracking the slightest bit.  “Darling--”

“Harry,” she says softly against the skin of his tummy.  She lifts her head, looking into his eyes and giving him a sympathetic smile.  She reaches up to wipe at his cheek with her thumb, and she doesn’t move her hand away when she’s done. She sighs.  “You are so, so beautiful.”

“Misty,” he says.  “I don’t--”  He trails off when she pecks at his collarbone, trailing warm, wet kisses up his neck.  She noses at his cheek when her lips hit his chin, and then she’s kissing his lips.  It’s all so gentle, so ridiculously intimate and sweet, and Harry doesn’t even realize he’s still crying when two more tears roll down his cheek.

“My sweet boy,” she says, pulling away to wipe gently at his cheeks.  “My god.”

“It’s not fair,” Harry whispers.  “It’s not fair.”

“I know,” she says, continuing to run her thumbs over his cheeks.  “I know, baby.  But it is what it is.  And Harry…”  She smiles softly.  “We can’t let it hang over the time we have left like a raincloud.  Hm?  Remember that?”

Harry laughs in spite of himself, knowing that she’s repeating his own words.   “I know,” he says.   He reaches up weakly to cup her face as well.  “I just want to be able to love you the way you deserve. Fully.  Without fear.”

Misty’s heart freezes the minute she hears Harry speak the word “love” but she doesn’t react.  Instead, she leans in, kissing his jaw.  “Harry,” she says slowly.  “I know it’s not ideal.  But you have given me the best month of my entire life.  I’ll never be able to thank you enough.”

“Don’t,” Harry says, “Don’t say that.  You don’t need to thank me.  Misty I--”

“Shhh.”  Misty rubs her thumb along his bottom lip.  “I know.”  She smiles now, trying her best to hold back her own tears.  “I’m so… so thankful for you.  My beautiful boy. We will meet again, okay?  I promise you.”

Harry swallows thickly.  “I know we will.  I’m coming back the moment I can.”

“See?” she says, smiling.  “And next time will be even better.  But you know what?”  she sniffs, feeling herself slip further into sadness and begging herself not to cry. “We’ve still got a few more days, yeah?”

“We do, yeah.”  Harry chuckles, reaching up to wipe at his eyes.  “God, I’m a sap aren’t I?  I didn’t think this was going to hit me so hard.”

“It’s good, my love!  Sometimes it’s okay to let your emotions out like this.   You’ve done so much for me.  Let me love on you a little bit for a change.”

“You love on me constantly!”

“No,” Misty says.  “Not enough.”  She kisses him again before sitting up.  “Let me get changed.  We’ll go to sleep.  We both need it.”

Harry watches her rise to her feet, and he reaches up to wipe at his damp face.  “You’re too good to me, sunshine.”

“Yeah, yeah.  You can thank me later.”

Harry snorts and Misty throws him a joking glance over her shoulder.  “I’ll be right back.”

Misty disappears into the hallway, making her way to the bathroom to wash her face, brush her teeth, and put on a t-shirt.  She allows herself a few tears, crying quietly to herself for only a minute because god, it hurts so bad.  It hurts feeling something so deep for somebody who isn’t even alive; for someone who she knows she’s going to have to spend 90% of the next year without.  

As soon as she allows herself that moment of weakness, however, she forces it to pass.  Wiping her tears away, she continues with her bedtime routine, making sure she doesn’t look like she’s been crying before making her way back into her bedroom.

When she gets there, Harry is fast asleep on top of her bed-- still in a state of various undress.  She recalls him telling her that ghosts don’t sleep, not exactly, but he looks so peaceful-- wherever he is right now.  

Misty works to gently undress him the rest of the way as he blinks sleepily, hardly even responding to her at all. And when he’s in only a pair of boxers, Misty crawls into bed beside him after turning off the light.

She rolls onto her side, watching him as he sleeps-- or, whatever it is ghosts do.  He looks so beautiful, and she reaches forward to gently stroke at the scar on his ribs again. She loves him, she thinks.  Even though she’s only known him for a short amount of time, she loves him. And there’s an ache in such a weirdly specific part of her heart that she can’t even begin to put into words.  

Pressing the gentlest kiss to Harry’s temple, she cuddles into his side, and he subconsciously wraps an arm lazily around her.  Misty wills herself not to cry-- not to think about the situation at all-- as she drifts gently to sleep.

-----

It’s a somber day.  Colder than usual.  Misty sits with her feet dangling over the side of her bed, and Harry stands off in the corner of her room, nervously fidgeting with some of the trinkets on her shelf.

They know it’s coming.  They’ve known it was coming for the last few days, but they’ve both been avoiding the subject, pretending that if they just ignore it, it will go away.

But it won’t go away.  And Harry has to leave.

Harry glances out the window.  It’s gray outside, matching the atmosphere in the room.  The trees blow angrily outside Misty’s window, and Harry swears he can feel the wind in his body.

“Looks like it’s going to rain,” he remarks casually.

Misty doesn’t reply, and he turns around to see her just staring sadly at him.  She isn’t crying, not yet anyway, but her eyes look damp.

“Are you sure you can’t stay?” Her voice is quiet, like she doesn’t want to be asking the question, and she won’t even look directly at him. It makes his heart-- however dead it is-- feel like its shattering, and he takes a step towards her.

He brushes her hair behind her ear.  “You know I wish I could,” he says, equally as quiet.

“And what would happen if you just… didn’t?”

“Didn’t what?”

“I don’t know.  Didn’t… go?”

Harry smiles sadly.  “It doesn’t work like that.  I don’t have a choice.”

Misty opens her mouth, then closes it again.  Her breath hitches in her throat before she lets it all out in a sigh.  “What’s it like?”  She’s speaking in a whisper.

“What is what like?”  Harry matches her tone.

“When you… go, I mean.  The process. Do you just like, fall asleep?  Or is it like you just blink and you’re in the void?”

Despite the heaviness of their conversation, Harry chuckles.  “Somewhere in between, I suppose.”

“Does it hurt?”  She gulps subconsciously, and she looks so curious and cute right now Harry could scream.

He shakes his head. “No.  Doesn’t feel like anything.”

“So one minute you’re here and the next you’re just…”  She trails off, and Harry sighs.

“Gone,” he finishes somberly.  “Yes.”

After a beat, Misty chuckles bitterly.  “Seems a bit unfair.”

“I’ll be back the first moment I can be,” Harry says, then adds with a smile, “If you’ll have me.”

“Of course I will,” she says, finally turning to face him fully.  She takes his cold hands in her own, and her warmth makes him shiver.  “I’ll wait for you every single day.”

“Don’t say that,” Harry says, shaking his head and sitting beside her on the bed.  “You have a life to live.  I don’t.”

Misty’s eyes grow damp, but she blinks back the tears just as quickly as they arrived.  “But I’m going to miss you so much,” she says through a shaky voice.

It all seems silly, really, for Harry and Misty both.  But neither of them can help it.  This connection they’ve formed in such a short amount of time weighs heavily on both of their hearts.  And Harry is certain that he would do just about anything in the universe to get another chance at life, if only to be with her.

“I’m going to miss you so much it’s going to hurt me every second,” Harry says, not a trace of humor in his voice despite the slight exaggeration.

Misty lets out her breath in a loud, shaky sigh.  She rests her head on Harry’s shoulder, and for a while they just sit there like this, him and her, pretending with all their might-- if only for a few minutes-- that this is just another day for them.  That Harry is human, and that they can grow old together.

“I have a selfish request,” Misty says after a while.

“Anything.”

Misty takes a deep breath.  “Will you come visit me?  In my dreams?”

“You already know that’s my plan.”

“Every dream?”

Harry chuckles.  “Well, that’s a bit of a tall order.  I don’t know if I’ll be able to come every night.  But, as often as I can, and as often as you’ll have me, I will come.”

“Promise?”

Harry turns to kiss Misty’s forehead.  “I promise.”

Misty closes her eyes and leans gently into Harry’s kiss, breathing in the scent of cinnamon that she’s grown to love so much.  “So when does it happen?” she asks, almost hesitantly.  “When do you… go?”

“I don’t know the exact moment,” Harry admits.  “Whenever the sun enters Sagittarius. Whatever that exact time is.”

“Is there gonna be a Sagittarius Season ghost?”  Misty asks.  “Ghost of Sagittarians past?”

Harry laughs. “I don’t think so, no.  But if there is, don’t go fallin’ in love with him now.  Sagittarians are nothin’ but trouble.”

“Don’t think I ever could,” Misty says, a bittersweet ache in her voice.  “Think I’ll only ever have feelings for you.”

Harry sighs, patting gently at Misty’s knee.  He savors her scent and her warmth for a few beats before he changes the subject.  “Your sisters will be glad to have you around again,” he says.  “I know I’ve been hoggin’ ya.  They must think you’re really goin’ through something, the way you’re keeping to yourself.”

“They wouldn’t understand even if I did try to explain it to them,” Misty replies.

Harry nods sympathetically.  “And you’re gonna have a hard time explaining to them what happened to your mysterious long distance boyfriend from back home.”

“Oh shit,” Misty says, worry suddenly showing on her face.  “What am I gonna tell them when they ask?”

“Tell them he died.”  The look on Harry’s face is so smug, and Misty can tell that he’d been holding onto that one for a while.  She rolls her eyes, but doesn’t even try to refrain from smiling.

“Oh my god, Harry.”

“It’s not wrong!”

“That’s not funny!” The smile on Misty’s face tells Harry otherwise, and he nudges her shoulder with his own.

“Alright alright.”  Harry smiles, reaching forward to interlace their fingers.  There’s a moment of drab silence, and Harry sighs thickly before finally admitting weakness. “God, I’m going to miss you.”

Misty’s smile softens, but it doesn’t completely fade.  She turns her head, pressing the softest kiss to Harry’s shoulder.  “I’m going to miss you more than you know.”

There’s a comfortable silence that falls between the two of them, and Harry interlaces his fingers with hers.  “Maybe you’ll meet a boy to take you to next year's homecoming,” he muses.

Misty frowns.  “That’s not funny either.”

“Not trying to be funny! Trying to encourage you to live your life, darling.  I wish I could still live mine.”

“You can live in my dreams. Rent free.”

With a snort, Harry stands up. “Oh I intend to. As much as possible.”

“Well good.”

Harry walks over to Misty’s window again, watching the trees blow in the wind for a few quiet moments.  After a bit, he speaks again.  “I have an idea.”

“Hm?”

“Let’s have fun tonight. Let’s watch a movie. I’ll manifest in front of everyone and we can end on a high note. Instead of being sad.”

Misty considers his words for a moment. “But I want you to myself.”

Harry grins. “So they won’t question it when we excuse ourselves early, will they?”

Misty rolls her eyes.  “Well, when you put it that way--”

Harry laughs.  “No one even has to join in with us if they don’t want to.  But I figure my last night here shouldn’t be spent so upset.”

“Yeah,” Misty agrees.  “But I’m still gonna be sad.”

“Don’t you want to remember me having fun?  That’s how I want you to remember me, at least.”

“Yeah but--”

“No buts!”  Harry holds his hand out to her.  “Come on then. You get to pick the movie.”

The evening progresses unbearably fast, and it isn’t long before Misty finds herself curled up into Harry’s side on the couch, watching him giggle alongside all her sorority sisters and their various partners.  She hopes he doesn’t notice her staring at him, but she can’t help it of course. He is so lovely, so full of some type of light that she has never seen before and cannot seem to get enough of.

As Misty watches him, she realizes how heartbreakingly human he really is.  He may be a ghost, but he died a young college boy— with so much ahead of him and so much to look forward to.  Never in Misty’s life has she seen a more genuine smile, nor has she ever met anyone as charismatic as Harry. Try as she might to forget it, she knows her time with him is coming to an end and she hates it. But watching him interact with everyone around him, as charming as ever, she realizes that he genuinely needed this.  He needed to feel alive, to feel apart of something once again.

So Misty leans closer into him. He smiles down at her, looking so full of life and warmth. He reaches down, pulling the fuzzy red blanket covering both him and Misty up over her shoulders.  “You alright?” He asks softly.

Misty tilts her head, leaning up to press a peck to his nose. “I’m wonderful,” she replies quietly.

Harry grins down at her, and for a moment the two are lost in their own little world— looking into one another’s eyes as if the entire universe existed in them.  As if reading her mind, Harry gives Misty’s lips a soft kiss.  The kiss is tinged with sadness, of course, because the darker it gets outside the less time they know that they have together.  So he pulls away, bumping her nose with his.

“You sleepy?” He asks quietly.

And Misty knows exactly what he means. “Mhm.”

“Mm,” Harry hums. “Me too.”

He moves to rise to his feet to make a graceful exit with Misty. “Well,” he says, addressing the room. “Misty and I are going to go up to sleep now. I have to head back home pretty early tomorrow and—“

“You’re going to fuck,” Kennedy says, matter-of-factly.  Misty and Harry both gape at her, and she laughs.  “It’s alright! No shame in that.  We’re all adults here.”

Misty laughs nervously, and Harry remains calm and smug.  “You’re hilarious, Kennedy.  I think I’ll miss you most of all.”

Kennedy laughs, winking and pointing finger guns at Harry.  Misty rolls her eyes, but she’s giggling as she turns to exit.  Harry follows close behind her and Kennedy calls out, “Be safe! Use protection!”

Harry and Misty giggle the entire trip up the stairs, and as they approach Misty’s bedroom, she speaks quietly.  “Okay, but how are you feeling?  Like, energy wise.”

“Fine,” Harry says, and he honestly means it.

Misty glances at him like she doesn’t believe him, and he snorts.  “I promise, Misty.  I mean it.  I didn’t use that much tonight.”

She rolls her eyes, making her way over to her bed and sitting on the edge of it.  Harry closes the door behind him, still buzzing from the fun he’s had today, and a playful smile spreads across his face. He turns slowly on his heels, eyeing her mischievously.

She looks back, tensing up a bit as a smile spreads across her face.  “What…”

Harry growls playfully, bounding over to her and tackling her onto the bed before she can even say anything.  She squeals, giggling as she and Harry come tumbling down.   Harry attacks her face and her neck in kisses while squeezing at her hips, and she squeals.

“No!” She shrieks.  “What are you doing?!  NO!”

He growls, nipping at her cheeks before lifting his head and grinning down at her.  “Gimme kiss.”

“If I do, will you chill?” She giggles.

Harry makes a face, pretending to consider her words.  “Mm… maybe.”

She lifts her head slightly, pecking at his lips, and he shakes his head.  “Better than that,” he says.

She kisses him again, but he only repeats, “Better than that.”

Misty lets her head fall back again, mouth falling open as the most lovely laughs bubble out of her lips. Harry seizes this opportunity, leaning down and kissing her open mouth with a dimpled grin.

Misty’s giggles die down the minute their lips interlock, but the smile never leaves neither her nor Harry’s faces as they kiss.  Misty licks gently into Harry’s mouth, and he immediately grants her access, swirling his tongue against hers. He speaks between kisses.  “You’re--” kiss, “so--”  kiss, “beautiful.”

Misty rolls her eyes.  “No you are,” she says, and Harry kisses her before she’s even finished her sentence.

He chuckles.  “No you.”

“Nooo…”  She pecks at his nose.  “You.”

Harry snorts. “God we’re disgusting, huh?”

Misty hums, reaching up to brush a stray curl away from Harry’s face.  “Yeah.  Ew.”

He leans down, burying his face in her neck and sucking softly.  He feels her melt against him, squirming a bit as she lets out a long, humming sigh.  He smiles, lifting his head to press another kiss to her lips before speaking.  “I have an idea,” he says.

“Another one?  Do tell.”

“How about……”  Harry sing-songs,  “One more orgasm for you.  As a parting treat.”

“Hmm…” Misty muses.  “Only one?”

Harry snorts.  “Or two.  Or… however many you want.”

“How many do you want to give me?”  Misty scratches lovingly behind Harry’s ear.

“Oh sunshine,’ Harry says,  “If I had my way I would never stop.”

Blood rushes to Misty’s cheeks and ears, but she tries to hide it.  Harry only laughs again, thumbing at her cheek.  “Gonna miss that.”

“What?”

“How easy it is to get you hot.”

Misty rolls her eyes, but she laughs.  “You’re an idiot.”

“Gonna miss that, too.  Love when you insult me.”

“Oh my god.”  Misty shakes her head.  “Just shut up and kiss me.”

Harry hums.  “With pleasure, sweet girl.”

They continue kissing for a bit as Harry undresses Misty gently.  He loves on every inch of her body, reveling in every single reaction he gets out of her. He tries to remember every detail that he can, and everything about the evening they’re sharing.  And when he makes her cum, four separate times, he savours her taste, her smell, and the noises she makes as best as he can-- without making himself even sadder than he is.  He knows she feels the same, noticing the way she continuously glances at him with more love in his eyes than he’s seen in a long time.

After hours of messing around with her, loving on one another’s bodies and sharing giggles and playful kisses, they realize it’s time to go to bed.  They undress one another, and Harry helps her remove her makeup-- which makes them both laugh the entire time.

When they find themselves in bed together, stroking lovingly at one another’s faces, they realize that they can’t run from the inevitable anymore. Their time together has been reduced to only hours, and there is nothing they can do about it at all.

“I’m going to miss you,” Misty says, tracing his features in the darkness.  “Have I told you that already?”

Harry laughs softly.  “Maybe once or twice,” he admits.  “But I’m going to miss you more.”

Misty sighs, kissing his lips gently.  “Promise to come visit my dreams as much as you possibly can?”

Harry leans into her touch, tilting his head to kiss the palm of her hand.  “I promise.”

“I don’t want to fall asleep.” She looks on the verge of tears, and Harry wishes there was something he could do to stop her.  At this point, however, he knows it’s inevitable.  So he tries to make her smile.

“You need to,” he says.  “Humans need sleep.”

“Maybe,” she says.  “But I need you more.”

“That’s not true, baby. You know it’s not.”  Harry strokes a spot just in front of her temple-- a spot he’s noticed over the past month that relaxes her more than anything else.  As if on cue, she yawns.

“Listen to me.  You are meant to live your life, sweet girl.  You are meant to be happy, and grow old.  Promise me you will.”  She frowns at him, but he doesn’t allow it.  “Promise me, baby.”

“I promise,” she whispers.  Harry smiles.

“Say it like you mean it.”

“I promise Harry,” she whispers, blinking against the sleep in her eyes.  “But I also promise that when you return, I will be waiting.”

“That’s fine.  You can wait.  But do not let it stop you from living.  You hear me?  Please don’t. I would give anything to live my life again.”

Misty yawns again, finally giving in to the heaviness of her eyelids and closing her eyes. She leans into him.  “I promise.  I’ll live every day in your honor, Harry.”

“Yeah?”

She smiles sleepily, still not opening her eyes.

Harry watches her, taking in every last detail of her sleepy face.  He can feel himself fading, but she doesn’t seem to notice, so he says nothing.  He ignores the pressure building behind his eyes, swearing to himself that he’s not going to cry.

Misty is also fading fast, succumbing more and more to sleep by the second.  Harry knows it’s going to be a hard year without her, but he takes comfort knowing she is surrounded by people who love her.

And it also doesn’t hurt that he plans on haunting Josh’s dreams so that he leaves Misty the fuck alone.

He smiles softly, completely unable to stop the tear from leaking from his eye.  He’s grateful that Misty’s eyes are closed, and he presses the slowest, most gentle kiss to her forehead.

“I love you, miss Misty.”

Without opening her eyes, Misty speaks with a distant, sleepy voice.  “I love you too, Harry.”

Harry replays that moment in his head for the next few hours, reveling in the way those words sounded coming out of her mouth.

And when Misty wakes in the morning, Harry is gone.

[the-faces-and-voices-in-my-head]

A Miracle in September

Alright, let me give you a short explanation for what will happen next.

I am not a writer and I will never see myself as a writer.

However, I might have some ideas hidden deep down and they happen to float when they grow bigger than my brain and my heart to take.

You guys are the best place to share whatever you will read with.

You are more than welcome to love it, hate it, or ignore it.

But of course, If It is up to me, I hope it gives you a happy moment.

@i-am-no-body Since it was your request to write something, I did it now let's share whatever reactions we get together XD

It was a windy day, the leaves and thin branches were moving with the wind proving how strong it was; sitting in his wheelchair, Levi Ackerman watched the scene quietly from the large window in his room.

It started as a beautiful day of the autumn season.

Levi's favorite season.

He was lost in his thoughts until a tiny persistent sound forced him back to reality. He pushed the wheelchair closer to the window where he saw a cat struggling to stay balanced on the edge of another close window to his.

-Tch! what an idiot!

The cat made this long heart-wrenching sound as if she was screaming for help, Levi lived on the fifth floor and if she fell, it would be a deadly fall for sure. Levi watched her for a moment then moved his wheelchair again to get one of his crutches that he often uses when he has to move longer than the usual distance he can walk.

He supported the crutch while pushing its wide end to where the scared cat stood. He thought he might create a bridge for her to reach to his window and he will take her inside; the cat didn't disappoint him, she started moving carefully walking on the crutch until she reached Levi's window and jumped into his lap.

Levi caught her with one hand, pulled the crutch back, and closed the window with the other hand.

-Here...I got you...Don't be scared.

The cat's heart was beating faster than usual even for her, Levi checked if she was injured anywhere then decided to start by feeding her.

-Wait here, I will make you a tasty lunch.

Levi has always been kind to animals, stray cats were his closest friends in his childhood so he didn't try to hide his love and kindness towards them as he has always done among humans.

Levi got up slowly and went towards the kitchen.

-Captain Levi!

Falco ran after Levi trying to help him in whatever he needed to walk for.

-Bring me a clean bowl Falco.

Not knowing what for, Falco brought a bowl to Levi, White milk filled the bowl while Falco watched in confusion: Captain...Are you hungry?

-Tch, do you think I drink milk from a bowl, brat?

Falco raised his hand in defense: No...no...I thought you are preparing cereals...they are usually put in milk.

-Ce...What?

-Falcoooo, I found a cute cat in captain Levi's room!

Levi was one who responded: Why are you in my room in the first place Gabi?

Gabi came with a wide happy smile on her face holding the cat excitedly: We wanted to check on you captain...we missed you and planned to spend the day with you.

Levi knew why...and he was grateful to the two brats whom he considered as a family ever since the nightmare ended.

He was aware what day tomorrow is but they came earlier than he expected them to come.

The doorbell rang and quiet knocks followed.

-MR ONYANKOPON IS HERE CAPTAIN LEVI!

Gabi's voice rang in the house while Levi was walking to the living room where Gabi took the cat.

-Falco, how do you survive this noisy one without going deaf?

Falco smiled shyly: I got used to her, captain.

And Levi knew more than anyone how to live with a loud cheerful one.

-Oh, where did you find this beautiful one, Levi?

-She was stuck like an idiot on the edge of a near window.

Onyankopon smiled and said: then you saved her right?

Levi's slightly blushing face answered for him.

Onyankopon continued: Once a hero, always a hero.

-Shut up smart hat!

Onyankopon laughed knowing how Levi reacts to compliments yet he never stopped expressing his admiration and gratitude to the man who saved the world despite everything he lost...and everyone.

The cat jumped from Gabi's arm to Levi's lap again ignoring the food.

-Oh? the cat already chose her owner Gabi!

-Well, this just gives me more reasons to stay with Captain Levi.

Levi stroked the white fur lovingly and talked to the cat: what? not hungry? or you didn't like it?

The cat returned the kind gesture by touching Levi's fingers with her paw then jumped again to where the bowl is and started drinking the milk in a graceful manner.

-Levi! The cat is well behaved! I thought she is going to make a mess!

Levi watched her silently but the admiration was obvious on his handsome face.

Gabi said: I will prepare the lunch then, come with me, Falco!

Falco's blushing cheeks explained what he wanted so the two men nodded in approval.

Onyankopon smiled and said: Ah that young love.

Levi didn't respond, verbally at least but he raised his hand and touched the stitches on his face nodding in agreement quietly.

Onyankopon knew how Levi felt.

It was the afternoon of the 4th of September.

In reality, it was a reminder of the unforgettable one they lost almost a year ago and in a better world, it would be almost her birthday.

Onyankopon closed his eyes for a moment and whispered: Happy Birthday Commander Hange...

As if she was called, the cat returned to Levi's lap again with a graceful jump but this time she climbed his chest and with her little paw touched the stitches on his face.

Both of the men were surprised and confused.

Levi's eye on this side was no longer able to serve him but he still felt the cat's careful touch, she traced the stitches carefully and gently as if she knew how delicate and important these stitches are.

The awkward silence lasted for almost a minute then the cat looked up as if she was seeing something on the ceiling.

She started to purr in satisfaction.

Levi was surprised by what she did but he enjoyed it nonetheless: you are such a weird ball of fur.

Onyankopon picked the topic: what are you going to call her?

Levi seemed surprised by the question.

He never considered keeping the cat.

-I didn't say I am keeping this furball.

-But she is so smart, clean and polite and she likes you a lot.

-She will make a mess sooner or later...You can keep her if you want.

-I am not the one being licked, touched, and loved by her sadly.

The cat was awake and listening, she flipped on her back in an adorable way touching Levi's sleeves with two paws.

-Hahahaha, Is she flirting now?

-If she is then she is an idiot.

Onyankopon shook his head without commenting on what Levi said, he learned that these words are signs of affection from Levi.

-Come on Levi, Pick a name.

-I don't have one...I will call her cat.

-Oh for god's sake Levi, she is a cat, I said a name.

-Why the hell do I need to call a cat with a name in the first place? I haven't lost my mind yet.

-It does not mean you lost your mind, it means that you care about your pet...Think of something related to her, her appearance, your feelings about her...anything she made you feel.

-Idiot...She is an idiot one so I will call her "Idiot"...Happy?

The cat hit Levi's hand lightly with her paw before biting it softly, almost tickled him.

Onyankopon didn't try to hold his laughter: See? She didn't like it, Levi.

Levi carried her and looked into her blue eyes.

It was exactly like the sea he saw for the first time with her...

That day...

He didn't show it but what he felt was pure joy.

Hange's beautiful face.

Her cheerful laugh.

Her curious comments.

He felt it all even if nobody noticed.

The sea for him was a reminder of the pure joy he once felt.

He hesitated before saying in a low unsure tone: How about...Joy?

Onyankopon answered immediately: I love it.

The cat seemed to like it too.

Gabi and Falco finished cooking and started serving the lunch.

The hours passed quickly.

They talked, joked, and laughed.

At 10 PM, Levi decided to go to sleep.

Falco and Gabi decided to stay in the other room Levi prepared for them.

Onyankopon shyly asked to stay and he was ok with sleeping on the big sofa if Levi accepted.

Levi didn't have the courage to disappoint them...and didn't want to do it.

He was grateful for this kind of love he got from all of them.

He knew how having a family may feel.

He knew how having a trustworthy friend can be.

Far from fears of loss, blood, and destruction, these feelings were different from what he experienced in his life and he wanted to cherish them even if he could not express them clearly.

After he closed the door of his room, he noticed that the cat sneaked in.

-Tch, I will not let you sleep on the bed.

The cat jumped on the near chair and stayed there.

Levi was prepared for a short fight, he was even considering giving in to the cat's desire if she insisted.

-Well, Good.

He started taking off his clothes to wear something more comfortable but he stopped abruptly when he heard a feminine voice: Are you sure you want to do that while I am sitting here?

He raised his head instantly towards the direction of the voice.

What he saw was almost a hallucination...

A woman he knew very well was sitting there where Joy was.

Levi needed a few seconds to speak: Ma!!!

She got up and sat beside him on the bed: I...I am not your mother but I thought you would love to see her face after all these years...was it a bad idea?

Levi didn't find the words.

He was sure that it was a dream.

He was sure that none of this was real.

But if it was a dream why isn't she in it?

-Are you thinking about the smiling woman with glasses?

Her kind smile matched his mother's.

He could finally speak: How do you know both of them? and...Who are you?

She kept the kind smile: You named me Joy.

-Then I am dreaming? or...Am I dying?

She touched his face like his mother did in an old dream of his and shook her head: Neither...It is just that I owe you.

The question didn't leave Levi's head but she answered it: some cats are not only mere cats, we live in this world disguising ourselves in forms, cats are our favorite since humans love it and respect it, they even worshipped them.

-So...You are not a cat?

-I know you are new to this world and the concept of miracles is not a familiar one to you but I am one of god's creatures, powerful enough to repay your kindness.

-Can you bring back the dead?

Levi asked without thinking then he felt a mix of shame and sadness.

-I don't think I need to go that far.

Levi's widened eyes asked before he did: what do you mean?

His mother's face smiled kindly: Cats can see spirits, I tried to make you notice when I played with her.

Levi repeated in a hopeful voice: Her?

She nodded: The cheerful one with glasses? Don't you know she has been by your side all the time?

Levi was surprised beyond words.

He asked her to watch over him.

She never abandoned him once.

Even in death...He was her priority.

-You named me joy and saved me when you could ignore me and now I know how I will pay my debt. She didn't wait for Levi's confused question and said: She tied herself to you with a string of fate, with every stitch, it held a wish and a prayer to the one your new friend spoke of.

She was desperate to keep you alive so she put all her hopes in these wishes and entrusted the mighty creator to keep you safe.

Levi knew she was speaking about Hange.

She continued: Her spirit never abandoned you so all I need to do is to give her a form that your human senses can feel and that...I can do.

Levi knew it was a dream yet he didn't try to wake up.

He was afraid to wake up.

The kind dear face of his mother gave him the same loving look he remembers and said: You are a very good man Levi Ackerman and If we crossed paths again in this life or the next ones, I will make sure to keep this friendship...

Now, remember what I will say, I spared a life of my nine lives to your beloved, she shall live for as long as you will, you are tied with a string of fate and never-ending love. You will be her connection to the world of living this time when your life ends, her connection ends, and if you gave up on loving her...

Levi interrupted her with all the feelings swelling in his heart: Never!

Joy smiled as if she knew already: Wait for her rebirth Levi Ackerman, I hope you will find the joy you once felt with her in your remaining years. I shall take my leave.

Before he could ask about what she meant, a strong wind engulfed both of them while Joy's voice rang for the last time: May your life be blessed both of you.

---------------------------------------

Levi woke up feeling a heavy weight on his chest but he didn't open his eyes yet. He had this dream and he wished he could never wake up. He truely hoped for that rebirth the mysterious being spoke of.

A faint touch played with his hair.

It was so soft....so kind.

A dear voice followed it: Wake up Levi...

His eyes opened slowly.

He thought he was still dreaming though.

She could never be here for real...could she?

-I missed you clean freak.

His heartbeats doubled maybe tripled even.

He could barely say: This is a dream...

She smiled as he has always remembered: tough luck Levi, I think you are stuck with me for another round.

Levi didn't find the words at this moment but he did the one thing he regretted not doing all the past years.

He hugged Hange as if he was trying to keep her inside his chest.

She was surprised by what he did but she hugged him even tighter.

-I have been stalking you all the time.

Levi's hot tears fell on her shoulder, she felt them but she didn't want to leave his arms yet, she continued: I am happy you made it alive out of that hell Levi, I am proud of you, I have always been.

His body shook briefly as he let go of his pain, longing, and sadness while Hange kept stroking his hair and his back softly and lovingly.

They didn't know how long they stayed this way.

They felt pure happiness.

They felt pure bliss that night.

Hange could finally take a good look at Levi's face.

-You are still so damn handsome, Levi.

His eyes were still wet as he stroked her cheek tenderly.

-Say something Levi...

He looked into her hazel brown eyes: Don't Go Hange!

Her heart fluttered as she responded: Didn't you hear that you are my lifeline? I am alive again as long as you live, as long as you want me to be.

-Do you mean that...You can't die before I die?

Hange looked surprised then said: well, I think she meant normal death but not accidents, maybe we should tr...

Levi grabbed Hange's hair longingly forcing her closer to him: Shut up four eyes...Shut up...This time you will never go anywhere without me and whatever the reason that may take your life, I will be by your side...I am not making the same mistake again...Got it?

She touched his forehead with hers and whispered: Got it.

The large clock outside announced the time.

Levi's door was opened by Gabi who was calling his name as she opened: Captain Levi who are you talking t...huh?

Hange got up spreading her arms: Gabiiiii!

Falco and Onyankopon were no different from Gabi.

Onyankopon was the one who noticed that the cat was nowhere to be seen: Levi...Is it somehow related to Joy?

Levi nodded: I might be still dreaming.

Falco who was crying and yet trying to soothe the crying Gabi as well said: I...I can see you Hange San, we can't be dreaming at the same time...you...you really are here...it is like Christmas Miracle.

Onyankopon was the one who answered: God does not need a month to give us a miracle Falco then he held both of Hange's hands and kissed them happily: It is a blessing and we can only be grateful we witnessed it.

It was 12:05 am after midnight, the 5th of September, and a rebirth of a never-dying connection and a never-ending love.

[thegirlwholied]

I feel like talking about books! but "book I'm currently reading" does not accurately reflect the situation so uh

book I am technically in the middle of but suddenly it's been a couple weeks since I actually opened it: Ruthless Ladies' Guide to Wizardry (it's not that I don't like it! It's that I hit a scene with a dead cat and went "nope not before bed we're not" and the dead cats are in fact a plot point so momentum has not been regained. Also while a standalone I loved Unnatural Magic, the previous book in this world, so much, the different mood of this one has an uphill climb in my heart)

book I've been reading super slowly because it's short stories and I'm savoring each one but I'll also then forget I'm reading it and it'll wind up buried in my to-be-read: Dying with Her Cheer Pants On (I mean to finish this month as tis the spooky season and delaying a read for the right season is also a thing I do)

series reread I started for a new release & petered out on: somehow i still haven't read Rule of Wolves (I was overdue for a complete Grishaverse reread to appreciate it properly but my copy of the 3rd book in the original trilogy is on ye olde nearly-defunct first gen Nook plus I had loaned my copy of Six of Crows at the time, and... oh boy that was April 2021 when the show was first coming out, wasn't it, whoops)

book I thought I finished and then realized at Barnes & Noble honestly can't remember if I did so I better check before I pick up the sequel: The Ex Hex

book I keep meaning to read because 'everyone's read it' but I haven't made it past page 3 yet: Where the Crawdads Sing (haven't seen the movie either because I'm theoretically? going to read the book first)

last book I finished: The Atlas Six (finally got around to it just in time for the sequel to hit soon so will be reading that soon enough)

last book I bought and still haven't started because this is what I let happen when not under a library deadline: Her Majesty's Royal Coven

book I almost just bought because I want to read it immediately but I already have a hold on it at the library and realistically, would I get around to it before that hold omes through: The Golden Enclaves (I will ultimately buy this in paperback as I own the first two, but can I resist until my library hold or will I pull the lever on the e-book purchase for that instant gratification? tbd)

book sequel I almost bought because I own the first one and they'll look pretty together but I should be watching $ this month and also I already have a hold at the library: For the Throne

book that comes out today that I will have to acquire ASAP: Greywaren (I was listening to its playlist already last night but will need to invest some time & likely *emotions* here so may not start it quite as ASAP)

...this is not comprehensive, nor would it be even if I listed the books I've just checked out of the library that may get read before any of the above, but for the sake of assuring myself of my own sanity ahhhhh I think I'm stopping here.

[notstilinski]

BEASTARS Starters !

Taken from the second season of the 2019 Netflix anime, Beastars! Some of these have already been edited. You can change them however you see fit! There may be some light spoilers for the new season!

“I’ve heard that every time someone is born, a new star is born in the sky for them.”

“I said that, but I haven’t actually done anything.”

“There were always eyes who were waiting for me to mess up.”

“What was that? He moves like a professional assassin.”

“Heroes are born, are they not?”

“I would not want to falsely accuse someone based on poor evidence.”

“Hold on just a second. First things first, have you lost your mind?”

“You seem to have a lot of confidence in your strength.”

“Every year, the number of things I can do to help them grows smaller. The truth is, I realized that long ago.”

“I realized something long ago. You’ve been drifting farther and farther away from me. You’re never going to come back, are you?”

“The stronger you get, the less happy you become.”

“Thinking I want advice is just an excuse. What I really want right now is some emotional support.”

“You’re like the physical embodiment of bad luck, aren’t you?”

“Protect the weak, crush the strong. That’s how we work now.”

“Is our time here together also one of those lies you talk about?”

“You may still cry like a kid, but you’re already plenty respectable.”

“The world isn’t simple enough that you can get strong from simple idealism.”

“No, it’s too late. Both to run and to turn back.”

“Give me a break. Take your weird flirting elsewhere.”

“What’s it to you? Don’t act like we’re dating just because we shared a bed once.”

“Even without you saying that, I haven’t been able to get a good night's sleep in a long time.”

“The real me isn’t kind. I don’t even know what makes someone kind.”

“It’s such a good photo that I kind of want to keep it to myself.”

“Hey! I’m not a cat, I can’t land on my feet!”

“Don’t worry! I’m always risking my life for the sake of slacking!”

“Punishment isn’t always the way to peace.”

“Everything that irritated me about them came back all at once.”

“They’re fooling you! At this rate, they’ll corrupt your very soul! I can’t let them do that!”

“I wish you’d stop relying on me as your backup.”

“He’s younger than me, but sometimes he’ll act like a father. It’s so weird.”

“It’s terrifying how girls try to kill you with words.”

“That sounds like one depressing adolescent.”

“Love? We don’t possess anything like that. Only hatred and solitude.”

“If only you were a simple villain, I could have despised you more.”

“Do you realize that because of you, I’ll never have a chance to grow out of this stage of my life?”

“I think I had a weird dream, but I feel like someone taught me something.”

“I just want the person I admire to be there. To witness how I live. Well, that and maybe how I die.”

“A change to someone’s facial features is a sign of a turning point in their life.”

“People become stronger when they have something to protect. No one ever would have thought that.”

“What? It’s a bit late to be worried about me.”

“Two monsters' lying down next to each other… What a ridiculous sight.”

“Are you trying to get yourself killed just to prove it?”

“This is the first time I can remember crying. I didn’t know it was so hard to stop.”

“My heart, which had been steadily breaking over the past year, has come back to life tonight.”

“What you’ve done can never be forgiven, but I’m sorry for not noticing your solitude earlier.”

“You have more wounds on your face. And now you won’t even tell me why you’re leaving.”

[spaceskam]

lights out

Summary: The power goes out.

Tags: post season 2, VERY light emotional hurt/comfort, mostly fluff

happy birthday @skrtl !!! Am I over a week late? Yes I am. Did I still finish it? Yes I did. We’ll call it progress. I hope you’ve had a good week or so <3

ao3

The power went out with seemingly no cause.

Michael sat up quickly as he was engulfed in darkness, his heart pounding in his chest. He wasn’t afraid of the dark, per say, but it did make his stomach drop and his anxiety skyrocket. He just liked to be aware of his surroundings. 

He managed to find his phone and unlock it to ground himself a little. However, that only lasted a few minutes when he remembered that Alex had been in the middle of taking a shower.

“Michael!” Alex called. His voice wasn’t panicked or stressed, just loud and annoyed. Michael still followed it quickly as he heard the water shut off.

“Coming!” Michael said, using his phone as his guide.

They weren’t… together. Not really. But Michael was crashing in his house and they were investigating shit together and it was fun. They’d even just got back from California looking into some old alien encounters from 1979. All of it to say that they were working on it, getting closer, figuring things out in a healthy way. Despite not being together officially, it was the most they’d ever truly been a couple before and Michael wasn’t really in a rush to change that.

Then again, he was now standing outside a bathroom where Alex was inside wet and naked and he wasn’t quite sure how he was supposed to continue on with their boundaries like that.

“You alright?” Michael called. Alex sighed loudly.

“I can’t see anything,” Alex said. A few beats later, as if he had to work up the courage, he added, “I need help.”

Alex didn’t bring crutches or his prosthetic into the bathroom with him while he took a shower. The steam just made everything slippery and annoying and would probably lead to rusting, so he’d just move from his shower seat to the side of the tub to the toilet to dry off before reaching out of the door to get his crutches. Basically, he needed light to prevent any missteps that could lead to a full-on head injury.

“What, um,” Michael started, clearing his throat as he flashed the phone light around a bit, “What do you need me to do?”

“I just need help getting out of the bathroom,” Alex said, “I think I can get to my towel by myself.”

“Wait, be careful,” Michael said, hand reaching for the doorknob and only stopping himself when he heard Alex huff a laugh.

“I’m fine. And you can come in here.”

“I have my phone as light,” Michael said, hoping that it explained enough that he would be able to see him in all his naked glory. Even though that was something he’d seen and touched many times before. It felt different now.

“It’s okay, Michael, come in. I don’t want to just sit in here,” Alex said. Michael nodded even though Alex couldn’t see him and took a deep breath, turning the doorknob.

He stepped inside and Alex had already done the work of putting a towel around his waist which was one benefit, but it didn’t hide the fact that his hair was wet and plastered to his forehead and water was still dripping over his body. Michael swallowed and kept his eyes somewhere to the right of his face. 

“You don’t have to help if you don’t want to,” Alex said, “If you can hand me my crutches, I can do it. I’ll just be careful.”

“No, I can help,” Michael insisted, stepping closer.

Cautiously, Michael helped Alex to his foot and let him wrap his arm around his shoulders. One of Michael’s hands instinctively went to hold the one on his shoulder while his other arm wrapped around his waist. He was wet and warm to the touch and there was absolutely nothing Michael could do about that fact.

Thankfully, Alex started talking as they made their way to the bed. 

“Why’d the power go out, do you know?” Alex asked, leaning on him without any kind of hesitation. It made Michael feel guilty for having his own hesitation or even slightly uncomfortable about it. It was just Alex.

Which seemed to be the problem. It was just Alex.

“No, they just went out. Maybe someone fucked up the powerlines?” Michael said, depositing him on the bed carefully. 

He probably should’ve moved away after that, but it was still dark and Michael’s pulse was still drumming. Alex was completely calm and unphased as he grabbed Michael’s hand and pulled him to sit on the bed beside him.

And he didn’t comment on it.

“I’m sure it’ll be back on soon,” Alex said. Michael nodded and closed his eyes. It was easier that way, to not focus on not being able to see and instead letting his mind think it was by choice. Or, at least that’s what he thought it was. That’s what he did when he was a kid. “Let me get dressed real quick and we’ll take a ride.”

“Take a ride?” Michael echoed, still keeping his eyes shut tight.

“Yeah, see if all the power is out. Maybe it’s just our street and we can go get pizza or something while we wait for it to come back on,” Alex explained. He shifted and Michael could feel him moving as he worked to dry the rest of himself off without putting too much space between them. 

“You’re tired,” Michael stated lamely.

Alex huffed a soft laugh, “Yeah. But I don’t really like the idea of trying to go to sleep when there’s no power. Or even being here when I can’t really see.”

“Yeah,” Michael agreed, nodding, “Me neither.”

Which he was very sure Alex already knew.

Alex lapsed into silence for a moment, drying off quickly. Michael focused on the sounds he made, the bed shifting and the blankets rustling. He was warm beside him and safe. He liked that. He liked him.

“Okay, give me one second, I’m not going far,” Alex informed him, pushing himself off the bed and using his crutches to walk presumably towards his drawers. Michael kept his eyes closed and listened to the sound of his movement, hoping the light from his phone was enough to allow Alex to see what he was grabbing.

Michael leaned back in Alex’s bed after staying still for so long. It was as comfortable as he remembered. He and Alex had shared many beds in their travels for money and convenience sake, but, whenever they came back home, they typically slept separately. It almost felt too intimate to be laying here in the dark in his bedroom despite sleeping last night right beside him in a shady motel room.

“Okay,” Alex said and Michael instinctively turned to look at him, his eyes opening. It was still too dark, but the light from his phone lit Alex up a bit. His hair was still damp, but he had on a shade of pink that seemed to glow in the light. Michael had to wonder if it was intentional.

Alex sat on the bed to pull on his prosthetic so they could go and Michael kept his eyes on him.

When he was done, he expected him to stand up, but instead he shifted to look down at Michael. They stared at each other in the darkness for a moment, long enough that it didn’t feel so dark or nerve wracking anymore. It felt similar to late nights in the bed of his truck or long kisses during the slow hours at the UFO museum or waking up in the middle of the night in the airstream and finding Alex there to lull him back to sleep.g

“Hey,” Alex said, reaching out and grazing his fingers over the dip of his neck. Michael tilted his head back more and kept his breathing even as the rough calluses of his fingers traced his jaw. “Hey.”

“Hi,” Michael responded, willing himself to forget about the darkness and the fact that he couldn’t turn a light on even if he wanted to and instead focused on Alex’s pretty face.

And then Alex started leaning down. Michael wasn’t sure what he was going to do and therefore he held his breath because the last thing he was going to do was fuck this up, whatever this was. He was going to let Alex do whatever he wanted. 

Alex’s lips pressed to the middle of his forehead and then a little bit lower, between his eyebrows. Michael still could barely find the courage to breath during the entire thing. He finally did when Alex lifted up and looked down at him again.

“Calm down. I can hear you thinking,” Alex told him. Michael nodded. “Let’s go get something to eat.”

“Alright.”

Alex trailed his hand down to meet Michael’s, lacing their fingers together before he stood and then pulling Michael up after him. He didn’t let go as they headed towards the front door. And, yeah.

Things were going to be okay.