#the laughing one was for a inktober prompt i saw

[carnivalcentipede]

gonna post some drawings i sketched between classes

been experimenting with my art style so its different from our hosts, its a lot more fun to draw for me personally

anyway the fox wing guy is what our host looks like, the trench coat guy is our main gatekeeper and the kid with horns is a persecutor

oh yeah and kinger fully formed recently so i drew him

[lynnie-ee]

Day 5; Gloves.

╰┈➤"Holding hands comes naturally in a relationship, is what you'd expect. Until you realise, Azul has never removed his gloves, hasn't he?"

╰►Gender neutral reader, oneshot, 1k words.

╰► Character: Azul Ashengrotto, pre-established relationship.

╰►Note: The prompts are based on words I found interesting and then I put them on a roulette to decide when I would write about them, lol. English is not my first language, so please let me know if there are any grammatical mistakes <3. Not proof read, I haven't written in a long time, so I apologise if anything is out of character.

╰►Masterlist / Inktober Masterlist.

⤿

⤿

“Azul?”

“Yes, angelfish?”

“How come I’ve never held your hand?”

“We’ve held hands dear, multiple time already.”

“Of course, but I mean, without your gloves on.”

“Oh…”

(Y/n) laid on one of the sofas of Mostro Lounge’s VIP room, a book on their hands that they were supposed to read for their History of Magic, which was now left behind as they were more interested in Azul’s answer. As usual, the housewarden was on his desk, working on some contracts, promptly leaving his pen down to focus his attention on the magicless student.

The couple had been together for a few weeks now; enough time for Azul to get used to sharing his time, but not enough to openly speak his mind without filter.

“Well…I guess we’ve never had the opportunity to do so.” He replied after thinking about it for about seconds.

“How about now?” The Prefect asked, leaving their book on a table nearby, resting their elbows on the armrest of the sofa to look at housewarden more properly, being able to observe the delicate reddish tone that made its way to adorn his cheeks.

“Aren’t you supposed to be studying?”

“And you’re supposed to be working, yet you’re indulging me, so don’t make excuses.” They chuckled softly, observing Azul for a moment, before frowning slightly. “Perhaps I didn’t consider that you may be uncomfortable by the sensation of someone touching your skin. Do you have hands, when you’re on your octopus form?” The Prefect asked genuinely.

“Of course, I do! Why are you even asking that?” Azul answered immediately, his voice an octave higher due to how absurd their question seemed to be.

“Because I’ve never seen your octopus form and I’m not even from this world, there’s no way for me to know.” They explained nonchalantly. “The Coral Sea culture is as unknown for me as the land culture was for you at first.”

“I’ll let you know that I’m very knowledgeable in land culture, dear.” The Octavinelle second-year defended himself, a slight frown on his face.

“Last time we went into town we saw a bunny and you asked me if it was a dog. You may be smart, but you don’t know everything.” They laughed, this time a bit louder, offending Azul even more. “But we weren’t talking about that. So, if you have hands in your merman form, is it because mermen don’t usually hold hands directly? Or is it that you aren’t used to the sensation of something touching your skin?”

“No, they do hold hands in the same way humans do.” The second year explained. “And I’ve been on land for a while, now, so I’m very accustomed to the sensation of touching things directly without gloves.” He answered their second question.

“Then why don’t you want to hold hands now?”

“Well, that’s….” Azul mumbled, fixing his glasses as a way to partially cover his face to prevent the Prefect from being able to see the embarrassment on his expression. This only increased (Y/n)’s curiosity, making them wonder of the reasons, until something popped up on their mean.

“You…you’ve never had someone hold your hand before, haven’t you?”

“Nonsense! I…”

“I’ll take that as a yes.” The Ramshackle student declared, Azul’s face being enough evidence for them. They got up from the sofa to take a seat on the chair in front of Azul’s desk, finding the merman avoiding eye contact with them. “It’s okay if you haven’t, you know?”

“As far as I’m concerned, people around my age should be expected to have more experience at this, so forgive me for my lack of it.”

“I don’t care about that; I hope you know it.” (Y/n) answered tenderly, extending their arm to softly angle Azul’s face so they could look at them. “Besides, it would be nice to do it for the first time, wouldn’t it?”

“I guess you’re right…”

“Can I?” They questioned, this time signalizing his hand, as he nodded. Then, the Prefect gently took his hand, one of their own delicately holding his wrist as the other removed the glove carefully with a slow pace, occasionally glancing at him.

If there was anything (Y/n) had learned about Azul in the past weeks, it was that he was far more delicate than he let others see, his vulnerable side being more difficult for him to expose, even in front of them, as it was too early. Perhaps, in a year or two, they would talk casually about more intimate matters, but for now, this was enough, one step at a time.

“Well, this is rather nice.” Azul mumbled, and the Prefect could only chuckle softly, lightly squeezing his hand as an answer.

“Your hands seemed to be very soft-Oh!” (Y/n) started calmly, trying not to rush Azul, getting surprised when he was the one who actually took their hand as soon as they removed the glove. His fingers laced their own fingers gently but quickly, as he was expectant to experience the sensation.

“Is it like you expected?”

“I’d say it’s better than I thought.” He answered. “Now I understand why so many couples seemed to have their hands glued to each other when they walked together, back in the town…”

“Yeah, maybe we could try that.” They suggested, promptly raising both of their hands a bit higher, so they could place a kiss upon the back of his hand, watching the housewarden blushing immediately. “Too much?”

“No…But I’m considering that perhaps, I should wear my gloves less when you’re around.”

“You have such nice ideas sometimes.”

They stayed in the same position for a few moments, changing the topic of conversation, as (Y/n) occasionally caressed the side of his hand with their thumb, Azul eventually relaxing at the contact, his paperwork next to him being left on the past, his attention solely focused on his loving partner.

“The next step maybe could be you showing me your octopus form?”

“Absolutely no.”

⤿

⤿

[crows-in-the-house]

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖗𝖎𝖙𝖚𝖆𝖑

It's a part of my own writting inktober! To see more check out this post!

Prompt: clown / emotion / ritual

pairing: Bill Cipher x Reader

tw: none

The moon was full, bathing the night sky in a cold silver light. Dark, long branches hit the window panes. It was midnight when you started to have doubts. Will it work? Will it actually help you?

You shook your head - there was no time for such questions. The last candle was lit with a trembling hand. The room was filled with darkness, you could barely see your hands despite the gentle flickers of the fire. You took a deep breath, taking the chill night air into your lungs, and letting it out in a long sigh.

You opened the old scripture, holding on to the old paper as if to your own life. The ancient rhymes made your eyes water. You were just about to go on to the part with the knife when you heard a faint laughter.

The room seemed to shift and change. You knew that voice right? Low, ominous rumbling filled the air, when sharp shadows circled around you as if to swallow you whole. There was something emerging from the corners in the darkness, something big, staring right at you-

This fucker!

"Bill! What are you doing in my ritual!"

"Oh come on toots, calling onto some stupid gods and not me? You really have a nerve!"

The triangle demon circled you while laughing. His form again normal sized, perfectly punchable if he only moved closer.

"Don't even try that kid! I'm not like those clowns you want so badly! I will get back at ya!"

"What do you want Cipher!? I was just about to summon a god and you ruined it! Again! Do you know how long I have to wait for another full moon?!"

You looked at the demon with anger. Since you two met he succesfuly stopped all your attempts at dark magic. At first you belived him when he said you where doing some stuff wrong, like using a wrong spell, or not fresh enough offering. But with time he started interfiing more and more. And now he was just an annoying prick.

"Listen kid, if you're so desperate to make a deal with a higher power-

"I'm not making deal with you Bill." You stood up crossing your arms. " I want to learn my future from a reliable source. A reliable source, got it?"

"Oh and would you look at that - that's exactly me, brainiac! If we just made a deal, I would let you know aaaall your possible futures, with all the alternative universes, great deaths and every new emotion in your head! Why not shake on, so I can share it with you?"

"Cuz last time I did that, you made me think of you every time when I spoke to my crush! And now I don't even remember their name!"

"As if such a detail was important kid, you got your end of the deal, and I got mine, yes?"

"How was that even beneficial to you?!"

"A guy must advertise himself somehow, you know?" He said while shrugging. You growled, putting out the candles. You had to stowe them away and wash the floor again. At least you didn't spill your blood this time. You were getting short on bandages.

You looked at your watch. Fifteen minutes after midnight. If it was at least ten, you would still have time to continue, rushed, but at least finally achieving your goal. Now tho, it was certain it wouldn't work out. The ritual needed special time and undivided attention. Both of which, Bill took without any care.

Your stomach growled. You haven't eaten in a while. Maybe you should go do that and watch a movie to sleep? You looked back at the triangle. He was still there, staring at you, as if suspended in space. Was he lost in thoughts or reading your mind? You nudged his side to get his attention.

"You know what? If you spawn me a drink - not alive, conscious one that is, I will share my popcorn with you." You saw humor get back to his eye.

"Oh golly! Free useless food from my meatbag monkey? What a treat!"

"Do you want it or not?" you replied, leaving the room. His eye scanned your tired form while slowly following you.

What a cute fool you were. Calling onto beings your whole mind wouldn't understand. It was shame you weren't awere how much he was protecting you from getting your brain melted. Maybe, just maybe if he made you more like him you would finally realize how much work you made him do! But no. He couldn't risk his stupid puppet getting a potential response from one of those "higher beings".

After all you belonged to him.

[bad268]

Nightmare (Lando Norris X Reader)

Fandom: RPF/Formula 1

Requested: Day 15 of Writing Inktober prompts instead of drawing!

Warnings: Car crash (non descriptive, just mentioned), based on 2021 Belgium Q3 crash, panic, Sebastian Vettel being a dad lol.

Pronouns: First person (I/me)

W.C. 419

As always, my requests are OPEN

MASTERLIST // HITLIST

Writing Inktober 2023 Masterlist

~~(^Google/multi-year contract announcement)

He was on a roll this weekend. He was just in his element, dominating the practice sessions and the first two qualifying sessions. There was only one problem. The rain on the track proved to be more difficult than originally anticipated.

"It's getting pretty bad out there," I said to one of the engineers, "Are they gonna make him abandon the lap?" I did not have to wait for an answer as suddenly everything went silent. I looked up at the screen that showed Lando's point of view, but all I saw was a wall.

This was a nightmare, it had to be. Lando's race engineer was talking, but I couldn't hear anything coming back. What if Lando is unconscious? Or worse?

Nothing was registering until I felt someone's arms wrap around my shoulders. They turned me away from the screens and pulled me deeper into the garage, away from the cameras.

"Y/n, take a breath. He's at the medic center, but he's fine," They reassured once we got into Lando's driver's room. After a few minutes, the haze lifted, and I was able to register everything around me. Sebastian was the one to calm me down, and once he noticed that my breathing had calmed down, he turned around to grab the umbrella that Lando brought with us this morning. "Here," he handed it to me, "I'll walk you over to the medic center."

"You should be racing," I laughed weakly, taking the umbrella and walking out of the room.

"Red flagged because of the rain. They should've done it earlier, but you know the stewards," He laughed dismissively as he followed me out.

It was raining even worse now, but we made it to the center in no time. Seb had to head back, but I walked in, seeing Lando sitting unhappily on the bed as a nurse checked on him.

"Just whiplash," he laughed lightly, holding his hand out to me. I grabbed his hand, placing a finger on his pulse point. "Yes, I am alive."

"Your heartbeat is crazy," I whispered, rubbing up and down his arm to calm him down.

"Yours is probably just as bad," He chuckled, pulling me into his arms. The nurse had left as there were no pressing injuries. His arms ran up and down my back, as mine played with his hair. He laid his forehead against mine and after a few minutes of just breathing each other in, he whispered, "Hey, I'm not going anywhere."

~~~~~

© BAD268 2023. DO NOT REPOST WITHOUT PERMISSION.

[norbezjones]

Inktober & OC-tober: October 2nd, 2024 (Romance The Backrooms)

Hey everyone!

So, this year, I have decided to participate in Inktober’s, well, Inktober event, and OC-tober, the latter specifically with @icannotreadcursive / @thepromptfoundry ‘s prompt list.  Basically, how it works is that I will do a drawing & a story adhering to the prompts.

For the first half of the month, I will be doing these for the characters of my story Romance The Backrooms, a liminal space otome with 5 main love interests.  For the second half of the month, I will be doing them for the characters of my IF Comp game Yancy At The End Of The World!, mainly to promote Yancy!’s Kickstarter, which launches at the beginning of November.

Today’s Prompts: Going out on the town & Discover

Characters: Carla

Other Info: This is Part 2 of what will be a series of stories dealing with Carla trying to come to terms with her grandmother’s death.  Please know that this is primarily what the story is about and treat accordingly.

Part 1: Tumblr link, Pillowfort link

_________

The town was a ten-minute walk away from the cottage.  Even though Carla knew that from her walk in the other day, it was still somewhat surprising to experience it.  One moment, she was isolated and surrounded by woods, and the next, she was back in civilization.

Or at least, if not civilization, a tiny town in the middle of nowhere.  Once she reached it, Carla was able to get data on her phone, and she looked up where food could be found nearby.  In the end, she settled on a diner called “Earl’s Eatery”.

“Hey there!  I haven’t seen you before.  Did you rent the cottage?” was how her waitress greeted her.

“Um, yeah,” Carla replied shyly.

The people who rent the cottage, they’re always creative types, looking for their muse in the woods.” the waitress told her, giving her a menu.  “You searching for your muse too, hun?”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Carla said, an awkward laugh escaping her mouth.  She opened the menu, glancing at its contents.

“Ooo, intriguing!” the waitress said with a grin.  “What brings you here, then?”

Not wanting to make the mood awkward by sharing why she was truly at the cottage, Carla simply laughed and said, “It’s a secret, sorry!”

The waitress chuckled.  “I like you, hun.  You got a good spark in you.  Anyway, you want something to drink?”

“Yeah.  And I think I know what I want to eat, too” Carla told her.

And so, Carla soon had a large “Ultra Cheeze X-treme” omelet in front of her (she was pretty curious to try it once she saw it on the menu, and had to discover its flavor for herself), along with a side of hash browns and the smallest slices of buttered toast she had ever seen.  “Enjoy!  Let me know if you need anything,” the waitress said as she placed the plate on the table.  Then, she was gone.

Carla dug into her meal.  No longer distracted, her mind went back to her quest, the real reason she was here: figuring out her grief.

Would that even be possible within the timeframe she had?  Was two weeks enough to process such a terrible loss?  Just thinking about trying to take on that pain made Carla’s heart feel heavy, and she sniffled, wiping a tear from her eye.

I wish Grandma was here; she’d know what to say, Carla thought as she dug into her food.  But she’s not, and she never will be. . .

But what if she was here? her mind insisted.  What would she say?

Carla thought for a minute, chewing her food thoughtfully.  She’d say that even though she’s gone, she lived a good life, and gave what she could to the people she cared about, Carla realized.  And in a way, the things you give to others helps you live on.

Fuck that.  I’d trade that all way just to be with her again, her mind retorted.  Even for a minute.

Carla held in her tears and finished her food.  She paid the check, left a hefty tip, and left the diner.

[kidsomeday]

Not committing to doing this every day because life and so forth but my friend posted this alternative to Inktober and instead of drawing I’m going to commit to writing really short (500-700) word stories.

I pretty much figured out what was happening as I wrote this and it is not edited but here’s the prompt list and then my story under the cut so it’s not filling up the feed.

Day One- Lurk

Mama put her finger to her lips and I knew it was time to play. She smiled as she went to a corner - not the one she usually likes best, so she must have been trying extra hard to win. I slid under the bed. We hadn't played in so long and I wanted it to last so I pinched my cheeks to stop myself from giggling, just like Mama had taught me.

There were voices in the hallway outside. They didn't sound like Papa or my sister which was sad because I liked to play with them best and I knew Mama did too. The floor was cold and hard and hurt to lay on for too long and even though I didn't know the voices I was glad when they came in and laid down because it meant we could finally begin to play.

Mama let me move first because she said I had done such a good job last time. I waited until the breathing on the bed sounded almost like they were sleeping and I moved as quick as I could to the old wardrobe in the corner. I liked the closet better but it was closed so that would be two moves to get there and Mama said the rules were only one move to start so I couldn't. After I was in place the breathing didn't change so then I saw Mama move to the foot of the bed. She was so good at this game and I wanted to tell her but we had to be quiet because that was the number one rule.

For my move I decided to try the closet and so I reached and reached and reached and just barely managed to get the handle and jiggled it just a bit until it could creeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaak open. The breathing stopped just a bit like maybe they woke up and I worried that I had lost already but it slowed down so I knew there was still time to play. Mama would be proud I just knew it.

Now it was Mama's turn again and she moved to be next to the little bedside table and made herself small so she was just almost out of sight. She wiggled her toes for me and I had to pinch myself to keep from giggling again because she looked so funny all smushed like that.

Now I could finally get to the closet but I had to move fast and I made a little more noise than I should have but that was okay because it was so nice and dark in the closet. I peered out just a bit to see what Mama would do next and she was getting brave because she was right next to the bed now and leaning over the person on it and I could see the way her breath ruffled their hair just a little. I waited to see if the game was over but it wasn't which meant I got another turn.

The closet was nice and I didn't want to leave yet so I climbed up some of the shelves so I could lean out over the top of the door and it creaked a little more and Mama winked at me and then I finally did giggle because I was holding on and couldn't pinch my cheeks anymore.

The person on the bed who wasn't Papa or my sister opened their eyes and saw Mama and they screamed and turned on their light and Mama laughed and ran to closet to join me. We crouched in the corner and she hugged me as we tried to shush each other quiet. It was funny to watch them check the room and they even turned on the closet light but couldn't find us because Mama had made us very small and they weren't good enough at the game yet.

Then the game was over and Mama stroked my hair and told me to rest and the closet was so very cozy so I fell asleep thinking about all the fun ways I could try and win the game next time.

[blessyourhondahurley]

Arriving Together

On an Autumn hike, Dean and Cas reminisce.

Suptober prompt: A Million Reasons Flufftober prompt: Leaves Fictober prompt: "You love this, don't you?" Inktober prompt: Uh-oh

(Read on AO3)

The final part of the story that began here...

“You love this, don't you?” Dean asks as they walk through the forest behind their apartment building.

“Love what?” Cas replies, confusion marking his features.

“All of this,” Dean says as he gestures around them. “The changing leaves and the sweaters and the frost on the pumpkins and the crispness in the air and the apple cider and the geese overhead and the... Autumn of it all. You love it.”

Cas sighs happily and nods. “Yes, I do. It's my favorite time of the year.”

Dean clears his throat and tries to sound casual as he steers their conversation where he wants it. “You know what this reminds me of? The year your family moved to Lawrence. That autumn. That school dance. You remember?”

“Do I remember the moment when I met my soulmate?” Cas asks with a wry grin. “Hmm, yes, vaguely.”

Dean knocks their shoulders together and huffs, eyes cast down to the path they're walking together.

Cas glances at him, looks away, then turns back and studies him more closely. “Uh-oh,” he mutters. “That's your serious face. Is something wrong?”

“No, not at all,” Dean reassures him. “I've just... I've been thinking a lot lately about everything that happened at that dance. The first time I saw you. The first time I held you. The first time I danced with you. That was one of the best days of my life.”

“Mine too,” Cas murmurs with a smile.

“Yeah, but, sweetheart,” Dean continues. “Every day since then has also been the best day of my life, because you were in it with me.” He tugs on Cas's hand and pulls them to a stop in the middle of a sun-dappled clearing. “You're my soulmate, Cas, but there's about a million reasons beside that why I'm doing this.”

Dean drops to one knee on a soft carpet of pine needles and fallen leaves. With the hand that's not still entwined with his boyfriend's, he pulls a ring out of his jacket pocket and holds it up between them. “Will you marry me, Cas? Will you make every day of the rest of my life the best day?”

Momentarily overcome, Cas makes a choked sound of surprise and presses his free hand to his mouth. Then he reaches for the ring, nodding as he does. “Oh, Dean,” he says softly. “It's beautiful. Yes. Of course. Yes.”

“Yeah?” Dean asks as Cas slips the ring onto his finger, laughing and nodding, joy shining on his lovely face. He stands and takes his fiance in his arms.

[skymaiden32]

Trick or Treat

Thundertober/Inktober Day 31: Costumes

The Tracy family prepares for Halloween. Wee!Tracy’s

Continuity: TOS

Tagging: @dragonoffantasyandreality @thundergeek59 @janetm74 @katblu42 @liseylou @amistrio @uniwolfcorn (Please ask if you would like to be alerted when I update or write new stories)

Prompt list

Happy Halloween! >:3

This is the last Thundertober prompt, but be sure to keep an eye out for more chapters from the day 29 story.

------

“So, who are you going as?” Alan bounced up and down as his brother revealed his costume with a flourish.

“Aquaman!” 

John rolled his eyes fondly. “Of course you are…”

“What are you going as John?” Gordon asked, already pulling his outfit on.

“No character; just a regular old astronaut.” John smirked. “How about you, Allie?”

Alan grinned, pulling out his handmade costume. Despite their father’s numerous offers to buy their Halloween outfits this year, Alan had insisted on making his own. If John was completely honest, it looked like it was on the verge of falling apart…

“Well, despite John’s obvious dislike of it,” Gordon ignored John’s protests, “I think it looks great!” He scratched his head. “What is it?”

“It’s a star!” Alan beamed. John tried to hide his grimace as one of the points drooped. Gordon somehow managed to get stuck in his costume behind them.

“Gordon’s right, Alan.” Virgil’s voice drifted through the hallway as he approached. He was already in his knight costume. “You guys have a fun knight, okay?” He smirked, putting emphasis on the pun.

“You too, Virgil…” John smiled at his brother, getting his own outfit on. “And please, never make a joke like that again…”

The family artist just shrugged. “Fair enough.”

“Guys, you ready to go?” Scott poked his head round the door. He was dressed as a wizard this year. He grinned when he saw Alan’s costume. “Looks great!” He gave his brother a thumbs up. Alan smiled back. “Dad’s ready with the car to take us to where we need to be tonight.”

Virgil laughed. “How’s his vampire costume looking?”

“Blood-sucking.” Scott smirked, folding his arms. “And Grandma has a fierce witch look…”

“Um, guys?” Gordon’s muffled voice made everyone look in his direction. He was still struggling with his costume. “A little help here?”

------

“Okay gang, here’s the drop-off for trick or treating!” Jeff swung the family van into a parking space. “Mother, you’re taking these three little rascals,” he poked his three younger sons on their noses, causing each of them to giggle at varying volumes, “round all the houses.” 

Their grandmother nodded, but raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you’re okay to handle the trick or treaters alone, Jeff?”

Jeff nodded. “I’m sure, Mother. This has all already been decided. I’ll drop Scott and Virgil off at their Halloween party and then head back home for a few hours. Then I can come and pick everyone up when they want to come home.”

Ruth smiled, satisfied, before herding the younger ones out the car and towards the houses, closing the door behind them. “Let’s go get some sweet treats, my pretties!” She shifted to her witch voice, and Gordon and Alan squealed in delight as they ran ahead. John was a bit more reserved, but he was clearly just as excited.

Jeff drove on to where he would drop off his two eldest boys, who were chatting about what might happen at the party. Once they pulled up, he turned round. “Remember to keep your phones on. Stay close to each other; within sight if you do split up. If anything happens, keep each other safe, you hear?”

“Don’t worry Dad, nothing’s gonna happen…” Scott smiled sympathetically at his father. 

“But we will be careful.” Virgil finished. They got out of the van, and were about to go in when their father said something else.

“One more thing, boys…” They gave him matching looks. “Have fun!”

“We will, Dad!”

------

The moon was high in the sky by the time Jeff picked everyone up. His mother yawned as she guided his younger boys into the car, all barely standing. By the looks of it, they’d gotten plenty of sweets. Scott and Virgil could hardly keep their eyes open either, but were a bit better at hiding it than the others. Once they were on the road again, half of them asleep and the other half ready to, Jeff whispered. “Did you all have a great time?”

“The best.” Virgil whispered back, before he fell asleep on Scott’s shoulder. Scott smiled softly at his brother, making sure he had a tight hold of him before he leaned back into his seat, also drifting off.

His mother grinned at him, her voice extra soft so she didn’t wake any of her grandchildren up. “If they’re sleeping, it must’ve been fun. I know John, Gordon and Alan had a blast…”

“That’s good…” Jeff yawned, but kept his eyes wide open as he focussed all his energy on the road. “Happy Halloween, Mother.”

“Happy Halloween, Jeff.”

[word-ghost]

decided to try to actually do inktober this year using @buttonso's weekly stardew valley prompts. october 1-7: stardew valley fair

mid-fall, year three The fair had drawn a larger crowd than any year Harvey could remember. Lewis’s tireless efforts to attract tourism to the town had paid off more grandly than anyone had anticipated. The square and side streets were overrun with blinking lights and colorful tents, vendors, games, and whirling rides. The air was alive with laughter and delighted squeals, the sticky-sweet scent of fried dough and spun sugar swirling with barbecue smoke. Harvey hadn’t cared much for the fair at its smallest. But with Peach’s fingers laced through his, even this wasn’t so bad.

She led him through the crowd, turning from time to time to check on him. Her cheeks were wind-bitten and rosy, dozens of points of blinking light dancing in her smiling eyes. Harvey grinned back, warm confidence bubbling in his chest. He couldn’t help but get a bit caught up in the excitement of the afternoon.

When Lewis placed a second-place ribbon beside Peach’s grange display, she’d reacted first in excited bewilderment and then horror when she realized it meant Marnie had placed third. She’d nearly cried when Marnie swept her and Shane into a congratulatory hug. Emily had thrust a bottle of icy pumpkin ale (and one can of seltzer water) into their hands, spiraling into a long and elaborate toast to her friends’ hard work. Harvey finished his drink a bit faster than he ought to, but he hadn’t wanted to risk dropping the glass on such a crowded walkway. Perhaps that was what led him to pull her aside. To suggest they do this.

Harvey gritted his teeth as the metal bench below them wobbled. Of all the rides, the Ferris wheel seemed the least likely to give him motion sickness, and it looked sturdier than the other options, with fewer moving parts. He hadn’t considered the ride had to stop to load new riders, which sent their seat rocking back and forth with nothing more than a thin metal bar to hold them in. From the ground, the top hadn’t seemed so high, but only halfway up, he’d had to close his eyes.

“Harvey,” Peach said. “My hand—”

“I’m so sorry,” he sputtered, releasing his grip. The outline of his fingers remained on the back of her hand. “Are you alright?”

“Are you?” she said gently.

“I don’t know,” he admitted, face warm against the chilly evening air.

“Do you want me to ask them to let us off?”

“No.” Harvey found her eyes. “I— I want to do this with you. I—” His eyes snapped shut when they moved again, stopping one position nearer to the top. He pulled in a breath through his nose. “I’m sorry.”

“What for? You haven’t—”

“I thought I could do this.” The words left him in half a laugh, and he opened his eyes. When he focused on her, he didn’t feel so unsteady. A breath of breeze ruffled their hair on its way past. “I thought if I was with you— you’re so adventurous and unpredictable,” he trailed off, aware he was babbling, failing to put his feelings into words. That the height scared him half as much as boring her, or worse, embarrassing her.

“You think I’m adventurous and unpredictable?”

“I’d say it’s a fair description.”

“How?” the word bubbled out of her in a laugh.

“What kind of person moves to a nowhere town on a whim to try out an entirely new profession?”

“A very broke someone who found out they wouldn’t have to pay rent anymore,” she said, curling her arm around his when the wheel began to turn again. “And you did basically the same thing.”

“I was a doctor before I lived here. And no stranger to immense debt,” he added.

“Just gonna ignore the scariest part? It’s not like you didn’t have to figure out a new life in a new place too.”

“In my case,” he started, taking a breath and choosing his words. “I guess I always thought starting over was the cowardly option. At least, that’s how some of the people I left behind saw it.”

“Do you still think that?”

“I guess— it doesn’t matter,” Harvey concluded, pulling his arm free so he could wrap it around and pull her close. “I think I ended up where I’m supposed to be. With you. In this incandescent death trap.”

Peach was still laughing when his lips met hers. When she raised a hand to hold him there a little longer, his stomach swooped. It had nothing to do with the turning wheel.

[vastmonoliths]

did i literally

[tinyblips]

A Gh0stly Inktober: Day 7 - Scream

The threat of rain loomed heavy and dark, but the clouds had not broken. Not yet. The lightning raged throughout the clouds, sparking and erupting in a violent fury that echoed across the land. I turned to you in the garden as the lightning struck--a camera flash forever embedding the last sight of you alive deep within the recesses of my mind. I saw the wild look in your eyes as you ran, your right arm extending out, reaching desperately toward me.

If I had better reflexes, perhaps I could have pivoted in time to catch you in my arms. But as with all things in my life it seems, I was too late even for this. The only thing I was in time for was to see the glint of the lightning flash shining in the bright red eyes just behind you. A skull, a reaper, a laughing skeleton, with every one of its eerily exposed teeth cackling triumphantly as it reached out with its bony hands.

I heard you scream as I heard the cackling bones, and as the thunder rolled across the lands, you both were drowned out and I heard no more. In some ways, I am still there in our old garden. Every night I visit that spot, wondering, pondering, ruminating as to what happened to you. Could I have protected you? From a fiend like that? One that would come up from the bowels of hell itself to find you?

But alas, I fear to say that I do know the truth after all. I could not have protected you and it was not my fault. I found your grimoire locked within your nightstand. I saw the blood stains in your lockbox, the old bones and preserved organs in your locked storage. I found all of it and, my love, I’m sorry to say, I could not protect even your beautiful glimmering soul. It had never been in my power to save one who had ventured to make an inescapable pact with the Devil himself.

_________

[Inspired by @gh0stlyink's Inktober Prompt List - Day 7: Scream]

[purplebutterflywriting]

Day 5 - Rat

From @hiddendreamer67 ‘s inktober prompt list.

Word count: 770 words.

Characters: Logan, Virgil, Roman, Remus, Patton.

Warnings: Sympathetic Remus, rats.

A/N: This was written in like 1.5 hour bc I kept procrastinating. Unedited bc I’m tired.

“Thanks again for looking after Isaac and Albert, Virgil,” Logan said as he fell into step beside his friend. “I hope they didn’t cause too much trouble?”

“Nah, it was alright.” Virgil showed one of his rare smiles as he put his phone away. “I didn’t think I would say this, but your rats are fucking adorable. Isaac always hid in my hoodie when I let them out of the cage, didn’t matter if I was wearing it.”

Logan chuckled at the mental picture, but then schooled his expression into something more serious. “That’s good to hear, but I was actually talking about your, eh, ahem… your roommates.”

Virgil instinctively tensed, before forcing himself to relax. It was fine, Logan was supposed to know the borrowers by now, no one was in danger. Though it was hard to get used to it, he had to admit it felt nice to be able to share this huge secret with someone else. Or more accurately, this tiny secret.

“Yeah, everything went well,” he reassured him. “Remus said rats weren’t scary when they were behind bars, and we worked out a schedule so they could avoid them in the room. Though of course, with those three, things always go differently than what you expect.” Logan raised a questioning eyebrow but Virgil just laughed. “You’ll see what I mean.”

A few minutes later they arrived at his house. Virgil let them in and they immediately walked upstairs to his bedroom. He knocked on the door in the ‘do you want to build a snowman’ sequence and immediately a scream pierced the air. Logan looked alarmed, but Virgil just waved him off and opened the door.

No sooner did they step inside or a tiny person sprinted towards them. The beige clothing with hints of red allowed Logan to identify him as the older twin, Roman. The borrower was screaming as he jumped on his foot and started climbing his pant leg. Logan froze, not daring to move lest he threw the bodily trespasser off. Virgil didn’t react beyond a soft chuckle, as if this was a normal occurrence.

A loud, villainous laugh drew Logan’s eyes to the centre of the room, where he saw Albert with Remus on his back. The younger borrower twin held a leaf of romaine lettuce over Albert’s head, prompting the rat to run towards them in a stuttery pace. “I am the rat king!” Remus crowed as he reached their feet. “Fear me, bitches!”

“Remus, where is Isaac?” Virgil asked as Logan was busy picking his jaw from the floor.

“Cuddling in your hoodie with Patton,” Remus shrugged. Albert was nibbling on the lettuce leaf now, looking content. The borrower didn’t seem to notice.

Across the room, a tiny hand appeared from the sleeve of his hoodie. “Hi, Virgil!”

“What are you doing here, Brainy Behemoth?” Roman asked, having climbed up to Logan’s waist and hanging from his belt loops.

“I… eh…” He looked at Virgil, his eyes pleading for help. Virgil rolled his eyes fondly.

“Logan’s back from vacation and he came to pick up his pets.”

“Noooo,” came it simultaneously from Virgil’s hoodie, Logan’s belt loop and the rat at their feet.

“Quickly, Albert! Flee!” Remus shouted. He raised his lettuce leaf as he uttered the command, only to stare in horror at the small stump that was left of it. His gaze shifted from the leaf to the rat underneath him. “How could you?” he whispered.

“Do they have to go?” Patton emerged from the hoodie, kicked puppy look already in place. Luckily for Logan, it wasn’t as effective from across the room.

“Yes, they have to,” Virgil called back sternly. “I told you guys multiple times we’re not keeping them.”

The three borrowers sighed dejectedly. It almost made Logan feel bad about retrieving his pets, but he shook his head. They were his pets, he’d missed them too! “How about we cook dinner together and I’ll take them back tonight?” he found himself saying nonetheless. “That way they can stay a few hours longer. If that’s alright with you, of course.”

“Yeah sure.”

Remus cheered, leaning forward to press a kiss to Albert’s head. Logan offered Roman a hand to put him back on the ground, and then he and Virgil left the room to make plans for dinner. 

Just before the door closed, they could hear Remus’ whisper-shout: “Quick, hide the rats!”

They shared a look and a grin before Virgil knocked on the now-closed door again. “If those rats aren’t there by the time we get back, you’ll take their place, Remus!”

“Drats!”

[hostgalli19]

Hallowvide Day 5: Barbed Wire & Aquaphobia

Chapter Summary: A feeling of dread curled in my stomach when I saw how dark the water in the cave was. There was only around three possibly four feet of "shallows" before it dropped off. My palms started to sweat at the thought of what could be in the water.

Note: Today’s prompt is, if you couldn’t tell from the title, Aquaphobia (fear of water). The artwork in this is done by Whizzer that he very kindly allowed me to use. He did it for Inktober Day 4: Ghost which gave me the idea for this story.

S Dark - He appears in a story I haven't posted yet but am in the process of writing S Mark - Sil's version of Mark Sil - Dark/Damien from another universe. See Chapter 9 of MFC

Length: 1,507 words (4 pages) Tag List: @darkipliertm​, @wilfordwarfstacheisbae​, @lamiasluck​, @scuttling-thoughtfully​, @matt10nt​, @bexiblitz​, @kraefandoms, @ameliachastain Link to Ao3, Day 3 and Day 4

Date: 05/10/20 Time: 9:15 pm - 10:55 pm 

I’m not a particularly stronger swimmer. I can do one lap of a 50m pool, its the second lap where I slow down and breathing becomes very difficult. 

Getting out the water after making my way slowly back to the other end of the pool was difficult. My body felt weighted down and heavy, pulling myself up the steps were difficult but I somehow managed. 

It was over. My legs felt like jelly,  I could barely stand.

I could barely speak with how heavy I was breathing. My teachers were always encouraging and let me go and sit down after that one lap. I was never able to do more than one. 

I know if I do laps more often I don’t really like swimming that much. Host knew very well that I wasn’t a very good swimmer, despite that I was very good at holding my breath.

I was relaxing in the sun, leaning back on my hands with my feet in the pool because it was boiling when I was suddenly pushed in. I tried to get back to the surface but something was weighing my limbs down. 

I tried to hold my breath but found it impossible the closer to the bottom of the pool I got. It felt like my lugs were being crushed. I pinched my nose and “popped” my ears. It helped a little though not much.

The pool was incredibly deep. Host had made the pool "as deep as it needed to be" since S Dark had appeared in the kitchen.

There were many tunnels and places to hide. It was amazing how quickly an ecosystem had developed after Host had added some fish, seaweed, crabs and other creatures. 

It would have been perfectly fine if Bim had turned him into a mercreature like he had promised he would when I wanted to go swimming.

I wanted to visit S Dark's cave and see what other pretty things he had collected. I tried to hold onto as much air as possible but it was so hard. I had to clamp my hands over my nose and mouth to stop any air bubbles from escaping. 

I tried to remind myself I was perfectly safe but it was impossible. I looked down trying to see what was wrapped around my legs and was shocked when I saw barbed wire attacked to... something was wrapped around my feet and carves.

It was then that the extreme pain registered and I screamed. All the air escaping my lung. I was breathing in water. I jerked when I felt myself touch the sandy bottom of the pool. 

The water was a bluish-green colour and looked really pretty with the light shining through the water. I tried to move, push myself up. Do anything but couldn't. I looked down, there was a heavy chain resting over my stomach.

I tried to move it but couldn't. I closed my eyes briefly. I opened them again when I felt someone shaking me. I stared at the person through blurring eyes. I blinked and realised it was Mark. 

I looked down when I felt smooth scales brush against my legs. His tail was light yellow at the top fading into gold, his fins were tipped with red. I was sure his eyes were glowing gold but I was sure.

He was moving his mouth like he was saying something but I couldn't hear anything. I felt so tried. I just wanted to sleep. I could feel him shaking me but wasn't able to open my eyes again once they were closed. 

The next time I opened my eyes I had to close them almost immediately due to the bright light. I still in the water, but sitting on the steps leaning against the warm tiles at the edge of the pool.

The first thing I heard was yelling.

Dark was yelling at someone.

"... could you do something so reckless. She could have died. I don't want to have to explain to Host that his sister had drowned," Dark yelled, I stared at his back, black tentacles leaked from his back, his aura was flickering. 

He was yelling at the Jim's who looked absolutely terrifying. I groaned. My legs hurt, I could barely move my arms. Everything was too loud, too bright, too much.

"Oh good your awake. I was afraid I wasn't fast enough," I opened my eyes and looked down when I heard someone speaking found myself staring at Sil's Mark, he looked relieved. 

I stared at the reddish-gold scales on his face, neck, shoulder and arms. He had webbed hands but was somehow still wearing his wedding ring. He smiled revealing sharp teeth.

"Wha happened?" I asked hoarsely, speaking hurt, it felt like I had swallowed glass. 

S Mark's smile disappeared and he turned to glare at the Nightmare Jim's were struggling to get away from a livid Dark but couldn't thanks to the pinkish-red aura wrapped around them. 

The look Wilford was giving them sent a shiver down my spine. They would've had to have done something serious to piss off both Dark and Wilford off.

"The Nightmare Twins tried to enchant barbed wire. Try not to move your legs too much. We haven't quite figure out how to remove it yet. We're still not sure how they managed to write the barbed wire around your legs without you noticing. They pushed you which activated the weight spell," S Mark explained. 

I looked down at my legs and saw the barbed wire had wrapped around my thigh as well. I don't think I could have moved them if I wanted to. I felt tired and found myself staring at S Mark's tail through the water.

I could see a ghostly figure walking down a beach. He was carrying a half-open shirt, his pants rolled up to his knees and carrying what looked to be a towel in one arm. 

I looked around, he appeared to be walking towards the docs or possible a cave though it was hard to tell. He appeared to laugh when a dog ran up to him and started barking. 

He smiled and picked up a stick and threw it.

Later, he was collecting shells and putting them in the towel. A feeling of dread curled in my stomach when I saw how dark the water in the cave was. There was only around three possibly four feet of "shallows" before it dropped off. 

My palms started to sweat at the thought of what could be in the water. I looked around and saw the man had placed the towel on a flat rock and had turned to get something a little further away.

When I looked back at the rock there was a mercreature with blue and green scales, wearing a blue stone necklace putting a very pretty shell on the rock. He ducked back into the water but it was too late, the man had already seen him.

The mercreature was shy at first but the man said something to him that made the mercreature laugh. It wasn't long before the two were chatting and laughing, clearly having a lot of fun. 

I jerked when I heard a sharp clicking and looked up. S Mark was staring at me with a raised eyebrow. I blinked slowly and shook my head. Wondering why it *felt* like I had been sleeping when I know I was awake. 

It was a strange feeling. It had never happened before. I looked up when a shadow appeared. Dark was standing over me. He didn't say anything just kneeled next to me.

"What did you see?" S Mark questioned, I stared at him. How had he known I had seen something. I laughed, I glared at him, very much wanted to hit, I couldn't have moved my arms had I wanted to. 

Dark reached over and hit Mark upside the head. I couldn't help but laugh. I felt... floaty. I'm not really sure why. S Mark muttered something under his breath that earned him another slap.

"That's the look Author gets on his face when he's seeing something," I stared at him, there was no way I see the future, that was Host's domain. 

Sure there were times where my imagination would go to some very strange places but I had never felt like this before. I just shook my head. I somehow knew S Mark knew what I had seen and was only asking because it was expected of him.

"What in the seven circles of hell did you two brats do to my sister," Host demanded, he looked livid, blood was far more blood then normal dripping down his face, his hair was messy and his ink-stained fingers were balled up. 

The Nightmare Jim's tried to run only to remember Wilford had them wrapped. I stared at Host, there was something wrong with this image but I wasn't quite sure what it was.

Note: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Its not as long as the other stories or even as detailed but I think it works.  If you want to read the other stories go to my profile and search “Hallowvide” and the particular day you want.

[crows-in-the-house]

𝕿𝖍��� 𝖉𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖑

This is a part of my own writting inktober! To see more check out this post!

Prompt: rain / snacks

pairing: Belphegor x reader

tw: none

The attic was always the the farthest room in the house. Regardless of time it was always quiet and calm, as if it was an otherworldy far land, full of dreams, warmth and wishes. It was big, with a queen sized bed on which you often slept. This morning was no different - you woke up laying there, still half asleep, with someones hands hugging you from behind. If you could, this would be your eternity. But as always, this had to come to an end, when you felt your stomach rumblig.

You groaned, struggling in Belphegors grasp. The sound of the rain was still slightly present. It was early. You tried to remove yourself from his embrace, but he couln't let go..

"Don't go" he mumbled sleepily.

"I have to get up, Belphie"

You tried once again to push him off, but he just held you as if nothing happened. He buried his face in your necks curve and tangled his legs with yours. You could feel his warm breath on your neck, as if he was ready to cover it with hickeys again.

"Belphie, I'm hungry"

"Mmm then call, Bel"

"Then let me get to my phone"

Your eyebrows furrowed. Your phone was still carelessly placed on the nightstand - yesterday's mistake you made by wanting to quickly get in boyfriends embrace. You squirmed around, waking him up again. He gave you a tired look, as if he was about to scold a disobedient puppy.

"What."

"I need to pee." There went your best exuse. He huffed, annoyed, finally letting you go. Walking away, you saw his figure hugging a random pillow, turning his back at you. It was obvious he already missed his favorite one. You had to move fast.

You quickly ran down the stairs to the kitchen. In Saturday mornings it was empty and all yours - until the rest of the brothers came down, demanding a shared breakfast. But today was only for you and Belphie.

The room was warm and inviting. A soft, light spilled through the windows from the setting sun, casting a golden glow across the room. You could hear the water still taping, from old gutters outside. You didn't rush while making breakfast. Even if you knew, your boyfriend was getting impentiant, the fresh coffie and bacon was all you though about in this moment. You moved effortlessly between the stove and the counter, tending to the food with practiced ease. Soon enough the food was ready. It made you proud, especially when you could feel someones eyes following your form at every move.

"What are you doing?" A raspy voice of your boyfriend greeted you. You rurned around. His hair was messy and eyes half open. He was standing there shoeless, still in his pijamas - with the long soft tail, tucked in one of his pants sleeves.

"I made breakfast! Look there's toasts, bacon, eggs, oh and do you want some coffie with it? I can also make you tea"

"I want you" He grinned at you while stepping closer. He rested his forehead against yours, his horns blocking your view.

"What"

"you heard me" You could feel a slight blush flush on your cheeks. His eyes landed on your lips, while he slowly licked his.

You didn't have a chance to answer when he quickly picked you up. Slight chuckle left his mouth at your helpless state.

"Belphegor, put me down this insant!"

"Why don't you make me, master"

"You know I can do that!"

"Nahh, you're too soft. Besides-" he skillfully took the plates in his hands "if you make me drop you, I will also drop the food you made, right? Oh, but you worked so hard on it!"

He laughed at your miserable expression. Carring you back to his room didn't take time at all. He layed the food on the table and threw you on the bed, joing right after. His arms held you tightly, while he showered your face with kisses. You could feel the blanket covering you both again.

"Oh, come on, let's eat food before going back to sleep at least!" You struggled to say as he stole another kiss from your lips

"Mmmm, no thanks. I have a better snack right here."

[bad268]

Flight (Joe Burrow X Reader)

Fandom: RPF/NFL

Requested: Day 22 of Writing Inktober prompts instead of drawing!

Warnings: breakup mentioned but not actually 

Pronouns: First person (I/me)

W.C. 390

As always, my requests are OPEN

MASTERLIST // HITLIST

Writing Inktober 2023 Masterlist

~~(^Google/People Mag)

This was not ideal. I was still stuck in Cleveland for work while the draft was starting. I promised Joe I would be there, but alas, I cannot control the weather, and this snowstorm was not stopping anytime soon. Thus, I was watching the draft on one of the many screens in the terminal. During one of the commercials, I received a call from Joe.

“Hey baby, I’m sorry I couldn't be there with you for day 1. I think I’ll be there for tomorrow, I hope at least” I answered optimistically. 

“Actually, would you cancel your flight?” He asked. It took me a second to realize what he said, and it took him asking if I could hear him to finally respond.

“Is this you breaking up with me because I couldn’t be there for draft day? I swear, Joey, every weather station said this snowstorm was coming next week, so I didn’t think it would be a problem-”

“No, hold on,” He cut me off by changing the call to Facetime. I adjusted my headphones before answering, and I was met with his dazzling smile straight away. He looked a little confused for a second before asking, “You haven’t seen it yet?”

“Seen what?” Just as I asked, the sound of the next draft pick played from the TV in front of me. Without even seeing who the team was or the pick, I looked back down at my phone, seeing Joe smiling even wider if that was possible. I could not hold back the gasp, “No way, you got picked?”

“Keep watching,” He laughed. I looked away from my phone and saw that it was the Cincinnati Bengals who picked him.

“Wait, it’s Cincinnati!” I exclaimed, louder than I should have for 9 PM in an airport, but I could not contain my happiness. “You’re going to have to move here!”

“No more traveling back and forth,” He laughed. “We are going to be staying in Cincinnati together.”

“So the whole ‘don't fly back’ thing was not an ‘I’m breaking up with you’ and more of an ‘I want us to live together in Ohio’?” I sped through, feeling tears in my eyes.

“Of course it is. I’ve already got a flight out in two days, and we can go house shopping together when I get there.”

~~~~~

© BAD268 2023. DO NOT REPOST WITHOUT PERMISSION.

[pipsqueakparker]

bc im sleepy and also haven’t posted any writing in a while, have a scrambled together inktober prompt i just wrote while trying not to fall asleep (aka don’t get your hopes up and don’t be mean. this is just communication porn pretty much.)

Frail

Baz is staring at me.

Who knows how long he’s been awake, but he’s always watching me sleep. I should be properly creeped out, I’m sure, but Baz has been watching me since we were eleven. It’s hardly unusual. Now he just has a different motive, he’s no longer plotting my demise. (I hope.)

I’ve still not figured out what he’s plotting these days, actually. He must be plotting something, he’s always staring. Staring and thinking. Sometimes he thinks so loudly, so hard, I’m almost afraid he’ll hurt himself. Have you ever heard of a cranial sprain? I’ve not, technically, but if a doctor told me that Baz had one I wouldn’t be surprised. What with all that thinking.

He’s thinking so loudly now I can’t sleep. I’ve been pretending to be asleep for the past ten minutes, and he’s been letting me. Because that means he can just keep staring.

“Truly leaning into those vampire stereotypes, aren’t you?”

I don’t have to open my eyes to know Baz is raising one of his perfect brows, I can practically hear it in his voice.

“How do you mean?”

His voice is rough. He’s been too busy staring and thinking, hasn’t used it yet today. I like it.

“Watchin’ me sleep.” I do open my eyes now, just as he furrows his brow. “Haven’t y’read Twilight?”

“Have you?”

I roll my eyes. “Saw the movies.”

I shift onto my side, facing him. He doesn’t look away, though his stormy grey eyes look lost in thought. ‘Course he is. I poke at the crease between his eyebrows. I don’t know if vampires can get wrinkles, but if they can, he’s bound to have a nasty one right there. “What’re you thinking about?”

“Nothing.” He answers too quickly. He takes the hand that just poked him into his own, brings my palm to his lips. I barely feel the kiss, it’s so gentle, but he doesn’t let go of my hand after.

“Baz Pitch doesn’t just think of nothing.” I murmur. “You never stop thinking. It’s exhausting. I’m exhausted for you.”

“Then go back to sleep, Snow.”

“Can’t.” I tug at his hand. “Why won’t you tell me?”

“It’s not important.”

He lets me tug at his hand again, doesn’t tug back or anything. Sometimes I wish he would do anything back. But all he does is lay there and stare and think. That’s all he’s done since...

He’s been soft, and gentle. Always so gentle. He’s been utterly un-Baz-like.

Not that I don’t appreciate it, the gentleness, the being soft with each other.

But I’m almost tired of it. It’s not like I want to go back to fighting, I still like this all so much better than fighting, but that doesn’t mean he’s got to lose his fight completely. Baz is beautiful, and brilliant, and strong. And he’s stubborn. And that’s what I love about him.

“‘m not made of glass, y’know.” I shut my eyes again, because I’m almost afraid to say anything. Maybe it’s an all or nothing deal, maybe it’s either being soft or fighting, no in-between. If that’s the case, I can’t watch myself ruin it all. But I also can’t put up with all the staring and thinking and being too gentle anymore.

“What are you on about now?” He doesn’t let go of my hand. I want to take it as a good sign. I squeeze his fingers.

“You’ve just been... gentle. And you won’t tell me what’s going on, in your head.” He and Penny both, actually. They’re both always thinking, and speaking in too soft voices.

It’s because they care, I know. They want to help, but don’t know how.

“What would you prefer?”

“I want you to talk to me.” I open one eye a bit. He’s still staring, right at me, and I can almost see gears turning in his head. “I want you to be you again.”

“I’ve always been me, Snow.”

“Baz.”

He blinks. Sighs. I squeeze his hand again and he squeezes mine back. He still doesn’t say anything for a while. I almost think he’s not going to say anything at all, but then -

“I’m worried.” It’s so soft I almost don’t hear him, but he finally pulls his eyes away from me as he says it.

“‘Bout what?”

“You, you numpty.”

“Baz, I’m fine.”

“Simon.”

“I’m serious!” He jumps, my voice is too loud in the quiet of the room. Good. It’s been too quiet, too soft, too gentle for so long. “I’m not gonna break, I just - I get it, I do, but it’s -“

I’m spluttering for the right words, and just a few months ago Baz would be making fun of me for this. He doesn’t now, he just looks at me with those understanding eyes. Baz has never looked at me with understanding eyes.

“Stop it!” I sit up, it catches him off guard again. Good.

“Stop what?”

I don’t realize I’m tugging at my hair until he’s sat up and grabbed my wrists, pulling my hands back down.

“That. This - the being careful - being nice -“

“You want me to be mean to you?”

“Yes! No - I don’t know.” I slump back against the pillows with a sigh. Baz watches me, as usual.

“I don’t understand what you want, Simon.”

“That makes two of us,” I mutter. Baz keeps watching me.

Then he shifts, scoots closer to me. He swings one of his legs over my lap, straddling me. This is new. We’ve been close, we’ve spent a lot of time holding hands and sometimes he would kiss my forehead or my temple or my hands, but this is different. This is Baz in my lap and still watching me intently, and leaning in closer to me, and pressing his mouth over mine, and my brain short-circuiting for a minute because when was the last time we actually kissed?

My hands fall to his hips and his find my shoulders, then he’s pulling back.

“I’m worried about you because you’ve been through hell and back, Simon. Because I can’t read your mind and I don’t always know where you’re at. One minute you seem fine, and you’re acting like your old, unbearable self but the next you’re... somewhere else. And you’re fucking awful at talking about any of it, so I have no idea what you need.”

I don’t know what to say, so I push my face forward and kiss him again. I’m not good with my words, but maybe I’m still good with my mouth. Maybe I can get the point across like this, with fistfuls of his shirt at his waist, with the press of my lips and the jut of my jaw. The thank you, the appreciation, the...

He pulls back again and I growl, I can’t help it. It just comes out, and he chuckles. I can’t remember the last time I heard him laugh without mocking me.

“I’m worried because I don’t want to fuck up, because I care about you, you absolute nightmare. I’m in love with you.”

My breath catches in my throat. I can see the panic in his eyes once he’s said it, but there’s something else there, too. Anticipation, maybe? Hope? But it moves further and further to concern the longer I watch him. The longer he waits for my mind to jumpstart itself enough for me to respond.

“Fuck,” I breathe, because I can’t be anywhere nearly as eloquent as him. “I love you, too, don’t I?”

“Do you?” The hope and anticipation seeps into his voice now.

“‘Course I do.” He leans in and kisses me again. “I’ll try,” I promise against his lips. “To talk, be better with that - if you will, too.”

He doesn’t need to say anything, he’s just as eloquent with his actions as he is with his words. He presses the promise into my lips without saying anything, I can feel it to my core.

Was this what he’s been plotting? Does he plot anymore? Or has he just been thinking about loving me? Maybe these are questions for another time, maybe I’ll get my answers later. We’ll both try, at least.