#the pica is strong guys

[the-cookie-of-doom]

Me: I need edible rocks

Mom: or you could just fix your iron deficiency?

Me: R O C K S

[brrypiiix]

Who's the new Claylex kiddo💗⚡🌈

Say hello to the newest Claylex baby,

Sprout

They are the baby of the family, popped out 10 years after ICK was born.

They now add an S to the ICK abbreviation

S -> Sprout

I -> Ibiza

C -> Cappella

K -> Klaxon

Sprout's Bio

Sprout

Nickname:

Spinner (Rave Name)

Stinky

Baby

Gender: Non-binary (they/them)

Age: 1 year old

Species: Albino Pop/Techno Troll

Abilities: Water Manipulation Float

Drawbacks: Cannot control their floating -> for now.

Cannot control powerful water abilities -> for now Cannot breath underwater Cannot shape shift.

Moral Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

Inventory/Possessions: Glasses stolen from Lownote Socks from Cloud Guy Chewy necklace from Ibiza

Strengths: Perception -> loves to people watch Strong -> From weights on Born with strong control over powers

Weaknesses: Get's frustrated very easily -> Causes abilities to go on the fritz Pica -> Eats/chew on things they are not suppose too.

Height: 1 inch(Maybe less than that)

Appearance: Sprout is albino so their main color pallet is white ombreing out to pink. Their skin is slightly translucent so you can see their bones beneath their skin. They take a lot of appearances from their siblings: Klaxon: doesn’t have a heart or arm bands/has sharp pop teeth Ibiza: Got glowing freckles (more like the other two) and unibrow -> wee bit cross eyed Cappella: Really sharp spikey ears However, their hair is more like Trollex’s (optical fiber threads) but more fine and a lot more of it, plus it sticks out everywhere like Clay’s. They can’t shapeshift so they’re stuck in their pop form but has little webbing around their toes and fingers

Personality: Is mostly quiet, almost totally nonverbal as a baby. Is completely clingly with Clay to the point of constantly staying in his hair. If you don't know where Sprout is, high chances are they are napping or hanging around in Clay's hair, sometimes in his arms if they have to be out. They are a very wild and feral baby. Klaxon is the wild child, Sprout is the feral baby. Get too close if you're not Clay, and Sprout is biting down on you with their sharp, dagger-like teeth then laughing right afterwards. They're usually very unbothered by anything, but the one thing that sets them off is when Clay is out of their sight for even a second. The moment they dont see him around they will start to cry and wail, maybe even scream if it's taking too long for their dada to return. They will also attempt to float around if they can to find Clay. The longer he's gone the more likely Sprout's emotions will effect the water around them, and an emotional baby with strong water powers is not to be played with.

Habits: Pica -> Eats/chew on things they are not suppose too.

Fears: The water a little, but Trollex and Synth are working to teach them how to swim and feel safe in the water(Swim class!)

Likes: Pirates Pirate stuff Dancing

Dislikes: Trolls who try their patience Anything working against them

History: Trollex was the one who had Sprout's egg. It was unexpected and while Trollex was at the Reef. It was quickly learned too that Sprout can't breathe under water. Trollex rushed to get Sprout to Clay as soon as he could and that's when they began to live in Trollstopia with Clay and their siblings ICK. Sad Fact: Sprout is a rainbow baby

Dreams/Goals/Motives: To become a pirate and explore the ocean

The Triplets <- For information on ICK

[1000sunnygo]

One Piece Academy Chapter 45: Brothers part 2 (Quick translation)

source | translation index

Trebol: Corazon?! How come you're okay~?!

Diamante: Uhahaha...Is that Law I see?

Pica:...!

Zoro: Ow, those are some mean looks. Are they the Executives?

Sanji: Did they gather to gang up on Corazon?

Nami/Usopp: NOOOO~~!!

Luffy: Mingo you jerk!! Doing what you did to Corao, I still haven't--!!

Usopp: God forbid.. Luffy, don't provoke them!!

Gladeus: So that's the Straw hat? How cheeky...

Doflamingo: Down there...There's one of my Kitchen cars.

Let's go eat.

everyone: ??!

Luffy: UHOWWWH!! SO THIS IS THE LOBSTER ONIGIRI! LOOKS SUPER TASTY!!

Nami: Luffy, you!

Luffy: R-right...I shouldn't eat... they haven't made up yet... !

Usopp: Corao!! That guy definitely has some plans under his sleeves!

Baby 5: Of course! Don't underestimate our Young Master!

Law: *clink*

Cora: *step* *step*

Law: Cora san!

tears in my eyes

Cora: Delicious!

(........)

Cora: The flavor was a bit strong.

Doflamingo: Kids these days prefer that way.

Coby: It's not a trap?!

And they're eating together like nothing happened... How is that...?

Luffy: Shiishishihi.... I see!

Baby 5: Is it okay, Young Master?

Doflamingo: I have successfully settled things with Corazon.

But for whatever reason, he's here and doing great. Take it as just another outcome.

T/N: throwback to when Doffy said Law's erroneous choices lead to the outcome where Cora got stabbed

Law:

Doflamingo: What is it? Law.

Law: I will never forgive you. That is all.

Cora: Law...

Law: Not saying in the spirit of revenge, though.

Thanks to Cora san, I've become free... I refuse to live with my heart trapped within your clutch.

I will surpass you by myself, of my own volition.

And someday, I'll have you mopping the floor after beating the crap out of you!

That's how thugs settle their business, don't they?

Doflamingo: Fufufufu... well, that's something to look forward to.

Sugar: *noms*

Doflamingo: *stands up*

Cora:.....

Luffy: Oi Mingo, you don't wanna party?

Baby 5: Young Master is busy! Unlike you people!!

Luffy: What's up with that guy anyway...

*brothers take opposite directions*

Franky: There he goes. To the school?

Corazon: Well, time for another strategy meeting!

Law:

Cora: Huh?

Luffy: FWOOOOOOH~~~!!!

Cora: Straw hat ya!!?

Nami: Where are you going, Luffy??

Luffy: SCHOOL!!!

Sanji: Hold on a second!!!

Continues in Reblog ⬇️

[beaulesbian]

i need to be more insane about zolu.

they know no bounds to how loyal and trusting they are to each other. luffy heard there was a feral demon pirate hunter back in shells town in prison, and he wanted to see for himself if he would be a good guy for his crew! and after finding that yes, he was - literally eating from his hand, more dirt than the riceballs - he decided he needed him on his crew. and zoro agreed because that stretchy guy brought him back his swords and gave him back the purpose and freedom to chase after his dream. from day 1 they saw eye to eye what was important to them.

it didn't matter to zoro that he was luffy's first crewmember, because he knew it wouldn't stay that way for long, after seeing what he was capable of and how sure of reaching his dream he was. zoro was the first one instantly convinced he was in the presence of the future pirate king. drifting on their small boat, just the two of them, hungry and without a braincell with navigational skills between them.

when luffy was in the cage that buggy trapped him in, he said to zoro to run but only with one look between them zoro read that as 'fire the canon', so he did, and nami just looked between them like 'are they insane?' (yes, they are), and then zoro proceeded to pick up the cage with luffy while bleeding out and got him to safety.

in alabasta they were rushing to escape before they drowned and luffy still asked him to save smoker, and zoro wouldn't otherwise do that, but he trusted luffy to know what was he thinking. and when he didn't know what he was thinking (like whiskey peak) they fought but they were on the same strength level, and in the end it sorted itself out.

zoro didn't mind to listen to luffy when he ordered not to fight back (on jaya), but called him out when the situation needed it - when he needed to sit down and listen to his words and respect their crew to their full potential (enies lobby), and luffy did.

traveling from water 7, luffy knew he could call on zoro to cut that train ahead of them, because he always knew to trust in zoro's skills. ever since skypiea - even if their enemy was too strong for zoro - he still tried. so luffy trusted him again and again, to leave some battles just for him. like the dragon on punk hazard, like pica in dressrosa.

yes, zoro could be a captain of his own crew, as many people who encounter the strawhats always seem to think, but he wouldn't even be a pirate in the first place if it wasn't for luffy, and wouldn't be on any other crew, for that matter.

so it was a no brainer for what he did at thriller bark. it was necessary because he wouldn't be able to follow his dream - to become the world's greatest swordsman as he promised both to kuina and luffy - without his captain. that future would be meaningless. he made a promise, so he took his pain, but instead of dying from that burden - he lived. he lived with it and got stronger thanks to it.

when luffy was going through the worst moments of his life, he knew that back on sabaody in two years, his crew and zoro would be waiting for him to come back to them. they needed him just as much as he needed them.

some time later, when they needed to part for short while, luffy would rest easily without worrying about his crew because they'd be with zoro, and he would see them all soon again!

and be it by luck or fate or destiny, it was zoro whom luffy found first of the strawhats in wano, and he could only leap through the air to give zoro the biggest hug, happy to see him again, with zoro grinning back at him.

[devildom-moss]

Current request list (updated)

in no particular order

amab!MC floating the idea of marriage once the realms are at peace (Lucifer, Diavolo, and Barbatos)

MC with a stereotypical New York accent that only comes out around family headcanons (brothers + dateables)

The characters spending the holidays with the reader headcanons (brothers + "extras" - I'm pretty sure that means all the other characters including Mephi, Thirteen, and Raph, so all)

gn!MC who casually flirts back and then has the audacity to be surprised that they're being seduced (brothers)

MC getting a kiss on the cheek (all)

Monster!Simeon with gn!MC NSFW + some anger, jealousy, and devotion/worship sprinkled in

Religious guilt Raphael tapping out during his first time with MC because his body is, in fact, not ready

Hurt/comfort after a (dealer's choice) traumatic incident with MC - high angst (the others/dateables + side characters)

Simeon (and Barbatos) dad content

Simeon x Barbatos x MC angst - no comfort

Strong MC carrying them (and carrying them around like a princess) (the others/dateables + side characters)

They get jealous over gn!MC jokingly simping over Just Some Fucking (Fictional) Guy (brothers)

Reacting to a moss-eating MC (brothers) (is this at all related to my blog name?)

Simeon + Barbatos angst (No MC, I think?)

Reacting to MC eating sand headcanon (all?) (MC with PICA? Don't do this though - some mosses are edible, but sand is not and can be dangerous)

Reacting to s/o MC wanting to fan over/discuss their favorite novel with them (all)

Insecure first relationship with MC (all)

No nut November headcanons (demon brothers) (Complete)

MC with an eating disorder comfort - with extra Beel comfort (type of ED was unspecified so I will do my best there; also I'm really sorry you're struggling anon M. I love you. Try to take care, and please practice harm reduction where/when possible)

Lucifer getting jealous that gn!MC is spending more time with a plush of him - SFW specified

Simeon dad content with BoF!MC (obey me au/ 💜 anon's au)

Barbatos October poll post (monster kink) pt. 2 - aftercare version

Hard core sex with tons of aftercare (side characters - remember this means Thirteen, Raph, and Mephi on this blog) (this request required deciphering on my end, so lets hope that's correct)

gn!MC choosing not to become immortal while on the brink of death headcanons (the others)

MC introducing Diavolo to the game Katamari Damacy

The guys having gay panic / an awakening over m!MC

amab!MC having a movie date with soft dom!Thirteen that ends in sex (anon. I love you so much for this one.)

MC who scratches their skin and bites their nails to fidget (+ blood) reactions (Barbatos and Thirteen)

Reader refusing Lucifer's and Belphie's pact (extra angst flavoring)

Poly DiaLuci asking gn!MC out

MC returning the favor and giving roses back (the others) (I'm not sure if you meant "the others" grouping/everyone but the brothers or others in general, but because it'll probably take me a long time for this one, I'll start with the others grouping)

Finding out MC used to be aggressive in high school but has since mellowed out (the dateables)

MC who doesn't talk unless necessary headcanons (the brothers)

Luke telling MC he wants to marry them when he's older fluff (This should go without saying but 100% platonic with no room for romantic interpretations)

MC character study

I am going to try to pick one of the shorter ones and get started on it tonight (I always have so much trouble picking something to start). I already have ideas written down for the Simeon x Barbatos x MC angst, though.

And remember, if you don't see your request but you sent one in, you will have to resend it because this is everything so far. Additionally, if you notice something wrong in the interpretations of these asks, you're welcome to correct that. I'll edit/update this post periodically until requests close.

Requests close at the end of Sunday, November 5th PST. It may take a while to get through all of them since I will probably only post once or twice a week throughout November - it just depends on what I can get through.

[detentiontrack]

okay, I'm interested in your thoughts on sasha developing an ed

OKAY *huge inhale*

(Also TW for mentions of eating disorders, self harm, trauma, and me torturing the blorbos. I’ll put a tw in the tags and I’ll try to not be too graphic but. Just a warning)

SO Sasha Waybright. When you look in the DSM-5-TR, there are sets of symptoms that relate to different eating disorders. Currently the ones documented in the DSM-5-TR are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, PICA, rumination disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, other specified feeding or eating disorder, and unspecified feeding and eating disorder. (Fun fact, those last 2 were originally referred to as EDNOS, eating disorder not otherwise specified, but they changed it into OSFED and UFED.) (obviously there are other eating disorders NOT classified in the DSM at this point in time, such as orthorexia but today we’re only talking about a few of the ones in the DSM-5-TR, published in 2022.)

When talking about eating disorders, it’s inevitable to talk about the CAUSES. So eating disorders are SOMETIMES genetic. This doesn’t mean that if your mom has anorexia, you’ll automatically develop anorexia. You might develop bulimia or BED, or you might not develop an ED at all. The second main cause of eating disorders is TRAUMA. this could mean childhood trauma, or trauma that occurs when you’re an adult. Your personality also is a factor, as well as the eating habits you grew up with or stick to as an adult. (For example, chronic dieting may result in BED, bulimia, or orthorexia. Just like growing up with food insecurity has shown to be a huge factor in the development of BED.)

Now, what does this have to do with Sasha Waybright?

First point: Well from the information we got in the Marcy journal, Sasha’s early years were most likely associated with her parents divorce. Her parents most likely had fights and arguments in front of her. And then they divorced when she was still young, and both of them got into committed relationships, leaving Sasha feeling “lost at sea” in her own family (a direct quote from the Marcy journal in Anne’s words). This obviously, is traumatic. So even before amphibia, she still had trauma and insecurity and likely self esteem issues that she covered up with her “tough guy” attitude. She views herself as “the strong one” who needs to never show emotion or let others know she’s struggling. Repressed feelings like this can absolutely cause an ED.

Second point: Amphibia was traumatic. There is no argument about that. Even if the war had never happened, even if Marcy never got killed in front of her and brought back as Darcy, even if she never fell out with Anne, even if she didn’t fall from toad tower, being suddenly trapped in a hostile unfamiliar world, and immediately being arrested and thrown in a cell for a long time, IS trauma. But all that other stuff DID happen, so that’s a whole truck load of trauma.

Third point: Sasha blames herself for everything. She betrayed Anne multiple times, she encouraged Anne to steal the music box, she manipulated and bossed her friends around for years, her betrayal ultimately led to Marcy being killed (which wasn’t her fault, but from her perspective and from what she’s canonically said in the show (see: turning point) it seems like she blames herself. Patients with eating disorders who harbor a lot of self blame, often use ED behaviors as a way to punish themselves, because they believe they deserve it. Sometimes it’s a form of self harm, sometimes it’s the belief that they can redeem themselves if they stay under their calorie goal or achieve that perfect goal weight that’s always moving lower, they can make up for their actions. Sasha already shows signs of punishing herself (like in toad catcher when she works herself into exhaustion after toad tower, completely ignoring her own needs) (or in turning point where she puts herself in danger and just. Accepts her death by the robot instead of fighting it). It’s passive suicidal behavior (or sometimes active in the case of toad tower), but it can also be viewed as self harm and punishing herself.

Fourth point: Sasha Waybright NEEDS control. She feels unstable, unsure, insecure, and distressed when she isn’t in control at all times (re: when she told toadie that she needs to be in control of everything at all times or she’ll “go crazy”). Eating disorders THRIVE on the need for control. Sasha may not be able to control drifting apart from Anne in high school, or facing the weight of what she did in amphibia, or Marcy moving away, or the fact that everything is different and the trio will never be the same, but she CAN control how much she eats, how many calories she consumes, how much she exercises, whether the food stays down, her weight, etc. Sasha needs control so desperately, that she would harm herself and her body just to feel that sense of calm that is associated with being “”good”” at your eating disorder. Some may say that she left that need for control back in amphibia, but I believe that it’s still there. She just doesn’t feel as much of a need to control OTHERS. She could still very well feel the need to control her life, her body, and her eating behaviors.

Fifth point: This is more of a headcanon, but it’s backed up enough in the show that I feel comfortable including it. Sasha feels the need to be “perfect”. She needs to be the strongest person who protects her friends. Before amphiba, she was a skinny blonde cheerleader who was super popular, threw parties, and had control over the whole school (see: point 4). In amphibia, she had to be the best soldier, the strongest and fastest, the best strategist, the winner of everything. Even after her redemption arc, before Anne arrived back in amphibia, she had to be the BEST commander. When you grow up and go through puberty, you gain weight. It’s inevitable. I think when she got home from amphibia, especially because she probably wasn’t exercising as much due to her injuries and not needing to lead a whole army, she gained weight. This caused her to break down completely, and feel like she needed to “fix” the “problem” (I’m not saying gaining weight is a problem to fix, it’s completely natural, especially as a teenager. I’m just saying what I think SHE was thinking) because due to her need for perfectionism, she felt like she needed to have the perfect body and control over everything she could possibly have control over (point 4).

Sixth point: this is entirely a headcanon, but I wanted to include it. Despite the obvious PTSD/CPTSD, I think Sasha also meets the criteria for another mental illness. It’s hard to tell with the limited screen time we had in s3 and because she’s only 13, but if I had to guess, I would say she has a lot of warning signs for borderline personality disorder (I also have a lot of thoughts about this so let me know if y’all want another post about her borderline traits). Criterian 6 in the borderline section of the DSM5-TR is “impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self damaging (e.g. spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, and binge eating”. Binge eating is a major factor in bulimia, BED, and sometimes OSFED. Criterian 7 is “chronic feelings of emptiness”. This can also be caused by repetitive trauma, but regardless of its source, chronic feelings of emptiness can absolutely cause binge eating or restricting to get that “thrill” to keep the emptiness at bay.

Soooo what does this all mean? What eating disorder does she have?

So in conclusion, Sasha Waybright has all the perfect factors in the development of an eating disorders. Eating disorders can start at any age, however they most commonly develop in your teen years, so she’s right at the age where you’re most at risk. What eating disorder she specifically has is difficult to tell, because she didn’t show any signs of disturbed eating patterns in the show. The 3 Ds of abnormal psychology, and what makes disordered behavior an actual disorder, are “dysfunction, distress, and deviance” (deviance used here means “abnormal from cultural norms”). She didn’t develop any of those in regards to eating throughout the show, but I’m mainly talking about after amphibia when she’s home again. It would be easy to assume that she would develop anorexia nervosa, I think that’s what most people think when they headcanon her as having an ED, but in my personal opinion, I think she’s more at risk of developing bulimia nervosa. Sasha needs control, yes, but she also frequently LOSES control. She is in control for a while, but then she loses her grip and does something impulsive or dangerous (such as her behavior in barrels warhammer). I think she would start off by restricting food and over exercising, but then she would break and end up binge eating. After the binge eating, she would feel guilt and the need to get rid of the calories she ate, which would lead to purging behaviors. Which would eventually lead into a purging addiction and a nasty binge/purge cycle.

Thank you for reading this far!

(Remember: I am NOT a licensed mental health professional. I’m just insane about Sasha Waybright and use my psychology degree for evil. This is all just my opinion and my perception of Sasha’s character.)

[coldslaws-gear-station]

My brain keeps forcefully rotating my AU's Alder, it's giving brain rot rn

Like, in my mind you could feel Alder's spine through his skin, it sticks out oddly from being starved for a while. Makes him feel self conscious. Don't get me wrong, he's certainly not lean nor skinny, he's certainly got muscle but he's definitely got some love handles from the sheer amount of eating he did when he left Floccesy. He did manage to burn off a good chunk of his weight with how active he is, plus time, but he'll always have those love handles and that slight pudge

Did you know he eats sweeter packets? He's not a fan of sweety stuff, preferring spicy stuff over anything, but he really can't complain. He'll take anything he gets his hands on, even if it means raiding Ghetsis' fridge on his first night there. Actually when he found out that everybody including Ghetsis lives on a vegetarian diet that he'll also have to adhere to, he had a genuine panic attack

Not because he's picky or didn't like the fact that he'd have to be vegetarian. But his mind is so convinced that if he doesn't eat meat, he'll starve again, he has a panic disorder and he can't grasp the concept of being filled up with anything but meat. So Ghetsis went against his judgement and started to cook meat meals for him, don't get Ghetsis wrong he certainly has a lot of raw meat on his hands. He owns a Hydreigon for heaven's sake, they rely on a carnivorous diet, but he genuinely hates the smell of it. The smell of raw meat makes him gag and the sight of cooked meat leaking grease and juices makes him want to throw up. But he puts up with it, because he knows Alder needs it.

Sadly however, Benga doesn't exist in this AU. It's tragic because I love Benga, but unfortunately Alder is infertile. Starvation has some extreme long term effects, one of those is effecting your fertility. So when he had the five day period where he was forcibly starved for hoarding food, it costed him his fertility.

It's also sad in another way. He has the stomach of a moth, he can eat a little as possible and go hours and even days without feeling hungry as his body preserves the energy from it. Although Atlas and Alder Moths emerge from their cocoons mouthless, having only the energy from their eating when they were a caterpillar to keep them going for at least a week, their only purpose is to lay as many eggs as possible before they perish. So what even is the point to a moth when they can't even lay their own young?

- 💌

suffering from brain worms are we. it's ok me too

GOD THANK YOU i love muscular fat alder. he's not as beefy as drayden in canon but we can see pretty plainly in pokespe that the dude is strong as hell. at the same time though i couldn't imagine him ever being jacked, he has to have a softness to him alongside all the muscle. so give him the best of both worlds

sorry what. you're telling me this dude eats sweetner packets. honestly can't blame him. being put in a starvation situation can also be a major factor for pica (personally i hc that n struggled with pica because ghetsis would use food restriction punishment, so she'd resort to chewing on plastic or bits of carpet as a kid, not to mention just eating random shit in the forest. i go back and forth on whether or not this is still a struggle for him though)

but also yeah if someone has a panic disorder especially surrounding food, any kind of dietary restriction including vegetarianism would absolutely be a cause for panic. poor guy and thank you peepaw for being understanding

NOOOOO BENGAR :( my little guy! makes sense but OUHHHH

[pixlostinatos]

disability headcanons for the s1 emperors!!

pix: autistic, hypoglycemic -- uses his trident as a walking stick in case of dizzy spells

jimmy: this man was canonically born from a cracked/deformed egg theres no way hes able-bodied. his bones are a little softer than they should be so he wears wrist braces and the stripy bit around his abdomen is boned for extra back support. sometimes experiences brain fog

lizzie: not necessarily a diagnosable thing, but she has depth perception issues that only get worse when shes out of water

joel: pots and ocd and npd. i will not elaborate

fwhip: autistic, wears a knee brace and has ankle supports built into his boots because he landed wrong the first time he flew (thats canon!) and i like to think it never healed correctly. i keep going back and forth on whether i want to portray him with hearing loss/deaf gain and give him hearing aids bc of all the explosives he works with or not. he definitely has deaf gain after the forge explosion though. also his wings are canonically destroyed in the explosion which imo is ALSO a disability, especially considering theyre a part of him! shoutout to fwhip for making his rule to be infrastructure and accommodations for people without wings youre a real one

gem: also autistic. has pica because i say so

sausage: adhd. other than that gonna be completely honest i dont know What hes got going on but in s2 he (sort-of canonically) has a glass eye and also i like to think he uses the staff of sanctuary as a cane due to not specifically named joint pains. im including this here bc even though the body is different s2 sausage is *technically* the same guy as s1

pearl: emotional support able-bodied neurotypical

shrub: ptsd with mild psychosis, and also has essential/chronic hand tremors

scott: able-bodied but you cannot tell me this man is neurotypical. havent decided exactly what yet but in his afterlife he definitely has ptsd from the Finale

i dont have strong feelings on s1 katherine but shes definitely got Something going on, i just havent watched her pov so i dont have a Feel for her character

and i dont like s1 joey (hes a fascinating character but i just. Cant. he makes me too uncomfortable) so id feel bad being like "he has this and this and this" bc id feel like im demonizing the behaviors that come from those things even though im not hope this helps <3

[princesshillaryellaworld25]

Sick Kaity X Y/N-Chan Reader: First meet (Platonic friendship)

Warning:

No this isn't an oc x reader for love relationships. i don't ship Sick Kaity with Y/N-chan. they are friends in my au.

i still Ship Sick Chris with Sick Kaity

Blood

Foul language

Mentions of Bullying

Pov:

You're walking in the park, feeling the breeze of the wind, the birds chirping and the kids playing outside. There was nothing that can ruin this moment.

That was until someone screamed for help.

???: Help! Somebody, Help me!

You heard someone screaming for help, you checked to see where the screaming was coming from. There you saw a girl with tanned skin, dark teal messy long hair, a gray t-shirt and dark gray demin pants with a red cap picking on by your worse enemy.

Bully: Now give me your money before you get hurt!

???: I-I already told you! I have no money, please leave me alone!

Bully: Then i guess you're gonna get hurt!

You couldn't let the girl get hurt so you went to them and stepped in. You told your enemy to leave her alone.

You protected the girl while facing your arch-enemy. Your arch-enemy grinned at you.

Bully: Well Well Well, who you've thought Y/N-Chan would stand up to me. Just because you developed now doesn't mean you boosted your confidence. You're still a weakling from middle school.

You told him to leave the girl alone unless you wanna get hurt! Your arch-enemy just laughed at you, thinking you were joking.

Bully: Hahahaha! You must be joking that a weak person like you, would take on me?

???: Ma'am please don't do it, I don't wanna see you get hurt!

You told her that you'll be fine and you've been taking self-defense class so you know what you're doing. You told her to stand back so she wouldn't get hurt.

You put your fists up and got ready to fight.

Bully: Hehehe Get ready to lose again!

You told your arch-enemy that you wouldn't push it!

2 minutes later, Your arch enemy was on the ground, with a black eye and lots of scars on his face while you only had a few bruises on your face but still standing.

Bully: HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE, YOU'RE SUPPOSE TO BE ON THE GROUND, NOT ME!

Look how the tables have turned, the bully became the weak one while the victim became the strong one.

The girl was surprised that you were able to defeat the bully.

???: That...was...SO COOL!

You looked at the girl and smiled. You then turned to your arch-enemy and told him that if he put his hands on the girl or anybody else, you give him more than just a black eye and a couple of bruises.

Arch-enemy was frustrated that he lost to you, he got up and tries to hit you back but was too weak to do so.

Bully: Grrr fine! You win but mark my words, I'll get you back for this!

Arch-enemy ran away in defeat. Good riddance.

You turned to the girl and asked her if she's alright.

???: Y-Yes, I'm fine. Thanks for saving me, I would've known what would happen if you didn't come to my rescue.

You told her don't mention it and you're just doing your job, you then asked her for her name.

???: O-Oh right, sorry I haven't introduced myself eariler, I'm Sick Kaity.

You told her that's a beautiful name.

Sick Kaity: Aww thank you, what's your name by the way?

You told her your name.

Sick Kaity: Wow! That's a cool name!

You said thank you to her. You then asked her what was she doing in the park.

Sick Kaity: Oh I was going to see my friends Sick Pica and Drug Kaity but then that mean guy came out of nowhere and tried to rob me.

You felt bad that your arch-enemy had did that to her, and you apologized for it.

Sick Kaity: H-Hey, It's okay, It's not your fault! It was bound to happen.

You appreciated Sick Kaity for being reasonable.

Sick Kaity still saw the bruises on your face and felt bad, so she took out bandages from her purse.

Sick Kaity: Oh, your bruises! Don't worry I got bandages in my purse, Here let me patch you up. Bend down for me?

You bend down for Sick Kaity For her to patch up the bruises. You felt pleased and said thank you to her.

Sick Kaity: Your Welcome! i love to help out my friends!

You were surprised that she called you friend for the first time. You felt a tear in your eye.

Sick Kaity: O-Oh no! I didn't mean to upset you!

You told her that you were crying because she upset you, you were crying because you called her friend like you're her first friend.

Sick Kaity: So you don't have any friends?

You told her no, you told her the reason why you didn't have any friends growing up, you always alone and always the quiet type. You were afraid to get picked on again, so you stayed away from people and be by yourself all the time.

Sick Kaity felt bad.

Sick Kaity: Oh my god, it must've been hard for you, actually i can relate to your problem, *sigh*.

You asked her if you want to talk about it. Sick Kaity sighed and was ready to tell you.

Sick Kaity: W-Well I used to get bullied because of my looks, it started during preschool, ever since then I was very insecure about it and I tried to change myself until my friends and family told me that I'm beautiful just the way i am.

You gave Sick Kaity a hug and told her that You're Sorry that she had to through that.

Sick Kaity: It's okay, besides it was 10 years ago. So i'm over it now.

You breath of relief that it's fine but you're still worried about her. You asked her if she wants to go someplace to eat.

Sick Kaity: Sure, i would love to.

You and Sick Kaity went to a cafe and talked a little bit. Then you two became first.

It was a start of a friendship.

[snezhnayansnow]

More One Piece!

Watching Dressrosa now...

I'm sure my husband is getting hella sick of me lmfao

But in all seriousness... One piece's number one rule: women are useless!

It doesn't matter how cool, how op, what the power is, how strong, how hyped up they are...

Women

Are

Useless

And it's killing me!

I won't even talk about the designs of the ladies but let's list our Dressrosa beauties:

Violet (Princess Viola) - to save her father she becomes an assassin for the Donquixote Pirates. That's so rad! She ate the Glare-Glare fruit (now the ocean hates her) which gives her these amazing clairvoyance powers and shit. She was going to fight Sanji till she was moved by his dedication and ability to see through her. She didn't want to work as an assassin, she wants to save her Kingdom! What a total badass! And then as soon as she joins the Strawhats... Useless. A man had to remind her to use her powers to locate the Tontatta Princess, Mansherry... And now she's nothing more than a pair of binoculars to watch the split up Strawhats. After she FOUGHT SANJI and FOUGHT TO SAVE SANJI! Did we forget about the whale tears? What the fuck!?

Rebecca - What a woman! Even though the whole country hated her, she entered the colosseum. This woman wanted to win to save her country so she could live peacefully with her dad friend! And even though I hated the fact here's a girl that's gonna fight but doesn't wanna hurt people... This bitch stuck to her guns like a fucking champ! She didn't hurt shit and is such a good dex fighter! Holy fuck!!! Of course she lost to Sabo because ya know...... But she joins forces with the Strawhats to save her Kingdom from the Donquixote family. And since she doesn't fight she's now useless........... Will we see more of her? Can she keep rolling those saving throws? Who cares! We'll know she's gonna be useless till one of the men comes along to save her...

Kuween (The Manager) - Here is a woman dedicated to her job! She is THE MOTHER FUCKING MANAGER of the smile factory. And she takes her shit seriously! Her weapon of choice is a... Vacuum? Okay... Um... Vacuums are cool I guess. She can suck up all the escaped rebellious Tontattas, who are slaves at the factory. Yeah she's a bad guy but what a girlboss taking so much responsibility and pride in her work! SUPER!!! Oh no, yeah wait, my boi Franky took her out with a hug and a kiss. Lowly virgin Kuween got played at the absolute MAN POWER of the pervs, Franky and Senor Pink. And is now useless... Like a Hallmark channel movie lead roll, giving up her job because of some useless man. Smh.

Giolla - a super scary art teacher looking mf with a passion for the avant-garde! This lady farts art with the power of the Art-Art fruit (and now the ocean hates her). She turned Chopper into a Minecraft character lmfao. Hilarious! The fact fluffy Doflamingo trusted this old woman enough to get on the Sunny and take the kid and the scientist is amazing! Mango do be trusting his crew! And she would have gotten away with it too... if she wasn't so full of artistic passion and let Brook sweet talk her into art... It do be like that. How come this ugly old broad was the best one yet!?

Baby 5 - yes that's her name, Baby 5. Why? Idk yet, probably some dumb backstory like abandoned by family or something (just finished episode 692: The Struggle with Pica — Zoro's One Finishing Move). However, look at her badass devil fruit... She can turn any part of her body into any kind of weapon using the Arm-Arm fruit (and now the ocean hates her). This bitch turned into a bomb, a fucking bomb, exploded and put herself back together. Fucking rad! So we know she can nuke a place and live. Her downside- she is a female Sanji. Some guy says something and she has to help him... It's sweet. Probably linked to that backstory and wanting to prove she's useful or something... Idk. I know a lot of ladies dream of being a bride and wife one day. So we're really playing this up, but this is totally screwing with her badass abilities. Another Hallmark movie lead roll syndrome claims another op woman... I also wanted to point out, when she fought Franky on punk hazard, changing her upper torso into a gun... She looked like a gun, but last episode fighting another character she changed into a rifle with tits. Are you fucking with me? The gun had to have tits suddenly. I fucking hate this show!

Sugar - the most useful one here, and here's my theory: she's not a woman "yet" but a child. So since since we can't slap tits on her to make her useless, she's more useful. Even though her devil fruit powers stops her body growth so she'll always be stuck with a physical appearance of a child, she's still not perceived as a woman, aka not perceived as useless! With the Hobby-Hobby fruit (and the ocean hating her) she's been turning all the citizens, not citizens, Navy/Marines, and anyone one else that gets in floofer Mango's way into toys, which some how also makes people forget about them. Weird flex, I still don't get it, but okay. She's only stopped by Ussop trying the spicy grape challenge... Which I would have been too. Ussop was fucking terrifying (get that man some milk). But just how useful is she? Well since we saw her freaking out from dudes with long noses and long noses shaped hot dogs... She got some PTSD. So even though this bitch can fight the Tontattas by matching their speed, which is crazy, and can literally make the world forget about you and turn you into a slave for the Donquixote Pirate family, we know how this is gonna end. She'll be rendered useless by some stupid Ussop long nose face thing before she can do any damage to the Strawhats.

Princess Mansherry - Who the fuck spelt her name? Idk, she's in the next episode so I got nothing on her yet except she's crying in the time-out room. Tontatta Princess, Mansherry, who Leo said was "selfish, mean, capricious, and short-tempered" and based on how she was crying for him to save her- bet this girl got a crush on that dude... Boys are dumb (but at least they're useful...)

Wicca - this Tontatta stole Zoro's sword! What a bad ass! We see the Tontatta's strength when she throws a tantrum while arguing with Zoro. And she has the balls to call Luffy, Zoro, and Kin'emon names, cuz they allllllll a special kind of stupid. And she had to put up with all 3 of them at once. Damn girl... And with all that strength what do we see her do? Absolutely nothing. She's become just another background Tontatta... Sad. After she had to do all that work to get Zoro to run in a straight line. She deserves better!

Bian (Pink Bee Squad Leader) - Yes, the Pink Bee herself. Why is she a bee? I'm not sure, I honestly can't remember if the anime said anything about devil fruit or something. Even though she has a title and a whole squadron bee-hind her, what has she actually done? She uhhhhh raided a ship to cause a distraction... And ummmmmmm spelt out some words to start a revolution in the smile factory so her Tontatta friends finally understood they've been tricked. But seriously, what has she done? We see more of that ugly ass beetle man, Kabu, the other squadron leader.

Acilia - omfg I forgot about her! I'm sorry QUEEN! A gladiator at the Corrida Colosseum and like one of 5 people that like Rebecca, this absolute unit of a woman throws her whole pussy into it every time. Honestly, barbarian to barbarian, this bitch serves cunt. She's strong AF and isn't afraid to show off some girly flair with all the cute hearts on her shield. She was fending off that Rolling Logan fool till Cabbage had to ruin it. And of course because Rebecca had to win (her saving throws are too good damn) our barbarian queen fell... But without her help, Rebecca wouldn't have survived. She was useful for one whole episode and that was pretty much it. You go QUEEN! I hope we'll see her again, but since she's such a side character I doubt she'll be showing up ever. You deserve better too, Acilia!

[weirdlotiel]

I just read about a man who ate a plane. How is that pssible????

His name was Michel Lotito.

Apparently he had a disorder called pica, it’s psychological dosprder and means that he had an appetite for unusual things- not normal food. Like for example that plane. What’s more, his body was also unusual inside allowing him to eat shapr objects without being injured. And acids in his stomath were so strong that he was able to digest those unusual materials.

Interesting, right?

But there is one more thing i want to say

Does anyone remember this guy?:

If no, this is Wapol from One piece.

Why i put him here?

Because he also could eat everything, or almost everything.

I wonder, if Michel also could change his body like Wapol.

maybe Oda heard about mr. Lotito? And after that created Wapol?

[r00en]

For Every King Chapter 2

If you guys wanna read the up to date of this it's right here on Ao3. Let me know what you think! Anyway here ya go! As a warning this does get NSFW...I mean it's Doffy man is a yuckie boy.

They talked about it. Well talked was a strong word. Red screamed. Tossed things at him. Mocked him for having nothing between his ears but hot hair and tangled string. Doflamingo laughed at that one. It was clever. A few times he had to stop his Pica from rushing in and boxing the captain up in a stone cube which would have only made her angrier and time alone with her thoughts and feelings would do no one any good. At last when she had thrown the last of the chairs within reach and her breath was stuck somewhere in her throat did he get more than a single word in to her.

"The way I see it you have two options. Join my family as my subordinate-" Doffy made sure none of his family was within ear shot of that one. They all knew but it was the quiet part best not said out loud. "- Or...marry me. Become the queen of Dressrosa. And what ever being the wife to a warlord makes you." Honestly he had no idea. Warload duty was far from his priority list and a title of convince more than anything else. It must have counted for something. "You said yourself that crew of yours is nothing but a big time gang of nameless nobodies. I don't think you can remember a single ones name. If anything this seems like a step up."

Red was still fuming. Her temper matched her namesake and it was something he enjoyed about her. Arms crossed and puffing like a kettle he wondered if anything he said was even getting through to her or if it was all white noise in her little rage. At last she spoke. Quietly, almost composed after she pressed her hair back and took a deep shuttering breath.

"And what do you get?"

His grin vanished, replaced with a puzzled look and a hum of confusion.

"What....do you get Doflamingo?" Red turned on her heels, walking the few paces to his throne and setting him with a stare that made him stand up at last. Something about it made him feel...small. Uneasy. Not at all fearful but perhaps what he was looking for was concerned. Towering over her felt better. "I'm not dumb." No, she was not. He wouldn't have offered if she was. Donquixote Doflamingo does not offer such a thing out of the pure goodness of his heart. What do you get out of our marriage. Done a fine job of listing all my benefits you have but what about you hmm? We both know you're planning something. What is it?"

Perhaps he didn't like her intelligence. A lesser woman would take what she could get, never question, never weigh the options and pressure those that handed out favors. But Red liked to bite that hand, more so when it was him attached to it. She would push and poke and pester until he retracted the offer or spoke. This song and dance was not new. It made his jaw twitch. "A different option. Neither of us are happy with this order. The way I see it I don't want you in my 'family' any more than you want to be in it. Giving you this in its stead would at least keep you happy long enough for Kaidou to forget the whole matter or if fates on our side...achieve what he's been after for years now. Perhaps I'll pressure Ceasar into finding an alternative to you're blood and we can both go on our ways like none of this ever happened." It was mostly the truth. "A marriage of convivence is hardly out of place in this world. Less so for a King."

Stepping past her he shoved his hands in his pockets and hunched to look out over the city just outside his window. "I'm giving you a gift Red. You would think for once in your life you would take it with a smile." That pomp and charisma was gone. Replaces with a lazy annoyance and casual tone that relaxed her. "He'll kill both of us if we don't make good on his order's.

He was right. Red stood staring at the throne he left trying to think of any way to wiggle free. There was nothing. Running wasn't an option, running from Kaidou was suicide at best and a slow, painful death at worst. She would be hunted down perhaps by Doflamingo himself and returned only to be strung up and used as a literal blood bank. Her best guess. She could fight it. Kick and scream like a child at his feet and hope he didn't just resort to the later for her impudence. Insist on becoming an Officer in his family? Her own pride wouldn't allow it and for what ever reason Doffy was hard set against the idea. Though he let most people into lower fodder ranks that was no place for her.

Plus there was this apparent leak of information. Who knew what truly got out and who knew of the Smile fruit and her roll in it all. At the end of the day becoming queen and what ever else came with marriage to the Donquixote Doflamingo was her best shot at keeping as much freedom as possible, ease Kaidou and his demands and keeping herself safe. In a fair fight without her protection and her power Doffy would murder her. With all his tricks she knew deep down he had always gone at least a bit easy during their play fighting. And while she had gotten her fair amount of punches in at the end of the day she knew...he would win. Having him as a shield against the world well it meant something.

That didn't mean she couldn't make him regret asking.

"You'll have to do it properly."

He hummed at her again, turning from his view to stare at her with those red glasses that almost made it hard to tell what he was thinking if he wasn't so damn expressive otherwise.

"You know, ask me properly. The way they do in all those horrible romance novels you read."

"Those are Baby-"

"Dosn't matter. It won't count if you don't do it right." She was grinning, he could feel it though her back was turned her shoulders shook with a laugh just being contained. She was going to be stubborn about it. Going for force him, a GOD to kneel for the likes of a simple human. No matter how amusing he thought her to be. Then again...their whole relationship was a back and forth of nonsense and playful flirting. Why should their marriage be any different. He didn't have to hate this.

It only took a few long strides for him to meet her in the middle of the room again. All grinning teeth and twitching fingers. Massive hands took hold of her shoulders and pressed back until she was forced to stumble backward. One step, then another, and another until her heels hit the small steps that lead up to the throne. He kept pushing, making her step up two of them, pause and a third as if he was judging the height. Once he was happy enough Doffy moved back and lowered down to one knee. Graceful and quick the feathers of his horrible pink coat fluttered behind him like the ugliest set of wings she ever did see. Forcing her to catch a chuckle in her throat and behind her hand lest she ruin this moment of what she hoped was embarrassment for the great Warlord.

Those hands reached back out, pulling hers down and catching her attention. The room fell quiet, only her heart beat drumming in her ears could be heard but just under that, if she strained she could swear she could hear his too. Just as quick, and heavy. Was he nervous? His grin never faltered but she could swear she could see the hint of red just under his glasses. She must have been seeing things. His hands gave hers a soft squeeze to draw her attention back to him and she gave it. Glad to be out of her own head and focused back on his embarrassment. That's what this was all about.

"You look good down there you know Doffy."

"Don't push it Red." It was a low warning but playful, and it had her smiling. "Now you'll have to forgive me...I didn't expect to be proposing to a beautiful woman today and I find myself without a ring. For now...." Red watched as his fingers contorted in that knowing style, twisting his strings carefully around her ring finger until it created a band large enough to pass as some kind of ring. It was far softer than she expected though given how he had used the stuff before it must have come in different forms. It seemed rather...personal. Almost too personal really for the occasion. It made Red a bit uneasy if not a bit too flustered. As did the look on his face as he too stared down at the new accessory to her hand. Large fingers running down the scars he seemed to just notice riddled her skin from finger tip to palm and beyond. Hidden only by the cuff of her sleeve that Doffy tried to push up but stopped short when she gave a little tug in defiance. "...will that do for now...princess?"

Red scoffed at the nickname. Giving his shin a little kick for good measure. "Oh shut up you pink idiot. You're not even doing it right. There is meant to be a whole speech involved and everything."

"Oh-hoho....it's almost as if you've planned this all out. Tell me then. This great speech. How does it go?"

Well he embarrassed her enough payback seemed only natural. Clearing her throat she pulled a hand from his grip and tried her best to put on the most love struck look she could muster. It caught Doflamingo off guard it seemed as his grin dropped ever so slightly and his breath seemed to catch in his throat. He let out a small sound she wasn't expecting when she placed her hand on his cheek and bent a little lower so she could speak in a hushed, loving voice.

"I have adored you since the first day we met....and I can think of nothing I would want more in all the seas than to spend the rest of my days right by your side. More than treasure or titles. Fame or gold my hearts one desire will and forever more will be you...Doflamingo. Will you marry me?"

He wasn't sure what he was expecting. One of her crude jokes, some goofy long winded speech complete with some silly accent. But not this. Not what sounded like an honest declaration of love and a wish to stay beside him above all else. A joke or not it struck something in Doflamingo that he wanted to shake loose. Wanted to banish to the deepest part of himself and never look at again yet it kept bubbling up. This warmth spread through him no matter how hard he tried to swallow it down and apparently he did try. Physically swallowing hard as he forced that grin back onto his face with much difficulty. Why did he want to kiss her?

"My my my, if I didn't know any better I would think those were you true feelings my dear. Perhaps I was right and this was all just to rope me into marriage." That earned him another kick which he happily took, throwing his head back with a laugh as she turned away from him to pout again.

"You're the one that offered Doffy. If anyone had this planned out from the start it would have been you." His hands raised in his defense. Normally he was three steps ahead but this was all far from his control. Red wasn't the same puppet on strings that he could us as the rest of the useless slobs in his kingdom. Nor was she a family member who followed him with a blind devotion bordering on the obsessive. For that matter she hardly feared him at all sitting comfortably under the protection of their boss, not to mention his entire empire rested on her blood. She was a problem that he couldn't fix through normal means. Yet if he was to be saddled with someone in such a manner at the very least he was lucky it was her. The woman who glared down at him with that cocky smile to match his own. The one who snapped and bit at his hand when he offered it yet shared a drink and let him ramble about his exploits for hours on end all while poking fun at him with every word. A challenge. One Doflamingo was rather unused to.

"After all this feels more like a punishment. Being married to a spoiled brat with a god complex."

The quick gasp of her caught breath rang though Doffy's ears as his hand wrapped tight around her neck, both of them coming to a hard stop against the cold stone steps that led up to the 'spoil brats' throne that just seconds ago they were playing pretend on. His movement also instinct as he glared down at her with the intensity of a belittled king.

"Don't mistake my offer as weakness little captain. I may be unable to kill you but you forget all I need is your blood....and I'm not overly particular about how I get it." His laugh bubbled up from throat, fingers curling tighter as he watched from behind that red tint for the fear in her own eyes. Thirsty for that expression to cross her pretty little face, yet all he received was a smug smile of satisfaction and something else. Something that flicked across her eyes so quickly he almost missed it. Something that twisted his stomach into a heated knot and had his hips rolling would he not have stooped lower onto her knees to ground himself over her.

"Touch a nerve did I 'my king'?" Her voice did not shake with fear or even anger, only laced with that beautiful giggle that hinted at her teasing intent. His brow twitched as he waited hearing the air forced from her throat as he squeezed harder as if trying to make his point. Get her to remember just what was happening.

Something brushed ever so softly against his stomach. Sharp yet tender it rippled over the fine muscle that flexed under the sensation causing him to buckle slightly and try and shift away from the touch only for it to chase him. It was her hand. Tipped with those metal claw like weapons she was ever so fond of. The tips pricking small lines of red against tan skin with small beads of red bubbling up to follow the map she seemed to be making until her hand settled over his hip. Gripping down hard those claws dug deep into his flesh and forced a hiss from between clenched teeth. Warm, wet rivers dripping down to bloom red and stain the hem of his pants.

"Letting me get so close isn't like you Doffy. I can't tell if you're getting sloppy or going soft." The word punctuated with a knee pressed between his legs. A move that made Doffy twist and lower just an inch more. Perhaps all it took to take what he wanted was to threaten her life like this? Though the sting of his side was distracting. "Perhaps if we kill each other the boss will understand. You think?" Her words were raspy as she struggled to speak, his hold tightened around her neck so did hers at his side. The stalemate was locked. "D-do you think you could choke men faster? At least afford me the respect of a quick death." A small cough echoed through the hall, specks of red sprayed from her lips and splashed against his cheek. That long tough of his swiping out to taste some of the warm drops that caught just under his lip.

"Would you like that?" His question was short, forced as if he didn't mean to ask. "Die by my hand, right here?" Just in case he lessened his hold letting her suck in a deep breath of much needed air. The pink returned to her cheeks as blood flooded back and beat heavy under his fingertips. "Is that preferable to being married to a god?"

Red laughed. It was wet and strained but a laugh none the less. "....Can't I have both?"

Something snapped in Doffy. Surging forward he caught her lips against his own as the taste of iron flooded his senses. His hold releasing to tug her forward and keep her deep against his kiss flushing their bodies as close as he could in a near possessive hold. To be with him, and to be killed by him. What a beautiful thing to say. From her shoulder down to her chest his hand crept. Feeling every inch of her form though the tight cotton of her captains jacket feeling over the thick stains he could only guess the origins of. She felt firm yet soft in wonderful places. Wiggling under him as his mouth dominated her far smaller one. Tongue mapping out each inch it could find as if committing it to memory. Here, right against the steps to his throne where anyone could see, dripping with his own blood as her claws still sunk their way deeper into his side refusing to give up their hold just in case he took her up on such a wonderful request.

His cheek felt hot at first. Registering that before the sting and force that sent his face snapping to the left. Forcing him from his desired place against her lips. Glasses slipped down his nose, caught only by her own fingers that came to settle almost carefully over his face to keep them in place. He stilled, unsure how to act having never been struck in such a way before, at least not while he was tongue deep in someone else. Swallowing down the urge to snap her neck or dive back in. Was she toying with him?

His side was burning, Red was slowly shoving him back and off her which he at least for now obliged. Shuffling back on his feet to stand at his full high. Perhaps towering over her would do him some good and help him clear his head. He watched as she followed with a bit of a stumble. The back of her sleeve wiping across her mouth, an action that made his eye twitch and jaw clench. Though she was still bleeding he was a tad offended. "How many years has it been?" She wasn't looking at him, the question catching him off guard with how casually it was asked. Earning a hum from him. "That we have known each other."

Doffy gave a shrug. The feathers of his coat fluttering back into place behind him. "Years?"

She gave him a look, making a show of dusting her ass and coat as if his floor was dirty. It would have been if she hadn't slapped him. He should pout, and he did a little. Hands stuck on his hips as he stared her down. "It's not every day I threaten a woman's life, kiss her and she asks me how long we've known each other..."

"That's because all the women you kiss or threaten are women you hired." Fair. Her laugh was a bit rude however.

"Cheeky as ever. Care to tell me why you're asking now?"

Red tapped her chin, a bit of blood still stained the corner of her mouth and Doffy had a strange urge to reach out and wipe it away. He suppressed it by focusing on the dulling pain in his side only for it to remind him how much he enjoyed her. "I'm trying to remember...when the last time I was kissed like that."

A strange thing. Sure he had thought about it many times but this was the first time Doffy had ever acted on his impulses with Red. And no other ten foot tall heavenly demon was out prowling the seas. Much less getting so close to Bloody Red. The thought of someone doing so boiled his blood just a tad. Doflamingo held no claim to the captain. He was not in the business of being tied down in a relationship with anyone. Most were disposable to him regardless of their status in his life. And even still his thoughts of Red until recently had be carnal at best. She was attractive, capable and most importantly just as ruthless as he was. Never bothering him about morals or rules, caring very little or not at all for the lives he took. She was all passion and freedom. Bowing to no man and playing with her own rules. This marriage was a matter of convivence. For all it mattered she could live on the other side of the palace and never speak to him again. Not that he wanted that. Having her curled up in his bed seemed...peaceful in an odd sort of way. But it wasn't until these past minuets that Doflamingo, Warlord, and King felt something different. Perhaps it was because she played this game with him. Just out of his reach. Untouchable, unharmable yet always right behind him. So in tune with his every desire giving only want he needed and never want he wanted.

He touched his glasses, still firmly on his face thanks to her quick action. Those were the things that made his heart catch in his throat. Perhaps he should go back to hating her....

"Ah! I remember!" Doffy snapped out of his thoughts. Hunching forward with a grin, excited to hear what she was on about.

"A man who kisses like me? I'm all ears my dear, please!"

Red looking out at the chairs lining the widows, each marched with a special symbol. A please for the high in his family.

"Of course you kiss just like your brother."

[b00t-s]

Characters Introduction

All characters belong to Thomas and crew, I just altered them for my au ^^

T.W: MENTAL HEALTH MENTION, DRINK (non alcoholic) MENTION, SOME¿ SWEARING, LONG POST, CAPITALS,TELL ME IF YOU NEED ANY OTHERS.

CHARACTERS (if I find motivation I will draw them)

Thomas Sanders, cis Male, he/him: [30]co-manager of "beans and co". He is a wholesome, good natured man and is a proud gay, and cares for others a lot. Thomas occasionly participates in the local theatre community, depending on his schedule and shifts. He is a HUGE fan of Disney, Harry Potter and all things cartoons. He is extremely partial to a certain regular customer, Nico Flores. Unfortunately, he is a pushover and listens to his employees and co-manager more than he should, and can overthink events repetitively, causing him to worry alot, causing him to trip up alot.

Nico Flores, cis male, he/him: [30]regular customer at Beans and Co. ,and a casual songwriter. Thinks Thomas is pretty cute and adores his feeble attempts at flirting. He's quite a cheerful and friendly dude, but doesn't give a fuck about what other people think. He and Joan have some playful banter, mostly to tease Thomas but their senses of humour just go well together. Has a simple coffee order and doesn't interact much unless Thomas/Joan have a shift.

Joan, non-binary, they/them: [30] co-manager of beans and co. They are as smart as they are funny, and can have a lewd sense of humour. They swear too much for a subtle coffee shop, so Thomas tries not to put them on counter jury. They enjoy art so they do latte art that the customers love and makes the Beans and Co customers regulars. Them and Thomas platonically flirt to confuse everyone often and it is a running gag for regular customers. They are the bestest of best friends. They are currently dating Talyn, who sometimes comes in for coffee but not often.

Janus Anguis, genderfluid, xey/xem: [28] been a barista at Beans and Co. for 5 years, mainly night-shifts. Xey have a dismal view and approach to life, as xey believe society is twisted to manipulate all it's inhabitants; in retaliation Xey lie too much and can be incredibly sarcastic. Janus can make amazing coffee if xey're in a good mood or like you, but if you've upset xem in someway, or xey just hate you for no reason, get ready to have the most bitter coffee ever. Xey hate paradoxes, optical illusions and people in general, unless you are one of the lucky select few. Virgil Frica was not in those few.

Virgil Frica, cis male, he/him: [27] barista at Beans and Co. He is stuck in his emo phase but the people in his life find it endearing, which he hates. He suffers from heightened anxiety which he attempts to disguise in a thick layer of sarcasm and dark eyeshadow. He has a hidden talent for poems, which he doesn't mention much. He regularly dyes his hair purple and doesn't give a fuck about the cafe's policy, so Thomas has just given up telling him. His coffee is medi-core. He constantly tells people he hates his job but he hasn't left for over five years and regularly makes banter with the customers. He and Janus have some sort of rivalry going on but the occasionally team up.

Patton Parvus, trans male, he/him: [29] barista at beans and Co. He is the softest little puffball they team has and all co-workers protect him at all costs. However, he does have a criminal record...and you know...depth....*cough cough spoilers cough cough*ANYWAY he has been working at the cafe for nearly seven years now, 3 years after it had opened, and has been the guide for the new recruits. He and Virgil are the iconic friends of the team, known for their playful dynamic.

Roman ‘Princi’ Realeza, demiboy, he/she: [28] regular customer at Beans and Co. ,and is Good friends with Patton and Virgil but hasn't met Janus yet. He is a minor actor in the Local theatre group, the same one Thomas attends, and is always over-dramatic. His coffee order is.....interesting.....and always angers the newbies, so she is generally directed to Patton, who has worked there long enough and is patient enough to deal with Roman. He is a strong feminist and will stand up for others....even if help is unwanted. She is a proud latino, his father being Spanish. His ego is huge but fragile.

Remus ‘Dukey’ Realeza, non-binary, they/them: [28] Remus is Roman's Twin, and gleefully torments him as much as possible. Unlike Roman, Remus took to more of the creative arts than the dramatic arts, and creates beautiful...or disturbing, depending on how you look at it....paintings. They have been married to Logan Realeza for 3 years now, even though them and him seem to be polar opposites. They mainly bond over medical shit as Logan is a brain surgeon and Remus has an unsettling fascination of gore. Remus is too horny for their own Good, and does not hide it, constantly embarrassing Logan. They may not have a fragile ego like Roman, but they do have mild abandonment issues and a disorder called Pica, meaning they crave and eat non-edible items. Only comes to the café when the know Roman is trying to do something important.

Logan Realeza, cis male, he/him: [29] Logan is a extremely talented Brain Surgeon, and has been presented with the Young Neurosurgeon Award at 24. He has autism but hides it well and is very well accustomed to it. He is married to Remus, something he wonders why he loves daily. They do help him alot with his autism, though, and as much as Logan ‘love is overrated’ Realeza will deny, he really does love Remus. A lot. He was the one to propose in the First place, and he does have a soft spot for romantic poems, and oh boy does Remus know that. He and Roman have a love-hate relationship. Logan doesn't understand why Roman must be so flamboyant, and Roman doesn't know why Logan must be such a buzzkill. Only comes in the café when one of the twins drag him there.

AND THAT'S IT FOR NOW! I am going to start working on a plot and things, but you guys are welcome to interact with the characters and the narrator (me), and ask if you want to be tagged, the usual. This can be interactive so again, feel free to give prompts, give tips, ask the characters questions, etc. I know it's kind of a cliché troupe, but this time it's different, I hope. Anyway, that's it! Thank you for taking the time to read this!

[alias-b]

sins of my youth. 020

Billy Hargrove x OC! Evie Fenny~ Also posted to my AO3

Summary: It was common knowledge that Billy Hargrove hated Hawkins. Hated Cherry Lane. Even loathed the strange girl next door. Evie Fenny wasn’t too fond of the chaotic Cali transfer either. An awful high school tradition sparks a chain of events that changes everything, ultimately bringing two frayed souls together.

A/N: Hello everyone. Thanks for clicking in to read. Billy and Evie continue to explore their new relationship together. Max's fourteenth birthday party marks a change for the teens, reminding them that danger isn't too far off. TW: Neil being Neil. Mentions of abuse. Something close to an almost assault/abduction off screen near the end. Light mentions of Pica & fatphobia. Sexual themes

***My tag list is wide open, just shoot me a msg to join it! Chat with me about the chapter if you have the time! Enjoy! xoxo 

Chapter 20: Rose Tint My World

  “Hold still, I’ll poke your eye again.”

   “I can’t breathe, you’re killing me.” Came a sniffled whine.

   “Such a baby. You asked.”

   “I said I was curious after you put the gunk on my nails!”

   “That gunk was a great color on you. You whine just like your big brother.” Carol had Max’s face clamped in her grip as she applied mascara. “Don’t blink, you'll smear it.”

   “Evie, she’s killing me,” Max lamented aloud. “This is not worth it.” Evie just laughed, setting a bowl of pretzels aside. Carol flicked a mirror up to let Max see her handiwork. “Whoa...It’s not terrible.” She gruffed in a mumble, tilting her head to see each angle. "Kinda like Madonna."

   “I’ll take it.” Carol stole some M&Ms from another dish as they shared a spot on Heather’s fuzzy carpet. A movie rolled on in the corner TV.

   Max about howled when Heather came in from the bathroom, face covered in green.

   “Monster!”

   “It’s a face-mask!” Heather planted her hands on her hips, prompting more laughter. “You’ll be more into them once your body really changes.”

   “Girls are way scarier than boys.” Max poked at her blushed cheek which had Carol smacking her hand away. Evie was draped across the bottom of the bed in her robe and nightie, half-watching the TV. “Can you do a zombie make-up?”

   Carol gave a snort.

   “I can do anything. kid.”

   “Eves, you want another piece of pizza?” Heather crossed with the box.

   “I’m so full.” Evie shook her head.

   “You had like one piece.”

   “I ate a big lunch. And lots of pretzels.” Evie snatched the pretzel bowl again for good measure. Truthfully, her appetite had been up and down lately. Mostly down. What with the pangs in her stomach that always passed and… “You sound like my mother.”

   “She was...extra peppy at the salon today. My mom and I got our monthly trim.”

   “Probably some guy she’s seeing, it’ll pass and another will come. Men are like Kleenex to her. Soft, strong, and disposable.” Evie shrugged to pluck up a magazine.

   “Hey,” Max began as Carol fussed over her, “so I didn’t want to make a thing of it, but my mom keeps insisting. My birthday party is coming. She and Neil saved so I could have it just at the roller rink and...they said I could invite whoever I wanted. But, I can’t ask the guys to come. So I figured I’d ask El. She’s really cool. But, maybe if you guys wanted to come? You can bring boys and pretend you’re not even at my party if it’s not your thing. I just-”

   “Max, we’d love to come.” Heather piped up first. “Evie and I rule the rink too.”

   “I look very cute in skates,” Carol agreed with a twitching smirk. “I'm in. I’ll bring Tommy, he sucks and he’ll fall down a bunch. We'll pretend we ran into each other so your stepdad can get the stick out of his ass.”

   “Billy has to go too cause Neil says it’s a family event.” Max turned to Evie. “I think he’d be happier with you there.”

   “I think Billy and I both are fine being there for you. I had my fourteenth at the rink too. It’ll be fun.” Evie beamed, legs up to sway idly. “Plus we haven’t met the Chief’s kid. She’s home-schooled, right?”

   “Yeah, she might be joining us in school next year.” Max stayed still for Carol’s brush. “Depends. She was uh...adopted under weird circumstances. You’ll like her. I taught her how to do that felting thing because of you and she made this funny one of her dad.”

   “I’ll bet Hopper loved that.” Evie winked. 

   “He’s kind of a babe in like a scruffy, rugged way,” Carol remarked. "Strong mountain man type."

   “Ew. He’s so old.” Max reeled back to laugh.

   “I’m just saying! I like a man in uniform. He rocks the khaki.” 

   “The moms in town do eat him up.” Heather shrugged, joining Evie on the bed with a handful of candy. “We all have our strange crushes. I like high cheek-bones. Guys with a little Bowie. Evie? You got one?”

   “Gia Carangi even if she isn’t modeling any more, I love her face.” Evie was flicking pages without looking. Howls from the TV went ignored through the chatter.

   “I called that. Fenny being into ladies. Try Iman.” Carol winked which earned her a look as if she hadn’t planted a kiss on Evie in a fit of rage.

   “People say Billy’s pretty like a girl.” Max had added which got the other girls giggling. 

   “I like this one, we’re so keeping her.” Carol got up to root for a bag of chips, popping them open. “Like the zombie face better?”

   “I still look too pretty.” Max appeared more goth than zombie.

   “You are pretty. Deal with it. We redheads stick together.” Carol stole Evie’s magazine. “Let us know when the party is, we’ll be there.”

   Max looked at the three older girls squished together on Heather’s bed. Chattering and supporting. Happy to have her around.

   A bright smile touched her face for the first time since Neil Hargrove walked into her home. 

** ** ** 

   Most days, all it felt like was floating. Floating through her house. Through Hawkins. Up and down streets. Through school. A stunning illusion she pulled like wool over her dark eyes.

   A woman in rippling silks walking endless halls toward a great, cherry red door at the end, but the door gets farther away and she's thrilled to continue on even still. Feather wings glittering to unfold from her back because heaven's light is beyond the door. Crystalline eyes with their hold. Waiting for her. The sky awaits her with caressing clouds. Opulent gold sun rays and twinkling stars when the world lies down.

   Evie knew she was too big for her wings most days. Too heavy to leave the Earth.

   Knew in her beating heart of hearts that was the first thing people think when they see her. This magnificent soul with drive and neon and talent reduced to a single shrewd glance. And they don't think twice until she's something vaguely sexual. Something marketable you can package and process and sell to the last drop.

   Easier to stomach something uncomely if you can slide into it ruthlessly to rut. They always come like animals, wailing as a banshee would to get off better than they ever will in their small lives. They eat it up. Cover it in sweat and regret and blame.

   These things that hang as little weights on her heartstrings swinging back and forth. They make her not want to attempt extending those wings to fly. Fear of heads shaking in judgement. Fear of looking uglier. More foolish for even trying. Poor thing.

   All because of one glance that couldn't be bothered to see worth in another human life. Sometimes Evie wanted to be skinny not because of beauty, but because she'd get a privilege pass to exist in this world.

   They think she shouldn't dress the way she does. She's probably lazy and self loathing because of added pounds. She has no real aspirations or means to achieve them. Those eyes that watch her eat. That shift away before they decide on another seat because the one open next to her just isn't right. They glare because of the extra room she might take up. Even sharing a few cordial words with fat girls seemed to be a task.

   Evie always notices and does the polite thing pretending she doesn't. She knows what her body looks like, no need to point out the obvious.

   Strange, how these snap judgements, these eyes that don't look twice; can villainize a body utterly. A body. Flesh, bone, and muscle. We're all made in heaven's image. All destined for paths we seek to control. Superiority should have been an illusion. But no, too much or too little, your worth dips low. Fetishes and internalized hatred for things that were shaped and colored differently. Blame.

   But, some days, when the wind soars just right...just strong enough...Evie can spread and illuminate. See the births and deaths of a million stars. Drop the little weights to feel the winds between her fingers. In her curls. In her wings. Feel her feet leave the floor for just a few fleeting seconds.

   The fleeting seconds of soaring always seem so worth it against a world of unsightly aches. Against snap judgements she can toss back to live in a flower petal haze.

   Evie tried hard to live in those moments when they flashed into her. Spotlights. Butterflies delicately landing on her flesh to open and close their stained glass wings for kisses. Evie felt crushed utterly in the most decadent way.

   Billy's soft lips on her neck to get lost in the pulse. Deft fingers that would push up her clothing as he moved in her. Eyes that wanted to see her. All of her. The prayers he could whisper against heating skin.

   A lot could be said about him. But, Billy was always happy to see her and that alone was air spinning into gold. His eyes would light up. Lips twitching. She could hear the single beat that his heart skipped. Even if they didn't speak, they felt this awareness for each other in the vicinity. Truly magic.

   Those eyes. That love of a face. Always staring pointedly to read her up and down. Always plucking the weights from her heart by listening. Always unafraid to touch her. Evie hoped she returned that. She really did.

   Fleeting seconds began to linger between them. Seeping slow and saccharine as fresh pouring honey.

   Sneaking away on walks while he let her hold his hand. Flirtation against school lockers that ended in several 'just one more' kisses. Double dates to the movies with Tommy and Carol. Sitting separately to make out.

   Driving up near Lover’s Lake to kiss in a parked Camaro while the sun laid itself down to sleep. Fumbling playfully to undress and explore. Watching the construction of a coming mall with Slurpees from the gas station. Tongues and lips colored all artificial cherry and strawberry.

   Evie would stretch her wings completely. Let Billy admire them until the world was all satin rose-tinted. She could forget her urges and worries and insecurities. All together. This was fine.

   She was fine. More then fine.

   He so liked to admire her wings. Pleasure crushed in as she moaned. Let his fingers explore contours and notches untouched before. Billy would take those prayers on his lips and drape them over her body. Spell them between fleshy thighs. Pulling more fleeting seconds for himself too.

   They could roll around under sheets and not worry about anything else. Have conversations that always felt silly and wonderful and weighted because they both mattered to someone so ardently. That alone was an ocean both could sink into.

   Something beautiful to behold. The real vision behind the great red door. Your soul mattering.

   Evie was in a bubble with Billy Hargrove. A stupid, dopey look on her face when Mona settled dinner down one evening. Steam rising from a huge pot.

   “Going out later?” Evie began to create sound or she'd be lost. "You colored your hair brown again."

   “Needed another change. Ah, I'm going out just with Karen and Claudia. Dessert and wine night. I asked Susan but that poor thing keeps standing me up. Did you finish Max’s gift for her party?” Mona scooped up huge portions in a bowl that Evie would only be prodding at.

   “Yeah, it’s set. Turned out perfect. She’s not much for jewelry but I think a personalized tie dye shirt will be fun. Might look cool while skateboarding. I also have that goody bag of sweets for her to fill up on we made.” Evie reminded herself to pick up her spoon. Took a few bites.

   “You’re not scarfing it down like usual, you love my crawfish soup.”

   “It’s delicious, I just had a big lunch.” A lie. Evie pressed herself to eat quicker, tearing a piece of fresh bread to chew. Thing was, she wanted to eat. She wanted to eat so badly despite the sickness welling inside her. The heavy ache made it a task. Mona eyed her daughter there. “My stomach's in knots a lot, just school stuff.” 

   “Well, you are a senior.” Mona pushed her own soup around. “I haven’t been around as much as I’d like to be. Just the salon and I met-”

   “I get it.” Evie’s lips spread in a flash, not wanting her mother to finish that sentence. “I’m with friends a lot and I keep busy with my music and the cat. I even wrote a new song.”

   “That’s two this week, you. Strumming along blissfully.” Mona gushed. “Whatever has you all creative and dewy, chase it.” Silverware clicked around and Evie stared at her dish. A broader smile crossed.

   "I will."

   “What’s it called?”

   “Ocean Eyes.” 

   Evie could be pretty transparent in the early stages of a relationship.

   These short weeks in with Billy. Lyrics flooded free. Sometimes he liked to watch her write and strum when they hung out. Trips to the lounge where she worked other nights got him a full show, but not of her original stuff. Songs marched forth.

   “Ocean Eyes.”

   “Cupid and Psyche.”

   “Honey Stardust.”

   “Neon-Tinted Hearts.”

   Rock. Pop. Lush and obscene with her glowing heartstrings. She wrote them for Fredrick too when they got together.

   “Doll Joints.”

   “Lollipop Lolita.”

   “Prince Charming.”

   After dinner, Evie stole a notebook filled with her every sinful lyrical confession of her time with Fredrick Bowers. Burnt it in an empty pot out back until Billy wandered out the back steps of his place. Asking her if she was trying to set the neighborhood on fire.

   “How can I help?” He’d snarked while the sky went all pretty peach fuzz. Evie just laughed and never explained what she’d burnt or why it felt this cathartic to watch the smoke rise toward a falling sun. She figured maybe this was the day she'd stop eating foreign and sharp objects. She could do it. She was happier. Lighter. It had to stop.

   It had to. She couldn't think about this haze shattering, it hurt too deep.

   Billy used the flame to light his cigarette comically and kissed her before inhaling the smoke. 

   “Can we take a drive? Or walk if you’re low on gas?”

   “Let’s walk, I got some cash doing my odd jobs for the damn neighbors, but I need it to last a bit longer with Max’s birthday. Got her this new board she was too chickenshit to beg our parents for.”

   “Aren’t you a darling big brother?” Evie crossed her arms to follow him when the flame dwindled low. They went around the house to the front, started down the street. “Iris has some hours for me that next Saturday night.”

   “You going to tell your mom about the secret job thing?” Billy inhaled and let smoke billow up into the afternoon light. They walked along Cherry Lane. Not touching. Counting steps while their shadows cast and the streetlights came up. A brisk night loomed, spring begging to creep through the month of March. 

   “I figured I could this summer. Around graduation. Just say I got something bigger since I’m eighteen and Iris can get me steadier hours. Gigs day or night. Maybe I’ll get to host a couple more drag shows. I miss those damn girls, the funniest performers know. I'll just let my mom down easy about the receptionist thing, hopefully she’s fine with it. Make it sound like I took initiative cause I'm a big girl.” 

   “And your grand singer plans?” He liked to ask about her and hang upon the syllables.

   “Still up in the air. I’m taking the year off to work and write. Try for a talent agent or manager. I can record maybe...try to get airtime. There’s this contest thing, they do it every year and the winners always do well. But, I’m honestly too afraid to ask my mom about it just yet. I’m saving though here and there.” Evie beamed. “You? Summer and on.”

   She was clearly asking if he was sticking around for summer. 

   “Odd lawn, house, and car jobs are getting me by. This whole street is a mess and the moms in town like to watch me work."

   "Yikes." 

   "It means better pay and tips. I’m taking Heather up on her lifeguard offer this summer. I'll save up, Dad's already going to be asking for rent when I graduate."

   "Shit."

   "Yeah. Don’t wanna bank on that mall they’re opening with all the other little shits trying to get jobs first.” Billy leaned back to let the cooler air kiss his face, sighing before he tossed his smoke out. 

   Evie came to the end of the street near the forest, swayed around a streetlamp like she was in an old Hollywood flick. Dreaming long and endless. Sometimes she worried so often that she wasn't living. Just dreaming it all away. Maybe a center line was possible.

   Maybe she'd be able to soar over it all.

   Billy waited for her to swing back around it before he pressed into her for a slow, lingering kiss. Even better, maybe they both were sharing a dream. Making it of something stronger.

   “So, how am I doing?” He joked lighter. Evie gripped the lamp to stay level, head tilting. “Two weeks in, almost three. This whole situation.”

   “Situation.” Evie mused, slyly hiding half her face behind the lamp to hum. The shadowy starlet of a femme fatale she loved to watch on television with her mother. Glinting. Dangerous. "This whole situation?" She lingered to sigh it even slower.

   "You and me." He'd sounded out, drawing nearer. "Us..." Evangeline, always the playful nymph, flitted off playfully. Spinning the other way to walk along so Billy came to her side easily.

   “I think you’re doing fine." She tapped her chin. "What about me? Evaluate my performance.” 

   “Ah. In a sea of slithery tadpoles, you’re a goddamn firecracker.” He’d laughed and Evie followed, covering her lips with one hand.

   “I don’t know how any of that correlates or makes sense, but I’ll take it.”

   “Neither do I. Just made it up to see you do that. The scrunchy thing you do when you’re too happy or upset with me.” Billy’s nose crinkled as he grinned there. Evie came up to peck his freckles.

   “You’re a total sap, Hargrove.” Evie continued, hands clasped behind her back before she inhaled the air. “Let’s hit that mini mart nearby. I’m craving a Dr. Pepper. Buy you a soda. It’s my turn.”

   “No, it isn’t. You’re just being too nice again,” Billy remarked, feet shifting slower as they crossed the street. “I can’t take you fancy places.”

   “I don’t need to go to fancy places, I just like hanging out with you wherever.” Evie turned her head to see him. “We’re both poor, we make due. Summer will be better. We can just work and...figure this out. I like it right now though, so don’t worry because I know how you shiver in those boots.”

   She pondered it.

   “Do you like it?” Evie offered quieter, earning Billy’s eyes searching her expression. Lip twitching, he tossed his arm around her. Brought Evie taut into his frame with an easier grin so they could keep walking toward the whirling, illuminated sign in the distance.

   “Yeah, I like it.” He decided. “I like you plenty. What's not to like, Evangeline?” His free hand gestured out and Evie beamed to point at that darling face. Her Eros. Encouraging her wings to unfold without pressure.

   "Wow, you're getting better and better at that." A beat. "Making me blush without rolling my eyes."

   "Please, Angel, your knees quiver every time I hit you with this smile. You might as well toss off the panties for me." For good measure, he flashed it and Evie hid from his absolute burning charm. Cheeks felt that fire bloom and billow.

    A car hurried past them. Sweeping budding flowers and loose leaves about. Delicate, they danced. Trees wobbled back and forth to the wind picking up. Evie stayed looking away to smile that time. Knew this wind would carry her easily.

   "Did you have a best friend back in California?" She moved her arm around his back as they went. 

   "I don't know. Guess I had a few in orbit."

   "Am I your best friend here?" She piped back up and Billy slowed to glance, chuckling.

   "I thought you and I were avoiding labels."

   "It's different." Came the protest.

   "No, it isn't." He paused. "Heather's your best friend."

   "Yeah, but I figured I could have more than one. Perfectly carved places for each." Evie shifted in front of him, hands smoothing up Billy's shoulders to clasp fingers round his neck. Blue eyes glittered to search.

   "You trying to push some admission outta me, Fenny?"

   Lashes batted with all the innocence they could hold.

   "Just admit it, Hargrove," she pulled him down for a lip lock, pecking his jaw and cheeks until he broke to laugh and hold her at bay. One brow lifted. "It'll be our dirty little secret."

   "Fine. Only cause you twisted my arm about it and it gets you hot. You are my very," he palmed her bottom to make her gasp in one motion, "very best friend. Happy?" Billy stole a kiss when she was still dumbfounded, molding their frames together.

   "Maybe I am." Evie sighed, sounding too raw and honest about it. She came out to see his eyes there. Tried to read them. Billy blinked to say something else.

   “So, you're already thinking about graduation and summer, huh? Moving quick.”

   “I’m optimistic is all. It’s a rare thing with me so I'm just enjoying it. I’m not used to happy and good.” Evie got cheeky to hide anything else, winking over her shoulder before she went inside the tiny store.

   Fluorescent lights washed out too many colorful packages. They picked cold cans of soda and bright yellow packs of Jujyfruit candies to curb a sweet craving. Billy gripped the paper bag in one fist and Evie snatched his free hand when they got outside.

   “C’mon!” She picked up the pace. “Let’s catch the bus to the other side of town.”

   “Billy Hargrove doesn’t take the bus. It’s all full.” He’d complained, still rushing after her to the stop.

   “Try something new.” Evie was giggling, tugging at him to get on.

   With the bus full of residents leaving work, they took some standing room with a group up front. Fingers curled into the handles above, swaying closer together due to the rocking and crowding. A hard turn sent Evie into Billy’s chest, her hand sprang out over his shoulder to catch the bar just above his head.

   “Trying to jump my bones in public, little Miss Fenny?” He feigned a look of awe, brows lifting playfully. His free arm slipped around the small of Evie’s back, bracing her there into his marble frame. “You know how much easier it is if you just ask, Angel?”

   Evie wanted to scoff. Wanted to scrunch that annoyed look she was known for. Wanted to send him to the floor and kiss him for miles and miles. But, she just stood there in the dim, flickering bus lights. Watched his expression relax. Not really breathing until she reminded herself. 

   Billy seemed to remember as well. At the back and forth shifting of the vehicle, they squished together. Forcing looks away to see the path again. Billy pushed his thigh further between her legs. Both of them idly rubbing together now. Evie felt the heat crawl up her cheeks, lungs tremoring. Billy’s fist holding the bag shifting a little lower on her back, firm and scalding hot. 

   She peered up at his jawline. Looked away. Felt Billy’s eyes wander back after before he flickered elsewhere. Denim pushed against denim. Billy hitched this breath as if he might whimper. Swallowed it down. Hips swaying back and forth and back again. A thumb pushed deftly into her back. Evie shifting in, lips parting. Trembling as Billy turned his head to see her centimeters from him. 

   “This is our stop.” She’d said in his ear. Leaning flush into him to pull the cord down. Billy inhaled the amber. Brushed his nose into her own while she came back out.

   “Don’t wanna stop.” His freckles looked especially glowy outlined in a rare blush. The bus skidded and Evie veered back with some amusement. Brown eyes casting Billy up and down before she skipped off in a hurry, leaving him to chase her because he’d always chase her. Bag still wrinkled around Billy’s fist, he caught up with her. Under the streetlamps surrounded by dancing moths. 

   “We near Lover’s Lake?”

   “Yeah, the park nearby. Figured some loitering would do us good.” Evie stepped across the grass and sand. Listened to the dark structures creak. “C’mon. I love the swings.” 

   She plopped back into one, legs kicking some before Billy joined her. He cracked one can of soda to offer it, feet shifting over the sand to sway closer together. Chains creaking. 

   They clicked drinks and guzzled fizz before Evie snagged the candy out. Stealing a few chewy pieces. The bright box got passed back and forth during a comfortable silence. Billy watched Evie as she observed the moon there. 

   “Do you know any constellations?” She’d asked quieter, forcing him out of the daze. Curls caught the illumination with stars dotting her dark eyes. 

   “Not really.” He took the candy back as she swallowed a piece.

   “You see that crooked line? Those four little guys, they call that...Salem’s Lot. And...” Evie touched her lips, pointing again. “Those two bright boys there. Called Shawshank. Oh, and that one-”

   “These are Stephen King references.” He pushed her.

   “No, I’m very smart and they’re real-life constellations. Listen and learn, Billy boy.”

   “So, are you gonna call that grouping, The Shining or The Overlook?” He pointed to a cluster and Evie snickered.

   “Obviously that’s Carrietta White’s Constellation. Duh. Cause it looks like a rain of blood.” Evie snorted and Billy joined her, heads pressing together as they giggled like school children.

   “You know she wears a crushed red velvet dress in the book? Not pink as seen in the movie.” Billy stretched out, finishing his soda.

   “You know she’s fat in the book, too?” Evie winked at him, eyed the trash, and tried to toss her can at it. Missing badly, it smacked the rim and fell in the sand with a clatter. “Damn it!” Billy laughed at her louder.

   “Don’t try for a career on the court, Evie.” He watched her pout as she plucked it up to throw it away properly. “Now, watch the master work.” He aimed as she sat down. One deft hand reeled back and launched it only to have Evie’s palm smack it easily the other direction. Almost falling out of her seat cackling, she got the candy pushed into her arm before he gawked and went to get it.

   “Oh,” she kept up without air, “I thought you were the master? You should have seen your face!”

   “Yeah, yeah.” He grumbled, dunking it in the can with an echoing clank. For some cheery consolation, she offered the rest of the box to him. Tiny candy pieces fell into his palm before he pushed them all into his mouth at once, eyes lifting to the sky again. Billy made a face and turned to go to push her swing. “Gimme another constellation.”

   “Hmm.” Evie held the chains, began to swing properly at his coaxing. Felt like they were in a secret garden together. Water rippling against the air distantly. Cold chill not bothering either of them. “Those two stars. The little one and the big guy. See?”

   Billy gripped the chains, keeping her swing up against him to follow the gaze

   “That’s Neverland. Second star to the right and straight on till morning.” She snickered again as Billy pushed her forward. “Bet I can beat you there. I’ll jump from the swing.”

   “You’re on.” Billy stole the seat next to her, both of them pumping higher. Curls fluttering. Laughing. Happy because they were together and that mattered.

   “I’m going to overthrow Pan and Hook. Become the most fantastic Lost Girl with a siren song to command the island and you’ll write your stories.”

   “Think so?” Billy pushed himself higher. Actually thought he might fly with Evie there.

   “Yes! You’ll tell the greatest stories ever heard through the land and they’ll echo back down here to be loved too.” She proclaimed that. Not having heard Billy’s stories, but believing what was in his heart. 

   Time slowed. Wild laughter crackled toward the sky. Utter sparks as they jumped together and collided to roll around the sand. Evie was still alight with joy under him, hair splayed everywhere as Billy snapped up to check her over, hovering. Evie’s giggling tapered off against the night air. She stared up at him. Framed in twinkling stars. He said something she didn’t catch.

   “You have beautiful eyes,” Evie sounded out slower, lost in the endless crystalline blue. “Did you mean it?”

   “Mean, what?”

   “What you said when we were lying in bed together. You said I was the best thing about this place. People never say things like that. Not to girls like me. I believed it when you said it though and it was easy too.” Evie skimmed her fingers over his jacket. Watched Billy’s eyes flicker to recall that moment and the clouds he floated upon like lily-pads in a pond.

   Billy swept down. Planted a hot kiss that was all lips. Swelled her mouth when he pulled out. He left Evie fluttered and came to her ear.

   “That was a yes.” He pushed up, eyes too sly. “By the way.” Evie took a hand when he offered one and got pulled to her feet, bodies stumbling together. They tried to brush the sand off fabric. 

   “Do you think about that night? The dance, I mean. Not...the sex. Well, I guess it’s okay to think about the sex actually.” She blushed there when Billy’s lip quirked. His fingers still wrapped around her wrist. “Before all that went down with Brock. It was-”

   “Not terrible.” He finished.

   “Not at all. The first part of the night, sometimes I wish we could go back and-”

   “Rewrite it.” Billy looked around, giving Evie a tug. He pulled her up on the metal roundabout, painted red and blue that was chipping away. “Hold on.” Another smile had curled as he braced to get it spinning.

   “Billy!” Evie jerked to hold tight to the bars. Hair flying up. Curls coiled out. Fire billowing gracefully. “What are you doing!”

   “Turning back the clock,” he charged and jumped on with her, wobbling to hold something, "to redo it.” Evie grabbed for his coat. Fisting the fabric when they locked eyes. Wind rushed in a thrill with memories tumbling together and apart. 

   Her wings sprang forth.

   Billy made Evie the still point to his turning world. For just a moment. Knew, if anything, that meeting her was something truly important. An unseen force that would twist his heart forever.

   Spinning round and round. He recalled the metallic confetti dancing and the way the music pulsed. The carousel began to slow, both teens holding the bars and each other to say level.

   Slower, Evie pecked a kiss upon his lips to mirror the first. Unable to come out far, Billy was already closing the distance for the second. Trying to pay her back with a thousand sweet kisses. 

   Cheers rang and fireworks burst. She remembered it all too. How dizzy and still the world seemed to be. How it hushed for her too sweetly. Billy’s hands on her face, cradling delicately to angle the second kiss a little deeper. They felt the metal clink to stillness under them and inched back out.

   “I want to go home with you,” Evie said the words she wished she had that night. Huge dark eyes glittering. She found his lips again. Not worried about air or what the future held for them. Lost on a rosy haze and perfectly fine for these stolen fleeting seconds. “Can we go?” Billy searched her, thumb sweeping a circle into her jaw. He smiled fully.

   “Only if we can take the bus again.”

** ** ** ** 

   “Happy Birthday!” Evie gushed, offering a gift to a small pile. Max had her arms around her before she’d gotten a chance to turn. One hand shifted to the shorter girl’s back. Music whirled with a campy light show, made the horribly patterned carpets glow. “Carol and Heather are on their way in. Tommy’s around but he won’t hang near the table.”

   “Neil’s going to be late. Work stuff.” This explained why Max’s smile was so bright. Evie nudged her chin, head cocking. “You brought your own skates.”

   “I know it’s dorky, but they’re my babies.” Evie gestured to the red skates swung over one shoulder. “Evie Fenny doesn’t rent her skates.”

   “That’s El, come meet her,” Max pulled Evie off after she got one wave at Susan behind the table setting up. “Billy’s grabbing stuff from the car. He drove us.” 

   El Hopper was a tiny thing. Almost like a little bird compared to Hopper’s hulking frame behind her. She peered around and seemed at instant ease upon seeing Max.

   “El, this is my neighbor, Evie," Max introduced them, "she’s cool.”

   El made this gesture like she had a needle and poked at her hand.

   “Yes!” Max got it, tugging Evie’s arm. “She taught me the felting thing.”

   “Hope the sharp objects weren’t a bother in your house, Chief Hopper.” Evie perked up at Jim with a sheepish expression. “I should have asked you, I know it might seem a little dangerous.”

   He actually laughed at that. If only she knew the danger these kids had gotten into prior.

   “Believe me, crafts are a welcomed change.”

   “El, nice to meet you. I’m Evie. Max talks about you all the time.” Evie held out her hand and the young girl looked shocked. “Good things.”

   A slower smile crossed. She took Evie’s hand to shake it. Awkward about her navigation but trying to take everything in. Clearly never been to a party like this one. Kids of various ages circled the floor on skates. Laughing. Holding hands. 

   “Max...talks about you too. I like your hair.” El mirrored. Peered to Hopper with a pleased expression he matched. She offered Max a wrapped gift. Evie grinned and touched her curls, pulled up into two high, rounded buns.

   “C’mon, let me show you the table they’re setting up.” Max took El’s wrist to usher her off.

   “Are you...staying to skate?” Evie turned to the Chief.

   “El’s, ah, not used to crowds. She came from some unfortunate circumstances. I’d like to stay close. First party. Maybe I’m hovering.” He pushed his hands into his pockets. Not in uniform. Evie beamed a little.

   “She’s young, you’re worried. It’s sweet, actually. You’re just being a good dad.” The smile seemed to dither in her eyes. Even when Jack was married to Mona, he wasn't always around. Work and trips kept him busy, but he stayed to close to Evie the moment he arrived home with his little gifts and endless stories. “Don’t come running over if she falls, we got her.”

   “Yeah, uh, if you could keep an eye on El when you see her around. That would mean a lot to me. I know you babysat the Henderson kid. El doesn’t need a babysitter, she’s just… This is new for her.” Jim gestured. Digging for a smoke he couldn’t have in the immediate area. 

   “Heather, Carol, and I will keep an eye out.”

   “Carol?” He chuckled. “Perkins?”

   “Oh, yeah, we made up. Funny thing.”

   “Almost as funny as you hanging out with the Hargrove boy through winter.” He quirked his brow.

   “What can I say, Chief...” Evie shrugged. “I’m...branching out.”

   As if on cue, Billy paced in a side door. Bag clutched under one arm. He caught Evie’s glance instantly. Both of them locked in and back out on cue. Blue eyes shifted up and down because she was wearing his denim jacket over a little lacy, floral top tucked into her jeans.

   Neil would arrive and they had an act to keep up. Ignoring each other.

   “I’ll sit far." Jim offered. "Pretend I’m not here.”

   She about cackled, lost in thought still.

   “I’ll just pretend you’re my real dad,” Evie winced at herself, saw him pause with some subtle awe, “oof, I’m not sure where that came from. Ouch. Okay. Walking away now. Sorry, Chief.”

   “Evie.” He eased a gentle hand toward her. “What I said. If there’s...anything going on. You can talk to me. On or off the record.”

   “Yeap. Right. I’m okay. I’m...I’m gonna...skate. Yeah. Sorry. Oh, my…” Evie whirled to hurry off, cringing all the way to the table. “I think I just had a mental break.”

   “What?” Heather had chuckled.

   “Nothing. Time to skate?” Came Evie’s begging. Agreement followed.

   Hopper made himself scarce with a cigarette and plate of cheese fries in the corner. Billy plopped himself into a chair behind the decorated table, looking disinterested. Not catching Evie’s eyes while she sat with the girls to put her skates on. Just watched Susan set out plates for pizza and cake. 

   Evie went out with Heather first for a lap, both of them giggling and pulling little stunts to show off for Tommy who was on the ground as Carol pulled at him. Max jumped over his leg, cackling before she tried to get El to come out with them. 

   “Kinda reminds me of us. They’re too cute.” Heather quipped, whirling to skate backward. They joined the younger girls, hoping to get El relaxed and away from the wall she seemed to cling to. Every turn, Evie shot Billy a look. Got his lips quirking before he ruefully was peering away. 

   “Do you want to skate, Billy?” Susan had asked after a beat, weary of the music already. Bit of a glittery disco mess. That same dreamy rose haze in the air.

   “About as much as I want to give my old man a sponge bath, Susan.” Billy frowned for effect and dropped it when she actually laughed at him. It was an easier thing for them to talk without Neil’s shadow. 

   “Well, the offer is open if you want to.” Susan thought to tell him Evie looked beautiful today when she caught him staring at her for the third time but decided not to be obvious. Not yet. 

   “You’re supposed to tell me I’m being inappropriate and I’m going to send your only daughter down with me.” He recited easily.

   “I was your age once, Billy, I know how to laugh still.” Susan seemed surprised at the revelation herself. Slowly, she took a seat next to him. Not leaving another chair as a buffer like she usually did. “It might not be so bad. Her following you, you know, after this. When she’s older. She still looks up to you.”

   It became clear what Susan was asking him. Max would resent her one day down the line. For the choices she made. The things she couldn’t stop no matter how hard she tried. Maybe Billy and Max didn’t always get along, but he’d be a safer place for her than whatever was leftover in that house. Susan would always be under Neil Hargrove, but she could ensure her daughter would not be. One day.

   Billy leaned forward on his elbows, palms rubbing. He felt for his ring and remembered it was hidden under Evie’s dipping sweetheart neckline. He didn’t say anything, but met Susan’s eyes.

   “Evie’s been a good friend to her.” Susan crossed her legs and sat back to watch the girls laugh. Slowly easing into the conversation. El wobbled, holding hands with Max and Evie to gain some speed. Heather was trying to help Carol steady poor Tommy. “Don’t you think so?”

   “I haven’t noticed.” Billy turned his head aside.

   “She’s very pretty. Kind. That’s all I’m saying. She and her mother, they’re nice neighbors to have on Cherry.”

   “Jesus, Susan, why don’t you date them both?” Billy shot up to go to the snack counter. Susan ghosted this smile after him, hands clasping. “Cheese fries. Jalapenos...Extra jalapenos.” He got his plate and turned to see Chief Hopper’s cigarette glow red. “You got any more of those? My pack is out and they don't have a machine in this joint.”

   Jim just eyed him.

   “I’m legal.” Billy puffed before a stick flicked across the table. “Camels. Unfiltered. Disgusting. Are you a flannel hobo of some kind with those?”

   The Chief gawked at him.

   “Don’t you smoke Reds? Baby’s first cigarette.”

   Billy matched him. Offended.

   “I’m smoking with the big boys, Hop. You should try it.”

   “You in a place to complain, kid?” Jim reached to take it back before Billy swiped, lighting up to puff. 

   “No, sir.” His lighter snapped shut. “You unable to cut the cord or is dressing like a lumberjack to hang out at a 70s roller disco a hobby?”

   “Haven’t seen you down at the station in a while. Few months, in fact. Turning over a new leaf this year?” Jim remarked instead, leaning forward on his elbows.

   “Aw. You miss me or something? Your boys finally get tired of chasing me down? Or trying to.” Billy gave this comedic pout, head turning to eye Evie again. Graceful swan that she was out there. His jacket hanging off her shoulders, exposing that neck. Little wisps of curls swayed about from her space buns decorated with matching glittery star barrettes, loose hair framing her face. Brown eyes flicked up and he snatched his gaze away. “Guess I found something else to get into that isn’t trouble. You guys bore me down there, I like to be amused.”

   “The real crime-stopper, boredom. Color me impressed and shocked.” Jim seemed to like that, eyes rolling. Billy puffed and swept a piece of tobacco from his mouth. “I guess whatever you’re doing, keep it up.” He watched Billy crunch on some salty jalapenos, plucking five gooey fries at once to swallow them down. Almost starved.

   “I intend to.” Billy flicked his greasy fingers to his brow. “Chief.”

   “William.” 

   Billy mumbled as he went off, finishing the smoke to flick it out a back door. Eyes shifting to watch the girls plus poor Tommy. El was already better than him.

   “Man, I’m dying out here. Help me. I’ll tag you in.” Tommy scrambled up the sidewall and clung, out of breath. Freckles all dewy.

   “You wanted to be a good boyfriend,” Billy cackled for good measure, "that'll teach you."

   “Feed me a fry,” Tommy begged over the barrier.

   “Fuck out of here, they’re mine. My dad will show soon so you can disappear to a corner and get your own damn fries.” To make it a point, Billy stood there and fed himself.

   Behind Tommy, Max skidded and fell with Evie barely catching her. Both girls had gone down in a fit of giggling.

   “We’re fine, go on!” Max waved to Heather and El ahead of them. Carol came to steal Tommy back as Billy craned to see his step-sister.

   “You alright?” Evie was picking her up when Max’s shirt slipped closer to her pale shoulder, flashing a burst of purple there the size of a softball. “Oh, my god.” It slipped out before she could stop it.

   “That’s-!” Max cut herself off and fixed her shirt. Spring was creeping and all she donned was long-sleeved and frumpy. Dressing almost like Susan. “I fell, you know, on my board.” Evie tried to give her the dignity of a look that said she believed it. Must have cracked. “Evie, it’s nothing. Don’t worry. Please.”

   Dressing like Susan. Sounding like Billy.

   “Max, my house is-”

   “I know, but don’t… Don’t say anything. Not to Billy or my mom, ah… Neil’s here.” Max put her head down and skated around Evie to go away. 

   There was something particularly helpless about watching a young girl flee obediently to her monster. Evie wondered if this was what she looked like to Billy headed to Fredrick's place.

   Small. Scared. Lost.

   Neil Hargrove started with words. Lots of horrible words that whittled Max down to a hard pit. Then pushing. Then some grabbing. Then shoving. Into walls mostly.

   The hit didn’t bruise Max. It was more of a swipe to make her go to her room for talking back. Whatever that meant to Neil. But, he was drunk and he caught her jaw with an open palm. That stayed red for the day until she snuck a pack of frozen peas, not wanting Susan or Billy to know.

   But, the swipe sent her into the dining room table. Left the violet petals bursting under her skin. Evie lost the urge to skate and came out. Saw Billy’s eyes again and paused to help Heather usher El out for food. 

   “You’re a natural.” Evie complimented which earned a full smile. El opened her mouth to speak before Billy appeared in front of them.

   “They’re making us sing.” He cocked his head, peering at El. “You’re the one with the funny name, aren’t you?”

   “Jane. But,” she seemed to have trouble staring at him for more than three extended seconds and pointed to her chest, “El.” Red crept across her cheeks. Billy towered over her, cocking a wider grin to play up the fact that she was all blushy for a pretty older boy.

   “El?” He raised one brow. “What’s the L stand for?”

   “Ignore him.” Heather pulled the younger girl around Billy as he chuckled, pausing to see Evie. Her colorless expression.

   “You okay?” He said it hard with a furrowed brow.

   “Fine.” She tried to make it sound cold but it came out near silent. Head turned down as she flitted around him to join the party.

   Neil, stiff and stoic, pressing his lips like he was at the damn DMV. Susan plastered a broader grin to dote on him after his long day, lingering close to his side as they set out pizza and readied the cake.

   It was all so routine. Like getting your shots. 

   Pizza. Sing. Candles. Wish. Cake. Gifts. Thank you.

   Billy and Evie took the farthest seats from each other. Played a game of glance and ignore that they’d made up on the spot. They both were either losing or winning.

   “Strange,” Neil remarked as he pulled Max aside for another slice. “You and the high school girls.”

   “Oh, I invited El too, she’s my age. I didn’t want to leave Evie out and the girls...they’re nice to me.”

   “They don’t dress like nice girls.”

   Heather and Carol both donned perfectly normal tees and jeans. Nothing would suffice for Neil Hargrove. Max shifted her cake around. No longer hungry for it.

   “Maybe we’ll talk about the type of girl you should hang around at a later time. The Fenny girl is nice enough, even if her shirt is a little too...low. Dresses kinda tight. Bit of an odd one. She’s different. Her friends, well...I’m just not sure, Maxine.”

   “Yes, sir.” She looked at her birthday cake like it was infested with worms. Carefully forced a bite and set it aside. 

   Max hung around. Smiled and thanked everyone after each birthday present. Even hugged Neil only cause he opened his arms at her. She said bye to El then Heather. Carol seemed to be turning in as well so Tommy went out back to get the car. 

   As the party went on and dwindled, Evie caught Billy’s eyes gesturing to the rental counter. He slipped around the corner into the many shelves and Evie turned back to see Max and Susan at the table. Neil seated in a chair not helping them clean up, eyes elsewhere. Casually, she skated around and got her arm snatched. A gasp snuffed against a pair of lips. Kisses hidden away from the world. 

   “Paid the kid a few coins and a threat to leave for ten minutes."

   Music vibrated the shelves. Evie put her arms around Billy.

   “I still have skates on.”

   “Even better. I might have a thing for girls in red skates.” Billy was all hands, holding Evie steady. Pulling one leg around his hip. Pushing denim into denim. Hot friction might have done her in any other day.

   “We are not hooking up with all the smelly rental skates.” Evie laughed into his lips, still pecking back and peering over her shoulder. She paused to see his eyes. Wanted to blurt what she’d seen on Max’s body. Even to Billy now, it felt wrong. So, she said something else.

   “Hey, we should…keep an eye on your sister, you know. It’s her birthday. She’s...She needs her big brother.”

   Billy huffed into her neck.

   “Fine, fine, but you’ll regret not taking the adventure on here.”

   “Yeah, I’m sure.” Evie shifted. “My feet hurt and we can make-out in my bed later.” She kissed his neck. “I’ll do that thing you like if you promise you went easy on the product down there.”

   “Only dotted the gold crown. Scout’s honor.” Billy winked and she rolled her eyes. He peered out first. “Give it a second then follow.”

   “Wait.” Evie thumbed her red lipstick from his mouth. “Now, shoo.” Billy licked his lips and snuck out. She waited a moment. Let the happy butterflies land in her stomach then followed. Pausing, her skates came off for more comfortable tennis shoes.

   “Evangeline, do you need a ride home with us later?” Neil had asked. 

   “No, thank you, I was getting a ride with Carol now.” She smiled and looked for red hair to say her goodbyes. “Where’d Max go?” Evie collected her coat and Susan paused to peer around.

   “She was here a second ago. Neil?” Hands dropped a stack of plates into the trash.

   “Probably went to the bathroom.” He shrugged, squinting at all the moving lights that were making his head pound. “Billy, go find your sister.” 

   Billy seemed to notice the look on Evie’s face and feel the same chill before he hurried off without fighting. Susan looked through the sea of kids and teens meandering as Evie passed her to check the ajar side door. 

   "Max!" The one flickering light at the exit made her skin crawl. A cry echoed distantly followed by a dull crash in the dark. Like a bag of trash hitting the dumpster.

   Evie dropped her skates to follow the hollowed-out sound. Exhaust swept up her nose and tires gave a harsh wail, horns sounding while a faraway car disappeared around a row of trees to get to the main street with the rest. 

   “Max!” Evie charged out. Heart painfully thudding within her ribs. 

   “Evie?” Carol heard her and footsteps echoed around the building.

   “Max!” Evie was near tears now. A shift in some fallen trash bags made her pause when two sneakers appeared around the side of the dumpster. This odd scratching sound left her lips. Evie threw herself over the tiny body there, turned Max’s limp frame over. 

   Her shirt collar was ripped open where someone grabbed her. Or tried to. Dragging then dropping her when she put up a fight. Bleeding scrapes and dirt scuffed all over her pale freckled skin from the rough tumble. Carol got to them first and pulled off her sweater to cover Max’s torso while Evie gathered her up. 

   “Help!” Carol called because Evie couldn’t. More bodies arrived. Tommy. Susan. Billy. Neil. 

   “Neil, she won’t wake up.” Susan pulled her daughter out of Evie’s arms, shaking her. Moans filtered out, but nothing else. “What happened?”

   “I don’t know. I saw...a car. It was too dark. I just found her here on the ground. Someone tried to...” Evie wheezed out and never finished, gesturing aimlessly. 

   “Susan, give Maxine to Billy. She needs a hospital.” Neil swept down as Billy urged his sister’s tiny body away. This hard. flamed expression on his face as if he wasn't really here.

   Max looked broken. Not real. A doll left under the bed for too long without love or cherished stories to comfort it. Evie felt the knees of her jeans soak through from the wet pavement. Too many words hit the air and Evie’s eyes dropped to where that harsh car had gone to.

   Evangeline wondered what kind of monster would grab up a little girl and throw her out into the trash.

   And why the world bore so many of that same design.

~~~~~

Mad Max :( Her story line is gonna start to push toward the front here and there with Evie's in pieces. Thanks again for following the fic, I really appreciate it! Please please leave some words if you enjoy the fic. XOXO Taglist open

TAGLIST:: @80sbxtch​ @nottherightseason @alagalaska @alongcamedolly @kellyk-chan @10blurredsmoke10 @charmed-asylum @unmistakablyunknown @lukespatterson @arkhamasylumpatient-blog1

[gildedmuse]

One Piece In Review: Dressrosa Part II

Luffy: -Directs a bull to run towards a giant living castle that is trying to kill them while also attempting to kick off two people who want to help because fuck them he's gonna be the one to beat up this invincible monster!-

Zoro: -Strong & Silent-

Law: -Silent & In Advanced State Of Shock-

Me: Oh get over it Law. Zoro did.

Law: He fights with a sword in his mouth

Me: Yeah, boy be cray-cray. But he totally chill when handling Luffy's cray-cr...

Law: -Advanced State Of Shock-

Me: Yeah, okay, I see what's happened here.

---

Luffy: I kill you! -Shatters Pica's head-

-TWENTY MINUTES LATER-

Zoro: Yo Luffy, the head you punched was stones!

Luffy: And?

Zoro: We're still running on stone right now!

Luffy: You mean he's still alive?

Law: Honestly, I assume you guys already knew this. I mean, I realized it like 20 minutes ago.

Luffy & Zoro: WHA!?

Law: Oh God did you not actually... Shit what have I done?

Me: You gonna wanna shut up, Law. Those my idiots right there.

---

-FLASHBACK-

Mihawk: There are three types of Haki. first, armament Haki which you can use on your body, even on your swords to-

Zoro: Okay I heard swords so you can shut up now I've heard everything I need

Mihawk: There are two other kinds

Zoro: I'VE HEARD EVERYTHING I NEED

Just to help clarify my shock every time Zoro uses any other type of Haki.

Me: -Faints-

Me: -Out of... I wanna say... Terror?-

Me: -Def not that though-

Em: Overshare

---

Guy: Watch out he's got a giant sword!

Zoro: What? Giant sword? I'm in.

Em: Overshare.

Me: You joke but my new favorite scene is...

sword: appears!

Luffy: kay see you later love you bye

Zoro: -distracted-

#nocontextneeded

---

Issho: Is it the revolutions job to help chaos spreading pirates?

Sabo: Why yes. Yes it is.

Navy: .....

Sabo: Oh wait..!

Navy: ....!

Sabo: I lied

Navy: ....?

Sabo: Doing it for my own amusement bitches! (#ace4ever #kotpluffy)

Me: This is why you are my favorite brother.

[fascinatedhelix]

A shitload of Deltarune headcanons below the cut:

Hometown

Kris

Has selective mutism, but can really talk if you get them going.

Is skilled in many musical pursuits, including singing, but doesn’t like having to face the audience in order to perform, so they prefer the piano.

Might have something along the lines of bipolar disorder, but where that starts and the frequent possessions by foreign entities ends is a mystery. Adverse reactions to medicine prevent them from going the medical route of treatment.

Obtained the birdcage from the attic where either the previous homeowner or Toriel left it after having a pet bird.

Was adopted as a baby.

Highschool age but probably not a Senior or Freshman.

More of a battle strategist and puzzle solver than a leader, but still a valued member of the team regardless.

Susie

Has been an outcast from a young age.

Wore that funny ponytail from the concept art as a kid, as well as a bow. Probably dressed much more feminine back then.

Probably either poor or subject to subpar parenting, either neglect or hovering. Maybe something like Lancer’s situation where her family isn’t at rock bottom, but they don’t care enough to provide for her as much as they can.

Has some degree of pica, but has a stomach strong enough to not die from it.

Doesn’t like quiet people because one of her neglectful parents is like that.

Would probably eat cigarettes instead of smoke them.

If she had been introduced to Kris while they were pranking someone, they might have sparked a friendship as the school troublemakers.

The Town

Monster religion isn’t Christianity. There’s no cross, and there’s a pointed emphasis on worshipping an Angel as opposed to the son of God, so Jesus either isn’t in their mythos at all or is not considered as important a figure. One part of their religion is the reduced or nonexistent consumption of alcohol.

There was no full-scale war between humans and monsters, but there was enough conflict to designate territories where one is the vast majority over the other. Gerson’s writings may have been based on the tensions of this time period.

The school used to be a religious boarding school but was secularized sometime before the events of the game.

The general public isn’t 100% sure what is up with Kris. Though they’re a bit of a local celebrity, nobody’s really sure why Kris acts the way they do. Media doesn’t depict humans as being so taciturn or erratic, so they honestly don’t know what to make of them.

Darkworld

Darkeners

In nature, darkeners are not monsters, but rather another classification of magical being that is a little more physical in makeup. If a monster dies, they turn into dust, but if a darkener dies, they might leave a shriveled corpse or a pile of sludge.

Darkeners tend to be changeable based on the amount of light in the environment; too much light makes them antsy and irritable, while little to no light makes them relaxed and confident. Light and dark levels affect their power, so of course, it’d affect their moods too.

The Board used to be its own sovereign nation, but it was either conquered by the Card Kingdom or merged by way of royal marriage.

Darkeners can reduce themselves into cards or toys if too badly damaged, or to play dead if threatened.

Lancer

Middle school age. Probably knows where babies come from but he isn’t at the point where he finds it anything but gross (prepubescent).

More educated than he looks, but not in anything especially important, just stuff that looks good on a king.

Will eventually grow to be as big as his father, but he probably won’t develop his temperament.

He inherits his goofy personality from his mom, even though she died/disappeared when he was very little.

He’s got some dog-like traits, but not nearly as much as the dog monsters from Snowdin. It’s a contributor to his hole-digging habit.

He’ll probably have some initial trouble speaking when he grows his big boy teeth (fangs like his dad’s).

His goofy demeanor will cool down when he gets older so he might come to resemble Asgore in terms of personality when he gets to that point, though perhaps less oblivious to others.

The Kings

The King of Spades’ given name is Pike. He doesn’t like it because it sounds dog-like and makes him sound simple-minded, so it's using is only reserved for those extremely close to him (that is, his wife, at least before she left the picture, and maybe the other kings).

The other kings are either Spades’ cousins, his brothers, or members of three other royal houses. Either way, the lot of them have known each other for a very long time.

Clover is the Princess/Jack of Clubs, though she isn’t in the habit of acting like it, hence why she’s still running free despite being in competition for the throne, technically. Too busy arguing with herself.

The kings all had different reactions when the princess and later prince were born. Clubs was experiencing a lot of emotions when Clover was born, with pride and protectiveness lording over all the others. Diamonds thought the kids were cute as babies but he didn’t want them to puke on him so he kept his distance. Hearts loved the babies to the point he acted kind of like a second mom.

The King of Diamonds is a rather apathetic guy who just wants to do his job and get paid at the end of the day. He, like the Rudinns, has something of a weird dragon-like instinct to hoard shiny stuff, so he likes to have his things bejeweled to hell and back.

The King of Hearts is a lot like the Hathys in that he’s kind of a lovebug. He’s a sappy guy who probably reads romance novels, good and bad, out the wazoo and is probably the biggest consumer of romcoms this side of the Darkworld. Finds the art of courtship to be the purest of art forms, even though he’s single.

The King of Clubs has as many personalities as he has heads, and they all have their own names, but the consensuses he comes to are usually really sound and thought through, so he makes for an effective though slow king. He was perhaps the closest to Spades out of the lot of them, being black suits and all, but ultimately this helped none during Spades’ takeover. He’s kind of like a weird lion hydra.

The King of Spades was, at one point, a rather quiet guy himself. He preferred to work in the shadows and keep to himself, and to his credit, this worked well for him, though he tended to feel forgotten and useless at times. The Knight came after him because he was a relatively insecure soul and more prone to holding grudges, which gave the Knight something to latch onto and blow out of proportion.

Rouxls Kaard

He’s made of silly putty. Though most headcanons of him make it so he melts when stressed, I think he only gets all liquidy when he’s relaxed. He probably sleeps in a bathtub.

He consciously has to keep up that eloquent facade, because he thought it was cool at one point, but he’s done it so much it’s become a force of habit and now he can’t not do it.

I like to imagine he’s bisexual, though he’s probably too preoccupied with trying to keep himself alive than pursuing love. If he did return anyone’s affections, he’d probably be very hush-hush about it at first because of his concerns with Spades.

He probably has slurped worms from a soup bowl like he was slurping up ramen before.

He literally can’t stop smiling. Has anyone else seriously not noticed how his smile never wanes when he gets mad or scared? It actually gets wider, you can only see how he feels through his eyes and tone. Not sure if this is how his face is structured or what.

I like the idea of him having some degree of reality-warping powers as the rules card, but that’d require his opponent to be playing his game. So, the only instance in which he could do that is if someone accepted a proper challenge from him. Puzzles are not his forte at all, and it’s implied he’s incompetent at battle too, so what is his game, then?