#their “menu” had a few editions of Clue(do) I never heard of

[anuncannyvalleygirl]

Was anyone gonna tell me that the Clue(do) redesign turned Mrs. White into a hot fuckboi chef or???

[ancha-aus]

RealAgeAU Drabble - Customers

I am back! And we are still with Ccino :D @spotaus drabble required tag <3

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No edit or beta as always. we are here for a fun time!

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Ccino snaps out of his staring as someone else stands before him impatiently. Ccino pulls up his best customer service smile and gets to work.

The line is long but it is for the better.

Keeps his mind off the damning newspaper that got delivered to him.

He makes his way throught the line easily enough though. Even if it is busier than usual. And with cross universe customers too. Which sucks for different reasons.

an Alphys and undyne walk up to the counter to return their things. Ccino takes it with a nod and a good day wish as he goes to wash them.

The Undyne speaks "hey... so... I know people have been... rude to you about the whole... letting the gang stay and stuff?"

Ccino rolls his eye lights as he cleans the glass "That are just rumours. I just said that we can't speak for reasons who gods that we don't understand."

Undyne huffs but ALphys mutters "Sorry... the news that Dream had been wrong was... shocking and well... people need time to process it adn stuff..."

Ccino puts the things away and crosses his arms "Anything else i can get you?"

Undyne glares "What the hell man? We are trying to apologise."

Ccino sighs "your apology misses the words 'I am sorry.'." and he stares at them.

Undyne glares but ALphys stops her before speaking again "We are sorry... YOu were right... most of us never understood what the gods did and why and assumed a lot... I am sorry... I am also sorry that the only way people were more open to it was... well..." she eyes hte newspaper before shooting him a smile "must be rough... never being able to at least tell him that you didn't judge him."

Ccino's grip tightens on the cup. Don't react.

the two fianlly take the clue to leave and do as much.

Ccino lets out a sigh in relieve and his sight finds the newspaper again. THe headline is clear as day.

NIGHTMARE PRONOUNCED DEAD.

Ccino glares at it before turning it over. Maybe he can use it to light the fire place later or something.

There is no way he is dead. Those idiots just gave up searching or looking out for him. Ccino can know. he actually read the whole piece instead of just the headline and figured out that they never found any clues that could prove he had died. They are just assuming he died because they hadn't seen any hints of him living anywhere.

Ccino knows this to not be truth. Mostly because Dream would at least tell him that Ngihtmare had died. they have an understanding after the last time they met.

Ccino huffs and looks at one of the cats "You would think they would learn a thing or two about assuming things." the cat just nuzzles his hand.

"Yeah people tend to keep assuming stuff."

Ccino jumps and turns around quickly. He hadn't heard the doorbell ring.

Before him stands another him. Blue hoody. pink slippers. black shorts. white eye lights. pretty much a blank slate of how most of them start.

Okay no that was rude. That is a bad way to think about it. Ccino met Classic. he is a great and helps sneak him quite a few supplies.

Ccino smiles brightly "Didn't hear you come in! sorry for that. what can i get you?"

the other, Ccino will just think of him as Sans for now, looks at the menu and hums before looking bakc at him "I don't want something off the menu."

Ccino raises a brow and keeps grinning "The adoption process can be started at any moment. mister....?"

Sans grins wider and tilts his skull "the skeleton. obviously."

Ccino can't help but snort "Why is that joke always funny?"

Sans looks rather smug "because it is. and here i was afraid customer service killed your humour."

Ccino sighs "oh trust me. it is tryin and testing me daily." he pets one of the cats that has gotten near "the cats make it worth it though."

Sans nods and leans on his fist "can't help but notice the little notice on your bullet board. the one about dream having messed up? What is the deal with that?"

Ccino frowns but figures out what this guy wants. curious dude it seemed who just wanted to learn stuff. Ccino shrugs "figured it would be good to keep the notice up for others."

Sans raises a brow "That is all?" He sounds... disappointed... maybe.

Ccino can't help but be a bit unnerved. this guy is really hard to read for some reason and he can't quite figure out why.

Ccino shrugs "I mean. It is also nice to see mister perfect mess up for once." ccino doesn't even fully mean it anymore. After Dream and him sat together and spoke?

ccino has more sympathy for him.

But Dream is also the reason Ccino isn't seeing Ngihtmare anymore and that shit still hurts and he is just worried about the other.

He really needs to get somekind of help because he is feeling protective over a god. that can't be healthy.

Sans chuckles and nods "Wiht that i can agree. Still weird that people would just think tiping the balance that badly would end well." he snorts and leans on his fist.

Ccino relaxes a bit and nods "exactly! Like. Sure i don't like being sad more than any other person and it sucks if bad things happen to you. but sometimes stuff jsut doens't go well and sometimes bad things happen! And i would honestly much prefer the ability to get pissed or sad about it over just the whole 'oh well! It could be worse!' attitude the whole time." it just sounds exhausting.

Ccino sighs and rubs his cheek "sorry for that." a glance.

Sans however doesn't seem bothered. those eye lights seem more intent for a moment and ccino feels himself freeze.

like a prey in the sight of a very very dangerous predator.

than the moment breaks and sans grins.

It is weird. he never actually did anything different with his eyes or anything. it was just the air around them. charged with danger. it is hard to explain.

Sans leans back "well it is nice to have some people agree with my unpopular opinion." he shrugs before poking the face down newspaper "what about the big news?"

Ccino huffs "i call bull. there is no way he is gone." he doesn't want to believe it. and unless he sees the dust of him himself or saw a video of him dying and actual solid proof Ccino will keep denying it.

Sans tilts his skull "you sound very secure. met him before?"

ccino almost answers honestly but pulls hismelf back. this is a stranger. and if anyone else knew that nightmare visits this place? No that is too much of a risk. Ccino wants this place to stay fully neutral and give his friend the ability to return here if he needs it.

Ccino shrugs "nope. never met him." ccino had gotten pretty good at lying.

sans just stares at him.

ccino just stares back. don't continue speaking. showing nerves can be a sign he is lying, which he very mcuh is, and he is trying to not get caught.

sans sighs "shame. i bet he would have liked the support."

ccino frowns and stares at sans "why do you say that? he had his whole gang right?"

sans looks a bit smugger and shrugs "still. he worked with those right? Must have sucked to be trying to fix soemthing for the good of the whole multiverse and yet have everyone curse you out and want you gone."

Ccino frowns and rubs his arm "yeah..." he imagined that before. there is a very good reason he was always excited to have nightmare visit. to have him take a seat and just drink and eat as the cats grew brave enough to attack the tendrils.

eventually nightmare would bring a book with him to read. and the few times ccino caught him having fallen asleep in the reading chair with multiple cats all over him.

yeah...

ccino has no doubt it was terrible for him.

sans nods and ccino shoots out of his thinking. fuck what could the other have seen on his face.

Sans stretches "anyway. i should head home. nice to meet you ccino." he waves and walks towards the door.

Ccino watches the other exit. he pulls up a hood and takes a sideways step through a portal that just opens for him.

weird.

Ccino frowns as he suddenly realises he never introduced himself. both himself and his guest. yet his guest did know his name.

Maybe he heard it from others or-

Ccino looks down as his hand suddenly touches somethign. a letter and a bunch of gold coins.

Ccino counts out the coins first and notices it is enough to cover a coffee and little pastry. yet the other never ordered anything?

next he grabs the letter. it is closed with a little seal with a crescent moon on it. He opens the letter and freezes.

Hello. there is someone who would like to talk to you and we think you would also like to talk to him. If you are open to speaking with him. Make sure your shop is closed for the public tomorrow. make sure the curtains are closed. In short? Do what you would normally do if NM visited you. Just make sure to do it over a whole day. If tomorrow this isn't done? We will assume you have no interest and move on. If anyone is there who shouldn't be or if you tell anyone about this? We will move on and assume you have no real interest. See you tomorrow Ccino.

At the end a small crescent moon image again.

Ccino feels his soul and head spin before he rushes to his printer and snatches a paper. he quickly writes down that for personaly reasons the store will be closed for the next day, and he makes sure to mark it with the actual date as well.

He puts it on the window of the door before rushing back to the counter and rereading the letter.

This could be a trap. He should contact the stars.

But honestly? He just wants to hope this is exactly as it says it is. He just really wants to see his friend again.

--

Hello Journal.

I am still getting used to writing in this but today was a good day and I had some big feelings again. And Dusty did say it helps to write those down.

The feeling didn't happen today but a few days ago. We were outside relaxing in the nice sunlight as we took our times to check the grapes. Oh I was with Ror that day.

Anyway. Suddenly Killer came running over looking very happy. Aparently the multiverse had decided that with how inactive i had become I probably died. So they declared me dead.

I didn't even know Killer went out into the multiverse still. I don't like that, I am afraid he will get in trouble but aparently that isn't something i have to worry about anymore.

When I first heard the news? I was happy. It was such a relieve. People will really leave me alone. For real this time.

The others were happy as well, I could tell! Cross cheered and picked me up to hug me while Horror sighed in pure relieve. Dust had nodded and offered we could celebrate by going to the tavern and enjoying our night there.

Then... I got sad all of the sudden. It confused me. Why would i be sad? Everyone would think i was gone. everyone would really leave me and my dads alone.

So why would I be sad? I wasn't even sure why and my dads didn't either. They thought it was about Dream and well... Dream always brings up complicated emotions but this was different.

Then I finally remembered. I remembered one of the few universes i liked to visit myself. It kinda felt like i got busted? When I told them about Ccino and his cafe. The spot i could just be for a while. Just exist without anythign important. kinda like a self imposed time out.

I hated that i told them. I sounded so ungrateful! Like i still wanted more. So i told them it was fine and i know why we are hiding. It is straight up for me after all. to keep me safe because i am weak and useless and-

No. Cross said not to let those thoughts run free. There. crossed out. much better.

Anyway... yeah.. I felt bad about it but they said they would look into it. Like they do when we plan to visit Dreamtale for the graves.

Well, that is it for now. I am still not sure how to sign these off... so... bye i guess? Until the next part. - NM

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[neutron-stars-collision]

The Art of Inversion

Neil x Reader

Chapter 18 - Holy Ghost

Masterlist; Chapter 17

Summary: First few days in Tallinn are like a calm before the storm, while you and Neil are getting used your new dynamic. It proves to be rather surprising...

Warnings: 18+ (yep, she did it again because these two wanted to); swearing.

Author’s Notes: So ummm... I’m not sure what happened here and you’ll be the judges of that. All I can say is that I’ve been inspired by the skewed tie and that Tallinn will take at least two more chapters because they keep getting distracted. Hope you’ll enjoy! Feedback is always welcome as I’m not sure what I’m doing...🙈

The lovely edit has been provided by my amazing and talented friend @sh3tani​ (thanks for putting up with my bs 💕)

Despite technically being a Tenet agent for a while, the dramatic changes of pace in your life never failed to amaze you. After that careless morning in London, mere hours later you got the text from TP, sending you and the Cavalry to Tallinn. Minutes afterwards, Neil burst into your room saying that the younger TP called, giving him directions to run a few lab tests and then to meet him in the capital of Estonia, as well. Neither of you had any clues as to why but then that was rather expected. 

That is how you found yourself in a safe house in the suburbs of Tallinn. For security and convenience, you have joined Ives’s squad there while Neil booked a hotel room nearby to keep up the appearances before TP. For the first few days, the boss has not yet arrived in the city, and therefore, as Neil put it, there was much more room to maneuver. Whatever that meant.

Estonian safe house was a relatively vast apartment on the ground floor of an old brick house. It had six bedrooms furnished with simple Ikea beds, bedside tables, and a small wardrobe. There was also one bathroom (hell of an inconvenience for nine people occupying the place) and a kitchen opening into a living room with sofas and tv. The space was nearly barren save for the objects needed to survive for however long you were bound to stay there. On the day of your arrival, Ives sent you and Wheeler to the shop for the supplies, reasoning being that apparently you two had most brain cells in the whole team. You enjoyed the possibility to charge your introvert batteries before days spent with eight people, of which only two you actually knew. With close to no information concerning the point of the mission, the days have been spent idly chatting, playing games, and watching television. In Estonian, naturally. For you, a crucial part of the survival became continuous reception and the ability to reach out to Neil when needed. Which was often and soon became a passing joke among the rest of the company. Once Henrik tried to steal your phone and ended up with a bread knife pressed against his neck, the innocent fun ended. That was on day two.

Luckily you got your own room, while the others were forced to share. This you owed to the fact that you were not part of the squad and hence had the right to privacy. It proved rather useful the day when unexpected company came. You were busy trying not to burn the scrambled eggs on a scratched-up pan, half humming a song you heard on the radio. Despite the early hour, everyone was up and either moving about or outside on a run. If there was anything you have learned from the experience so far, it was that Tenet soldiers started the day early and were shit at cooking. Eggs, instant noodles, and oven pizzas were the menu staples. Sighing, you picked up the only clean plate left when you heard a commotion in the hallway. Not long after, a voice called out:

“Y/N? You’ve got a visitor” you did not like the amused undertone in that information.

“Yeah…?” hesitantly, you stepped into the hallway.

The cheeky grin was quite the sight at 9 am.

“Good morning, sunshine” you resisted the urge to break the plate on Neil’s head.

At least he brought coffee.

“Hey,” warily you looked at Michael, who was loitering next to you, interested in the situation “Should we…?” looking at the door to your room, you met Neil’s gaze.

“Naturally” he smiled and followed you in.

Only once you closed the door behind you both, blocking out the curious stares, you breathed out the air you did not know you were holding. You set the plate on the bedside table and grinned as Neil carelessly threw himself onto your bed.

“Thought I’ll get a kiss or something for all that awkwardness out there” you commented, eyeing the man sprawled on your mattress.

Briefly, you marvelled at how you have managed to become this comfortable with each other. But then almost having sex was bound to count for something. Supposedly.

“You will if you come here” Neil raised his head and extended a hand in an invitation.

Mournfully you glanced at your abandoned breakfast and crossed the space, intertwining your fingers with his. You were not surprised when Neil pulled you down onto the bed, only just managing not to lie on him. Feigning disappointment, he huffed and leaned in, kissing you slowly. Deepening the kiss, you tangled your fingers in his hair, bringing him closer. With legs interlocked, half-lying on the narrow bed, it was all too real. In moments like this, it was easy to believe that maybe it was meant to be. Breaking up the kiss, you opened your eyes to stare at Neil. In the soft light coming through the opened shutters, you could clearly see the darker rims around his blue irises. In the morning, his eyes resembled the colour of an ocean. The long eyelashes framing the eyes and the eyebrows, furrowed in concentration, gazing back at you. Your eyes then landed on his parted mouth, the corners turned down slightly, and the shape of his lips. You wondered how someone this beautiful could choose you among all the people in the universe.

“Your breakfast and the coffee are getting cold” he murmured, breaking the comfortable silence.

“Do you want me to get up?” running your fingertips over his temple, you reveled in the intimacy of the moment.

Neil smiled and raised your joined hands to kiss your knuckles.

“Not really. I like having you this close so I can stare” he admitted with a sheepish grin.

“Same, actually,” you mirrored his expression, dragging fingers through the golden hair.

It seemed like your London evening full of important conversations gave you more confidence. Suddenly it was not that scary to share your thoughts and feelings with him because there was a chance he will understand. Or at least not ridicule you. As though Neil was reading your mind, he asked:

“What are you thinking about?” you could tell he was genuinely interested.

That was enough to make you feel a surge of feelings towards him. Maybe it won’t hurt to say something… Taking a deep breath, you warned:

“Just don’t laugh,”

“I’ll do my best” Neil bopped your nose quickly, making your brain short-circuit for a second.

What even. Focusing all your attention on him, your eyes wandered over his face. Resting on all the features that made him the man you loved.

“Sometimes I just can’t get over how beautiful you are… like a bloody masterpiece” you cupped his cheek “And I’ve no clue why you’re so fixed on me” sighing dejectedly, you awaited a response.

If the slightly widened eyes were any clue, he was surprised by your admission.

“That was probably the best compliment I’ve ever gotten” Neil stumbled over the sentence.

So, it was worth saying. For another time, you left the discussion on how that could even be true.

“Have you seen yourself though? How could I not be fixed on you?” it was Neil’s turn to cup your cheek, making you blush.

The pure confidence in his eyes was too much to bear at the moment. Sitting up, you kicked him lightly, enjoying the affronted look.

“Now you’re being ridiculous” you moved to stand up, but Neil took hold of your waist, sitting up as well.

You were too close again, noses brushing. It was easy to lean in and kiss him. Only when you did, a knock resounded in the room. Fucking hell.

“Can I come in?” the cockney accent was a giveaway “I bloody hope you two aren’t getting up to stuff”

Despite yourself, you giggled with your lips still brushing over Neil’s, making him sigh. For a millisecond, he tightened his grip over your waist and then let go and moved an inch away. You looked at him for permission before calling out:

“Be our guest”

In an attempt to look as casual as it was possible, you grabbed the plate with your cold eggs and passed Neil his coffee. Sitting back down on the bed, you pasted a neutral smile onto your face. As if that would divert anyone’s attention from your tangled hair and Neil’s flushed cheeks. Ives opened the door and scrutinized you both quickly, not missing how you frowned upon the first bite of your breakfast. Then he gave Neil a quick pat on the back:

“Good to see you, mate” he perched on the windowsill for the lack of any other furniture “I was hoping you’d at least come to say hi” he gave you both a knowing glance.

Cursing your own inability to say no to Neil, you grudgingly finished the eggs and took another sip of the lukewarm coffee. Next time, food first, then kissing. No matter how irresistible the bastard might be.

“I was planning to, only…” the bastard in question shrugged before glancing at you shortly.

“Oh, I know. Priorities and all that” Ives smirked upon your deepening blush “I get it, believe me. Plus, seeing how often Y/N is glued to her phone, I reckon you two are doing good” he winked.

Sensing Neil’s growing discomfort, you shot back:

“Don’t talk about me as though I wasn’t here” it was hard to look threatening when staring at someone like Ives, but you did your best.

“Or?” he arched his eyebrow amusedly.

“I’ll shoot you��

The sudden tense silence got interrupted by Neil breaking into a laugh, collapsing against you. So much for pretending you could keep away from each other. Once he calmed down, he rested his head on your shoulder and said:

“And that’s why I like you”

You did not know it was possible to blush even more. And yet. Even though what he said was hardly a surprise, he never mentioned anything like that with others present. Before you could come up with any response, Ives commented:

“Aren’t you two cute, eh?”

Lord give me strength…  

“Ives” you warned, reaching for the gun you always kept in the drawer by the bed.

He laughed and raised his hands in defence.

“Okay, I’ll stop now” he glanced at Neil, who was comfortable enough, still leaning on you “Has he given you any more clues?”

You relaxed once the conversation steered onto more professional tracks.

“Not really. I ran the analysis on the gold bar he sent, and well, there’s literally nothing concrete there” Neil shrugged, “But I think it has something to do with the plutonium piece that went missing back in Kiev” he added.

“Is that part of the Algorithm?” you asked.

The topic has not really come up since your first conversation with TP in Boston, but from the information you got from Neil and others in the organisation, it seemed like the pieces were set in motion. In the Kiev Opera, another part of the compound has been lost. Maybe its purpose was to resurface in Tallinn so that you could take over.

“Yeah” Neil confirmed your suspicions with a curt nod.

“How… how do you know about this?” it was Ives’ turn to be confused, looking at you with palpable shock in his eyes.

Right… Sometimes it was hard to keep track of who knew what and why. And that was one of such moments. Straightening your back, you explained:

“TP told me. Apparently, I’ll have a role to play hence why I’m being dragged into this” glancing at Neil, who all of sudden looked rather sombre, you added, “Not only because of this idiot” giving in to the temptation, you ruffled his hair.

“…thanks” pouting, Neil moved away.

“Welcome” 

*** You have left the apartment and quickly checked the maps again. Neil set your meeting for a rather obscure park square in the downtown area of the city since that was where he was supposed to meet TP later. At first, you wanted to refuse, to tell him that it was risky to go for a walk with the boss nearby. But then, you knew there was not much point in saying no to something that tempting. It was enough that you might not be able to spend time together at all the next few days.

Just when you were sure you have gotten lost in the greyness of the apartment blocks and identical streets, you spotted him waiting on the bench. The icy wind was ruffling his hair as Neil stared at the pavement, unaware of your attention. You smiled at the sight of his brown and green outfit and those strange shoes; you have seen the brogues before in Oslo. Now that was something worth a call out later. Ending the scrutiny, you approached him and, as a means of greeting, brushed the hair away from his forehead. That worked, as it always did. The blue eyes snapped up to meet yours:

“Hello” you offered him a small smile.

“Tere, kallis” the grin combined with the strange words he uttered made you frown.

“I hope that was something appropriate”

He took your hand in his and pulled you down onto his lap. The happy sparks in his eyes were almost enough to make you ignore the cold and the embarrassment of the situation.

“I thought you said we’re going for a walk” forcing a stern tone was difficult with how Neil gently cupped your flushed cheek.

“That we are. But first, I wanted to get you up close and personal” he brushed his nose against yours tenderly.

“I see…” with the corner of your eye you could see an older woman observing you from the nearby bench.

With a start, you realised how very much alike a couple you must look to any passerby. Sitting on Neil’s lap, with his arm securing you around the waist and your faces inches away, there were no questions about the nature of your relationship. But, somehow, that was okay. A stronger gust of wind made you shiver, which he noticed straight away and pulled you even closer, your lips nearly touching. The blue of his irises and the depth of focus in them made you gasp. It was always like this with him, as though you were the only person in the universe that mattered.

“We’ll get going now, only…” Neil met your gaze with a silent question.

You nodded. He could do anything he wanted anyway. He met your lips in a slow kiss, relishing in the feeling for at least half a minute. You placed your hand on the back of his neck to bring him a little closer, suddenly grateful for the position he put you in. Then, just as the kiss threatened to get more heated, Neil broke the contact and leaned back, taking in your dazed expression. He always knew how to get to you.

“Now we can go” he smirked, and you had no choice but to slide off his lap.

As soon as you were both standing, Neil grabbed your hand again and intertwined your fingers. As usual. It did seem like neither of you wanted to pretend today, and instead letting yourselves explore the ‘not-quite relationship’ you got into. For once, the voices in your head were silent, seemingly agreeing to the new developments. You did wonder how long that was bound to last.

“Ives says hi, by the way,” you broke the silence, looking around the cityscape.

This part of Tallinn certainly was not as picturesque as the city centre, but it had to do. After all, your sole focus was Neil. Not much else mattered when you were together. If that did not confirm your feelings, then god knows what did. Sighing, you turned to look at the man in question.

“You told him we’re meeting up?” he asked with a slight crease between his eyebrows.

Confusion, then.

“No. I just said that I’m going out for a walk, and he told me to say hi to you” laughing at the idiocy of the moment you brushed your thumb over his knuckles.

In response, you got the signature Neil grin that was the beginning of your downfall all those months previously. Despite the absolute horror you felt during the initial conversation with Ives, now it was somehow less terrifying.

“Ah, I see” his tongue clicked thoughtfully, only making you laugh harder.

It was difficult to get the next sentence out.

“He also added that he’s surprised he’s not yet caught you sneaking out of my room at night”

The small snorting sound Neil let out made you want to kiss him right there, in the middle of the busy street.

“Why do I feel like he wants it to happen” he glanced at you quickly with an amused expression.

“Maybe it’s his thing” you retorted, savoring the laugh it prompted from your companion.

After that first morning in the safehouse, you have both decided to try and keep away from any rash actions or decisions while in Estonia. You certainly had enough of interruptions, and with the team sharing the space, it was all too precarious. Hence you have been meeting up outside, for strolls or lunch, talking about everything and nothing. Only now, that TP was around, it was bound to change, and you expected that this might be the last of those stolen moments.

“I’m sorry that we had to meet around here today” Neil interrupted your slightly melancholic thoughts “I wanted to take you out somewhere again, but he called, and I think it will be on soon” he lowered his voice to a slightly conspicuous tone, making you smile.

“It’s okay, at least that means I’ll know why the fuck am I even here” shrugging, you looked around at the shops you have passed by.

“For me?” Neil batted his eyelashes innocently while tightening his hold over your hand.

“Apart from that” this time you allowed him honesty “Don’t you ever get tired though? Of me?” the self-sabotaging voice contributed a question.

It was too late to take it back. But the way Neil looked at you then, with disbelief and fondness, was enough to excuse the moment on insecurity.

He stopped walking, making you freeze despite the streams of people going in both directions. You were like an island amidst a fast-flowing river. Neil forced you to meet his gaze by tilting your chin upwards. There was nothing playful in his eyes, just sincerity and love. And determination.

“Do you need me to remind you why that’s impossible?” you did not know when did his voice become so husky.

“Maybe” biting your lip, you searched his face, fascinated and curious.

Neil glanced at the teeth nibbling on your lower lip, and his tongue darted out, seemingly on reflex. Oh. When his eyes met yours again, you could see a hint of a new emotion there. He was hesitating for approximately 10 seconds before he started leading you again with purpose. Before you could ask a single question, he turned sharply into a non-descript alley between two crumbling buildings. It was empty save for a few pieces of trash lying around and a rusted door at the other end, with a metal padlock and a heavy chain. But your quick scan of the environment got interrupted by Neil wrapping his arm around your waist and pushing you at one of the walls. Just before your head could hit the bricks, he cradled the back of it, providing a safeguard. Ever so thoughtful. Wide-eyed, you glanced up at him to gauge the intention. The darkness and resolve you found were enough of an indicator.

“The walk will have to wait” he spoke before crashing his lips against yours.

The instinct kicked in instantaneously, making you respond by bringing him closer with your hand taking hold of his tie. Kissing Neil was like a fix for an addiction you did not want to fight against. No matter how urgent it was, you could always find a tempo that suited you both, neither fighting for dominance. It was like a dance where both were willing to lead and follow. Neil bit into your lower lip, drawing blood, tinting the kiss with that coppery taste. Fuck. You gasped into his mouth, shivering when his tongue ran along the split, licking off the droplets. It was enough to make you want more. As a payback, you caught his upper lip with your teeth, tugging at it lightly to remind him of the potential. But only when you pulled on his tie sharply, making Neil almost collapse against you, he broke the kiss with a groan. His eyes were hazed with lust, making you lightheaded the more you kept on gazing. The bloody shade of red on his lips made your pulse quicken. You still kept the hold on his patterned tie, making sure he was within your reach. His tongue darted out and licked off the remains of blood. That was a good cue to sober up. You released his tie and placed your hand over his heart, relishing in the way he was looking at you, as though you were a sight he could never have enough of.

“Huh…” you broke the silence and glanced at the entryway to the alley.

Thankfully no spectators.

“Is this all you’re going to say?” Neil’s perplexed facial expression made you laugh.

Sometimes it was fascinating to see him that disoriented after a kiss. Because it was a clear sign that not only you were affected by everything that transpired. Another reason to believe that maybe the feeling was mutual. Calming down, you started toying with his shirt collar. Even though heated kisses in dirty alleys were never your kind of thing, with Neil that too was exciting. And something you wanted to repeat.

“I mean… this is rather nice” you met his confused gaze and added, “Being with you like this”

Coherence for more complex sentences was nowhere to be found.

“I’m glad because I wanted that last hour of normalcy before we go back to the usual” Neil staggered over the sentence as well, making your heart stumble with fondness.

Pouring the feeling into your gaze, you grinned at him, running your hands over his shirt and lapels. You knew exactly what he meant. But still, with tongue poking out, you noticed:

“That sentence didn’t make sense, and yet I agree” the way his eyes darted onto your lips was enough to cause a resurgence amidst the butterflies.

Neil leaned in again, eager for another kiss. But you had other ideas, struck with the courage to tease him a little. You dropped your head and kicked him in the foot lightly. Just enough to bring his attention onto the subject of your scrutiny.

“The hell are those shoes though” you smirked upon his utterly lost gaze.

“What? You don’t like them?” the slight pout only made your grin wider.

With the hair in disarray, reddened cheeks, and pink lips, he was more than a sight to behold. And all that because of you. Wow.

“They look a little like you wanted to channel Pennywise or something” you laughed at his blank stare “Remind me to go through your wardrobe one day because you’re selling yourself short with those fashion choices” to emphasize the point you tugged on his tie again and frowned.

But it seemed like Neil managed to recover enough. He placed both of his hands on the wall, blocking your way out. The well-known smirk came back too. You had a feeling that you were about to lose this one battle.

“And yet here you are” he practically purred with a hungry look in his eyes.

You swallowed. Whenever he got like this, showing how much he wanted you, it was hard to think. Raking your head for a response, you settled on honesty again.

“That’s because I admire your soul” eyeing him intently, you added “And hair”

You tugged on the golden strands, making him whine in frustration. Good.

“And eyes” he met your gaze purposefully, a hint of a knowing smile on his face.

Of course, he’d know.

“Yeah” you raised your head.

A challenge he took without hesitation. Neil reached for the scarf wrapped around your neck and loosened it just enough to have access. Before you could do as much as exhale, his lips were on your neck and throat, attacking all the spots that were bound to make you gasp and search for something to hold on to. Cursing, you closed your eyes, letting yourself block everything that was not Neil and his touch. Soon his hands joined in with the exploration, brushing over your body, slipping inside the opened coat and underneath your blouse. Any resistance you might have had was slowly breaking. Blindly, you found his tie again and started to work on undoing the knot with shaking hands. Once you loosened it and undid the first three buttons, you slipped your hand underneath his shirt. You did not even know what you wanted to do. He was there, yours and in reach. That was enough to cause urgency. But any intent you might have had disappeared when Neil finished his study with a harsh bite over your collarbone.

“Jesus Christ…” you huffed and pulled him closer with a finger around his belt loop.

As his hips met yours, he raised his head and met your gaze shamelessly. Nothing but want and adoration. A sudden commotion on the street helped you remember the surroundings. Sighing, you pieced together a sentence:

“This is rather risky, don’t you think?” if anything, the unconscious way in which you bumped your hips against his again was a contradiction to the statement.

Your head was a mess. On one hand, wanting nothing but Neil, right here and now. On the other, doing anything like this in an alley spoke against the last bits of the reason you tried to preserve.

“Yes, but I quite enjoy the thrill” Neil brushed his hand over your stomach and smiled devilishly.

If your experience was anything to go by, and the way it felt when his crotch brushed over your hip, he too was rather invested. That thought gave you some needed courage to respond.

“You like being caught? Then I’m surprised you were so unsatisfied in Oslo” the cheeky smile and a quick touch of your hand over the front of his pants did it.

Neil swallowed hard and took additional few seconds to find words.

“More than being caught I like you. And everything we do... or could do” experimentally, he traced his finger along the line of your belt.

The goosebumps and rising tension within your core were good enough clues towards your feelings on the matter.

“Like what?” the breathlessness of your voice made you frown.

“Like this” in one swift motion, Neil undid the buckle.

Shit. That was enough to raise concern. You wanted him, urgently, but…

“Neil... do you seriously think fucking in an alley is a good idea?” you did know where that word came from, but it was pretty spot on.

“First of all, we’re not fucking. This isn’t that primal” for some reason the way he pronounced it only made matters worse, as did that smirk “Unless one day you feel like it and-” oh hell.

You placed one hand over his mouth, shutting him up, the other ventured into the pocket of your coat, where you always had the small hunting knife hidden.

“I’m going to stab you. Here they won’t find you for days” aiming for a threatening tone, you raised the hand from his mouth.

But not before he somehow managed to kiss your fingers. His eyes were dark, determined to make you break any internal rules you could have.

“Wow, you really have it bad for me” Neil whispered, getting ever closer, ignoring your threats.

Too lost in the strange conversation you have not even realised when he managed to unzip your jeans. Only once you felt his hand slipping between your thighs, you huffed with frustration. Thinking on reasons against letting him do it was getting increasingly harder.

“Neil” was the only warning you could manage.

All thoughts disappeared when he palmed you through the underwear. Searching for support, you put your hands on his shoulders.

“I just want to check if you’re still interested... still so eager,” the satisfied grin told you that it felt just as bad as you expected.

Like this, with him having direct access to check what was working for you, there was nowhere to hide. Once again, he managed to bring you to such a state with worrying ease. His whole body was pressing against yours, with one hand teasing you through the thin layer of clothing. The other has somehow managed to wrap around your throat. Not strong enough to apply pressure, but at the same time making you face him. And increasing the need you felt.

“You’re a bastard” the insult got muddled by the longing you could not hide from your gaze.

Neil caught it, grinning mischievously. The game was on.

“Well... it takes two and all that” he feigned nonchalance, arching an eyebrow.

You knew full well what he was implying. You could practically feel how drenched with arousal you were. Your underwear was wet to touch, thighs clenching around Neil’s hand. That was his cue to keep your legs parted by inserting his knee between them. Here we go again. You wanted him to do something. Anything. But he was resolved to keep you waiting, thinking about all the different ways to make the situation even more unbearable for you. To make you beg for whatever he was willing to give. Your futile attempt to grind on his thigh got stopped with a stronger grip around your throat and a glimpse of something darker in his eyes. You had enough.

“Why are you doing this?” the hoarse tone of your voice was rather shameful.

“Because I know that you actually enjoy it” Neil shrugged and met your gaze with playful sparks in the blue eyes.

You did not want to know how obvious it must have been for him. Then, he slowly stroked you there, earning a muffled curse.

“I would if you finished it for once” you breathed, letting the frustration take over.

The ache between your legs was nearly driving you over the edge now. It was too much. Neil was too close, and yet not close enough.

“I’m giving you food for thought, so to speak” he murmured.

His hand moved; thumb tentatively hooked around the hem of your panties. An offer to take it a step further any second now.

“That you are” you met his gaze defiantly.

If he was so determined to make you suffer, you might as well give him what he wanted.

“Have you been... dreaming about this?” Neil glanced down at where his fingers were getting closer to where you needed him most.

As though he needed to ask. Of course, you have thought about this scenario before. And many others too. After all, you had to somehow deal with those countless times when his pure existence frustrated you in every meaning of the word.

“Mhmm” you hummed, hoping that will be enough of a response.

The smirk was a reward.

“Good”

Unable to withstand the tension any longer, you kissed him hungrily, taking everything you could have. Soon enough, you were both gasping for breath, yet you did not want to let go. Biting, sucking, and nibbling on every part of his mouth available, he was your drug. With his hand still in a loose chokehold and the other so close to your pulsating core, Neil became the sole reason for your existence. Your knees buckled when he sharply tugged at your panties and touched you without the barrier of the undergarment. You broke the kiss and met his wild gaze, both shocked by the sheer pull between you. Only once he drew a finger between your folds, collecting some of the wetness, the moment got interrupted by Neil’s raspy chuckle.

“It’s quite flattering to see you like this and all because of me” you were not sure if you wanted to slap him or kiss him.

But then that was a usual thing with Neil.

“Just don’t get cocky…” it was hard to put together a string of words.

“Or?” his thumb touched your clit, and you hissed sharply “I already know how I’m making you feel”

To prove a point, he drew another gasp from you by starting a circular stimulation of the sensitive nub. You whimpered, suddenly aware of what a sight you must be for him. Utterly ruined because of kisses, touches, and words. You hated being at anyone’s mercy like this.

“Neil…” a weak plea made him meet your gaze “Please just…” helplessly, you tried to convey everything through the expression in your eyes.

He searched your face before letting go of your throat and instead cupping your cheek tenderly. The juxtaposition was enough to make your head spin.

“What do you want?” it was that question again.

Simple and yet not at all. Awaiting the response, Neil stopped all the movement, increasing your frustration and need. You knew that there was no way you could ever walk away from this as though nothing happened. You might as well have some relief.

“Help me before I lose my fucking mind” you breathed out, expecting the smug smile.

Instead, you got the most sickening grin you have ever seen on his face. But combined with the adoration in his eyes, you knew it was exactly what he wanted to hear from you.

“With pleasure” the words rolled off his tongue, and before you could prepare, he went back to stimulating your clit.

Your head almost slammed onto the wall behind when he picked up the pace. Even though you both knew that you hardly needed any additional preparation, Neil took his time, never taking his gaze off you. At the edges of your consciousness, you could feel the rising shame that was bound to consume you later. After all, this was the second time that you have asked him to help you like this. Surely, he would soon get tired of having to deal with your issues and never getting anything in return. But before you could follow that train of thought, Neil inserted a finger, and an unwanted cry rose in your throat.

“Jesus…” to stop yourself from being too vocal, you bit down harshly on your lip, bursting the barely sealed cut.

But Neil tilted your chin, meeting your gaze again.

“No need for that” he caught your lips in a short kiss “Don’t hold back”

Readjusting your hold on one of his shoulders, with the other hand you tugged on the tie you have messed up earlier. He took that as a cue to insert another digit. Too much.

“Christ, Neil” the breathless tone was a revelation even to you “You’re…” unable to finish the sentence, you moaned quietly.

Neil had no issues finding the perfect spot again, making you squirm and roll your hips, grinding down on that conveniently placed thigh. He thought of everything, it seemed. You did wonder how many times before he brought people to their downfall with those hands alone. But then, you would be lying if you would not admit that he had rather nice hands. And that you have not thought about this before Oslo.

“Glad it’s working, love” he commented upon a louder gasp from you.

For some reason, the nickname acted like a trigger. Feeling a surge of frustration, you bucked your hips against his, needing more.

“Don’t call me that” you spit the words out, relishing in the look of surprise in his eyes.

But he only needed a moment to shake it off before picking up the pace and curling his fingers inside you. Now it was close.

“What then?” Neil searched your eyes intently as though he was doing anything else but taking you apart with his two fingers and a thumb.

In response, you could only shudder, feeling your muscles tense in the anticipation of the near end.

“My love?” the proposition broke through the haze overwhelming your mind.

My god. Only with him, those two simple words could cause such an onslaught of feelings. There was something so achingly tender in his gaze that no matter the situation, your heart was set ablaze. He looked as though he was relieved to finally use those words. Suddenly, it was not just Neil lending you a helping hand in an hour of need. It was an act of love, further cementing your status as lovers. You were not sure whether it was that realization or what Neil has been doing to you that made the world explode before your eyes. Perhaps it was both. You only managed to breathe out a warning in the form of his name, but he understood.

“Look at me. I want to see what I did to you” he angled your chin again so you were forced to meet his gaze “So that I can remember this later” the husky whisper was the ultimate push over the edge.

Oh christ. You gripped his shoulder tightly and undid the tie, making it fall to the ground. Neil did not even notice, staring at you mesmerized. With the last bits of sanity, you took hold of his neck, bringing him close. The wave of pleasure made you tense up like a bowstring before you came with a shudder and a cry.

“Neil…” you got struck by the hope you saw in his eyes.

This time nothing was stopping you. No lips on yours to take over the words that were slowly choking you. The high he gave you took away all the inhibitions and worries. Neil was there, with you, a solid presence beneath your fingertips and an anchor to keep you from getting lost in your head. And that was enough.

“I love you” the three words were easy to utter for something you struggled to keep inside that long.

In response, Neil smiled and pressed his forehead against yours tenderly. The darkness in his eyes made way for pure happiness and conviction. Maybe this time it wasn’t a mistake.

“I know” he whispered and covered your lips in a sweet kiss.

Now that you were not holding back anything kissing Neil felt like absolution. You were never particularly religious, but he could be your eternal salvation, for the body and the soul. The only person you ever needed that much. 

Breaking the kiss with a sigh, Neil took a step back and retracted the hand that was still stroking your navel. You watched with a slight surprise as he glanced at a watch.

“Are you in a rush?” with cheeks burning, you took out a tissue and passed it to him.

He took it with a curt nod and cleaned his hand. As you observed him like that, with messed up hair, unbuttoned collar, and slightly flushed cheeks, the reality of the situation started dawning on you. Not only have you allowed Neil to finger you in a dirty alley, but also you have confessed your feelings in the heat of the moment. And yet, he was still there…

“Unfortunately, yes, the meeting is in ten, and I still have to get there” Neil picked up the tie from the ground and brushed off the dirt “Trust me, I’d love to continue with this…” carelessly he tied the knot and took a step closer again “But we should leave something for the future too” with playful sparks in his eyes he brushed the hair away from your eyes.

Oh my god.

“Can’t you for once… not do this” sighing heavily, you focused on readjusting the underwear and zipping up your pants.

Everything was better than looking into those blue eyes.

“Where would be the fun in that” Neil buckled your belt, just as quickly as he undid it previously “I must admit that after this, I’m curious to see how you’ll react once I do it properly one day… with my mouth and then…” he trailed off, fingers brushing over your stomach once again.

“Neil… don’t” using your own power, you brushed your hips over his “Or you won’t make it to that meeting” you glanced at his crotch knowingly.

“As tempting as that is… I’d rather not disappoint TP” with a final caress of your side, he took a step back again “Don’t worry about me though. I’ll deal with this later” he adjusted the trousers slightly “I’m used to it” the hint of a smile was enough to help you understand.

You gaped. It was hard to think straight again. Surely…not? Right?

“You- what? Because of me?” you stuttered, bewildered and perplexed.

“Yes, absolutely” Neil shrugged and attempted to smooth his hair “Pretty often, but then you’re quite the inspiration, my love” he winked, enjoying your sudden paralysis.

Now that sort of image was bound to keep you up at night. For some reason, you never thought that he would think about you like that, always assuming there were better fantasies to use in need. But maybe… maybe he had it just as bad as you did.

“I have to run” Neil kissed you on the cheek, bringing your mind back to the present moment.

“Does this… change anything?” you met his gaze, hoping he will catch on to the meaning.

“No, not at all” the soft smile contrasted the recent conversation tone “I’ll text you later”

“You better” you mirrored his smile, watching him disappear in the crowd.

Wow… Now that was an interesting walk. Sighing, you rested your head against the brick wall for a few minutes longer, trying to level your breathing.

*** You were not given much break from Neil that day. To clear your head, you went for a walk around the city centre, visiting curious shops, and spending time in a cosy café. Just anything that did not have to do with the blonde bastard was good enough to shut up your rebelling brain. After all, now he knew everything, and that was a dangerous situation. You did your best to ignore your phone for most of the day however when it buzzed on your way back to the apartment it was hard to resist checking. He did text just as promised:

“Did you miss me?” and then “I’ll have some news for you all later”

Maybe things, in fact, have not changed…

“Maybe a little” smiling, you keyed in the code to the door.

Inside, you quickly settled on the sofa with some indulgent crisps, about to tune into the team’s favourite Estonian soap ‘Õnne 13’, which you all watched every evening. It was terribly boring (especially when one did not understand a single word), and yet after a few days, you wanted nothing but to know what Alma will have for dinner that night. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

The latest dose of drama from the shithole called Morna got interrupted by your phone ringing. Neil, of course. Ignoring the offended stares from the other eight people in the room, you picked up the phone:

“Hey”

“Evening, my love” you could hear how happy he was to use those words.

Your heart summersaulted, making you exhale.

“I like the sound of that” grinning you walked out into the corridor to hide from the curious looks.

“Me too. Is everyone there with you?” jumping straight into the business was probably good for you both.

“Yeah. You’ve interrupted our shitty soap” at your adjective, a choir of outraged voices rose in the living room.

“My bad. Can you put me on the speaker? I could give you a run over the plan”

“Of course,” you motioned for everyone to gather around the table and put your phone in the middle “You’re on”

“Okay, so basically TP wants to take over the plutonium piece that is being transported through Tallinn in three days on its way to a nuclear depot in Italy. The point is not to let it get into Sator’s hands who thinks we’re cooperating with him”

“How will it be transported?” Ives propped his chin on his hand, listening intently.

“Reinforced truck with police escort front and back. Tracked via GPS” leaning back in the chair, you listened to Neil’s voice “Any unplanned stop or different turn and in come the reinforcements”

“What’s his plan then?”

“I believe he wants to take it out on the move with the use of a fire truck. Among others”

The hint of a smile in that sentence made you comment:

“So, you’re not the only crazy one around” earning a few amused grins from the people around, you briefly felt victorious.

Briefly.

“Something tells me you’re into that. Judging by what you let me do to you in that alley”

Fuck. A sharp gasp you let out made everyone turn to look at you. Gripping the edge of the table, you wanted nothing but to disappear. Or die. All the blood drained from your face as you stammered.

“Neil- you-” there was not enough air in the room “I-”

Wheeler shot you a worried look after you let out a small choking sound and spoke:

“Anyway…  why are we needed?” the professional tone made everyone turn their attention back to the mission.

You had to thank her later for saving your dignity. And life.

“To be on hand if things get dirty. I’ll send you the brief now it lists the details of his plan” Neil resumed the topic as though nothing happened “Tomorrow, I’ll call to let you know what exactly I need. That’s it for tonight, enjoy your evening”

Before anyone could make a move, you snatched your phone from the table and muttered:

“You’re dead”

You ended the call and stormed off to your room, slamming the doors. You could not believe his audacity to say something like that with everyone on the receiving end. The bastard ought to pay for that. Unable to calm down, with hands shaking violently and your head in absolute disarray, you grabbed the coat and made beeline for the exit out of the flat. It was pretty late for a solitary walk, but you hardly had anything to lose. Before you could make a swift exit, Ives’ stopped you with a hand on the arm. You met his gaze with impatience:

“So… how was the alley?” while he kept his face straight, the amused tone was there.

Bloody men.

“Fuck off” you shook off his hand and opened the door “I’m going out, and hopefully I’ll get killed. Don’t wait up”

Before you slammed the door in his face, you heard the parting words:

“Have fun”

The cold Estonian breeze was a welcomed sensation for your tired and thoroughly pissed off mind. You put up the hood of your coat and wandered off into the night.

*** Unfortunately, no one was willing to kill you. Around 1 am, you grudgingly made your way back to the apartment, relieved when no one was around to corner you. Once you were safe in your locked bedroom, you took out the phone for the first time in three hours. Unsurprisingly there were two missed calls and three texts from Neil, plus one message from Wheeler. She was checking whether you were still alive, which was a rather touching gesture, and so you replied to her first. Then, sighing heavily, you went through the texts from Neil:

“I’m sorry” then “But I wasn’t entirely wrong, was I?” and finally, “Are you alright?”

That son of a bitch…

“You’re so going to pay for this” you typed back and lied down on the bed. He was quick to reply, which meant he stayed up. Potentially waiting for you to reach out. Talking about confusing signals…

“I was hoping you’d say that” you groaned.

“After that disaster of a meeting, I went for a walk. Found a perfect spot for murder in cold-blood. You won’t even know what hit you”

Maybe that will do the job.

“You did. Only a lot earlier than you think”

It didn’t. Sighing, you cursed your inability to leave him on read.

“I’ve had enough of you today, g’night”

“I seriously doubt that, but good night, darling” and then “I hope your dreams will be as good as our little moment”

That surge of frustration was only made worse when you found a stray short blonde hair on your blouse while changing for bed. The idiot not only had your heart, but everything else too, it seemed.

[fiddlepickdouglas]

Viva Las Vegas, Pt. 3 - Bodega

Summary: Sunset Curve Alive AU, Willex, is it a date?, 2.7k

WARNINGS: cancer mention, lines in Spanish will have translations in the tags

@trevor-wilson-covington is the bestie who makes me these lovely edits, we stan supportive friends

Part 1, Part 2

Alex followed the gentle clack-clack-clack of the wheels eagerly, watching as Willie glided this way and that through the street. He shoved down the thought that his walk was only going to be a short one. After a few blocks, Willie slowed to a stop outside a bodega and waited for Alex to catch up before going inside.

“Hola, ese!” The guy behind the counter called as they entered.

Willie nodded and raised his eyebrows at him in greeting, lifting off his helmet and leaning his board against the wall of the counter. Immediately, an orange striped cat hopped up onto the surface with an excited little ‘prrrrp?’ and approached so Willie could pet him.

“Hey, Sheldon,” he said, massaging behind the cat’s ears as it rubbed its head aggressively against his shirt. Then, Sheldon sniffed Alex’s sleeve in curiosity as he stood timidly amid the unfamiliar.

“He’s friendly,” Willie assured. “Unless you’re allergic,” he added cautiously.

Alex smiled as he took the cat’s face in his hands, rubbing the sweet spots on his neck.

“No, good thing I’m not.” Sheldon was already purring, the sound soothing Alex’s slight shakiness. Willie smoothed the fur along his back.

“Have you been good today?” he asked in a baby voice.”You been treating Escobar right?” The cat meowed and rubbed against Willie’s chest.

“He caught two mice this morning,” The man, whom Alex assumed was Escobar, said. He was trying to wipe what looked like grease on his hands. “He’s happy because I gave him sardines.”

“Thanks, man,” Willie told him. “By the way, this is Alex.”

“Nice to meet you,” Alex said, realizing his hands had been gripping his fanny pack anxiously and loosening them.

“Good to meet you, Alex,” Escobar offered his wrist to shake, his hand being dirty. Alex shook it awkwardly and then Sheldon pushed his way in between and rubbed his head against his hand. Willie laughed.

“He seems to really like you,” he said.

“All I did was pet him,” Alex replied.

“Well, if Willie likes someone, the cat usually does, too,” Escobar informed him.

Alex smiled, unsure what to say to that.

“Que pasó con tu mano?” Escobar directed to Willie in concern, looking pointedly at his hand.

Willie only laughed and lifted the hand in question.

“Scrapes everyday,” was all he had to say.

The man only shook his head as he moved to put away the rag he’d been wiping his hands on.

“Te tienes que cuidarte mejor,” he said as he came back to the counter. “So what are we eating today?”

“We’ll see,” Willie said. He turned to Alex. “Do you want anything?”

He blinked, flustered.

“Are you - are you sure?” The words it’s not a date, it’s not a date, began repeating in his head incessantly. Right? A guy can buy another guy he just met food...after inviting him to follow him...on his way to get food….

“Yeah, I’ve got you covered,” Willie told him, moving over to a part of the counter where a sandwich menu was posted on top of it. Alex felt a bass drum going in his chest and tapped his toe to mimic it, hoping he could play it off as just taking time to decide.

“Take your time, amigos, I gotta wash my hands real quick,” Escobar said before disappearing.

“I don’t understand most of what he says,” Willie murmured so only Alex could hear. “But I get the general idea.”

He could only smirk in response. Perusing the menu, Alex quickly made a selection, still hesitant about accepting Willie’s offer. He stuck his hands in his pockets and looked around the bodega. He’d been to a few around L.A. but they all had their differences. This one was rather spacious, with some tables set up outside, and of course the sandwiches were an uncommon feature.

“So,” Willie started, grabbing his attention. “Do you often follow strangers through the city?”

Alex exhaled nervously, only then realizing what he’d just done.

“No,” he shook his head. Willie leaned on the counter, smirking. “No, this is kind of a first. Why, do you get followed a lot?”

Willie only bit his lip and shook his head. They chuckled together for a moment.

“I just come here every day during my lunch break,” Willie explained. “To check on Sheldon. Figured if you were game, you’d come.”

Alex looked at him in confusion.

“You explained none of that back there; you just nodded.”

“And yet….” Willie said, gesturing toward him. The unspoken truth hovered between them so potently Alex expected to receive a static shock.

“So...is Sheldon your cat?” he asked to diffuse the tension. Sheldon perked up at the sound of his name and pattered over to them.

“Yeah,” Willie responded as if he’d been distracted by his thoughts for a second. “I found him a few months ago and he was just really sick and weak and I couldn’t leave him like that, so Escobar was nice to let me keep him here since I can’t have him with me.”

“Why can’t you - ” Alex began before Escobar came back through, rubbing his newly cleaned hands.

“Okay, primos, we ready?” he asked.

“Yep!” Willie said, flashing a look to Alex that he’d answer him later. “Just the usual for me. You know what you want, Alex?”

“The, uh, chicken panini,” he said quickly. He glanced over at Willie again and got a tiny nod that yes, he was fine to get a sandwich. As Escobar got to work making them, they went over to the tables outside and sat down.

“I figured I could thank you a little bit, considering the generous tip I got this morning,” Willie said.

Alex swallowed, remembering how hard he had to convince the boys to leave a good deal of money so Willie could get into the show in the evening. It wasn’t until Bobby had made up something about getting more fans that got Luke and Reggie to agree. In retrospect, the count of bold decisions he was making that day was record-breaking.

“I wouldn’t have asked you to return a favor,” he said. “But I do appreciate the sandwich.” He felt Sheldon rub against his leg.and smiled as he looked down. “You weren’t kidding when you said he was friendly. This is the happiest cat I’ve ever met.”

Willie nodded. “He’s changed so much since we found him.”

He paused and just looked at Alex for a moment. 

“You don’t relax much, huh?” he wondered aloud in a soft manner.

Alex looked down at his hands once again keeping a death grip on the strap of his fanny pack, released them, and put them down in his lap.

“No better time to start than now, right?” he said, taking in a couple deep breaths. He couldn’t help it. One look at Willie made him feel like time fell from orbit - whatever that meant. His hands still needed something to do though, so he pulled out his drumsticks again and lightly tapped on the edge of the table. Willie bobbed his head to the rhythm, scrunching his nose.

After a few minutes, they heard Escobar call out and they went to collect their sandwiches. Willie glanced at the clock above them and grabbed his board.

“I don’t know how, but it’s already almost time to head back,” he said.

Alex hadn’t figured him to care about punctuality, but took his sandwich from Escobar, ready to follow Willie back toward the hotel. There was no chance he would find his way back alone. Escobar wagged a finger for him to come closer. Nervously, Alex leaned toward the counter.

“Tú tienes cara de fresa,” he said, to which Alex only blinked cluelessly. “Pero me caes bien.” The man simply nodded, smiling slightly. Alex looked between him and Willie, neither of them offering a translation.

“Th...thanks,” he stuttered. He leaned down and scratched Sheldon’s head to bid adieu.

“I’ll be back later for Sheldon,” Willie told Escobar as they exited.

Before Willie mounted his board, he got a few good bites into his sandwich. They had gotten about half a block away before Alex dared to ask.

“Do you have any clue what he said to me?”

“I think it was a compliment,” Willie said, mouth slightly full of food.

They continued back toward the hotel, eating their sandwiches as Alex simply ruminated over everything that had just transpired. Willie glanced over occasionally, always with a smile, and clearly travelling slower than he had before so he didn’t leave Alex too far behind. As they finally approached their destination, Willie dismounted his board for a moment.

“Hey,” he said, the soft tone Alex had heard earlier coming back. “Thanks for going with me. It was nice.”

Alex smiled, momentarily losing his entire working vocabulary to giddiness.

“No problem,” he said finally. “See you around?”

Willie nodded.

“See you around.”

Back at the Pearl, the band was set up for their sound check. Luke was an uncontained mass of energy at this point - kissing his rabbit’s foot countless times, swinging his arm tie around to see how far a distance he could hit people from, and his hands rarely leaving his guitar. Alex had a feeling it was only going to get worse the second he saw Julie. They all assembled on the stage and took up their instruments, waiting for the sound tech to instruct them.

“Okay, Reggie, give us a line,” was heard from the booth. Reggie improvised a bass lick on the spot for about thirty seconds, which was far more than the sound guys needed. It was a wicked line, though, and Alex couldn’t blame him for riding it out. He could see Luke and Bobby raising their eyebrows, hoping they could play with it later.

The techs guided them through the instruments one by one, then microphones, and then prepared for them to play together. This was the first time they were all playing with earpieces to hear everything properly and it was certainly an exciting change. Alex could hear them almost as if he were listening to their own demo and he couldn’t describe the feeling.

On cue, Luke played the opening riff to Now or Never and the energy immediately flowed as they all joined him.

“Take off, last stop, count down till we blast open the top…”

Nothing like getting to play to take the edge off of everything. He’d started the day early and thought there would be nothing more nerve-wracking than getting on this stage. Sure, he knew he could do it, but the pressure to somehow gain the support of hundreds more people in one go had been mounting on him the last few days. Fans who came to him after shows and told him that he made a difference to them? That he was something more than just an awkward teen who was bullied for being gay and having nut allergies? It was surreal. Alex wanted to keep reality close most of the time. Making music was the exception where he was happy to escape.

They finished the song, and as Alex swept his hair out of his eyes he saw a figure stand up from sitting in the middle of the empty venue, clapping their hands.

“You guys, that was phenomenal!” Julie Molina was saying, making her way onto the stage.

“Julie!” all of the guys cried out, nearly in unison. Luke was already bounding over as she made her way up to the stage. Reggie and Bobby lifted the straps off their guitars and followed suit as Alex casually brought up the rear.

“Hey guys,” Julie said, returning all of their high-fives and fist bumps. “I’m so excited for tonight, we’re going to have a good show.”

“I’m ready for us to blow everybody away,” Luke said enthusiastically. Alex, Reggie and Bobby exchanged knowing looks but refrained from commenting. Julie probably thought he was talking about the band. Luke probably thought the same, funnily enough.

“I have my own sound check to do, but it’ll be good to hang with you guys until the show opens,” she told them.

“Can we stick around and watch?” Luke asked.

Julie shrugged nonchalantly. “Yeah, go ahead!”

“Sweet!” Reggie said, already taking a seat. Bobby settled down next to him while Alex took the seat behind them.

He remembered when they met her it was at some battle of the bands out in Bakersfield. She’d been part of the duo Double Trouble, and her friend Flynn had gotten sick shortly before they were supposed to go on. She took the stage anyway and had the audience at her feet, and Alex had never seen Luke so entranced. At the end, they invited her to jam until they were forced to shut down at about one in the morning. Everything that had transpired in those few hours was unforgettable, and the guys agreed they would all gladly do it again.

That was a year ago. Now, with her first album out, the guys had all been stoked to get the call to open for her. Alex was pretty sure Luke had been keeping tabs on her the whole time, and he likely didn’t realize how obvious it was. There was something about the way he got very defensive when the guys occasionally suggested going back to the songs they’d gotten started with her, and how he refused to do it without her.

The four of them sat mesmerized as Julie’s fingers elicited the most heartfelt and energizing melodies from the piano. A soft, swelling joy came over Alex, and he wanted to give Julie the strongest hug when she finished. Her music was touching and he couldn’t help but need to express that to her. Peeking at the two below him, he saw Reggie clearly shedding some tears and Bobby clenching his fist because it wasn’t the right moment to wipe them away.

Suddenly one of the crew members walked onto the stage, making Julie stop playing. He muttered something to her that the boys couldn't hear. She sat straight with fear in her eyes and hurried backstage without a word. Luke turned around to look at the rest of his band and they all mirrored his concern. Slowly, they rose and headed toward the green room where they found Julie on the phone.

“Dad, what happened?” she was saying, audibly shaking.

Alex held out a hand and they all stopped in their tracks. He looked at Luke and shook his head. Whatever they were hearing, he figured she didn’t want them listening in on. Luke knit his eyebrows, and Alex could see the internal fight going on in his mind as he considered staying to comfort her or giving her space. After a moment he nodded to Alex and they pulled back into one of the dressing rooms.

None of them said a word as they waited. Alex pulled out his drumsticks and tapped them on his knees to fight off the rising anxiety in his chest. Nobody bothered looking at the clock and nobody made eye contact. Those three words they’d heard repeated on a loop in Alex’s brain, and he was sure they were in the minds of the others. That hug he had thought about giving felt both highly necessary and very inadequate, and he didn’t even know what the phone call was about.

After some time, Julie appeared in the doorway. She looked around at all of them and breathed deeply.

“My mom is in the hospital right now,” she said soberly. “She’s been in cancer treatment for a few months now and it was in remission, but it’s coming back."

Her eyes remained cast toward the floor, and each of the guys hesitated to move.

"I can't cancel tonight, but…" she began saying. Luke raised a hand to cover his face, clearly afraid of the rest of that sentence.

"I'm sorry guys, but I need some time to myself." She left, but Alex saw her face twist with pain before she was completely out of sight and he thought he felt his heart snap in two. Everyone looked at Luke as he sat at a loss for words.

Finally, Luke straightened up and a calm fierceness took over his countenance.

"We gotta make tonight the best, you guys, you hear me?"

Each of them nodded solemnly.

"Alright. We aren't legends for ourselves, tonight. We're legends for Julie."

[primedirection]

Gray Area- Part 2

Warnings: Angst Drama & a maybe a hint of fluff...

AN:

I had too much fun writing this and it's gonna show. I'm so sorry😅 Enjoy!

To the untrained eye dinner was going on without a hitch. The chatter was buzzing and lighthearted around the table. Attendees were in the best of spirits for camaraderie while drinks were poured before receiving great food. Yet, under the surface, Harry wondered why he even bothered to come at all.

For starters he'd forgotten why he was so excited about it in the first place, its couples night and watching his friends so lovey dovey when going through his own turmoil was a form of exceptional torture he could hardly stand. Which was odd given that he himself was usually a lover of love and absolutely lived for cheek kisses, stolen kisses, full on kisses, hand holding, and meaningful glances between people because he found it so endearing. Especially with you and yet here he was totally miserable inside.

Second, everyone is paired up with the exception of himself and his infamous ex, who's partner also happened to be away for work. So what better way for his friends to rectify their 'loneliness' than by seating them together!

As if on cue at the thought she leaned in close just to mention, "So H, I took a consensus but I'm still waiting for your vote." A mischievous smile painting her lips.

"Ehm, that's great." He had to force himself not to smile awkwardly tight lipped, "Don't think you really need it anyway, m'not really in any place to say." As he immediately dived into the menu, he missed seeing the fallen look on her face. Now it would be even better he couldn't sense it.

Despite feeling completely uncomfortable, Harry made the best effort to remain neutral. Fearing he'd draw unnecessary attention and ruin their nights as well on one hand. Then again on the other he meant what he had said to you, when he'd said that he'd done nothing wrong. So he shouldn't even be feeling any guilt towards her at all.

As far as he was concerned the pictures you 'found' not that they were hidden to begin with, were out of his control. Yes, not all of his friends dressed modestly but it surely wasn't his place to tell them how to live their lives. Everyone should be free to do as they please if it makes them happy and as long as it's not hurting anyone. And yes some old photos were still there only because that's exactly what they were, old. He wasn't trying to keep them as a memento he literally saw them once and never thought about it again. So he honestly felt like there was no point in purposely digging it up and deleting it unless he actually had something to hide.

More importantly, he thought that he'd been astoundingly clear you were the only one that he had eyes for. That there wasn't a single soul on earth, whether fully clothed or completely nude that could break the tether he had to yours. Sometimes like now, it scared and infuriated him to no end when you couldn't see it.

Harry would delete the pictures and block every single contact that you wanted if necessary, but he also had to be realistic. Once irrevocable boundary lines are crossed there is no turning back. He's learned firsthand how unhealthy it is to be a prisoner in your own relationship. When insecurity becomes doubt and doubt becomes paranoia. Worst of all when paranoia delves into control. No one is happy, trust is an insincere joke, love is completely lost, and all that really remains is either becoming or owning an object of property.

Surely this case wasn't that extreme, but he wasn't oblivious to how it starts. However it also wasn't lost on him that you both needed to come to terms of agreement in order to move forward. As long as you were within reason, he'd be able to deal with it and vice versa.

With that being said his urge to be social diminished drastically in comparison to his urge to make things right. Thus why he stopped engaging in everything around him altogether and directed his attention towards finishing up cleaning out the useless junk in his phone. Ensuring that if he ever lost you, it'd never be over something as ridiculous as an outdated picture.

As time went on Harry hadn't even discovered the conversation being drawn to him. He jumped suddenly at the realization Clare had been calling out to him. A soft question finally coming through the loudness of his thoughts. "You good, Har?"

It was also then he noticed that everyone had been watching him pointedly now. Tucking his phone away he forced a strained smile and pushed his fingers through the knots in his hair, feigning nonchalance, "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"Because Y/N is here and you still haven't noticed." Mitch deadpans.

Frowning unsure he heard correctly, Harry's gaze briefly swept the room and his heart almost launched right out of his chest upon laying eyes on you. Approaching stoically, arms crossed even from across the room he could easily tell you are unimpressed by tonight's seating arrangement. He also knew better than anyone that you'd be too polite to bother protesting about it. Eventually he stood and offered you his chair while he quickly found himself another, so stunned by your presence he'd forgotten to greet you properly altogether.

"Hi guys! Sorry I'm late, got a little side tracked on the way here," You openly admit accepting his offer, not in the slightest surprised to see his ex's visible disappointment. All the while everyone else greeted you with heartwarming enthusiasm.

"Glad you're here love," Harry finally spoke with a sincere and appreciative smile, unable to help himself from leaning in and planting a quick kiss on your cheek.

"Is anyone even really surprised? I mean, you're practically attached at the hip these days. No offense." His snotty ex snickered bitterly into a sip of wine.

That. That right there is exactly what brought you here tonight. You couldn't ignore Harry's point of having no control of everything he receives, because he was right everyone gets spam one way or another. But there is one common variable that separated the innocent from the inappropriate, and that's the intention behind it.

To be quite honest, after seeing her pictures you went on a downward spiral for a bit. Beating yourself up and asking all the wrong questions. Like why weren't you enough for him? What did you have to do to make him see? And so on and so forth. But with just a little more time alone, albeit a ride home and a mini Instagram stalking session, you were able to think more rationally and even form a different perspective from a few hard facts. Eventually revealing the real answer to your problem had less to do with either of you individually and everything to do with her ill will towards you two being together.

She was literally, a first class attention seeker. Plain and simple. Born into it whether she aimed to be or not. To the extent that whenever she or anyone else she's related to so much as hint at gracing a controversial cover, it became top news worldwide overnight. This one 'cover' should be no different but alas it is, because it doesn't exist.

"Of course we are he's my best friend," You retort genuinely cool calm and collected. Earning a round of admiring 'aws' from around the table bringing up another point, your announcement, "Speaking of friends... Did everyone here get a chance to see your little outtakes? Dying to know which one you picked for the cover."

Her complexion noticeably pales almost instantly, "I- no it's still in editing nobody is supposed to see until it's finished...how did you—" she rambles suddenly nervous.

"Harry showed em to me." You lied happily with a smile just to get under her skin and it worked, seeing as she tosses him a skeptical glance but he's already looking her way with a disappointed frown, "Thought you said you asked everyone?"

"I-I-I was," She stuttered, "I just didn't want to risk it getting leaked...you know I get hacked all the time."

"Oh c'mon, Harry? He's got the worst taste here," Nick teases and receives a pointed glare from him and laughs, "Can we at least get a tip on which cover?"

If you hadn't known better, then you'd be like everyone else and maybe even a little concerned watching her become visibly uncomfortable. But currently you're all too happy to watch her struggle to come up with a believable lie. "Well... its still in the works right now too so I can't really say."

It's kind of funny how you haven't had a sip to drink and yet you felt drunk with power. Well not even necessarily power but it felt damn good to reclaim all the shitty energy she caused you in that short period of time. People like her deserved to be exposed as the malicious fraudulent snakes that they truly were. Cut out root and stem, defanged and hung out to dry.

At the moment you were thrilled and petty enough to do it with a smile, "From what I saw my first guess was honestly Pornhub." Mid swallow on a rather large gulp of wine the self proclaimed supermodel began to choke loudly. Eyes wide while unceremoniously sputtering it up through both her nose and mouth onto the fancy table setting in front of her. You laughed completely unabashed, running on a high of her karma but politely pat her back in aid quietly adding, "No offense."

Fortunately for her, her coughing fit didn't last long as she angrily pulled away from your touch.

"It's a nude piece?" Nick gasped with his hand pressed to his cheek shocked and intrigued all at once, the journalist coming out of him.

"According to what she sent to him. Then again I find it super strange that someone like her would do a shoot of that type of...nature, get it done, and still not know where it's being published." You cheerily answer for her.

However everyone else seemed to be in a battle of mixed emotions as all the clues came together. Sitting back watching silently. You dully noted the disdain and unease directed at she and Harry. Who currently had a deep frown set in place, upset at how things just unfolded.

"Unless you know, there was no intention for them except to go straight to his phone? And yet then again you and your family like to keep it saucy so." Shrugging you grab Harry's glass and take a sip from it. "Mmm, wish this was tea."

"Okay, can you shut the fuck up!" She snarls irritably, passing her hands over her flustered face. "You're seriously annoying!"

Bringing a full fledged smile to your face, "Oh honey, if you're that upset then why don't you come make me? I promise you'll get everything you deserve and more."

"You think you're so tough. I'll kick your fucking ass right now dude and you won't even see me coming!" She snaps pushing away from the table and onto her feet. Causing you to flat out laugh at her attempt of intimidation as well as gain the attention of poor unsuspecting patrons just trying eat their meals in peace.

"Uh oh, someone better fetch security for miss John Cena over here."

"Alright, that's enough let's go." Harry suddenly commands rising to stand in front of you as if he were some type of bodyguard. Wanting to leave now on your own while you could, instead of being removed disgracefully. "Already? I just got here and things are really getting interesting." You playfully tease pouting but get up anyway.

"I'll say." Nick laughs thoroughly amused waving goodbye.

"This is why people like you don't belong in our world, you're scum bitch!"

Again you laugh as Harry begins to usher you towards the exit by the waist calling back, "Sweetheart, you're the one pursuing taken men with staged nudes. You are bacteria! Keep your filthy world and choke!"

In your side peripheral you're able to catch glimpses of people's phones going up to start filming the discourse. The official cue to shut up and get out before an even bigger spectacle was created. You'd apologize to everyone else for the drama later if and when given the chance.

Your more immediate focus right now was Harry, tense and silent stalking off ahead of you in the parking lot. Bee lining for his black SUV. He hasn't asked and probably didn't care to know, but you Ubered here. Regardless he most likely would have made you ride with him anyways.

It's only after climbing inside and shutting the door that he speaks, "Do you mind telling me what the hell is going on with you?"

"You asked me to come to dinner and I showed up. What's the problem?"

His expression became incredulous, "You made a scene."

"Actually she did that. I only called her bluff and ruined her scheme of potentially ruining your honor. You're welcome by the way! From now on, to prevent shit like this from happening I need you not to be passive when they're making passes." You glare at him pointedly.

Harry frowns hard at that suddenly angry, "Fair enough, but I didn't need you to defend my honor Y/N. It was never at stake, and you'd know that if you took my word for it in the first place. Bloody hell woman, do you really think that I don't know how lucky I am to have someone like you in my life? That I'd throw this all away that easily for nothing? I'm not an idiot!"

You sigh heavily from a strong wave of guilt hitting you in the gut at the reminder but manage to fold your arms across your chest stubbornly, "Yeah well it would have been so much easier to believe without all the evidence against you,"

"S'not evidence it's stupid and childish and completely ridiculous!" He argues scratching the bridge of his nose with his index.

"If it's all that then why keep it?" You shrug.

"I'm not, it's gone. Got rid of it all after you left." He honestly admits passing over the item in question itself and with a quick awakening of the screen you instantly find out just like before the pass code is still deactivated. Leaving all accessibility at your fingertips. "Before you go through it though, I need to know something." He turns to fully face you in his seat.

"Okay?" You encourage a little uneasy but mirror his action.

"Do you trust me? And I mean genuinely trust me Y/N. Harry the human that loves sleeping in with you on Sundays, and Harry the same human that has to tour around the world 6 to 8 months at a time and might not have as much access to you as he'd like?"

You practically feel insulted by his need to ask at all but answer him anyway, "Of course I do!"

But he's dead serious, taking ahold of both your hands in his massive ones. Staring deep into your eyes with electric intensity. "Are you sure? Coz' he's the same bloke in charge of that inbox, and those dms, and that browser history! If we're gonna have any chance at all, I need you to understand that."

For a brief moment his sharp liquid green eyes flit back and forth searching for any and all doubt. Though you genuinely have none. "I do Harry, I promise."

Emotion floods in his eyes before he shuts them and shakes his head slowly but surely getting vulnerable, "I only ask this of you because love I can't- I literally can't even stomach the thought of us ever being toxic.. Losing you that way— losing you at all..." You take it upon yourself to free one of your hands just to cradle his warm cheek. In turn he tried to smile in appreciation but his eyes have already begun to burn from the prick and swell of tears, his chest and throat tightening. "You're my everything." He professes softly, "My world, my sun, my stars, my moon, my entire universe. I love you."

You smile in admiration completely smitten getting a little emotional yourself, "I love you too Harry." Pulling him close to kiss him once, twice, thrice, and then just hold on to him a little longer with his face buried in your neck.

"M'sorry for being a crybaby," he mumbles into your skin and you laugh. Then and only then does he come up for air leaving a trail of follow up kisses before putting the previous space back between you. He reaches down on the floor of the driver's seat and retrieves the long forgotten phone. Placing it back in your hand, "S' all yours lovie."

Insanely relieved and extremely giddy at the moment. You simply roll your eyes toss the damned device in the cupholder without hesitation, "Never needed it."

AN: First of all thank you all so much for the support and feedback it was truly inspiring. Hope this turned out alright! Let me know. More blurbs are coming soon so keep an eye out!

[cosmicknives]

This is a bit of a sequel to something I posted like a year ago [link link]. Life has slowed to crawl and I’m trying to keep productive so, why not just edit more of that Gage x Gamma nonsense I still have on my computer? :D I still have a lot of fun writing these two, especially in the quieter moments between them, especially especially when it’s due to the sting of betrayal~! 

Synths, man, ruining all the good relationships in your life since 2229~.

 _______________________

Radiation sickness was never fun to deal with. It was even less fun when you had an insane Overboss. In the backroom of Fizztop, Gage slowly watched the RadAway do its damn job as he also desperately tried to ignore Gamma. 

"Seriously though, you want a new scope for your do-hicky?" It was a borderline impossible task. Looking over his shoulder, the tiny tyrant of an Overboss sat cross-legged at his weapons bench and Gage knew he was still out for his particular brand of blood. 

He had been real clear about that. A few members from the different gangs that had camped out by the entrance of Nuka-Town all but bombarded them with questions and hope as soon as they had returned from Safari Wild. Did they clean out the park yet? Fight anything fun? There's this odd rumor about a man in running around in loincloth too, did ya see him too!

It took every ounce of patience Gage had left not to scream at them all. Because, it wasn't his job to do scream. And it was Gamma’s. And just because he wanted to poke every wound Gage had just a bit more, Gamma had decided to be chatty with them. For the first time as Overboss, happily answering all their questions in wordy detail.

It was only when he feigned utter innocent, asking about Jackpot Royal's past though that Gage had put his foot down.

"Sorry, but we have business to attend to at Fizztop." He said curtly, tugging the short kid along with him.

"Yeah, that true. These injuries ain’t gonna heal themselves. Wait, did you know Gage give me this time?" Gamma dramatically exclaimed, poking out the bruised spot by his temple. "Me! His Overboss! God, Gage. We're really gonna haveta to work on your aim. Because not cool, not cool." He tsked, paying no mind as Gage pushed him on to the platform, harsh as could be.

Poor Jackpot Royal looked on hopeless, unable to tell if they should step in for their Overboss or if that would cost them their head. After a moment, they just waved goodbye and started to move back towards the Parlor. Smart kid.

After that, Gage just did his best to ignore Gamma, shuffling back towards his bed in the back room as he felt the radiation sickness finally start to settle into his body. It didn't take long to set up the RadAway, years of experience he'd never knock away, and he’d just let himself crash into his bed, hoping to sleep off the unpleasant he knew was going to come.

Gamma though had other plans.

After roughly five minutes of peace, he turned up in the back room himself despite having free-range of Fizztop. Instead of his typical mask, the kid had found a pair of over-sized road goggles and a rip-to-shreds puke green bandanna to cover his face instead.

"I'm gonna make some mods." He smiled in that same sweet and cold voice from earlier. “Have any requests?” Translation, I'm still pissed and fuck you if you think you're getting off scott-free.

"Some damn quiet and peace," Gage said though.

"Sorry, that's not on the menu today, friend." And that was that.

To his credit, Gamma wasn't really as noisy as modder as most raiders were. He worked fast and careful. And if he wanted to, Gage was almost certain he could work quiet too. But, that wasn't the case today. So instead, Gage gave up and just started to watch him from his cot. 

Gamma... He hadn’t been right earlier. Gage had had no clue about him being synth, being a tool of the Institute. If he were to guess, he would've just said the kid was a Vaultie because of a Pip-Boy but one who had been out in the Commonwealth longer than a Pip-Boy suggested. But, more importantly and more simply, he would've said that Gamma was basically like him: a fuck-up without a home just trying to survive as comfortably as possible. That was always the vibe he give out when they were up at Fizztop together, away from the other raiders down below.

"You know, tough shit, I made you a scope anyways. It's neon." He cackled a bit, turning to show off the piece.

And, Gage just replied. "Why are you even here?"

Toxic neon yellow scope in hand, Gamma paused along with the question, eyebrows arched in his own. It was weird seeing them do what exactly what Gage had always pictured them do, and a part of him was relieved. He could read this kid, at least a little bit. 

"I mean, here, in Nuka-World. What does the Institute want with us?" Because he wasn't stupid. He saw the endless possibility of this place, and he always knew others would see it too. That's why he recruited Colter. That's why he knew they needed an Overboss, someone to keep the rift-raft off their steps when they came trying to collect.

Over by his workstation, Gamma put down the scope and swiveled his chair around once and twice, until he was facing Gage again. “Not a damn thing, really." He said, shrugging slightly.

"Bullshit." Nuka-World had power, if nothing else.

"Not really," Gamma sighed again, spinning his chair around a little. "They're, ah, how would you put it." He tapped his bandanna playfully as he thought over his words. "Ah! Right! They're dead, so you know, Nuka-World? Not on their radar."

"Dead?"

"Ah, yeah. You haven't heard the rumors? Like, shit, they were everywhere out around Boston when it went down." Gamma sighed again as he rested his head in his arms. "Basically, some fucker blew us up."

"Someone, just, blew up the Institute?" 

"Well, I wasn't there when shit went down so it's a bit hard to say," Gamma said, trying to play it off with his normal dramatic air. But Gage heard an unfamiliar hard edge enter into his voice. ‘Bothered by something now, are we?’ He thought, filing it away for another time. "But that's the jist I got. Plus, you know." He frowned again, looking briefly away.

"I don't know, what."

"Urgh.” Flopping forward, his arm reached out to catch himself before he hit the floor. It was a short hop to Gage’s bed from there, Gamma plopping himself right beneath him as he started to fiddle with his Pip-Boy. Gage took to the moment to again quickly take in his Overboss under the bright, artificial lights of Fizztop. 

He didn't look like a synth, honestly. That was kinda the point, no, but still, Gage always figured there had to be some kind of tell to them, something that read fake. Even Gamma, odd and loud as could be, sitting next to him with Gage knowing, looked as human as anyone else. Was the Institute just that good with their abominations of science, or were there more synths out there than Gage ever thought to consider?

Gamma interrupted that line of thinking though, shifting as he could show Gage whatever it was on his Pip-Boy easier. "Just listen." And Gage did, and he heard nothing but static.

"There’s, nothing?" He said, unsure. Maybe that was a synth thing, but he dismissed that idea as Gamma sunk back down to his ass.

"Exactly," he said, pushing back a few strands of purple that fall in front of his face as the radio station played back only static.

"What's supposed to be playing?" He asked, figuring he did owe something to Gamma for saving his life earlier. Maybe letting him... talk was an okay way to pay him back, and one that wouldn't cost him even one cap.

He didn’t say anything at first, tracing the dirt on the floor instead. And it was nice, quiet as the RadAway sunk deeper into his body and sleep pulled him closer. But after a few minutes, Gamma’s voice tugged him back into the conversation.

"It used to play classical music." Quietly, his attention was entirely on the measured static tick up and down on his screen. And strange as it was, Gage did remember that funny little station. The only thing it played were these old instrumental pieces, no voices, no commercials, no updates about why they were going to die today. His mother listened to it religiously, never missing a chance to glare at his father every time he tried to change it to Diamond City radio in her presence. Gage had loathed that station so much as a kid, even as an adult too. It was just so frickin' dull.

But, still, after a hard day, hell if his hands didn’t twist the dial until he found that station once again and let it play for a few songs. Just a reminder how nice it was to be alive.

Until, maybe a year ago, Gage tried to tune into it one day and just, found nothing. Another loss to the ravages of the Commonwealth. He wondered how his mother took that news.

"It was the Institute's station, you know," Gamma smiled sadly. "We did fucked up things with it, of course, but it was ours. If it stopped playing, you know..." Trailing off, he didn't bother finishing that line of thought. It didn't need to be finished. Gage got the jist.

If it stopped playing, it was dead. The Institute was no more.

They sat together for a moment, Gage trying to process that new bit of news and he guessed, Gamma was trying to process the same bit of news albeit in a different context. And Gage thought, maybe he wasn't so wrong actually.

Maybe Gamma was a fuck-up too, just like him, one without a home just trying to survive as comfortably as possible in the fucked-up death trap they knew as the Commonwealth, albeit in a slightly different context than Gage originally had thought.

"So," Gage started slowly, "Why are you here?"

It wasn't the only question still floating around in Gage's mind but, either because of the drugs, the exhaustion or something else, all the others had quieted down for the moment. The Institute was no more. Maybe it was a lie, it was kinda unbelievable, but Gamma never honestly struck Gage as a liar.

He made up stories and played games and loved to mock people endlessly, but he never outright lied to Gage, not in the way most people did. That's why ...this... whole mess stung worse than the Gatorclaw attack or the additional rad sickness. Gamma never lied to him, except about basically everything.

Below him, Gamma just halfheartedly shrugged his shoulders. "Caps are the rule of the land, Gage, you know that."

And honestly, Gage could let this go for the night with that. Betrayal still hummed under his skin like a parasite. He knew this wasn't over, not by a long shot. There still a thousand questions and concerns he had about this, about synths, about the goddamn Institute and about Gamma being Overboss too. But underneath that all, like with Connor and Colter before, his stupid rotten idiotic heart was still telling him to trust Gamma, that he wasn't lying, not about this.

And fuck if he didn't want to believe that.

"I'm gonna put that scope on your gun, okay?" Gamma said quietly, playfully poking Gage in the head as he laid his own head back on the bed.

"Do that and I'll throw you off Fizztop," Gage said back, closing his eyes. Exhaustion tugged him along towards the poppy-filled land of dreams he hated so much. But it wasn't before he saw Gamma’s eyes through his dark shades, the same intense look once again focused squarely on Gage. He had no idea why he found it comforting now, though it was easy to blame to the drugs.

Pulling himself back to his feet, Gamma pressed his ratty clothed mouth right above his ear in an utterly sarcastic feeling kiss. "Oh, Porter, I'd love to see you try."  And Gage could almost feel his lips move into a little grin before his Boss finally walked out of the back room, leaving him to a peace and quiet.

[rnd-1d]

a Niall blurb...

I wrote this a while ago and I’ve edited it lightly. It was supposed to become a full Niall au, but life got in the way... so here is a blurb consisting of a girl and a stranger at an airport. (3,008 words)

I didn't like airplanes. Never did.

Yet there I was, alone, about to get my luggage checked; I was preparing to board a flight to a little known city called London, England.

Flight 1048, last call for flight 1048, please make your way to the terminal, the voice announced from a speaker somewhere above me. I saw a family rush in the direction of Terminal 3.

The line to airport security was moving incredibly slow. I stood on my toes to get a better view of what the hold up was. Behind the conveyor belt, a plump lady with her hair in a tight bun was fishing through a man's bag as if hunting for gold.

Oh great, I thought. Is this how it always is at airports?

I studied the scene: the lady's pinched lips turned up in a wicked grin, and she yanked out what appeared to be a bottle of shampoo.

"A-ha!" She proclaimed, victorious. "Nothing over 3.4 ounces."

She turned on her heel and promptly dropped the little container in the trash. Before the shampoo's (former) owner could protest, the lady plopped the disheveled bag in the man's hands and shooed him away.

"Next!" She called, her nasally voice sharp.

I rolled my eyes and put my heels back down, silently praying that her shift would be over before it was my turn to play the victim. But of course, that didn't happen.

"Put it on the belt," she directed, referring to my carry-on. I obeyed, then watched my blue duffel bag slip through the frill and make it out on the other side. I glanced skeptically at the metal detector, which looked more like a death machine than a scanner. Feeling her gaze on me, I took a step toward it.

"Uh uh uh," she scolded. Her eyes were trained on my neck. "All  jewelry must be removed." My hand shot up to my necklace and I twisted it delicately, watching as she held out a palm.

"Uh," I stammered, my gaze darting everywhere but her face. I didn't have to look up to know that her eyes were burning holes in me. I quickly pushed a strand of brown hair behind my ear and bit my lip.

"Just take it off, ma'am." She was growing impatient.

Just take it off. I couldn't remember the last time I took off that necklace. I didn't want her, or anyone, to handle it. Not after all it had gotten me through.

"Oh, come on, just do what she says," a voice chimed in behind me.

"Wha-?"

I jolted in surprise and spun around, my hand still at my neck. The man - if you could call him one - looked about my age, his layered brown hair even darker than mine. He leaned his elbow against the extended handle of his suitcase, giving me a smug look under raised eyebrows.

"I said," he articulated as if I was hard of hearing, "just do what she asks."

That face looked familiar, but I'm positive we had never met. I shoved my confusion aside to focus on his snide remark. He didn't even know who I was and he was giving me orders. Who did he think he was?

There was just something about this kid that made me want to slap him. Maybe it was the plethora of confidence or the hard blue eyes that challenged me or-

"What I do and don't do is none of your business," I snapped, surprising even myself with my short temper. People in the line behind us turned their heads, but it didn't matter; I kept my eyes on him, daring him to make another snarky comment.

He didn't seem to mind the added attention either. He raised his wrist and tapped his watch with a single digit. "I've got places to be, miss, and I believe that is me business."

"You are unbelievable," I muttered incredulously.

"Ma'am, do I need to call back-up?" I cringed when I remembered the plump lady, still awaiting the removal of all jewelry. Her hand was rested comfortably on her walky-talky.

"Fine," I mumbled. I couldn't get in trouble now; I was on my way to university. I unclasped the thin chain and handed it to the lady, who snatched it away before I could protest.

I set my jaw as I walked through the detector, looking straight ahead of me. When I was through, I lifted my carry-on abruptly from its bin: per-plunk as the wheels hit the carpeting. I threw my hand in between the lady and me and grabbed my necklace.

The man-boy chuckled at the scene, evidently amused by my suffering. I straightened my shirt, shoved the necklace in my pocket, and stocked toward the waiting area for Terminal 2: London. When I peeked over my shoulder, I caught a glimpse of him chatting with the lady. He was gesticulating wildly, as if acting out a scene for her. They both found something hysterical, her bringing a hand to cover her mouth and him releasing a cackle from the pit of his stomach.

"What a perfect pair," I muttered under my breath.

I turned and kept walking, the sound of their laughter still ringing in my ears.

My suitcase clunked behind me as I made my way to the waiting area for my plane. Wherever I looked, there was no shortage of people; travelers were milling about, walking in large groups with the burden of their luggage to bear; they were waiting in immense queues for vending machines and take out restaurants and hokey gift shops. The noise of it all filled my ears until I couldn't distinguish one conversation from the next.

The chairs in the waiting area were lined up in rows of about ten, all facing into the center as if it was some sort of worship circle. I took a seat on the end in one of the blue plastic chairs with the cushion backing and slipped my phone out of my jeans pocket, checking for any missed texts from Charlie. As I had suspected, these notifications were nonexistent. I sighed lightly through my nose, shaking my head at myself for being foolish enough to expect anything more from him. I shoved my phone into my back pocket.

I watched out of the corner of my eye as an older gentleman with a cane tottered to the seat next to mine. The man glanced up and caught me watching, and we exchanged polite smiles. Soon enough, more travelers began filling up the remaining seats, purses and paperwork and suitcases crowding the space between the chairs, until all of them were occupied.

My hand slipped to my belly, which was growling with hunger. I had an abbreviated breakfast because I had to leave in a hurry to make my flight. I heaved myself out of the comfortable chair and ambled to a small food court next to the gate. I walked up to the counter and peered at the menu (pointless - I was feeling like chicken tenders anyway) and my order came out within 30 seconds. I should have taken the lack of customers as a clue to the quality of the food, but I found myself munching on a French fry on my way back to my seat.

As I got closer to the gaggle of chairs, I realized that the elderly traveler that was sitting next to me had vacated his seat; I immediately observed that the gray hair and hunched figure had been replaced with a mop of short, chocolate brown hair and a sturdy build. A young woman with denim shorts and red lips was standing in front of him, her hip jaunted and a smile plastered over her face. She was engaging the new fellow in conversation - she was no doubt his girlfriend. I saw him hand her a piece of paper and a pen. I was a few feet from my chair when she plopped into it, crossing her legs and leaning into him, her smile glowing as she took a picture of the two of them.

I winced, popping another French fry into my scowling mouth. Now two of us didn't have seats, all because of them. I mean, our bags were right there. Could they not see that? 

I quickened my pace. When I stopped in front of my chair and glared at the girl, she scoffed, but reluctantly stood. She gave the newcomer a quick hug, her smile returning to her face as she waved and sashayed in the opposite direction. I turned and saw him waving back; it was then that I realized he was the one from the security line.

I knew I recognized that obnoxious laugh.

He glanced up and saw me standing there, and a smirk crawled across his face; he remembered me too.

My patience was diminishing as fast as my chicken was getting cold.

He sat back and put his leg up, resting his ankle on his knee. Slinging an arm over my chair, he asked, "Can I help ya?"

The anger brewed inside me and I struggled to find words that would both explain the situation in a way he would understand and piss him off the most. God, I wanted to make him as angry as I was.

"You can start by getting your arm off my seat," I shot at him, my eyes darting to my duffel. “And, there was someone else sitting here - you know- before you and your girlfriend sat down."

He cocked an eyebrow at me, keeping his blue eyes steady as he put his hand back in his lap. "You think she was me girlfriend?" He asked, his amusement unhidden.

"Um, well - yeah, I assumed she was," I shrugged, indignant, sitting down beside him. "I mean, you did kind of hug her and you both seemed pretty...happy." I dipped a chicken tender into the little cup of honey mustard and took a bite, the crunch of the batter filling the brief silence between us.

"Well you're wrong," he said, "about her being me girlfriend." He opened his mouth to say something else, but he was cut off by a little voice: 

"Hi, Niall."

When I turned toward the delicate sound, I saw an equally delicate girl- no older than six- clad in a pink top and matching tutu, standing in front of this apparent "Niall." An expression of delight danced across her face as she bounced up and down on her heels. A man and woman stood behind her, their bright eyes watching the girl.

Niall's features softened upon seeing her, as if he had known her since she was a baby.

"Hey sweetheart," he cooed, leaning in so his face was flush with hers. He held out a large hand for her to shake, but instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

He laughed- it was gentler than I had heard it before- and scooped her onto his lap.

"What's your name?" He coaxed.

"Anna," she answered quietly. She giggled when the boy- Niall- gave her tummy a tickle.

"What a lovely name," he praised. He offered a polite nod of acknowledgment to her parents, who smiled in return.

"Would you like a picture?" He asked her, catching sight of the camera in her mother's hand.

They looked down the lens together and said "cheese," and by the third photo I noticed he was giving her bunny ears.

She was about to scoot off his lap when she suddenly stopped, as if she had just remembered something. She cupped a hand around her mouth and raised her lips to his ear, whispering.

"Who?" Niall replied, pulling away slightly so he could meet her eyes. She pointed in my direction. Niall glanced over to me, then back to Anna.

"Why don't you ask her?"

The girl's eyes widened as she shook her head vigorously, her pigtails bouncing from side to side.

"Ok, it's ok," he soothed, "I can ask if you want."

He met my gaze.

He spoke more tenderly than I expected. "Anna wants to know your name." 

Me?

I felt four pairs of eyes focused on me. They were all anticipating a response. I felt the heat rise in my cheeks.

"It's Marianna." I stated hurriedly. "Mari, for short."

"Mari," the girl repeated. A look of concentration passed over her face. "My friend has the same name as you."

She was so cute - her big eyes, her innocent observations, her tiny pink lips that parted even when she wasn't speaking.

"How cool," I enthused awkwardly, and she smiled, satisfied.

She turned to Niall and gave him one last squeeze, then hopped off his lap and grasped her mom's waiting hand. My heart melted as she pressed her tiny palm to her rounded mouth then held it in front of her, blowing an imaginary kiss to Niall. She skipped away, my gaze following her before I finally asked, still dumbfounded, "Who is she?"

"She," he began, shifting his gaze from her to me, "is Anna."

The corners of my mouth turned down and I shot him a look. "I know that," I grumbled. I decided to rephrase. "How do you know her?"

He paused for a moment and looked away, as if contemplating his answer. "I met her in this airport," he started, pointing at the ground, "about...five minutes ago?" He glanced at his watch and nodded, pressing his lips together. "Yep, just about," he confirmed for himself.

I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion. Why had Anna wanted to greet him? She seemed so giddy when she was talking to him; they had to have known each other. Although I didn't know much about kids, I did know they seemed to have a surplus of energy. Maybe she indulged in an extra long nap yesterday? But had called him by his name before he even had the chance to introduce himself... it sounded foolish, but I could think of only one solution; it explained why the teenage girl had been talking to him, too.

"You're ... famous."

Once I uttered the words, I knew why he had seemed familiar: his picture, alongside three other boys,' had been splashed across magazines covers, online articles, and promo posters everywhere I went.

"I guess you could say that," he mused, "but we all know Harry wouldn't be too happy about that wor-" He cut himself off when he noticed the perplexity written on my face. "Never mind," he said quickly.

There was a pause. "You're in a band, aren't you?" I questioned, because hey, I wasn't up-to-date on the latest in music.

"Yes and no. It's a little complicated," Niall decided, and I wondered what could be complicated about a "yes" or "no" question.

"You see," he continued, matter-of-factly, "One Direction - the band I was in- we decided to take some time off, because, you know, the tours were incredible, but they were fucking relentless." (He cussed unapologetically, which I didn't mind, but still.)

I took in the information and couldn't resist. I cocked an eyebrow and smirked. "So you could say you all headed in... different directions?"

I laughed when I saw the expression on his face - or rather, the lack thereof. His deadpan looked practically rehearsed.

"Aren't you witty," he snipped, but I could tell by the tug at the corner of his mouth that he wasn't being rude.  

"So those two were your fans?"

"Yeah," he said, a smile sweeping across his face. "Best fans in the world, they are."

"So, where would an ex-boybander possibly want to travel in the middle of autumn after visiting every continent on Earth?"

"Actually," he informed pointedly, "we never did get to Antarctica."

I know he was being sarcastic, that he hadn't wanted to make me feel stupid, and that he didn't know my temper was that of a ticking time-bomb. I didn't know what it was this time - the busy morning, the practically sleepless night, Niall's cocky attitude, or maybe I was just in the mood to piss someone off: something I specialize in.

"Screw off," I said, agitation building in me once more. "I'm just trying to make conversation."

Niall leaned back and held his hands up in surrender. "Jesus, take a joke," he mumbled, "I didn't go off on you when you made your terrible joke." He crossed his legs and, leaning his cheek on his palm, looked straight ahead of him as if I wasn't there; any hope of small talk had been lost.

He resembled a little kid who was just told no by his mother, if I'm being honest. The worst part was, I felt guilty. My short temper had always been met with equal or greater anger, never submission; no one took me too seriously. Maybe I'd receive a "whatever Mari" or the whites of someone's eyes as they rolled into their head. I didn't know I could have this kind of effect on anyone.

I glanced around and took in the company around us - potential spectators of The Girl and the Boy She Hurt situation. I sighed. I knew what the right thing to do was- so would anyone with a conscience- yet still I faltered. He was less than polite in the security line, so why shouldn't I return the favor? I knew the answer: there was just something about him, something so innocent that even a monster would not want to rend it. His childlike humor, the way his eyes lit up when he met Anna, his ability to befriend anyone. Except me.

I shifted in my chair so I could see his face. When he caught on to my movement, his eyes skirted from me to the large window across the room. His pout deepened.

"I'msorryforbeingajerk," I blurted out, because I've never been good at apologies and I heard they were easiest when treated like ripping off a bandaid. It got his attention, at least.

[magic5ball]

Nature Trail to Hell Arc III: The Blood Curse of Tako Shak (5)

Chapter 5: The Part Where I FINALLY Get to Tako Shak

           I spent seven days in that monster reflecting on my sins, though it does depend on your definition of ‘reflecting on sins’. Mine is looking at the sun and playing rock-paper-scissors. I even managed to win every single game I played, though this didn’t exactly make me feel better about being trapped in an oversized sponge. Or leaving F-Bomb for that matter, even if it was the right thing to do. I had to drink the water from Karma Chameleon’s skin, vampire style, and as for food, I just didn’t eat. I wondered if I might be trapped in the thing forever, but as the days went by, I found the space around me was getting tighter and tighter until ‘POP!’ out I burst from the reptile’s back like some alien parasite. I looked at the limp corpse below me. Sun must have dried it out. Speaking of which, if you ever decide to get one of those magic grow animals, remember to keep them out of sunlight, so they don’t start shrinking. Think of them like little spongey vampires.

           So where was I again? Oh right! I was in the woods, feeling all balmy because of the noonday heat (PA can get pretty hot in the summer). Not bad on its’ own, but when combined with an empty stomach (apple rings are one of the least filling foods in the world. Heck, if I had to choose between air and apple rings for a weeklong hike through a desert wasteland, I’d choose the air, no question) made me feel a bit delirious. And when I get delirious, I make bad decisions. This wouldn’t have been so bad if I’d landed near some dime-a-dozen suburb, but the luck of the Tostigs works in mysterious ways, and when I emerged from the forest it was in front of none other than a friendly neighborhood Tako Shak.

           If you’ve never been to planet Earth before (or maybe just some guy dwelling in a bunker in the wake of the inevitable Takopacalypse), Tako Shak is a Mexican themed fast food chain. The largest in the world, actually. Also, the Tako isn’t a play on ‘taco’. It’s short for Takoyaki. For why they did that, your guess is as good as mine.

They say it all started in the sixties (as these things usually do) with some hippie named Marty Dinklemann. Marty had opened a Taco stand, but it wasn’t doing real well, because hippies who make good business decisions hadn’t been invented yet. Anyway, one day Marty decided to snort a can of churro sugar and had this bogus dream where the Devil said he was going to claim his soul unless Dinklemann kept expanding his fast food franchise. Well, Dinklemann was sure it was just a bad trip, but he really didn’t want to take any chances. The next day he got a tan, legally changed his name to Guadalupe ‘Loopy’ Sanchez and made fast food history. At the time I walked right through those automatic sliding doors, there were over a billion Tako Shak’s worldwide, five of which sit right in the Arctic Circle. As for Sanchez, nobody’s seen him in over thirty years. Word has it his body started rotting, so they put his brain in a nuclear-powered robot underneath their headquarters in Death Valley, Nevada.

           But I’m getting ahead of myself. So there I was, sweltering delirious in the summer heat to the point I might as well have been drunk when I swaggered in, hoping I could at least use the bathroom, to which the greasy faced creep manning the register pointed to some sign telling me yesterday a new policy had been enacted, so only staff and customers could take the old wiz. Wouldn’t have been a problem, except I didn’t have any money on me. In fact, I had less than no money on me, seeing as I was in debt from those apple rings. You know you’re in financial straits when you can’t afford a churro that, if I was doing the math right, cost a whopping negative five cents!

For a moment I thought of bartering off my tommy gun, but that thing was just too awesome to part with.

           However, there was something I could afford, something that, despite being delirious from heat, I somehow remembered. You see, Tako Shak is a fast food chain, and like any fast food chain worth its’ salt packets, it had a secret menu. I first heard rumors about it back in second grade, when my friend Mayes and I watched the legendary B-Movie ‘Nature Trail to Hell Part 9: Shak of Darkness’. In it, there’s a scene where the characters talk about what they want to order from Tako Shak, unaware that the fry cook is actually a serial killer who baked their friends into tako meat (which was somehow still more appetizing than the real deal). As we were watching, we noticed there was this two second clip where the audio had been weirdly distorted. After that, we spent hours on the internet, desperately trying to find out why. (Okay, so maybe half that time was wasted playing LEGO Racing. Sue me.) We finally hit a breakthrough when we accidentally hacked into an 18 years or older chatroom, where this guy said that apparently the edited part revealed a clue to discovering the Shak’s secret menu. A couple more hours, Mayes discovered said secret menu involved watching the employee training video. Several phone calls, secret messages, decimated evidence, one FBI investigation, and several bouts of ‘pretty pretty please’ later, me and my friend Mayes finally got a video tape. THE video tape. (think of it as a black, overweight DVD. Who is also a rectangle.) After fiddling around with the tape a bit, we saw none other than Sanchez’s brain himself list off the menu, most of which had too many vitamins and minerals and not enough Silly Cheez for Mayes and I to ever buy.

But there was one thing on that menu, one I still remembered that cost something I didn’t exactly have on my person. In fact, you could say it was my person.

I looked into the pale face, the dark, sunken eyes, the sickle fangs that, had I been more aware, would have betrayed the cashier as a hippie. Instead, I raised a finger.

“One Blood Curse, please.”

The cashier looked at me like I’d just asked him for the square root of gilbitydop (27, if you’re curious), then he went to the back of the store.

“Hey Boss! Do we carry anything called a ‘Blood Curse’?”

A few minutes later, he emerged from the back with a piece of paper and a plastic knife.

“Well, little guy, it’s you’re lucky day. It seems like we do have the droid you’re looking for! Just sign here please.”

In one swift motion he nicked my finger with the knife. Barely thinking, I signed the contract with my own blood. Tako Shak officially owned my soul.

In the back, I could hear maniacal laughter as lightning flashed outside, despite it having been totally cloudless just a few seconds earlier. Only then did it dawn on me just how stupid what I did was. In one final, twisted joke, just as I tried to dash out, to back out of the worst mistake I’d ever made, a black tentacle emerged from behind the register, dragging me to my DOOM.

[wannawrite]

Alpacas Over Flowers

who? : MXM’s Im Youngmin fluff bullet-point ver. 

the ‘Our Two Lips’ flower boys LDH PJH PWJ KJW

LGL [ coming soon ] | JH [ coming soon ] 

blog navigator. ndlahdkdhdj last few instalments of the flower boy AU series….for now. Please don’t request anymore for this series until further notice but I thank you to all who requested, these were really fun to write and experiment with but it is not something I want to dwell on for too long. I don’t think I’m very good at it either…lol rip. There’s still Guanlin and Justin left. Since it is October, it’s time to get spooky. 👻 Request Halloween, fall-related things, please! Never had a go at them but I will try. Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to this series, especially all the sweet and kind comments you guys leave. 💕 It was fun, and until Guanlin’s! - Admin L

• so there’s this cute adorable lovable amiable guy in your uni lecture • you have a major • major • major crush on him but honestly, who doesn’t ??? • but he doesn’t attend classes very often bc he’s sick • jokes • he’s just out there being an underground rapper • you don’t really pay attention to that scene but your best friend found out and pretty much told the whole squad • and she also spilled the part where you really liked him • wow thanks a lot andrea 

• 2017 best friend award • it’s embarrassing asf • now everyone ships you too together • Jinsoul offers to accompany you to one of his gigs but you decline since it’s super close to mid-terms and you aren’t sure how Youngmin can keep his grades, music and life balanced • plus, you can’t exactly picture cute, red haired Youngmin with an alpaca keychain on his backpack as a rapper • let alone one that spits utter fire • it’s lit 🔥🔥🔥 • you listened to two seconds of his diss track for Mnet and shut your laptop • contemplating life and sobbing over how good he was • it was that good • howdareyoumnet • the track was titled was titled SnakeNet™ ft. Park Woojin • bouta catch snakes with my net • * insert badly edited picture of Admin L swinging a net at Mnet and SM * • I need to stop making Mnet snake jokes i’m sorry • so • yeah, Woojin, that shy, awkward kid who majored in dance • Brand New College thrived with the talent • so anyway, your alpaca boy rarely came to class but whenever he did, you tried to sit as near as him as possible • he radiated sunshine and happiness • it made you all fuzzy and happy on the inside too, it was like he rarely had a bad day • trying to suck some of that positive energy • moving on…………….. • somehow, you always ended up like three seats away • Youngmin seemed to always be flanked by his best friends, Jeong Sewoon and Kim Donghyun • they always protected him from the world • asdfghjkl stop separating me from my man • but it’s cute to have such an amazing protection squad, they’re a force to be reckoned with • one day, you decided to approach him after your lecture • yes you did it • two steps away • his back was towards you, displaying some expensive brand of the shirt he wore • one!!! • unfortunately, he seemed to be hurried and rushed off,  a few pieces of paper dropped out of his backpack • even his cute little plushie alpaca keychain thudded to the ground • “hey! Youngmin!” you had yelled but he was already dashing down the corridor with his friends struggling to keep up • you were the last one in the lecture hall • deciding to return it to him another day, you picked up the soft plushie and the sheets of paper that fell out of his bag • c'mon you were a decent classmate • as you shuffled through the papers, a pastel coloured flyer fell out from one of them • it was very pretty • puzzled, you picked it up and examined it • “Our Two Lips?” • you showed it to the queen of knowing everything that happened in your city, Jennie • “ahhh, so the rumours are true.” she said, amused • furrowing your brows and frowning, you cocked your head to one side “what?” • “ahhh, Im Youngmin, Park Woojin and Lee Daehwi are rumoured to have been hired to work at this new cafe” • you swore you walked passed the place before when it was all boarded up and had no clue what tf it was • you nodded as Andrea cackled away • “oh my god Y/N you would love that place so much” • your friends confused you beyond imagination • “huh, why?” • Jennie and Andrea burst into laughter • “It’s a flower boy cafe!” • oh my god • w a s t e d • i’m still confused by this idea though…never heard of it until now and even though I’m able to grasp the basic concept, idk much i’m sorry :(( • okay just imagine • Im Youngmin as a barista • Im Youngmin as a barista in a flower boy cafe • Red-haired Im Youngmin as a barista in a flower boy cafe, Our Two Lips wearing a flower crown • Red-haired Im Youngmin as a barista in a flower boy cafe, Our Two Lips, wearing a flower crown as he serves you coffee • and food • food is important I hope you guys are eating well • you pretty much spit out a bunch of gibberish as your face becomes tomato red • “Oh! Wasn’t your last lecture today? Looks like you’ll have to visit him if you want to return his charm” • a s d f g h j k l • you really can just wait until the summer is up but that’s mean and he might want his charm back immediately • of course, he loves his charm, it is adorable • you love it too • it’s a soft, small plushie that has been patched on the side • :“) • you make it sit on your bed side table so it’s the first thing you see when you wake up and the last thing you see when you sleep • also because you’re scared of losing it • how would you explain to the flower boy? • it takes you a couple of days to visit the place • a few of your classmates went on the opening day • it’s safe to say they almost fainted from the cuteness • they facetimed you right after • "oHMy gOD y/N yOu goTTa cOMe anD SEE YounGMIn” Jinsoul yelled as she shakily held her phone • “yO i’m shOokeTH” - Andrea, about the cafe, 2017 • “bye bye sweetie” • honestly, you were a anxious mess, your palms were sweating, your legs felt like jelly • it’s just to return his charm! • and his lecture notes • calm down!!!!! • nah • you fretted about it until you reached the cafe and put on a fake relax look • the plan was simple, approach the counter, ignore the food, pass Youngmin his charm back and leave • that was the original plan • until you saw how breathtakingly beautiful he looked • it was probably the first proper glance you had gotten at him • that was not from your seat, far away, through the lens of a pair of binoculars, like a creep • “hello! I’m Youngmin, and I’ll be your flower,” proceeds to grab a rose out of his apron pocket, “boy for today” • you weren’t joking when you said you felt a teensy bit light headed • your hand closed around the plastic-wrapped rose and you stared at it in awe • stick!! to!! the!! plan!! • you cleared your throat, “actually-” • “ahhh, table for one” • youngmin wasn’t being rude - at least he hoped you thought so- he just wanted to get to know you a bit better, plus, you willingly came to the cafe • “you’re in the same friday and wednesday lecture as me right?” he asked as he escorted you to your seat, ignoring your reluctant protests. Youngmin was going to keep you here • “um yes.” you replied softly, heartbeat accelerating by the seconds • he nodded, “ahhh, no wonder your face seemed familiar” • eye contact, charming smile, faint tinges of pink of his cheeks • “i knew i’d never forget a beauty like you” • he left you with the menu and your red face with a disorganised plan • that boy is smooth • @ Youngmin, I see you • it’ll be rude if i reject him as a server…..no i can’t do that • you ordered something because you were hungry though, it seemed too good to resist • “what’s a beauty doing here all alone?” Youngmin posed as he collected your menu • you mumbled out an incoherent, embarrassed reply • he chuckled, “will my aegyo get you to open up?” • instead of speaking, you plucked the plushie charm from your pocket. “i found this in the hall the other day, I figured I should return it.” • “oHmYgoD!” • truthfully, Youngmin allowed it to fall, hoping you would return it and take it as a sign • Donghyun had taught him a trick or two on how to be the nation’s boyfriend and he was ready to win your heart • “are you serious? I went crazy trying to find this! Thank you so much! Isn’t your name y/n? Can I call you that?” • he appeared a little flustered and surprised, clutching his plushie close • he genuinely treasures his plushie okay, fight me • it was cute • ugh • “y/n, and yeah sure” • Youngmin opened his mouth to speak but he was called away by another server. He smiled apologetically and thanked you again, promising to be back with your order soon • you scrambled to text your friends but your hands were trembling like a leaf that you missed all the keys • do leaves tremble? • your texts to them were a mess but they got your drift anyway • Youngmin arrived with your order, “I’m here to give you your food and my heart.” • you really couldn’t help but burst into giggles • “will you accept it, Y/N?” • beaming brightly, you nodded but was still unable to keep the laughter at bay • youngmin chuckled along with you • boi i kid you not hearing his laugh was a blessing • b l e s s • since the cafe was pretty empty, Youngmin settled down in the seat across from your own because “everyone should have company” • he wasn’t much of a talker but he was a good listener, the more he warmed up to you the more he spoke • his eyes lit up when you mentioned you listened to his mix tapes • “you’re a really great rapper” • he just blushed and mumbled a 'thank you’ in reply, the ability to speak left him • “ahh, t-thank you.” • you took note of how well his red hair contrasted against his peach coloured flower crown. It only made him all the more charming and prince like • Youngmin’s company was enjoyable and you could foresee him becoming one of your good friends • you were reluctant to leave • he felt the same way • Youngmin isn’t the kind for a hella lot of aegyo but he has a way with words • even though he says he doesn’t • “y/n? do you have a map? cause honey, I’m getting lost in your eyes,” he said, tapping the pot of honey on your table • o i love puns • “you’re so sweet, are you made out of sugar?” *lifts up jar of sugar* • you’re just out there dying at his lame ass puns • but at the same time, dying bc he’s FLIRTING WITH YOU • imagine your crush flirting with you • hah can’t relate • “y/n, we’re like a four-leafed clover, you are C, I’m R and there’s love between us” he purred out, making finger hearts • you’re nearly dead and although these are somewhat awful, it’s cute • “i never knew you were like this, you never really talk in class…..” you muttered. “so innocent…” • “the only crime I’ll commit is stealing your heart” • bYE BYE IM • it gets late and you eventually have to bid him goodbye • but before you leave, he slides you a note and says, “y/n, if you can accept my love, how about accepting my number?” • “yes! I’ll text you.” • you hastily punch his number into your phone, nearly messing up because you’re still freaking out • there’s an alpaca, llama emoji next to his name, whatever you can find on your phone • suddenly, you become the envy of all the customers, especially when he gives you a matching alpaca plushie • *makes a mental reminder to attach it to your uni bag* • Youngmin smiles bashfully at you but says nothing • when you hand back the board to him after writing your signature - because you paid by credit card, he whistles • “damn, i was looking for a signature on you because a masterpiece always has one” • you are about to punch him • but only out of love • your heart is going to explode • he winks from behind the counter as you head out • “see you soon, Y/N.” 

[yuneyn]

Promptis Week Day 3 - Leap

Prompt: On a date

Words: 1356 Rating: T --- Assassin’s Festival fluff

Written for @promptisfanweek ~ Read on AO3 Thanks @voxiferous, my wonderful beta! <3

“Your boyfriend’s cute,” the hooded attendant told Noctis after he and Prompto had taken that cardboard cutout photo together. Noctis had let Prompto be the assassin, which had made his best friend all bubbly and excited. Yes, more than usual.

Still… “He’s not my-” was Noctis’ immediate reply, but the attendant only chuckled, looking behind Noctis with unconcealed amusement. Noctis turned his head and saw Prompto waving at him from the stand for the Chocobo races.

Noctis sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “He’s not my boyfriend,” he muttered, more to himself than to anyone else. It wasn’t the first time someone had made this mistake today, but somehow Prompto was never around to hear it, always disappearing to another attraction in a flash.

And Noctis really wanted to see what Prompto’s reaction would be. For, you know, science.

When Noctis joined his friend at the Chocobo racing stand, Prompto was happily chatting with Wiz. At least there would be no confusion there - Wiz was one of the few people here who knew who they really were.

“Noooct, you have to race! You could just win enough medals for, um…” Prompto trailed off, looking away and scratching his neck, and Noctis smirked.

“Spit it out, man.”

“Well... I dunno if you saw it, but there’s this photo magazine at the prize counter…”

Just as Noctis had thought. “Yeah, I saw it. And?”

“And I need it! Can I borrow some medals? Pleeaase?” Prompto begged, clasping his hands in front of his face.

Noctis laughed. Prompto might act bored every time Noctis took the Leap of Faith, but he wasn’t fooling anyone - he was just as hyped to be here as Noctis. “Alright, alright. Let me win them first, though,” he said, rolling his eyes at Prompto who flashed him his brightest smile. If Noctis’ cheeks became a bit redder than usual, though, he would totally blame it on the heat.

To Prompto’s delight, Noctis did win the race, and with it, enough medals to get Prompto the magazine he wanted. Noctis leaned against the prize counter, watching with fond amusement as his best friend started browsing through the pages immediately.

“Hey,” Noctis said, poking Prompto’s arm. “Let’s go sit at the cafe, it’ll be more comfortable.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah…” Prompto said, jumping a little as he was already engrossed in his magazine. “I mean, I don’t want to bore you with this, I can look at it later.”

“Nah, it’s okay,” Noctis replied, shrugging. “Besides, you’ve watched me jump enough times, so I owe you that much,” he said, pulling at Prompto’s robes to get him moving.

They sat down at a table, placing an order of Semur Skewers with drinks. Prompto immediately scooted closer to Noctis so he could show him the photos.

“See, this month’s edition is all about the festival! Look how cool these photos are!”

Noctis rested his chin on one hand and smiled, looking alternately between his friend and the magazine. There was just something so endearing about Prompto when he got all excited over something - whether it was a new item on the menu at their favorite diner, trying - and barely managing - to bake Noctis a birthday cake, Noctis winning him a Chocobo plushie at the arcade, Noctis waking up way too early and almost getting killed by a Catoblepas to make for a good photo op… or, apparently, Noctis getting him a photo magazine.

And, yes, maybe Noctis liked it a bit too much when he was the source of Prompto’s happiness. So what? They were best friends, after all. And, no, he wasn’t staring at Prompto dreamily, he was just appreciating the way the festival lanterns were casting moving lights on his best friend’s face.

Lost in thought, Noctis barely registered when a waiter brought them their order.

“Enjoy your date,” a cheerful voice said, effectively pulling Noctis out of his daydream.

“We’re not-” Noctis started, and immediately stared at Prompto when he heard him say the exact same thing.

Their eyes met, and Noctis saw Prompto’s face become a dozen shades redder than usual before his friend averted his gaze and focused on his magazine again.

“Well, um… Let’s eat, okay?” Prompto said nervously, and Noctis just kept staring at him with wide eyes.

What was that? Noctis wondered. He honestly had expected Prompto to brush it off with a joke, or even play along to tease him, but… not to get that flustered. Maybe it was a good sign, some part of his brain told him. A good sign for what? another part of his brain - the one that was still trying hard to deny his crush - retorted.

They ate in a weird, kinda uncomfortable silence, and Noctis eventually had to say that he was going to take the Leap of Faith again for Prompto to finally look at him and complain that he had already done it about fifteen times.

Noctis ended up not taking another Leap - yet - and they started wandering around the back streets of Lestallum. There wasn’t much to do around there, apart from gathering more clues for the treasure hunt; but Noctis found it rather funny, the way Prompto seemed outright offended by the ever-present PDA in these alleys.

They both had their hoods on so as not to draw attention to themselves - as there were fewer people around, they would be easier for MTs to spot. At a crossroads, they passed a group of guys chatting together, and when Noctis overheard them talking about a cute and stylish blonde with a nice camera, his eyes immediately darted towards Prompto.

Seeing as his friend had stopped in his tracks and how Prompto’s hand was now covering the bottom half of his face, Noctis figured that he must have heard it too. He stepped closer to Prompto and playfully slapped him on the back.

“Seems you have a fanclub,” he teased, and noticed that Prompto’s cheeks were flushed behind his hand.

Prompto watched as the group of guys walked away, then arched an eyebrow at Noctis. “Well, good thing I’m already on a date, then,” he said in an overly confident tone that totally clashed with his reddened face.

Noctis froze and stared back at Prompto, unsure whether or not his friend was joking - and maybe it was the heat that was getting to his head, or the fact that Prompto was wearing that damn revealing outfit and that - in spite of what Prompto thought - his friend looked good. Maybe it had just been too long, and Noctis was tired of fighting this - and Prompto was smiling, his freckles standing out against the blush on his cheeks and the lights from the festival reflecting in his eyes - in any case, Noctis knew he just had to ask.

“Do you… really think we are on a date?”

“Huh?” Prompto squeaked, effectively jumping.

“I mean, people seem to think so…” Noctis trailed off, scratching the back of his neck nervously. “Not just that waiter, actually…”

Prompto remained silent for a minute, staring at the ground; and Noctis was about to try and make a joke out of all of this, when Prompto hesitantly met his eyes. “Do you… want this to be a date?” he asked, his face becoming even redder than before before he lowered his gaze again.

Noctis swallowed hard and took a deep breath. “I mean… yeah? Maybe? Do you?”

This time, Prompto was smiling a little when he looked back at Noctis. “I… um… yeah. I’d like that.”

They stared at each other for a second, Noctis feeling relief wash over him as a new sense of excitement and anticipation settled in. He smiled at his best friend and reached for his hand, before pulling Prompto further into the alley, until they collapsed in a corner, half-hidden by pipes, all smiles and giggles. And maybe it was still the heat; the way Prompto’s arm had slipped around his waist, holding him close; the warmth of his friend’s smile and the affection in his eyes; but Noctis didn’t hesitate one second longer before he leaned in to kiss Prompto.

[sunken-standard]

New Drabble meme with fantastic options? How about: 41, 81 and 145? Separately is fine ( I say far too casually to be believed) or together (I shrug) ya know. Whatever works for you...

Take notes, sweetheart./ Excuse me forfalling in love with you./ What’s the biggest lie you ever told?

(This fell out of the badfic tree andhit just about every trope on the way down.  In the same ‘verse as Chapter 35 of Ficlet Cemetery)

*

Win a Mystery Date with SherlockHolmes! the splash page to John’s blog read.  The wholebackground was a high-res picture of Sherlock (John had changed theformat again, making it more like one of those trendy think-piecemagazine blogs that you had to scroll forever just to get past thedamn header), deerstalker tugged down low and coat lapels held closedover his face, leaving just his eyes visible, electric blue andintense as always.  He must have been in the sun a bit before thepicture was taken, she could just make out a few errant freckles (theexistence of which he vehemently denied) dusting his cheekbones.

Would not mind waking up to thatevery morning, she thought, then remembered that she did, infact, wake up next to that three or four mornings out of seven. Except the one she woke up to usually had his face smashed into thepillow with drool crusted in the corner of his mouth and Tim Burtonhair.

“I’m telling you, you need to doposters,” Molly said, shifting the phone against her ear so shecould type.  "How did you get him to agree to it?“

Mary laughed on the other end.  "Youreally think we told him?  Seriously though, it was his idea.  Seemslike he’s got a stalker.”

“Oh, that’s just Anderson,”Molly dismissed, typing a reply to one of the new comments on herlatest video.

“No, a real one,” Sherlocksaid from directly behind her.  She jumped, shouting as her phoneclattered onto the keyboard.

“Where did you even come from?”she accused, picking her phone up.  "Sorry,“ she apologizedto Mary.

"They have these new things calleddoors.  Rather frivolous, I doubt they’ll catch on,” Sherlocksaid, dragging ‘his’ chair over and flopping into it, nudging her outof the way of the keyboard.

“Well, I believe that’s my cue. Damien will be up from her nap soon, anyway,” Mary rung off.

Molly set her phone down and turned toSherlock, who was, as always, too close for comfort.  "So youhave a stalker,“ she said.  She wasn’t going to get her computerback anytime soon.

"Actually, you have astalker.  I started getting threats after that stupid YouTube video.”

“That was two months ago!  You’rejust telling me now?”

“I do get quite a lot of threats. Didn’t notice at first.  You’re perfectly safe.  Well, for now, atleast, but that’s why we’re nipping this in the bud.”

“So how is a fan going on a datewith you going to catch my stalker?”

Sherlock looked at her askance,obviously waiting for her to catch up.

Oh.  Of course.  "I’m going to winthe contest, aren’t I?“

Sherlock tipped his head and went backto typing.  In her comments, while logged into heraccount.  That tit. "We’re filming it and live-tweeting it, too. Mary said something about cross-promotion or advertising or…  Idon’t know, I stopped listening after 'scavenger hunt.’”

“So… this wasn’t your idea?”

“Using you as bait was.  The restwas all Mary.  She’s better at this sort of thing than I am.”

“Because she’s a woman?”  Itwas nicer than saying 'because she’d actually been on a date.’

“Because she’s an assassin. She’s got more experience with ambushes.”

*

“Oh for—would you stop lookingaround like that?  This is a date.  We are on a date. Not a stakeout,” Sherlock hissed from behind his menu.

“But it is a stakeout,”Molly said, tone measured.  

“Mary, God’s sake stop laughing,by the time you’re done editing there’ll be fifteen seconds of usablecontent.”

Mary coughed and forced her face intosomething serious.  "Just read the consolation prize card.“

Sherlock sighed and looked heavenward,pulling a card from inside his jacket.

"I swear his suits are like aTardis.  He carries all this stuff around and you can never tell. He’s got like a cricket bat, an espresso machine, and a badger inthere, it’s ridiculous,” Molly said quietly to Mary.  "Prettysure he’s got like half a pipe band and an entire double-decker busin his coat.“

"If you’re quite finished?”Sherlock said.  He plastered on a fake smile.  "And ourthird-prize winner in the 'Win a Mystery Date with Sherlock Holmes’contest is MarkOfTheBeast420—"

“…isn’t that Mrs. Hudson?”Molly whispered to Mary.

“No, she’s 221BlazeIt,” Marycorrected.

“Ah, right.”

Sherlock raised his voice a little toshow his displeasure with being interrupted (git; served him right)“—who gets dinner for two at Angelo’s in central London andyour choice of pink phone case or pocket-magnifier from theScienceOfDeduction store.”

“Where there’s always a candle onthe table,” Angelo said, leaning into the frame in front ofSherlock to place a candle conspicuously on the table while smilingnervously into the camera.

“Yes, thank you, do remember toorder off-menu, no request too exotic,” Sherlock said as Angelostepped back.  He stuck the corner of the card into the lit candle,flames quickly crawling up the edge to consume half of it before hedropped it off to the side (which happened to be onto the plate ofone of the diners at the next table over).

It was going to be a long day, Mollythought.

*

“—passes for two and a copy ofThe Man Who Made Vermeers.  I might actually like to readthis,” Molly said, flipping the book around and looking at theback cover.

“I have it at home, you can borrowit,” Sherlock said.

“Is it any good?”

Sherlock bobbed his head and did alittle wiggle that indicated 'not bad.’

Molly shrugged and set the book down,then tried to act natural as she walked to her mark.  "Oh look,our next clue,“ she said.  It was a typographic poster on aneasel; Mary didn’t really go all out.  Budget constraints.  

”'What’s the biggest lie youever told?’  Really?“  Sherlock scowled at Mary.

"Size doesn’t matter,” Mollyanswered quickly, wanting to beat him to the punch on just one of theclues.

“Wh—?”

“The question, aren’t we doing thething?  So, ah, something small like Vienna sausages?”

“No,” Sherlock said slowly,“I think you need to go a bit deeper than that.”

Molly opened her mouth, then closed itand shook her head.  She shared a look with Mary; too easy.

Sherlock closed his eyes and clenchedhis jaw.

*

“So you really think it’s a goodidea to bring my stalker to the place I work,” Molly said asthey went through the main doors of the hospital.

“We’ll spot him from the roof. And Mary says it’ll make a great texture shot.”

*

“How long do we have to be uphere?” Molly asked, fists balled in her cardigan.  It had been anice day, but the weather had turned overcast and a fine mist of rainhad begun to fall.

“Until the stalker shows.  Nextbus is in five.  Probably on it,” Sherlock said.

Mary had turned the camera off to savebattery, moving to the far end of the roof to call John to check in.

“Honestly, I don’t know why weneeded this plan in the first place.  There have to be easier ways ofcatching a stalker in the act.  And getting blog traffic.  I mean, wecould have just turned it over to the police, let them handle it.”

“Yes, because we both know howcompetent they are.”

She was cold, she was tired, and shewas feeling a bit bitchy.  "Did everything have to be soelaborate, though?  I mean, maybe he had to work today or somethingand wasn’t even following us.  Or, I dunno, maybe it’s just sometroll.  Maybe you’re overreacting to the whole thing.  You don’t haveto be so… protective of everyone all the time.“

"Excuse me for falling in lovewith you,” he muttered.

There’s no way she heard thatright.  "You wha—?“

"I said 'Excuse me for failing tofind the clue.’  If I’d been able to find the stalker through moreconventional means, I would have,” he sniffed, turning away tolook over the side of the roof again.

Yeah, that’s really notwhat he said, Molly thought, but wasn’t about to press the issue. At least, 1.) not on a rooftop, 2.) in the rain, and 3.) with Marythere.

Of course, that was when the door tothe roof banged open and eleven stone of weedy,surprisingly-otherwise-normal-if-a-bit-young stalker came lopingthrough brandishing a knife and babbling something about 'don’t knowhow to treat a goddess, Mistress Molly deserves respect, phony blahblah, tosser blah blah.’  Sherlock moved in front of her because hereally was that protective, hands up and trying to placate ratherthan provoke.

That is, until Mary jumped the stalkerfrom behind and locked an arm around his neck, digging a thumb intohis wrist so he dropped the knife.

“Take notes, sweetheart,” shegrunted.  "This is how you do a choke-hold, not those weaklittle lady-hugs that you give.“

Molly peeked out from behind Sherlockto watch the struggle, briefly glancing at Sherlock, who still lookedaffronted.

"Lady-hugs,” he grumbled. Then, glancing down at her, “Might want to get hospital securityon the phone.”

*

“—and if you click the linkbelow, you’ll find a discount coupon for 10% off any sarnie combofrom Speedy’s!  And, ah, that’s the end of my Mystery Date withSherlock Holmes.  Bye!”  Molly waved at the camera; Sherlockclamped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.

“Aww, that was cute,” Marysaid, turning off the camera and capping the lens.  She promised toget a copy of the raw footage to Molly the next day and there werehugs and cheek kisses goodbye and then Molly was left standing aloneoutside of Speedy’s.  Well, alone with Sherlock, who was looking abit shifty.

“So would you, uh, like to come upfor coffee?” he asked.

She narrowed her eyes at him.  "Wejust had coffee.  Are you trying to trick me into washing your dishesagain?“

"No,” he said.  "I’vejust heard it’s the done thing when a date goes particularly well.“

"So you think our fake date wentwell?” she asked.  She might have been flirting, just a little,little bit.

“We did catch a violentstalker.”

“And I did get to go to aplanetarium.”

“So exciting you fell asleep,”he remarked, but there was no real bite to it.

She smiled at him and he smiled at her;it was definitely a moment.

“You know, I think I will havethat cup of coffee,” she said.

[gilbertandanne]

AU College Fic. Farkle never figured out how Riley really felt about Lucas, so it never got out. Now she’s turning 21 and the gang decides to go to Las Vegas to celebrate. Sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.

Rating: M

Pairing: Rucas

Word Count: 8,827

Cross-posted at ff.net            

Soundtrack (although not at all organized and subject to edits)

A/N: Trying something new with the second half of this chapter.  Feedback would be appreciated, although is certainly not required.  Again, this fic is rated M.

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | J | Q | K | A | J |

                              Chapter Twelve: Helen of Troy

Maya thought for sure she would be the last person up the next day.  She glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand as she rolled out of bed.  It was nearly 11am.  She took one look at the other bed and quickly noticed that Riley was completely passed out.  She had no idea what time the brunette finally went to bed, but Maya wasn’t about to wake her up until she absolutely had to.  Last night was rough for everyone, but Maya knew that it was especially rough for her best friend.  If Riley could find a few moments of peace in a different realm, who was she to disturb her?

Maya yawned as she quietly tiptoed out of the room.  She could feel the effects of a small hangover as she closed the door behind her.  She had a very faint headache, but knew from experience that one good meal would quickly cure her.

As she walked toward the kitchen, she noticed that only one other person was seated at the island.  As she drew closer, she realized that it was the last person she wanted to see after the previous night.  “Good morning,” she mumbled as she made a beeline for one of the cabinets.

“Morning,” Lucas grumbled in response before he sipped his coffee.  He had been up for a few hours already as he tried to figure out what to say and how to pretend that his heart hadn’t been splintered into a thousand pieces last night.  So far, he hadn’t come up with anything he could feasibly do.  He considered hopping on the first plane back to New York, but he knew that he couldn’t hide from her forever.  He didn’t want to hide from her, even though every protective instinct in him screamed at him to hide, to preserve some dignity and pride.

“Where are Zay and Farkle?”

Lucas shrugged.  “Zay’s still asleep.  I guess Farkle is too.  I haven’t seen him.”

Maya turned toward him as she reached for the pot of coffee on the counter.  “How long have you been up?”

“A few hours.”  He looked down at the cup in front of him.  He wasn’t really in the mood for small talk.  All he wanted to do was escape to the golf course for a few hours.  He needed something to do, something to concentrate on so that maybe he could stop thinking about Riley for a minute.  “Went to the gym, got a shower, and now I’m here.”

Maya brought the mug to her lips.  “Room service?”

He shrugged as he looked up at her.  “I wasn’t sure what we were doing today in terms of meals, so I haven’t eaten yet.”

She sat the mug on the counter before she reached for the menu behind her.  “I have no idea what the plan is either, but I do know I’m going to need something soon to kick this little headache I have, and I’m not really sure that the birthday girl is going to be up anytime soon.”

At the mere mention Maya’s roommate, Lucas’s gaze lowered to the counter.  “Pretty wild night, huh?”

“You tell me,” she began as she glanced at the menu, “I’m pretty sure that you had the wildest night out of all of us…you know with the whole disappearing act and everything.”  After a moment of silence, her eyes ticked up to look at him.  If he wasn’t going to offer an explanation, then she was going to demand one.  “Why didn’t you answer your phone when she tried to call you?”

“She tried to call me?”  He frowned the second he heard the hopeful tone in his voice.  He knew that it was a perfectly normal thing for Riley to do to check up on someone if they were late or missed an event.  The fact that she tried to call him didn’t necessarily mean anything, did it?  “I left my phone on the bathroom counter last night.  It was completely dead when I saw it this morning.  It’s charging now.”

Maya narrowed her eyes at him.  “You wouldn’t ignore her on purpose, would you?”

“No,” he answered firmly.  “Things are…complicated…at best between us, but I’d never want her to worry about me like that.”

Maya studied his face for a moment.  Normally an excuse like that would be completely unbelievable, but given everything she knew and had observed about Lucas over the years, it was the only thing that actually made sense.  She tilted her head to the side.  If he left his phone at the hotel, then he wasn’t trying to hurt her on purpose.  “So,” she placed her chin in the palm of her hand as she rested her elbow on the counter, “where did you go?”

Lucas didn’t even blink.  “I know what you’re asking.  Not that it’s any of your business, but I didn’t pick up any random girls last night.”

Maya smirked.  “I figured that much.”  She leaned back as she reached for the room service menu once more.  When she looked back him, she chuckled at the surprised look on his face.  “Riley’s the one who’s scared of your dating history, not me.”

He raised an eyebrow at her.  “Oh, you aren’t,” he asked sarcastically.  “Have you forgotten that I’m just a heartbreaker?  I’m the guy who will date a girl for two months and then drop her once I get bored.” He knew his resentment was seeping out, but he didn’t even care anymore.  He was tired of hearing the same story from everyone.  Now that Riley knew how he felt, he wanted to set the record straight about his supposed reputation.

Maya shook her head before she took a sip of her coffee.  Hearing the annoyance in his tone was the last piece Maya needed to confirm everything she had suspected.  She now knew exactly what was going on.  “Nope.  I don’t think that’s the case.  I love Riley.  She’s my best friend in the world, but sometimes her insecurity prevents her from seeing the whole picture.”

“Meaning?”

A smiled spread across her face as she sat her coffee mug down.  “Meaning that you find an initial attraction with a girl…a brunette with brown eyes…and on some subconscious level, you think that this girl is going to be the one to help you get over the girl you’ve been in love with since middle school.”  When Lucas opened his mouth to say something, she held up a hand. “I’m not done,” she smirked.  She wasn’t about to give him a chance to try to deny it, at least not until she had revealed her theory.  “So, you try to make it work even though you find out pretty quickly that this girl is no Riley Matthews because…well, we both know there is only one of those in the world.  You think that you can force it…maybe even make yourself believe that this time will be different…but then around the two-month mark, a certain four letter word starts to get tossed around and you realize that you aren’t in love with the girl you’re dating.  So, instead of leading her on, you end things and move on to the next one, hoping that this one will be the one to make you forget about the girl you actually do love…the one girl you think you can’t have because she threw you into the ‘brother’ category seven years ago.”

Lucas closed his mouth as he looked back down at the counter.  Out of everyone in their lives, how did Maya figure it out?  Yes, Zay knew about it, but it was only after Lucas had practically confessed everything to him.  As far as Lucas knew, Farkle didn’t have a clue.  None of their other friends had any idea.

“But that’s just a theory I’m working on,” Maya added as she slowly spun her coffee mug around.

“How?”  He had to know how she figured it out.  “I didn’t even know I was doing it until recently.  How is it possible that you knew before I did?”

“Because you’re way too close to everything to see it.”  She crossed her arms over her chest.  “I have one more theory.  This is a new one that just came to me, but it makes all the sense in the world because…I know you.  You’re not like most of the guys we go to school with.”

He took a deep breath.  “What’s that?”

She paused.  “It’s pretty invasive.”

“Maya, after the last two days, I don’t think much can surprise me anymore.”

She bit the inside of her cheek.  He had a good point.  She felt the same way, and she still had no clue as to what happened between Riley and him last night.  “I don’t think that you’ve slept with any of them.”

Lucas furrowed his eyebrows.  “What makes you say that?”

“Because,” she shrugged, “you’re different.  Because Riley and you…are a lot alike and I firmly believe that you wouldn’t sleep with anyone you weren’t in love with.”  She waited a beat.  “I don’t need you to confirm or deny anything.  It’s not any of my business.”  She took another sip of her coffee as she considered her next words.  “I was mad at you last night…because I thought that maybe I had been wrong about you, but now that I’m standing in front of you and I see how anxious you are…I know that I wasn’t wrong.  After what I saw last night… when you came back after your little adventure…I’m pretty convinced that you’re in love with her and that you’ve been in love with her for a very long time.  I think that those feelings are pouring from you now because…because you can’t possibly hold it in anymore.  Seven years is a long time to hold feelings like that in.”

Lucas said nothing as he reached for his coffee.  He took a long sip as he considered her words.  “Wow, Maya,” he finally said as he sat his mug back down.  “You should go on the road with that act.”

She shrugged, completely unfazed by the fact that he had just confirmed everything she had been thinking for the last few months.  “It’s a gift.”

“It doesn’t change anything that happened last night.”

“Are you still mad about that kiss?”  When he didn’t answer, Maya rolled her eyes.  She hated how stubborn and dense both of them could be.  “Dylan dared Asher to kiss her…for ten seconds.  You came in around the third second.”

Yeah, it was a dare.  He was told that much last night, but even if that were the case, it didn’t help erase the crystal clear mental image of her lips on Asher’s.  “All of these games are so ridiculous.  The only thing that happens is that everyone ends up making out with everyone else.”

“I know it’s juvenile, but it’s probably the last time we’re all going to be able to act like a bunch of stupid single kids in a place like this.”  Maya sighed.  How could she make him understand what was right in front of him without telling him something that Riley should be telling him?  “Lucas, look.  What happened is in the past.  Now that it’s morning…now that it’s a new day…now that it’s her birthday…what are you going to do?  Are you going to go after what you want or are you going to watch her slip away…again?”

“She doesn’t want me, Maya.  She has this perception of me that I’m the biggest fuck boy that has ever walked the earth.”  He rubbed the back of his neck.  Maya had already figured it all out.  He might as well come clean with her.  Besides, Riley probably already told her what happened.  “Last night I told her that I loved her and a few hours later, she’s kissing one of my best friends.”

Maya pinched the bridge of her nose with her index finger and thumb.  So, that’s what happened.  It made perfect sense.  It explained why Riley freaked out.  It explained why he left.  It explained why he looked so defeated when he came back and saw her with Asher.  “You’re an idiot.”

Out of every possible reaction he thought she might have had, this one was nowhere on the list.  “Why?”

“No girl wants to hear ‘I love you’ from a drunk guy at a club!”  She placed her hands on her hips.  This felt like the plot of a cheesy romantic comedy.  It was a series of misunderstandings, miscommunications, and bad timing.  Both of the leads were so stupidly in love with one another that they were both acting like complete morons.  “Especially when the girl is already scared to death of losing you.”

He knew the timing was bad.  He never meant to tell her the way he did, but it wasn’t something he could take back now.  “Maya, how does she feel about me?  Really?”

“Lucas, you know I can’t tell you that, but…I can tell you that you two are the biggest idiots I’ve ever met.  You would do anything for one another…even if that meant destroying your happiness.”  She softly chuckled.  “If there were ever two people meant for one another…”  When he didn’t return her smile, she rolled her eyes once more.  “Just trust me, ok?  I’m the first ex.  I know these things.”

“That’s the first wrong thing you’ve said during this entire conversation.”  When Maya knit her eyebrows together in confusion, he elaborated.  “You’re not the first ex.”  It only lasted for a few hours, but Riley Matthews would always be his first girlfriend.

Maya gave him a knowing look.  “She was never your ex anything.”

She was hung over.  She wasn’t nearly as hung over as she probably should have been given everything that she drank last night, but still, she had a horrible headache the moment she opened her eyes.  Riley still felt slightly drunk as she wandered into the kitchen, still cloaked in the shorts and tank top she went to bed in at nearly six in the morning.  She was so grateful that Maya already had breakfast waiting for her.  As she tried to eat enough to soak up the remaining alcohol in her system, she silently thanked God that she and Maya had a spa day today while the guys went golfing.  After the insanity of last night, she needed to relax.  She needed to close her eyes for a little while as she tried to process everything that happened last night.

“So, is there anything you don’t remember,” Maya asked as they laid face down on the massage tables.  She closed her eyes as the masseuse began to rub her shoulders.  She knew that she must have a lot of tension in that area.  Between the standard end-of-the-semester stuff and the soap opera she found herself in, she had also spent the last two days trying to ensure that her best friend had a memorable birthday.

Riley sighed.  She wished that she didn’t remember parts of what had happened—like that stupid kiss with Asher and her complete inability to say anything after Lucas told her that he loved her.  “No.  Unfortunately, I remember every second of last night.”  Stupid alcohol.

Maya had to chuckle at the pitiful tone in her best friend’s voice.  “Oh, poor baby.  You drink copious amounts of vodka and wake up with only a slight hangover and a crystal clear memory of the night before.”  She shook her head.  “You know…most people would kill to be able to do that.”

Riley pursed her lips.  She knew that things would probably be ten times worse if she didn’t remember what had happened, but she also would be blissfully unaware of the pile of mistakes she had made.  While she was still angry that Lucas left, she was even angrier with herself.  How could she stand there and not say anything to him?  “Most people don’t completely freeze up when the guy they’ve been in love with for almost half of their life says that they love them.”

“So, that’s what happened?”  Maya tried to act surprised, but knew she failed miserably the moment a slight giggle slipped through her lips.  ‘Up next on The Young and The Oblivious,’ she mused.  

“It’s not funny,” Riley groaned.  “I’m such an idiot.”  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she tried to get her body to relax, but she stiffened up even further as her mind refused to let her think about anything other than Lucas.  “We were outside…we were kissing—“

“Kissing, huh?”  ‘Huckleberry left that part out,’ she smirked.

Riley sighed.  “Ok…maybe it was a little more than kissing, but that’s not important.  He…he wanted me to tell him that when we sobered up…that when morning came…that we would be together.”

“What’d you say?”

“I told him that I couldn’t promise him that.”

Maya sighed.  “Riley, why did you say that?  You’ve been in love with him since the moment you met him.  I thought you wanted to be with him?”

Yeah, she wanted to be with him.  When she always thought about the future, he was always in it.  Even when he was with someone else, even though she knew that it couldn’t possibly happen, when she thought of the future, she immediately thought of Lucas.  “I do, i-i-it’s just that…”

“It’s just what?”

“He’s dated a lot of girls,” she softly answered.

Riley had spoken so softly that Maya almost didn’t hear her.  “So?  You’ve dated a lot of guys.”

“Yeah, but I’ve never…I’ve never been in a relationship with anyone.  I’m not…I haven’t…and I don’t want to be the next ex-girlfriend, you know?”

Maya shook her head.  She was going to lock them both up in one of the fifty rooms in their hotel suite as soon as possible.  One honest conversation could solve this whole stupid misunderstanding between them.  She knew that love tended to bring out the senselessness in people, but this was getting ridiculous.  “You would never be his next ‘ex’ anything, Riley.”

“I’m scared, Maya.  He’s the only guy I’ve ever…did you know that he got accepting into Texas A&M on a full scholarship?”  She still couldn’t wrap her brain around it.  His dream school.  The school that could make his dream career a reality and he turned it down.

Maya bit her bottom lip.  She didn’t know about that, but the moment she heard the words tumble out of Riley’s mouth, she knew exactly what her next question would be—and Maya already knew the answer.  “You don’t say…”

Riley cut her eyes in Maya’s direction even though she knew she couldn’t see anything other than the floor.  “You don’t seem surprised.”

“No, I am,” she insisted.  “I’m surprised he didn’t tell anyone about it.  Did he tell you last night?”

“No.  Zay told me.” Riley shook her head.  How she found out wasn’t what she wanted to discuss.  “That’s not the point.  Why would he give up something like that?  It’s his dream school, Maya.”

“Maybe it wasn’t his dream,” she offered.

“What are you talking about?”

Maya was getting ready to explode.  Could this be any more obvious?  Riley was a smart girl and Lucas was a smart guy, but both of them were completely clueless about how much the other person really cared about them.  “He wants to be a vet.  We all know this, but there are a lot of schools he could go to in order to become a vet.”

“Yeah, but he always talked about A&M…at least he did when we were in middle school.  Most of his family went there.  He wanted to continue that tradition.  I thought that he wanted to go back to Texas if he could…be a little closer to home,” her voice trailed off.  She narrowed her eyes as she thought about it.  “And A&M has one of the best veterinary programs in the country.  He got a full scholarship, Maya.  It just doesn’t make any sense.”

She closed her eyes as the masseuse dug into her shoulder.  “Makes perfect sense to me.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Maybe there was something in New York that meant more to him?”

As soon as the girls came back into the suite, Riley made a beeline for the living room while Maya disappeared to their room to get ready for the evening.  She stopped mid stride when she noticed Zay on the couch.  His eyes were closed as his hands were folded across his chest.  She didn’t want to bother him if he was trying to sleep, but she needed to know where Lucas was.  “Zay?”

He opened his eyes.  “Hey,” he smiled as he sat up.  “How was the spa?  Are you all relaxed and ready for tonight?”

She nodded even though she was anything but relaxed.  “Where is he?”  She knew she was being brief, but she knew that she had to confront Lucas before she lost her nerve.

“He’s in the bedroom, but—“ He stopped mid sentence as Riley breezed by him to go into the guys’ room.  “He’s taking a shower,” Zay called out behind her.

Riley didn’t care or even think about what Zay said as she threw open the door to the guys’ room.

Lucas’s head snapped up as he reached for the towel wrapped around his abdomen.  “Riley!”

Riley’s eyes widened.  She knew she should leave and let him get dressed, but as she turned to leave, another thought came to her.  If he only had a towel on, he could only run away so far.  Surely he wouldn’t leave the suite dripping wet and only wearing a towel, right?  She bit the inside of her cheek as she closed the door behind her.  She knew her face was flushed as she turned back to him.  “Why are you mad at me?”

Lucas gripped the towel as he looked down at himself.  Could she not see that he had just gotten out of the shower?  “Do you really want to have this conversation right now?”

She couldn’t wait any longer.  If she waited, she would lose her nerve.  The conversations she had with both Zay and Maya helped her to piece it all together.  Now, she needed to know if it was true or if there was another reason for it.  “It was just a kiss.”

He shook his head.  “No, it wasn’t.”

She frowned.  “What do you mean ‘no, it wasn’t’?  I was there.  It was one kiss…and it was because of a stupid dare.”

He thought about trying to brush off everything that had happened between them, but as he looked into her eyes, he knew that he would never be able to hide his feelings from her again.  “A kiss is not just a kiss, Riley…not when it’s with you.”

She crossed her arms over her chest.  “Asher and I are friends. Good friends, but just friends.”

An image of her lips on Asher’s flashed through his mind. “Does he know that?”

“Yes,” she insisted.  “I didn’t…he didn’t…we didn’t feel anything when we…when we kissed last night.”

“Did you want to?”  He wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer, but he knew he had to find out.

“I knew that I wouldn’t,” she confessed.  She knew it before Asher’s lips ever touched hers.  

His grip tightened on the towel that was still wrapped around him.  “Why’s that?”

The right corner of her lips turned up into a shy smile.  “You know why.”

Although his heart skipped at the sight of her smile, it wasn’t enough to placate him.  He needed to hear it.  He needed to know how she felt—one way or another.  “I don’t, Riley.  I don’t know how you feel.  I know how I feel.  I know how I’ve always felt…but you…I just don’t know.”

She subconsciously licked her lips as she found the nerve to ask him the question that had been at the forefront of her chaotic thoughts for the last ten hours.  “Why didn’t you go to A&M?”

“What?”

“Zay told me that you got accepted to Texas A&M…and that it came with a full scholarship.”  When he made no move to deny it, Riley felt her heart drop.  She knew that Zay would have no reason to lie about anything like that, but to have a silent confirmation from Lucas made it seem more real.  “I know that it was your dream school,” she continued.  “I know that it was where you’ve wanted to go since we were in middle school.  I know that…I know that it’s almost impossible for an out of state student to get into the doctoral program there.  Lucas, if you went there, you would already have a leg up on getting into their veterinarian program…and I know that you know that.  So, I have to ask: why did you decide to go to Columbia instead?  Why risk so much just to stay in the city?”

He was silent for a long moment as his eyes fell to the ground.  He knew that Zay was only trying to help, but that was one secret he had hoped to take with him.  He never wanted Riley to feel like she had prevented him from chasing a lifelong dream.  “I think you already know the answer.”

Riley took a shaky breath.  “Tell me.”  She had to hear it.  She had to know.

He looked up at her.  “What’s the point, Riley?  So you can push me away again?”  He ran his free hand through his damp hair.  “I didn’t go because I thought that maybe…maybe once we got out of high school, once we were out of that bubble…that you could maybe see me as someone other than your brother.”

“Lucas, I never saw you as a brother.”

“Yeah…I kinda figured that out last night.”  He paused.  “Riley, why did you tell me that?”

She clasped her hands together as she nervously shifted the weight of her feet.  “Because I thought there was something between you and Maya.  I thought that you both weren’t acting on it because of me…because you didn’t want to hurt me…so I stepped back…so that you two could be together and not feel guilty about it.”

He closed his eyes as her words resounded through years of memories.  Did that mean that every time their eyes met, he wasn’t the only one who thought that the rest of the world faded away?  Was he not alone in this?  As her words echoed through his mind once more, it felt as if he had finally been released from the ‘brother’ shackles he had been forced to wear for years.  This moment felt completely surreal.  “You kept that a secret for seven years?”

Tears slowly formed in her eyes.  “Yeah.  Yeah, I…there were so many times that I wanted to tell you, wanted to see if maybe…if maybe you had any feelings for me, but every time I tried to, something happened.  It was easier to hide in high school…I kept telling myself that you were Maya’s ex and I couldn’t have those feelings for you, but when we went to college…things changed.  I thought that maybe we could…I don’t know…but then we went to that party and…”

He took a step closer to her.  “And what?  Because I thought that maybe we…maybe we connected that night.”

She gave him a sad smile.  “I thought the same thing, but then I saw you making out with Lauren and I—“

“Riley, it wasn’t because I wasn’t…” he groaned.  “Riley, I was drunk.  I got drunk because I overheard you and Maya talking about me.”

She frowned.  “You did?”

He nodded.  “I spent like half an hour looking for you.  I finally saw you and Maya outside.  When I got close enough, I heard my name.  I heard you tell her that you didn’t like me ‘in that way’.”

Riley winced.  “That’s what happened?  Lucas, I wasn’t sure what to tell Maya because we hadn’t talked about anything.  I wasn’t sure how she would feel about it if I told her I had feelings for you.  You two did date and besides…I didn’t know how you felt…then we went inside and I saw you with Lauren, so I thought that everything was just in my head.”  She bit her bottom lip.  While learning about their misunderstanding at that party cleared up some of the reservations she had, there was still something that nagged at her.  “What about the conversation you had yesterday?”

“What conversation?”

“You told Zay that you wanted to go out and get a group of girls and bring them back here and do…whatever it was that you wanted to do.”  Even saying it made Riley want to throw up.

“You heard that?”

She nodded.  “I was coming to talk to you…to try to figure this out…and I heard you tell Zay that you wanted to have a real Vegas vacation.”  She paused.  “I didn’t stick around to get any of the details.”

“That’s why you kept pushing me away last night.”  He let out a bitter chuckle. “Riley, I only said that because I was mad.  I was frustrated that you turned me down.  I never would have…I haven’t…” he groaned.  “I’m not the guy you think I am.”

“Who are you?”

He waited a long moment before he answered her.  She wanted to have an honest conversation with him.  If they were laying all the cards on the table, it was time she knew the absolute truth about who he was.  “Do you want to know why every relationship I’ve been in has ended around the two month mark?”

She nodded.

“That’s usually when it starts to get serious…that’s when I realize that they aren’t you.  I never wanted to hurt anyone.  I didn’t…I couldn’t…I didn’t love any of them, Riley.”  He took another step closer to her.  “I couldn’t tell them something that wasn’t true and I couldn’t…I couldn’t do anything with them that I only ever wanted to do with you.”

She furrowed her eyebrows.  “What?”

His heart thundered in his chest.  “You think that I’ve slept with half of New York when the truth is that…I’ve been waiting for you.  I don’t want to have sex with anyone I’m not in love with and I’ve only ever loved one person in my life.”

She blinked several times as she listened to his confession.  She tried not to dwell on the details of his love life, but she thought for sure that he would have had sex with someone by now.  He had dated so many girls, and some of those relationships seemed pretty physical.  “You’ve never slept with anyone?”

“No.”

She looked down as a million thoughts ran through her.  He wasn’t that guy.  He was only trying to do what he thought was right.  He was, and always had been, Lucas Friar.  Although part of her was surprised by his admission, another part of her had always hoped that would be the case.

“How could I,” he went on.  “It’s always been you, Riley.  I tried to move on because I thought it was what you wanted, but I couldn’t.”

“I couldn’t either.  I tried…I tried so hard, but I…” she took a deep breath as she tried to steady her nerves.  She had to tell him, even though she was scared.  Even though she knew that she was risking everything, she knew that he deserved to know the truth.  “I love you.”

“What?”

“I do,” she nodded as tears filled her eyes.  The seven-year dam of miscommunications and misunderstandings had finally burst.  “I knew it the moment I let you go.  I thought it would fade over time…that my head would somehow convince my heart that it was the right thing to do, but I couldn’t.  Those feelings only grew.  I pushed you away because I couldn’t breathe around you anymore.  All I wanted…all I’ve ever wanted…was you.”  She swallowed.  “I haven’t…you know…either.”

“Haven’t what?”  As he took another step toward her, he wasn’t sure if he was dreaming or not.  She loved him?  She always loved him?

“I haven’t slept with anyone.  I feel the same way you do about it.  I…I wanted to be in love.  The problem was that I pushed the guy I loved away from me…to the point where I thought he saw me as…well…as a sibling.”

He slowly closed the space between him.  He wanted nothing more than to sweep her off her feet, but he was afraid that if he made any sudden movements, everything would fade away.  “I never saw you like that.  I-I tried to.  I wanted to be who you wanted me to be, but I couldn’t, Riley.”  He closed his eyes as she cupped his cheek in the palm of her hand.  That one simple gesture reinforced the fact that this was no dream.  “I couldn’t stop loving you…for seven years…I couldn’t.”

“Lucas, I love you.”

As her fingers lightly rubbed his cheek, he covered her hand with his.  “Say it again,” he begged as he rested his forehead against hers.  He wanted to hear it over and over again.  He had to hear it again.  It was easily the most beautiful statement he had ever heard in his life.

“I love you so much,” her voice cracked as she tried to quell the urge to cry.  She leaned back slightly as she looked into his eyes.  She couldn’t resist it anymore.  The walls between them had toppled down and she had to be close to him.  Seven years of separation had finally taken its toll on both of them.

The kiss was soft at first, barely a brush as their lips lightly grazed against one another.  Both felt a slight wave of nervousness overcome them as they were ushered into a new world.  This time there was no timer, no alcohol, nothing that could come between them.  They were able set their own rules and boundaries.

Only they were tired of having any boundaries between them.  They were tired of hiding how they felt.  They were tired of being unable to explore every avenue of the love they had for one another.

Riley smiled against his lips as he wrapped one arm around her.  His other hand still gripped the towel around his waist.  She slowly opened her mouth against his as she ran her fingers down his back.

Lucas shuddered as her fingers danced across his back.  Did she have any idea just how much of a hold she had on him?  He wanted to give her anything and everything her heart desired.  He knew that he was all in with her.  When her lips parted, his tongue slowly dipped into her mouth.

As their kiss deepened, Riley lowered her hands to the towel that was wrapped around his waist.  She rested one of her hands on top of the hand that had gripped the towel ever since she barged into his room.

Lucas pulled away from her the moment he felt her hand cover his.  He searched her eyes for a long moment.  “Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life.”  Her moved her hands to the hem of her shirt.  Without a second thought and without taking her eyes off of him, she lifted her tank top over her head and tossed it to the corner of the room.  “Your move, Friar.”

His heart raced the moment she slid her shirt off.  It wasn’t just because she was nearly half naked in the room he shared with Zay, although he had to admit part of it was definitely because she was half naked.  Still though, it was more than that.  It was the look in her eye.  It was the confident tone in her voice.  It was everything about this moment.  She barged in.  She demanded answers.  She decided that they were worth trying to figure this whole mess out.  She knew what she wanted, and for some strange reason, what she wanted was him.  He thought he would be nervous if the day ever came that he would be able to show her how much he loved her, but he wasn’t.  The look in her eyes told him everything he needed to know.  He was sober.  She was sober.  And they needed to form a connection that went beyond words.

And they needed that connection now.

He quickly closed the space between them as his lips crashed onto hers once again.  Riley’s hands lowered to the towel once more.  This time, Lucas didn’t hesitate as he allowed her to unwrap the towel from his torso.

With both hands free, he was finally able to familiarize himself with every curve of her body.  He slid his lips down the column of her neck as his fingers danced along the straps of her bra.  As his lips continued their journey toward her shoulder, he hooked his fingers under her bra strap and slid it out of the way.

Riley shivered as he slid her right bra strap off her shoulder.  She tilted her head to the side as his lips slowly moved back to her neck.  Her hands gripped his back as he maneuvered them back toward the wall.  She gasped as her back hit the wall next to one of the beds.  “Lucas,” she whimpered as his fingers slowly, painfully so, slid the other bra strap down her shoulders.

Lucas ran his fingers down her arm as his other hand rested on her waist.  “Do you want me to stop,” he asked tenderly before his lips pressed a soft kiss to her shoulder.

“No,” she shook her head.  “I want your hands, your mouth, your…everything…all over me.”  She ran her hand through his hair.  “I love you.”

His hands slowly made their way to the clasp on her bra.  His lips found the little spot behind her ear that instantly made her shudder.  “I love you too,” he murmured before he unhooked her bra.  He could feel Riley’s pulse rate quicken underneath his lips as he tossed her bra to the other side of the room before his hands glided down the length of her back.  For the first time ever, there wasn’t anything in between the top half of their bodies as they embraced.

“This feels so right,” she whispered as she closed her eyes.  She kissed his shoulder as she reveled in the feeling of his skin pressed against hers.  “Well…almost.”  She moved her hands to the waistband of her shorts.

“No,” Lucas said as his hands covered hers.  When Riley looked at him in confusion, he smiled.  “Let me.”

Riley thought her heart was going to jump out of her chest when he took two steps back from her.  She took a shaky breath as her eyes slowly lowered to admire his body.  She knew what the male form looked like thanks to their ninth grade health class, several art exhibits Maya had taken her to over the years, and a few of the foreign films she watched on campus.  She knew what to expect, but as her eyes raked over him the second time, she knew that nothing could have prepared her for seeing him.  To say that Lucas Friar was built like a Greek god would be a severe understatement.  She bit her bottom lip as he knelt down in front of her.  As his eyes lifted to look into hers, she wondered what he was thinking about—if she was what he had imagined or not.

Lucas had to remind himself how to breathe as he took in the beauty of the angel who stood before him.  All he wanted to do was worship her entire existence every single second for the rest of his life.  She was even more perfect than he had ever imagined.  Every freckle, every dimple was perfectly placed as it all added up to the goddess before him.  He placed his hands on the band of her yoga shorts as he looked up at her.  When she gave him a small nod, he slowly began to slide them down her legs.

Riley placed her hand on his shoulder as she stepped out of her shorts.  She looked down at Lucas as he slowly ran his hands up the back of her legs.  As his fingers reached the band of her black lace underwear, he leaned forward to place a gentle kiss on her hipbone.  Riley closed her eyes as she leaned her head back.  How was it possible that a simple kiss could make her feel completely weak in the knees?

Lucas smiled against her skin as he felt several goose bumps pop up along her hip.  As his fingers hooked underneath her underwear, he kissed her hipbone once more, only this time, he casually scraped his teeth against the bone before he planted a deep open mouth kiss on her skin.  He smirked when he heard Riley softly moan in response.  He slowly tugged her underwear down as he continued to kiss along her side.

Riley knew her legs were visibly shaking as she stepped out of her underwear.  Her eyes were completely closed, and her head was tilted back as she savored every connection his lips made to her skin.

“You’re beautiful,” he said softly as his lips slowly made their way further south.  “Every square inch of you is perfect,” he continued as he finally reached the gates to the world he longed to reside in.  He ran his hand down her right leg before he lifted it over his shoulder.  He turned his head to the side as he placed a kiss against her thigh.  

Her legs quaked and he hadn’t even touched her yet.  The anticipation, the knowledge that he was about to pay homage to the most sacred place on her body was enough to send her mind reeling.  She moved her left hand behind her as she tried to find something to hold onto.  The only thing she could grip was the edge of the nightstand.  She ran her right hand through his hair as she tried to steady her already ragged breathing.

The moment she felt his tongue against her, Riley leaned her head back against the wall.  As incredible as his fingers felt last night, it didn’t compare to this.  Her mouth fell open as a soft moan escaped her.  She knew that her left leg would buckle from underneath her, and was honestly surprised that it hadn’t happened the moment his tongue slid in between her.  If she died right now, she knew that heaven couldn’t possibly be as incredible as this feeling was.

He had never done this before, so he was completely unsure if he was even doing it right, but when he heard the soft moans and sighs coming from her perfect lips, he knew that he had to be doing something right.  Encouraged by her reaction, his tongue slid up as it circled the most sensitive area of her body.

Riley sucked in her breath at the sensation.  “Lucas,” she gasped.

“Hmm?”

The vibration in his voice reverberated against her, which sent another ripple of ecstasy through her entire body.  “Lucas, I don’t want to,” she finally breathed once she was able to find her voice again.

He frowned as he slowly pulled back from her.  “You don’t want to?”

It took her another moment to catch her breath.  “I don’t want to have my first…my first orgasm…like that.”

He tilted his head to the side.  “What do you want?”

She slowly lowered her head as her eyes met his.  “I want you to be inside me.”  When he didn’t immediately say or do anything, a sense of dread filled her.  Had she completely ruined the moment?  “Please,” she nearly begged.  This couldn’t stop now.  They were close—so close.

Lucas slowly lowered her right leg before he stood up.  He would have gladly spent the next several minutes worshipping every square inch of her, but she didn’t want that.  She wanted him.  She wanted him to be inside of her.  He never thought he would ever hear those words from her, but now that he had, he knew he would gladly and eagerly acquiesce to her request.

Without saying a word, he scooped her in his arms as he walked over to his bed.  As he laid her down on top of the bed, he hovered over her.  “Are you sure,” he finally asked her as he positioned himself in between her legs.  “I know it’s going to hurt at first and I can’t stand the thought of causing you pain.”

“I’m sure,” she whispered as she pulled his face to hers.  He was really concerned about her level of pleasure right now?  Of course he was.  He was Lucas.  He always considered everyone else above himself and his feelings.  They were more alike than Riley even knew.  She didn’t think it was possible, but she was certain that she fell more in love with him in that moment.  As their lips met, Riley knew that this was perfect.  He was perfect.  They were perfect.

As they kissed, he interlaced his fingers with hers.  As she sighed into his mouth, he slowly entered her.  When she whimpered, he paused as he took a moment for her to get used to the sensation.

Riley furrowed her eyebrows as she felt the pressure from his sudden entrance.  It hurt more than she thought it would as he slowly slid into her.  She didn’t mean to vocalize her discomfort, but the moment she did, he stopped, and kissed her softly on the lips before he slowly began to kiss a trail down to her neck.

She knew she didn’t deserve this.  She didn’t deserve to be loved by him like this.  He was treating her as if she were made of glass—like she was the most precious thing in the world.  The most incredible part of all of it was that he made her believe that she was.  She knew at that moment that he really did love her.  

And he had waited all this time.  He waited for her.

Her free hand slowly roamed over his back as he continued to kiss along her neck.  She pushed down on his lower back to silently let him know that he could continue.  Without a word, he continued to slowly fill her.  Riley’s heart thundered in her chest as she desperately tried to forget the discomfort she felt.

As soon as he was fully inside of her, he lifted his head as his concerned eyes met hers.  He didn’t even think about how it felt for him because he was so focused on making this as painless as possible for her.  “Are you ok?”

Riley nearly burst into tears on the spot.  The softness in his tone, the concern etched across his face was unreal.  She nodded, too emotional to say anything.

He kissed her forehead as he gave her another moment to get used to the feeling.  When he lifted his head once more, Riley untangled her fingers from his as she placed her hands on his hips.  “I’m ready,” she finally told him as her eyes rose to meet his.

He slowly slid out of her, which incited a painful hiss from Riley.  He frowned but she gave him a small nod of encouragement as her hands gripped his hips a little tighter.  When he slid back in, she still felt some discomfort, but her heart also fluttered a little at the sensation.  When she noticed that Lucas was waiting for her to say something, to give him any sort of encouragement to continue, she gave him a small smile.  “I’m not going to break,” she insisted as she cupped the side of his face with one of her hands.  “I’m ok,” she added as she lowered his face to hers.

The only thing that encouraged him to slowly increase his speed was the feeling of her lips pressed against his, while her tongue slowly massaged his, as their bodies fused together.  Encouraged by the soft moans that escaped her lips, he began to slowly slide in and out of her.  After a few moments, his concerns about the girl under him began to fade as a wave of pleasure overcame him.  Her breathy sighs let him know that what he was doing to her was no longer painful—that she was receiving pleasure from it.

The first few times he slid into her, Riley was uncomfortable, but gradually, the pleasure from the friction overtook her.  This felt good—more than good.  How could it feel this good when it hurt so badly just a moment ago?  She nibbled on his bottom lip as his rhythm began to increase.  

Making out with Riley in the hot tub their first night in Vegas had sent him into another world.  Being able to explore her body with his fingertips last night made him feel like the luckiest man to have ever roamed the earth.  Tasting her essence gave him the chance to openly worship the woman he had dreamt about for so long.  While all of the above had led up to this earth shattering moment, he knew that this—being able to surround himself with her, to feel not just a physical connection, but an emotional and spiritual one as well—was as if heaven had cracked open up above him and entrusted him with the task of ensuring the happiness of the most precious creature to have ever walked the earth.  How fortunate was he to be able to experience one of the most sacred and cherished of acts of love with a true goddess.  Surely the divine creature underneath him wasn’t mortal.  She couldn’t possibly be.  She was his missing piece; a fact that he had suspected all along.  Nothing ever felt quite right when she wasn’t around, but now, now that they were together, everything around him felt so much more real.  He knew that he could easily become addicted to this—to her—to being anything, to being everything she needed.

Because she was already everything to him.

Riley gasped as he hit a particularly sensitive spot inside of her.  She arched her back into him as her eyes snapped shut.  “Yes,” she moaned as she tilted her head back.  “That feels so good.”

“I can tell you right now that couldn’t be nearly as good for you as it feels for me,” he murmured as he lowered his head to her neck.

She gasped again as he hit that spot once more.  “That’s not possible,” she breathed as she further arched her back to meet each thrust he delivered.

The moment she began to move underneath him, Lucas knew that it wouldn’t be long before he completely lost control.  His lips slid across her shoulder as he tried to focus on something, anything, other than the angel underneath him.

“Yes,” she whimpered as she dug her fingernails into his back.  “Lucas, please don’t stop!”

He tried to think of something other than her.  He tried to think about the starting line up of the Yankees, the time he participated in the polar plunge at Great Kills Beach last winter, and even the horrendous thought that this perfect moment with her was only a dream, but none of it worked.  It felt too good.  She felt too good.  As she begged him to keep going, he knew he had to.  He needed to hear her cry out for him.  He needed to know that he had given her some small ounce of pleasure in exchange for allowing him to enter the gates of heaven.

He increased his speed with every sound of pure ecstasy that passed through Riley’s lips.  He knew that he would do anything for her—even obliterate himself if he had to.  She was the reason for everything he had accomplished since he moved to New York.  She had taken his heart the moment they met, and now, as their bodies were one with one another, he knew that there would never be anyone else for him.

Riley moaned loudly as she felt the intense waves of euphoria flow throughout her entire body.  Her body felt completely electrified as she entered an entirely new dimension.  It was everything she had expected it to be and so much more.

The feeling of her walls caving in on him finally sent Lucas spiraling over the edge.  He buried his head in the crook of her neck as he tried to catch his breath from his own meteoric release.

[gamethyme]

Let's Talk About 5E, Shall We?

I eat a lot of Mexican food. Probably too much, actually. But when I go to a new place, I'll generally order either something I've never seen before or chicken fajitas.

"Something I've never seen before" is pretty obvious. Those are likely to be the specialty of the house and will set them apart from the tacos and burritos that are ubiquitous on Mexican menus. Chicken Fajitas are a little less obvious - it's because chicken is a good platform to highlight unique or special spice blends. And I've never had two chicken fajitas that tasted the same. My wife, by contrast, orders enchiladas. Most of the flavor of an enchilada comes from the sauce, and - much like fajita spice - that can vary wildly from restaurant to restaurant. Most Mexican restaurants have more than one enchilada sauce (and many of them allow you to mix and match sauces on your enchiladas). So what does this have to do with Dungeons & Dragons?  Especially the fifth edition of same? A lot, actually. I've been playing D&D since I was ten. It was 1e at the time, and we played it on the playground at recess. I didn't get to play a lot, as my parents were part of the satanic panic of the eighties. This means I definitely wasn't allowed to own any books or dice. Because of this, I played the simplest class. The one that had the fewest complex rules. In 1e, that meant I played a fighter. Why? Because the fighter's only real decision was "Which foe do I want to hit?"  Mechanically, 1e fighters were (and continue to be) super-boring. By the time 2e rolled around, I was familiar enough with the rules that I was able to play something different. I dabbled with Wizards and Rogues before settling on (don't laugh) Bards. Because Fighters continued to be boring. When Wizards dropped 3e on us, Feats made some interesting changes. Suddenly every class had interesting customization options (and Fighters were more interesting). Some of the fighter feats meant that there were occasional interesting decisions to be made. I only played a tiny bit of 3e (I was much more a DM than a player at that point).  By the end of 3e's run, however, it'd turned into an optimization game. "The best fighter takes and and ." Or "Check out this broken Feat combo!" Pathfinder took the optimization aspects of 3e and turned them up to eleven. The game's power curve was structured so that players who didn't optimize were left behind. It also highlighted those parts of 3e that I didn't like, turning them into the focus of play. Note that I'm very carefully not saying "Pathfinder was bad." I'm saying, "Pathfinder wasn't for me." Then we hit 4e. Suddenly every class was equally interesting. And theoretically balanced. Fighter powers/abilities hit harder or applied status effects (stun and knockdown were pretty common). Wizard powers/abilities did elementally-flavored damage and applied different status effects to foes. Feats were less-important than power selection. And now we have 5e. For those of you who are wondering, I haven't broken my self-imposed boycott of 5e. I received a copy of the Player's Handbook (PHB), Dungeon Master's Guide (DMG), and Monster Manual (MM) as gifts from a friend.  I spent the next few days following that gift reading the 5e PHB and ... meh.  I don't get all the love it gets. One friend, when he saw that I had 5e in my hands, asked if I was "finally tired of that tactical combat simulator" that 4e was. I've got news for you, Matt: All editions of D&D are tactical combat simulators. And 4e is the best/most interesting of the bunch for most classes. Every edition of D&D has fallen desperately short when it came to mechanically rewarding non-combat encounters. Which means that 5e is - for what I want in a game - significantly less-good than 4e. Because it's a less-detailed tactical combat simulator. Reading through 5e, it's like a bizarre cross between 2e and 3e. There's good in there, mind you, but for the most part it strikes me as a huge step backwards. The only real "killer app" of 5e is the Advantage/Disadvantage mechanism. And possibly "Inspiration," which lets you trigger Advantage. I did what I often do when I confront something that is so popular that I just plain don't understand: I went online and asked my friends. Here's what I heard from them:

Combat in 5e is faster. This is both bug and feature, as you can have multiple small combat encounters in a single session, but big set-piece battles are less interesting.

Classes in 5e have three sub-classes that characters move into at 3rd level. Only one of the Fighter subclasses is boring 2e Hit 'Em more/better.

There are fewer ways to apply fewer status effects in 5e, which is cleaner and easier to understand for newer players.

Combat in 5e supports "theater of the mind" better than 4e and 3e. While you can use a map and grid, it's not as strictly required as it was in those editions.

DIY players have an easier time tweaking 5e, as 4e was so tightly interconnected. Creating a power here-and-there for 4e was simple enough, but creating new classes was a lot of work.

Even a lot of 5e players expressed frustration with how boring and limited it felt after a very short time. One friend said, "Loved 5 E at first, got bored with it after a couple of years." And that was pretty close to consensus.

5E hits on more cylinders than 4E for me and also has some good ideas. I have played it several times and will likely play it again. 

All things considered, I would still prefer to play OSRIC, Advanced Labyrinth Lord, Blueholme, or Low Fantasy Gaming.

Other games came up, too. Both OSR retroclones and newer branches of the d20 tree (Pathfinder and 13th Age especially). And games that aren't from that family (Fantasy Age got a lot of love).

Indie gaming legend Ron Edwards left a long comment that I'm going to quote in full, here:

I just played 5E for the first time, just a couple of days ago, as a player. It struck me as a very 2000s game, maybe even 2010 on the nose. That's not a slam, but identifying it very much as of its era, and not any kind of old-school whatnot which in this case makes most sense as precise marketing.

More importantly, as a game, it is caught like a writhing insect in what I called The Impossible Thing Before Breakfast. If I play my character, in the sense of all this characterization and agency that the creation process fires up, then the DM cannot create the story, as everything about DMing and especially the published scenarios and campaigns emphasizes. And vice versa, perhaps especially, vice versa. Everything for the player presumes a DM who isn't actually the DM as written/encouraged, and everything for the DM presumes players who aren't actually those players as written/encouraged. The net effect is almost always the same: the players are reduced to posturing, establishing and repeating tropes, and (eventually) goofing in order to enjoy themselves, as the DM waltzes them through fights that lead to clues, and clues that lead to fights. 

Exalted, all over again, and that's merely a refined point of reference among a sea of game texts of this kind. 

As with so many of these games, the solution is obvious: pick one or the other, and ignore, as in obviate, reject, abandon, defy, reverse the text and most of the rules concerning the one you didn't pick. But that solution is not arrived at very often. The more usual one is to play while insisting loudly online that this is the most awesome thing ever, then to limp along wondering about or resigned to the necessary outcomes of the Impossible Thing, and eventually to shift into lonely fun with one's extremely expensive purchases.

 There was also a ton of nostalgia for 3.x.  Publisher/designer Cam Banks said (in one of his comments):

When I moved to 4E, I hit a wall with the way the game was designed to centre around powers/techniques/etc. As a 3rd edition designer, I knew that system back to front; I could come up with stats and monsters and spells on the fly, and I even ad hoc'd a prestige class for a player (and wrote the whole thing up the next day). 4E was an inscrutable black box by comparison. I ran it like I ran 3E, and stumbled. I couldn't make my own classes easily, I couldn't eyeball anything, even with the famous page 42. It was extraordinarily frustrating because I liked what they were doing with the game, but the game didn't let me in.

 Peter Darley said:

It seems like D&Ds primary strength, in any edition, is to be a lowest common denominator. I don't think I would ever chose to run or play it given the universe of games available, but since not everyone likes the same stuff, D&D is often something that people can agree on.

 I had more than fifty comments on that post.  I'd link to it, but it's on Plus and Google is shutting that down next week, so the link would be useless.  There was disagreement, but not much. And it never got heated. So the long and short of it, for me, is this: If I am forced to play D&D and am given a choice of edition, I will still choose fourth edition. I can see some of the appeal of fifth, and I might play it a bit to see how it compares to second and third, but I don't see anything there that I can't easily find in a dozen other games.  Realistically, though, I'm more likely to play something else. I didn't get into it here, but it's worth mentioning that the DMG for fifth edition is quite good with some solid advice that applies regardless of the game being played. It's a shame that the game itself is so uninspired. from Blogger https://ift.tt/2Ulyp0F via IFTTT