#there is something about characters surprise tickling other characters playing an instrument or something-

[fluffystuffies]

i have more cookie..and with these two cause they are sosoSO sweet i love them-

[shellsinadune]

ok so i'm back, i've slept on it, here are some things i loved about the darlinghurst great comet (in no particular order - spoilers if you want to be surprised by the creative decisions):

the drinks were great, i don't drink so i had the war and peach at the intermission and it had glitter in it!! btw just in general love when theatres change the name of a drink for the show ('anatole spritz' (aperol spritz) tickled me)

everyone was so kind, i got complimented on my outfit and the person (usher? idk the word) was really helpful

the building was accessible in a way i wasn't used to. the accessible bathroom had those buttons to open and lock the door, idk whether the changing place was adequate for adults but it was there. there was a lift between the upper and lower ground floor so i could actually go down those half floor stairs that i usually just have to sit at the top of

the use of the (massive) disco ball was beautiful, i started crying during no one else and the little specks of light spinning like snow were a contributing factor in that

the costumes!!!! they definitely did their own thing with them. natasha's opening dress with the sleeves and anatole's crop top were highlights but the whole thing was cool. most of the fem clothes had a sort of babydoll vibe to them?? idk how to describe it.

sonya alone was beautiful, many of the solos (notably also pierre and dust and ashes) were performed as if the character was writing/singing a song rather than the actor performing the characters' thoughts, if that makes sense?? but just the spotlight on her, her playing the piano and singing..... it wasn't what i was expecting, but it allowed a nice little rest between bigger numbers and let me focus on the singing

the whole cast was so talented though, i think every actor played an instrument at some point which is super impressive. some of them had cellos strapped to them half the time and were still dancing.

the theatre was so small that i'm pretty sure the cast could fully see me sobbing in the back row at the end. that is how great comet should be.

the jumping skills were impressive. not just during the abduction but also when people were getting off the stage.

i like how opb's movements were mostly controlled by other actors dragging his clothes around. my dad and i had a conversation about whether it's symbolic of his privilege (having a bunch of yes man servants) or of his declining mental state (being controlled by his dementia (?) instead of what he used to be)

danatole rights in the duel and preparations (they are so dysfunctional <3). anatole grabbing at dolokhov's chest and kissing his neck when 'a fact known only to his intimates' *chefs kiss*

marya's actor wasn't performing and the swing was playing helene so the production manager (?) was playing marya. given that she didn't know the role perfectly (she had the script in hand) she did really well!!!!

the 2 little balconies were great, they added a lot of dimension to the stage. (for those wondering, to my memory the songs performed in the balconies were: pierre, natasha and sonya in the opera, natasha & anatole, dust and ashes, pierre in letters, preparations, anatole in find anatole, and pierre & anatole)

GENDERQUEER ANATOLE!!!!! the way they would switch octaves mid line <3333

actually multiple of these actors are trans/gnc!!!!!!!

there was no/very little ensemble so you could hear every individual voice during the harmonies

the program is gorgeous, there are little glossy constellations all over it which makes a nice texture

the choreography in charming was so neat. love those little shoulder wiggles.

no strobing in the duel (but yes strobing in the opera when anatole comes in)

they did something with the lighting during the ball kiss that sort of made it look like a veil of light and a little strip of darkness spinning around them. if i'm going to analyse it conveys natasha's confusion while giving her privacy. or something i can't figure out the words to explain it.

not really intentional but right before the bit of the opera with the show, they stopped the performance for a bit. idk why. but it was charming and helpful for me because i had to ground a bit.

i cried 7 times. my head hurt by the end of it.

the use of silence was so good. like pauses between songs, in the middle of them, idk just. you know that post about how live theatre conveys loneliness better than anything else? yeah.

i know i already said this but i kept putting these as separate points so i'll just say all the actors' performances are SO GOOD. natasha and sonya were like..... scarily well cast btw

the 'no, i am enjoying myself at home this evening' line was performed so well

i didn't get an on stage seat but they were sitting at a long table type thing that was actually part of the stage and the cast were literally dancing directly in front of them

i like the fact they didn't try to find gender conforming audience members to bring up (in this performance, mary's suitor was fem presenting and opb's 'cheap french thing' was masc presenting). they didn't change pronouns to try and match the gender presentation of whoever they called up. same with the actors during the abduction (matryoshka etc).

finally managed to id the woodwind instrument in the 'he'll come home one day and take me away, i want nothing more' bit ('twas a clarinet). that was bugging me for years.

the comet was depicted by natasha's actor holding a big lit up ball and slowly walking through the mid-audience bit of the stage. when the song ends she gives it to pierre and he holds it until it's the only light in the room. something something hope.

they didn't directly copy the recording, there were variations in the tune that caught me off guard (in a good way) and they pronounced things the way that was most natural for an australian performance instead of trying to americanise.

overall, the only thing i would want for is to have a recording for sale, because my memory is so shit that i remember something that happened yesterday about as well as i can remember being 4 years old (not an exaggeration). i'm sort of sad that i can't see it again and again, which is just part of ~the magic of theatre~ but also a sign that it's really that good.

(anyway i highly recommend it if you're in sydney before the 20th of august)

[hpalways]

Hiii! I saw that your requests were open and I was wondering if you could do a Genshin highschool au (modern au??? Idk what to call it-) and how Childe, Venti, Albedo and diluc would confess to their crush. Idk I just think it's a cute idea :)

Anyways feel free to ignore! Thanks and have a nice day! Don't forget to eat and drink water! <3

Note: sorry for how late this is but ofc!! thanks for the request and take care as well!

Fandom: Genshin Impact

Characters: Childe, Venti, Albedo, Diluc

Childe

Lost in your own world, you do not notice the red ginger waltzing his way up to the front of the class. Only when you hear audible gasps from the other students do you glance up, surprise coloring your face. 

His azure blue eyes are glued to you, mischief lining the corners of his mouth. Today his red locks are slightly gelled nicely, keeping out of his face and accentuating his features all the more. He dons his school uniform well, looking tall and confident up there, despite having everyone’s attention on him. But of course, that is just who he is as a person -- popular with the student population for being the class clown and a great track athlete with those long legs of his. 

Which is why you nearly fall out of your chair at his declaration. “[Y/N],” he called out. Pairs of eyes follow to you, making you still as a statue. “I... I really like you. You are funny and strong and brave and better of a person than I ever will be. Will you go out with me?”

The class ‘awwed’, lapping the entire scene in with excitement. You want to facepalm, thinking how stupid he is for confessing in front of everyone. What if you reject him? Goodness. He truly is such an idiot. “No,” you say. You watch his face pale for a moment and the students growing silent. Unable to hold in the laugh spilling from your lips, you prevent the awkwardness from seeping in. “I’m kidding. I like you too, Childe.”

Everyone burst into applause, as Childe hurries to you, wrapping his arms around you. Unlike before, his confidence has faded away, left with a vulnerable boy who is so relieved to not get rejected by the one he loves. 

Venti

Sunlight filter through the windows of the music room, casting a sheen past the wispy dust dancing in the air. A young boy with braided ombre locks peacefully sits on the window sill, his legs kicking forth in steady rhythm. Humming under his breath, his teal eyes dart to the door that opened up, instantly brightening up in excitement. 

You peek into the room to find the musical genius, Venti. His childlike charisma is found in the corner, his figure soft and beautiful. After having music class with him, you grew quite close to him -- he never fails to make you smile. He is different from others, a free spirit unable to tied down to anything. Never afraid to seek the thing he wants, he has pushed you to do the same. 

“You’re here,” he breathed out, soaring down from the high ledge. “Can I play you a song I’ve been working on?”

Beaming, you sit down on a chair and nod. Touched that he chooses you to hear something so vulnerable first, you are more than willing to do anything for him. He is a cherished friend -- one you never hope to let go. “Please do.”

He starts to strum the golden harp he’s holding onto, the melodic sound of it wavering into the room. He starts to sing words of no meaning, clear and pretty to match with the instrument. It mesmerize you from the bat, your eyes gluing the stunning male in front of you. His eyes are closed, but his actions were soulful, as if every note wants to say something to you. 

When he finishes, he stops you before you could clap. “Wait,” he whispers, coming closer to you, his eyes rimmed with tears. “I want to tell you a little secret. I like you, [Y/N]. A lot.”

You drop your jaw, blinking in shock at this newfound confession. For a minute, all is silent, the remnant of the song still stuck playing in your head like a broken record. Your cheeks warm and your heart race, and you realize you already know your answer to his confession. “I like you too, Venti.”

Albedo

In the quiet of the library where you can hear a pin drop, you listen to the soft ‘sha’ of the rain pouring outside of the school. It is the perfect day to study with the renown Einstein of the school, Albedo. You lift your gaze up to see him sitting across from you, crystal blue eyes peering down through his lenses. 

He has been very helpful lately, always offering to walk you through problems you are stuck on. It makes your insides flutter, taken off guard by his generosity. Stupid you are, you used to assume him to be a prick, just because he is smart. But now you know better... and the more you get to learn about him, the more you want to see him, not just for tutor sessions. 

He looks up from his textbook and you flinch back, ashamed for getting caught staring. How embarrassing. Quickly looking back down, you pretend to study, frantically scanning the unreadable letters painting on the page. You stiffen when you hear his voice. “Do you need help on anything?” he asks you. Even making his way around the table, you grow flustered when he bends down, platinum blond hair falling from his sides. 

Not only is he smart, but he is beautiful. 

He turns to look at you, inquiry coloring his features. 

“Oh!” you force out, chuckling a little. “No... I’m okay for now-- thank you though.”

He nods, yet does not leave your side, with brows furrowing in deep thought. “Well, I need help on something. Do you mind?”

Albedo? Needing help? How strange. Did the world just flip upside down. You nod in response anyway, unsure whether or not you can actually help him. 

“I can’t figure this out, but why do I feel so nervous around you?”

You pause, heart pounding so loudly against your chest you can hear nothing else. Did this mean...? He couldn’t possibly? But maybe you are too desperate not to voice out the suggestion. “Do you... like me?” you croak out. “Like... like like me?”

He does not respond for a moment, pondering long and hard about it. Eventually, he sits down on the chair next to you, nodding slightly. “I think I do. I like you [Y/N].”

Diluc

He is your bestfriend, your pillar, the one that has kept you true to yourself this entire school experience. No matter what, he is there for you, the one reliable person that hasn’t failed you once. And because he is that, you have grown to love him -- more than just a friend. 

Your arm is hooked around the redhead’s broad shoulder, his soft locks tickling you. In that usual ponytail of his, you always admired his looks, for he could pull off long hair unlike most people. Scarlet hues are trained on you, listening intently to the story you are telling him. 

Reaching your locker, you release your hold on him and begin to spin the locker combination. It clicks and unlocks and as you try to find a notebook, something else caught your eye. There, laying in the middle, is a delicately wrapped letter, accompanied by a lone rose. When did this get here? Blinking at it in confusion, you hesitantly take it, pulling at the silk that binded the thick paper together. 

Dear [Y/N],

you are my best friend, but to tell you the truth, I’ve always longed more from you. Because I have feelings for you, and you only. No matter how many years has gone and come, it has never changed. 

-Diluc

You turn to look at your best friend, disbelief coloring your expression. His head is downturn, his ears growing red in embarrassment. Holding tightly to the rose, you stand on your tippy toe to place a kiss on his cheek. “I have feelings for you too,” you breath out. 

“You do?” he echoes, his face lighting up like a puppy, yet too awkward to make a move. 

“I do.”

[stopeatingwhales]

about a girl x kurt cobain

hi guys omg- it’s been too long since i’ve last posted something, and my nirvana obsession has risen once again so what a thought into writing something dedicated to the one and only kurt himself <3 thank you ever so much to the person who requested this, i managed to write something i think i’m somewhat proud of aha

Pairing: pre-bleach era kurt x reader

Warnings: nothing! 

Word count: 2.165

Requested by anon <3

༉‧₊˚✧

Waiting for him to appear on stage for the first time was like a moment snatched out of a drunken stupor: so surreal I had to continuously pinch myself every few minutes for reassurance that this was really happening. With a mind cluttered in thought, it became hard to sit still for as little as ten seconds without being accompanied by an itch to either scratch my scalp in nervousness, or chew on my already bitten nails - attempting to sand off their roughened look from my previous antics. The most I had drunk that night was a couple sips of my gingerish coloured beer - with the room buzzing in anticipation and curiosity for who was headlining the bar tonight, it caused everything that even shifted slightly in its position to irritate me in all ways plausible. Unsurprisingly, I couldn’t manage to let anything settle in my stomach without having a sudden rush of nausea bubble up in my throat; it was Kurt’s first performance tonight with his new, reformed band, and being told that he was quite nervous triggered an anxiety in my veins stronger than the pain of the first rush of heroin dousing my body after months of not being able to get hold of it - allowing all my stress, agony and dread to escape my body at an expeditious rate as my body adorned the poison I was granting into my limbs. It was inevitable: Kurt was bound to be nervous before his first performance with new material to a bunch of strangers that had never seen the wonders of his model-face before, and although he had performed many times, a grasp of worry still caught into his hair as he tried to pass the time, like a knot you seemingly are unable to rid of, leaving you with no other choice but to resort to grabbing a pair of kitchen scissors and chopping that bunch of hair off. Which he had done many times. 

Whilst time speedily went on, I found myself calming down by a small amount, consoling myself with different types of remedies in solution: downing my drink, ordering another (this time a gin & tonic to spice things up) and repeating the same, before slamming my now empty glass to the table and standing up to get a clearer view of the stage, knowing they were going to come on soon. All that wondered in my mind was Kurt, quickly reminding myself over all the time we had spent together - the times when we had first become friends. I had been introduced to him early last year when Krist had asked me if I wanted to see his new band he was bassing for - and immediately was I enthralled, knowing that once I had laid my eyes on him, I would never be able to detach them from him: a poor man, masked in aristocracy in ways not physical as it may seem. He captivated me. His presence carried such warmth it was able to counter against the sun; your cheeks immediately burning as he locked eyes with you. You instantly wanted to wrap your arms around him, and when talking, you were instantly drawn to his short yet meaningful phrases, laced in passion stronger than an avocado seed. As my eyes were locked firmly together with his, I was able to notice something so pure and wondrous I had been unsuccessful in finding in anyone else: care. A simple emotion, somehow one of the hardest to master. Regardless of what the subject matter might be, he always carried a certain interest to it - constantly having something to say. Even if you found him sitting excluded from everyone else, you could notice that there was something either battling his mind, or inspiring him for something - new music, lyrics perhaps. It’s enticing, it's human. He’s human.

Suddenly, a distorted strum of a guitar abruptly blared through one of the many amplifiers dotted around the small stage at the end of the room. The crowded space was now silenced by the hasty noise, my (slightly intoxicated, yet conscious) head now instantly turning to see what had happened - although I was for certain it was the time I had been most excited for. Little whispers and hushes were the only things you were able to hear for the span of a few seconds as the amp's sound had silenced itself, a small buzz affiliating throughout the room, a couple of heads turning back and forth to see the number of people collectively awaiting to listen to the music of the unknown band performing tonight. My eyes stayed glued to the stage as I pictured his character, standing there in the middle, Krist and Chad capturing the rest of the space, adorned by their instruments - playing along to Kurt’s beautiful melodies. Gazing at his figure, beautifully formed with such masculinity, decorated with concerning parts of emeation, slowly embarking its way through to the middle of the stage - guitar gripped firmly in arm - birthed dozens of baby butterflies inside my stomach, tickling my insides in all sorts of ways. My nervousness resurrected itself once again, as I had come to a realisation that I wasn’t imagining anything at all.

Silence. 

No introduction, nothing. From his immediate grace to the stage, I could tell he was nervous; the bright light emitting onto his face allowed me to see his features much more prominently - allowing you to just about to see the small stubble that was forming on his face from his forgetfulness to shave in the morning. However, I wasn’t able to admire his face for long, only for a few seconds before he fixed his gaze to his electric guitar, placing his fingers on specific chords, then turning to stare at his bandmates. A couple looks were shared between them all, a mere roll of the eyes from Chad, a small smile from Krist towards Kurt - for motivation, as the good friend he was. Kurt on the other hand didn’t change his facial expression, only nodding his head at both the boys before switching back to stare at the instrument adorned by his grip, beginning to bob his head slowly - counting himself in. Even from afar I was able to tell that at that single moment, he didn’t carry a care or a worry for anyone but his guitar, focusing all his energy and thought into this one specific thing: the start of the performance. 

1...2...3...4

As the music began, a smile branched onto my cheeks instantly. A song I recognised, my heart warming as I realised what was playing. About a girl, the song we wrote together. 

Usually, Kurt would write alone, not wanting anyone else’s input and ideas; all the band played was what Kurt had written, for it was truly only his work on that stage, just a few people helping out to put it together in life form. However, there was a significant time after a band practice weeks ago where I had attended due to me having nothing else to do, and watching the three of them play always made me feel content - holding my heart with hope for the new wave of music they were producing. As they were packing up their stuff at the end of the rehearsal, Kurt had slowly wandered off from tidying up and had come up to me, awkwardly wanting to show me what he had written for a random song: hungry for my opinion even when he never really cared what anyone thought of his music. We ended up co-writing that specific song together, the song sounding the room at this very moment. As I stared at Kurt all that was met with my eyes was his entire concentration to perfect everything that he was playing; every move of the finger producing a different sound as he attempted to hit all the ones significantly partnered with the song. He knew I was watching him, that’s why he played this song first and foremost. 

Lifting his head up from the guitar, his mouth instantly pressed itself onto the microphone, revealing his raw, raspy vocals. My eyes were physically unable to detach themselves from the sight I was seeing at this very moment. They had performed multiple times before, yet this time, something felt different. New. Almost as if everything pieced in together, and with just a bit of sanding around the edges - they’d be perfect, unlike any band I had ever seen live. Watching the crowd’s attention simply staying undivided towards the band made me feel a sort of elation the morning of Christmas would give you, the sensational feeling hitting you that its the date that brought everyone together; this time the music was the thing that brought everyone together. My eyes scanned the crowd, noticing some people bobbing their heads, surprised by their immediate tunes that were being emitted from the song, widening my smile - if that was even humanly possible at this moment. Their fresh, uncensored, gruffy sound was something not many bands at the time even thought about playing - that was for people who were behind their time, Sex Pistols era almost. The feeling that warmed my heart at that moment was something indescribable - illegitimate for words. It felt like a lighter had torched its way into my body, the sharp pain bruising a bright crimson all the way up my torso to my cheeks, a breath hitched back in my throat as I slowly figure out the way to breathe again. The pain that caressed my heart so dearingly was also paired with a strong sense of joy. Happiness. Delighted that the pieces of such a complex puzzle were fitting together. 

As a minute or so went on, the crowd slowly began to get more and more into the music, some people now swaying their hips or dancing around with their friends. I couldn’t help but wonder how Kurt was beginning to feel, or what he was already feeling. Euphoria at the highest degree, something so strong not even a multiload of ecstasy could even attempt to give you. I found myself singing along to the words quietly, resulting in the people around me noticing that I was the only one who actually knew the song apart from the band. A random guy had turned to look at me, drink firmly gripped in hand, and with his rough attempt to shout over the loud music, whilst pointing towards the stage. “You know them?”

For a couple of scenes everything went still. I stopped moving, my eyes slowly getting lost with the man standing on the stage in front of me as I accidentally ignored the stranger’s question. I continued watching the stage, my eyes focused on Kurt - until his eyes abruptly opened, locking in with mine instantly. Startled, he noticed my starstruck expression, a little grin hanging off his lips. Maybe it was out of arrogance, however I knew he wasn’t planning on taking them off soon - not that I’d be the one to complain. His eyes were bright, glimmering with happiness; filled with life and fertility as they pierced into my soul so daringly, carrying the same devilish want that Adam had been challenged with once told not to eat the apple off the tree - his mind so intrusive he was simply unable to resist. His wondrous orbs carried a hint of impish, vanity, as they were also laced with a hint of seductivity and perhaps a shed of horniness, sudden greed blistering over his ocean-like eyes; he wanted it all, in the most wicked of ways. It would be a white lie if I had said this didn’t make me feel some sort of way; had he never looked at me like that before, I might’ve said otherwise. Perhaps his sudden bursts of confidence spewing out of him made him act this way, regardless, I knew it was something real. His eyes bestowed the same hunger he had initiated into his sudden approach when asking me what I thought of the music he had written, the first time me and him truly bonded together. I seemingly was unable to detach my eyes from him, for my body, heart and mind stayed encompassed in thought of how bewildered I was; in simply over a year, I had watched him grow, become more confident, sanguine, and it was all showing off now. He was staring at me as if the world was ending, and that I was the last thing he wanted engraved in his mind, aiding him into dying in such complacency it was almost as equal as equilibrium in the world of absolute zero. “Yes I do,” I muttered, nudging the unfamiliar person whom I hadn’t even set eyes upon. Feeling his gaze burn into my cheek, I continued to focus my eyes on Kurt, my tongue licking the sides of my mouth as I figured out words to muster. “That’s my boyfriend,” 

[the-knight-of-the-stars]

Shuri and Carlos and Jay

Sorry I´m so horribly late at this... But its finally done! yey! Hope is not too messy

For this Ship Game

Indiscreet

The party had lost its color several hours ago. With the passing of time, the same repetitive waltz played over and over again, and the quiet voices of the guests trying to sound demure with their flat conversation had ended up leaving those present in a strange state of boredom and fed up. The musicians themselves didn't seem to play as keenly, and the music dripped wearily from the instruments, floating on the empty dance floor as the waiters tried not to nod, beginning to lose their upright posture next to the tables of half-eaten snacks.

Shuri sat in the middle of the cottony environment, sitting at her table in the open air, resting her head on her hands and by inertia watching as Evie passed from table to table asking how everyone was spending it. The wind began to lightly shake the colored ribbons that decorated the tables, and Shuri was grateful that at least the breeze could lessen the heat of the strong summer sun. She blew out a tired breath, looking away, wondering for the sixth time why she had agreed to come to this party.

In her defense, the idea of a supposedly informal picnic, in Auradon Castle's new garden honoring the recently named Lady Mal and hosted by the very nice Evie, hadn't sounded so bad at first. Of course, Shuri couldn't have known that Lady Mal would be three whole hours late in arriving and that she would only be able to speak to Evie when she was rushing by to ask if they needed anything, as she looked at the sun to check the time, trying to hide her exasperation for the obvious failure of the party.

As Shuri fingered the bland sandwiches on her plate with her fork, Carlos returned with a couple of cold drinks. He sat down next to her, and Shuri straightened up to look at him, thanking him for the drink with a small smile. At least, Shuri thought sipping her drink, she'd had the good sense not to go to the party alone. If it weren't for Carlos, Shuri was sure she would have left the party in the first hour. But despite the uncomfortable boredom she felt, Shuri had allowed herself to enjoy Carlos's company with much more comfort than she had been able to until now. Having him close felt like sunshine.

"I can't take this any longer ..." Shuri exclaimed looking at the grassy ground and kicking it desperately "Is there any purpose to this? She is not even here "

"Yeah, sorry about that," Carlos said with a pained smile "I should have told you that the plan changes are Mal's trademark"

Shuri answered with a long, loud sigh, looking around and wondering if everyone would have the same desire to leave as she did.

Carlos gulped, daring to look at Shuri and unconsciously starting to form a smile. He could feel bubbles popping inside him. He liked Shuri in a way he could never have expected. She seemed to him to be the coolest person he knew, she was funny, fresh, sincere, and wonderfully intelligent. Shuri's talents had amazed him since he'd first seen her come as a special guest to demonstrate in robotics class, and he hadn't been able to take his eyes off her since. He admired every part of her, even though he had no idea how to show it.

Carlos had never so wished he could put his shyness aside. Just seeing her eyes made him nervous, she had a beautiful look. Carlos shook his head, and looked away, biting his lip anxiously, wondering what to say.

"Well ... you know ... if you want ..." began Carlos awkwardly trying to sound calm "I brought my headphones ... I'm not the biggest fan of parties either ... we can listen to something if you want ...

Shuri watched him for an instant. The proposal had surprised him, but an excited gleam appeared in her eyes. For the first time, she seemed slightly nervous.

"Of course, why not?" she replied with a small smile. Carlos also smiled.

He took them out of his coat pocket and handed one to Shuri to share. The afternoon heat was raging, and the wind blew, cooling their faces. Carlos chose a simple song, soft tune, and few instruments, but wonderfully happy. Shuri was surprised by how much the music managed to light up the atmosphere. She realized that she was closer to Carlos now than she had been all morning, their arms brushing, but she felt much more comfortable than she had expected.

Carlos's lips trembled slightly, but he seemed delighted to be by her side. Shuri smiled, feeling the music dance in her chest. She, too, was beginning to feel enchanted. She had always been fancied by Carlos, he was simple and brilliant. They understood each other with surprising ease, despite their differences in character. It had taken Shuri a while to realize Carlos' particular interest in her, his small approaches and spontaneous details, and the idea had amused her immensely. Shuri herself had been surprised at how much she had come to like him. He was a kind of sweet that she had never known.

"Thank you for joining me today" Shuri thanked him, believing it prudent that this time, she was the one to initiate the approach "You are much better at these things than I am."

Carlos lowered his head and smiled slightly. Was he ashamed? Shuri thought with a certain nervousness. That had been a compliment, she had paid him a compliment, hadn't she?

"It is my pleasure, I like to believe that in another life I would have been a fantastic princess" replied Carlos, a little more daring, bringing his face closer and looking into her eyes. Shuri laughed, more relaxed.

"I believe it too" she replied in a good mood.

"Or perhaps I am in this life as well, who knows?"

"Yeah, maybe, you certainly have the character"

"Oh, I do?"

“Absolutely, kind, crowd-pleasing, discrete. But you do need to be more arrogant, like a real royal "

"You are not arrogant, and you are a real royal"

"You underestimate me, white head"

"Really?"

"Sure, I'm a genius, arrogance is my life juice"

"Well, I think you are sweeter than you give yourself credit for" replied Carlos with a mischievous smile.

"Oh, shut up! I'm not sweet! " Shuri responded offended, giving him a small blow on the shoulder, holding back the laugh.

"What? You are sweet ”

Suri shook her head, smiling.

"I knew you were a boot licker"

Carlos responded with a laugh, raising his hands, in a certain attitude of Oh, you caught me there. Shuri leaned back in her seat, looking pleased with her friend. For a moment, she had forgotten how boring the party was, and even the music that was playing in her ear. The afternoon was beginning, and the rest of the guests seemed to have begun to lose their patience, fed up with the heat and monotony. But now Shuri was feeling a bit more optimistic. Maybe going there today had not been a total waste.

Shuri approached, a little more confident, and discreetly rested her head on Carlos's shoulder. He didn't move. H could hear her breathing. Shuri allowed herself to think that Carlos could be truly charming. No, not entirely a waste. There was a certain charm in that summer noon, it awakened the most subtle senses.

Just as they began to relax between the music and the soft breathing, their calm was suddenly interrupted. Suddenly, Shuri felt the tickle of a breath on the back of her neck.

"Hey!"

She looked back in surprise, and Jay's confident smile greeted her.

Unlike them, decked out in elegant clothes and neat demeanor, Jay was wearing one of his old sleeveless Saturday shirts and ripped jeans. His hair was messy, his face was glowing. Shuri guessed that he had just showered after Journey practice, and run all the way there.

"Hi princess" he greeted with his charming half-smile. Shuri answered him in the same way.

"Jay you bastard" she replied "You scared me! What are you doing here? It's a private party. You do know what that means, right? "

"Of course. It means entering is twice as fun. "

"Let's see if you keep smiling when one of the princesses sees you and sends the guards on you"

"Oh please, I thought you knew me," Jay said with an arrogant smile, sliding to sit in the chair next to her "Princesses love me"

Shuri rolled her eyes, and leaned back in her seat, suppressing a smile. Jay winked at Carlos in greeting and blew Shuri an imaginary kiss. She laughed, she knew what Jay had come for. He liked to cause trouble, he was always lighting sparks. And lately, he seemed to have gotten into the habit of showing up in the same places as her, with his seductive demeanor, bad jokes, and sassy approaches. Ultimately, Jay seemed interested in her. But Jay seemed to be interested in everyone, and unlike Carlos, he wasn't quiet about it.

"So… what have you been doing this beautiful morning?" Jay asked, popping one of the sandwiches on the table. “Did Mal already bored you to death with her speech? I heard her rehearsing last night… A nightmare”

Jay shook himself as if the idea had given him chills. Carlos gave a little laugh.

"I wish" replied Carlos "She didn't even come"

"Really?"

"Really" Shuri affirmed with a sigh.

"Well, too bad" Jay replied getting up from the chair "What do you say, are we leaving here?"

"We can't go big brain," said Shuri "We accept the invitation, now we have to wait for her to arrive"

"Oh come on Shuri ..." said Jay taking her hand and pressing his face to Shuri's shoulder "We're going to die of boredom here"

"Enough," Shuri said, pushing him away laughing, trying not to blush "I remind you that you don't have to stay, you weren't even invited"

"Well it should have been, don't you think?" Jay replied, kneeling between their chairs so that he could put his arms around both of them. "This party got so much better with me in it."

"Don't get your hopes up, we were fine without you, right Carlos?" Shuri exclaimed jokingly. Carlos smiled slightly, looking at Jay with a new twinkle in his eyes.

"I mean ... A little more fun would do us good" he replied with a shrug. Jay grinned from ear to ear.

"See? That's my man ”said Jay excitedly, leaning over Carlos to slap an enthusiastic kiss on his cheek. Carlos pulled away feeling his face heat up and gave a nervous laugh. "Come on Shuri ... don't tell me you don't want a more exciting Saturday"

Shuri refused to answer, crossing her arms, and raising an eyebrow. Jay smiled. After a heavy morning of training, Shuri felt like a delicious bucket of water. Jay liked the cool way Shuri managed to capture his humor, that she could joke with him in the same way. They managed to understand each other extraordinarily well. Somehow they were very similar, Jay could recognize it, but his own strength did not compare to the strength that emanated from everything Shuri did, it was a worthy, almost supernatural strength. But beautifully human.

Despite his magnificent intelligence, Shuri never made him feel like a fool. Jay knew how easy it would be for her to do it, but instead, she chose to be his friend. She chose to be simple, strangely, normal. Funny, exciting, awkward at moments, a little weird... like him. Although in reality, nothing about Shuri was ordinary.

Anxious, Jay rested his head on the table and ran his gaze between Shuri and Carlos. They looked gorgeous in their white party outfits, like two angels, getting bored in the sun from an emotionless party. The thought made him laugh. Maybe, he could be their devil.

Carlos looked to the sides, starting to blush to see that some guests were beginning to notice the disheveled athlete half lying on his table. Jay thought his nervousness was adorable. He could understand it, Shuri had that effect on people, you just felt the need to like her.

Seeing Shuri continue to be reluctant, Jay, with deft hands, took with his fingertips the sandwich that was resting on her plate.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Shuri asked "That's mine"

"Oh is it? Sorry princess ”Jay replied. And he put the sandwich in his mouth, holding it between his teeth "Why don't you come and have it?"

She shook her head, pursing her lips to keep from laughing.

"Don't test me, thief" she said, imitating the hissing way he called her princess "You could get burned if you play with fire"

Jay chewed on the sandwich, enduring Shuri's cosmic dark eyes, and smiled.

"I think I'd like it" replied Jay "You know would. I like... you"

Shuri knew it.

"And where would you take us?" she inquired approaching him.

"Where the wind takes us, somewhere we can be alone. All three,” Jay replied with a smile as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Shuri lowered her head thoughtfully, licking her lips. SH had imagined it, but I heard it was something different. Bum Bum Bum.

“Please Shuri, I had the most horrible morning, and you two had it too. I think we could use a little fire, ” Jay said with a shrug, a smile that invited them to fun.

Shuri thought for a moment. Bum Bum Bum. Her heart sang in her chest. What was that emotion running inside her? The brilliant thought of an unexpected adventure. She turned to see Carlos for a moment, and he too seemed excited about the idea. And the strangest of all, those two boys were an adventure. On a morning so flat, so white, it was the last thing she would have expected, but her heart kept beating.

The wind ruffled her clothes, made her skin crawl. Her friends looked radiant in the sun. The three seemed to share that strange feeling of boredom and fun at that failed party. Children playing politics, a forgotten and old-fashioned high society. Three extraordinary teenagers. They didn't really felt that way. How absurd that life they led sometimes seemed. The most normal thing seemed to be what happened between them. That first-time tender emotion, as mature as they could feel it. Wasn't that love? The most extraordinarily ordinary thing.

Shuri pursed her lips. She had done much more dangerous things in the past, she had fought, she had stood up in the name of her nation. Why did the idea of sneaking out from a party with two boys make her feel so adrenaline-fueled? She did not know it. But she liked it. A leap of courage, a little fire.

"Let's do it"

Jay laughed with victory, and ecstatic, he put his face close to hers. Shuri did not retreat, she kept her smile. So he kissed her, as he had wanted to do for so long. It was smooth and fleeting, barely lasting an instant. Shuri covered her mouth, laughing. She didn't even think about people seeing them.

Jay ran into the labyrinth of gardens, Carlos and Shuri followed him laughing, leaving behind their possessions, and the looks of the confused people watching them abandon the table. Carlos, on a happy impulse, offered his hand to Shuri. She hesitated for a second and took it, a new lightness in her chest, Carlos´s grip was firm and loving. And the two of them ran after Jay holding hands, engulfed in dreamy joy. Music of their own that resounded in their hearts. Losing themselves in the maze of roses and dahlias, jostling each other, splashing in the lily ponds, and rolling in the fields of freshly cut grass.

Daisies and herbs filled their hair, mud stained their clothes, drowned in the scent of flowers and the skin of others. They laughed until they were out of breath and were intoxicated by the embrace of each other, hiding their faces in other clothes and in the bushes of the garden. The sun was shining strong and high. Sweet, sweet summer love.

[tiny-smallest]

in little ways

Rating: G Characters: Steven, Greg Warnings: none Description: The world changing is inevitable, but there’s one thing that will never change in Steven’s life.

Also on AO3!

—

Holy mother of god did I finish something? Slap a hammer in my hand and call me jesus because I’m making miracles.

—

Steven Universe is five years old. He wakes up in the little guest room of Miss Vidalia's house that he lives in every winter when Daddy says she goes to visit her family and crawls out of bed, gulping back tears as he pads his way down the hall to the living room where he shakes his father's sleeping form on the couch.

"Da-daddy?" His tremulous little voice sounds way too loud in the quiet house.

His father is awake in less than a few seconds, sitting upright with a soft gasp and rubbing at his eyes and Steven bites his lip, reaching up for his father's arms. Daddy reaches down and scoops him up and Steven nestles right under his chin with a sniffle, rubbing his nose on his pajama sleeve. "What's wrong, Schtu-ball?" he soothes, fingers stroking through his curls, eyes worried in the light from the street outside.

"Ba-bad dream!" he sobs in a wail, tilting his head back as it comes bursting out of him. "The-there was- there was a bi-big- a big robot! A-an' and it gobbled you all u-up and then it cha-chased me an'-"

"Shhhhhh sh sh shhhh." Daddy's hand is big and warm on his back, rubbing circles into it. "Deep breaths. A bad guy came and ate me?"

"Mmhmm." Big, wet eyes peek pitifully up at him from his chest. "A-an'- an' I was all 'lone."

His father presses a kiss to his forehead, his voice warmer than any blanket. "I'm sorry. That must have been so scary. But I'm right here, kiddo. It didn't happen and it won't ever, okay?"

"Mmmnnn."

"... How about this; why don't we make a plan in case it ever does? That way, you'll know just what to do."

He sniffs. "O-okay..."

"Okay." He smiles, and it is soft and gentle and nothing will ever hurt them ever, so long as Daddy is here. Steven lays his head against his chest. "So here's what we do..."

The rest of the world melts quietly away.

—

Steven Universe is seven and sitting in the van, plucking quietly at his ukulele. His tongue sticks out of his mouth, tiny fingers carefully working to coax the right notes from the strings.

Despite his hard work, the intense concentration, a string snaps. It avoids catching his fingers and the sound isn't even especially loud, but the suddenness of it pulls a sound that is part squeak, part yelp from him.

"How's it going, Schtu-ball?"

He looks up to find Daddy putting a knee onto the edge of the van floor, leaning over to pull a water bottle from the package they'd stopped to buy on their way here. His eyes stray from aiding him in freeing the bottle from the plastic to looking over at Steven with a smile.

The smile fades, a frown of concern taking its place. "Steven?"

Steven looks down at the broken ukulele string with a sniffle.

"Oh," comes the response, further softened. "Here, let Daddy fix that for you?"

He holds his hands out. Steven lifts the ukulele up and over his head, Daddy accepting the instrument and pulling out a repair kit from where it sat behind the box of water bottles.

Steven watches in silence as Daddy pulls out a string and sets about restringing the instrument. He watches as he slides the string through the hole in the back of the piece of wood--the bridge, Daddy had called it--and tied it in place, then pulls it a few inches past the tuning peg he was going to tie it to. He snips off the excess and feeds it through the tuning peg.

"You know," his father says as he worked, "you've been snapping strings more often than usual. Is something wrong? Are you stuck on something?"

Steven shakes his head without really thinking about it. "Jus' not payin' attention as much as I should."

"Oh, well- that happens sometimes." He looks up at him and smiles kindly at him, eyes crinkling at the edges. "It can be hard to focus if you're thinking about something else. Maybe that's a sign you need a break?" He lowers his head to resume his work, but keeps talking. "Remember that talk we had about burnout?"

Steven nods without really thinking about it. There is something really nice about watching him work. He watches Daddy's hands, rough with callouses, carefully work with the tiny pieces of the instrument to restring the ukulele, turning the tuning peg afterwards to tune it.

He wants to be able to do that someday. Maybe he should ask.

What would be the point if you can't play and your song's awful?

"What if they don't like it?" he mumbles.

Steven doesn't realize he'd said that out loud until his father's head jerks up with a look of surprise. "Huh?"

"Nothing," he says quickly, kneading his too-large shirt in embarrassed fistfuls.

Daddy reaches over to draw his fingers through his hair. "Kiddo, is this about the song you wrote for them?"

Steven hunches his shoulders with a wince, but the gentle touch coaxes his head up. His father is still smiling, eyes kind with understanding.

"It's scary," he soothes, "putting your work out there. I know."

He returns to the ukulele for a moment and finishes tuning it, handing it back to Steven before sweeping the small boy onto his lap. He cuddles him close, Steven laying his head back against Daddy's stomach.

"Sometimes you realize how what you made has your heart and soul in it, and it's really scary, exposing that heart to other people. But the gems love you, kiddo. And they'll be so proud that you wrote something for them- much less that you can play it for them!" Steven closes his eyes, listening to the smile in Daddy's voice. "They'll love it because it's your heart and soul. And honestly, also because it's really good."

Steven makes a little noise and his father gives him a light poke.

"I mean it, mister. You've got real talent!"

Steven blinks and looked up at him. "Really?"

"Mmhm." Another poke, to his side. That tickles! He giggles. "With your cute lyrics-"

Another poke. Steven squirms, giggling louder.

"And your nice harmonies-"

"Daddyyyyyyyy!" He tries to shove at the hands both poking him now half-heartedly, overcome with squirming laughter.

"And can't forget that nice angelic voice-"

"Eeeee noooooooo stoooooop!" Steven begins poking his father's belly, making his daddy laugh too. His father lifts the ukulele over his head and begins to tickle under his arms, making Steven shriek with laughter, but he stops after a second and Steven mimics him, prompting his father's own snorts and shouts.

It ends with his father lying on the floor on his back and Steven on his chest, smiling into his face.

His daddy smiles back, laying a hand on his head.

"You do your old man proud already." His eyes shine. "I can't wait to watch you grow up, kiddo. I love you."

Steven wraps his little arms around his father as best he can. "I love you too."

—

Steven Universe is ten, and the autumn breeze is cool on his back as he sits on the bench and swings his legs, ukulele on his lap, fidgeting with the strings. He is bored, frightfully bored, the feeling nails scraping along the inside of his brain, but he just has to try to be patient just a bit longer.

The wind blows a ballroom of fall leaves past him, dancing and twirling on the updraft. He could write a song to that, right? Yeah, he could!

little leaves fall from the trees come twirl up a dance for me! play on the breeze on your way towards the sea come twirl up a dance for me!

He's getting better at the ukulele, he thinks. Dad ran out of stuff to teach him ages ago; said he'd covered all the bases and now there was nothing to do but play. Hone his craft, Dad said. But don't overdo it. Burnout was an awful monster.

So he's careful to follow that advice. But it's hard to, sometimes. He loves to play and write music. He loves snatching new songs from thin air and breathing life into them. He doesn't think he could live if he couldn't create it, play it, learn it, listen to it.

It's like breathing. If he can't do it, he'll suffocate.

He assumed for awhile that everyone was like that. It was jarring when he learned the other children in town didn't experience the same thing.

It's still confusing, even now. Maybe he could understand if there was something they needed the way he and his dad need music, but one of them just... doesn't seem to have that.

It was when he realized that that he also realized this same boy was usually alone. And he always seemed so sad.

Steven swings his legs again, plucking a few idle notes. That song needs work, but he's not feeling it right now. Doesn't mean he can't try coaxing other music from his instrument, though.

How long does it take a bus to get from Ocean Town to Beach City, anyway? Drive faster bus man! I'm dying!

A honk startles him and his mouth falls open as the bright yellow bus pulls up. "I SUMMONED IT!" he crows as the children file off the bus. They all look at him, but he's only looking back for one boy-

And there he is!

"LARS!" He leaps up and waves, and the other boy flinches back, staring at him first in confusion and then... frowns?

The other kids are staring too. Weird.

"St-steven- what- what are you doing here!" He recovers fast, hands on his hips. Steven smiles despite the scowl.

"I waited for you! I thought we could go to the arcade-"

"No." He glares around. Steven isn't sure who he's glaring at. The other kids are gone.

Lars's face relaxes a bit when he realizes this, and without another word, he turns to walk away.

"W-wait!" Steven jumps up off the bench. "I- I thought-"

Lars doesn't stop.

"O-okay! M-maybe tomorrow then!" Still nothing. "Uh- Saturday! Saturday's fine!"

Lars turns the corner. Steven droops.

"They've got a Saturday special?" he pleads to no one.

The leaves whirl again. Steven watches them before sighing and grabbing his ukulele.

It's a quiet walk to the car wash. He finds his dad just inside the building with the big brushes, hosing it down, and can't find the will to wave when Dad waves first. The bright smile droops, and Dad turns the hose off as he draws near.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, setting it aside.

"Lars didn't wanna go to the arcade," Steven mumbles, folding his arms across his chest. His father pats his shoulder.

"Maybe he's just busy?"

"Maybe..." He looks away. Dad crouches onto one knee.

"Maybe he's just grumpy. Maybe he had a bad day and he needs space." He hesitates. "Maybe he's just- not a very nice kid."

Steven balks. "Oh no! He's not a bad kid! He's just sad."

"Those things aren't exclusive, buddy."

His dad's voice is gentle, but Steven isn't having it. "But he just looks sad! Maybe he's scared of anyone knowing."

He fidgets.

"Or maybe I'm just not doing it right," he adds in a sad little whisper.

"Oh- Steven, no..." Dad cups his face with both hands. "... One of the hardest lessons you'll ever learn is... sometimes you can be the nicest you you can be, and it still won't be enough."

He tucks a particularly unruly curl behind his ear, something in his eyes heavy. "Sometimes people just aren't compatible. And sometimes they're just mean. That's not your fault, son."

"... But he seems so... lonely. Won't he feel better if he just has a friend? Doesn't he just need a friend...?"

His father's smile was sad. "... He probably would feel better if he had a friend. But you don't need to be that friend."

"But I wanna be."

Dad kisses the top of his head.

"You're a sweet kid," he murmurs. "But you don't need to be everybody's friend."

"I wanna be his. He's nice. I like him."

His father let out a soft sigh, cupping his face. "Maybe he really is just grumpy today, or sad, and needs space. But there's no shame in leaving something be."

Steven's insides squirms. "I... I wanna keep trying. But... he doesn't wanna today. And I don't wanna go alone."

Dad straightens up and looked around the car wash, a hand still on his head. "... You know what? It's been a really slow day here, stchu-ball. Let me finish up here and I'll close up early, and we can go."

He brightens, feeling the stars return to his step as he starts bouncing. "Really!?"

Dad never closes up early, though!

He smiles at him. "As long as you don't mind hanging out with your old man."

"Never! Never ever! Oh my god c'mon dad let's go let's hurry up what do you need help with-"

His father's laughter echoes around the building as Steven grabs the hose and charges deeper inside.

—

Steven Universe is fourteen, turned fourteen three days ago, actually, and is standing side-by-side with his father at his bathroom sink, razor held in nervous, twitchy fingers. "Like this, right?"

"Yup, just like that. Now you want to put it against your face like this-" Dad demonstrated with a razor of his own, the protective plastic casing over the blade to avoid actually maiming his beard. "And then slowly, carefully draw it down. No need to rush."

Steven draws the razor down his face in a slow but shaky motion, letting out a soft gasp of pain. "Ah!"

Dad winces in sympathy. "Well- close, yeah. You okay? How good did it get you-" He leans over his son to check without waiting for an answer. Steven let him look at the cut on his chin for a moment before reaching for the box of bandaids, his hand touching his father's hand instead of the box. They look at one another and laugh.

"Sorry," Dad apologizes as he withdrew his hand to let Steven take the box, smile sheepish. "Guess you can uh- patch up your own cuts, huh?"

"Well I mean..." He looks at the weeping cut and winces. "... Yeah, but still. Thanks."

He blinks as Steven opens the box and fishes out a bandaid. "For what?" 

"For taking time out to help me," he answers as he peeled off the paper and aligned the cotton part with the cut. "I guess I was a little eager and a little too nervous at the same time?" He laughs, a little shakily. Like his hands. "I always mess up worse when I'm like that. Too excited to do the thing and too nervous to really stop and think and steady myself so I can do it right."

His father's warm hand comes to rest on his back, and when Steven looks up and over at him, it was to kind eyes gazing down at him with a fondness beyond measure. "Everyone's a little nervous about new things. Even good things. Especially big, new things, like milestones."

Steven thinks about the way Connie smiled at him, and cuddled into his chest, and how the wind had tugged at her curls in the summer sunset. Like growing up and falling in love? he wants to ask.

"Like shaving?" he asks instead.

"Like shaving," Dad ruffles his hair. "And sometimes you make mistakes, but that's learning any skill. Your old man will always be here to help you master them, however long it takes."

Steven looks back into the mirror, at the only facial hair he'd grown and yet still somehow managed to miss.

Connie declaring she liked him even if he didn't grow at the same pace as her, would always care about him, something that felt so, so obvious in hindsight by how she panicked when she thought he'd melted into a microscopic thing.

"Even if it takes awhile?"

"Always."

He stares at their reflections, side-by-side, the hand on his back, and picks up the razor again with a smile.

"Thanks."

—

Steven Universe is sixteen and sitting across from his father at breakfast, resisting the urge to swing his feet like a child because the buzz in his brain and the core of his being won't go away.

He meant it when he told Dad he thought he could pull off the new look, he really did. Dad is Dad and will always be Dad, no matter what his hair looked like.

And it is because of that fact that his gut still aches. As his father makes small talk about the weather and Little Homeschool and some of the new Beach City gem residents, Steven finds himself staring at the short hair, especially when Dad turns to address their waitress, removing the threat of him noticing Steven staring for about a minute.

He sees the look she gives them, too. Not many people know the Universes that well, but everyone knows of them. Dad is less invisible to the fellow humans of Beach City than he is to the gems that inhabited the town to work and learn and play. While they remain oblivious to the fact that something awful must have happened, the human townies sure aren't. Their waitress's look is one of nosy worry.

Steven prays she won't act on that worry.

He likes to think that all these years together means he can read Dad like a book. Every gesture, every crease and line in his face, every widening of the eyes. Steven prides himself on reading people in general, and he knows his Dad better than he knows just about anyone else. Better than just about anyone else knows Dad, actually.

And what he reads right now are glaring signs of upset. It shows in the slight shake of his hands when he goes to cut his waffles, the lines around his eyes, the slightly-too-wide look he throws the way of the door when it suddenly opens with too much force because quartzes never know their own strength ever.

It reminds him of when they escaped the Zoo. The tremors, the fake smiles, the frightened eyes that sometimes glazed over. The realization he'd failed in his promise to make sure gem stuff never touched his dad again was something that had hit him earlier, but it doesn't make the resurfacing of that realization suck any less. His gut feels like lead, filled with so much guilt he could be sick with it.

His dad trembles a little all over as the quartzes step inside, crowing about... something he has no context for.

He desperately doesn't want anyone to call attention to it. Dad's already not having a good time. Please don't make it worse.

Thankfully their waitress does not. She sticks around for a second as Dad cuts into his breakfast, left frozen for a moment by the sudden loud entrance of the quartzes, before smiling at them and going to see what the gems might want.

His father laughs, a little too forcefully, and shakes his head. "You'd think they'd learn how light wooden doors are sometime!"

"You'd think," Steven manages to chuckle, shoveling a bite of pancakes into his mouth. It tastes like sawdust. Maybe the cook's new.

Something must have shown on his face, because Dad pauses before lowering his fork and reaching across the table. "Hey," he says softly. "Are you okay?"

He asked that question not even an hour ago and somehow it's harder to answer this time.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He forces a smile. It must not have worked, because Dad's frown only deepens and the knot in his forehead only gets more pronounced. "Really," Steven adds.

"... I know what happened this morning was- scary." Dad's grip tightens on his shoulder before letting go. He doesn't return to his food so much as push it around on his plate a little. "I know you said you were okay earlier but- really- if you need to talk-"

"No, I'm fine," Steven promises. The words fall out so easily and naturally he barely hears himself say them, doesn't have to think about it. "Really."

Dad puts his fork down and looks at him with a gaze so strongly empathetic that Steven for a moment fears his father is actually staring into his soul. "... I believe you," he said after a moment. "But if it ever suddenly becomes... not fine, come tell me, okay? I won't be bothered by it."

Steven nods, still smiling. Dad said the same thing when he kept asking after the Zoo, kept getting the same answer, but really, how wouldn't it be a bother? Dad had his own worries then, and he does now.

Dad believed him after the umpteenth time of being promised he was fine, his gentle offer always present each time but especially stressed the last time before he dropped the questioning entirely, and this time is no different.

If only he had believed Dad's promise in return.

—

Steven Universe is seventeen and curled around his phone, under his comforter, trying to ignore the sunlight against his bed.

He should get up. He should go take a shower and brush his teeth. He should get something to eat. He should go sit outside. If absolutely nothing else, he should do just that really short list.

But he can't move. He should get up. He should get up. Why can't he move? He notices a pink glow against his phone and lets out a noise somewhere between a whine and a growl.

"Schtu-ball?"

He jolts, brain taking a minute to catch up to reality. Steven pushes his comforter aside a little to peek out, his father's worried face looking back.

At the sight of him, Dad's concern melts into a smile. "Hey," he says in hushed tones. "How're you feeling?"

Like I can't even talk. He gives his father a grimace. A knot of concerned sympathy set itself in Dad's forehead.

"Want food?"

Does he? He thinks he does. He should eat something anyway. So he nods. Dad smiled at him and straightened, leaving the room.

Steven isn't sure how much time passed in a foggy haze, but it's disturbed when Dad returns. The smell of pancakes make him blink, pushing his comforter aside to sit up.

"You didn't have to-" he starts, voice cracking as his father passes him the plate. His creaky protests are immediately smothered with a very careful hug.

"I did," Dad soothes. "And I wanted to."

"But-"

"Shhh. No buts." He draws back, smoothing back Steven's hair as he sits on the edge of the bed. "Is it a talking day? Or a quiet sharing space day?"

Steven hesitates before holding up two fingers.

"You got it." The large hand begins to rub his back in circles as Steven rubs tears from his eyes. Stupid! Why is he crying!?

He's nibbling at the meal when his father adds, very quietly, "It's a lot. Sometimes things overflow. It's okay to cry. It's okay to talk. It's okay to not talk. Whatever you need, I'm here."

He turns to look at his father's face, at his dark brown eyes filled with so much love, before he rubs his eyes and begins to eat, really eat- slowly, but surely.

He leans into Dad's side.

Dad pats his back.

—

Steven Universe is eighteen. The world snaps into focus with jarring, sickening suddenness, like he just fell from one plane of existence to another. In a way, he did.

He lays there, gasping in the silence that thunders in his ears, in the thick heat settling over the room. He shudders, feeling tears track down the sides of his face, head full of cotton and fog. Where is he? What day is it? What time is it? It's dark.

He doesn't like that it's dark.

He tries to get out bed. Falls. The thud shakes the house and Steven whimpers as he tries to kick away the sheets twined around his leg, the feeling of being pinned making his stomach turn. He succeeds, flailing to his feet, opening the door to the balcony.

He hesitates, slams it shut, runs downstairs, and flees out the front door instead, taking the stairs two at a time and nearly falling his way down them.

The sea spray is a nearly welcome bite against his skin at first, but despite doing better to draw him into reality, it doesn't make the sick pit in his stomach go away. He is now wide awake, painfully wide awake, and yet every fiber of his body still shrieks sirens. His pulse is near painful.

He slows to a stop along the beachfront, doubling over, hands on his knees, breath coming in gulps and gasps.

What now?

He could go find the gems. He has full access to the temple, welcome whenever he wants.

He doesn't want to find the gems. They can't help him here.

Steven takes a moment to contemplate the trembling of his body before he admits what it is he actually needs to do, and he straightens, turning to jog back around to the boardwalk. Reaching where the wood meets the sand of the beach and the grass of the hill, he runs up the block towards the car wash, feeling his gut churn. He doesn't realize until he stops running that he'd even started, chest heaving.

He hesitates at the sight of the van before he pushes back the faint this is dumb this is dumb this is duuuuumb you're too old for this sort of shit echoing in scolding bursts from the back of his head and stands on his tiptoes to peer through the diamond window in the back of the van.

There's Dad, asleep, bundled comfortably in what was probably a more orderly setup at some point and during the night devolved into more of a nest than anything else.

Overpowering relief sweeps in like the tide he had just been running adjacent to a few minutes ago. His knees turn to jelly and a powerful burn creeps into his eyes, Steven covering his mouth and putting his back to the van, sliding to the ground and stifling as a sob. The van is icy against his back even through the random yellow shirt he'd decided to designate a pajama shirt. His hand finds his hair, grasping fingers twisting themselves into his curls, his other hand still over his mouth.

It's unusually chilly for a summer night. In two weeks he leaves for his road trip. These are random facts that have nothing especially to do with the situation and yet they're dredged to the forefront of his mind. Why?

Steven takes a moment to sit with the thought. The former is probably just because it's miserable. He's miserable. He doesn't want to be here, in this moment, right now, and the chilly night air is compounding his inner turmoil. The second...

Can he really say he's ready for this venture when just a single nightmare is enough to rip him apart like this?

It's a thought so upsetting he yanks himself away from it like touching a hot stove. His therapist would be disappointed in him for not engaging with the thought. He really doesn't have the energy to do much but hate his cowardice for a brief moment and then try to move on.

Dad. Dad is fine. Dad is safe. You can go home now.

... But he doesn't want to.

The thought makes his stomach squirm. What is he supposed to do? Wake Dad up? Bother him with the figment of his imagination? Hey Dad, I know it's like three in the morning, but funny thing- I had a dream about Eyeball and Aquamarine using that knife to do exactly what they were planning! So, how about the weather, huh?

No, he really doesn't think he had to bring that up again.

... He could wake him up without telling him details, though. Should he wake him up? Would that be selfish?

He could hear his therapist. "Steven, people love you. Let them love you. It's not a crime to accept the different ways they love you even when it inconveniences them; relationships are give and take."

Well, guess Dad's getting his money's worth, he thinks, slowly, shakily rising to his feet.

It still feels wrong. It's the reminder that Greg would be even sadder if he didn't wake him--even if Steven knows that's not the proper motivation--that makes him swallow and knock on the window, finally.

Greg jerks, sitting upright so quickly Steven can hear his back crack. This was a mistake.

But it's too late now. Greg's head turns towards where the sound came from, blearily blinking sleep from his eyes, and freezes as awareness hits. He scrambles up to his knees and Steven can hear him fumbling to crawl over to the doors, throwing them open as Steven makes his way around to the back. "Steven? Steven what-?"

"Hi Dad," he whispers around the thick lump in his throat, feeling supremely stupid, standing there shivering the way he is.

Dad makes a soft hushing noise, ushering him inside with sweeping gestures of his arms, and Steven is too weak to resist, especially since he did just wake the man up. He crawls inside, Greg immediately bundling him in one of the blankets he'd been using for sleeping before hugging him tight. Steven watches as he unsuccessfully tries to close the door without letting go of him by hooking his foot on the inside handles, but he manages it before Steven can apologize and move to do it himself.

"You're freezing!" he laments, letting go of him just enough so as to lean back and get a look at him. "What happened!?"

Feeling his father's warmth retreat even just a little leaves a yawning yearning somewhere in his center. Without giving himself time to think much more on it Steven moves forward to follow his father's movement and buries his face into the crook of his neck. "Nightmare," he croaked, willing his voice to hold and disappointed it doesn't do anything of the sort. "I just- I just had to make sure you were okay."

The tenseness in his father's form melted a little with the promise of no imminent threat, Dad reaching up with one hand to softly stroke his fingers carefully through his hair. "Oh Steven..." He felt his father's face press against his head for a moment and only half swallowed the whine that slipped out. "I'm here. Everything's okay. You need to talk about it?"

"No no nO NO DON'T PLEASE STEVEN HELP-"

He couldn't shake his head, buried against him like this, but he untangled his hands from the blanket enough to fist them in his father's shirt. You can feel his pulse like this. This is him. He's okay. He's alive. They didn't hurt him. You didn't let them. He found a way out, and you made sure they didn't go into the house after him, and then the gems squashed them outside.

"... I can't," he pleads. His father's arms squeeze him tighter.

"Writing?" comes the soft suggestion.

"Not this time. Not-"

Would he be ready to share this anytime soon?

... No, he can't promise that. He can't say 'later' when he didn't know when that would be. It would be too much like lying.

"Not yet. Dunno if soon."

"Okay," Dad soothes. He begins rubbing circles into his back. "Do you want to stay the night?"

"... Do you mind?" His voice sounds pathetic even to him.

"Never," he promises.

Steven swallows back a sob with a gulp and nuzzles his face into Dad's shoulder. His father's chest begins to vibrate as Greg starts to hum; a low, soft, gentle white noise he's heard a million times.

And will a million more, Steven realizes.

And will a million more.

Steven lets the heavy tension begin to leave, feels the coiled bands in his muscles loosen.

He lets his heavy lids finally close.

The rest of the world melts quietly away.

[redstarwriting]

Secret Ingredient

Thor x Stark!Reader

Request: “Can I request a Thor x reader something fluffy? Both of them are baking or something and thor is a complete doofus and it's all happiness bcoz I'm CRAVING happiness rn. Thank you so much for considering!”

Word Count: 1,393

Genre: Fluff

Warnings: Sarcasm, language, holiday themed

A/N: Okay wow, this is way past overdue. I am high key sorry I stopped posting randomly, school really took up literally all of my time. I can probably say the same thing will happen when I go back for spring semester, but I will try my hardest if I ever have free time to write!! This one was really fun, I’m just really sorry I didn’t get it tout sooner. I personally celebrate Christmas, but I didn’t want to leave out other holidays, so I hope my lil Hanukkah toss in is okay!! Enjoy!!

───────────────────────────────────

The holidays were always a complicated time for your family. Your dad is not the most religious person, but your sister is four years old and wants nothing more than Santa to come down the chimney and surprise her with all the things she’s wanted all year long. Your dad, of course, is also the best dad in the world, so he happily plays along and only complains to Pepper every now and then. And perhaps the absolute biggest downer of all, your grandparents were killed around this time. That really gets to your dad. He acts like everything is fine all the time during the holidays and just in general, but you know he’s struggling deep down.

On the other hand, your boyfriend loves the holiday season. Due to him being a literal Norse God, he absolutely adores celebrating Yule. He never fails to inform you of every detail of his people’s way of celebrating. In fact, this year you’re going to New Asgard to celebrate the days of Yuletide with him. Nothing about the holidays can make him sad, so you’re stuck in a crossroads between him and your dad. Oh, and the fact that you won’t be there for Christmas day this year also hurts your dad’s heart. You swear you saw it get a little dimmer when you let him know.

However, there is one thing you know that will always cheer him up. Food. And that’s how you ended up here, in your kitchen with your boyfriend with a Christmas playlist blasting. “This is very fun, (Y/N)! Now, what can I do to assist you?” Thor asks, grinning from ear to ear. You bought him an apron that says “Kiss the Cook” on it, and you’ve never been prouder about something in your entire life. What a sight it is to see the God of Thunder cheesing in a cheesy apron. “Well if you could get me some eggs and butter out of the fridge that would be ideal,” you tell him, and he hurries and does that. But he also drops the carton. “Not to worry! If they are broken it is okay, we need their insides anyways.”

“You know for a God you’re pretty damn clumsy,” you chuckle, bending over to pick up the eggs. Luckily, only two broke, so you weren’t out of business... yet. “My love, what else can I do?”

“Ummm- oh! Can you get all the icing out? And the cookie cutters? I want these cookies to be cute as all hell.”

“Yes of course!” You hear some shuffling and then a loud crash. You quickly turn around to see Thor on the ground, a box of cookie cutters spilled out around him. You can’t control your laughter, and he just smiles. “This is obviously very funny for you, but I am afraid the cookie cutters are now dirty,” he says, hoisting himself up from the ground. You just roll your eyes in response. “Thor, baby, we can wash them. With water. They won’t stay dirty.”

“Ah, yes. I forgot about that,” he says, beginning to pick them up and toss them in the sink. While he was singing along to an instrumental version of Carol of the Bells and getting soap everywhere around him, you finished mixing the batter and began placing it on the cookie tray. “Do you wanna try?” you ask your boyfriend, who is now quite literally just standing behind you and peering out from behind your shoulder. “May I?” You hand him the batter, stepping aside. “So all you have to do is- nope, okay you can also do that,” you begin explaining that for this specific cookie you must roll the batter into little balls and place them at least two inches away from each other because they tend to spread out quite a lot, but he just slapped down a glob of batter onto the tray. “It appears I have done it wrong.”

“That’s okay, we can give that one to Loki.” Thor chuckles at this, handing you the batter again to finish up the batter before you put it in the oven. “Okay, now we put them in for about 10 to 12 minutes, always start with the lower time because you can always put them in longer but you can never fix them if they’re burnt,” you say out loud to yourself, which causes Thor to look at you with a shit eating grin because he thinks you’re absolutely adorable. After you put the trays of cookies into the oven, you turn to Thor and give him a smile. “And now we wait! But we should probably get all the icing ready,” you move to the store-bought icing because you know Thor attempting to make icing with you would just be… messy. “So, we have red, green, white, blue, black, brown, silver, gold, and yellow. Perfect,” you mumble, and Thor intervenes. “May I ask why we have blue? The colors for Christmas are red and green, are they not?”

“They are, but Hanukkah is blue and silver and we’re including Hanukkah, especially since Pietro and Wanda celebrate Hanukkah. As for the other colors, there are characters we’re gonna be making. Inclusivity, Thor,” you tell him, grabbing the cookie cutters he got out a while ago and sitting them next to the icing. You sigh with contempt, proud of yourself when you feel two strong arms wrap around your waist. That’s when you hear the famous intro to the most popular Christmas song in existence. You immediately zip around, facing your boyfriend, and begin singing the lyrics. “I… don’t want a lot for Christmas… there… is just one thing I need…” Thor looks at you with an amused look on his face. This isn’t the first time he’s heard you belt out the song to him this year, but he loves it every time. “Is… youuuuuuuuuu,” you finish the beginning, and before you know it, you’re being picked up and danced around the kitchen. You and Thor “waltz” and mess around, using a whisk and the head of Pepper’s mixer as microphones. Through your laughter and singing, you hear your little sister’s voice. “Ew,” is all she says, and you and Thor stop, looking over at her. “Ew? I think you mean, ‘aw, how adorable.’”

“No, she definitely means ew. You two, are way too relationship-y. Baking cookies together? Disgusting,” you hear your dad say, entering the room behind Morgan and picking her up. “Shush!! And get out you weren’t supposed to be back until 7!”

“She got out of karate lessons early, something about holiday cheer. I’ll leave, but only if I get to taste the cookie dough,” Tony says and you groan, giving him a little dollop. “Mmm, sugar cookies. Good choice, sweetheart.”

“Leave!” He chuckles, walking out of the kitchen and heading upstairs to entertain Morgan for a little while. “As much as I love him, he can be so unbearable,” you say to Thor, causing him to chuckle. “Well, you two are very similar. You are possibly the only person who can actually get Tony Stark to leave a room,” he says, and you roll your eyes. “Morgan and Pepper have him absolutely wrapped around their fingers, too, babe.”

“Well, so do you! You also have the strongest Avenger wrapped around your finger as well,” he says, winking at you. You raise an eyebrow at him with a confused look. “I don’t have Bruce wrapped around my finger.” You can literally see him give you a “seriously?!” look before he says, “Okay, that is it. Prepare yourself, I am not going to hold back with this,” he says, approaching you wiggling his fingers. “Thor, don’t you dare!” you scream, starting to run around the kitchen as he chases you, ready to tickle the living shit out of you. “Say it was a joke!” he says, catching up to you and attacking you with tickles. Needless to say, your dad didn’t actually leave, and he recorded the whole thing. Although the holiday season was bad for him for many years, celebrating it with his wife, two kids, and God-who-is-like-my-third-child was amazing. Your cookies are also really damn good, and every Avenger enjoyed them and every time they asked what the secret ingredient was you answered with the cheesiest thing imaginable. Love.

[xpouii]

Tentacletober Day 17

Today I have made a masterpiece.

Prompt: Tentacle Gags (Gag as in a joke, or prank)

Fandom: Sanders Sides

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

Warnings/Tags: SFW, swearing, jokes, puns, playful death threats, sympathetic Remus, one-sided Intrurality

           Logan had just poured another cup of coffee and sat down where Roman was humming to himself and making notes, “Having trouble with the chorus?”

           “It’s not quite right, is it? What is it that’s hitting my ear wrong?”

           “Perhaps the extra syllable is stumbling you,” Logan said. “It does rush the cadence.”

           “I did shoehorn it in I suppose. Ok, give me a moment to rework this rhyme, would you?”

           “Take your time,” Logan said. “As long as you don’t spend more than twenty minutes on it, we’ll still be on schedule.”

           Roman nodded absently, and Logan scrolled through the schedule for the week, making sure Thomas wasn’t forgetting anything as he sipped his coffee and let Roman work. He glanced up when Patton and Remus walked together into the kitchen, an event entirely too suspicious to be ignored. Logan raised an eyebrow and lowered his cup, “Patton. Remus.”

           “Hiya, Logan!” Patton greeted. “Having fun?”

           “We’re working on a script,” Logan said. “The fact that we’re on schedule is certainly enjoyable, but I’m not entirely convinced that I would call it fun.”

           “You’re having fun,” Roman muttered as he finished the line, “Ok now, let me sing you this and-“

           “Wait! First, we have an important question for Logan,” Remus shouted, causing the two at the kitchen table to jump. “Go ahead, Patton.”

           “Oh! Right um… well, did you know the octopus is the only sea creature with tentacles, Logan?” Patton said, a mischievous smile on his face.

           Logan scoffed and fixed his glasses, “Patton, that’s absolutely-“

           “Just squidding!” Remus crowed.

           Roman looked over at Logan, who was barely containing his seething rage, “Uh, Padre? Why don’t you and Snively Whiplash go play in the livingroom? Logan and I are a little busy.”

           Patton hesitated, taking a step back but Remus took him by the elbow, “Come on now, Patton! Don’t Octopus out on me now!”

           “Language!” Patton gasped. “But that was a good one. Ok, Roman. What kind of computer problems do octopi have?”

           “Patton honestly, we-“

           “Tentacle difficulties!” the two cried out together.

           Logan rolled his eyes, “Could you two please find something more constructive to do? Anywhere else?”

           “Yes we are very busy!” Roman cried. “This isn’t easy and the two of you are making it nigh impossible! Go bother Virgil!”

           “Or Deceit,” Logan muttered.

           Remus swept Patton up into his arms and the two were an incorrigible mess of giggles as they left the room. “I’m going to kill them both,” Roman said.

           “Just help me finish this script first,” Logan said.

           Virgil jumped and hissed when Patton and Remus appeared in his room. He dropped the book he was reading and pulled his hoodie closer around him, obviously on edge from the sudden intrusion.

           Patton gave an enthusiastic wave, “Hi Virgil!”

           “Greetings, Emo!” Remus sang.

           “Whatever this is,” Virgil said. “I’ll eat you both.”

           “Ooh, Virgil pl-“

           “Ah!” Patton scolded. “Behave.”

           Remus pouted, but he was too eager to do the joke to push Patton’s buttons, “Hey, Virgil! How many tickles does it take to make me laugh?”

           Virgil stared them down, and when it became apparent that they—and their maddening smiles—weren’t going anywhere, he sighed in defeat, “I’m not touching you… but how many?”

           “Ten! Ten tickles!” Patton cried, jumping and clapping his hands.

           “Kill me,” Virgil said.

           Remus opened his mouth but Patton grabbed him, “Come on Deceit’s next!”

           “I hope he kills you two!” Virgil called after them, but he had the tiniest smile on his face.

             “Ok, Patton, remember, I have the perfect joke to tell Deceit!”

           “You still haven’t told it to me,” Patton said as they descended the steps to the subconscious. “I know it’s your special joke but, I wanted to be involved, a little?”

           “Oh don’t worry about that at all,” Remus said. “I want to see your reaction too! You’re just going to love it, I know!”

           Patton smiled, still a bit on edge, but so far, the day had gone well, so he nodded, “Ok Remus I can’t wait to hear it.”

           Deceit was in the dark living room, sitting at his desk and scribbling notes. He looked up at them both and looked surprised for a moment, “Remus, darling, what are you doing with Patton downstairs?”

           “I’m just visiting,” Patton said. “How are you Deceit?”

           Deceit put on his most charming smile, “Wonderful to see you, honey. Have a seat.”

           Remus nudged Patton and they both sat down in the chairs on the other side of Deceit’s desk. “Ok, Dee, I have to tell you a story! Patton too!”

           Deceit glanced between them, “You’re certain this is appropriate for mixed company, darling?”

           “Yes! I know Patton will love it,” Remus assured. “Ok, so, a man walks into a bar with an octopus.”

           Deceit leaned in, “A bar? With an octopus?”

           “Yes,” Remus said. “He sets the octopus on the bar and says to the bartender “I bet you $100 that this octopus can play any instrument in the bar.”

           The bartender points to the piano in the corner and says “Alright, let’s hear it.”

           So, the man puts the octopus in front of the piano and it gets fancy, playing Beethoven, then Piano Man to really get the crowd in the bar going. After enthusiastic applause from the bar, the man goes back to the bartender and holds out his hand.

           The bartender says, “Wait a sec.” He goes to the back and comes out with a guitar that he hands to the octopus. The octopus tunes it a little bit, gives a strum, and then really takes it away with Freebird. The crowd loves it!

           The man turns to the bartender and says, “Alright the crowd loves him you gotta pay up!”

           The bartender says to him, “Hold on, let me get another.” So he goes to the back and comes up with a clarinet, handing it to the octopus.

           The octopus grabs it and sloppily puts it in its beak then begins to play. It gets through a song but it’s not quite the masterpiece the first two instruments were, so the man is getting nervous. He goes up to the bartender and demands his winnings.

           “Hold on!” says the bartender. “One more and that’s it!”

           He goes to the back and comes out with bagpipes. He hands them to the octopus. The octopus looks at them for a second then begins to wrap his tentacles around the bagpipes, squeezing. The bagpipes let out a wheeze.

           The man goes up to the octopus and nervously says, “Well can you play it?”

           “Play it?” The octopus says. “Once I get its pajamas off I’m gonna fuck it!”

           Remus dissolved into hysterical laughter and Patton slapped both hands over his mouth, looking to Deceit with wide eyes. Deceit put a hand to his chest and feigned shock as well, watching Patton jump up and hurry back up the stairs before he chuckled, “Darling that was absolutely malevolent.”

           I told you he’s cute when he’s embarrassed!” Remus said. “You think he’ll let me fuck him now?”

           “Not after that joke, at least not unless you go upstairs and act extremely apologetic. Why don’t you take him some cookies? Some chocolate chip cookies, and don’t bake them yourself, for crying out loud. Have your brother help you.”

           “You said he’d like the joke!” Remus said.

Deceit shrugged, “I thought he would, honey, honestly. I can’t believe he didn’t!”

Remus nodded, scratching the back of his neck, “Isn’t he great?” he asked dreamily, then rushed off to bother Roman.

           Deceit rolled his eyes, “Idiots in love.”

[starstruckbigsis]

Birthday Surprise - Zhang Yixing

Characters: Yixing x Reader

Summary: you get a nice surprise for your special day.

For @shesdreamingofamonster ! Happy Birthday sweetheart… Hope you get to spend the day well and with lots of love and laughter.

When you woke up this morning, it was to a couple of messages that came through while you were asleep. Three of which were birthday messages from Yixing himself.

‘Baobei, happy birthday!’

‘You’re probably asleep huh? I’ll make sure to call later on in the day ok? We’ll talk about what I can get you as a present next time I’m back’

‘Happy birthday again honey!’

A big smile appeared as you read the messages, knowing that by “present” he really means something extravagant, that you didn’t really need, but he decided to get you it anyways. With a giggle and a shake of your head, you got up and got ready for the day. Your day would consist of going to work, going out to lunch with a friend, who insisted (it’s your birthday after all!), then working some more before going home for a quiet night in.

After your morning shower, you headed into the kitchen to see what food you could scrounge up for breakfast, only to change your mind and decide to go to this secluded café instead. So, without wasting time, you headed back to your bathroom to get ready for work.

Just as you were finished with putting on your outfit, the sound of your door chime rang through the house. Dropping everything in your hands, you went to see who was at the door. When you looked through the peep hole, you saw a delivery man there with a bouquet of roses. Happiness and joy overwhelmed you as you opened the door with a flourish.

“Good morning, bouquet for Ms Z?” the delivery man greeted with a smile.

“That’s me,” you said before he handed you the small delivery pad to sign on, then the flowers. Remember when you said by “present” he really meant something extravagant? Well, let’s just say, the roses were a little on the extra side. From what you remember seeing from passing various flower shops, the bouquet in your hand had about 50 roses in it, maybe a little more. This for you was a little much, considering the only vase you have may not fit all of these roses in.

You thank the delivery man and waved him off with a smile, as you quickly work on getting the roses into some water. A small happy sigh and a ‘huh’ left your lips, as the roses fitted perfectly in your small vase. Taking a second to admire them, you took your phone and snapped a quick picture of it to post online as well as send a message to Yixing.

‘Thanks for the flowers baobei…they’re lovely as usual. But you know I would’ve loved them even if you just got me a dozen, right?’

Without waiting for a reply, you went back to finish getting ready, heading out for the day some 10 minutes later.

                                                                  »»»

By the time you finished work, it was around 6pm and you had received a last-minute message from Yeol asking you out on a birthday dinner and to dress “fancy”. You politely declined, saying you won’t be home in time to be able to meet him, but he had kindly insisted, so you eventually accepted, not wanting to disappoint the other.

You arrived home roughly 30 minutes later, and were soon in the bathroom getting ready for the second time in one day. It took you another 30 minutes in there, washing up and reapplying make up, only to come out wondering what outfit to wear.

Green dress? Blue? Black?

In the end, you decided on a purple/black dress that you had bought on a whim some months ago, but ultimately loved when you wore it to a party. You took your phone and checked Yeol’s message again to double check where he wanted you to meet.

‘Meet me in the underground carpark of SM, I’ll wait for you by the elevators’

Confusion took over you again as you wondered what you could be doing at SM when he said he wanted to treat you to food. It didn’t take you long to walk out your door, while sending him a reply.

‘SM? I thought we were going for food?’

You only get a reply back when you were in the cab, half way there, but stuck in a bit of traffic.

‘We are’

How ominous, you thought. Just what is Yeol up to? Your eyes gazed out the window, staring at the night sky and enjoying the view that passed by. Between work and studying, it was hard for you to leave the house to do something, and even if you had time, you always decide to stay home and not waste your energy. When you reached the building, you quickly made your way through the underground parking lot towards the elevators, only to find a girl standing by and no sign of Yeol.

Cautiously, you walked up and was about to bail because you were scared to be around the building without any of the boys with you, but the girl called out to you. How did she know your name?

“Yeol asked me to come get you, he had to do something last minute, but he’s upstairs when you’re ready,” she said as she turned and pressed the button for the elevator.

“Oh, um… ok,” you followed her into the elevator and watched anxiously as the numbers on the screen rose higher and higher. The ding of your arrival startled you from your staring contest with the red numbers and when the doors opened, you could see Yeol a little ways down the corridor. Except, he was in sweats and a hoodie.

“Yah…you tell me to dress fancy and here you are in sweats and a hoodie! What’s going on Yeol?!” you called out to him. Yeol turned to look at you with a cheeky smile and bowed goodbye to the girl.

“Well, I actually have a different surprise for you…but only if you wear this blindfold,” he answered you, as he waved a blindfold in your direction.

“No. I don’t trust you…” you took a step backwards and sent him your best dagger eyes.

“Please?? I promise you’ll love the surprise…! If you don’t…I’ll really treat you to food,” he bargained only to have you smack him in the arm. He faked hurt to get you closer to him, blindfolding you in a surprise attack when you were paying attention.

“YAH!! Yeol take the blindfold off! I SWEAR IF YOU DON’T TAKE IT OFF, I’LL KILL YOU YEOL!” you yelled at him, but he didn’t budge. Instead, he laughed at you and tighten the knot and when you raised your hand to take the blindfold off yourself, he restrained your hands with his own, making sure you couldn’t reach.

“You’ll love the surprise…it’s going to be your best birthday present yet…” he said as he led you down the corridor to who knows where. A door was opened and Yeol ushered you in only to leave you and close the door as he walked out.

“Yeol?!”

A different pair of hands guided you towards the centre of the room and very gently pushed you down to sit on a chair.

“What’s happening??” you sounded on edge, anxious at not knowing what is happening. Hot breath tickled your ears, indicating that whoever was in the room with you was right behind you, very close to your ear mind you.

“Don’t be scared…you’re in safe hands…” the sultry voice whispered to you, the voice alone making you shiver. It sounded really familiar, but…there’s no way that HE was here, now. Or…

With quick but trembling hands, you reached up and took the blindfold off. The bright light blinded you for a few seconds, and when they adjusted, you saw the one person you had been wishing would be here.

“Yixing…” your own voice was a mere whisper at this point, too shocked but elated to raise it any higher in case it was all a dream and he would just vanish before your eyes.

“Hi honey…” he whispered back from his now crouched position in front of you, hand cupping your face lightly and pressing a light kiss your lips.

“What are you doing here?” you asked him, eyes never leaving his form, which was now going to the music system and pressing a few buttons on the screen.

“Giving you your birthday present of course…I couldn’t let my baobei spend today alone…” he answered you with his signature smile.

“Yeol asked me to dress fancy for dinner and we’re only here in the dance studio…” you whispered more to yourself than anything else, but Yixing heard you.

“We’ll be going to dinner in a little bit, after I give you your birthday present… though with you looking like that, I think we should just skip the fancy dinner, I don’t want anyone else coming for you…I wanna keep you all to myself!” he joked towards the end, a smirk on his face.

“Ohh, since when have you been possessive Mr Zhang? I must say it suits you…” you slyly told him and he giggled at your almost sexy voice, which you rarely used.

“So, what’s the present you’re going to give me…? A performance just for me??”

“Well, let’s just say that it’s something everyone’s been wanting, but lucky you, cause you’re the only one who gets to see it…” he moved towards the other side of the room, the tell tale instrumental of The Eve playing through the speakers.

He was going to dance The Eve, just for you…

[pocket-luv101]

The Beast of Greed || Chapter 4

Characters: Licht, Hyde/Lawless Ship: LawLicht Summary: Hyde was cursed to be a beast and the only hope he had to become human again was to learn how to play the piano. Licht didn’t know if he could trust Hyde but agreed to teach him how to play.

Ch.1 || Ch.2 || Ch.3 || (Ch.4) ||

Licht paced the hall outside of Hyde’s room. After he brought Hyde back to the castle, the staff helped him place him on his bed. Mahiru insisted that he should wait outside while they treated his wounds. He didn’t see how deep his wounds were but he remembered how Hyde collapsed after he saved him from the wolves. Worry turned in his stomach.

He could hear a commotion from the other side of the door and wondered what happened. Licht started to open the door but it swung open before he could. The doorway was empty but he could guess that it was Mahiru in front of him. He was one of the few servants that stayed behind to help Hyde. He pushed a small cart outside and closed the door after him.

“Thank you for bringing Hyde back so quickly. I did my best to treat his wound but it was difficult. His pride his more wounded than his body and he’s being stubborn. He won’t let me help him.” Mahiru sighed softly. “We should let him rest and heal for now. I’ll try again in an hour.”

“Give me that cart,” Licht said and then grabbed the handle. He forced the door open and marched to the bed where Hyde laid. Both Mahiru and Hyde were shocked by Licht’s brazen actions. He pulled off the blanket and took his shoulder. He forced him to sit on the edge of the bed and ordered, “Give me your arm, Shit Rat. I saw the wolf bite you there.”

“What are you doing here?” He growled but slowly held his arm towards him. Even though Licht helped him back to the castle, he was certain that he would immediately leave. Hyde wouldn’t blame Licht for doing so. He lost his temper when he saw him inside the music room and he likely scared him. He couldn’t read the expression Licht had.  

“I don’t know much about first aid so don’t complain if this hurt. You had the opportunity to let Mahiru help you but you said no. Now, you have to deal with me. Hold still.” Hyde watched him dip a cloth into the hot water. After wringing the water out, he careful dabbed the towel against his wound. The hot water stung and Hyde couldn’t stop himself from screaming.

“That hurts, Lichtan!” He took his arm back roughly.

“Endure it, Hedgehog!” Licht didn’t flinch and yelled back. “It wouldn’t hurt so much if you stayed still like I told you to.”

They shot retorts at each other for a minute. Licht grabbed his arm again to clean the wound. When he started to pull away, he moved closer to him so he couldn’t leave. In their struggle, Licht crawled onto his lap and push his shoulders onto the bed. Hyde glared up at him, “Will you leave me alone? This wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t gone into the music room.”

“I’m sorry.” Hyde was shocked by his soft-spoken apology. Licht took his hand and brushed aside his fur so he could see his wound. Gently, he pressed the damp towel against it. “I went into the music room when you told me not to. But your reaction was wrong too. You’re not a child so you shouldn’t be throwing things. If you hold still and let me help you, we’ll be even.”

“You’re not scared of me?” Hyde was almost afraid to hear his answer. He held his breath until Licht shook his head. He cleaned his wound and then placed the towel on the cart. Licht thought of how his mother would treat his scraps when he was a child and tried to imitate her actions. Hyde was far from a child and Licht traced his fingers over his muscles.

Licht quickly stopped himself when he realized that he was acting far too casual with him. His heart raced when he noticed that he was sitting on top on Hyde. He blushed and slid off his lap. He turned away from Hyde and focused on the supplies on the cart. For a moment, he paused and faced him again. “I could’ve fought those wolves off by myself but… Thank you for saving my life.”

“It looked like you were fending them off very well.” Hyde chuckled and Licht considered kicking from for his sarcastic words. Instead, he wrapped the bandages around his arm a litter tighter than needed. He winced slightly and Licht’s small smirk dared him to make another comment. “Okay, you proved that you’re a strong angel. Can you please take care of my wound properly now?”

“I did say that I don’t have much experience with things like this. With your arm hurt and bandaged, you should rest. Our piano lesson is cancelled for now.” He adjusted the bandages to be more comfortable for him. Licht glanced out the window and saw that it was almost dawn. “Go to sleep while you still can. The sun will be up in a few hours.

“You’re a bossy angel.” He groaned and laid back down in the bed. Licht pulled the blanket over his shoulders. Hyde caught his hand as he was about to pull away. From his red eyes, Licht knew that he wanted to say something more. “Licht, will you…”

Hyde wanted to ask Licht to stay by his side. He stopped himself because he was scared that he would never be able to break the curse. He couldn’t keep Licht in a cursed castle. With that thought, he dropped his hand from his. “Licht, will you teach me a new song tomorrow?”

“I don’t have the music sheets of other songs with me since you only asked me to teach you Für Elise.” Licht said as he stood. He lingered by his side and lightly patted his hand, “I can find some for you though.”

Licht walked to the piano in the center of the garden. His eyes immediately fell onto the rose standing next to the piano. Months had passed since he first saw it and most of its petals had fallen off. Only a few petals clung to life now. He wondered how much longer Hyde had before the curse became permanent. “Before the last petal falls, you must play Für Elise for the person you love. I wonder who that is.”

He tried to shake the question from his mind but he couldn’t. It shouldn’t matter to him but it did. Licht tightened his hands in his sweater and bit his lip. He brushed snow off the piano bench before he sat down. He thought the garden and thought that it was beautiful even in the winter. Absentmindedly, he played his fingers over the aged keys. A hand fell next to his and played a chord.

Licht looked over his shoulder and saw that it was Hyde. He tilted his head back and asked, “Shouldn’t you be sleeping, Shit Rat? What are you doing out here? I told you that our piano lesson is cancelled for today.”

“I came down to see you. Laying in bed is boring and I would rather talk with you. My legs aren’t hurt so let’s take a walk.” He suggested with a large smile. His smile became a little sheepish as nodded towards the music room. “I want to apologize to you about last night. You were right. I thought of a way I could make it up to you though.”

“What is it?” He had to admit that he was curious when he saw the mischievous gleam in his red eyes. There were a lot of places in the castle he had yet to explore. Hyde held out his arm as if he was going to escort him like a gentleman. They were both a little surprise when Licht placed his hand in the crook of his arm with little compliant.

“Close your eyes.” Hyde lightly squeezed his hand. “Do you trust me?”

“Make sure I don’t trip over anything. I’ll kick you if you do that on purpose.” Despite his sharp words, he allowed Hyde to guide him through the garden. He knew the layout of the garden well since he spent a lot of time teaching Hyde there. Hyde must’ve been thinking the same thing. He spun them in a circle until Licht was dizzy. “I’m going to fall, Shit Rat. This better not be a trick.”

“It’s supposed to be a surprise. I don’t want you guessing where we’re going before I reveal it.” Hyde saw that Licht was still a little dizzy. He placed his hand on the small of his back to help him. With his eyes closed, his other senses were heightened. The soft scent of the flowers combined with Hyde’s warm hand made him feel more relaxed. Licht leaned into his arm a little.

He heard a door being opened and Licht wondered if he wanted to show him a new room. Hyde’s hands fell over his eyes before he could open them. His breath tickled his ear as he whispered, “Take three steps forward. Be careful, there’s a little step in front of you. Don’t open your eyes until say so.”

Licht nodded and Hyde slowly took his hands off his eyes. He made sure that his eyes were still closed before he went to open the curtains. Hyde looked back to Licht one last time as he stopped in front of the window. Even though the room was dimly lit, he had an attractive glow to his cheeks. He touched the bandages on his arm and thought of how much more fun the castle became after his arrival.

The sound of fabric ruffling was followed by sunlight flooding the warm. Licht could feel the sun on his face for a moment before it was replaced by Hyde’s gentle hands. He opened his eyes and his heart skipped. Hyde was standing close to him and Licht had to look away. He realized that they were once again in the music room and his eyes widened.

“I know you love the piano and I hope that means you enjoy music just as much. I had my servants clean the room and restore the instruments.” He clapped his hand and the instruments came to life. A jovial song quickly filled the large room. “I would love to play the violin for you myself but it’s difficult with these paws. Do you like my surprise?”

“The song is beautiful.” His voice was a little breathless. Licht had never been given a private concert before. Since he lived in a small village, he rarely met another person who played an instrument. He was surprised by how different the music room was compared to last night. He walked to a violin and lightly placed his hand on the bow. “Maybe you can play this for me after you break the curse.”

“That will be the first thing I do.” Hyde promised. “Until then, can I have a dance? It’ll be a waste of a good song if we just stand here.”

“We wouldn’t want to do that. This is for the sake of the song,” He said and faced him. Hyde bowed to him in an exaggerated fashion that made Licht chuckle. As he stood, Licht laid one hand on his shoulder and the other in his hand. He noticed how careful his grip was. Licht took Hyde’s other hand and placed it on his hip. “You know how to dance, right?”

“It has been a long time since I last danced.” Hyde admitted and guided him through a leisurely dance around the music room. The instruments circled them and they were surrounded by the slow song. Licht found himself leaning his head on his broad shoulder. He closed his eyes and let himself be swept away by the moment. He hummed along with the song.

They both lost track of time as they danced together. The music room held bittersweet memories for Hyde but not one of them passed his mind while he was with Licht. He liked holding him in his arms and Hyde thought he fit against him so well. He reached up to lightly stroke his dark hair but he was afraid his claws would hurt him.

Licht tilted his head back and looked up at him, “The curse says you need to play for the person you love. Is that Mahiru? He’s one of the only servants that stayed behind with you after the curse.”

“Mahiru and I are just friends. Even if he hated me, Mahiru’s nature wouldn’t let him abandon someone in need of help.” He told him. Licht didn’t understand the strange mix of relief and jealousy he felt. “When I was human, there was a princess I loved. She died before I could tell her how I felt. Sometimes, I wonder if she would still be alive if I had told her how I felt.”

Their steps slowed until they stopped dancing. Licht cupped his cheek and lightly stroked him in comfort. His red eyes were full of regret and the sight squeezed Licht’s heart. “Her father thought the very same thing. Ophelia became engaged to another prince and her wedding carriage crashed. He blamed a lot of people for her death and I was one of them. He cursed me to be a beast.”

“What? Her death was a tragedy but you’re not to blame. He can’t punish you with this curse.” Licht was shocked that he was cursed for something outside of his control. “Is the man still alive? We can talk to him and force him to break the curse.”

“I don’t think he’ll do that even if I begged him on my knees. The only hope I have to become human is to play the piano at Ophelia’s grave. I couldn’t tell her I loved her when she was alive but, hopefully, my feelings will reach her in the afterworld.”

[kanasmusings]

[Translation] StarMyu Season 3 Kao Kai - Character Q & A - Part 2

Here’s part 2~! It covers Kasuga-chan, Irinatsu, and Chiaki! I had so much fun reading all of these because it just gives us a glimpse about how the new Kao Council are outside of their usual activities in school~ After this, the new songs will be posted~! 

Now, I’m wondering-- Who’s everyone’s favorite new member for now??? XD 

※ Please don’t re-post and re-translate this interview under any circumstances. If you want to translate it to your native language, the kanji is readily available in the anime official website.

Anyways, full interviews under the cut, enjoy~!

[Kasugano Shion Q & A]

  1.) Please introduce yourself.

- Musical Department 3rd year. I’m the Kao Council’s Kasugano Shion.

2.) What first impression do people usually have of you?

- “Behaved”. And then when we get to know each other a bit more, it becomes, “You’re kinda weird.”

3.) But really, it’s?

- I don’t think that I’m a noisy person. I don’t know whether I am weird or not, too.

4.) What are you confident in?

- I don’t get surprised no matter what happens. My fortune-telling hobby sometimes warns me greatly about certain happenings.

5.) What are your weaknesses?

- … Shiki and Irinatsu said that I sometimes get easily offended…

6.) What was your nickname in middle school?

- “Shion,” and “Haru.” When I got to high school, Irinatsu started calling me, “Kasuga-chan.”

7.) What’s your favourite way to travel?

- If the weather is good, I like to walk.

8.) What was usually written on your report cards?

- … “One flaw he has is he’s quick to be offended.”…

9.) What’s one thing you absolutely can’t forgive?

- When Shiki’s keeping things to himself-- If he experiences a painful memory then… I won’t forgive myself.

10.) What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

- Fix my bedhair. Since I have soft hair, it takes quite a while to fix it in the mornings.

11.) What’s your favourite food?

- Shiki and Irinatsu have said that I like things that have a lot of calcium in it.

12.) How do you spend your days off?

- Lately, I’ve been researching ways on how to make fortune cookies. I can eat as many as needed until I get the “great luck” fortune.

13.) What is one bad point about yourself?

- … That maybe I really am… a bit quick to be offended.

14.) What’s your favourite place?

- I love the school’s rooftop. I feel so calm when I do fortunes there. I feel like I’ll make a really accurate fortune reading and stuff like that.

15.) How do you relieve your stress?

- I’ll try to predict what my luck is for that day. Fortune-telling is not “magical” at all but is based on data so, it is connected to self-analysis, too. Above all else, it makes me feel at ease. If that doesn’t work then… I’ll make a voodoo doll of the person giving me stress.

16.) What’s the thing you want to do the most right now?

- I want to oversee my students properly while they prepare for the upcoming Ayanagi Festival. I also want to be of help to the other first years even if they’re not my pupils. That’s because it’s what Shiki would want, too.

17.) What subjects are you good at?

- Math and science. I like subjects that have a definite answer.

18.) What subjects are you bad at?

- Japanese language. There are a lot of questions that have multiple answers depending on the person answering them so, I just can’t feel convinced about it.

19.) Sleep or eat, which one can you not live without?

- Shiki… I wonder if he’s eating and sleeping properly. Lately, I’ve been a bit worried about him…

20.) Any parting words?

- The Wheel of Fortune… I feel like something is about to happen…

 OMAKE:

21.) What’s your favourite drink?

- Green tea and o-shiruko.

22.) Are you skilful with your hands?

- I might be dexterous. The other day, I had Irinatsu play with me and I did some tarot card table magic. It went better than I thought it did.

23.) Favourite weather?

- A sunny day with a slight breeze.

                                  »»————-　★　————-««

[Irinatsu Masashi Q & A]

  1.) Please introduce yourself.

- I’m the Kao Council’s Irinatsu Masashi~!

2.) What first impression do people usually have of you?

- “Are you half [foreign]?” Ain’t that funny? (laughs)

3.) But really, it’s?

- I’m Japanese! (laughs)

4.) What are you confident in?

- ‘Course I’m confident in my ability to make music. It’s a talent I inherited from my mom and dad after all~ That’s enough to make me feel confident in it, right?

5.) What are your weaknesses?

- I get hungry quickly. I munch on stuff even during meetings sometimes and Ryo-chin glares at me (laughs). Sorry, Ryo-chin!

6.) What was your nickname in middle school?

- “Masashi” “Irinacchan” “Nacchan” “Massan” “Masa” That too much? (laughs)

7.) What’s your favourite way to travel?

- Running! Sweating it out’s the best!

8.) What was usually written on your report cards?

- “Too lax,” or something? I was living in my grandma’s house when I was in elementary school, y’know? That’s why my body clock was like an old man’s, too.

9.) What’s one thing you absolutely can’t forgive?

- I tend to forgive anything! In exchange, it’d get pretty scary when I become super angry, ‘kay?

10.) What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

- I let out a loooooooooooooouuuuuuuuud voice! It relaxes me and ain’t it gonna help you wake up if you get surprised by your own voice?

11.) What��s your favourite food?

- Shaved ice. Unlimited sea grapes. I also loved the chanpuru* my grandma used to make me. Grandma, are you doin’ well~?

12.) How do you spend your days off?

- There’re times when I just laze around at home, there’re times I go to cafés to look for inspiration, too. I found a really good shop lately! It’s got a good atmosphere and at night there’s a piano being played there, too!

13.) What is one bad point about yourself?

- Only one is boring (laughs). Go ask everyone!

14.) What’s your favourite place?

- The work-room is my castle. It’s got everything there in order for me to express the music I make. Oh, and then after that, ya just gotta wait for your imagination to overflow!

15.) How do you relieve your stress?

- I play the piano fervently in a sound-proof room. I get drunk on hitting the keys as loudly as I can (laughs).

16.) What’s the thing you want to do the most right now?

- Camping! “Chiaki-chan, wanna go with me?” I realized I asked him that back when we were second years. That guy’s definitely the outdoorsy type and he’s got good physique. He looks like he’s good at putting up a tent!

17.) What subjects are you good at?

- Music’s gotta be number one, y’know? And then, social sciences? Like Japanese and English. I write lyrics, too, after all.

18.) What subjects are you bad at?

- Hm, I don’t think there’s much. I love everything.

19.) Sleep or eat, which one can you not live without?

- If I were to choose, it’d be food, probably~ Ah, but sleeping gives me good ideas, too~ Both are very important, y’know?

20.) Any parting words?

- The Kao Council will do their best to fire up the Ayanagi Festival, ‘kay?! Expect a very hot atmosphere, got it!?

 OMAKE:

21.) What’s your favourite drink?

- Hot coffee. Doesn’t it feel refreshing?

22.) Are you skilful with your hands?

- I play instruments so the dexterity between my right hand and left hand is pretty different. If it’s attacking someone with tickles then, I’m an expert (laughs).

23.) Favourite weather?

- Definitely sunny!

 Translator’s Notes:

* “Chanpuru” is an Okinawan stir-fried dish and is kind of a stable food in Okinawa. It’s also called a representative of Okinawan cuisine.

                                  »»————-　★　————-««

[Chiaki Takafumi Q & A]

  1.) Please introduce yourself.

- I’m Chiaki Takafumi. Nice to meet you.

2.) What first impression do people usually have of you?

- I get called flashy a lot. I think it’s ‘cause I grow my hair out.

3.) But really, it’s?

- I’m pretty serious and don’t have a lot of free time.

4.) What are you confident in?

- I’m pretty good at embroidery. Every year during April, I make a huge amount of stuff for my younger brother and sister.

5.) What are your weaknesses?

- You might not understand but, it’s “mochi”. When I was a kid and we went to a mochi-making event, I kept seeing Ryo eat it while looking so disgusted. I saw that and I ended up disliking it, too. Eating something with such a sour face is nonsense, you know!?

6.) What was your nickname in middle school?

- “Takafumi” and “Fumi”

7.) What’s your favourite way to travel?

- There’s really not any but, I do want to have a driving license soon.

8.) What was usually written on your report cards?

- When I was a kid, “Very mature,” was always written. I’m the eldest child so when I was still the only child, I was pretty behaved. There were a lot of people at home that it was hard to go out.

9.) What’s one thing you absolutely can’t forgive?

- Fuyusawa Ryo.

10.) What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

- Make breakfast. Lunch and dinner are what my younger sister’s in charge of so, I have to at least help with breakfast.

11.) What’s your favourite food?

- Likes and dislikes aside, I make sure to finish anything my sister makes for me. She makes me a character boxed lunch everyday so, it’d be scary if I got teased for that.

12.) How do you spend your days off?

- Taking care of my family. Though, Irinatsu keeps inviting me to go camping. What nonsense.

13.) What is one bad point about yourself?

- I think it’s me spoiling my students too much. I’m probably weak to those younger than I am.

14.) What’s your favourite place?

- We moved to a newer building since 2nd term started but, I was pretty fond of the old school building we used during the 1st term. The facilities are old but it’s calming.

15.) How do you relieve your stress?

- Going back home and playing with the kids.

16.) What’s the thing you want to do the most right now?

- I feel like I won’t be able to relax until the Ayanagi Festival’s test stage is over. Making sure my students get into the Musical Department is what I wanna do the most for now.

17.) What subjects are you good at?

- I’m pretty fine with any subject but my specialty is probably kanji, geography, and calculation.

18.) What subjects are you bad at?

- Those shapes in math and time, too.

19.) Sleep or eat, which one can you not live without?

- I’m an early sleeper… Staying up late is nonsense.

20.) Any parting words?

- This term’s Kao Council members are independent. We don’t interfere with each other’s guidance policies and we respect each other’s opinions, too. But—Not having disagreements would make things too smooth, right? I wonder who’s being such a goody-two-shoes here…

 OMAKE:

21.) What’s your favourite drink?

- Floats. I don’t care about basic drinks.

22.) Are you skilful with your hands?

- Ah, I’m dexterous.

23.) Favourite weather?

- Sunny, probably.

                                  »»————-　★　————-««

※ Please don’t re-post and re-translate this interview under any circumstances. If you want to translate it to your native language, the kanji is readily available in the anime official website.

If you enjoyed this, please consider buying me a ko-fi here to support my work! It’ll be a really big help. (o^▽^o)Thank you!!

[jiwonsssi]

— mistakes.

Prompt: Teach me how to play.

Characters: Eun Jiwon / 'you'

Warnings: graphic description of sex, swearing.

Jiwon was sitting in his studio for god knows how long and you were determined to get him out of this place. He is not a person to skip a meal, but he surely able to work nonstop without sleeping or talking to anyone. And he has a schedule tomorrow; would be a pity if someone would miss it. Right? You don't want that.

Working in his team for almost four years taught you a lot about being patient and, in a ways, sly. Because it is impossible to get him to do things that he doesn't want to, but need to, without brazen lies, flattery and threatening.

There is no one in the building because it is three in the morning and you sigh, unlocking the door with your pass. Security must be sleeping anyways. Making your way in the direction of his studio, you try to stay calm and do some kind of rehearsal for what you gonna say when you see him. It must be simple, because he probably is sleepy. Probably.

Opening the door, you only see his back and moving to the bit in headphones head in deem lights of the room. He doesn't like it bright. Trying not to scary him, you put your hand on shoulder extremely lightly, almost softly, making flinch away from you anyways. Scary kitten. He is farpre older than you, but God knows you find him shitless cute.

- Fuck, if you scare me like that one more time, I might die, - Jiwon grabs his head, putting messy hair backway and leans on a chair, looking at you with a reasonable question, - What are doing here?

- You need to be sleeping right now, - you sit yourself in a chair right beside him and look at all of those screens and musical instruments in front of you. You have no idea why would one use so many, but anyways.

- I have a little work to do, - Jiwon leans to the table again and rubs his face, sipping ices coffee right after.

- It doesn't look like it's little, - you look at his side profile, studying it carefully and he's, in fact, handsome. You can't deny it. He is. But maybe you are just sleepy.

- Yeah, it isn't, - Jiwon laughs shortly and you smile at him, nodding your head, - Would you mind to help?

He heard you singing. You were wasted and he was laughing and filming, but you are still not ashamed; that evening have said everything about your music talent and he's very aware of it. So what's gotten into him?

- Yeah, but.. uhm, - you nervously loon around, biting on your lip and look at him again only to notice how serious yet soft he is, - I can't.

- Why? What if I ask you to get me coffee? - soft. Yeah. My ass. You pout almost angrily and mock his expression, muttering something about heading home, - I'm kidding. Just listen.

He then looks at the screen, trying to turn on a sample and you look at the synthesizer. Next words are falling from your lips without a single notice from you and it's panic. It's a shocking panic.

- Teach me how to play? - you try not to look at him, because you said something you didn't want to say and it's suddenly hot in here. Never in your life have you thought about blushing because of him.

It's just a little pause before he humps something, looking at you and you look at your own hands without maintaining an eye contact. Because no. Not now.

- Yeah. Sure, - you weren't expecting him to answer positively and you finally look at him with surprised expression, - What? You are not too bad for something simple.

And the next thing he does make you lost every fucking nerve you have; because he puts his hands on top of yours that lay on keys, firmly pressing them into black and white plastic. You didn't want to think about how it is good to feel his hands on yours; or how veins are popping out of his tanned skin. And how it is breathtakingly good to feel his hot, smooth skin on yours.

You bite your lip when he presses one of his fingers, making the electronic piano release quite sound. Then the second one. And three more. You wish you understand the rhythm. Because now Jiwon tells you to repeat it and the only thing you thought about is his presence so close.

Nevertheless you try to press the first key and the instrument makes an ugly sound, making Jiwon laugh and you sigh. You are not sad, not surprised. There are whole different emotions that flow in you.

- You need to be a lot slower, - he does it again; pressing your finger with hs into the key and you shut your eyes, trying to forget at least about how his hands are look like on yours, - And gentle. Like this.

You could have misunderstood his first sentence, being said in low whisper around your ear, but now he made ab effort to hump it into your skin, making a herb of goosebumps run down your spine.

Holy fuck, what's wrong with him? You absolutely love it.

You haven't ever seen him as a man; he is your boss. But you just can't deny how fucking fine he is; everything about him. If only any of men you have been with were even a slightest like him, oh God. Jiwon always stood above; maybe you haven't seen him because he was too much for you to handle.

- I'm not into gentle, - you whisper it as well, trying not to lost a moment and you are not here to hide of blush. You two are absolutely grown up adults; who don't fucking even want to care about friendship and career.

- Me too, - and that's when you feel his lips on your cheekbones, kissing it as gently as possible. You catch your breath in your lungs, when he bumps his forehead into your temple, leaving light kisses everywhere he can.

You try to preach a million thousands 'no' in your head, squeezing your eyes shot and breathing heavily but he's still here and his fucking hands are still on top of yours.

It's not gonna be simple now anyway, right?

Turning to his side slowly, you finally meet his eyes and his gaze traps instantly. He looks at you with half closed dark brown eyes and everything stops for a second. Just a mere second before he crashes his lips on yours with harsh kiss; biting, sucking on each other's lips; you couldn't even imagine he would be so skilled. Jiwon got you moaning into the kiss without even deepening it.

You cling onto him, trying to be closer, tugging on his hair and t-shirt, feeling his arms having it's everywhere on your body. He feels amazing. Having his arms underneath your shirt is better you have ever expected. He parts a little, gasping for air and dragging you to his laps which you probably too happily obligate.

You grind on him the moment your hips land on his and he hisses as you make your movements slower, making sure to push on his buldge everytime. The look he gives you alone is enough to send you on fire; you saw his gaze many times, but now it's like a whole different person. You moan again, unconsciously; simply because of the thoughts he gives you.

Jiwon grabs on your waist, dropping his head backwards and it gives you one of the sexiest sights you have ever saw. His long hair are sticking to the temples, lips parting with hectic breath, hands resting on your waist and that fucking plain black t-shirt suits him perfectly. Would be better without it though.

You lean forward, resting your hands on his chest and lick his earlobe, feeling how his grip tighten with every touch of the tip of your tongue. He is really sensitive. His skin feels like smooth silk under your lips when you go down slowly; every wildly pulsating vein that you meet makes you forget about everything. Even that you are grinding on a boner of your direct boss.

He's not complaining.

He's trying to strip you.

You feel his fingers under your top, tickling feeling that makes your toes curl and lean into him more. He fumbles on your spine a little longer, finally finding your underwear clasp and than just take it off completely, tossing it somewhere. You feel his thumbs touching your nipples, firmly cupping your breasts with palms and he gives you another short yet not less breathtaking kiss before leaving a hickey and making you squirm, tugging on his hair.

Jiwon is possessive. It was always obvious.

You moan, biting on your lip to prevent yourself from screaming while he sucks on your nipple, kissing it and then he fucking blew on sensitive skin, making you joint from him; only to prevent it with tight grip on your waist.

Jiwon takes you even tighter, kissing you and without any loss of contact you sit on his desk, from which he made a mess a second before to actually sit you on it.

- You're gorgeous, - you hear his whisper to your ear after he was boldly checking you out a moment before.

You didn't think you were still able to blush, but you managed.

Jiwon takes off his shirt and you feel like a teenager all over again; that feeling of strange excitement pouring into you and you feel dizzy, looking at how he pulls a zipper on your pants down, while looking you directly in the eyes. He seduces you steadily. You grip on his shoulders, helping him with taking your clothes off and he grins again, tossing your shorts to your shirt. He hugs you, trying to help you move closer and you moan again at the bare skin contact; he's so hot. Hot and smooth; Jiwon feels fucking amazing and you twitch impatiently, leaving a wet trace on the bulge on his black jeans.

Jiwon shakes his head, stops his contest on who would leave more hickeys - he or he. He's very determined to win.

- Please, - you ars not ashamed to beg him. You would do quite literally everything for him, actually. Begging for him to fuck you is.. a simple task. Jiwon pecks your lips, smiling with all that messy hair, swollen lips and your lipstick on his neck while undoing his belt. Has he participated in courses where they teach how to remove the belt and make a woman cum just by looking at it? Because he almost succeed.

You squirm again, meowling something barely audible while tugging him closer and who would have known French kisses with Eun Jiwon can make you lose your mind completely? It has never felt so good.

He's the best you have ever kissed.

Jiwon leans backwards, breaking the kiss and looking all that glorious and you are.. doomed. You are gone for.

Not the one, my ass.

When he puts a pressure on your clit, circling it steadily, you are ready to scream, but you know that even in the night, there might be people. But fuck is it hard to think straight with his hand between your legs.

You bite on his shoulder and he pushes two fingers inside. Your head is spinning and you moan, muffling it into his skin. Jiwon continues, building you up steadily and it doesn't take a lot of time for you to get on edge; and not a lot from him to stop right away, leaving you hanging with the feeling like even your heart has stopped.

- Fuck you, - it's everything you manage to exhale before letting out another muffled half moan when he thrust himself into you.

Jiwon is painfully slow, you can feel every inch of his length stretching you from the inside and you moan all the way. He buries his face into the crook of your neck, growling and gripping your hips to the point it hurts. He starts to move after a few moments; slowly for firsts, making his way with trembling lips to your neck. Then faster, harsher; your body feels like stretched string and he builds up this mercilessly, steadily, only getting faster and harder. You moan out loud, because who fucking cares now. It's just you and him; his hands, his breath on your skin and sounds of erratic breath and slapping skin. God.

He gets you another sloppy kiss, telling to look ay him but you can't even catch your breath but he's so demanding and you are lost again.

You throw your heas backwards, moaning loudly at this point and feel his lips leaving hickeys everywhere around your throat and you just can't. You cling onto his shoulders, pushing yourself forward again and it's so overwhelming. He's stretching you just enough to make your heas spin like you are drunk; Jiwon hits that particular spot with his tip endlessly, almost mercilessly and you leave small stretches on his back without even thinking about it. He's so good. You couldn't even imagine he can make you feel like this.

Because the next thing you feel is he getting faster with his finger circling on your clit steadily; Jiwon growls to your ear, muttering under his breath something about how tight and good it feels when you squeeze him like that and it's so much. You finish loudly, clinging on his body for dear life and the feeling of his body being firmly pressed to yours while he continuously thrusts his hips into you makes you so light headed, like you have just been drinking.

He made you see those goddamn cliche blurry stars under your eyelids as you came.

And even when his thrusts become erratic, he manages to hold you tight, holding you up a little foe better access and you can't think of nothing else when he cums, moaning half loudly and crashing you into his chest.

And you just can't think about the fact that he came inside; it's so profane. You feel his cum slipping down your tights as he slips out, still breathing to your neck and that husky 'fuck' make you bury your face even deeper into the crook of his neck.

It was one night stand. It's as simple as that.

You happily let him use you as he wants it and now it's kinda hard to think about it. Especially knowing that you were careless enough to let it go without a condom.

Children are not being made with a first try. Hopefully.

Yet it all goes away with his soft kiss that you feel on your cheek and light touches of his fingertips on both of your sides. He is so gentle now. It barely breaks your heart; and when he makes you look at him, you are dying as he smiles ever so calmly, pecking your lips shortly and moving your hair away from your face.

- Don't make that face as if I am trying to run away, - Jiwon's smile is so fucking reassuring you are so determined to believe him, - The only place I want to run to is bed and you are absolutely going with me.

All those mistakes you made today are absolutely worth this moment when he hugs you closer, kissing your shoulder softly. Every one of them.

[the-cashewpeia]

Enchanted by You (Luka x Alice)

Title: Enchanted by You

Pairing: Luka Clemence x MC/Reader

Additional character: Edgar Bright

Genre: Fluff

Words count: 1063

Note: Highschool AU, inspired by the school event in Ikemen Series

Another fics here!

♠♠♠

"Ed, let me go!"

"No, you'll run away again like last year."

Loud bickering of two young men with differing attitudes filled the once quiet hallway. Both heading to the same place, the school yard, eventhough one of them, the violet haired student, appeared ready to sprint to some desolate places.

"Come on, Luka. This will be fun!" The other student, Edgar Bright, smiling to his friend.

The violet haired boy, Luka Clemence, huffed, seemed annoyed, "the last time you said something's fun, it sent me to the hospital."

Edgar shot him a slight grin, before strode at a faster pace, "this is just a school clubs exhibition. You won't get hurt just by visiting some booths."

The young Clemence son slumped in defeat. He couldn't beat his best friend in argument like this, eventhough he know that he didn't need to follow his brunette pal because the exhibition was held for the freshmen, the first year students. But no matter how hard he tried, Edgar will still drag him around the yard without any will to listen to his complaints.

I like to stay on the rooftop more than here, Luka thought, another sigh escaped his lips.

Being the lone wolf, just as his friends stated about him, Luka didn't like to be surrounded by so many people. It's much to his displeasure. And being in a noisy crowd is the top reason for him to left immediatelly.

"You'll find a reason to stay, though." Edgar said in a cheerful tone, just like he can read Luka's mind.

"There's no--"

When Luka tried to deny his friend's future telling, an unknown girl showed up from nowhere to Luka's left side.

"Hello!" She drew a wide smile from ear to ear, "oh, you must be Luka Clemence, right?"

"Uh." Luka looked hesitant to answer, so Edgar took the chance to do it instead.

"Yes, he is." He observed the girl while Luka did the same thing in silence.

Looking at her, the girl must be in the same year as them. The ribbon that tied around her uniform's collar shot a bright red color, just like their ties. But both of them seemed know nothing about her.

"My name is _____!" She offered her hand to did the greeting, "I'm from Music Club and if you both have time, would you like to watch our club's performance?"

Edgar was the one who shook her offered hand, before answering for Luka and himself, "we would love to see you performing."

With another dazzling smile, the girl thanked him and curtsied politely, before dissapearing to a nearby booth.

"She must be your fangirl, Luka." The light brown haired boy laughed softly, making the said young man blushed.

"I don't have any fans!" He frowned.

Edgar's laugh still didn't stop for a moment, "but you were a famous violinist and--"

"No, please don't continue it." Luka blushed all over his face now.

The two of them then continued their tour, wandering around the school's courtyard and examined each booths. But eventhough his eyes are on the displays, Luka couldn't take off his mind from the girl from earlier.

Her lovely smile. Her appealing features. Her melodious voice. And the way her eyes lit up when she noticed that the one she was talking with is him ....

Luka shook his head. No, no. What did he just thinking about? She wasn't happy meeting him. She was happy meeting HIM and EDGAR. Them. Both. Not only him.

The thought made him a bit depressed. A bit, no more. Okay, a little bit more. Maybe he just interested in her? There mustn't be--

"Luka? Are you gonna standing in the way until the time's up?"

Edgar's voice, surprisingly there wasn't any teasing tone in it, snapped the violet haired boy from his thought. He then realized that he stood in everyone's way and whispering a brief apologize to no one in particulary and jogged to where Edgar have been waiting for him.

"It seems like their performance is up next." He chatted almost happily that he almost unconciously running towards the center of the crowds.

Luka took a large step before replying, "who?"

"They. The Music Club. You wouldn't forget the girl earlier right?"

Oh, right. The performance.

Luka haven't forgetting anything. He wasn't that old, but maybe thinking about the radiant smiling girl had took some of his awareness.

Both of them then easily found a crowded mass surrounding a stage. Some students on the red carpet covered stage seemed ready with their own instruments, from trumpets to violins. And there was also a conductor too, just like a professional orchestra.

Just when Luka tried to paid his attention to the music, his eyes wandered to the girl earlier. She was wearing a white short-sleeved peplum blouse, just like her clubmates, and a violin in her left hand.

Violin. Luka's eyes widened when he saw that. And the surprise didn't end there.

When the music began to play, she swayed along the melody in the center of the attention, to be found out that she was the main player of the show. Everyone captivated by her talent and beauty, so did Luka. He really can't took off his amber eyes, until the end of the performance.

"Hey, Luka?" Edgar's gentle voice snapped him out of his own world.

The said boy startled, looking at his friend almost absent-mindedly.

"The performance already ended. Should we go around again?" The Bright son drew a slight grin, trying to suppressed the urge to tease him.

Luka nodded without saying any word, seemed unaware with the weird behavior his friend did. He then casted a quick glance toward the side of the stage, eyed the stunning girl who was chatting happily about the performance with her friend.

A small smile formed on his face when he looked at the girl's smile. He then spun his heel and followed Edgar, who was already a bit far from him, with a new resolution.

Someday, I'll try to talk to her. About the song they've played maybe, or ...

He glanced at the girl once again, and his pair of amber eyes met the sparkling ones of hers. She smiled brighter than before, and it sent butterflies to tickled Luka's stomatch.

The boy blushed helplessly, but ....

I just wanted to know more about her.

[ticklygiggles]

Summer night melodies | WangXian

A/N: hey! Watch me writing this instead of the prompts left in my ask! I've been craving tickle content for WangXian, and since I was not provided with it I had to provide myself *cries* I hope you enjoy it! Some summer vibes because I'm tired of this endless winter. I hope this is not too out of character, I mean... it is a bit, but I hope not too much. *sweats*

Summary: Nights at the JingShi are usually filled with the lovely sound of Lan WangJi's Guqin, however, this summer night, there's another lovely sound filling the room; a sound that flows out Lan WangJi just as melodic as the Guqin's music.

Words: 3,132 (got a bit excited;;; under the cut)

A soft and cheerful, but still slightly melancholy melody flooded the JingShi, the sound seeping out the open windows, fading into the darkness of the summer night in the Cloud Recesses.

The Guqin's strings vibrating with each touch and light pulls made by the elegant and fingers, creating notes that made Wei WuXian feel like he really was in the dephts of the clouds, in a little part of Heaven where only the person playing elegantly and him existed.

How beautiful was that?

Lan WangJi's back straight, almost painfully, his hair neatly falling over his back in a black cascade with only the whiteness of his forehead ribbon. Wei WuXian in bed, laying on his belly with his arms crossed in front of him, holding his head. He could hear the soft mumble of a song coming from his lover in front of him.

The screen that separated the bedroom from the study room had been moved, by none other than Wei WuXian, so that he could observe Lan WangJi, from the comfort of the bed, doing his daily tasks: reviewing his writings, the disciples's reports, or transcribing poetry that, if Wei WuXian was lucky enough, he could hear it in whispers against his ear at night, when the lights had already turned off and they were both cuddling against each other in their bed.

At nights, he was able to observe him revising again or, like now, play his Guqin until bedtime.

The thought of Lan WangJi whispering romantic poetry in his ears, however, made his face flush bright red and a big smile appear on his lips. Who would have thought that Lan WangJi would do that kind of things? Yet again, he was a man full of surprises.

Especially when he was intoxicated.

Wei WuXian couldn't help but giggle at the memory of a drunk Lan WangJi after just one glass of liquor; the things he does in that state are things that no one would believe if they didn't see them with their own eyes! Wei WuXian was happy to be the only one allowed to look at him in that state. However, it was still pretty funny, so he laughed a bit more into the palm of his hand.

At the other side of the JingShi, Lan WangJi wondered what was making Wei WuXian giggle like that, but he didn't stop playing, in any case, he thought the laughter sounded according to the melody his fingers were producing, so he let him giggle until he had finished the song, his gentle hand resting upon the strings to silence the instrument.

"Ah, Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan!" Wei WuXian's giggles died down. "Can you play once more?" There was a huge smile in his face and Lan WangJi was about to start another melody, but he stopped himself and simply got up to blow the candles off. Once that was done, he made his way to bed, the moonlight illuminating his path.

"It's nine o'clock," he said with his baritone voice as he put the screen back in its place. "It's time to rest."

The smile on Wei WuXian's lips didn't disappear, on the contrary it grew larger as soon as Lan WangJi was under the white blankets and he settled on his back, ready to sleep. Wei WuXian following him, laying on his back on his side of the bed.

"Lan Zhan always follows the rules, he never spoils me, not even a bit."

Lan WangJi looked at him with a very slight scowl. "There are punishments for not following the rules."

"Am I going to be punished by HanGuang-Jun for not following the rules?" Lan WangJi looked at him intently, almost glaring. "Don't make that face, Er-gege," Wei WuXian laughed. "I was simply pulling at your leg a bit," he winked playfully. "You get all serious about the rules, but earlier I was just remembering how drunk you get after just one glass!"

Ah, so that's the reason behind that laughing fit.

"I just took the time to remember the things you did a few years ago! When I recently came back!"

"The things I did?"

Wei WuXian nodded, turning on his side to have a better look of his partner. "Yes! I think it was the first time I ever saw you drunk! Or was it the second?" He hummed, placing a finger on his chin as he thought about it. Lan WangJi thought he looked extremely cute. "Well, it doesn't really matter! What really matters is the fact that you were truly out of yourself, Lan Zhan!"

Lan WangJi kept his lips sealed, he didn't even bother to try to remember the nights he had lost conscious in front of Wei WuXian after one glass of liquor; he knew he wouldn't be able to, not matter how hard he tried, so he simply let Wei WuXian continue.

"That time you tied my wrists with your head ribbon and showed me to the disciples as if I was some kind of prize! We also played hide and seek!" Wei WuXian could barely hold back his laughter remembering Lan WangJi walking around the inn's room where they were staying at, a serious expression in his features as Wei WuXian threatened him to lick his hand if he caught him.

"Hide and seek?" There was almost amazement in his voice when he spoke. "I don't remember."

"I know you don't, that's why I'm telling you!" Wei WuXian stopped laughing after a coughing fit.

Once he had calmed down, he touched Lan WangJi's cheek with his hand, he had already turned on his side too.

"Lan Zhan." Wei WuXian caressed Lan WangJi's cheekbone and looked at him fondly as his body moved closer and closer to him. "You were having lots of fun back then."

Wei WuXian was sure of that. It is true that Lan WangJi didn't smile, not even once, but his face looked delighted and there was a playful gleam in his serious eyes.

Ah, Lan Zhan. His beautiful husband Lan Zhan. Lan WangJi. HanGuang-Jun. Er-gege.

The always serious and expressionless Lan Zhan.

Lan Zhan, who was educated without the chance to play with other kids his age.

Lan Zhan, who possibly had never played hide and seek before that time with Wei WuXian.

Lan Zhan, who only opens up to his big brother and yet, he opened and delivered his heart into Wei WuXian's hands, letting him do whatever he pleased with it.

"Lan Zhan," he started, a gentle smile on his face. "I love you." The sudden procession of love made Lan Zhan slightly stiff, his breathing stuck in his throat. Wei WuXian laughed. "Don't make that face, HanGuang-Jun! I really really love you! And I would love you even more if you'd let me see a bit more of you."

Lan WangJi looked at him intently, almost making him feel uncomfortable before he sat in the bed, opening his night clothes. "No! No no no! I didn't mean that!" Wei WuXian said alarmingly, stopping Lan WangJi's hands.

"Then what do you mean?"

Wei WuXian let out a sigh, his hands holding Lan WangJi's, pulling at him to lay down again. "You really are dense, Lan Zhan." There was a smile on his lips. "I mean that you never show any emotion and I haven't perfected my ability to read your face like your brother!"

Lan WangJi seemed to think about it for a while until the flash of an idea lighten up his eyes. Wow WuXian hasn't perfected it, but he was not clueless. "Let's do it again."

"Hmm? Do what?"

"Hide and seek. You said I was having fun. Let's try it again."

Wei WuXian smiled brightly, jumping out of the bed. "You mean it? Like we're going to play right now?"

Lan WangJi nodded as he fixed the blanket in the bed once he was out of it, Wei WuXian busying himself by moving the screen away again and lighting up the candles again.

"I don't know how to do it, though." There was no shame on his voice. He didn't need to feel embarrassed by not knowing how to play something like that.

"What? You do know! You were the one starting that time!"

"Was I?"

Wei WuXian giggled as he playfully rolled his eyes. He was in front of Lan WangJi in a blink of an eye, wrapping his long arms around his waist and resting his chin on his broad chest, looking up at him with soft eyes.

"I'll explain it to you, then. You'll have to run-

"Running is forbbiden in the Cloud Recesses."

"Your feet are lite, Lan Zhan! They will not hear! You can walk fast, if you wa-

"Walking fast is forbbiden in the Cloud Recesses."

"Now you only want to anger me, don't you?" Wei WuXian lifted one eyebrow, his heart skipping a bit when he saw the corners of Lan WangJi's mouth trembling, trying to hold back a smile. "Ah! So you really wanted to anger me! That just won't do, Lan Zhan, I think I'll have to skip the running around and just punish you right away!"

"Punish me?"

"Yes, but how should I do it? Hmm lick you? Hahaha, don't make such expression! Kiss you? Hug you? Cuddle- oh! I know!"

"You know?"

"Yes, I know! I'm gonna tickle you, Lan Zhan!" There was a teasing tone in his voice as he grabbed Lan WangJi's waist, pushing him back into the bed and climbing on top of him until he was straddling his waist.

Lan WangJi didn't make a sound as he fell, his hair sprayed on the bed and his night clothing opening by his chest a bit. He looked up at Wei WuXian, his hands holding his thighs as he tilted his head to the side like a curious bird.

"Tickle... me?"

"Yes, tickle you! Don't tell me- oh."

Of course, just as someone that hadn't played hide and seek before, obviously Lan WangJi hadn't been tickled before. "You know what tickling is, right?"

"Mnn."

"But you don't know if you are ticklish?"

"... Mnn."

"You never had tickle fights when-

"Loud laughter is forbbiden in the Cloud Recesses." There was that playful glint in his eyes again.

Wei WuXian smirked, "Okay, that's it!" He immediately reached down to wiggle his fingers under Lan WangJi's arms.

He didn't laugh.

He didn't even flinch. He simply look up at Wei WuXian with that bored expression of his.

Wei WuXian suddenly felt extremely embarrassed. "Uh... perhaps, you are not ticklish, Lan Zhan?"

Lan WangJi, "I don't know."

Wei WuXian frowned and he dug his fingers a bit harder into Lan WangJi's underarms, making him grunt ever so slightly in discomfort. Not even a little smile. Wei WuXian smiled softly at his lover, he felt a bit bad for inducing him to play with him and now he was just making a fool of himself.

Wei WuXian, thinking that he had gotten this far, ran his fingers behind Lan WangJi's ears, around his neck, his collarbones, under his arms once again in case he didn't attack there properly, his sides and even the palms of his hands, but he didn't get any kind of reaction from his lover.

"Well, I have to punish you with something else, don't you think?"

"Mnn"

Letting out a soft chuckle, Wei WuXian sat on Lan WangJi's stomach, making him breathe heavily with the new weight on top of him. "Am I crushing you?" Wei WuXian grinned.

"You are."

"Am I that heavy?" Lan WangJi nodded and Wei WuXian let out an offended gasp, placing a hand on top of his chest. "Oh I really wish you were ticklish, calling me fat really needs to be punished." He lifted himself a little and then let himself fall again against his stomach.

"Ah!"

Lan WangJi didn't jump in surprise, but his eyes widened slightly, his eyebrows furrowing as he looked at Wei WuXian curiously.

Meanwhile, Wei WuXian face-palmed mentally. He had forgotten to tickle Lan WangJi's stomach since he was, basically, blocking it with his body, but now that he rememebered, he moved lower until he was sitting on Lan WangJi's thighs.

"I forgot to test this spot," he explained as he formed claws with his fingers. "If you don't laugh after this, I promise I'll think about something else."

"Mnn."

Wei Wuxian smiled and let Lan WangJi look at his fingers wiggling strangely before he let them fall against his clothed stomach.

Wei WuXian felt a delicious shiver run down his spine when Lan WangJi threw his head back, letting out a bark of laughter, followed by another and another, unable to stop as soon as Wei WuXian began to wiggle his fingertips against his belly.

"We found it!" He sang triumphantly as he felt the flush climbing to his cheeks from his neck.

Wei WuXian tried not to stop, but he was feeling breathless and light-headed as he looked down at Lan WangJi, who was squirming and laughing like he had never heard him before and, possibly, like he had never laughed before .

His eyes were tight shut, his perfect nose was scrunched up adorably and, oh surprise, Wei WuXian had never seen that little dimple dipping at Lan WangJi's right cheek.

His laughter was not loud, it almost resembled the sound of chimes, but deeper and slightly childish. It wasn't loud, but it surely made him shake as his hands desperately tried to catch those playful fingers digging into the muscles of his stomach and around his navel.

"W-Wei Ying! Wei Yihihihihing!" He could barely form any word between his laughter.

"Yes, Lan Zhan?" He couldn't help but use that teasy tone of his, looking at his husband laughing like this. "Just look at you! I had never seen you in this state! You have such a beautiful smile, Lan Zhan."

It was weird, but not awkward, to look at this always stoic person laughing and squirming around. After all, in the GusuLan sect was strictly forbbiden to even walk fast, as Lan WangJi had stated earlier, so the idea of tickling someone, making them laugh out loud, wouldn't cross their mind, never. Wei WuXian even wondered if, within the new one thousand rules written in his absence, they had wrote anything about tickling being forbidden. The thought made him chuckle just when a snort burned Lan WangJi's nostrils.

This time, even Wei WuXian laughed loudly. "Did you just really make that sound?" Lan WangJi's back arched away from the bed underneath him, his hands closing around Wei WuXian's wrists, trying to prey them away from his body. "I think we found your weakness, HanGuang-Jun."

"Stop! Stohohohop!" Lan WangJi begged as Wei WuXian experimentally dipped a disrespectful finger into Lan WangJi's navel, wiggling it until Lan WangJi managed to turn over his stomach. Wei WuXian almost losing his balance.

Wei WuXian laughed, placing his hands on Lan WangJi's sides, soft residual giggles still escaping his mouth as he breathed heavily.

"Smart move, HanGuang-Jun." Wei WuXian squeezed Lan WangJi's sides, not surprised when that didn't draw any reaction, however, once he had reached his ribs, both were surprised when Lan WangJi let out another bark of laughter, his arms glueing to his sides, trying to protect himself.

"Your ribs?!" Wei WuXian was truly amazed. "How did I miss this spot too?! I'm getting rusty at tickle fights, Lan Zhan I'll have to practice with you more."

Lan WangJi shook his head as Wei WuXian's fingers wormed between the bed and Lan WangJi's body until four fingers of each hand were able to rub the front of Lan WangJi's ribcage torturously, his thumbs digging in the back.

"No! Plehehehease!" Wei WuXian felt a bit bad for making Lan WangJi beg for something silly as tickling, but he couldn't stop anymore. In such few minutes he was already addicted to Lan WangJi's laughter and he didn't want to stop producing such beautiful sound.

Lan WangJi was his new musical instrument, he decided, and his laughter his most beautiful melody.

He fought against the urge to kiss that smiling mouth as his fingers kept discovering sensitive spots on his husband's ribs. "Lan Zhan, aren't you happy we found out about this?" Lan WangJi shook his head no, too busy laughing and kicking his legs behind Wei WuXian. "I am happy. Your laugh is beautiful, your smile is beautiful, I think I'll have to tickle you quite often!"

"Plehehehease, no!"

"I do think so!" Wei WuXian's fingers were ruthless. It was as if he wanted to make Lan WangJi laugh until his throat was raw. "I was feeling a bit disappointed thinking you might not be ticklish, but look at you! You can't even talk anymore."

That was truth. Lan WangJi couldn't form any coherent words as laughter kept bubbling out him. Wei WuXian could see his ears reddening deeply. Lan WangJi snorted again and Wei WuXian thought it was time to give him a break. He stopped and was surprised that, with a clean movement of his victim, he went flying to the side while Lan Wangji got up from the bed and ran to the other side of the JingShi, far away from Wei WuXian.

Wei WuXian looked at him fondly as Lan WangJi kept giggling, his legs trembling as he tried to recollect himself once more.

"How was it, Lan Zhan?" He asked as he stood up, Lan WangJi stepping back against the wall. "Did you like it?"

Lan WangJi seemed to ponder about it before he answered, a bit breathless. "I didn't love it," he said. "But it's not that bad if... you're the one doing it."

"Oh, Lan Zhan, you are a good man. How can you say such words after I made you laugh to near death!" He shook his head, chucking softly. "But, remember that we're playing hide and seek and, if I catch you, I'm gonna try to find more ticklish spots on you!"

Lan WangJi quickly moved away from Wei WuXian when he launched at him; he was running after him, making him feel a giddy feeling in his chest as he tried to hide a little smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Stohop chasing me!" That little giggled slipped him accidentally.

"Oh, Lan Zhan," Wei WuXian said, hot behind Lan WangJi. "I'll stop chasing you once I catch you so I can tickle you again!"

Two grown man awake past bed time. Playing hide and seek, running around, having tickle fights, laughing loudly, all in the Cloud Recesses was worth a big punishment, but they couldn't care less about it. As long as they are there for each other, they can face all punishments and all playful games together.

[tieflingtraveller]

Keys & Strings {Good Music Part 2} // (Roman Godfrey x Reader)

Part 1 / 3

Word Count: 1,212

Warnings: Swearing

AN: I honestly got more likes on Good Music than I thought I was going to! I’m glad I did Roman some sort of justice and I’m glad even just a few people liked it! I still have some ideas for this story-line (kinda?) so I’ll definitely write more for it! Can’t promise when though cause lots of stuff is happening at the moment lol. Enjoy! Also the gif is actually a cello cause it was easier to find lol

(Y/N/N) = Your Nickname

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“If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you want to go?” You took a deep breath in, squinting at an invisible spot on Roman’s ceiling, contemplating the question he asked. “Hmmm, that’s a tough one,” You pursed your lips, your 'thinking cap' face. Roman laughed, making your head bounce a little on his stomach, in turn, making you laugh a little as well. “It’s not a life or death question, (Y/N/N), you could change your answer tomorrow if you wanted!” Roman left one arm resting between his head and his mattress and started to bring the other around to stroke his fingers through your hair. He caught himself before getting there though, he couldn’t jump the gun on something like this, so instead he squished his fingers up and down on the top of your head, imitating the infamous 'brain sucker'. You giggled, “Fair enough. I guess I’d want to go to Ireland. The country is so beautiful in pictures, and my dad always said it was one of his favorite places to travel.”

The last month and a half, you’d hung out with Roman every day, sometimes at his house and sometimes around the town. Your mom was a little wary when you told her you were spending time with Roman Godfrey, though. Everyone knew his reputation, and she was not a fan. “Don’t worry mom, I can take care of myself,” You had said. It didn’t make her feel any better, but what was she going to do? You could do what you wanted, regardless of what your mom thought. Your dad probably wouldn’t have minded anyway. You honestly couldn’t remember when you had had this much fun with anyone ever, and you couldn’t be happier that he’d become your best friend. Some of the times when you’d go to his house, you’d play what your dad would call the “Big Questions Game”, which was what you and Roman were doing now. The both of you laid on top of his large bed, you rested your head on his stomach, bobbing up and down slightly with his breaths, and you stared at the ceiling, taking turns asking each other ‘big questions’. You loved this game. If “game” was the correct term. Your dad always told you the best way to get to know someone is by just asking them all sorts of different questions. Not small questions like ‘What’s your favorite color?’ though. They needed to be bigger and more intimate. Something that would reveal something about their character and maybe something they’d have to explain. 

“What about you, Rome?” “Hmmmm, not sure,” “Hypocrite,” You smirked and smacked his chest lightly with the back of your hand. “I’m playing,” He laughed, “I’ve been so many places already though. I guess right now I’d want to go to Tokyo. They have all sorts of fun stuff that we could do.” You loved that he always wanted you to have a great time. You hated to admit it, but it gave you butterflies. “Alright Roman, what has always been your biggest dream?” “Pulling out the big guns, I see!” You stayed silent, in order to let Roman think on this one. “I’ve never really thought about it before...I suppose I’ve just always wanted to be happy. Like, actually happy. Not this bullshit that everyone puts on to get through the day. You know what I mean?” You nodded your head a little. You felt a little sad for Roman. You hadn’t yet gone into full details about his inner demons, but even though he was pretty good at hiding it, you were a little sensitive to them. You never wanted to pry so you’d always just try to give him fun company to maybe make him happy for just a little while. “And you?” You smiled, letting out a little airy laugh, “You went all deep on me there! I was just gonna say I’ve always wanted to be in a band like my dad was. Travel around and play Bass in dive bars and shit.” This made you both start laughing. You rolled over onto your side, trying to contain yourself, allowing Roman to shift his position, grabbing ahold of you to start tickling you. Right in the sides where it got you most. You were glad the mood was lightened. “Oh wait!” Roman stopped and sat up on his bed. You staid laying down and looked up at him, arching an eyebrow quizzically. “I’ve got a surprise for you! Come with me.” You sat up and allowed the blood to rush from your head before standing up and following Roman out of his bedroom door.

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

“Seriously, Rome, what’s up with this?” After leading you out of his room, Roman instructed you to close your eyes, then he grabbed your hand, leading you around the halls and down the stairs, placing a hand lightly around your waist to keep you from falling. All this interaction was getting you a little giddy, and he had a surprise for you on top of it! “Just a little more,” Roman led you into a room, then left you to go close the door before returning to your side once again. “Can I open my eyes now?” You were finding yourself getting a little impatient, and Roman could tell. “Yeah go ahead and open them.” You had no idea what exactly to expect, and when you opened your eyes you were at a loss for words. Roman had led you into a separate sitting room where he had moved the piano, away from the formal living area. Standing up next to it, was a gorgeous Double Bass with a dark wood finish. You slowly walked towards the instrument, almost afraid to breath wrong near it. As you got closer, you could see the fine details that were carved into its body, and the small engraving on the back with your initials.

“Oh my god, Roman this is gorgeous. My mom would shit a brick if she found out you go this for me.” You could feel your heart beating faster in your chest. You were at a loss for words and that was the only thing you could think to say. Roman smiled and nodded his head. “Olivia did shit a brick when she found out I bought it. But I don’t give a shit what she thinks. You deserve the best.” He walked over to stand next to you, and you looked up at him with wonder, searching his eyes for what to say next. “Why?” was all that came out. Roman placed a hand on your shoulder, smiling with his meadow eyes. “So we can play together of course.”

He moved over and sat on the bench of the piano, and started to move his hands across the keys, playing a slow accompaniment. Regaining your mind, you took a deep breath and grabbed the neck of your new Bass and the bow that was resting in a stand next to it. You let Roman’s sweet music fill your heart and lungs, then drew the bow across the strings, pouring your soul into this duet. You wanted nothing more than to live in this moment for as long as possible.

[avengerofyourheart]

Leave This Town Pt 5 (Mechanic!Bucky AU)

Characters: reader, Bucky, Surprise Avenger! :)

Summary: Your dreams of kissing your small town life goodbye are about to come true when an unexpected detour leaves you stranded. Meeting the handsome local mechanic has you rethinking your plans. Perhaps happiness is less about where you’re headed and more about the people you meet along the way.

Song Inspiration: Sleep on the Floor by The Lumineers

Warnings: Fluff! Then some angst. Mentions of sex.

Word Count: 3k

Tags are at bottom (TAG LIST IS CLOSED I’M SORRY)

**This fic is for @bionic-buckyb ‘s 5K AU Writing Challenge**

A/N: Oh man. I’ve been so excited for this part. I really hope you enjoy it! Please let me know your thoughts! Love you guys!! 

<<<Part Four   Part Five   Part Six>>> 

Leave This Town Masterlist

Full Masterlist

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(Sorry, I just had to use this gif. :D )

Previously: 

Stepping away you grasped one of his hands in yours while the other slipped the key into the lock and turned. You stepped inside but before he could cross the threshold, he stopped, causing you to look back in question.

“Y/N. Are you sure?” he asked.

You stared at him a moment, his hair mussed and pupils blown wide in lust. Mostly likely, you looked just as wrecked from only a kiss. You needed more. With a nodded, you pulled him forward and shut the door behind him. “I’m positive.”

_________________

The moment the lock slid home, his arms were around you with soft, plush lips caressing yours. Bucky’s large, calloused hands brushed down the side of your neck, then teased just under the collar of your shirt down toward your chest. As your fingers worked to unbutton his shirt, his fingers did the same with his mouth never leaving yours. 

Slowly, you both walked in tandem toward the bed until your knees hit it. The drop to the mattress was more significant than you thought, though, a squeal escaping you as you both tumbled down in a heap. Squeaky springs compressed under your combined weight and you exhaled with an oof as Bucky landed half on top of you.

Laughter bubbled up in your chest and then escaped as Bucky joined you, finding humor in your graceless intimate moment. Bucky rolled his weight off you and onto his side while you remained on your back. He held your gaze as the hilarity faded and fire burned bright once again in his eyes.

“Shall we try that again?” he asked, grazing his knuckles down the side of your face tenderly.

With a bite of your lip, you nodded, raising a hand to brush a lock of hair behind his ear. You kicked off your sandals and he did the same with his shoes. Slowly he lowered his lips to yours and resumed unbuttoning your blouse with one nimble hand. You took your time undressing each other, one article of clothing at a time until you were bare to one another. His rough fingertips brushed over your sensitive skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake. Bucky went for his wallet, but you produced a string of foil packets from your bag first.

As two began to move as one, you knew it had never felt like this. You had never fit so perfectly with another man. He played your body like an instrument, each touch hitting just the right note. Bucky took his time as he mapped each dip and curve intimately until you began to reach your crescendo, his motions powerful and yet tender. Rising higher and higher before you both cried out and fell together, you collided into each other arms with chests heaving. Bucky held you close with a soft kiss to your forehead as you both rested a short time. It didn’t take long until you both felt that heady desire once again, resulting in an encore or two before you fell asleep in each other’s embrace, exhausted and happy.

________________

You awoke momentarily, the rhythmic sound of drumming invaded your senses. The steady sound gave you comfort, lulling you back to sleep. Some time later the calm beat increased to a staccato thundering, pulling you to consciousness. Slowly, you came to recognize the drumming sound as Bucky’s heartbeat echoing in his ribcage, your head resting on his chest. He must have awoken as memories of last night flooded in, his heart rate speeding up just as yours began to do the same at first sight of his handsome face in the morning light.

“Good morning,” he croaked with a smile.

You grinned bashfully as you stretched out sore legs, throwing an arm around his muscular torso and head resting on his shoulder. “Good morning to you, too.”

Bucky brushed fingertips against your bare back as he propped his right hand under his head. You pressed a kiss to his firm pectoral muscle before turning your face toward him. A tender look in his eye, he leaned down to kiss your lips before falling back on the pillows with a contended sigh. The comfortable silence lingered as you basked in the warmth of the body beside you.

Curiosity finally getting the better of you, you propped yourself up on one elbow as you shifted slightly onto your stomach. With his bicep inches from your face, you began to trace the silvery white lines and curve that caught your attention the day before. They were noticeable only in the right light or up close. Raising your eyebrows at him in question, you wordlessly continued to caress his scarred skin.

“It’s from a steam burn,” he explained.

“What?” you asked, eyes wide. “How?“

He took a deep breath and brushed a thumb down your cheek before speaking. “I started working at my uncle’s shop while I was still in high school. Simple stuff at first: working the counter, checking fluids, rotating tires, stuff like that. Well, one day, I popped the hood of a car and checked the oil, then I moved on to check the coolant levels. There’s no dipstick for that, so you just have to open up the reservoir and peak in. If the liquid isn’t visible, then it needs to be added. So I used my left hand to turn the knob for the radiator. Most cars these days have a failsafe where if the engine is still too hot and pent up pressure, the knob locks and you can’t turn it anymore. I thought this car was cool enough, but…”

You gasped, able to guess what happened next. “Oh, no…”

“Exactly. The car was older than I thought and it just didn’t occur to me until the cap came off, pressure was released, and the steam shot up my arm and down my left side. I don’t even remember what happened after that. They told me I was running around screaming in pain. They had to catch me and throw some cold water on me before I calmed down enough to get to the hospital,” he said with a sigh.

Brushing your fingertips across his bearded cheek, Bucky captured his large hand in yours to kiss your palm. “Were you okay?” you asked quietly.

He quirked an eyebrow and shrugged. “Mostly. It was basically a third-degree burn but not bad enough to need skin grafts or anything. They did have to treat the burns every few days by scrubbing and wrapping the skin so scar tissue wouldn’t form. That hurt like a bastard. But I was lucky. I must have closed my eyes at the right time because that could have damaged my eyesight. My face looked like I was sunburned for about a week. Scars aren’t too bad, though, huh?” he asked, tilting his face as he flexed his bicep.

You shook your head, smiling, as you brushed your fingertips over the light scarring and pressed a kiss to the marked skin. Bucky grinned at you, grazing his knuckles across your bare arm that was draped across his chest. He tucked a finger under your chin and lifted off the pillows to kiss you. Deepening the kiss, you wove your fingers into his chestnut strands and tucked your knees under you, hovering over Bucky as his hands began to explore. Quickly, you found yourself straddling his waist and another round of lovemaking continued in earnest.

________________

Another tangle in the sheets later, you were both starving and in need of a shower. Ideally, you would have liked to “save some water” by sharing, but realistically the shower was small for even just you alone so Bucky went first and then you followed after. Exiting the bathroom wearing only a towel, you found Bucky lounging in his boxers with the tv on. You located a pair of clean underwear and then looked for something comfy to lounge around in when Bucky’s discarded shirt caught your eye.

Picking it up off the floor, you smiled at Bucky, who had been watching you. “Do you mind?”

He smirked with that fire in his eyes. “Not at all.”

Dropping the towel, you slipped the shirt on and buttoned it part way before jumping on the squeaky bed and cuddling into Bucky’s side. He wrapped an arm around you, pulling your body closer as he flipped through the tv channels.

“So,” you began, brushing a hand over his bare chest, “You’re not going into work today?”

He shook his head. “I don’t work on Sundays if I don’t have to. Why? Do you want me to leave? Cause I can—“ he had begun to sit up and swing a leg off the bed when you stopped him.

“Don’t you dare!” you shouted as you wrapped both arms around his middle and tugged to keep him from leaving.

A chuckle escaped his lips as he settled back on the bed, pressing a kiss into your hair. “Okay. I’ll stay.”

You just smiled. Your comfortable moment of cuddling was interrupted by your growling stomach, making you duck your head in embarrassment.

“Well, I guess we both better fuel up after burning so many calories, huh?” Bucky joked as he tickled your side.

Wiggling out of his grasp in fits of laughter, you finally calmed down and sat cross-legged on the bed. “I don’t want to go out,” you said with a whine. “Does the diner deliver?”

“Nope,” he shook his head with a frown. “But…we could call out for pizza…” he offered with a coy smile.

“Yes!” you shouted in excitement.

Bucky laughed. “Okay. How about you get some drinks from the vending machine and I’ll call in the order?”

You slipped on sandals and shorts under Bucky’s shirt, gathering all the spare change you two could find. Walking out the door and down the stairs, you located the vending machine around the corner from the office. Once the drinks had dispensed, you discovered that the cooling element in the machine was broken. Warm soda made you gag, so you walked back to the room, dropped off the drinks and grabbed the ice bucket before heading out again. Ice acquired, you were heading back to the room when a neighboring door opened to reveal Wanda wheeling a small cart of cleaning supplies.

“Wanda,” you greeted her with a smile and she whirled around in your direction.

She started to speak with that unconvincing smile of hers when suddenly her eyes grew wide, taking in what you were wearing. Bucky’s button-up shirt was drowning you, nearly covering your shorts underneath.  You pulled the neck of the shirt close around you, suddenly self-conscious. Her face reddened in fury and she stamped her foot with a slight scream before stalking away without a word.

Confused and alarmed, you finally made it back to your room and slipped inside.

“Well, she officially hates me now,” you declared, setting down the ice bucket and grabbing the complimentary cups to fill them.

“Who?” Bucky asked, swinging his legs over the side of the bed to stand.

“Wanda. I think she recognized your shirt and I’m pretty sure she still has a thing for you, Mr. Barnes,” you smirked as he walked your way.

“Is that right?” he asked, to which you nodded. “Yeah, well, too bad for her. Cause I have a thing for you,” he said suggestively as he wrapped his arms around your waist, leaning in for a kiss.

You moaned against his lips, barely breaking contact to speak, “When’s the pizza coming?”

“About 30 minutes,” he murmured, trailing kisses down your neck.

“I think we can use that time wisely, don’t you?” you smirked, pushing him back toward the bed until he fell to the mattress. You climbed on the bed with a knee on each side of his hips and you were lost in each other once again.

_______________

Bucky had barely slipped on his jeans over boxers, remaining shirtless, when there was a knock on the door. He swung it open to reveal a young man about 15 or 16 with his focus on the receipt he was reading.

“Alright, I’ve got two pies for you, one with— Buck!” he exclaimed as he looked up. “Hey, man, what are you doing he….oh,” he answered his own question to see you lounging on the bed back in Bucky’s shirt. Earlier it seemed like too much clothing, but now not enough as you tugged at the hem.

“Hey, Pete. This is Y/N. Y/N, this is Peter,” he gestured from you to your new acquaintance, both of you awkwardly waving in response. “Thanks for the pizza, man. Say hi to your Aunt May for me,” Bucky said as he handed him the cash and shut the door in the gawking teenager’s face.

“You really do know everyone don’t you, ‘Buck’,” you mocked lightly, sitting up as he placed the pizza boxes on the bed.

“The joys of a small town,” he replied, settling next to you as he flipped the boxes open and the cheesy greasy smell hit your nose, making your mouth water. “Dig in!”

Once you both had your fill, you settled in to watch a movie, finally settling on an action movie with too many explosions and not enough plot. You sat against the headboard with your legs extended, Bucky had his head in your lap as you ran fingers through his thick brown hair. You’d long lost interest in the movie and a question popped into your mind.

“Hey, Bucky?” you asked and he sleepily moaned in response. “I promise this isn’t meant as criticism but I’m curious…when was the last time you cut your hair?”

He let out a deep sigh, thinking. “About…two years I guess?”

“Can I ask why? No good barber’s in town?” you joked.

Bucky smiled lightly as he rolled onto his back to look up at you. “No. It’s just…I haven’t cut it since I got out of the army,” he stated as fact, grasping your free hand in his.

“What?” you exclaimed in surprise. “I didn’t know you were in the military.” Although, honestly, there was probably a lot you didn’t know about him.

“Yeah. When things were stable with my uncle at the shop, I joined up, hoping it would pay for school and offer a steady income to send home. I didn’t mind it most of the time. Learned some new skills and met some buddies I still keep in contact with. In fact, I fixed quite a few of the military vehicles, showing up the engineering guys sometimes,” he remembered with a smile. “My one pet peeve was the haircuts. Our C.O. —uh, commanding officer, he was a stickler for uniform and haircuts. Always buzz cuts. I hated it, so I rebelled in my own way and tried to grow it out. I hid it under hats and bandanas sometimes, but he’d catch it and reprimand me. It’s silly, but when your whole life is rules and orders, the little individual things matter. So when I served my time, I swore I’d grow it out. And I have,” he finished with a smile as he met your eye.

You let the silence linger a moment as you continued to play with his strands. “Do you trust me?”

“What?” he asked, surprised.

“Would you trust me to trim your hair? Just a tiny bit? It’ll grow out faster and more even. I’m good, I promise…” you trailed off with a hopefully grin.

He narrowed his eyes at you for a time, then conceding. “Okay. I trust you. But just a trim!”

“Scout’s honor,” you answered seriously.

Ten minutes later, you found yourself in the small hotel bathroom with Bucky seated in a chair. You had changed into one of your own shirts to move around in a little better. After wetting his hair, you combed through it gently and set out to trim off the split ends and even out both sides. It didn’t take long as Bucky followed you with his eyes, watching you in your element. Although cutting hair wasn’t your first love, you had to admit you were good at it.

As you were finishing up, you grasped Bucky’s chin and turned his face from side to side to check the length. His hair now fell to just above his shoulders and looked much more healthy. “Done!”

Bucky looked in the mirror, inspecting your handiwork and then replying with a smile, “Looks great, babe. Thank you.” He pecked a kiss to your lips as he pulled the hair-covered towel from his shoulders and shook it into the bathtub.

Gathering up your tools, you breached a subject that had been rolling around in your head most of the day. “So, what do you do for fun in this town?”

Bucky was helping to gather up the fallen hair on the floor and looked up at you. “Um…I don’t know. There’s the bowling alley or I’ll grab a drink at a bar. My buddies and I get together to watch football sometimes or shoot pool. It’s a pretty quiet town, though. Why?”

Keeping your back to him at the counter, you voiced your nervous thoughts. “Well…I thought maybe after work tomorrow we could do something. Bowling could be fun. I’m pretty terrible, but—“

“Wait,” he interrupted. “You want to…stay?”

You shrugged, trying to remain casual. “I mean, maybe a day or two. Thought I could complete the tourist experience and finish helping you. I made an agreement, after all.”

Bucky stood from his crouched position, dumping the hair in the garbage can. “I thought you were leaving right after your car was fixed Monday morning. You have a tight schedule to keep, right?” he asked, avoiding your gaze.

“I have a little wiggle room. I just…I really like you, Bucky. I don’t want to say goodbye just yet,” you said, finally voicing the nagging timeline that had been lingering in the back of your mind. You wanted more time. You wanted more HIM.

“Y/N…” he said with a sigh. “I like you, too, but…we have to be realistic. I thought we both knew what this was,” he spoke soberly.

Pausing at the zipper of your hair kit, you felt something break inside you. “Oh. So it’s just a quick ‘wham, bam, thank you ma’am’, is that it?” you said, whirling around angrily to face him. “You’ve had your weekend of fun with the out-of-towner and you don’t want her hanging around cramping your style? Well, excuse me for thinking we actually had something here, a genuine connection,” you snapped with tears in your eyes, quickly exiting the bathroom.

“That’s not what I…” he began, following you out toward the bed area. “Of course we really have something. This has all meant so much….YOU mean so much to me. I never would have thought it could happen in just a few days. But what’s gonna change in a few days more? We become more attached, making it harder to say goodbye? Or maybe two days becomes a week or a month or…I don’t know. I’m just saying, you didn’t leave one small town just to get stuck in another. You’re meant for more that this, Y/N,” he told you sincerely, lightly gripping your upper arms for emphasis.

You held his gaze, eyes filled with tears threatening to spill. “So are you,” you said quietly, voice quivering.

“What?”

“You’re meant for more than this small town, too,” you declared louder this time, grasping his face in your hands.

“I don’t underst—“

“Come with me.”

______________

Part 6>>> 

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Oh my gossshhhhhh. You guys. :D I hope you’re enjoying this. Please let me know! Your comments and screaming make me so happy. haha. I guess we’ll find out his response next week! Love you guys! Thanks for always being awesome. <3

Permanent Tag List and LTT Tag list are CLOSED I’M SORRY.

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