#this was bad but did i still make multiple more thirst gif sets of this terrible movie

[exdeputysonso]

Brad Dourif as Dr. Broward | The Control Group (2014)

[auroralix]

✩ fairly odd christmas - part 1 ✩

read parts two and three here!

pairing: chanlix. everything on this account is chanlix.

summary: single and lonely on christmas, felix makes an offhand wish to have someone to love. the man who appears in his kitchen the next morning to make that wish come true is the last thing he expects.

song: fictional ~ khloe rose

this section’s word count: 4.2k

warnings: uhhhhhhh i don’t think there are many ?? some vEry light swearing, felix is already lowkey thirsting for chan’s ass bc aren’t we all, this is so sappy lovey dovey i love them, mentions of getting murdered bc felix thinks chan is an intruder at first, felix also tries to use a pen as a weapon, why am i treating this like ao3 tags

small a/n: welcome to my first fruity series! i’m still in the process of writing and polishing this but i had to post it before it became too long after christmas lol. everything should be posted by new year’s (: also forever big thanks to @awooghan for the fic title ilysm and thank you to both her and @ujimoo for beta reading and giving input ilyb 🫶

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Felix trudged into his apartment, closing the door behind himself and slumping against it. He got dumped again, and right before Christmas. It shouldn’t have surprised him but every time he hopes this time it might be the One. The one and only he couldn’t live without.

He made his way to the kitchen and opened the freezer, pulling out a tub of ice cream and a spoon. It wasn’t the most glamorous way to spend his night but he was past caring at this point.

After securing his ice cream, Felix crashed on the couch in his living room and turned on the tv. It was time to nurse his emotional wounds with any one of his favorite movies. He had a secret soft spot on his heart for sappier, more cliche movies; those normally seen as “girly.” He couldn’t help it, maybe it was the consequence of living with his sisters until he moved out after college.

Felix had always loved the idea of finding that one person who he loved more than anything else and that would love him back just as much. The books he read and movies he watched did nothing to help those notions; he was the notorious hopeless romantic in his friend group and had been since he was young.

It wasn’t his fault, he couldn’t help that the men in his books and movies were miles better than anyone he’d met in real life. He’d dated multiple people, men and women, and yet nobody ever compared to the people in his stories that lived day and night in his brain. It wasn’t that most of them were bad people (although he’d had his fair share of bad dates), it was just that none of them could give Felix half the amount of love he gave them.

When Felix loved someone, he jumped all in with both feet, not caring what may come. He knew he was being naïve about it, but he couldn’t help that either; it was just in his personality to love wholly and completely and to give as much of himself as he could to the other person. It led to him getting his heart stomped on more than once, like it had tonight.

He’d heard yet again that he was sweet and nice and everything else, but he just wasn’t what his date was looking for. Felix had nodded and smiled and taken it well, dragging himself out of the restaurant to walk home.

Of course it was just his luck that it started raining on his way. And of course it was his luck that he didn’t have anyone to be cliche in the rain with at that moment, under the bright city lights that were decked out in full Christmas decor. It was like the world loved to taunt him by dangling something he wanted desperately right in front of his face. So he had shuffled home through the cold, sludgy rain as quickly as he could, which was how he ended up where he was now.

Curled under a blanket and nursing a tub of melting ice cream while he dreamed about a love he’d probably never see. He just wanted someone that would love him as much as he loved them, was that too much to ask for?

Felix set the nearly empty ice cream tub on the coffee table in front of him and tucked his feet under himself, moving to lie on his side as he watched his movie. Before long, without him even realizing it, Felix was drifting off to sleep on the couch, sending a half asleep wish to the powers that be for a Christmas miracle– someone he could love unconditionally.

•••

Felix blinked his eyes open blearily, adjusting to the blinding sunlight streaming in through his curtains. He rolled onto his side, belatedly realizing he was in his bed, not on the couch as he had been when he fell asleep the night before.

He frowned a little to himself. He was sure he’d fallen asleep on the couch, but maybe he’d woken up long enough to drag himself into his room for the rest of the night.

He stretched his arms above his head and yawned before slowly hauling himself out of bed and trudging to clean up in the bathroom, not giving it a second thought.

When he was finished with his morning routine, Felix waddled out of his room and to the kitchen. He stilled just a second when he walked through the small living room, his mostly empty bucket of ice cream was gone. That made him pause, he knew he didn’t pick it up the night before. Maybe one of his friends randomly came over and threw it out, he rationalized to himself as he turned toward the kitchen.

His kitchen, that was currently occupied by another man that Felix didn’t know. Felix stopped right in his tracks at the sight of the intruder, heart rate immediately going through the roof.

“Who are you?!” he screeched at the man who looked up in surprise from whatever he was doing at the counter. Felix immediately started looking for something, anything to defend himself with.

The other man slowly put his hands up to show he meant no ill will. “I-I’m not here to hurt you, I promise.”

The kitchen knife in one of his hands gave Felix no confidence that what he said was true.

In another situation, Felix would be swooning at the sight and sound of the other man, but right now, he just wanted answers. He grabbed a nearby pen, his only weapon of defense against the mystery intruder and his kitchen knife.

“Who are you?! Why are you here?!” Felix asked again, his panic growing as he held the pen up, like it’d do anything against the impressive muscles on the other man.

“I’m not here to hurt you,” the other man started, lowering one hand to put the knife down as he spoke. “I- I was sent here, for… for you.”

Felix choked on a scoff as he shook his head. “You actually expect me to believe that? What the fuck do you want from me? Why are you here?!”

The other man blinked a couple times and looked like he was trying to think over the best way to answer Felix’s questions. “I-… I don’t know how to explain it. Um, y-you made a wish last night and brought me here. I’d never hurt you though, I promise.”

That stopped Felix dead in his defensive rampage. Yes, he had made a wish to the nonexistent Christmas fairies as he was falling asleep, but he didn’t expect anything to come from it. Much less it being answered with a random hot man deposited in his kitchen. He didn’t even know how it could’ve been answered.

Despite what the man in his kitchen said, Felix couldn’t and wouldn’t just trust whatever the he said. Not without substantial evidence of his claims or some very good persuading.

“How do I know I can trust you or- or that you won’t hurt me? You showed up in the middle of the night out of literally nowhere and- and started acting like you own the place! You’re- you’re just here! In my kitchen and eating my food!” Felix spit out, keeping his pen held high as he questioned the other man. “You haven’t even told me your name!”

“It’s, um, it’s Chan,” the man gulped nervously. “You’re going to think I’m crazy, but please, just hear me out. The reason I’m here is I’m a spirit of Christmas, here to answer your wish.”

Felix could do nothing but gawk at the man in disbelief. Surely he’d misheard? He must still be dreaming, there was no other explanation. It was just a dream that Felix’s lovesick brain had conjured up to make him feel worse when he woke up and saw it indeed wasn’t real.

“Y-You- you’re a what?” he sputtered, at a loss for all other words.

Chan just nodded his head slowly. “It’s true, I’m a spirit of Christmas. We go around this time of year spreading love and joy and sometimes we answer Christmas wishes. I- I heard your wish last night as you were falling asleep and I had to answer; I’d never heard such a sincere wish as yours.”

Felix took a shuddering breath. This man—Chan— had to be crazy. But, somehow he’d known about the wish half asleep Felix had sent into the ether the previous night. How had he known?

“If- if you’re a real Christmas spirit or whatever, then you must have some sort of powers, right?” he asked, deciding to put the whole thing to the test before he chose whether to listen to more of Chan’s story or call the police.

“I do, they’re not very powerful powers, but they get the job done, you know? I can show you if you’d like,” Chan said, giving Felix a hopeful little smile that brought out a pair of cute little dimples that definitely did nothing to Felix’s already racing pulse.

“Yes please. But nothing weird, okay?” Felix still did not loosen his grip on his pen. It may not do much if the other man tried to attack him, but he would go down swinging, if nothing else.

“I promise.” Chan gave him a quick wink before disappearing in a cloud of sparkles that looked like snow and reappeared in that same cloud of sparkles on the other side of the living room. He had stayed out of arm’s reach of Felix, which was appreciated.

“I can also fly, but it’s kind of impractical when nobody else on this planet can,” Chan mentioned like it was no big deal as his feet slowly lifted off the ground before he floated in Felix’s general direction, still staying out of his personal space bubble.

Felix couldn’t believe his eyes, or ears as he watched the man across the room from him. He could barely wrap his head around all that happened the past fifteen minutes.

“You- you’re- that was all true?” Felix was not having a good day with his words; although who could blame him? It’s not everyday he gets visited by beautiful Christmas spirits promising to fix his loveless life.

“Everything I told you is completely true. I’m here to make your Christmas wishes come to life.” Chan set his feet back on the floor, still a respectable amount of space away, a bright smile gracing his features once again.

Felix let out a small, disbelieving laugh and shook his head as he thought everything over. Either he was really going crazy, or there truly was a Christmas fairy in his living room offering to give him the best Christmas season he’d ever had. The spirit seemed to have no ill will and was admittedly one of the hottest people—beings?— Felix had ever seen.

With a shrug he decided that if this spirit was really out here to murder him, he would let him. At least he’d get murdered by a beautiful creature that, before now, were only thought to have existed in fiction. Felix would have a great death, but he really hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

Since there weren’t many downsides in his eyes, Felix thought it’d be fine to see where things went from here.

“Okay,” he said, releasing a deep breath. “As long as you don’t try and kill me, you can… grant my wish? How does that work?”

Chan chuckled, shrugging his broad shoulders just slightly. “Mostly, I’m here so you have someone to be with over Christmas. We’ll go on dates, you can take me to meet your friends, and I’ll take care of you the best I can this season.”

Felix considered the other’s words. It sounded too good to be true, but the hopeless romantic in him was screaming to give this a chance and see what would happen. He only had one question before he gave in completely.

“What do you get out of it?”

“For us spirits, trying to spread joy and happiness and granting wishes like this isn’t just what we do, it’s who we are. If your wish hadn’t called out to me as strongly as it did, I’d probably still be floating around, granting minor wishes to others without them even knowing it,” the spirit explained, a look of pure sincerity on his face as he spoke. “It’s something we do not for what we can get out of it, but for what we can give to others.”

If that didn’t sound like music to Felix’s ears. This wasn’t just some little thing, this was exactly what he wished for, dropped right in his lap. And Felix was a weak, weak man, especially when it came to other pretty men who offered to grant his wishes and take him on dates and be the perfect Christmas boyfriend.

“Okay,” he said again, “I guess let’s see where this goes.”

“You won’t be disappointed, Felix, I promise.” And there Chan was, smiling like it was his wish getting granted, not the other way around. His dimples were on full display, cheeks pushing his eyes into crescents, and right that moment, Felix knew he was already in deep trouble.

He blinked a couple times and forced his still racing heart to calm down a little lest it give out on him. Felix had more questions but before he could get one out, his stomach gave a loud growl, reminding him that it was time to eat. He laughed sheepishly and looked over at where Chan was still standing, looking none the wiser to the loud grumble that came from Felix’s stomach.

“What, um, what were you doing in the kitchen?” Felix asked as he meandered toward the kitchen. He’d finally put his makeshift pen weapon down and shook out his cramping fingers as he walked.

At his question, Chan perked up and hurried back to the kitchen to show Felix what he’d been working on.

“I- I knew me just… appearing like I did might have freaked you out, which it did, oops? But, I thought maybe making you food might help you calm down, so- so I was trying to make you pancakes,” Chan said with a tiny, sheepish smile crossing his face. “I didn’t really know what you liked, so I tried to find a bunch of different toppings.”

Felix hated to admit it but he couldn’t deny how his heart melted just a little at the gesture and hopeful expression on the other’s face. As he looked at the bowls of cut up fruit and chocolate chips scattered around a big batter bowl, he felt more and more sure that he’d made the right decision. This pancake-making spirit meant him no harm.

“Oh, Chan, this- this is actually really sweet.” Felix picked up a couple chips from one bowl and popped them into his mouth before adding, “Pancakes are always a nice touch, a surefire way to win over anyone who’s house you break into.”

At that, Chan’s eyes widened in concern, making him look more like a wounded puppy than a powerful being that could fly and teleport at will. Felix cringed internally, maybe 10 minutes into their—relationship? Was it a relationship? Could Felix call it that yet? He wasn’t sure— but maybe 10 minutes into their… thing was too early to break out the sarcasm.

“I’m sorry!” He hurried to correct himself, “That was a joke, a really bad one for right now. The pancakes are a really nice touch, end of sentence.”

“Do you mean it? I can just clean up if you don’t want any.” Chan still looked unsure and Felix felt like the worst person ever for making him feel bad.

“I promise,” Felix attempted to console the other. “I love pancakes and sweet things, you can ask any of my friends when you meet them.”

“If you’re sure then, I’ll start cooking them for you.” And just like that, the clouds lifted from Chan’s expression and he went back to his previously smiley self.

Chan promptly set back about his previous pancake mission focused, with one goal in mind. When Felix offered to help, Chan simply gave him disarmingly sweet smile and waved him off, stating he wanted to learn the kitchen for himself. It was no trouble really, and he was happy to do it, he wanted to do it, he reassured Felix and shooed him over to the living room to find a movie for them both to watch while they ate.

Felix wasn’t sure how he felt at first about being (albeit nicely) pushed out of his own kitchen. Although once he started smelling the delightful scent of fresh pancakes wafting his way, he decided he didn’t care quite as much. Plus, it wasn’t like he could’ve made anything better on his own. Felix was a phenomenal baker, but all of his attempts to make anything other than baked goods in the kitchen were far less than stellar at best.

He flopped on his couch and started scrolling through the list of movies he had saved, trying to find anything that didn’t scream “I’m very lonely and available and live out those feelings through the movies I watch, please love me!” He didn’t like his odds.

But finally, he decided that if Chan was going to be with him, he should know all the weird, sappy parts of him. Chan was the one who wanted to answer his wish and cure his loneliness, it would only be right to truly let him know what he was getting himself into. So, Felix picked out one of his favorite sappy Christmas movies and waited for Chan to announce when the pancakes were ready.

Breakfast went smoothly and Chan didn’t say a word about the movie choice. As they ate, Felix’s confidence in his decision completely solidified; Chan’s pancakes were out of this world.

The rest of the day passed without many mishaps, Felix showed Chan the rest of his apartment even though Chan already knew his way around from carrying Felix to bed the night before. Felix tidied up around the apartment and Chan insisted on helping even when he was told he didn’t need to.

Felix didn’t quite know how to treat Chan just yet. They weren’t an item but also they already were. Chan was a guest but also he wasn’t. In addition, Felix didn’t know what he was going to do about extra clothes for Chan yet or if the spirit had any money or if making things appear was another one of his abilities.

Chan certainly couldn’t wear Felix’s clothes, as despite them being roughly the same height, Chan had far more bulked out muscles than Felix. While Felix’s muscles were lean, Chan’s were thicker, much like his ass, that Felix had definitely not spent half the day trying not to look at when the spirit walked by. Felix could spend the next day or so figuring everything out and take him shopping for more clothes either way. He also made a mental note to ask the spirit about what other hidden abilities he may have.

Throughout the day, Felix had also taken plenty of opportunities to look at his new roommate. He didn’t want to seem creepy and stare at Chan, so he’d just sneak peeks out of the corner of his eye or when the other would turn his back.

There was no denying the spirit was beautiful, he was practically Felix’s perfect type. They were about the same height, but Chan was much more broad and muscular, he looked like he could lift Felix right off the ground without much strain at all. Chan’s face didn’t seem to match his strong body completely with dark curly hair that fluffed around his head and warm brown eyes that crinkled around the edges when he smiled. And Felix couldn’t get started on those dimples; he’d always been weak for them and now was no exception.

Felix was grateful that the Christmas spirit that heard his wish was as pretty as Chan. He didn’t know if all the spirits were this pretty, yet he still felt lucky that his not only seemed too sweet to be real, but was also just as nice to look at.

Felix was happy to have someone around for the day and just enjoyed slowly getting used to having another person in the house with him. Chan was sweet and insisted on making dinner after Felix beat him to lunch-making earlier in the day. He was phenomenal in the kitchen as Felix was quickly discovering and who was Felix to deny his new beautiful roommate the pleasure of making wonderful food for them?

It was after dinner, as they were planning to go to sleep that Felix realized a big mistake in he’d made when he agreed to let Chan stay with him.

Felix only had one bed.

He only had a couple options that he could think of to solve this. Let Chan have his bed while he took the couch; he wasn’t about to make Chan sleep on the couch, he was still new and Felix felt like it’d just be mean to take the bed from him.

There was one other option but he didn’t know he felt about it yet. They could both share Felix’s bed, it was big enough to fit them both comfortably but Felix was unsure if he should even bring that up. He and Chan had just met earlier that day and he didn’t know if this was truly moving too fast. Granted, they both knew why Chan was there so Felix was more inclined to give into his a bit too rapidly growing feelings, but he didn’t know if this step was too quick even for their situation.

“You can take the bed, I’ll sleep on the couch,” Felix said, trying to stay nonchalant as he handed Chan extra toiletries to use.

“O-Oh, um, that’s okay,” Chan replied, looking the smallest bit disappointed by Felix’s words. “I can sleep on the couch.”

Felix shook his head quickly. “No, you- you shouldn’t have to do that, it’d be wrong of me to make you sleep there. It’s okay, I promise.”

Chan just nodded, giving Felix a tiny, unsure smile back, looking very much like he’d just been accused of doing something wrong.

“Have- have I done something wrong?” Chan’s voice was hesitant and timid as he spoke, afraid of upsetting the human he now lived with.

Felix paused in the middle of putting toothpaste of his toothbrush to give Chan a look. “Of course not, why would you think that?”

Chan shrugged, looking down and fiddling with the toothbrush he still held in his hands. “Just… I thought we could both stay in your bed. That’s- that’s what I came I here for, to keep you safe and give you company. I can’t do that with either of us on the couch.”

Oh.

Felix really hadn’t thought this through. He never would’ve imagined something like this could’ve hurt Chan so badly. The more he pondered, the more it made sense; this was what the spirit came to him for, so turning him down after spending the whole day together must have felt like a horrible rejection.

“Oh… I understand that, I didn’t mean to make you feel unwanted,” Felix started, giving Chan a genuine smile. “I just didn’t want to make you uncomfortable but I’m okay staying in the same bed if you are.”

At his words, Chan’s shoulders seemed to sag slightly in relief and his face lightened up immediately.

“Really? Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. Plus, I- I like cuddles before sleeping,” Felix chuckled shyly, trying desperately to ignore the way his face flushed the more he spoke.

Chan positively beamed, the confirmation he was doing a good job was all he needed to fully relax once again. “I’m glad I can help with that, then. I quite literally live for joy and feelings like these.”

Felix’s face heated up more and he quickly went back about his business of brushing his teeth. It had been less than a full day and already this spirit was wiggling his way deep into Felix’s heart. Not that he was complaining, it seemed like for once, Felix might actually have a love that lasts.

The two went about their business of getting ready for sleep and tucked themselves into bed. It was a little awkward at first as Felix was completely overthinking every little twitch and move he or Chan made. That was until Chan let out a sleepy sigh and turned onto his side, throwing an arm over Felix’s middle and pulling him flush against his chest.

“I could hear you overthinking, stop stressing so much and just let it happen,” came the sleep-riddled mumble from behind Felix.

Truly, Felix didn’t know how Chan expected him to relax and fall asleep after that move. He had a beautiful man right behind him, his breath warm against the back of Felix’s neck and Felix was sure he’d never been quite as aware of his own existence as he was in that moment.

Eventually, through soft little reassurances that it was alright and sleep was good and that he didn’t need to worry so much, Felix slowly succumbed to the exhaustion that had overtaken him. And if the comforting weight of Chan’s arm across his middle did anything to push him closer to sleep, Felix would never admit it aloud.

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read part two here!

[a-supernatural-writer]

Lost in the Shadows Pt.3

Previous Part      Next Part

Word Count: 2136

FemOC x Poly Lost Boys

Giggles erupted from Sarah and Danielle as they wobbled their way off one of the rides they decided to experience. They leaned on each other, Sarah’s arm wrapped around Danielle’s waist as Danielle had her arm around her girlfriend's shoulders. 

“If we go on one more ride, I swear I might puke.” Sarah giggled, trying to find her footing. 

Danielle waved a dismissive hand at her, “Oh, come on. I think the carousel is calling our name.” The brunette was trying to find her footing as well. It didn’t help that both girls were wearing chunky shoes that added at least an inch and a half to their height. 

Sarah looked at Danielle in disbelief, “Okay, I seriously think you’re doing this to torture me.” 

Danielle chuckled, “Hey, you wanted to ride the carousel in the first place.” She reminded the blonde. 

Sarah pouted. Her girlfriend was right. She wanted to ride the carousel when they first split from the group but then the two decided to go on the more intense rides to get the out of the way and then wind down to some of the more taimer ones. 

But, going on a few spinning rides kind of set Sarah back a bit and wanted to take a break. She loved going on rides but, she even knew she had to pace herself. 

Danielle smiled at Sarah, moving her face into the crook of Sarah’s neck, placing a light kiss on her skin, “Let’s take a break and sit down. I know that you need a breather.” 

Instead of diving back into the thrill of the rides, Sarah and Danielle took it upon themselves to find a seat and gather their bearings. The two leaned against each other as they watched different characters of people pass them by. 

Bright and beautiful colors danced across their eyes, the music from different rides and game booths mixed together to create a new melody.  “Never thought we would end up in California.” Sarah comments, fiddling with her gold thumb ring. 

Danielle hummed, leaning back against the wooden bench they were sitting at, “We would end up here eventually. If not now, maybe twenty or even forty years we would have moved here.” The entire group wasn’t up for staying in one place for too long. They would usually stay in one state for around ten to twenty years and then find a new home. 

Sarah nodded, “True… Though it may be good for all of us, you know? Opening our own music shop here, our band could finally gain some traction… Vanessa could find out what the source of the pull she’s feeling is.” 

The brunette nodded as well, “You’re not wrong.” Danielle then smirked, wrapping an arm around her girlfriend's waist, “I can also see you kill it on the waves whenever you take your board out.” 

Sarah giggled, “Now that’s something I’m looking forward to. It’s been so long since we’ve lived in a beach town.” Sarah lived for surfing. Louisiana had a few beaches that she could surf, but it never seemed to feed her thirst for the activity. 

She was grateful that their new home was Santa Carla. She could go out on days when she wasn’t working and enjoy the sun while she surfed. 

Sarah opens her mouth to say something, but her words die on her tongue when she smells it. A scent that she hasn’t smelt in years. Danielle’s smile disappears as the same scent fills her nose. 

The scent of half turned vampires on the Boardwalk. 

It was strong, so whoever the half vampire was, they were close. 

Sarah and Danielle stand from their seat, heads turning in every direction to find the source. Even with the multiple crowds of people passing them by, their own scents becoming but a footnote to the two females. 

Danielle’s eyes froze when they landed on a girl with long curly brunette hair, wearing a white tank top blouse, a decorated skirt, and way too many bracelets to count. She was holding the hand of a young boy that looked around the age of ten, shoulder length light brown hair and dried dirt smudged his face. 

Danielle nudged the blonde beside her, directing her attention to the pair. 

Sarah stared as the duo walked through the crowds. The scent was radiating off of both of them. They were both half turned vampires. 

The two females shared a look and decided that rides would just have to wait. If Santa Carla was their new home, might as well get to know any other creatures that were walking around. 

Hand and hand, Danielle and Sarah, set out on their path, following the girl and small boy within a reasonable distance. 

They couldn’t help but smile when they heard the small boy express his desire to go on the rides that they walked by. His big eyes looked up at the girl with hope and excitement. 

The girl just smiled, not really telling him yes or no to whatever ride he pointed at. She just seemed content with walking around the Boardwalk, not particularly interested in anything.

It was only when they approached the carousel did the boy start begging to go on the ride, “Please, Star!” 

Danielle and Sarah blinked at the girl's name. Star was definitely an interesting one, but it fit the beautiful female perfectly. 

Star sighed, crouching down to the boys height, giving him an apologetic smile, “I’m sorry, Laddie. Maybe tomorrow we can get some tickets?” 

The boy, Laddie, pouted at the fact that he couldn’t go on his desired ride. Of course, Star and Laddie were only given enough money to get something to eat and play a few games, much to his disappointment. 

And this is when Danielle and Sarah took the situation to their own advantage. The two walked up and Sarah took the first step, “Excuse me?” 

Star looked up at the two females, blinking at their appearance. They were both very beautiful in their own ways. She was pretty sure that they were new to town since she’s never seen them around. She stood from her crouched position, “Yes?” 

Sarah smiled softly, “Sorry to bother you, but we heard that a certain somebody wanted to go on the carousel?” She tilted her head to look at Laddie who had himself somewhat hidden behind Star. 

Danielle pulled out the last four tickets that she had in her skirt pocket, “We were actually gonna go on the carousel ourselves to finish our list of rides we wanted to go on. And we have two extra tickets.” 

Danielle tears the two extra tickets from the other ones, “Would you like them?” 

Star smiled at them, very surprised by their kind offer, “Oh, thank you. Are you sure?” Star asked, not knowing if this was a trick or not. 

Sarah nodded, “Please. They’ll just be going in the trash if we don’t use them.” 

Danielle held out the two tickets to Star who took them gently away. Star looked down at Laddie who was smiling at Danielle and Sarah, “Laddie, what do you say to the nice girls?” 

Laddie surprised all of the girls when he ran out from behind Star and hugged Danielle, “Thank you!” He exclaimed. 

Danielle chuckled, patting the top of Laddie’s head that was pressed against her stomach, “No problem bud. You’re not the only one who loves that ride.” 

Sarah raised her hand, accepting this fact, “Guilty as charged. Oh!” She gasped as Laddie hugged her just as he did to Danielle. 

Star stared in awe as Laddie easily smiled at the two of them. He was never like this with new people. Star briefly looked down at the tickets and then back up as Laddie pulled away from his and Sarah’s hug. 

“Would you-” Star stopped her sentence when they all looked at her. Star smiled when they waited for her to continue, “Would you like to go on together?” Star hoped that this was a chance at making new friends that could be separate from the boys. 

Danielle and Sarah glanced at each other, already knowing the answer. They nodded at Star’s offer and the four fell into the line for the carousel. 

The four officially introduced themselves as the line moved along. When it was their turn to climb onto the carousel, Laddie chose a white painted horse with gold and blue accents while Star stood off to the side. 

Sarah got on the horse opposite of Laddie, sitting sideways to face the two while Danielle leaned against the horses head. 

They continued talking about anything that came to mind. Star asked where they moved from, being surprised that they were from New Orleans. She was even more surprised when Danielle and Sarah exposed the fact that they and their band members, who were more like family, were opening a music shop on the Boardwalk. 

Star didn’t say much about herself but Laddie was happy to talk about what he liked and what his favorite things to do were. Danielle and Sarah smiled and listened intently to the boy, finding him absolutely adorable. 

Their smiles almost faltered once they reminded themselves what they were. Laddie was forever trapped in a ten year old boy's body. Even though he was only half, he still wouldn’t age and that wouldn’t change once he fully fed. The same went for Star. Physically she seemed around their age, but she would never grow old. 

But they pushed those facts away to enjoy their time with them in that moment. From what they could gather, both Star and Laddie were innocent as half vampires could come. 

By the time they exited the ride, Star really liked Danielle and Sarah. Laddie was in the same boat, wanting to hang around the girls for a little bit longer. 

“Thank you again for the tickets and for joining us.” Star thanked them again.

Danielle waved a dismissive hand at Star and then wrapping said hand around Sarah’s own hand, “No biggie. We really had a good time with you guys.” 

“I wish we could spend a little more time with you guys, but we have to meet back up with our friends.” Sarah apologized, smiling sadly when she saw Laddie’s smile falter a little. 

Star ‘ohs’ at the news, a little upset that they had to leave so quickly. Sarah felt bad that they suddenly had to leave them, “Don’t forget. We have our shop opening on New Years day, two days from now. You guys are always more than welcome to come and hang out if you want.” 

Danielle nodded in agreement, “Then you’ll get to meet our friends. I’m positive that they’ll love you guys.” 

Star and Laddie’s moods instantly lifted at their offers and at the idea of making new friends. “We’ll happily stop by.” 

Happy that Star took their offer, Danielle and Sarah say their goodbyes, waving at them as the females walk away. 

Once they were a good distance, the two broke into a run, following the scent of their two coven members that were lingering nearby. 

The girls slowed down when they saw Luis and Timothy walking by a couple of game booths, “Luis! Timothy!” Danielle called out to the boys. The boys stopped, letting the girls jog to a stop in front of them. 

“What’s up? Don’t we have ten more minutes?” Timothy asked, looking down at his watch in confusion. 

Danielle took a breath, “Half vamps on the Boardwalk.” She whispered out just loud enough for them to hear. 

Timothy and Luis tensed a little at the information but then quickly relaxed. “You’re kidding?” Luis asked, wrapping his shawl a little tighter around him. 

Danielle shook her head, “I wish we were. Sarah and I got to know them. A girl around our age named Star and a ten year old boy named Laddie.” 

Timothy ran a hand through his hair, “You said half vampires right?” 

The girls nodded. 

“That means a sire is somewhere in Santa Carla and there might be fully fledged vamps walking around.” Luis concluded. 

Vampires were never alone. Vampires grouped together in covens and their sires were usually not far away. And for all of them, that meant danger if they didn’t take the right precautions. 

In a way they were somewhat preparing for this. If Vanessa felt a pull towards Santa Carla, no doubt that pull was towards another vampire. And if there was one, there was always bound to be more. 

“Let’s find Vanessa and call it a night.” Sarah ordered more than she suggested to the others. 

The rest of the group agreed and headed out to find Vanessa who at the moment was dealing with her own situation that would change everything forever.