#time to queue up some stuff and get busy and get it together

[creativesplat]

I would also like to see some miphlink, if that's okay!

I was really struggling with what to draw, and then I remembered your ask from ages ago (dang ADHD brain...) anyway, sorry its such a late answer, but Miphlink inspired by Dicksee's La Belle Dame

[opennwindows]

If you can, could I request BEN Drowned fluff / smut headcanons like about himself, with his headcanon age, hobbies, facts, what he is into or would like & want in a relationship, and what he would be like with a gamer girlfriend/ s/o?

If ya taking requests rn still?✨😇😊💖

Ben Drowned general + NSFW hcs

A/N: yes!! absolutely. i love getting to talk about how the pastas do their pastaing in my mind. i have so many headcanons for everyone that im excited to share!! also sorry i forgot to include the gamer gf part but i don't think it would change a lot of what i wrote!!

btw sorry for fucking dying i have been busy 😭😭 but no one worry i will still continue to work on requests!! if anyone has any marble hornets stuff they wanna request i will zoom you to the front of the queue so fucking quick. anyways enough of me yapping.

cw: 18+ nsfw, toxic relationships, crying kink,

GENERAL

ben is mentally and physically 22, but he can be quite emotionally immature at times. when he died he never stopped growing and maturing, his soul was just stuck in limbo. think like the worst waiting room ever.

he's surprisingly tall, standing at about 5'9. he's lanky but not bone thin. could easily get pretty far in a fight without his ghost powers.

the link costume only appears when he’s in his ghost form. so for example, when he’s messing with someone on their computer he’ll appear as the canon BEN we’re most familiar with. when he’s just chilling in his physical body, he mostly wears beat up hoodies and sweatpants.

contrary to popular belief, ben's not the hardcore gamer everyone thinks he is. sure, he'll play some overwatch or whatever when he's bored but he honestly just prefers to watch tv and browse the internet. understandably REFUSES to play any zelda games. if you were trapped in a video game for decades would you ever wanna touch it again? exactly.

ben loves to draw little comics and troll (see: horrifically traumatize) people online. god forbid you get into twitter beef with this man because he will crawl through your monitor at 3am and leave you with a crippling fear of technology. dude thinks it's absolutely hilarious. a true knee slapper.

lowkey has a sugar addiction. will slam down 4 cans of pepsi in one sitting. he's very lucky that he's basically a ghost because the kidney stones would be plentiful.

ROMANTIC

you know that guy with the blown out speakers in his car, lives off of energy drinks and burnt blue razz ice elfbars, swears aphex twin is the modern mozart and works on the grill at your local wendy’s? yeah thats ben. or at least would be him if he was still human.

“why would you need a chair, my lap is literally right here babe.”

would absolutely wear your skin if given the opportunity. not in a weird way. he’s just EXTREMELY touchy.

he needs someone who is significantly more organized and motivated than him. he can go almost a week without showering and it should honestly be considered biological warfare when he tries to smother you with affection during these episodes.

after awhile of you guys dating he LOVES the idea of y’all showering together. he has a fear of water and while showers aren’t too much of a trigger, your presence helps ease his anxiety.

favorite pet names: bro, dude, dawg, babe, bitch (non derogatory)

not really a romantic but he tries his best. a perfect date for him is just getting some takeout, watching youtube, talking about stupid shit and play fighting. if you want something more traditional or extravagant then he’ll oblige to make you happy but those types of dates make him feel quite suffocated and nervous. try to save those for special occasions.

now let’s talk about his problems because just like the other creeps he is ANGSTY.

he’s probably the most emotionally stable and healthiest of the group but he definitely still has his toxic traits, after all this man is a ghost that mentally tortures and kills his victims through manipulation.

ben would never ever get physical with his partner no matter how enraged he is but he absolutely is the type to do some mental damage when he gets carried away. ben drowned? more like ben gaslighted.

the type to say some shit that would keep you up for years and then kiss you the next morning like the argument never happened. he finds it easier to ignore problems than to actively talk and fix them. you’re gonna have to teach him some important communication skills or else you’ll grow to resent him after all the bottled up rage.

a bit too brutally honest and blunt for his own good so if you have thin skin the relationship would fall apart pretty quickly. he wants someone who can drag him twice as hard as he dragged you. bonus points if your insults are consistently funny as hell.

please watch anime with him and discuss it. he would propose on the spot, especially if you play with his hair.

pro player tip: if you want him to clean his disgusting room, help him and make it fun! he just needs a little push and motivation at times. and being around you makes him want to get his shit together.

big fan of late night make-out sessions. i’m talking like 45 minutes straight of just slobbering on each other’s faces with tongues down throats. if you don’t want his hands running over every inch of your body then you’ll probably have to chain him to the wall.

NSFW

okay. so he’s a little inexperienced with his hands. he’s just a slow learner. be vocal with him about what you like!!

ben's about 7inches and slightly skinnier than average but he will have you seeing stars in record time. the dick game is no joke. he tends to go fast and deep most times.

i can see him being a switch in the idgaf-as-long-as-i’m-fucking way. dude will go with the flow and will try mostly anything.

definitely one of the least aggressive pastas during sex. he has sadistic tendencies but he’s more of a edge/overstimulate you until you cry versus a beat the shit out of you and rip hair out of your scalp type. he’s pretty vanilla given his occupation.

despite his love of roasting the fuck out of you on a daily basis, the only words that come out of this man’s mouth is heavenly praise. he looks at you like you’re the most gorgeous being on the planet and he’ll let you know it.

he loves to whisper praises into your ear while you ride him.

he's more of a receiver than a giver when it comes to oral. he'll absolutely spend hours between your legs if given the chance but nothing beats the sight of you on your knees and teary eyed with his length in your mouth.

he can be a bit of a head pusher but just let him face-fuck you every now and then, hearing his loud moans will be worth it.

did i mention how much of a crying kink this man has? you guys could be on round three and if he stares at your teary eyed fucked-out face for longer than 10 seconds he'll immediately get hard again. you'll have to beg him to give your poor body a break.

he's also into choking but only if he's the one doing it. if you try to restrict his breathing he'll panic and the mood would get ruined.

[soaps-mohawk]

So...

I've been doing some thinking about a couple of things.

This blog has grown considerably, even from its start and I appreciate each and every one of you so much. Your support never ceases to amaze me and I owe all of you a lot for giving me something to focus on this year instead of spiraling into insanity.

But

Things have gotten a tad bit overwhelming recently between trying to run the blog and trying to write. I find myself either having to ignore the blog to get writing done, or sacrifice writing time and energy to spend time on the blog and keep up with all the replies/reblogs/asks etc. Definitely not complaining, you all never cease to amaze me.

But, I am just one person and my brain only has so much power right now. So, I'm planning to take some (more) time off each week right now while I focus on writing and planning since we're getting into some serious plot stuff soon. So I'm planning to be on the blog three days a week for a while: Saturday, Sunday, and Thursday. That gives me some time to get some writing done as well as some time to rest my brain.

Saturday and Sunday of course to post the chapter and respond to replies and reblogs so I don't get super behind. Monday I'll have some asks queued up as well as maybe a few reblogs. I'll still use the queue Tuesday and Wednesday for reblogs/asks with spoilers as usual. Thursday I'll be on the blog answering asks from Monday - Wednesday as well as things I get that day. I'll queue up a few things for Friday since that day gives me a little break between to prepare for the weekend and posting the chapter.

I'll probably add more days as time goes on. You can still send in asks on the days I'm gone, but just know I won't see them or respond to them until later in the week. I already get behind by a couple days on asks anyway so that's not much of a change.

Don't feel bad for sending them either, I love getting all these asks, I just tend to get behind on days I spend more time writing.

The second order of business

has to do with my taglist. Most of you probably haven't noticed (which I don't blame you lol) but my taglist has gotten very big. Very, very big. It's just over 230 people right now, and I'm sure there will be others asking to join. It's quite time consuming to do all of these tags for every chapter (especially since we can't tag in blocks anymore) so I've been doing some thinking into how I can make it easier for me, and for you.

I know there's at least one blog I've heard of, though I'm sure there's more, that have made side blogs that they have people follow and turn on notifications for and just make a post on that blog when they post a chapter or fic, etc. I've been considering doing that since the taglist is a lot of work and time.

I've also seen blogs that have side blogs that just post chapters/fics and nothing else. I know quite a few of you only follow for the fic, so if anyone is interested, I could put together a side blog like that as well that you can follow and get notifications from instead of having to follow this blog and having to go through the probably 100 posts that I make a day 😂 (at least it feels that way for me)

Having a separate blog for the taglist too would allow me to schedule posts so I can have them come out a bit earlier than I get up for those of you across the world who stay up to read and have to wait for me to post in the morning when I get up (or later like today because I slept in). Of course Ao3 will get posted later because I can't schedule posts there, but at least for Tumblr I can have things post earlier.

So let me know what you think about the taglist side blog and the possible just chapters/fics side blog. Feel free to send in asks (anonymously or not) with your opinion. I might not answer them all (not tonight because my brain is fried and honestly i'm not sure if this is even comprehensible English) but I will at least use them to make the decision (or make a post with all of them and answer it as just one).

[froggibus]

Valentine's Day HCs - Ashe, Brigitte, D.VA, Kiriko, Mercy, Widowmaker

Includes: Ashe, Brigitte, D.Va, Kiriko, Mercy and Widowmaker

Summary: what your OW gf would do for you for Valentine's day

CW: gn! reader, fluff, just some cutesy hcs of what your OW s/o would do for Valentine's, some allusion to the lore

pt2 of my valentine's day content for you guys! i was up til 3 trying to finish these but kinda gave up ngl and went to bed but i mostly finished up!

OW Men Ver. + Valentine's 2023 Masterlist

————

Ashe:

acts like she’s Too Cool™️ for Valentine’s Day 

but on the inside she’s secretly making a big deal of it cause all she really wants is to make you happy and show how much she loves you!!

definitely gets Bob’s help to get everything and set it all up

she’s so nonchalant about it that you’re shocked when she shows up at your place with a bouquet of flowers 

“get your jacket, I got somethin to show you.”

you reluctantly follow her out, pleasantly surprised that she came through for you

she takes you back to her place where her and Bob have practically completely redecorated 

there’s sweet smelling candles lining every flat surface, rose petals across the floor and hearts hanging from the ceiling

waiting for the two of you at the coffee table are dishes of all your favorite snacks

she definitely had Bob make you chocolate covered strawberries 

she feeds them to you too with this cute little blush across her cheeks and nose

also there’s champagne

fruity bubbly pink champagne that she seems to have endless bottles of 

and when you’re all warm and giggly and drunk, cuddled up in her arms, she lets her tough exterior drop 

“oh sweet pea, i think you’re gonna be the death of me”

Brig: 

she’s so nervous!!!

like she really wants this to go good and show you how much she appreciates you, but she doesn’t really know how

probably makes the mistake of asking her dad and Reinhardt for advice 

and after Reinhardt suggests “a really big hammer” she decides to go her own way with it

spends days tinkering in her workshop to make something for you

of course Mitzi is purring and rolling all over her tools while she’s trying to build 

accidentally ignored you because she’s so caught up in her work

she finishes it just in time for Valentine’s Day

you plan on surprising her for Valentines so you’re surprised when she shows up with a little box for you

she’s practically vibrating while she waits for you to open it 

when you do, you see it’s metal figurines of the two of you on your first date 

the sheer amount of detail in it makes you gasp

there’s a plaque on the front that says “The Moment I Knew I Loved You”

you look up at her with big teary eyes and throw your arms around her 

she hugs you super tightly 

“so you like it, right? Cause I was worried it was too much or not enough and I just—I really wanted this to go good for us.”

DVA:

she’s such a dork she probably plans out this whole day for the two of you together 

she’s kinda nervous taking you out in case she gets mobbed by paparazzi 

but she really wants to show you a good time so she sets her fear aside

takes you to the shops downtown to get  cute matching pyjamas for your sleepover tonight 

you guys stop to get hotteoks for a snack too!! 

they’re one of her favorite snacks so you treat her to one 

then you guys head to the grocery store to pick up some snacks and drinks for the night 

queue Hana stocking up on Mountain Dew (but she gets the Spark kind to fit into the Valentine’s Day theme)

you guys get home and build a little pillow and blanket Fort on the floor with all your snacks and stuff

Hana turns on her console and the two of you end up playing games together 

definitely some sort of cutesy two player game where you guys can work as a team 

and even if you make mistakes, Hana just kisses your cheek and carries you through

“so, how was this for Valentine’s Day? Did I win?” 

Kiriko:

she is definitely the type to want to do something for Valentine’s  

but gets so busy with work and crime fighting that she just forgets 

so she plans a date for the two of you at the last minute 

gets you a box of gourmet donuts from her favorite shop and heads over to your house on her bike

she was kinda nervous to ask you to be her Valentine cause she’s never really had one

plus she’s worried what she’s planned won’t be enough

but all of that melts away when she picks you up and sees your smile at the cute little fox donuts she gives you

she doesn’t let on what she has planned, but she has her bike waiting outside with an extra helmet for you

she actually takes you all the way across town to a karaoke/ramen bar!

they’re doing a Valentine’s Special for karaoke where its duets only, and it only takes a second of your girlfriend making puppy dog eyes at you to get you up on the stage

she surprises you by choosing one of your favorite duet songs and having near perfect choreography

her dancing and singing is just so fun and cute that it’s infectious and you start trying to dance with her

even if you stumble a bit she still thinks its adorable

also everyone in the restaurant loves you guys

after that, you guys have a few drinks and some yummy ramen before she surprises you with a promise ring

its just a simple silver band with a blue jewel (like the colour of her fox) engraved into it

“I know it’s not much…but I wanted you to always have a piece of me with you. I have the fox spirit to guide me, so I thought maybe you could have something to guide you.”

Mercy:

she’s a busy, busy woman, but she’ll fight to have time off so she can spend it with you 

very traditional as far as her dates go, but that doesn’t mean boring by any means

she’s super organized too, so she’ll plan everything ahead of time to make sure it all goes off without a hitch

definitely splurges and gets you a box of super yummy Swiss chocolates 

I feel like she would definitely get you some sort of jewellery too, like a necklace with wings or something 

she has a dinner reservation at a super romantic, intimate restaurant 

she leaves you a cute little gift bag on your bed for when you get home, and its just a super nice outfit for you to wear out

you’re super excited for what she has planned, and that only gets better when she comes to pick you up

she’s wearing a silky black slip dress and heals, dressed to the absolute nines

honestly she looks good enough to eat

you guys take a cab to the restaurant so you can thoroughly enjoy it and actually drink

Angela picks out a delicious red wine for the two of you to share over dinner

she definitely holds your hand across the table and runs her thumbs over them

the food is amazing and you guys have just a little too much wine over dinner

Angela holds her alcohol well though and manages to tough it out until you get home 

she wanted to surprise you with gifts, but didn’t want to do it in public so she could actually enjoy your reaction to them

probably the one night of the year she lets herself get a little more kinky in bed too lol

“How was it, darling? I wanted to give you a date you deserve.”

Widowmaker:

she hasn’t celebrated a single Valentine’s Day since before Gerard died 

he was the only person she ever had any desire to celebrate with, and because of what Talon did to her, she never had a chance again

until she meets you of course

she probably doesn’t celebrate it with you until you’ve been together for a while either

but when she’s ready, she wants to go all out 

she makes reservations at the best restaurant in France (and spares no expense)

she picks you up in a limo, the back filled with candy hearts and kisses, with a fridge stocked with rosé and champagne 

she pours you a glass when you get in, her eyes taking you in

“you look stunning, my love.”

by the time you get to the restaurant, you’re a little tipsy and completely flustered

she orders for you, getting you her favorite dish (and it’s quite possibly the most delicious thing you’ve had in your whole life)

she definitely splits dessert with you too

she feeds you little spoonfuls 

takes you back to her place for the night and shows you her favorite movie as a girl

“thank you for tonight, mon amour. you are the warmth of my life.”

[kelcemenow]

Touchdown - Chapter 12.

Pairing Travis Kelce x Reader

Words 2106

Warnings Some strong language and some smut (masturbation).

CHAPTER 11.

CHAPTER 12.

“So, we’re in US weekly.” Travis said with a laugh.

“I know, Hannah showed me this morning. Is that okay?”

“Of course, are you okay with it?”

“Yeah, yeah if you are!” You switched your call to your headphones, “I just didn’t want you feeling like a news story had been made out of nothing?”

“Well, I wouldn’t call it nothing!” He chuckled and his voice was calming in your ear.

You stopped walking as you had reached the gym you were heading to, “You know what I mean!”

“I know, I know! But journalists, you know, they’ll make a story out of anything. No offence!”

You laughed, “Anyway, I’m at the gym now.”

“Okay, babygirl.”

You caught your breath, “I’ll call you before I go to bed.”

“Okay, bye.”

You stepped into the stark white building and walked over to the desk so you could sign in. There was a small queue so you joined the back of the line. You looked around the entrance way, seeing if you could spot anyone that you regularly saw working out, when you made eye contact with someone who instantly looked away from you.

“Hi, Tom?”

He awkwardly shifted his feet towards you and lifted his head, “Hey.”

There was an obvious tension but you continued, “I didn’t know you worked out here.”

“Uhh yeah, I just signed up…thought I’d start exercising, you know.”

“Cool!”

There was a pause.

“I didn’t know you worked out here.” His face was unchanging and cold.

You attempted a smile, “Yeah. So, how have you been?”

He almost turned away from you, “Fine. Did your phone break or something?” He shook his head a little with his question.

“Sorry, it’s been a busy weekend, I had to go to Wembley for work-“

“Yeah Wembley. I saw.” He scratched his neck, “You were really busy cuddling up to football players, it seems.”

The tension grew as you studied his face. His expression hadn’t changed but you could sense a hint of anger in his voice.

You gave a nervous laugh, “Yeah, photographers seem to catch stuff like that.”

“So, that was all it was then?”

You opened your mouth to answer but you stopped yourself.

Tom’s eyebrows lifted, “I see.”

He almost turned away but you stopped him, moving him to quieter corner of the entrance, “No, wait – are you pissed off with me?”

Tom shook his head again and avoided eye contact with you, “Shouldn’t I be? Did you think about me at all? Did you?” He took a few steps towards you.

“We’re not together, Tom.” It sounded harsher than you wanted it to.

“Yeah, I get that.”

You narrowed your eyes at him as he spoke.

“Look Y/N, I like you and I just thought you wanted to take things slowly but now I know this has all been because you were busy sleeping around with whatever his name is. Is this some sort of weird kink you have, messing people around? Or is it because he’s got money, is that all you’re after?”

“Excuse me?” You were aware you were starting to raise your voice but you didn’t care.

“You fucking heard. Does he know about me?”

“About what? Not that I need to explain myself, but we’ve been on a handful of dates, Tom. Whether I want to take things slowly is my decision and if in that time I find that I have a better connection with someone else, so be it. It’s none of your business.”

You didn’t wait for a response from Tom. Instead, you walked away from him and out of the gym, deciding to jog home for your evenings exercise. You quickly pulled your headphones over your ears and pressed play on your gym playlist, letting your feet hit the pavement. With each step you felt your aggression ease slightly so you hastened your pace, hoping a faster run would make you feel better. You could feel the burning in your chest start to ease but your mind was clouded with what had happened. Tom had been so demanding, so cruel. You blinked hard and tried desperately to enjoy your run.

As you breathlessly stepped through your door, Jess looked at you with wide eyes, “You’re back early. Didn’t you just leave?”

You grasped for the back of the couch to steady yourself and leaned forward slightly, attempting to catch your breath, “Didn’t…quite make it…Tom…crazy.”

Jess scrunched her nose, “What?”

“Tom…at the gym…just went crazy with me.” You spoke in between desperate breaths, “About Travis…that photo in…US weekly.”

“What? Really?” Jess picked up some dinner plates from the small dining table.

You stood up straight and stretched your back, “Yeah. Really.” You shook your legs and walked towards the couch, “He just started saying…all this stuff…nasty stuff…about us and me…and Travis.”

Jess made her way over slowly to the couch, still holding the plates.

“I was actually quite scared, Jess. He was really…pissed off with me.” You took a deep breath and closed your eyes, “It’s almost as if…he thought I’d cheated on him or something.”

Jess hummed lowly, “Well…”

Your eyes opened quickly to face her, “Oh Jess, not you too. Don’t you have a go at me.”

“I’m not, all I’m saying is-“

“Hey, you were all in favour me and Travis the other day, you were so excited for me! Now, you’re on Tom’s side.”

Jess sat down next to you, “No, Y/N. Look, I am excited for you and I’m not on anyone’s side.” She shifted slightly, “Maybe I just hadn’t thought about it from Tom’s side. As far as he was aware, everything was moving along, slowly yes, but for him this has come as a massive surprise. Maybe you should apologise to him?”

Your mouth opened, “Apologise? You didn’t hear how he spoke to me.”

“He was hurt, Y/N. Stop being so stubborn.”

You looked away from Jess, taking a breath. Jess waited but when you didn’t respond, she stood up.

“Or not.”

You heard her move out of the room and the sound of dishes being moved around in the sink echoed out of the kitchen. You laid your head back and stared up at the ceiling, letting the feeling of adrenaline settle in your chest.

______________________________________________________________

You tried to keep your voice down as you laughed. Jess had gone to bed as she had an early shift at work the next day so you caught up on some TV before crawling into your bed yourself. You were wide awake, reeling after your run-in with Tom when Travis Facetimed you.

“It’s true! The network and managers and everyone made me do it!”

Travis looked relaxed as he spoke to you. He was at home on his couch wearing a casual outfit of a white t-shirt and red shorts. You were quietly pleased that you had worn some decent pyjamas even though you weren’t expecting to see him.

“No way. I bet you loved it, getting all of that attention from those girls!” You grinned at the screen.

Travis laughed and rubbed his beard, “Well, that certainly helped!”

There was a short comfortable silence before Travis spoke again.

“I miss you, Y/N.”

You blinked and your head lifted slightly. A smile crept onto your face as you studied his, searching for any sign of insincerity. But there was none, he looked genuine.

“You do?”

Travis licked his lips, “I do, babygirl.”

Your stomach burned and your clit began to pulse, “I love it when you call me that.”

Travis’ eyes widened slightly and his voice lowered, “Is that so?”

“Ohh fuck, yes.” You clenched your legs together.

“Is my babygirl getting all hot and bothered?” His voice stayed low, in almost a growl, which only fuelled you more. His eyes searched the parts of your body that he could see on the screen, “I wanna see you.”

You titled your head with a sweet smile, “You can see me.”

“I wanna see more.”

You gasped slightly before angling the camera down your body. You were wearing a matching set of red lace pyjamas; high waisted shorts with a cropped tank. You heard Travis groan as you lifted up one leg which gave him a view of your smooth legs.

“God, baby. You look good.”

You brought the camera back to your face. Travis’ face looked hungry for you, a similar look he was giving you back at the hotel.

“I should’ve had you when I could.”

You smiled as you squeezed your legs once more, feeling a rush of blood to your pussy. Travis must’ve have noticed.

“Do you wish I was there to help you out?” His lips curled into a smirk.

You closed your eyes and ran your hand down your side, “Fuck, yes I do.”

“Show me what you’re doing. I need to see you.”

You tipped the camera down to follow your hand as it reached inside your shorts, fiddling with the waistband. You heard Travis shuffle and his breathing began to get deeper and louder. As you pulled your shorts down, Travis groaned even louder and you quickly turned the volume down on your phone. You leaned your head down so you could catch a glimpse of him, his eyes narrowed and his brow furrowed, mouth slightly open and tongue gently running along his top lip. It turned you on even more seeing him like this, desperate for you but unable to have you. You parted your legs a little to give easier access to yourself and a better view for him. You felt goosebumps as your fingers ran lightly along your pussy, imagining that it was his fingers instead. You were becoming wet and your fingers moved easily along your slick opening.

“Go on, babygirl. It’s me, I’m there.”

You plunged your fingers inside of your pussy, using the knuckle of your thumb to gently rub your clit. You gasped at the sensation, something you hadn’t felt for a while. It was sensitive but you continued, letting the pleasure take over. Your body began to tingle, starting in your feet and arms before spreading across your chest. Travis’ eyes focused on your body, watching it move and squirm, his gaze made your nipples become hard, poking against the fabric for him to see. You sped up your pace, pumping your fingers faster and deeper. You moaned under your breath, writhing on your bed, a tightness building up in your core.

“I wanna taste you so bad.”

Travis’ words were enough to send over the edge, your walls clenching around your fingers. You whined as you rode your high, your head tilting back onto the bed and your back arching upwards, letting your hardened nipples press against the thin fabric of your clothing. The pleasure ran across your body like a tidal wave, making your legs weak and your chest fall heavily. You squeezed your eyes shut and listened to Travis’s voice as you moaned away the sensation, relaxing every muscle and collapsing slightly back onto your bed.

“Good girl, that’s it. Man, you’re so beautiful.”

You opened your eyes and brought the screen closer to you as your breathing slowed, “When can I see you?”

“What, you wanna come here?”

You tried to control your breathing as you reached for some tissues to wipe your hands. Staring back into the camera, you watched his excited expression, “Whatever is easier for you, big guy. Honestly, I just want to be around you.”

He lowered his head and smiled enough so that his eyes creased more than you had ever seen, “I have some time off coming up. Why don’t I get you some plane tickets, you stay at my place and we can hang out a bit?”

You smiled at the screen, “I can sort the flights, don’t worry about that.”

“Nah, baby. Let me.” He winked, “I’ll show you all of the best sights in KC. One of them being you if you pack those jammies in your suitcase.”

You giggled and pulled the duvet back towards your chest.

“I’m gunna send you something, too. Can you send me your address?”

“Well, now I’m intrigued.” You raised an eyebrow at him.

He grinned at the screen, “You’ll see soon enough, babygirl.”

You sighed and laid further down in your bed, lifting your hand to cover your mouth as you yawned.

“You tired yourself out?” Travis smiled.

“Just a bit. And here I was thinking tonight would be boring.”

“I should let you get some sleep, don’t think about me too much.”

You yawned again, “We both know I will.”

“Goodnight, beautiful.”

______________________________________________________________

Oooof. That man. That gif of him smiling is something. So, we're going to KC! Next chapter will be as soon as I can! If you want to be added to my Taglist, just comment and I'll pop you on the next one.

Taglist @rd14 @dandelionwrites8 @keiva1000 @fantasywritersstuff @caelipartem @anacarangel @she-lives-in-her-dreams @kkrenae

[blueraineshadows]

Good morning, lovely lady! I'm very sorry to bother you again!

I have a little request if you find the time :)

I'm going through some stuff in my life atm that's really getting me down, so I need as much escapism as possible! 😅

*******

So after Hogwarts, MC and everybody went their separate ways. She hasn't seen Sebastian for years, but occasionally, they talk via owl. I'm thinking that Seb went on and got a really exciting job where he could travel and explore? Maybe MC got some kind of job at the Ministry that was a little less exciting?

Anyway, MC ends up meeting a handsome man at the office she works at, and he courts her before proposing to her. She says yes, even though she still harbours deep feelings for Sebastian, but she hasn't seen him for literally years.

At first, the fiance is really nice and kind, but he's been wearing her down little by little. A bit controlling. MC feels she's becoming quiet and docile.

There's a Hogwarts reunion in Hogsmeade and MC reunites with everyone. Sebastian attends, and there's still this literal connection between him and MC. They chat, and she introduces him to her fiance, whom Seb dislikes very much. He sees how they interact with each other and is furious.

Seb corners MC later in the night, after a few drinks, and tells her her fiance is an ass. That he's draining her spark. MC is angry at Seb, but there's so much sexual tension between them. Queue elicit affair-y smut between them.

Maybe fiance discovers and tries to drag MC away, but Sebs having none of it? Meh, Im rambling now, but you get the idea 😅❤️

Thank you for the Ask! 💜 I hope this meets your expectations...I got rather into it, so it's quite long!

Emotional/Fluffy/Spicy ❤️🥰🌶

Sebastian Sallow x F!MC x OC William Bennett

Dearest MC,

I hope this letter finds you well. How is London? I hear the weather has been very hot this summer. I can only imagine the assault on the senses a bustling city like London conjures in such heat.

As for me, I have spent three weeks in Italy, and it is beautiful, rich with history. You would have loved the library archives with its relics. It made me think of you and our times together. I wish you could have seen it. Currently, I am making my way back to England, stopping off to meet with Ominis, before returning to Feldcroft.

I hear there is a reunion of our old class mates in Hogsmeade at the end of the month. All being well with my journey, I hope to make it and see everyone. It will be nice to reunite with old faces and hear new tales. Are you attending? It would be lovely to see your face again. If I am lucky enough to attend, then I hope to see you there.

Be well. I miss you, as always.

Yours,

Sebastian.

The parchment was beginning to curl at the edges, she had read it so many times. MC smoothed the tip of her finger over Sebastian's name, signed by his own hand, and felt a weight settle heavily over her chest. His letters were few and far between, but each one woke up the most secret part of her heart. That special place where she kept her feelings for Sebastian curled up tight.

MC had not seen Sebastian for years, not since he had left to travel the world for his new job, leaving her behind to sit at a stuffy Ministry desk all day. She cherished every letter he sent, but her deepest desire was to see him, to hear his voice. It tightened her throat just to think of it.

"Darling, are you here?"

MC jumped at the sound of William's voice and quickly folded the parchment, tucking it away safely inside her blouse. She smoothed her hair and set her face into one of calm sweetness, William did hate it if she didn't look pleased to see him.

She grabbed the pile of files from her desk that needed to be stored and stood up, making herself look busy as William appeared in her office doorway. He looked dapper in his fine suit, top hat in hand, his coat over one arm. He smiled, blue eyes lighting up at the sight of her. "There you are, my love," he said. "Care for some lunch?"

"Of course," she said. She patted the files. "Do I have time to file these?"

He looked at the folders, a slight frown on his lips. "If you must. I will be glad to see the day when you no longer have to be messing about with old, dusty archives."

"It's not so bad," she replied. She attempted a smile, trying to please him. "I quite enjoy it. When I was at Hogwarts..."

"Yes, yes, I know," he said, waving a hand to brush away her words. He moved to tug the files from her arms and dump them on her desk. "Soon you will not need to worry about such things. You will have social events to attend, girlfriends to have afternoon tea with. As my wife, you will want for nothing, I promise you. No need to sit at a desk all day wasting your time with your nose stuck in a book."

He chuckled and shook his head, fetching her coat from the hook. "Honestly, women who read!" He clicked his tongue and held the coat up for her. "I thought we would lunch at that lovely place near the river we like."

"Of course," she agreed. "Whatever makes you happy, my dear."

His smile was satisfied as he took her arm and led her out of the office. She kept her head down and her smile polite, nodding and saying all the appropriate words as they walked from the Ministry towards their restaurant.

Behind this meek mask, her heart was twisting at the feel of Sebastian's letter against her breast. How had she let her old life slip so far through her fingers? How had she ended up so lost?

She tightened her hold on her fiancé's arm, thinking that he might be the only thing holding her up right now. Handsome William Bennett, heir to a railroad fortune, deep in favour with the Minister for Magic, and admired by many. He had charmed her, courted her relentlessly, and then he had proposed. It had been the bottom of a long, lonely, slippery slope and she had accepted.

The huge diamond glittered on her finger, but her heart felt dull, empty. Somehow MC had lost herself and she wasn't sure how to get herself back.

....*....

The train slowed to a stop at Hogsmeade Station and MC stepped from her carriage, hand in William's as he escorted her, the image of the perfect gentleman. Behind his polite demeanour, he was quietly seething. He had not wanted to make this trip, but had refused to allow her to travel alone. It was unbecoming for a young woman, he had lectured. So, despite his disdain, he had accompanied MC.

The Scottish Highlands were looking as beautiful as ever and MC took a deep breath, her eyes drinking in the familiar sights. She felt some of the weight lifting from her heart. It felt like coming home.

The next port of call was The Three Broomsticks. William had reserved two rooms for them.

"We could, of course, share a room," he murmured, near her ear. She felt herself clam up, her fingers clutching his arm a little tighter. He mistook the movement for something a little more desirable and brushed his fingers over her knuckles. "We will be wed come the winter, it wouldn't be the most terrible thing to share a bed, and you could almost say it is a romantic setting."

He gestured at the quaint little village, his eyes warming with desire as he gazed down at her. "I would love nothing more than for you to come to me at night, share my bed."

She flushed and lowered her gaze. William was handsome, to be sure, and MC had shared kisses with him, polite courting touches. But there was no fire there, no burning need to feel him closer. Waiting for marriage was an excuse, and one that would soon be void. MC didn't want to think on it.

"I...I'm not sure if that's entirely appropriate," she said, quickly. "This is a close knit community, people talk. We should wait until we are married, William. It's the right thing to do."

William's lips tightened in disappointment, but he nodded, regretfully removing his caress from her hand. "Of course, my love. Seperate rooms it is."

MC fought back her shiver of relief.

That evening, dressed in a dark green dress with silver threading in the bodice (not in the hope of impressing a certain Slytherin, of course), MC entered the bar of The Three Broomsticks. Her corset was tight, but she was breathless for a whole other reason. Tonight, she might see him. Sebastian might have come.

"MC!" Poppy came bounding out of nowhere, cheeks flushed with happiness, her hands clasping MC's tightly. "Oh, I am so glad you came!"

The girls embraced and MC felt the burn of tears as her old friend squeezed her tightly. "I have missed you, Poppy. And look at you! So beautiful!"

William frowned at such open displays of affection, but he was polite when introduced. MC couldn't help but see the flicker of confused disappointment in Poppy's eyes at the word, fiancé. MC fixed her smile in place and moved to greet the others.

Garreth and Leander were there, Natty and a few others MC was pleased to see, but her eyes couldn't help but stray to the entrance, her heart hoping for a glimpse of unruly brown hair.

William was bored, his face a little sour as he stood by the bar. He watched MC closely, frowning when Garreth and pulled her in for a hug. MC had soothed William with soft touches on the arm, reassuring smiles, but she was tense, afraid of doing or saying something wrong. If only he had let her come alone. If only she could breathe.

And then the doors opened, two men walked through, and MC's heart dropped, stilled and then soared, beating a mile a minute. Ominis looked so dashing, and tall, commanding the space around him as his wand led him further into the bar. Beside him, as always, was Sebastian.

"Oh," MC breathed. The sound escaping her lips without any thought for hesitation. Oh, but he looked so wonderful! Better than she had ever imagined!

Sebastian's face had lost it's smooth roundness of boyhood, but it had filled out in other ways, ways that made MC's mouth feel so very dry all of a sudden. His shoulders, his hips, the length of his legs, the way he laughed at something Ominis had just said, his head falling back just so. Her starved eyes gobbled it all, hungrily. He pushed long fingers into his hair, rumpling the brown locks and MC felt her hands clench into tiny little fists. Oh, how her fingers longed to do the same.

She thought she might cry, faint like some over dramatic socialite, or maybe just lose the entire contents of her stomach right here in front of everyone. Butterflies were flipping madly in there and she pressed a hand to her chest, that heavy tightness seeming to become a pounding thud. Or was that her heart?

"Goodness me, is that the youngest Gaunt boy?" William asked.

Ominis was hardly a boy any longer, and would no doubt frown at the term, but William could be pompous and irritating at times. He had a habit of behaving as if people were below him, and MC wondered how it had not bothered her sooner.

MC tore her gaze from Sebastian to nod at him. "Yes, Ominis Gaunt," she replied. Her words were a little breathless, her eyes desperate to return to Sebastian. "I thought I had told you I attended Hogwarts alongside him."

William's gaze was sharp, almost irritated. "You did not. You must introduce me, MC."

"Of course," she agreed. She took William's arm and they moved to join her two favourite Slytherin boys at the bar.

Sebastian's gaze fell on MC and he stilled, pure delight washing over his features. "You came!" He exclaimed.

Ominis stilled beside him, his head tilting a little in the direction Sebastian had spoken. His words were soft, filled with warmth. "Don't tell me MC is here?" He smiled and held out a hand. "Then I must greet her at once. Where are you, my dear, for I have missed you a good deal."

MC flushed and held out her hand, placing it in Ominis', who then placed a gentle kiss on the back of it. William watched the whole thing, his mouth tightening at the familiarity between his fiancé and the young Mr Gaunt.

Sebastian was watching too, his eyes only for MC, as if he needed to savour detail as she had of him.

"Ominis, may I introduce my fiancé, William Bennett?" She guided Ominis towards William who shook his hand in greeting.

"Bennett?" Ominis asked. "Of the Bennett Railroad family?"

"The very same," William said, proudly.

Sebastian's eyes at darkened at this introduction, his eyes now assessing William closely, his lips thinning a little. Ominis turned to introduce him, and while William was polite, he had no interest in Sebastian. He was more keen to speak with Ominis, to rub shoulders with a well known Wizarding family.

William looked down at MC. "Why don't you run along and chit chat with your little chums, my love, and let the men talk."

Sebastian's eyes widened, his eyebrows shooting upwards as he glanced between William and MC. A flush darkened MC's cheeks and she nodded meekly, unable to even meet Sebastian's gaze. If she had, she would have seen the shock in his eyes at her timid behaviour. The girl he knew would have been spitting fire if someone had belittled her like that.

MC left William to talk to Ominis, every fibre of her being trying to resist as she turned her back on Sebastian. It hadn't been enough, not nearly enough, and she almost gasped at the need to be nearer to him.

They sat for dinner, William dominating Ominis' attention, but he kept a possessive hand at MC's arm or lower back at any given opportunity. When they ordered, MC had quite fancied the chicken, but William ordered the beef for the both of them, not even consulting MC to see if that's what she wanted.

MC risked a glance towards Sebastian and swallowed at the fury in his eyes as he glared at William. Her heart pounded. Shame made her gaze drop to her lap, her fingers twisting her napkin. She felt like an outsider imposing in on her own body. Her very ears rung with the horror of losing her own sense of self.

She looked at the people sitting around the table, chatting, laughing, her own lips moving and attempting to smile, but it felt strange. Her heart craved all of this, these familiar and much loved faces, but her head was warped. She felt trapped.

The only thing that helped was the wine, and even that had been chosen and poured for her by William.

Poppy clasped her arm after they had finished their meal. She leant across to William. "I am going to steal your lovely fiancé for a time, we have some much needed girl talk to catch up on."

A crease appeared on his brow as he stared at Poppy, then he glanced across the table towards Sebastian, who was deep in conversation with Garreth. Slowly, he nodded. "Of course, you two ladies have fun."

Poppy led MC away from the table and outside into the cooling evening air. MC gulped down her breaths and held on to Poppy, grateful for the escape.

Sebastian may have been talking to Garreth, but he had been keeping an eye on MC all night, his fury mounting at the way that pompous bastard had belittled and shamed her. His fingers ached from the need to smash his fist into the prick's pretty face.

Poppy pulled a hip flask from her silk bag and held it out to MC. "Here, you look like you could do with some of this."

MC saw the flask. "That had better be fire whiskey," she said.

"What else?" Poppy grinned.

MC took the bottle and swallowed two long gulps, gasping, but relishing the burn as it went down.

"Why him, MC?" Poppy asked, bluntly. "Why William?"

MC shrugged. "He was kind to me."

Poppy frowned. "That is no reason to sign yourself up to marriage with him," she said. "I mean, you don't look yourself, not a happy, blushing bride in the slightest. And, yes, he is pretty, but he is no Sebastian, MC. Not by a long stretch."

MC gaped. "Wh...what?"

Poppy gave her look. "Oh, MC, really? We're not kids anymore, and you are not fooling anyone, especially me. The tension between you two is so thick, you could slice it with a good Diffindo!"

MC's blush touched the tips of her ears. "Do you think William has noticed?"

"If he hasn't, then he is even more of a fool than I thought."

MC stared at her. Horror was one emotion tugging at her. The very idea of William knowing the depth of her feelings for Sebastian was chilling. But she could also see the ridiculous predicament she had found herself in, and it really was one of her own making. But how would she get out of it?

Maybe it was the alcohol going to her head, or maybe she was going mad. Either way, she started giggling, and then she couldn't stop. And then Poppy was giggling. It felt good, so good. It was a release and MC seized it with both hands. She held up the fire whiskey. "I think I need some more of this."

....*....

The air inside the bar was becoming too suffocating and her corset felt like an iron band. MC was flushed from the whiskey, hot and flustered by the presence of one Mr Sallow, and yet he still wasn't close enough for her liking.

She met his gaze for about the 100th time and he smiled, a delicious, sinfully beautiful smile. Her lips parted. Oh, Merlin. She really might faint this time. And then he was moving towards her. Her pulse picked up the pace and she wiped sweaty palms against her hips.

William was visiting the bathroom, there was no other distraction, and then Sebastian was in front of her. "There you are," he said, softly. His gaze was warm. "Finally, a moment alone."

"Yes," she breathed. She stared at him, inwardly kicking herself. Yes? Is that really all she could say?

A torrent of unspoken words hung between them, suspended, dangling like tempting fruit. Now that he was right there, in front of her, her tongue seemed frozen and all she could do was stare.

A flicker of concern clouded his eyes. "I did worry a little when you didn't reply to my last letter. I had hoped you would be here, even if just to ease my mind that you were alright."

"I'm sorry," she said. "That was rude of me. But, I am glad to see you here. I am glad you made it safely home."

He nodded, a small smile on his lips, but he still looked concerned. "I didn't expect to find you engaged, though. That was a surprise. At least you have someone looking out for you, if that's what he actually does?"

Her lips tried to lift into a smile, but she had never been able to lie to him. The words that fell from her lips felt stilted, wrong. "I'm fine."

His eyes narrowed a little. "You are happy, aren't you? I mean, it's what you want."

She knew what he meant, oh she did. He knew her better than she knew herself, even though miles and time had kept them apart. She needed to smile and nod, the perfect little puppet she had become, tell him that she was happy, she was fine. Her life was all roses and smiles, etc, etc.

Her lips parted but nothing came out. His eyes dropped to her mouth, distracted by their movement and nerves made her tongue dart outwards, flicking over her bottom lip. Her breathing stalled at the way his eyes darkened, a fire building behind them, and her traitorous body responded. Flame, searing and coiling deliciously, overwhelmed her and she actually gasped, because she was leaning forward. Her body, like a magnet, was drawn to him, impossibly drawn to where it belonged.

Shock at the realisation made her straighten and she pressed trembling fingers to her cheeks. Where she belonged!

Merlin, she couldn't breathe. She turned on her heel and made a dash for the door, not caring who saw as she grabbed up the skirt of her dress and headed out into the fresh air.

Of course, Sebastian followed. Hadn't he always?

He caught up to her, took her arm, and spun her to face him. "Please...don't." She gasped.

He didn't let go. She looked down at where his long fingers held her forearm, not gripping her, just holding her. No possession, no demand, just a touch. Her lips trembled.

"I've seen you face countless monstrous enemies, take down the darkest wizards and slaughter trolls in broad daylight," he said. "But I have never seen you cower, or hide as much as you have tonight, MC, and it rips me open. It kills me to see you so, a shadow of your former self. How did this happen? Is it him? Does he hurt you?"

"Of course he doesn't hurt me! Don't be ridiculous."

"You're aren't happy though, are you? Not really," he pushed.

Her chest heaved against the tight laces of her corset, tears stinging the backs of her eyes. He was right, gods he was right and she hated it, because it meant she was wrong, she had failed.

"I...we shouldn't be talking like this..." She glanced around the now darkened street.

Sebastian's face tightened. "Why? Because dear William won't like it?"

She flinched.

He tugged her a little closer. She let him, her eyes glued to his. "Well, I don't give a flying fuck what he thinks."

A small cry left her lips as he grasped her hand and began to walk her away from the entrance of the pub, his stride determined. She had to jog to keep up, her little heels clacking on the cobbles, her other hand lifting the hem of her dress.

He took her to a darker, more secluded corner, and a thrill shot through her despite everything. She found herself backed up against a stone wall, his face inches from hers. He leant a hand against the wall near her head, his other hand coming up to gently cup her face. She closed her eyes, the touch of his skin against hers a forbidden flame.

Merlin, she was leaning into it!

"Tell me the truth," he begged. "Tell me he makes you happy, and I will leave you alone, I promise. But if he doesn't, even if there is the smallest doubt, then tell me. You can tell me."

"Sebastian..." Her voice was a whisper, a plea. "Don't..."

"I cannot bare the thought of leaving you with him if he is going to continue to crush you like he is, because that girl I knew at school, that wonderful, fiercesome girl, who knocked me on my arse on my first day...that girl is going to die if you let him bully you like that."

She stared up at him. Her heart hurt. Maybe she was already dead inside and that was why she had let things slide so far.

He looked down suddenly, and she followed his gaze. Her breath stilled. When had her fingers threaded themselves into his clothing? She was grasping the front of his vest, a fistful of cloth under white knuckles. She couldn't let him go either. If she let him go, then she might just float away, lost to the skies, a drifting ghost of herself.

Their gazes met again. How she had missed those eyes!

"Don't look at me like that." His voice was rougher, deeper, an edge to it that made her skin erupt with goosebumps.

"Why not?" She was playing with fire. She was going to burn herself.

"Because it makes me want to throw decency out the window, and kiss you until I can't breathe," he said, darkly.

Oh, she was definitely going to burn. She realised she didn't care.

The fingers curled in his vest pulled him closer until his lips were a breath from hers. "Do it," she sighed. "I can't breathe anyway."

The moan in her throat was relief. His lips found hers, a soft, teasing taste that promised so much more. Eagerly, she welcomed him, parting her lips and offering her tongue, the taste of him more intoxicating than any fire whiskey.

Her fingers found their way into his hair, sliding through the softness, and it sharpened the ache growing within her. Her body pressed up against his, the solid length of his frame so safe, but exciting. Their clothing was an irritating barrier, her skin screamed to feel his, like she wouldn't feel complete until she could wrap herself around it.

"Gods, MC..." He groaned, his mouth moving to taste her jaw, her throat, his tongue swirling up to flick against her ear. Her grip in his hair tightened. Yes, this was what she wanted, what she craved.

MC closed her eyes, savouring the feel of his lips on her neck, his mouth sucking, tasting her flesh. The warmth of his hand seared through the silk of her dress at her waist, the bones of her corset stressed under the pace of her breathing. "More," she panted. "Sebastian..."

He claimed her mouth again, his hips rocking against her, her back scraping against the stone of the wall. She smoothed a hand down the expanse of his back, melting at the flex of muscle, before drifting lower, daring a squeeze of his delicious backside.

"Fuck," he breathed. The profanity sent a crackling thrill through her, and she moaned. Yes, she would love to do that, craved it even.

He began moving his mouth downwards again, lower this time to swirl his tongue against the tops of her breasts, the flesh moving rapidly above the rim of her corset with every panting breath. His fingers tugged at the damned thing. "I need more of you," he muttered.

And she would give it, gladly, she realised. A pin slid from her hair, a long lock tumbling free to tickle against her flushed cheeks. She was lost, drunk on his kisses, his touch, and it was nowhere near enough. She felt like a woman starved.

A rustle of silk, cool air against her legs and then a warm hand smoothing up the flesh of her thigh. The sound that left her throat was almost feral. "Yes, yes," she panted. She grabbed at him, fingers tugging his shirt free from his trousers, a hand sliding up underneath to explore the hot, firm flesh waiting for her there.

She ached for his touch, her thighs trembled in anticipation as he slid his hand higher. Just a bit more, she begged silently, her eyes squeezed tight. Just a bit higher. His finger tips grazed against damp silk, and then he was gone, ripped from her clutches forcefully, and someone was shouting.

"How dare you!" William held Sebastian by the scruff of his neck, shaking him, fury twisting his face into something terrible, frightening even. "How dare you lay your hands on my fiancé!"

MC was gasping, her hair in disarray, her skirts caught up revealing a bare leg. Red marks of passion bloomed on her throat and chest, all the way down to her neckline. Her legs shook, not from fear, but from a need unmet.

"William!" She held out a hand for him to stop, the other hand hastily smoothing down her skirts. "Stop, William!"

Sebastian shook himself free of William easily enough, shoving him backwards and whipping out his wand. He aimed it at William, his lip curled. "Grab me like that again and you'll know about it!"

William pulled his own wand out, eyes narrowed. A stand off. William flicked his gaze towards MC and his fury faltered, his mouth gaped at the sight of her so dishevelled. "MC..."

She smoothed the loose strands of her mussed hair back from her face, the beginnings of a flush flooding her cheeks. She kept her hand held out, stepping between both men. "Lower your wands," she said. She looked at William. "Please."

"I think not," William said. "He dares to put his hands on you, violating you in such a way. I ought to castrate him for this!"

"I'd like to see you try," Sebastian spat. He adjusted his stance.

"Stop it, both of you!" MC had thought herself in a mess before, but this, this was something else.

"I knew it! I knew he was going to do something like this, just from the way he was watching you at dinner. His eyes never left you," William growled. "Disgusting, loathsome piece of trash. You are not worthy of her!"

MC gasped, her body moving to guard Sebastian. He was more than capable of looking out for himself, but she couldn't help it. Out of the two, she would jump in front of Sebastian first. Every time.

"Did he hurt you? I've a good mind to call an Officer to deal with this," William said. He was trying to aim his wand around her at Sebastian, outrage twisting his mouth.

He thought Sebastian had attacked her! It had not occurred to William that she had been willing. MC put her hands to her forehead. Oh, Gods, this was getting worse!

"There will be no need for an Officer," she said. She backed up towards Sebastian.

"Don't be ridiculous, MC," William snapped. "Now, step out of the way and let me deal with this filthy heathen."

MC went calm. She straightened, her eyes growing hard as an old fire awoke in her, the part of her that had been a fearless fighter. She backed up further still, her hands feeling for Sebastian and he took hold of one, his wand arm coming over her shoulder, still pointing at William.

William's eyes bulged as Sebastian wrapped his other arm about her waist, holding her against him. "What is this!?"

"Lower your wand," she said, coldly.

William hesitated, torn, but lowered his wand. "MC, you better start explaining this," he said. He looked from her to Sebastian, to the way Sebastian's arm held her protectively. "Did you let him touch you like that?"

William looked horrified, disgusted. MC felt a brief flash of shame, but shook it off. "I'm sorry, William," she said, calmly. "But, yes, I did."

William's jaw clenched. He stared at her, his humiliation playing out across his face. She swallowed. And then, William looked a little smug. "What will this do to your reputation?" He spoke with an oily undertone. "Oh dear, MC, rutting with a nobody in the street. Of course, how could I marry such a harlot? Your name will be a shameful piece of gossip whispered in parlour rooms. I expect it would be highly unlikely that the Minister would appreciate such behaviour. Such a shame to lose your pathetic little job over it too."

"You wouldn't," she gasped.

Sebastian moved his mouth closer to her ear, the warmth of his breath brushing her hair gently. "Let me take him," he whispered. "It would be my pleasure."

And he could do it, she knew he could. She had seen him kill before, just as he had seen her kill. She had covered for him, lied, to save him from Azkaban. She did not make that choice only to see him sent there anyway, and for her honour.

William shook his head in distate. "You would honestly choose him, over me?"

Her hand gripped Sebastian's arm, holding it against her stomach. "I love him," she said. There was no doubt, no faltering in her words. It was the truth at last. "I always have, ever since I was a girl."

She heard, and felt, Sebastian's breath hitch, and his arm tightened around her. She hoped with every fibre of her being that he felt the same way, otherwise she was making a monstrous fool of herself.

William flinched at her confession as if she had slapped him. He rubbed a hand over his face, shaking his head, and then his wand flicked upwards, a spell shooting from the end of it. His face pure rage.

But, Sebastian was ready. He blocked the spell with ease, and cast Bombarda in return, sending William flying across the street into a stack of crates. The crash echoed across the cobbles and MC gasped. "Sebastian!"

"It's alright, I've got you," he said. "I've got you."

She sagged against him. "Don't let me go," she whispered.

And then the world spun, blackness, and with a pop, they landed onto a wooden floor. MC sat up, disoriented, gazing around. Her stomach still catching up with her after Apparating.

She turned to look at Sebastian. She recognised where they were. It was his cottage in Feldcroft.

She was sitting on the floor with Sebastian, in his home, just the two of them. She had admitted that she loved him. The weight in her chest had lifted. The enormity of the whole evening crashed over her and the tears gathered in her eyes. Her lips trembled, and then she was sobbing.

Immediately, Sebastian pulled her into his arms, kisses rained down over her hair, her face. His lips kissed the tears from her cheeks and his hands soothed her, calming strokes on her arms and hair. "It's alright, you're safe here," he murmured. "You never have to go back there, to him. It's alright now."

She pulled back to look at him, her hand moving to his cheek. It was real. He was real. "You were gone," she sobbed. "You left and I thought I might never see you again."

His face was pained, his eyes regretful. "I had to leave, get away from this house. I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you."

She buried her face into his shirt, clutching him tightly. "I can't believe you're really here."

"I would have taken you with me if...if I had known..." He faltered and took a breath. He leant his chin on top of her head. "Did you mean what you said back there?"

She nodded. "Every word."

He groaned, squeezing her tighter. "Gods, the time we have lost. Years apart...I should have taken you with me."

She looked up at him. "We still have time," she said. She hesitated. "We could have the rest of our lives."

Their gazes locked. "I've always loved you," he said. "I thought it was only in my dreams that you felt the same way."

She shifted up and put her forehead against his. She huffed a laugh. "We're both as bad as each other. Ominis was right, we are a right pair of idiots."

"I won't tell him you said that, he would be far too smug," Sebastian grinned.

He took her left hand and pulled the huge diamond from her ring finger. "Let's get rid of this shall we?"

"I should return it," she mused.

"Not in person you won't," he said, firmly. He twirled the ring thoughtfully. "Wait here."

He climbed to his feet and moved towards a chest in the corner. He rummaged through it until he found a small box and returned to kneel on the floor beside her. He flipped the lid and turned it to face her. "This was my mother's," he said.

MC looked at his face, surprised to see him looking so shy. She couldn't recall a time she had ever seen Sebastian shy. Then, she looked in the box. Inside was a silver ring set with a pretty emerald, a tiny diamond each side of it.

"It's not as big as the one you were wearing," Sebastian said.

"It's beautiful," she said immediately. And it was. Not flashy, not heavy, not a statement. Beautiful, and sentimental to him.

"Would you wear it?" He asked. She met his gaze, lips parted. "As my wife."

He honestly had to stop stealing her breath like this, it really couldn't be healthy for a girl.

He smirked, his eyes playful. "You could come and see the world with me. I think it might look even more beautiful with you beside me."

She smiled. "How can I say no to that?"

"Quite easily," he said. "But I would rather you said yes."

She looked down at his mother's pretty ring and held out her hand, fingers spread a little. "I suppose you had better make sure it fits then."

His fingers shook as he took the ring from the box and slipped it on to her finger. Of course, it was a perfect fit. He smiled. "It's like it was waiting for you."

She took hold of his shirt front, fingers gripping hold of him like she had back in Hogsmeade. "Now, where were we?" She asked.

His lips curved into that delicious smile she loved so much. "Allow me to refresh your memory," he said.

His mouth claimed hers as if he never intended to stop, and she didn't want him to. Ever.

Click HERE for part 2

[skyland2703]

~✨Romance in the Chemistry Lab✨~

Prompts, simply because *I* have apparently had enough lab experience in my life as a chemistry student to make a cute-ish storyline!

The sodium hydroxide at character A's bench is almost depleted, and so, they're at character B's bench to ask for some for the fluoroscein test. This starts happening every time, and character A doesn't ask the lab staff to fill it, instead they keep on circling back to character B to ask for the sodium hydroxide— because they like talking to character B and this is now a good excuse.

Character A's lab partner, Character B, is the most annoying creature on the planet. Messes up every experiment, frequently sets the test tubes on fire, keeps breaking the glass apparatus, spills silicon oil in the locker every three days, etc; character A is fed up, but they know that character B is good of heart, only a little clumsy, so they put up with them, and help them through all the mishaps.

Alternatively, Character A's lab partner is an absolute asshole and makes their life a living hell. Will leave all the work for character A to do, will use their equipment without permission, and lose/break it, always busy chatting with friends and doesn't perform experiments and then blames character A for the failure. Character A decides it is enough, and one fine morning, ends up taking all their stuff to their friend, Character B's lab station, and performs all experiments with them.

Character A and Character B are lab partners, (or maybe, just have lab stations near each other's) but hit it off so well, that they are completely oblivious to the entire lab, and work together in tandem, no issues faced either way, helping each other with the weighing, the pouring, the drying, the tests, making reagents, and everything together. They even sing songs in unison while taking readings and doing titrations— much to the annoyance of the teachers.

Character A getting upset/messing up the experiment when Character B doesn’t show up in the lab

Lab at 7:30. Character A is super sleepy during instructions, and doesn't hear a word, Character B meanwhile writes down all the instructions, and once the actual practical starts, hands Character A all the instructions, and tells them, "alright, this is your headache now. I'll be sleeping in the corner if you need me"

Character A rushed to the lab early morning without any breakfast, and four hours later, they look almost dead. Character B realises this, and sneaks them out of the lab for a little snack. The teachers would not appreciate anyone fainting inside the lab.

Writing the practical report file late at night, on videocall, discussing the week's experiment, and cribbing about how much work they have to do.

Writing the practical report file IN the lab, sitting on the floor, in one of the corners, when they're tired of doing the experiment, because the lab is five hours long, and the professors will not allow stools or chairs. Because they don't. "You're not a physics student!"

Writing little love notes on paper and leaving them pressed under vials of sulphuric acid and sodium hydroxide and nitric acid.

Character A and Character B find themselves stuck in a long queue in line for filtration of a precipitate, and end up talking to each other, realising they have much more in common with each other than just despising the heat in chemistry practicals.

Character A only ever sees Character B in the Lab. Hair bunned up/tied back, always under the safety glasses and lab coats; one day, though, Character A gets late in leaving the lab, and finds themselves leaving along with Character B, who, outside the lab, not only looks completely different, but is an absolutely different personality.

Getting extra chemicals for each other “just cuz” so they don’t have to run back and forth.

Alternatively, dividing the lab work between them so as to get it done faster.

They start sending each other chemistry jokes/reels and things, and that blossoms into late night talks and eventually… falling for each other… and then one of their friends goes “OH so you guys got your chemistry because OF chemistry?!” And nobody laughs at that joke.

Lab practical exams— Characters A and B Hope they get the same practical, so they can cheat on it, by performing all experiments together. BONUS: if they divide the work once again, and A makes all the graphs and takes readings while B carries out the experiment—

I’ll probably come back with more later on, but for now, College Chemistry AUs? Prompts welcome~

[zafrinaxyz]

KiNKMAS 4 — b y t h e f i r e

Ralak Sepwan x Fem Metkayina!Reader

There's nothing better than spending quality time in your home, with your mate, by the fire

Original character / art above by @zestys-stuff 💚

tags: smut. rainstorm. ralak soaked [and sexy] from the rain. external fingering/clit play/stimulation/orgasm [f receiving]

notes: lets see how many more girlies i can get to join the ralak cult , hehehe . enjoy x😘

𓆩ᥫ᭡𓆪 kinkmas m.list

✗ NSFW 18+ ONLY MDNI ✗

Loud thundering could be heard in the distance, dark clouds slowly making their way towards the village. "The storm looks pretty bad ma'yawntu'' You say over your shoulder, standing just outside your home, grabbing Ralak's attention.

''Then I will need to leave now to gather wood and other supplies'' His husky voice sounds from inside. He was busy securing lose pieces around the mauri, storm-proofing everything before he heads out.

Slightly panicked, you rush over to him, ''But what if you don't make it back in time?''scanning him with wide eyes. He stops what he doing, and looks down at you. He loved it when you made a fuss over him- secretly. He would never admit it to you.

'' I'll be fine tanhi '' He reassures with a smile, lifting his fingers to brush over your face. So beautiful. He could never get over how gorgeous you were, and how lucky he is

You know better than to argue with him. When his mind was set, that was it. With a sigh through your nose, he gently nod. He was so stubborn

He reaches out to place a gentle kiss on your forehead and resumes what he was doing. Butterflies gather in your stomach from the gentle gesture when more thunder booms outside, breaking you out of your thoughts. You grow more nervous by the minute

He finally finishes the important, bigger tasks, then begins to head out, '' I won't be long, I promise ''

You watch as his figure disappears into the forest headed inland, missing him close by you already

*ੈ✩‧₊˚

The storm begins within no time. Hard rain beating down on the ocean and sand, with the waves retreating and crashing over and over again. Right after he left, you tried laying in your shared bed, hoping that would relax you.. nothing. You tried working on some new tops and loincloths to past the time.. nothing. All you could do was wait and pace. You stand, grabbing your blanket. Wrapping the material around you and turning your back towards the entrance, knawing on your inner lip from stress. He still isn't back yet. What is taking him so long?

As if right on queue, you hear heavy footsteps behind you. You quickly turn around to find your mate in the doorway, completely soaked from the rain.

You were in awe. He was heaving from rushing, trying to get back home, back to you. The water highlighted every toned muscle on his body, slowly dripping downwards. His drenched curly hair plastered against his skin, some strands stuck to his forehead.

'' I'm sorry for keeping you waiting'' He lets out lowly, ''Let me get a fire started..'' He drags everything he has collected near your fire place, unpacking and settling it

You blink a few times with no reply, making your way to the bed. The image of him a few moments ago replaying over and over in your mind. What you would give... or rather, what you would do to have him like that over or underneath you. With his deep moans vibrating throughout your ears. Your cheeks flush and thighs squeeze together from your dirty thoughts. You can almost see it clear as day as if it were really happening

But then a voice, err, his voice calls out as he is bent down right in front of you,'' if you are cold, then you need to be sitting over there'' gesturing towards the lively flames. Your eyes dart between his face and the fire, trying to regain focus, remembering where you are and what you are doing. You get up and make your way over, with him following closely behind.

''Thank you'' you chirp. Your knees facing the heat, his legs caging you in on both sides. He has not dried off, at all. ''Ralak! you are still soaked!'' you gasp and whine, trying to bend away from his cold frame, ''then help me get warm,'' he pokes, locking you in close with his arms.

As he pulls you closer, you can feel something on your back.. Ah. Seems as though he has gotten pretty excited too. He notices you've gone still, and uses this moment to brush your hair from your shoulder to begin planting kisses over the smooth teal skin. You lean back into him, enveloped from the warmth of the fire and the heat from your face that is shooting sparks all over your body.

He takes his hand and snakes it between your legs and under your band, locating your bud and gently rubbing it in circles. You gasp while slightly arching your back from him

''mmm Tanhi'' his voice sounding predatory, like he has been craving you and your body the entire time he was away. He uses the other hand to have a firm grasp on your leg to keep you open. The pressure on your clit and pace increases. A moan escapes, and you begin to see stars, feeling the build up from deep within. The onslaught of his mouth makes his way to your neck, leaving light bruises in their wake.

''Ralak, I- '' you plead, nearing your climax. The mix of sensations becoming overwhelming. He begins to rock his hips, chasing the friction up against your lower back, moaning into your ear. Your close, so close. The mixture of his moans and the pleasure he is giving you pushing you closer to the edge

You groan through your teeth, ''I'm gonna c-'' but your words were cut off by his complete switch in pace, abusing your bud until it is throbbing from overstimulation

You began convulsing as your white hot climax washes over you, struggling in his hold. He continues massaging you, teasing your entrance every now and then.

You have to close your legs over his hand, the sensation becoming too much.

You could hear the smile in his voice ''You were so good for me''. Out of breath and a little out of it, his comment managed to force a smile of your own to appear on your face

You loved rainy days

© zafrinaxyz 2023

[chrryblsssm]

i got a bit behind on drafts here so there are only two things in my queue currently, but im gonna get back to work on that when i wake up. i dont think ive ever been this busy in my entire life so finding time to write and not being exhausted has been a bit challenging lately. if you wanna get some stuff going, feel free to toss memes in the inbox, you can either specify or tell me to pick and i'll throw a pair together :)

[iamyouknow-yours]

It's been over a year since I got my mobility scooter and longer since I got my cane. So... Mobility Aid Appreciation Post!

Put your own mobility aid appreciation in the notes, I would like to read!

Wheelchair edition:

I can go on fun adventures with friends, spontaneously as well!

I have gone to various parks, to get snacks, and the other day I scooted from university all the way to my friend's house! I went on the side of a small motorway which was a little bit terrifying but it was fun and I was safe.

I can get around campus so speedily. Well apart from that the accessible routes are a little backwards. But I can go fast to them and arrive before people ambling between classes.

Part of the reason is because people just jump out of my way when they see me coming. They move so fast to not be in my way, it is very funny.

Part 2 of that is that I can go through crowds quite easily. It's a little annoying bc people aren't expecting to look down to see people trying to move. But once they see me they move. And they tell other people to move.

People let me sit at the front of things. I got to sit right at the front of a convention panel and I was so near Kat Graham!!

People open doors for me.

I hardly ever have to wait in line for things, I get put in the front and get to skip the queue.

I can be out of the house for much, much longer.

I am way more patient about my friends wanting to take their time doing things and looking in shops because I don't have to stand, I can sit while they do that.

I have way more stamina for being hungry or cold or tired or sore because I can be sitting while experiencing those things.

The battery has only started Running Out one time and even then she did get me home.

It's helped with learning to drive a car because I am better at understanding the turning circle and how reversing while turning works.

I have gotten better at using my scooter! I am pretty good at maneuvering and judging her distance and stuff. I only bump into corners if I'm in a hurry and in my house ie not making an effort to not hit people's walls.

I've had interesting conversations with people who have come up to me to ask about getting one for a family member. This may be not a perk to some people! So keep that in mind. But I think it's also about my vibe, I usually give off the vibe of "you can come talk to me".

Cane edition:

People give up their seats for me. Especially on the train. If there are no seats, then the old women will squish together and then we all sit next to each other. People are really nice about giving me a seat.

I can climb stairs so much easier!

I haven't lost my balance or fallen or twisted my ankle once while using it.

I can lean on it when I get tired which means I can stay out for a bit longer.

I can use it to get up so so much more easily.

I have a built in fidget toy with the strap.

It folds up and so I can put it in my bag to have just in case.

I hurt my leg one time and boom I already had a mobility aid.

I can use it to walk when my tummy hurts and I can't stand up straight.

And to alleviate your fears, no one has asked me why I switch hands when I use it.

Reminder that it is fully allowed and okay to lie to people when they ask why you're using a mobility aid. You can also say, "It's really difficult to talk about."

Or a funny/brave response like "I didn't read the terms and conditions." and "none of your business".

[madas-ahatters-world]

Day 1: Plead

Thanks to @bitbybitwrites for sharing this challenge with me, it's always fun when we do these challenges together! And to @klaineadvent for putting this Klaine fun together.

A day late, but here is Day 1 - plead:

It’d been a long day, and all Kurt wanted to do was put their seven-year-old twins to bed after an eventful day of Christmas shopping (and fighting off the urge to impulse shop for himself), and stuff his face with Ben and Jerry’s until his gorgeous husband arrived home. He then had plans to drag him upstairs to their bedroom, rip off his clothes, and devour him all. Night. Long.

Well, at least until midnight.

1:00 am tops. Their twins still tend to wake up at the crack of dawn.

It had been an hour past when he was due home, Kurt already having gone through a pint and a half of Minter Wonderland drizzled in chocolate syrup and whipped cream, when Blaine walked through the door of their very elaborate Christmas-decorated brownstone.

“I’m in the kitchen,” Kurt called out, having heard Blaine walk through their front door.

Blaine removed his jacket and hung it on the coat rack along with his work satchel, and walked toward the kitchen, undoing his bow tie. He found Kurt sitting on an island stool, in their kitchen, spoon hanging from his mouth, hunched over casually reading the latest holiday edition of Vogue.

“Hey baby, sorry I’m late.” Blaine greeted tiredly, tie undone, unbuttoning the first two clasps of his shirt. He leaned in gracefully to kiss Kurt on his lips, Kurt removing the spoon from his mouth, and meeting Blaine’s mouth on queue.

“Mmm, you taste delicious,” Blaine said flirtatiously, going in for another kiss.

Kurt chuckled as Blaine opened the refrigerator to grab a beer.

“I hadn’t intended on eating a pint and a half of this stuff, but - I was sitting here all alone, with no one to keep me company,” he said teasingly. “So, you know,” he shrugged, “when in Rome!” Kurt raised his dessert in a mock toast and returned to looking at his magazine.

Blaine was casually leaning his hip against the counter. “You’re so dramatic,” he said smiling at Kurt, as he brought the bottle of alcohol to his lips.

They were both feeling the itch, sexual tension now in full effect as their intimate needs had taken a backseat when the holiday season approached.  This was the busiest time of year for them both, juggling home life, work, and kids. Life got busy, and by the time they got home each evening, they didn’t have enough energy to take care of each other the way they loved. The way they always craved. 

“You’d be too if you spent the day fighting off savage Christmas shoppers with two 7-year-olds,” he replied, with mock snark and a flirtatious side-eye. Kurt flipped the page of his magazine as Blaine stood by the counter, seductively drinking his beer. Even though his glance was quick, Blaine could see his pleading eyes. He heard him loud and clear.

“Kids asleep?” Blaine asked taking another long sip.

“Of course,” Kurt replied. “They were exhausted by the time we got home. I made them a quick dinner, they took a bath, and knocked out in record time.” He flipped to another page.

Blaine placed his drink on the counter, proceeding to slowly untuck his shirt from his chinos. He sensuously ran his fingers through his hair, breaking apart those gelled-down curls. Kurt loved it when he did that.

Blaine walked over to Kurt, hugged him from behind, and began peppering his neck and jaw with delicate kisses.

“Have you taken a bath?” He asked in a low sultry voice.

“No. I was hoping we’d get dirty together and then soak in one after.” 

“After all these years, I love that you still feel the need to flirt with me.” Blaine chuckled.  “You know I’m a for sure thing, right?”

“But flirtatious foreplay is so much more fun,” Kurt smirked. “We’ve been so busy the last few weeks, I thought we could do with a little ice cream play. I also bought some chocolate syrup and whipped cream." Kurt winked. 

“Chocolate syrup, huh? You really do mean business,” Blaine teased.

“Mhm,” Kurt nodded, turning his head just enough to catch Blaine’s lips for a more heated kiss.

“Well then, Mr. Hummel-Anderson,” he said with one more lip smack. "Let’s get this ice cream social started.”

[ciaossu-imagines]

i felt like my earlier message & asks were kinda rushed, so i wanted to take a moment to properly welcome you back! i’m so glad to see you active again, dee 💕 i hope things continue to get better for you and that running the blog brings you some joy while you heal.

i’m all caught up on your posts, and it’s so exciting that you’re planning to start a new college course next year for your career advancement!! that’s definitely something to look forward to, and i hope it ends up being fun and fulfilling for you (and i have a very, very great feeling you’ll do just fine 😊 i know you’re going to succeed in everything you set your mind to 💓). as for me, today marked my last day of nursing practicum, and while i still have major exams and graduation requirements to finish up in the coming months, it feels like it’s all coming together quickly, and i’m this close to getting my bachelor’s degree. i hope everything goes smoothly for both of us as we move forward and that you get the growth and success you’re aiming for 🧁🎀

- nix

I didn’t find them rushed at all! I was so happy seeing asks pop up from you, as I always do, so it was a joy 😊 I know you’re a busy person with a lot going on so I’m just appreciative that you find the time to send in anything. But thank you so much for the longer message and such a nice welcome back. I’m so excited to be back on here again and active. It’s making me truly happy and bringing me joy, taking these little bits to get on here and write, especially since I’m not pressuring myself to constantly be writing and to keep the queue stocked and am allowing myself breaks to just play silly phone games, to watch things, to read, to do my other hobbies. After the rough end to 2024, 2025 can only look up for me and I plan to make it a fantastic year. I also hope 2025 is going to be a spectacular year for you and all the other readers.

Thanks so much for reading all my posts 😭 That means a lot! And I’m very excited for the course and I’m working hard to make sure everything will be on track for me to start it. I know it’s going to be difficult – I’ve said it a million times but I think it bears repeating again. School is not as easy as a lot of people make it out to be. Students have a lot to deal with and I have so much respect for anyone who is currently a student of any sort, as it comes with a lot of stress and pressure. But I also am so excited about the course because a lot of the things I will be learning are endlessly fascinating to me. I’ll be digging deeper into learning all the different drug classes, the individual drugs themselves. I’ll learn more about the legal side of pharmacy stuff. I’ll get to learn more difficult compounds, stuff above what we can currently do at work as we’re only able to do simple compounds. We have to send more difficult or higher-class compounds to a proper compounding pharmacy (things like sterile compounds, stuff that gets injected into the person’s blood or tissues or put into their eyes are things we can’t make and we don’t really touch compounded medications for hormone replacement or specifically for pain). I also get further training in methadone/suboxone, injection training, training to counsel on diabetic training/devices, etc.  It all just sounds really fun and while I’m definitely a little nervous about it all, I’m so excited at the same time! Thank you so much for saying that 💜 That means a lot to me, the sentiment is so returned, and I will definitely be doing my best!

OH MY GOD! That’s so exciting and I’m so happy for you!!! Now that your practicum has wrapped up, did you have fun with it over all? Did it help you narrow down at all into what you’re hoping to do in the future in terms of specialties or anything? I have no doubts you’ll kill those major exams, though! I send so many good luck wishes and I hope, when you pass, that you’ll be able to treat yourself to a wonderful celebration for all the work you’ve put in! Is it too nosey to ask what the graduation requirements are? Seriously though, I know I’m just a stranger on the internet, but I am so proud of you and so happy for you! That’s some killer news and I squealed when I read it. We’ve both got this, I know, and we both have amazing futures ahead of us, no doubts 💜

[crispfencer]

Hello! Here's my blogpost about what it was like as an audience member on Saturday Night Takeaway!

Three tiers of audience members:

Participants

These people hang out in The Broadcaster (the pub the guy from episode one got whisked out of) and mosey on down to get entry whenever they feel like it. They also get to watch the rehearsal. I have no idea how to become a participant but I have a feeling some of it is casted?? They were a very diverse bunch, whereas only three people out of the 200 in my queue weren't white. These people get wristbands and have their photos taken for the audience cam, and get directed to the aisle seats if they're going to be chosen for something later.

Priority

These people paid for the £30 a year Audiencestore subscription, meaning they get more or less guaranteed entry. There was about 50 of them and they got whisked through security hours before us, and then just stood behind a barrier for the same amount of time as us lol

General

The trenches!! I stood in the cold for about 5 hours with no real guarantee that I'd get in. About 50 or so at the front of the queue were allowed to join priority but after that it was a waiting game. The guy who runs the queue said our role is basically to fill seats for the participants who don't turn up, and then to fill the comp seats when they don't get used (eg if busted had 20 tickets to give away to friends, family etc and only 5 turn up, General will fill the remaining 15 seats.) He said once the allocation of seats is filled by participation and priority tickets, he can get anywhere between 4 and 100 of us in. As he learnt more about which comps had been used, he slowly culled the back end of the queue. We all prayed he wouldn't get to us lol.

I got there at 14:30~ and was let into the studio at around 18:45. Some experienced queue goers had brought picnics and hot food, which I will definitely be doing next time!

The studio:

When I entered I felt like I was at Disneyland or something! The air had this magical haze about it, which I soon discovered was because they pump smoke into the room to make the lighting look nicer lol. If you're looking onto the audience from the stage, we all came in from the left, and the crew and vans and stuff all came in from the right (the staircase doors at the top are just for ant and dec to spring out of lol, they lead to a brick wall). There's an upper layer which had a few junior looking people operating some..... spots I think?

There's another blue booth on the opposite end to the star guest announcer one which I can only assume is for some tech direction stuff.

The warmup:

We were made to do all sorts of warmups like dancing, karaoke and stuff. The clip of the audience all waving used during the 'after the break' inserts was recorded here. We were also told the rules (no rude gestures if the camera goes to you, never stop smiling, laugh a lot) which are pretty similar to other shows. The unique instruction was to not 'grab or hug ant and dec' when they decend the steps, but we were allowed to high five etc. During each ad break we were also schooled on any call and response lines (ring my bell, Stephen, etc). After this he 'brought the boys out' and we all went wildcrazy, obvs. Then the main cast all took a big end of series photo together.

When dec was walking up the stairs to get into position a woman in the audience grabbed him and said something like 'I went to school with you'???? it was really fucking awkward because he sort of blanked and everyone else our column was just sort of staring. Such a weird place to accost him for a reunion, he handled it with grace but it was rude as hell imo.

The guy in charge told us to turn off our phones and not take any photos, but I set mine to silent and audio recorded the whole show lol.

I hardly noticed when we actually went live, since we were so busy doing all these other tasks it still felt like a rehearsal. Made me way less nervous than I was in the queue!

The show:

You saw this so I won't go into much! Ant and Dec were only slightly amplified to us, so we had to stop cheering to hear what they were saying. They both looked insanely beautiful. They also looked tiny.

During the happiest minute the presenters would stay for a little bit longer with the person they rewarded, to say congrats etc. I think Andi Peters and Fleur took the most time and Mulhern took the least lol.

Whenever they go to someone at home the autocue says DEC (SKYPE) which I found funny

With regards to improvising around the autocue script, Mulhern did it the most, then Andi > Dec > Ant > Fleur > Rob > Jordan. Overall Jordan looked very shy and out of his depth lol, I wanted to tell him he was doing great

Ant didn't seem to enjoy watching himself on screen at all, and would generally grimace/look away. Dec would laugh at the things he himself said LOL

During the ad breaks Ant and Dec would run off to have five minutes backstage with each other. When they didn't, they'd stand around together while talking to the director and others

At one point where we in the studio thought we weren't live, they shared a private joke and kissed each other on each cheek. I thought I'd imagined it but somehow @quicklyandrogynousfox-blog caught it!!

They seemed to stand a lot closer when off camera which made me go insane

At the end when Busted (!!!!) were setting up, Mulhern strode up to them and started chatting. Jordan kind of milled about behind him like he wanted to join in, but after a few false starts he just sort of stared at his feet 😭 ily jordan

(I didn't realise Busted were British, sorry guys)

Ant and Dec came back at the end to say that tonight was their favourite episode! Afterwards a few words were said about Paul O'Grady, because a lot of the crew had worked with him over the years and were finding the news hard.

Other bits and peices/my own diseased analysis:

Dec was very dec-like lol, when ant quickly moved into position at the top of the steps, Dec stopped to wave and shake everyone's hands like he was the queen or something. He loves giving and receiving attention lol, ant was much more reserved

Stephen's behaviour correlated with what others who've met him irl have said, in that he's basically two different people. His TV persona is very loud and comic but literally as soon as the camera is off him (like in the happiest minute) he goes super shy and looks like he'd rather be anywhere else.

Fleur is a laugh, I like Fleur

Rob seemed quite scared of how enthusiastic the audience were

During the undercover both ant and dec laughed whenever rylan would say something vaguely diva-ish. Ant didn't laugh as much as dec did, who really got the giggles.

I think that's it! Thanks/sorry for reading so much.

[crystalninjaphoenix]

Hold My Hand Tight

Paranormal Preteens AU: Episode Nineteen

A JSE Fanfic

Forgive me if the title seems unfitting, I almost forgot to queue this so it's super late as I'm titling it and writing this author's note. I'll get straight to the summary. Chase realizes that he made a mistake earlier, and so tries to make up for it by hanging out with Marvin, just the two of them. There's also a brief discussion about what to do about the thing in the school basement, and a scene where JJ gets an unexpected visitor. Enjoy reading :)

More of this AU

++++++++++++++++++++

The school week passed uneventfully, but still, Chase couldn’t help but feel like something was off. And it wasn’t because of the “paperpillar” in the basement. He hadn’t heard anything about that. No strange sounds or sights, and no rumors about a paper monster in the school. No, this was something else.

It took him until Thursday afternoon to realize what it was. He was watching TV in the living room. Schneep was there, too, but he was curled up reading instead of paying attention to the show (he wasn’t into this show.) The commercials had just started, allowing Chase’s mind to wander—and then it hit him. “Oh my god, I’m an idiot,” he whispered.

Schneep looked over at him. “What? Why?”

“I called Marvin ‘weird’ again.” Chase hit his forehead. “Dumb! Dumb dumb dumb! I didn’t mean it like that! I should’ve used a different word!”

“Chase.” Schneep lowered his book and stared at him.

“Don’t sound so disappointed! You didn’t say anything when it happened!”

“I was busy thinking about how Marvin suddenly had powers. And... a-and I should not have to say something every time you make a mistake.”

Chase slumped back against the sofa. “I didn’t mean it like that,” he repeated, mumbling.

“What did you mean it like, then?” Schneep asked.

“I dunno. Uh... strange, but cool. Because it is cool.” Chase shook his head. “I just... I use that word all the time. Everyone does. Even Marvin does, I’ve heard him say it. But I should’ve thought about what happened. And the, uh... the... surroundings. Of the word. There’s a word for that, um... the context. I should’ve thought about the context.”

“And you should have realized what you did before now,” Schneep muttered.

“I know! But we’ve been kinda busy!” Schoolwork was really starting to get intense, which wasn’t fair, because the end-of-term exams were still at least a month away. And besides that, there was, you know, a giant paper caterpillar in the basement of the school. And that weird Circle group, which everyone was convinced was watching them. And that guy who looked like Anti—Jackie had called him Jack McLoughlin. Chase had tried asking around about him, but he was too old for any of the kids in his year to have known. “And I’ll say again, you didn’t say anything, either. And neither did Stacy!”

“Well maybe she thought you would’ve realized on your own much faster,” Schneep pointed out.

Chase sighed, slumping further. “I should’ve.” He paused. “Uh... what do I do now? I should say sorry, right? Or has it been too long?”

“You should say sorry.”

“Yeah.” Another pause. Chase stared blankly at the commercials on TV. Some toy ad was playing. He didn’t really care about it. “But like... I wanna do more than that, too. Cause like... I don’t want Marvin to hate me. Or think I hate him. I want to do something to make up for... um... being a butt.”

Schneep laughed a little. “Maybe you two can do something together. Ah, ‘hang out’ somewhere.”

“You don’t think that’s too much?”

“You just said you wanted to do more than just say sorry. I think hanging out together could be that.” Schneep shrugged. “Marvin might not want to, of course. In which case, you still say sorry. There is nothing to lose in asking. You should not be so, ah, unsure about yourself.”

“...yeah, I guess you’re right.” Chase nodded. “I don’t know what he’d want to do, though. I guess he could choose. That’d be easier, and show that I, uh... wanna hear about stuff he likes to do.”

Schneep grinned. “That seems good to me. We will see everyone tomorrow after school to talk about everything, ja? You can talk to him after all that about this.”

“That’s a good plan. Thanks, Schneep.”

“You are welcome.”

At that moment, Mom walked into the room. She glanced over at the sofa on her way to the kitchen. “Chase, do you want to break your spine? Stop sitting like that.”

Chase groaned. “It’s fine, Mom!” he said, but sat up straight anyway.

Schneep laughed.

++++++++++++++++++++

The whole group had agreed to meet up at Zelly’s on Friday. Mom dropped Chase and Schneep off, promising to pick them up when they texted her. Everyone else was already there. Jackie, Stacy, and of course, the Jacksons. Chase stared at Marvin for a little longer than he probably should have. But Marvin didn’t notice. He was too busy methodically shredding a napkin.

“Hey guys!” Jackie grinned as Chase and Schneep sat down. “We’re probably not gonna have a lot of time. I have to work in like, half an hour. But I think that’ll be long enough.”

“I didn’t know these guys sold hot chocolate,” Stacy said as she read a menu.

“Yeah, they sell it in winter,” Chase said. “Did they put it on the menu already? It’s not that cold.”

I’m going to disagree, JJ said. He was wearing a blue jacket over his normal shirt.

“Well, let us decide what to get and then talk about the past week,” Schneep said.

They decided on their drinks—Jackie, Stacy, and JJ would get hot chocolate while Chase, Schneep, and Marvin stuck with soda. A server came over and they ordered, adding on a couple baskets of fries for the table. As soon as the server was out of sight, Stacy leaned forward. “So, like, how does this work? Do we just start talking about how to deal with the paper thing in the basement right away?”

“The paperpillar,” Marvin said, his eyes brightening a little. “It’s a paperpillar. Paperpillar!” Clearly, he really liked the word and/or the concept of a paperpillar.

“Yeah, that,” Stacy said. “What’re we gonna do about it?”

“Do we need to do anything about it?” Schneep asked. “It has not come up into the school since we saw it. And I have not heard about any trouble.”

“But like... it tried to eat Jackie, sooo...” Chase pointed out.

“It wasn’t eating me, it was just like... wrapping around me,” Jackie said. “It didn’t hurt or anything. And I don’t think something made of paper can ‘eat’ things in the first place.”

Chase has a good point, though, JJ said. It ran at us the moment it saw us. It will probably do the same thing to anyone who goes into the basement.

“Hmm. Yes, you are right.” Schneep nodded. “Even if most people do not go down there, it looked like there was a lot of, ah, maintenance things there. Someone will go in the basement one day to mess with those things. That is how maintenance works.”

“Alright, so we agree we gotta stop it, then,” Jackie said. “How?”

“Uh... we can, like, burn it or something,” Stacy suggested.

“Whoa!” Chase laughed. “I-I didn’t think you’d say that.”

“What? Cause I’m a girl? Girls can burn things down if they wanna.” Stacy pushed her glasses into place. “And if it’s made of paper, fire is probably the best thing to use. Have you ever seen paper burn? It goes up immediately.”

JJ nodded. We can find lighters easily enough. Maybe we could throw one at it. Maybe a couple, just to be sure it will catch—

“Maybe let’s not set a fire in the school?” Jackie said delicately. “If it spreads to the rest of the building, uh... there’ll be a lot of people in there. So... that’s bad.”

“Oh.” Stacy blinked. “Right.”

Will it spread so easily? JJ wondered.

“Yes,” Jackie emphasized. “If the thing on fire is a big paperpillar that can run really fast, then yes.”

JJ frowned. Probably a bad idea, then.

“There could also be gas things in the basement,” Schneep added.

“Okay, so no fire,” Chase said. “But what do we do, then? We can’t banish it like the ghost, we can’t pop it like the bubble monster, we can’t cut it up like the mushrooms, we can’t... uh... what did we do with the monster dog?”

Marvin, previously rather quiet, straightened. “I was thinking about that, actually. Uh, so, you know, we managed to like, pull all the greenlight out of the monster dog and turn it back to normal, right? Using a bunch of crystals. But, like, uh... I have this now.” He held out his hands, palms up. A tiny ball of green light appeared hovering over each of them. He quickly closed his hands into fists, making the lights disappear, and continued. “Maybe I can just pull the greenlight out of the paperpillar by myself. I mean, if that’s a good idea. Do you guys think it is?”

Chase squirmed in his seat a little, but no one was looking at him to notice.

“Do you think you can do that?” Stacy asked. “I mean, in movies and stuff people always have to learn magic and get better and stuff through practice. Pulling out the greenlight seems hard.”

“I, uh, I have been practicing,” Marvin admitted, sounding a bit embarrassed.

JJ nodded excitedly. He can make shapes!

“Make shapes?” Schneep repeated. He leaned closer, intrigued. “How? Can we see?”

“Oh, uh... s-sure.” Looking uncharacteristically nervous, Marvin cupped his hands together, holding them over the table palms-down. A translucent green golf ball appeared on the table under his hands. Then it shifted to a cube. Then a pyramid. Then a squiggly sort of cylinder. Then Marvin lowered his cupped hands over the shape and it disappeared.

“Cool,” Chase breathed.

Very cool! JJ signed. He can also make glowing stars, like the kind that goes on ceilings, they look so nice at night. And he can make tiny hands and ropes to move and grab stuff.

Marvin laughed. “Y-yeah.”

“Wow.” Jackie grinned. “So, you’re kinda like Green Lantern, then.”

“Who?” Marvin asked.

“He’s a superhero.”

“Oh. Well, I’m a witch.”

“We are getting off topic,” Schneep said, shaking his head. “The point is, do you think you can do that? Pull the greenlight out?”

“Uh... I mean, I don’t think I can really practice that,” Marvin said slowly. “Not without something that has greenlight in it. And the only thing we know about like that right now is the paperpillar. So... we kinda just have to try.”

“If crystals can make greenlight more powerful, maybe we can bring some to try and help you out?” Stacy suggested.

“That’s a great idea!” Jackie said, grinning. “Okay, I think we have a plan. We meet after school one day—oh.” They paused for a moment as the server returned with their fries and drinks. “Thanks.” After everyone had their order, small talk with the server was done, and the server had walked out of earshot, Jackie continued. “We’ll meet after school one day. Go into the basement to find the paperpillar. Most of us will try to distract it as Marvin tries draining the greenlight. If he can’t do it, we’ll run and try again some other day.”

“We’ll need somewhere we can defend, then,” Chase said. “A fort of some kind.”

If we’re doing it after school, maybe we can lure it out of the basement and into one of the classrooms? JJ said. There are sets up in one of the Theatre rooms we can hide behind.

“That sounds perfect,” Stacy said.

“Okay, but before we start talking about more details and stuff, can I ask something?” Chase said. “Has anyone found out anything new about the Circle? Or that Jack guy who looks like Anti?”

A chorus of various ‘no’s rang out around the table. “The same teachers are being weird, but nothing actually happened all week,” Marvin said.

“Maybe they’re not going to do anything,” Stacy said optimistically. “Maybe they’re just going to keep an eye on us to make sure we don’t say anything.”

Schneep frowned. “I do not trust grown-ups like that to not do anything. Just because nothing has happened yet does not mean nothing will happen ever. They are probably just waiting for a good time to... to...” He looked down into his soda glass and went quiet. Chase leaned a bit closer, grabbing his hand and squeezing it. Schneep squeezed back.

“We still have to be careful,” Jackie said. “Try not to go anywhere in school alone. And definitely don’t trust strangers.” He paused. “You also asked about Jack, right, Chase?”

“Mm-hmm.” Chase nodded. “Did you find anything? I didn’t.”

Jackie shrugged. “Got confirmation from some Band kids that Jack moved back to Ireland right after the school year ended. But they didn’t know anything else about where he’d go. One of them knew his parents’ names, I guess... guess I’ll try looking online or in phone books for their names? Gonna be hard covering all of Ireland, though. So it’ll take a while. And for the life of me, I can’t figure out why Anti would look like that guy.”

“Maybe it’s random,” Stacy guessed. “Maybe Anti just started looking like the first person he saw when he came out of the dark place.”

JJ frowned. Maybe. But I think there’s a connection. It’s just not clear why.

“Yeah.” Chase paused. “Well... back to the paperpillar, then.”

The group talked some more, hashing out the specifics, and agreed to try fighting the paperpillar after school that Monday. After that, they talked some more about school. Mostly complaining about tests and homework. JJ and Schneep insisted it wasn’t that bad, while everyone else universally agreed it sucked. Even Stacy, which surprised Chase, since she seemed like the smart type. Jackie did point out that school was important, but he was probably only doing that because he felt like he had to, as the oldest one in the group. After the school discussion, they talked about games and movies and books for a while before it was time for them to all go. Mostly because Jackie’s shift was about to start and it would’ve been awkward for the kids to stay there while he was working.

But, as Schneep suggested, Chase hung back, waiting. When everyone was gone but him and the twins (Schneep agreed to wait outside) he tapped Marvin on the shoulder and said, “Hey. Can I, uh... talk to you?”

Marvin looked at him. Then he looked at JJ. Then back at him. “Yeah. Do you mean alone? Should JJ leave?”

“Uh... I guess not,” Chase said. “I was just wondering if you wanna... hang out? Sometime this weekend? Not like, the whole group, I mean. Just you and me?”

“Um...” Marvin looked confused. “Sure, but why?”

“I wanna hang out with you,” Chase said. “I don’t think I’ve done stuff with just you before. Or, uh, just you,” he added, looking at JJ. “If you and me wanna do something after this, we can.”

JJ smiled a bit. That’d be great, but I don’t think I’d have the time. I have a lot of classwork to do. But you and Marvin can do stuff together. I don’t mind.

“You sure?” Marvin asked.

I’m sure.

“Alright, then.” Marvin looked back at Chase. “What were you thinking?”

Chase shrugged, trying to look casual. “Whatever you want to do.”

Marvin stared at him. “...shit. What do I like to do?”

JJ laughed, seeing the blank look on his twin’s face.

“Oh shut up.” Marvin shoved him. JJ shoved back. The two of them were distracted by a shoving contest for a couple seconds before Marvin suddenly went “Oh!” and looked back at Chase. “I got it. Do you wanna go watch a movie?”

“A movie?” Chase repeated. “Uh, yeah. Sounds fun. The theater’s closed on Sundays so we’ll have to go tomorrow—”

“Oh, not at the big cinema,” Mavin interrupted. “Have you seen the small one on Everson Street? It’s just called ‘Hollewych Motion Picture Cinema.’ It’s kinda old.”

“Uhhh... I think I’ve seen that?” Chase hadn’t really thought much about it, though. It was just part of the background of that street. “You want to go there?”

“Yeah, we go there all the time during school holidays,” Marvin said, gesturing to him and JJ, who nodded. “They don’t usually show new movies that just came out, instead they screen a lot of ones that are already out. Some of them are kinda old, too, but they can do anything that’s on DVD. We can go tomorrow or Sunday, they’re open all the time. And nobody usually goes there so it’s not as crowded. Which is great.”

“Okay. Sure.” Chase nodded slowly. “I don’t know if Mom will let me go see a movie by myself.”

“Why not? Doesn’t she let you go to the library and park and stuff alone?”

“Yeah, but I dunno. Something about a movie seems different. But, uh, maybe if I say Jackie is going too, that’ll work out. He can... watch a different movie. While we watch ours. If he’s cool with that.” Chase glanced towards the kitchen doors. Jackie had disappeared through them a couple minutes ago. “I’ll ask him. Does that work?”

“Yeah, fucking perfect.” Marvin smiled a little. “So... talk to your mom and Jackie about times and stuff. Then call JJ.” JJ waved. “And I’ll pick up.”

“Got it.” Chase nodded. “I’ll see you later, then.”

“See you later.”

And with that, Chase turned and left the restaurant.

++++++++++++++++++++

Chase was correct; Mom would not let him go to the movies without someone else. When he asked why, she said it would be dark so anything could happen. But she agreed to it when he said Jackei would come. And thankfully, Jackie agreed, too. He picked up Chase Sunday morning, and together the two of them picked up Marvin and drove down to Emerson Street.

This was in the center of the city, where a lot of the older buildings were. Hollewych Motion Picture Cinema sat right on the street. That was a bit weird, since the other theater in town, the Cineworld, was a bit off the street, surrounded by parking lots. Posters were plastered on the sides of its concrete building. There were no posters outside HMPC, only a couple of those signs with the removable letters hanging on the side of the brick building. Marvin, Chase, and Jackie walked up to these signs. They listed the prices for tickets and the movies that were currently playing, times included.

“I brought extra money if you guys need help covering your tickets,” Jackie said.

“No, I got it,” Marvin said. “JJ and I know how much it costs. We use his allowance money for it. I got just enough right here.” He put a hand in his pocket. “But all of this looks boring.”

“Uhhh I wouldn’t mind watching a couple of these,” Chase said. “But, um, yeah. You can choose. I dunno what you’ll want to see if it’s all boring to you, though.”

“Don’t worry. I have a plan.”

There was a ticket booth next to the theater’s entrance. Marvin walked right up to it, leaving Chase and Jackie to follow. A man sat behind the glass in the booth—a boy, really, not that much older than Jackie. He wore a nametag pinned to his shirt that read ‘Nick.’ He wasn’t really paying attention to them, instead reading a thick-looking textbook propped up on the counter. “Hey,” Marvin said.

The guy—Nick quickly closed the textbook. “Hi, what can I do for you toda—Oh hey, Marvin.” He looked at Chase. “Did Jameson get shorter?” Then at Jackie. “Or... taller?”

Marvin grinned. “No, this is my friend Chase, and the beanie boy is my friend Jackie.”

“Oh, nice to meet you two.” He stared at Jackie for a minute. “Aren’t you that kid with the name change?”

Jackie looked a bit nervous, but smiled. “Uh, yeah, that’s me.”

“Alright.” Nick looked back at Marvin. “What can I get for you today?”

“Do you have an empty theater?” Marvin asked. “Your listings are boring.”

Nick laughed. “Yeah, one’s empty right now. What d’you want to play?”

“Can we watch, uh... that bridge movie? The sad one?”

Nick’s eyes widened slightly. “That’s, uh... probably a bit too sad for your friends’ first visit here. Don’t want to make a bad impression.” He laughed again, just to clear the tension. “How about The Princess Bride? Or maybe Narnia? We’ll be getting the sequel to that soon, y’know.”

“Narnia is good,” Marvin said, looking a bit disappointed but getting over it quickly. “Two for that.”

“Um, what’s playing in the theaters next to the empty one?” Jackie asked.

“We have The Godfather and Spider-Man 2.”

“Oh hell yeah. I’ll have a ticket for Spider-Man 2. Can I just walk in?”

“Yep, go ahead. I think it just barely started.” Nick bent over, fiddling with something under the counter, and reappeared with three yellow tickets. Marvin and Jackie paid for their respective tickets and Nick passed them over, along with some change. “Alright, you two head to Theater 2, it’ll be a moment to get it started. Jackie, right? Yours is Theater 3, it’s to the right of 2. Enjoy your movies.”

The three of them said their thanks and headed inside, Marvin in front. The interior of the small theater was done in shades of warm yellows and oranges against contrasting black. There wasn’t much in the main entrance, just a small counter for concessions manned by a woman with curly blond hair. She was also familiar with Marvin, handing him two small bags of buttered popcorn. Chase watched this and wondered how often the twins came here if the staff knew them on sight. Or maybe not many people worked here. Maybe both.

They walked down the one hallway, with Marvin talking as they went. “This style of, uh, interior design is called ‘art deco,’ JJ really likes it, and I can get where he’s coming from but I think I like ‘art nouveau' more, it’s much more swirly while this one is all angles. And here we are!” He stopped in front of a pair of theater doors. 

“You guys have fun,” Jackie said, continuing down the hall. “Text me if anything happens. I’m not gonna silence my phone.” He laughed. “Don’t tell anyone.”

“I won’t!” Chase said. “You have fun too!” And he followed Marvin into the room.

There were only five rows of seats in here, and the screen, while much bigger than any TV Chase had ever seen, was way smaller than regular movie screens. The chairs in here looked a bit old, their red fabric cushions faded, but there was something nice about it. “You gotta sit in the middle,” Marvin said, inching his way into the third row. “That way you’re not too close or too far away. But if there’s a lot of people they always go for the middle, too, so if it’s full, I prefer the back. But it’s not full now.” He sat down in the exact middle of the row. Chase sat next to him, and Marvin passed him one of the popcorn bags. “Cool, huh?”

“Yeah.” Chase nodded. “Um... so... I wanna watch the movie, but I... also want to... talk to you about something.”

Marvin stared at him. He nodded slowly. “Okay. Let’s wait for a bit. Watch the start of the movie.”

“Okay.” Chase nodded back. “Um... I don’t think I’ve ever heard of this one. What’s it about?”

“Oh, you haven’t?! Okay, so...”

Marvin had just enough time to explain the basic plot before the lights dimmed and the film started. Chase tried to relax, but he couldn’t. He was busy mentally preparing what to say. And then... well, he was a bit confused. “I thought you said this was a fantasy movie,” he whispered to Marvin.

“I said that they went into the fantasy world,” Marvin replied in a normal volume. “They have to start in the real world first. You’ll see. The beginning is, like, ‘oh my god,’ but then they go out to the country and find stuff there.” He paused. “Also you don’t have to whisper. It’s just us in here.”

“Riiiight.” Chase nodded, going quiet for a moment and trying to pay attention for a bit. Marvin didn’t have any problem with that. He was immediately sucked into the movie, eyes glued to the screen even as he ate popcorn. Chase almost hated to interrupt him. But he had to. So, when the movie seemed to be slowing down, he spoke up again. “Um... can we talk now?”

Marvin glanced at him. “They’re not even in Narnia yet.”

“Yeah, but... but I-I wanna talk before we get too into it.”

Marvin sighed. “I guess that makes sense.” He put the popcorn bag on the seat next to him and looked at Chase. “What is it?”

“I, uh...” Chase’s mind went blank. He fidgeted with his own popcorn bag for a moment before putting it aside and blurting out, “I’m an idiot.”

“Okay.”

“Wha—You’re not gonna, like, say that I’m not?”

“A lot of people are idiots,” Marvin said. “I’m an idiot. But we’re smart in other ways. I thought you were establishing a rapport.”

“A what?” Chase repeated, confused. “What the heck is that?”

“It’s uh... You know, I don’t actually know how to explain it.”

Chase shook his head. “Well, I wasn’t doing that. I was, um, opening up to something. I’m an idiot because... because I didn’t realize I’d made you upset again. When we figured out you had greenlight powers, I said they were weird. I, uh... i-it took me a while to realize you, uh... got... your feelings hurt.”

“...oh.” Marvin stared at him, then looked back at the movie. “That’s fine.”

“No it’s not!” Chase protested. “I didn’t want to upset you! I... I’m sorry I did. I wasn’t really thinking. I was just... using the same word I always would’ve and didn’t think about the context. I’m really sorry. You’re not weird.”

“Yeah, I am.” Marvin didn’t look back at Chase. “I’m an idiot, but I’m not fucking stupid. I like wearing capes and others don’t. I talk a lot and others don’t. I get upset when the lights in the school are too loud and others don’t. I’m a fucking weirdo, Chase. And you don’t have to pretend I’m not. I know. People think I don’t know, but I do. I mean, I didn’t used to know, like when I was really little, but by now, I’ve figured it out. I’m not normal. I’m weird. Fucking... deal with it.”

“...oh.” Chase wasn’t sure how to respond to that. “I, um... It’s not a bad thing. To, uh... not be normal.”

“People always say that,” Marvin sighed. “But like... even though I don’t get made fun of or anything, the difference feels bad sometimes. Like—like—” He gestured vaguely. “Like, everyone is painting a picture, but my paints are different colors. And I can mix colors and stuff to get something that’s sort of close to what everyone else is using, but it’s not right, and everyone can tell. So, like, fuck it, right? Might as well use my own colors. At least then everyone’s looking at my painting. Even though they like everyone else’s better.”

Chase nodded slowly. “Um... I like your painting, though.”

“Uh... I don’t actually have a painting. It’s a metaphor.”

“No, I know. I know what a metaphor is, I’m okay at English class. And I’m keeping going with this one. I like your painting. I like how you use different colors.”

Marvin finally turned to look at him, surprised. “But... you...” He paused, struggling for words. “You keep... It’s... I’m a magic weirdo, though.” He raised one hand, a little baseball-sized sphere of greenlight forming in his palm.

“I like that you’re a magic weirdo,” Chase explained, grinning. “Look at that! That’s so cool. You can just, like, make stuff. Freaking amazing, bro.”

“And... the cape and stuff?”

“I’m not gonna lie, it was, uh, strange at first, but now I know you and it’s also cool.”

Marvin blinked. “I’m... confused.”

“Uh... how do I say this...” Chase looked up at the ceiling, thinking. “If we talk about it like paintings again, I think... I think a lot of people want their paintings to look just like what everyone else wants to see. Maybe they’re drawing a bowl full of apples, but they wanna draw a bowl full of oranges, but people like apples more than oranges so they don't. For me... I’m looking at what everyone else is painting. A-and I’m trying to do the same thing.”

“Why do you want to make the same thing everyone else is making?” Marvin asked quietly.

Chase shrugged. “I think everyone does. But that’s impossible. Everyone paints differently. Why don’t you want to make the same thing?”

Marvin paused. He shrugged. “It’s hard. And it’s not fun. And it’s not... it’s not me.”

“Yeah.” Chase smiled at him. “And I like that. I like that you’re... that you’re so you all the time. I-I wish I could be as much me as I wanna be. But... when my painting starts looking a bit different than everyone else’s, I get nervous. I-I don’t want people to look at it and think ‘I don’t like that because it’s not like mine.’ So, even if it’s hard and not fun and not me, I try to change it. But you don’t. And I think you’re really... I think you’re really brave and cool for that.”

Marvin blinked. His eyes were looking watery. “I... I-I get nervous, too, you know.”

“Yeah, but you do it anyway, and I don’t. In fact, I...” Chase lowered his head, ashamed. “I get so nervous that I don’t even want my painting to be near different ones sometimes. B-but I shouldn’t want that! It’s not fair and it’s mean and it’s not what I really want. I want to hang our paintings together.” He raised his head again. “I want to keep being friends. Screw what other people think. But I-I might make mistakes sometimes. Because I’m not used to it. So... I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”

A moment passed. Marvin looked away. It took Chase a moment to realize he was wiping his face on his cape. When Marvin looked back again, his eyes were red, but clear. “It’s okay,” he said quietly. “I... I want to keep being friends, too. I’m not... good at making them. So, a couple mistakes aren’t gonna make me hate you or anything.” He smiled a bit. “But I think you should’ve said this earlier.”

Chase slumped with relief and smiled back. “Yeah. I know now. But I’m an idiot when it comes to other people’s feelings and stuff. Don’t know how to deal with it.”

“Fuck, I don’t know, either. Let’s just agree to talk about stuff right away in the future. Okay?”

“Okay.”

Marvin smiled wider. He leaned over and bumped his shoulder against Chase’s.

Chase laughed. “Oh, man. I have not been watching the movie at all. What’s even going on?”

“Oh shit, I think we missed the first moment! Alright, it’s okay, I remember what happened. So basically...”

As they grabbed their popcorn again and settled down to finish the movie, Chase felt like a weight was lifted from his chest. Huh. He didn’t even realize that was there.

++++++++++++++++++++

JJ closed the textbook, relieved to finally be done with his history notes. Carefully, he slid the sheets of lined paper into his binder, preparing them to be turned in on Monday. God, he hated taking notes. He was already good at remembering stuff. He didn’t need notes. Especially Cornell notes, ugh. They didn’t help at all! Why was his World History teacher so obsessed with them? Why did he need to prove that he’d done them?

He’d do it anyway, of course. They got graded on their notes. It’d look bad if he skipped them and got a bad grade as a result.

Well... now what?

He sighed, leaning back in the kitchen chair. He wished there was room for a desk in his and Marvin’s bedroom. It’d be nice. Doing his homework in the kitchen wasn’t too annoying, but it did mean Mam and Dad sometimes poked their heads in to ask if he was working. Which... obviously he was. And... obviously they were interrupting him. Obviously.

JJ stood up and put his binder back in his bag. Then he headed out. He could hear the TV playing from the living room. Sounded like one of Granmam’s shows. Maybe after he put his bag back in his room, he’d come back down and sit with her. She didn’t mind it when he was there. 

Sometimes he and Marvin wished that their grandmother could stay with them all year. Everything seemed... somehow better when she was there. But they knew they couldn’t ask her to do that. They were lucky that she stayed with them through Christmas every year. Grandparents didn’t usually do that.

He headed up the stairs. There was more TV noise coming from Mam and Dad’s room (totally wasn’t fair that they got a second, personal TV and he and Marvin didn’t even have a desk) but he ignored that and headed straight to his room. He walked in, turned on the lights, put his bag in its usual place in the corner by the door—

“Hey.”

—and then spun around when hearing the sudden voice.

Anti was sitting on the windowsill. It was narrow, probably a tough place to sit, but Anti could float so it didn’t really matter to him. He grinned when he saw JJ and gave a little wave.

JJ grabbed the nearest thing he could find—one of Marvin’s shoes—and threw it at Anti. It passed right through him and thudded against the window’s glass.

Anti’s grin disappeared. “You really like throwing things, huh? Rude. You’re so... so fucking rude.” Then he giggled, as if amused by his own swearing.

What are you doing here? JJ demanded.

“I still don’t know what you’re saying, but you pointed at me, so you’re probably asking why I’m here.” Anti tilted his head. “Your twin is off doing something right now. With someone else. Did you know about that?”

Confused, JJ nodded. He glanced around the room, wondering if there was something he could use to get Anti out of here. Maybe if he threw enough stuff at him he’d go away. He took a couple steps forward, aiming to get to the dresser.

“You did? And you’re okay with that?”

JJ nodded again. Why wouldn’t he be okay with that?

“What if Marvin stops doing anything with you?” Anti pressed. “Would you be okay with that? Are you scared of him doing stuff by himself?”

JJ frowned. He shook his head.

“You’re not scared of that?” Anti blinked. The ceiling light flickered. “What if he’s scared of that? What if he doesn’t want you to do things without him?”

Marvin wouldn’t be like that, though. The two of them had always been together, and always will be. They’d gone through a lot, told each other things that they’d never told anyone else. JJ isn’t so... insecure... to think that Marvin doing something with Chase means he’ll stop hanging out with JJ. And the same could be said for Marvin, too. Besides, they lived together. They couldn’t ignore each other forever. JJ took a couple steps towards the dresser and shook his head again.

Anti stared at him. His eyes narrowed. He seemed somehow unhappy with JJ’s answers. “What are you scared of?” he whispered. “You don’t ever look scared. You don’t ever look upset at all. But you have to be scared of something. Don’t you?”

JJ raised his shoulders. Something about this conversation was disturbing him. Quickly, he grabbed the nearest item from the dresser and threw it.

The object hit Anti in the chest, right under his neck. “Ow!” Anti gasped, catching the object as it fell. One of Marvin’s crystals. Anti stared at it. He seemed more surprised than hurt. And soon, both those feelings were overtaken by anger. He looked up at JJ, the green in his eyes flaring brighter as the ceiling light flickered wildly. JJ started backing up. “You’re terrible, Jameson Jackson,” Anti growled. “I gave Marvin a nice birthday present. Maybe you’ll get a Christmas present that’s just... as... ni͢c͏e̡.̛”

The light went out for a few seconds. JJ looked up at it. Then he looked back at the window. Though he should have been able to see Anti’s silhouette even in the sudden darkness of the room, he only saw the dark blue square of the window. And then the light turned on again. And his suspicion was confirmed; Anti had disappeared. Marvin’s crystal was on the ledge right where he’d been sitting.

JJ shivered. He walked over and quickly grabbed the crystal—and the shoe he’d thrown first. Then he put them back where he’d found them. And he thought about what Anti meant. If he’d pushed Marvin down the stairs as a ‘present,’ what did he want to do to him? The twin he didn’t like?

...It would be fine, wouldn’t it? JJ would just have to be careful to not go near anything dangerous by himself. He could do that. No need to tell Marvin or any of the others about that. Well, he should probably tell them he saw Anti. But not about the... threat. He didn’t want to worry them. He needed to not worry them. Or anyone. Ever.

JJ headed back downstairs—gripping the bannister tightly—and walked into the living room. As he suspected, Granmam was on the sofa watching one of her ‘shows,’ as she called him. She looked back as he came in. “Hey, lad,” she said, smiling. “Everyt’ing alrigh’? You look a mite pale.”

I’m alright, JJ said.

“Hmm.” Granmam pursed her lips. “Hey, c’mere t’me. Ye want to sit with you granmam for a bit?”

JJ nodded and hurried over. He slid onto the sofa and scooted up next to her. She always smelled a bit like vanilla. It was nice.

“Your brother’s still out?”

He nodded.

“T’ink he’ll want to join in when he gets back?”

Maybe.

Granmam smiled down at him. “Well, I know your parents are up for the night, so we have some time.” She leaned a bit closer and lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I love ‘em, but they can be a pair of dryshites sometimes.”

JJ burst into laughter.

Granmam grinned right back. “Not Marvin, o’course, he’s grand. He can come right in if he wants to. For now, let’s have a moment, yea?”

JJ nodded. He leaned his head on her shoulder and stared at the TV. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but that wasn’t really the point of watching shows with Granmam.

Nothing to worry about. No need to worry anyone about anything.

Neither he nor his grandmother saw the shadow walk down the stairs, stare down the hall at them, and then disappear into thin air.

[cheerfullycatholic]

Hi. What do you think about (not catholic) evangelical radical healing etc events?

I went to one because the way it was told to me was hyped up to be this amazing thing and tbh some of it was and I’m glad I got to speak to people there but I feel really idk the right word but I was told to do all this stuff and expect a miracle basically and I really did. I know this stuff doesn’t always happen but I felt kinda worried to even leave at first because the way they were talking was like if I get up and leave it’s because people have a demon or something - that’s how it was made to feel like if you’re uncomfortable it’s because you have demonic presence inside??? But anyway long story short I tried to get prayer and it was so busy I couldn’t even find anyone who’d offered before. It was kind of rushed and felt like it was a quick ‘come and queue and get prayer and go’ which sounds bad of me to say but it was. I briefly got prayer but it was so awkward because it ended up being someone random who I didn’t want to explain traumas to again (note: the previous day I’d sat down with one of the preachers and a friend to discuss in detail things I wanted help and prayer for from God) and then I did find a friend and she was lovely as always but yeah. It’s not that I’m upset at God at all in any way but I guess I’m kind of upset and slightly discouraged at the way some things were handled. I feel bad even saying this but I just really needed to talk to someone even if it’s anonymously 🥺

I don't question the experiences of people who've been healed at places like that, I think it's wonderful! But I am a bit suspicious of them (those events, not the people who go there), at least from what I know since I've never been to one. It's not the intent of them that's sus to me, everyone gathering together and praying for each other I think is great. It's more the expectation of them, like "if you say this and do that you WILL be healed" or "after we pray for you your life WILL change" which isn't guaranteed because God doesn't work on our time, He works on His, and there's no magic words to healing because He isn't a wizard or genie. And the whole "if you leave you're possessed" thing is kind of...idk maybe manipulative? I don't know if that's the word I'm looking for, but it's not right. A lot of the people who go there are very hurt and in a vulnerable position, they don't need to be told that they're possessed if they're uncomfortable

I think prayer is always good, whether it's coming from a friend, a priest, or a radical healing event. I just think, like you mentioned, they're not always handled well, and the expectation should be different. Not "if I do or say this it's guaranteed you'll be healed", but "let's all ask God to help you and trust in His timing and will"

[jukebox-arts]

Free Runner Ch 3: Half Truth

Lore stuff hidden in thumbnails that have little to do with the chapter itself--

Jenn waited patiently for a response from the pair sitting at her kitchen table. If a robot could sweat, they’d likely be doing so, judging by their tense, frantic eye motions and micro expressions. She watched them have a silent back and forth, likely consolidating a story of some sort, but she could wait. All she had was time on her hands, though she couldn’t help but lightly drum her fingers over the tabletop to indicate she was, in fact, expecting an answer.

They didn’t seem to have one.

Finishing her tea, she sighed, getting off her makeshift seat to put her mug in the wash basin. “Look, if you don’t want to tell me, just say so.”

She wasn’t surprised when the blue one-–the Moon-–latched onto that hook like a starving fish and blurted, “We don’t want to tell you.”

Though she was, perhaps, a bit surprised when the other-–Sun–-added at the end, “Right now!” as if afraid to upset her with their refusal.

Glancing over her shoulder, she studied them, taking in their postures and faces, then shrugged, going through the effort to tie her hair back and rinse her cup in order to have something to do. “Fine by me, then. It’s not my business.” And it wasn’t. Curiosity was not life or death.

However.

This was still an answer, whether they knew it or not, and she didn’t like it one bit. Then again, they didn’t know what she knew. What she figured out while running diagnostics on them. But whether that was because they were unaware themselves or part of the situation itself, she couldn’t be certain.

She needed more data.

“I do want to make a few things clear, though.”

Putting her cup on a towel to dry, Jenn turned and leaned on the counter, doing her best to not put them on guard more than they were. Their eyes-–deep teal and bright yellow-–focused on her with a directness she could only attribute to watchful caution or pure, open curiosity. Perhaps bit of both.

“One.” She held up a finger, counting. “You are guests in my house. Per the rules of hospitality, you’re welcome to come and go whenever you wish and to help yourself to anything out in the open should you need it. This does not apply to locked doors, hidden objects and things of obvious importance.”

“Yes, of course!” Sun agreed, being familiar with the standard expectations of greeting guests; Moon only rolled his eyes a bit.

“And it stops if you attempt to steal or cause harm to me, my family, or my property. Do that, and I will defend them with appropriate force.”

Sun’s expression fell with worry for a moment, his voice wavering. “O-of course!”

“We’re not thieves,” Moon grumbled, folding his arms under his cloak.

She elected to ignore him, holding up another finger. “Two. My definition of ‘appropriate force’ is ‘disproportional aggression’. This is your one warning. Do not cross me.” That one earned her a nasty glint from Moon. “And three. Do not disrespect my family.”

That one got some heads to tilt.

“So you aren’t alone out here?” Sun wondered, his brows pursed together with genuine curiosity. He was sort of cute that way, she thought, before letting the thought go.

“You already met them,” she replied, lifting off the counter and pointing for them to stay put. As if on queue, Rukbat tip-tapped his way into the kitchen, ears up and nose twitching, looking for snacks. “Wait here.”

She left the kitchen, Rukbat taking a seat in the entryway to watch the guests on her behalf, tail tapping slowly on the ground. The pair looked at the canine for a moment, putting together what she meant by having met her family already with a small bit of surprise. Sun mulled it over carefully, almost wanting to dismiss the notion just by reflex. “She really has no one else here?” he asked quietly, feeling almost sad for a moment.

“Evidently,” Moon replied, watching the Sirius as it padded over and sniffed his foot; he almost wanted to shoo it away, not trusting it wasn’t recording them or something, but fight the urge back, lest he ‘disrespect’ her pet. The unit, Rukbat he believed it was called, peered up at him and gave a whine, lifting its paw. “What?” he asked it, not expecting a response.

Families of humans living with a few select robots was not uncommon by any means, but a home with four times as many machines as there were people? They’d never heard of it before, save for some cases of what the news called ‘hoarders’; this wasn’t nearly so extreme as the ones they’d been told of, but the hallmarks were worryingly consistent.

Rukbat laid his paw on the seat edge, lightly grazing Moon’s leg with his nails.

“What?” he repeated with more confusion.

The canine whined again and Sun chuckled softly. “I think he wants you to pet him.”

Moon’s brow furrowed. “I’m not petting it.”

Rukbat urfed again, paw waving.

“Why not? He’s asking so nicely.”

He could argue, but Moon felt it would just repeat indefinitely if he did that, so he gave in and sighed, reaching his hand out and carefully placing it on the canine’s flat head, stroking gently between its ears. Rukbat’s tail began to wag swiftly, rapping the floor with quick, sharp snaps; a gentle smile crept onto Moon’s face, his mind easing from the tense thoughts he’d been stewing in up until then. Footsteps interrupted the moment of peace, though, as their host returned; Rukbat gave him a grateful lick on the hand before turning to greet his mistress, going to her heel on a silent command.

That action, as simple as it was, left Moon befuddled enough he couldn’t muster a cross expression for several minutes as Jenn tossed him something, only his reflexes sparing him the embarrassment of missing the catch. Sun also received something, and he was far less graceful on the catch, nearly dropping it entirely.

“You can have these,” she said plainly. “Beats walking around with your ass to the aurora.” Sun’s cheeks flushed.

The pair examined the things to find they were simple clothes designed to tie into place so they could potentially fit many different people. Grateful they weren’t the silks, the pair murmured thanks, following her as she beckoned them to a different room. This one was dimmer with a lower ceiling, near the center of the house, and full of furniture such as a couch and a lounger. By far, it was comfier looking than the kitchen, and less cluttered-–though it also had a ridiculous number of notebooks and binders strewn about as well. What even were in them all?

“You can stay in here,” Jenn told them, flipping a switch on the wall that turned on the lights lining the edges of the ceiling, giving the room a faint, purple-blue glow that made it easier to see, though certainly wasn’t conducive to reading any of the dozens of papers strewn about. “You probably figured out I don’t exactly live in a place with high foot traffic, but the couch and lounger are pretty comfy, and I have extra pillows and blankets I can drag out.”

“Thank you,” Sun told her with genuine gratitude, Moon moving through the room cautiously.

“How long do you expect us to stay here?” the navy robot asked after a moment.

Jenn shrugged. “However long you want I guess, I don’t really care, but more than a week and I expect you to help out around the house.”

“I doubt it will be that long.”

Sun clutched the clothes to his chest at his brother’s statement. “At least, we think,” he added carefully, earning a narrow gaze from Moon.

“Fair enough,” Jenn mused, indifferent. “I don’t have much of a schedule, but I do cook on occasion. Anything else is up to you, you can use the kitchen to your heart’s content, but if you’re running low on power anyway, there are plugs on the decks outside that are routed directly to the tower. I’ve been meaning to add wireless conductive panels to the floors but never got around to it.”

“We’ll keep it in mind, thanks,” Moon said plainly, laying his clothes on the lounger while playing with the tie of his cloak.

“Really,” Sun affirmed, resisting the urge to touch Jenn without her permission when his program insisted on establishing that contact, “we can’t express how grateful we are.”

“Then don’t.” Jenn’s statement got raised brows. “Don’t thank someone for doing the bare minimum. It sets a bad precedent of low expectations.”

With that, she left them again, Sun closing the door quietly only to be met with a very cross Moon. “Y-yes?” the golden one yipped, holding the clothes between them like a wall.

“‘We think’?”

Sun winced, knowing as soon as he’d said it that Moon was going to be unhappy.

“You can’t genuinely think we’re going to stay here? Can you?”

He knew his brother had a point, that he spoke from a place of concern, but Sun felt the harsh tone grating on his sensors–he’d heard it so much the last conscious hours of their lives that he couldn’t take much more. The anger, the fear, the desperation-–Sun just wanted a break. “Please,” he begged, voice hoarse as he tried to keep the desire to cry in.

This alone seemed to abate whatever upset Moon had at the moment, his gaze immediately softening. Sun used one hand to cling to his brother’s cloak weakly, like a child to their parent.

“We don’t… we don't have anywhere else to go.” Betraying his efforts to stay calm, Sun’s radials flickered and retracted slightly. “It won’t be forever… just… just long enough to come up with a plan. To rest…”

Looking to where Sun clung to him, Moon gently lifted his brother’s hand and gave it a squeeze, thinking carefully for a long moment. “To rest,” he finally agreed.

Grateful, Sun gave him a tired smile and leaned his head forward; Moon met him by leaning forward, their foreheads touching comfortingly for a moment as Sun calmed himself. Once settled, they focused on getting changed, fidgeting with the simple clothes they were offered until satisfied. Their pants were of identical make, simple slacks formed from wrapped fabric that tied in the front and back while stopping at the ankle–-though on his lanky self, Sun’s ended at his calf-–one in tan and the other in blackish-blue; their shirts were slightly different from each other, though it was clear from the fit that they had been made with human bodies in mind, both unable to fully cover their torsos, one built too broad and the other too long for what the styles had been intended for. Moon’s was a halter with open shoulders and loose sleeves in navy while Sun sported a high neck and loose sleeves that cuffed at his forearm in a sandy color.

Imperfect, but as Jenn had said, better than nothing.

The pair sat in silence for a while after getting used to their new garments, both thinking over everything that had happened–that they could remember at least. After some time, Sun spoke, “We should explain to her what happened.”

Moon’s hands tensed, fingers locking together at the idea of sharing anything about their reasons for fleeing. Especially to a stranger.

Especially more to a stranger that he’d rather put in a headlock than spill his guts to.

But there was another reason he didn’t want to admit to himself despite its glaring obviousness.

“What exactly do you want to tell her?” Moon asked quietly, already knowing the answer.

“All of it.”

Moon’s jaw tensed. “No.”

Sun straightened slightly. “Why not?”

“She is a stranger, Sun,” he said firmly.

“But maybe–”

“I said no.”

“Moon, pl–”

He was up before the pleading word could be spoken, Moon’s body language defensive and voice sharp. “We are refugees, Sun, because the last person-–the last human-–we should have been able to trust failed us. I am not putting myself at the mercy of another one, especially some semi-feral loner who lives in the woods with only her pets!”

Sun’s lips pursed slightly. “We weren’t failed, Moon.”

Frustrated, Moon rolled his eyes. “Then what would you call it?”

Sun didn't have an answer.

“Then it doesn’t matter. The point I’m making is that we’re safe-er but not safe, Sun. This place might be better than where we were, but it’s not a haven.”

“But–”

He cracked. “She threatened to shoot us, Sun!”

Immediately, he regretted it, not for what he said but how. Moon’s voice had reached a point of cracking under his anger, lashing out when he didn’t mean to and where it shouldn’t go. He saw Sun crumple, shying away from him as he snapped, the bright radials around his head shuddering and dimming as he finally started to break under the stress.

“No–-no no no, I’m sorry-” Moon folded, sitting beside his brother and pulling him close in an effort to comfort him, cursing himself and the entire situation. “I’m sorry.”

He couldn’t admit that he wasn’t able to remember why they were running in the first place. He only knew in the deepest part of his data and programming that it was for a good reason.

That something bad had happened–-or was going to happen.

And that it was his fault.