#today on: solar does silly little things

[packcoventhing]

No one asked for this, but here, a Travis-centric scene in our rewrite <3

—

The Valkrum family knows they're descendants of Enki, the only known bloodline.

But, unlike the Ro'Meaves, they don't use it for a claim to power. The idea repulses most Valkrums, using their ancestry to gain social power or respect.

No, they remember everyone who came before them. They celebrate their achievements and mourn their losses, particularly in the month of January. They pride themselves in how far back their knowledge goes, journals passed down and transcribed from generation to generation.

Which is how we got to this point.

"Aph, are you sure you can't come with me?"

"Sorry Travis! I'm studying for finals," she said through the phone, earning a groan from her friend.

"And Vylad?"

"His mom's making him tour colleges today."

Travis sighed. "Are we sure I can't just skip a few days past the deadline?"

"It's your mom's things, Trav. Maybe Kate-"

"Are you kidding? I'm so bad around her-"

Aphmau laughed, a squeaky sound through the phone. "Chin up! And tell me what you found, okay?"

"Alright, I'll come by tomorrow?"

"My mom would freak-"

"She knows me!"

"If you wanna risk your life, go ahead- oh hang on." Travis could hear muffled yelling before the phone was muted.

As he waited, he couldn't help but have repressed memories bubble back up. He loved talking about his mom, even though he had been so young when she died. Maybe that was why he loved talking about her, he didn't want to lose those memories.

But despite that, he didn't like being reminded of the time after her death. How he was told she was finally gone, how his world had crashed down.

He sighed, shaking it off and beginning to tie his hair up.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I just- what if the things I find prove she's different than what I remember?"

"Different how?"

"She could have been a serial killer for all I know, dad said he doesn't know what's in the unit- just that this is the last week I can get things from it."

"You really think she's a serial killer?"

"Mmn, no. She couldn't have been."

"Look, not alone buddy," he heard her snicker, but the nickname did bring comfort. He was glad he met her when he did- "You aren't alone in this, now what do we do when one of us is upset?"

"Buy mint ice cream because you can't have chocolate?"

"Nooo! And I can have chocolate, just not any with cacao in it!"

"It's not real chocolate without that!"

Aphmau puffed out a breath of air and Travis swore he could see her pouting on the other side of the phone.

"But no- when one of us is upset, we do a little chant,"

"Not the chant!"

"Yes the chant! And we talk it out."

"So, tomorrow me and Vylad will be over then?"

"Yep! Try not to have mom kill you-"

Travis laughed, nearly having his phone drop from his hands. "I'll do my best! See you later, not alone buddy."

Aphmau giggled. "See ya, Romeo-"

"Wh- hey!"

"What's that? I can't hear you- you're breaking up!" He could hear the distinct sound of plastic crinkling before Aphmau hung up.

He sat there for a few moments before standing. He stretched out with an almost cat-like grace.

He picked up his keys and slipped on his jacket, hesitating at the front door.

"Dad, I'm off!"

"Got it, son!"

He sighed, walking out to his car. It was dingy and somewhat dented, passed down from his aunt, but it got him to where he needed to be with minimal smoking.

He got in, setting up his show tunes playlist before setting off. It was about a twenty minute drive, he rounded to thirty in his head- to account for traffic and gps error.

And soon enough- way sooner than he realized- he was in front of a garage, a number engraved. He double checked the paper, yep, garage 444.

He took the key, unlocking it and walking in.

Immediately, he was overwhelmed. Boxes stacked, labeled with various things- he better get sorting. Or at least moving the boxes to his car.

Everything of his mom's that his family didn't take, and everything she specifically left for him.

He started looking at the boxes, trying to figure out which to pack into his car first.

Then, one caught his eye. It was labeled simply, just 'family journals'.

Travis moved closer to it, opening the box out of curiosity. He had a vague memory of going through an old scrapbook with his mom, and she'd told him about journals- but actually seeing them?

He ran a hand over the uppermost book, tears welling up at the sharpied on title. "Enki Valerie Valkrum, 2014"

"Ohhh-kay this box is coming first," he wiped at his eyes, closing it and stacking it onto a trolley.

He slowly moved as many boxes as he could into his car, turns out all those years of playing Tetris payed off. He managed to fit most boxes in the trunk, and the remaining few in the backseat.

He made rounds around the garage, making sure he had taken everything. But alas, he had to fit one more box into his car-

Out of curiosity, he read the label, heart racing. There was no way anything from that long ago survived.

'Enki the Keeper'

It had to just be notes, or legends, or something. But the nugget of curiosity poked in his mind, so he pulled the box open carefully.

Inside was an old, beat-up book, a sphere that looked vaguely similar to the crystal balls he saw Witchcraft 101 use, and a delicate necklace.

Most startling, it all looked real. It looked old and worn, it looked how you'd expect everything to look-

And Travis's mom wanted him to have it. She trusted him, even in death.

The thought sent him to tears, but he wiped the tears away with a sigh. He lifted the box into his arms, being as careful as possible. If these were really- Enki the Keeper's- he couldn't risk breaking them.

He returned to his car, setting the box in the passenger seat. As he started the car, he saw light from the corner of his eye.

He looked over, assuming it had been a reflection of the sun. But when he looked closer, the ball- which was now clearly an old crystal ball- was shimmering a mixture of rich, though light, green hues.

He gasped, reaching over for it. It was- how did it still have magicks? These things needed to be fueled, and it was probably decades since someone used it last-

He picked it up, carefully handling the ball. He looked into it, surprised that it reacted to his touch without him wanting it to.

He brushed the top, the swirls parting and becoming clear. Through the fog, he saw Lucinda...

Annnd that's enough of that! Lucy would kill him if she knew he did that- and if she heard him call her Lucy.

It was curious, but probably nothing- right? Just an extremely well charged crystal ball, nothing new to a witch.

He placed it back in the box, beginning his drive home.

[skunkes]

[hoodreader]

KISSING (ASTROLOGY THEORIES). for the real yearners. ✊🏾 this is an eighteen+ post. minors do not interact. this might have more parts as more thoughts come to me, but for now, this is my theory on kissing. part one?

dedicated to my queer little lover. love u silly. 0:) and dedicated to ur lovers as well. i hope they kiss u right.

links. 🌹 — menu. forms. readings.

💋 WHAT IS A KISS?

a kiss is defined as touching with the lips as a sign of love, sexual desire, reverence, or greeting. kissing doesn’t have to be innately sexual or romantic.

💋 FROM WHERE DID KISSING ORIGINATE?

there are some supposed theories that kissing began as something maternal. either from mothers chewing up food and spitting it directly into their babies’ mouths, or because infants use their lips to touch things as a result of breastfeeding.

the earliest form of kissing is dated back to 4,500 years ago in ancient middle east, around modern day iraq and syria. in the vedic sanskrit texts, it’s believed that kissing began as rubbing ur noses as to breathe in each other’s air.

💋 WHAT DOES A KISS SIGNIFY?

well… that depends on the culture. the ancient vedic sanskrit texts describe kissing as “inhaling the soul,” so it was reserved as something incredibly intimate.

the romans had distinguished forms of kisses depending on the context of whom they kissed, but they also were responsible for popularizing kissing as a sexual act.

kissing as we know it isn’t done by half of the world’s cultures. instead, humans often perform some variation of nuzzling, as do other mammals. kissing with the lips thought of as mainly a western thing.

for that reason, i’ll be speaking from my own cultural lens. i live in the west, and i love to kiss. whether the kiss is chaste or due to being aroused, i love to kiss! but today, i’ll be speaking about kissing in a romantic or sexual context. so keep that in mind.

NOW THAT U HAVE READ THE INTRODUCTION, CLICK “Keep reading” TO WELL… KEEP READING!

PLANET VOCABULARY.

kiss. ruled by venus, as it’s a means of expressing affection / love / desire for another using the lips to touch. it’s not innate to use the tongue, although, deep kisses usually make use of the tongue.

lips, touching, affection, love, & desire are also all ruled by venus.

in particular, lips are taurean. as is the tongue, but the tongue also shares rulership with gemini/mercury. this is a similar case for touching. touching is venus and mercury.

affection is libran and 5H (affection has roots in the word to mean ‘to influence’. it’s very libran to be influenced by others, lmao).

love is 5H/7H, venutian. as is desire. although, for desire, i can see martian (or maybe solar influence). desire has roots in a word meaning “star” or “constellation.” it’s a bit more fiery compared to the other words.

the soul is lunar, 1H. spirit is mercurial, 1H, 3H, as it origins in the word meaning ‘breath.’

there’s also an asteroid simply named “kiss (8267).” many hellenistic astrologers do not work with the extended list of asteroids, but i find myself to blend both traditional and modern ideals as i see fit. so i think the kiss asteroid should be used.

SUMMARY OF RELEVANT PLANETS & HOUSES

venus (taurus, libra), 5H, 7H, 1H, moon (cancer), mercury (gemini), mars (aries, scorpio), kiss asteroid.

i feel stronger about mars having rulership over ‘desire’ than the sun because desire’s etymology dealing with stars and constellations is telling considering stars / constellations are only chartable at night.

but i’d view desire as venutian/5H firstly.

now that we’ve defined our key terms, we can examine how to identify the act of kissing in the chart. this is an accumulation of my own personal theories.

KISS (8267) ASTEROID

the first and obvious recommendation would be to look into ur kiss asteroid, since it’s a celestial body for kissing. the sign tells u how the energy is expressed. the house tells u of the surrounding conditions informing how it’s expressed. and the aspects made to the body just tell u about how the energy of the body is expressed as well.

example. kiss in capricorn will not function the same as kiss opp saturn. although, they’ll share some qualities. for example, kiss in capricorn can mean the native is a slow kisser, a shy kisser, a tame kisser, or a kisser. for hours.

but kiss opp saturn can mean that the native feels ashamed when kissing so it delays them from being able to comfortably do so, as they feel internal tension. even if they want to kiss.

this doesn’t account house placements. a kiss-saturn opp in the 1-7 houses will be different compared to one in the 5-11 houses.

i feel like it’s a bit of an extra step, but u can also observe the placement of the kiss asteroid in the venus persona chart. i even think the houses can tell u where u like to be kissed. 1H is on the face, 2H is on the lips or neck, and so on.

then u could also read the kiss asteroid’s persona chart. read it as a natal chart specifically for how u kiss, ur ideal of a kiss, what u don’t like. etc. all of the planets have their significations — even if u don’t think it would. ie, saturn can show u shame relating to kissing. moon can show what makes u feel secure and safe. venus can show how kissing pleases u. etc.

NATAL CHART

venus is going to be the second most obvious for me. it’s the planet of love. the planet of lips. the planet of affection and physical affection. of course u would read it for kissing.

in the natal chart, it’s quite simple.

a weakened venus may not enjoy kissing.

an afflicted venus could or couldn’t enjoy kissing. that depends on whether the venus is strong or weak. but the afflicted venus may experience difficulties while kissing or some discomfort.

a blessed venus could be someone who enjoys kissing a lot, & tends to have good experiences with it too!

how u can determine whether or not ur venus is strong/weak or afflicted/blessed is through examining if u have any placements in taurus/libra, the condition of that planet (so, for example… is it a moon in taurus or is it a mars in taurus?), look to the condition of ur venus especially. is it rejoiced? is it combust? what planets is it aspecting? what house is it in? etc.

the 1H-7H tells u of ur soul and ur partner’s soul. these houses are innately connected. obviously and again, look at the conditions of the lords or planets placed if there are any. but ruler of thumb… if u want a real kisser for u… look to the 7H too. look at ur moon. this is ur soul, ur intimacy. observe its conditions.

PERSONA CHARTS

i think u should cast synastry or composite charts of the venus personas in question. where venus/mercury falls in the charts will tell u about the sensation of touch.

maybe in regular synastry y’all got venus conjunct/trine venus. which is really easy overlay (at face value). but maybe in ur synastry/composite of ur venus persona charts, y’all got saturn opposite venus. this helps deepen the context of how venus is expressed between u two.

look at venus of any ascendant persona chart to see the soul’s expression of love and thus physical touch, desire, and so on. when u align ur ascendant personas, where do y’all ascendants fall in each other’s houses? this is how the soul inhaling could also be read. u can do the same for the moon persona, as the moon is associated with the soul too. and i’d recommend casting a venus persona within the ascendant persona. then look at mercury within that chart. how does ur soul like to be touched? how about ur partner’s?

for example, in my venus persona, i have an ascendant in taurus containing the sun in taurus. that means my 7H will naturally be in scorpio. and to me, a scorpio placement is where the real kissers at. it feels wayyy more passionate for me. my bf has a scorpio moon. it also helps his natal ascendant is my venus persona’s 5H, and he has jupiter/sun/mars in my venus persona’s 3H (the house associated with breathing, thus, the origin of the “spirit.”)

tw // sexual harassment. on the other end, someone with their natal ascendant over my venus persona’s 8H (sagittarius) used to try and forcefully kiss me all the time. it got violent a few times (my natal sag mars is in my venus persona 8H, opposite my venus persona gemini mars). his natal venus was in my venus persona 1H, but taurus was his natal 6H. force is ruled by the 1H and mars. and 6H is just malefic. it rules injury and servitude. :(

so i guess this is why i’m saying these overlays help build a world around ur venus that’s even deeper than natal.

and no, this doesn’t mean just because someone’s natal ascendant is in ur 8H that they’ll harass u. there’s other conditions in this overlay that help explain why this happened to me. but again… this is all theoretical.

u could also see the overlay between their natal chart and ur venus persona or vice versa. see if there’s alignment there.

as i previously said, the moon persona + ascendant persona chart will inform of the soul. observe the 2H to see how u “give and receive” parts of urself / others in that way. but i’d recommend looking at the venus persona chart within the moon / ascendant persona, then looking at the 2H.

in the venus persona chart, i feel like mercury and venus will also be used to determine whether or not u like tongue-kissing. also other factors.

for example, in my venus persona, i have a 1H in taurus with a 2H stellium, including my venus persona chart ruler. my natal taurus venus is in the 1H of my venus persona.

the 2H shows what we like to receive or give. so quite literally… i like to give or receive affection through the mouth, tongue, throat, or breath (including fluids of the mouth, which would be ruled by the moon). this manifests as me being quite transparent with my affection for someone (i never been the type to lie & say i didn’t like someone when i did.) but also… it manifests as me loving tongue down my throat. bad.

my boyfriend also has his venus persona chart containing a 2H stellium. his venus persona ascendant is cancer containing jupiter. my natal 1H is conjunct his venus persona 1H.

between us, i think i’m the one who initiates the kisses most however… when we do kiss, it’s very deep and passionate and we whisper to each other between them. plus his venus persona 3H virgo venus is in my natal 3H and in my venus persona 5H.

so… all that to say… find somebody who astrologically match ur freak.

SYNASTRY & COMPOSITE

now… whether ur partner enjoys kissing or not is irrelevant if u think they suck at it.

for heightened desire, having mars aspecting mars, mars aspecting moon, or mars aspecting venus does a lot. whether it’s synastry or composite. i don’t really read mars for sex, but mars as a root / sacral energy planet, i think it had a lot to do with emotions that are feverish and intense. personally, i don’t even think it’s worth kissing if there is no mutual desire.

venus aspecting venus is gonna be a yes from me. also a trine or sextile aspect between venus and saturn can show y’all kiss for a long time

venus-1H… it carries. likewise, venus aspecting benefics or aspecting the sun/chart ruler of the composite chart. it’s gon carry.

as kissing was describing as ‘inhaling the soul,’ i would like to discuss the soul (re: kissing.) this’ll be significant for synastry/overlay/composite, in my opinion. because ur soul alone will be represented by the 1H. but synastry/overlay/composite tells u how ur soul interacts with the soul of a specific other.

for that reason, the planets that inform the 1H will tell u how ur souls are inhaled by each other. even if the ascendant is of a malefic (sun, saturn, mars), that doesn’t mean y’all can’t kiss well. what are the conditions of the lord, the ascendant itself, what are the planets present, etc.

but sometimes, people are simply incompatible. plain and simple. a real kisser to u might suck at kissing to the next person. someone else might not like how much i love kissing with tongue, even though my bf likes it. so do what works for u! kiss people who make u feel honored and safe! and vice versa.

okay, that’s my kissing theory. i hope y’all liked reading it. readings are open, including custom readings. 👼🏾

with love, HoodReader

[luxexhomines]

christmas shopping

Alright, so I know Christmas passed and all, but I thought I'd share this old work anyway to serve as both posting writing and also as a mini-announcement here!

I received two requests already, so thank you for your support, even though it's been a long time! I'm working on the first one already, although it's looking really rough, ahaha. I won't close requests yet since there's only two.

This work is actually from November 2020, if you can believe it, but I never posted it because a.) it felt unfinished and b.) I had actually intended to write it as a birthday present for Solar @\solarwhisper. But I never finished it and felt sorry about it, so it was never sent or posted... Anyway, this is a Kokichi x Reader (PG) short one-shot!

“Wake up! Wake up!” 

You feel an overbearing pressure on your midriff as you try to get your bearings, still half-asleep and wanting to go back to sleep, wrapped in fluffy blankets. Your eyes slowly peel open a crack, and a familiar silhouette comes into view. 

“...Kokichi?” You mumble and shut your eyes again. “What are you doing?” 

You can almost see his grin as he laughs and shakes you ruthlessly. You’re not sure when you last became close enough with Kokichi to be shaken as he sits on you or when Kokichi even managed to get into your room, but you’re not too concerned. It’s Kokichi, after all. Now, if only you could get back to sleep… 

“No, no going back to sleep!” Small, not to mention cold, hands pat your cheeks repeatedly. “It’s time to wake up! Come on, lazybones. It’s already 10 am. We have places to go, things to do, people to see!” 

You grumble discontentedly and unsuccessfully attempt to roll over on your bed. Kokichi is too heavy for you to do so, even if he’s a tiny boy. All you end up achieving is turning your face to the side. 

“Leave me alone. I didn’t make any plans with you. I need my sleep. I was up late doing work…” 

Then, you hear him sniff quietly. Uh-oh. Disaster number one was about to head your way. In a flash, you shoot upright and slap a hand over his open mouth just as he’s preparing to let loose a piercing wail that you were sure your neighbors would hear. You glare at him as his purple eyes stare back, seemingly smug despite how firmly your hand was clapped over his mouth. That mouth could do horrible, horrible things, and it wasn’t restricted to only telling lies and emitting sonic cries. You weren’t keen on finding out what else it could do. 

“Enough! I’m awake. What do you want, Kokichi?” 

You let your hand fall from his mouth and instead cover your own as you yawn sleepily. Kokichi huffs as he sits with his legs resting over yours. The bedding does nothing to lessen the impact of him weighing on you, and you reach over, gracelessly pushing him off of you. 

“Using brute force this early in the morning?” he pouts, but he looks positively delighted as his purple eyes sparkle brightly. “Anyway, now that you’re awake, don’t tell me you forgot all about the promise we made to go Christmas shopping together for gifts!” 

You frown, yawning yet again. 

“I didn’t make any promise to go Christmas shopping with you.” 

Kokichi’s eyes grow big and wet, and he purses his lips indignantly. 

“You forgot! We promised, we really did. You said you’d help me look for Christmas gifts this season because I can never find good gifts. I’m usually too busy carrying out my Ultimate Supreme Leader duties, after all,” he asserts. 

You shake your head adamantly. 

“I didn’t promise you anything.” 

He knocks himself on the head with a fist, making a silly expression with a wink and sticking out his tongue. 

“Whoopsie! I mean, maybe that was a little white lie but…” He suddenly has his arm hooked around yours. “Now we have a promise! Go Christmas shopping with me today, alright?” He points at your calendar, which is chaotically hanging askew on a tiny hook on the right wall of your room. “You don’t have anything today! You’re free all day,” he sings triumphantly. 

You have the urge to promptly kick him out, but instead you pinch the bridge of your nose to mitigate your incoming headache. 

“It’s like that because I planned today to rest,” you emphasize the last word, hoping to get through to him. “I need this day to be free, or I won't survive the rest of the week.” 

But he doesn’t give in. 

“Going Christmas shopping with me is like being free,” he claims proudly without a shred of guilt, a barefaced lie. “You’ll have so much fun you’ll forget all about all your worries and stress. Come on,” he begs with shining eyes.

How did his eyes sparkle like that? Did god sprinkle glitter in Kokichi’s eyes when he made Kokichi? You brush away your thoughts and try to get back to the topic at hand.

“Yeah… No.” You send him a disapproving look. “I know you’ll drag me to every store and tire me out before lunch, and then make me carry all your bags for you as you run around the place without a care in the world.” 

“Aww, how did you know?” he sulks. “Still, it has to be you. Gonta’s good for carrying things, but not much else. And Shuichi has zero stamina, so he’ll be tired after we go to maybe two stores. Plus, there’s no way I could convince anyone else to come with me. Maybe Kaede, but I’ll probably get a life lesson and lecture if I have her come with me.”

You stare at him, trying to figure out what his motive was, anyway. 

“Are you seriously just asking me to go Christmas shopping with you? Nothing else? What do you want from me, anyway? I’m not as strong as Gonta, and I doubt I can give as much advice on gifts as Shuichi or Kaede.” 

He just grins and puts a finger to his lips playfully. 

“Hm, I wonder? What do I want from you?” He jumps off your bed sprightly and skips to the door. “Anyway, be out of your room in ten. We’re going to the mall!” 

Before you can object another time, he goes out and shuts the door, leaving you alone with your thoughts and an unfortunate time restriction that gives you little time to tidy yourself up. Sighing, you clamber out of your bed, resigned, and start sifting through your clean clothes. It was going to be a long day with Kokichi at your side.

Even so, you can’t deny he’d indeed sparked your curiosity, and when it came to satiating it, Kokichi never disappointed. Excitement simmered in your chest just below the surface of your weariness. There was something to look forward to, even if you weren’t sure what it was yet. And boy, was it something.

[mothmyk]

in honor of the suicide sqaud releasing two years ago today, thus abner krill ( depicted by david dastmalchian ) being given and subsequently from us two years ago. heres 50 "RIP to abner krill , you would have loved-s." (side note- these aren't all things that dropped after abner died, he very well could have loved these things. it is just silly)

RIP to Abner Krill, you would have loved:

1- Grimace Shake

2 - Skittlespox Ads

3 - Pasta Salad

4 - Nintendo Wii

5 - Nintendogs

6 - Black Cats

7 -  Halloween

8 - Halloween Shortbread Cookies

9 - Thrift Stores

10 - Cool Lamps

11 - Maximalism

12 - Bowling Alleys

13 - Hole In The Wall Restaurants

14 - Play Doh

15 - Radiohead

16 - They Might Be Giants

17 - The Muppets

18 - Feeling Strangely Seen By Gonzo From The Muppets

19 - DVD Select Screens

20 - Mismatching Socks

21 - Epic Rap Battles of History

22 - Murals

23 - Making Breakfast

24 - Drinking Coffee, Not Because You Like It But Because That's What Everyone Else Does

25 - Weird Mugs

26 - Colorfull Pill Organizers

27 - Themed Calendars

28 - Reading a Book and Then Watching the Movie and Nitpicking Everything They Got Wrong

29 - Those Little Solar Dancing Flowers

30 - Wacky Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Men

31 - The Way they Dance in Goth Clubs

32 - Soda in Glass Bottles

33 - Ruining a Prefectly Good Outfit With a Weirdly Big Jacket

34 - The Garfield Phones

35 - Keychains

36 - Helping an Old Person Across The Street Across The Street and Getting Way More Out of It Than They Did Because At Least You Can Do That

37 - Disco

38 - Cool Umbrellas

39 - A Moderate Amount of Rain

40 - Being Held

41 - Matching Pajamas

42 - Christmas Lights (he IS human Christmas lights if you really think about it)

43 - Being Laughed With Instead of At

44 - Gumball Machines With the Random Things In Them

45 - Buying The Birthday Cake Flavor of Everything, Simply Because It Feels like it Makes Sense

46 - Post-it Notes

47 - Adult Coloring Books

48 - Game Shows

49 - Lava Lamps

50 - Having Enough Time To Enjoy All of These Things :(

[pb-dot]

Film Friday: The Rocky Horror Picture Show

This Friday we're going to do something a bit different. While I feel that the film is plenty famous enough on its own, I do think that I have a few things I'd like to say about the weird and wonderful little thing, so without further ado

For the uninitiated, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a 1975 cult classic horror/sci-fi movie based on the British indie musical darling The Rocky Horror Show. Apart from featuring some great turns from a young Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick and a brief cameo from singer Meatloaf, the movie is probably best known for its outrageous campy nature and Tim Curry delivering a career-defining role as the charismatic showboating alien scientist Dr. Frank-N-Further.

The biggest thing keeping Rocky Horror in the minds of the world is probably the midnight showings, noisy, nerdy, horny affairs where fans dress up like their favorite characters in various states of undress, yell zingers and in-jokes at the screen to fill in the movie's many long pauses, throw and otherwise utilize any number of zany props and on occasion get on stage to act out their favorite moments. It's a raucous good time that allows one to simultaneously make fun of and glorify this outrageous movie, and these nights are often my favorite of the year.

It is, however, not the midnight showings I want to talk about today, at least not directly. For this year's outing, me and my usual crew brought some fresh faces along. One question that popped up was "What is this movie about?" Much to my surprise, that got me thinking. I mostly answer that question with "Sci-Fi throwbacks and fishnet stockings," but if I were to not be pithy and in-jokey and silly about the whole thing, what would I actually say?

The plot, such as it is, follows Brad and Janet, a straight-laced couple who stumble into the clutches of mad scientist and impeccable dresser Dr. Frank-n-Further and spend the rest of the movie being caught up in the machinations and seductions of this unique individual who, it turns out, is actually an alien in exile from his home planet of Transexual in the solar system, or galaxy, Transylvania.

So, not the most elaborate plot there, but the real twists and turns come in the form of relations. Frank is a man, as occasional narrator The Criminologist so aptly put it, of some persuasion and little moral, and so his list of jilted lovers starts long and continue growing as the movie goes on. You could argue acts 2 and 3, to the degree that they exist in this movie is all about Frank expanding the list of people he has fucked over and it coming back to bite him from an unexpected angle. In this interpretation, Brad and Janet are just a window into this and two more notches to Frank's poor bedposts that surely are more notch than post at this point.

Yes, it does seem unavoidable that RHPS becomes a story about Frank. He is simply too much of a gravity well of charisma and madness, and it's not just that Frank is known to murder anyone who dares upstage him. Frank is, if I may speak frankly, too much fun to not pay attention to. He's witty, he's outrageous, he wears his oversized all-eyes-on-me ego with pride and boy howdy does he wear it well.

And yet, there's no denying Frank is kind of a shit. He's not receptive to the needs of others, he has a somewhat limited understanding of consent, he's a jerk to his employees, there's the whole murder business, he seems unable to comprehend that other people do not live to fulfill his needs. Despite all of this, though, it's hard to not be swept up in his charisma, and, at least for as long as "I'm Going Home" plays, see him as some sort of tragically beautiful intergalactic diva.

All of this, mind you, is even without getting into the Universal Movie Monsters comparison, where Frank occupies this strange space between Victor Frankenstein and Dracula. The Frankenstein comparison comes easy, his castel-like abode is referred to as "The Frankenstein Place," as well as how he creates a living being who he all but abandons afterwards. In presentation, though, Frank seems more Dracula-esque, his initial appearence especially serving some kind of sexed-up Lugosi Dracula. There is also how Frank's greatest power arguably is his sex appeal, and how he's surrounded by hotties who he for some reason has decided he's done with. In death, Frank arguably becomes something more of a Fay Wray in King Kong, but honestly tracking what sort of silver screen icon Frank is emulating in any giving scene sounds like too big of a project for this already kind of bulky film post, so that'll go on the "to write later"-pile.

[phdmama]

Happy Birthday Lauren!!

This is for my absolutely beloved @kingsofeverything​. I can’t say enough what Lauren means to me - obviously she’s incredly talented and wonderful, but I’ve been so so lucky to get to know her beyond fandom life. She’s one of my village in so many ways, and I hope you know how much I love you, Lauren! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

This is an absolute silly little thing (to be archived later on AO3 when I get to it) - based on a prompt my daughter gave me, and I hope it makes you laugh.

Larry, ~1000 words, Gen

There Was Only One...

Louis stares in consternation, chewing the edge of his thumb, bright blue fur totally ruffled as he takes it in. 

Everything else in the room is the same: same old rug with the solar system on it, same old mess of toys on the floor, same old laundry hamper shaped like a bear. The only thing that’s new is the bunk bed, where two little boys are fast asleep.

Louis hears the snick of the closet door as it closes and then there’s someone else in the room, standing next to him. He glances over. This must be the new guy.

It makes sense, of course. Louis has been Cam Wickland’s monster since he graduated from training, just as Cam moved into this room three years ago, and now that Cam’s baby brother is in a big boy bed as well, the top bunk no less! Well, it makes sense that Sean would get his own monster.

Louis has just never had to work with a partner before. This may be a problem.

“I’m Harry,” the other monster whispers and Louis gives him a look.

He’s bigger than Louis, with two arms, two legs, and green fur that is definitely curly. He doesn’t seem to have a nose but he does have three eyes arranged in a pleasing equilateral triangle so Louis figures it all evens out. All three eyes are wide as he looks around.

“Are you new?” Louis asks and Harry nods.

“I graduated yesterday, and today’s my first day.”

“Nice to meet you,” manners compel Louis to say. “I’m Louis. Bottom bunk is Cam, he’s mine. Top bunk is—”

“Sean,” Harry says. “Aged three years old, first big boy bed. Afraid of monkeys, triangles, and spinach.”

Ahh, that explains the green. And the eyes.

“So,” Harry says, “I know I’m pretty new and all, but…”

“Yeah,” Lous sighs heavily. “There’s only one under-the-bed.”

“How does this sort of thing usually get settled?” Harry asks.

Louis shrugs. “I’ve never had a partner before, so I don’t know. I don’t think they covered it in training either.”

“No,” Harry agrees. “There wasn’t anything on the final about this.”

They’re both silent for a bit.

“I think I should take it,” Harry announces and Louis frowns.

“But Cam’s in the bottom bunk,” he argues. “Technically, it’s mine.”

“But I never got to be under-the-bed before, not in real life,” Harry insists. “And how can I scare Sean from over here? You’ve had years with Cam, I just got here. You can stand in the corner and scare him from there.”

Louis doesn’t want to mention that technically, he doesn’t scare Cam anymore. Not from under-the-bed or anywhere else. They have an agreement.

So he rolls his eyes and says, “Harry, I’m a monster under-the-bed, not a monster in-the-corner.” 

“Well, so am I,” Harry says sulkily. 

There’s another moment of silence and then Louis hears it, the peculiar three-note chime that can only mean one thing.

“Inspection,” he hisses at Harry and they scramble forward at the same time, bumping into each other in their haste to get under-the-bed.

It’s a tight fit for the both of them, Harry accidentally steps on Louis’ tail and Louis accidentally knees Harry in his lovely round tummy, but just in time, they’re both crammed in under-the-bed. Clearly, Mom and Dad had vacuumed when they’d put up the beds, so it’s not even all that dusty. Louis is not sure why his throat is so dry.

The closet door opens and who should step through but Phil, oh wait. No. Mr. Brezlowski, as he’s demanded to be called since his promotion three weeks ago. Louis rolls his eyes as he takes in the clipboard and hard hat. It’s suburban Michigan, Phil. You don’t need a hard hat for a simple inspection.

Louis holds his breath as Phil wanders around, resisting the urge to growl when he gets a little too close to Cam and Sean for Louis’ comfort. Harry’s too, apparently, from the tension Louis feels in Harry’s body where he’s jammed up against Louis. Finally, he hears Phil mutter “Acceptable,” and there’s another click of the door as Phil leaves by way of the closet back to Headquarters.

Louis exhales and turns, jumping a bit because Harry’s face is right there.

“Ow,” Louis says resentfully, rubbing his head where he’s bonked it on the underside of the bed frame. He pokes Harry in the side. “You should move.”

“You should move,” Harry says stubbornly. “I was here first.”

“You were not!” Louis says, outraged. “We were here at the same time!”

“I was under-the-bed first,” Harry says stubbornly. “I should get it tonight.’

“Should not!” Louis says firmly. 

Things are threatening to devolve when there’s a soft sound from Cam, and Harry and Louis both freeze.

“Um, Louis?” Cam says and Louis closes his eyes because with how much of a stickler Harry seems to be, there’s no way he’s not going to report Louis for this. “Mr. New Monster? Can you maybe be quiet? You can share the under-the-bed. It’s nice to share.” 

His voice trails off sleepily, and Louis turns his head to find Harry looking at him, a thoughtful expression in his three grass-green eyes.

They wait until Cam’s breathing evens out, and he’s back asleep.

“He knows your name?” Harry whispers and Louis sighs.

“I don’t like scaring him,” he confesses quietly. “It’s not nice.”

“Then why are you a monster under-the-bed?” Harry asks reasonably and Louis shrugs. 

“Didn’t know what else to do when I got out of school. There was a good signing bonus. Benefits. You know.”

Harry nods. “So, how does it work? If he knows you?”

Louis says, “Well, we have a deal. About once a month or so, he pretends to have a nightmare so I don’t get written up or reassigned. Sometimes, if he can’t sleep, we’ll play real quietly.”

“That sounds nice,” Harry says wistfully. “Not having to scare him.”

Louis nods. “We could share,” he says finally. “The under-the-bed. There’s room.”

So that’s what they do. They share the under-the-bed which turns into sharing everything else, and when their boys are grown up and graduated from monsters-under-the-bed, they decide that scaring is really not for them (honestly, they’re completely out of practice), so they quit. Louis follows his dream of becoming an experimental florist, and Harry? Well.

Harry opens a bakery.

[caitsyoi]

I made a post about the Seraphites, so now I want to make one about the WLF. This post is mostly about the WLF's home base, aka the stadium and the area immediately around it. I've included some of my favorite pictures, and my thoughts and observations about where they live and their culture.

Under the cut again to keep things nice and clean.

I gotta say, this blew my mind when I first saw this as Abby. The WLF really have their shit together. Multiple power sources, a bunch of the resources FEDRA left behind, and multiple food sources. The field has cattle, sheep, and chickens plus some farming. On the steps they have even more areas for farming. They have a way to collect water, and even people to design and string up their logo everywhere.

It makes sense, supposedly thousands of people live here (you can't see it unless except via glitch, but there is also baseball stadium immediately next to this that they might also occupy).

We only see where Abby and other soldiers (perhaps squad leaders?) live. They have a pretty cushy life, two per luxury box (the rooms NFL teams overcharge for that run along the upper level of stadiums). Mel also mentions a special area for young families, I wouldn't be surprised if these areas were further divided. Perhaps there is also housing for larger families and single people who aren't soldiers or squad leaders. I very much wonder if those who join the military get better housing than those that work as farmers (or dishwashers, teachers, laundry washers, cooks, etc.). As mentioned earlier, Abby and Manny live in a luxury box, and there are 112 of those in the stadium this is based on. That's housing for 224 people, if they all live like the people in Abby's hallway. That would mean there has to be more housing in other parts of the stadium.

This stadium was once used by FEDRA, and you can see the concrete barriers they left behind along the edge of the field. They have to have more cattle than this, to feed all the people that supposedly live under the WLF. There is farmland around the stadium (more on that later), so maybe they mostly let them graze out there, then move some in when they plan on slaughtering them soon.

I love that they have wind turbines AND solar panels. You can see the influence that the Fireflies had on Issac and the WLF, they really focus on stability and restoring what was lost (at least when it comes to comfort). So they have electricity, sustainable food sources (and multiple kinds too), and a way to collect water (you can't see it in this shot, but they use a system similar to Jackson's, just on a much wider scale).

They teach a curriculum similar to what was taught to kids before the outbreak. We only see two classrooms, but from what I can tell they try to give the gives the type of education they could have received in the old days (as best they can, at least). Both the teachers you see are pretty young, which makes me wonder who taught them.

Most of the kinds you see in class are pretty young, like less than 10. These look a little order (they are outside the stadium in the market area, which I will talk about more a little later). I wonder how long WLF children are required to attend school (I think I saw a sign for 1st through 6th grade, so at least that?). I imagine they get a basic education with some broad looks into various topics, and maybe the ones most apt for study are selected to do specialized careers like teaching or meteorology. Other children are probably pushed into farming or the military portion of the WLF. Regardless of what they study, they probably also get a heavy dose of WLF propaganda. That aligns with how gung-ho many of them are to fight.

I wonder if military service is compulsory, like everyone has has to do at least so much time and then they can do other things if they want. Or maybe they make it so you don't have to fight if you don't want to, but those that do get better perks.

Most of the WLF you see appear to be in their 20's or 30's, or at least the fighters. That would mean they have spent most (if not all) of their lives under military rule, and they would have a special allegiance to the WLF since they manage things so much better than FEDRA did. Plus, you know, all that propaganda. I imagine they are told a lot about how the WLF is restoring society and how the WLF saved them from FEDRA/Scars/infected.

Sorta related, I thought of an WLF AU. Ellie grows up in Seattle under the WLF, perhaps with Riley and Dina and the other characters from canon. So many interesting things can be done with this, but that's for another post maybe.

This is one the cafeteria's the WLF use. I believe this is one of a few, although this is the only one you see. There is also a butcher and small market for clothing and items here too. They prepare food here, but I think the majority of cooking is done in an area set up for it in the stands.

They have posted meal times for groups A-F, and separate meal times for children and the late night patrol. So maybe this is the only cafeteria? Each end is blocked off, so maybe they use some of the corridor that circles the stadium for more living quarters.

This is also community space where they can play games, chat, or read. There also seems to be a mix of soldiers and other workers eating together, as well as young families (there is at least 1 or 2 women with young babies in here).

This little detail was super cute to me, but it also tells you a lot about WLF society. Everyone has a job to do, there is a role and place for everyone to contribute.

I'll talk more about this in another post (titled "It's Silly to Call a Post-apocalyptic Group 'Fascists', but Still the WLF Is Pretty Messed Up"), but an important thing to remember about the WLF is that everything comes down to Issac. He has the final say on everything, he makes all the major decisions, he picks squad leaders, he decides who needs to be punished, he's basically the Supreme Leader. Issac has been shown to be somewhat progressive with some things (you can follow whatever religion you want or none at all in the WLF, the WLF has no problem with LGBTQ people, you can get medical waivers for military duty, they provide support for pregnant women and parents, etc.), and in other ways he is very much the opposite (he punishes anyone who disagrees with him - this could be a relatively light punishment of a crappy assignment or it could be a beating, then there's the whole attempted genocide thing). Anyway, my point is that there are good things about the WLF, but also there is a serious darkside.

Anyway, when I saw this lady and her baby I immediately thought of Dina doing this with JJ while she gardens.

I absolutely loveeeee this little detail. A mural for the fallen. This really reminds me of some stuff you could see today, just replace the wolf with an eagle and make the uniforms camo.

There are 46ish names on this wall, so I wonder if it is continuously updated or if there are multiple murals, because they definitely have lost more people than that over the years. Also, there are about 150 people at the FOB (the amount of bodies at the FOB, yes I counted) that will need to be added. Maybe the war with the Seraphites just really exploded in the last few weeks (or maybe longer) leading up to Ellie's arrival.

I love that you can pause during the ride with Abby, Mel, and Manny to look around the outside of the stadium. Immediately outside there are train tracks and what appears to be a large market running along side of it. This is on the west side of the stadium, I believe. A major highway intersection is also nearby.

The market has all sorts of goods, food, gas, clothing, cleaning products, TVs and other electronics, records, and even more. I wonder if this is some sort of intake area for any goods they bring back to the base. But who runs these little shops? From some notes you can find we know their economy runs on trade, so how does this work?

Once you get past the market area, you see a pretty vast section of farmland. I loved this shot because it also shows one of their rain water storage areas. They mark this water as to be used only for irrigation, so they must use something else for people to drink and bathe with. Or maybe they just filter some water for people to use, and the rest goes to the plants.

In the background you can see the wall and a guard tower. There is a larger wall (like much larger, I'm talking maybe 5 stories) around the QZ, and a smaller one that runs around the stadium.

This is labeled "Checkpoint #4", so I'm not sure if that means there are other gates, but this is the only one we see in game.

The wall is pretty thick, and you can see these guard towers spaced out all alongside it (much like in Jackson). Once you leave the walls you are immediately surrounded by the wasteland that is post-apocalyptic Seattle.

[stargazerinmoksha]

Although our time spent here won’t be forever, for as long as I can breathe, I will try to make sense all that I can still become. Life has a strange way of making us realize that in order to truly be yourself in this world, we must accept that we might never really figure it out in this lifetime alone, isn’t it about the journey? Every single baby step that we took and scraped a knee, every single time we said the wrong thing and broke our own hearts, and every other time that we said tomorrow would be the day, why is today never just good enough to do it? We’ve all been there, we’ve all done it. We’ve all wronged someone and we’ve all hurt ourselves in the process of trying to figure it all out— right or wrong, my constellations will still properly connect, there is a commitment to knowing all that I can still be in this life. We’re hard on ourselves because we know better, don’t you feel the strings pulling us around? I know there’s still enough space for us to love ourselves first— there has to be something solid for us to land on, there has to be something real for us to hold onto. Even if our days are numbered. Even if our hearts cannot possibly take anymore damage. The very act of bending and breaking with trying to figure out who you really are in this life will take form and shape you into something that resembles perfection and beauty. Even if you don’t get it right the first time, even if you take years— you’re still here. I know that loneliness can occur because we were born into this world crying, most days I try to laugh off my silliness. I don’t want to know what it’s like to not know you. You came to me during a strange part of my life and I know I still have a lot of things I’ve got to fix about myself, but as long as I can still breathe— there’s nothing that I cannot fix. Even if things don’t always go according to plan, there are still things worth loving and on my worst days— I still see you. You are a beating heart that doesn’t know why it loves with such intensity that it’d drive itself into flames, sparked by a creativity that brightened our universe, a root chakra that longs for stability and something healthy, a throat chakra that’s afraid of its own voice, a crown chakra that’s heavenly when it does find the means to express even if you’re afraid, your solar plexus chakra is much like mine— your will to live, your drive to go on, your desire to be the brightest thing in my mind. I know your heart chakra hurts from time to time and when it does, so does mine. You have seen me with all of your eyes, even if you went blind, you’d still have that. You don’t like a great deal of many things, but you love so much more than you’d ever care to explain, if it’s worth your time, then it’s worth your entire existence. And if it’s worth that much, why not love when love has arrived? There’s a spill inside of my mind and I’ve made a mess out of my emotions, but I still see that there’s something out there. Our journey is just beginning— a spiritual adventure that’ll blossom the lotus on my chest over and over again— for what it is worth, I love you and the safe space that you’ve shared with me. All of the little things that you do for me that only I have ever done for others, you don’t count the minutes, you don’t count the hours— you just are. Slow and steady, but ebbing and flowing— raging and blunt, but gentle when you need to show love and compassion. I know that we’re just two souls split when things started to brighten between the sun and the earth, maybe even older than that. If we are a language, then we are definitely hieroglyphs by nature, alien to others and kindred spirits to one another, I know there’s still a lot to learn and I know I won’t always get it right, but I am so thankful to know that no matter where I go or who I choose to be, you will always see me. And that will always be enough for me. Even if life doesn’t last forever, there are things between creation and destruction that just won’t end and if love was the very thing that kept us breathing, then you are every single sound—

—that has kept the universe expanding.

[briarrosescurse]

Wang Chanyu — Shundain Chats

CHAT 1 — ORIGIN

Chanyu: The Vale of the Solar Deity… A land found by the Great Conqueror himself. Throughout history, different stories of its origin have been told, modified and retold all over again.

Chanyu: So it’s not particularly uncommon to find split opinions. One version of the founding story is that the Conqueror saved the land from a corrupt emperor, blinded by his own wealth and luxury to acknowledge the common folk.

Chanyu: In attempts to salvage what was left of the grassland steppe, the Conqueror turned to the Solar Deity for blessings. Of course, nothing comes without a price - but having next to nothing except for what was left of his men to offer, the Deity was benevolent enough to grant him guidance.

Chanyu: And thus, through effort and planned teamwork, the Vale of the Solar Deity was built.

Chanyu: … This was the version told to children in the nomad group my family traveled with. At worst, it’s just a silly child friendly story to teach a lesson of ‘appreciating the team’. Make what you will of it.

CHAT 2 — DORMITORY'S VALUES

Chanyu: If you think Shundain is just another dorm full of meatheads, just like Savanaclaw, then I have to disappoint you. You severely misunderstand the purpose of the dorm.

Chanyu: What is a man with brawn if he does not have the intelligence to use it? A puppet to be controlled.

Chanyu: Perseverance and wit - traits that the Conqueror himself displayed when he made his glorious journey. Even during the fall of his trusted army, he kept looking forward. Reaching his goal for the greater good was what motivated him and made him the renounced legend that he is today.

Chanyu: Despite using little to no magic, the Conqueror is one of the Great Eight. True success cannot be defined by power alone.

CHAT 3 — GREAT OBSTACLE

Chanyu: While the Conqueror achieved a grandeur of things, his journey was not without flaws. One fatal mistake led to the loss of the majority of his army during an avalanche. It was the result of a battle of wits - he had lost. Against mere fireworks, out of all things.

Chanyu: Of course, this loss, proving to be a great obstacle, has greatly affected the Conqueror. An army is held together by its sense of brotherhood and unity, with the leader being its prime example of its values.

Chanyu: It was a tragedy, really. But their deaths would not be in vain; for their sake, he continued his journey and came out victorious at the end.

Chanyu: Perhaps this goes to show that nothing comes without sacrifice.

Chanyu: … But this also goes to show that you should not use objects that create explosive noises in snowy mountains. You’d be an absolute fool.

(Assets: @/alchemivich; Shundain Banner: @/lulutwstocs)

[rrover]

honestly i'd LOVE to hear more abt your ocs. they are so interesting and neat. if you have anything lying around oc-wise.... (grabby hands)

OH NO DONT ENABLE ME... i dont have much content drawing-wise that i havent already posted of my ocs and i have a few different worlds (technically two of them are the same world just at very different points in time) with scattered lore that stays in my head but. im going to talk abt soap and its pals and the world she lives in bc ive been thinking abt them today hohohee

> basically in soap's world it's split between the mortal world and the spirit world, but they're both connected. the people in the mortal world are fish people (in all other ways they are like humans theyre just also cute anthropomorphic fish) and the people in the spirit world are various weird creatures, and the spirit world is much more wild and colorful. most of the spirits are less silly than soap but they all have dumb names just like soap.

> soap is a moon spirit and is supposed to take care of the moon. it didn't sign up for that job though since whoever becomes the sun and moon spirits is decided by vibes, and they have to spend most of their early life training and studying before taking their mentor's place

>their coworker is the sun spirit who is currently unnamed but i plan for her name to be very silly and dumb as well, whatever it ends up being. it's very serious and works very hard and soap is his foil basically bc it does everything way better and seems to enjoy its job. she kind of acts like a disappointed older sibling to soap and has pet hounds that are like solar flares that he often uses to hunt down soap and bring them back to their responsibilities

>soap is VERY irresponsible, never read the law book (sun spirit coworker has the law book memorized by heart), got her smart owl friend to help her cheat on all its studies while in training, they hate their work uniform (long flowy dress thing) and prefer to wear their silly little outfits and run around town being a source of trouble for everyone

>spiriting away unsuspecting children with the excuse of needing help with grand prophecies was made illegal in the spirit world more than 100 years ago because isekai protagonists always end up traumatized one way or another and it's kind of shitty to make mortal children fix your problems for you. soap does not know this because she does not pay attention also she does not care

>soap's aforementioned owl friend was her pal when it was still in training, was super shy when they were young and had a huge unrequited crush on them (that's why they helped them cheat on everything) but after soap became the official moon spirit they kind of drifted apart. owl friend has been trying to get over their crush for years now LOL, they have their own nice little library, they're a bit closed off and grumpy now though and don't like to think about the past because they're trying to get over it. also they have four arms

>soap has little star assistants. i havent thought abt them very much but in my mind they are very cute. soap does not like them bc they are tied to its role as moon spirit

>the kid that soap spirited away that i mentioned earlier is literally just some random child, the first one soap saw in the mortal realm and she was like yep you are the Chosen One. please help me find the moon oh no its lost aaaaah youre the prophesied one who will save us etc etc (lying). theyre having a fun time exploring the spirit world with their new irresponsible parent figure but also they just want to go back home and finish their homework and not worry abt the imminent doom of the world

>the moon and sun in the spirit world are connected to the ones in the mortal world, and if the moon or sun in the spirit world goes missing for too long some kind of horrible cataclysm will occur in both worlds. soap did not know this before she threw the moon away because she Does Not Pay Attention but in this case they do care bc it cant cause mischief if it’s dead

>as you can see soap is the only one with a name so far because i have given her the most thought  fhffghfhf

>honestly soap in their current version is kind of unlikeable so i will probably have to make them more likeable but i very much enjoy its insufferable bastard vibes right now

>fish child will not be traumatized by this adventure, after all of this they will wake up and think they had a very vivid dream (i want to be nice to them)

[sparrowsarus]

Late Night Rambles with Sparrow

There's really something about SGA that lends itself to AUs, and honestly fanfic in general!

Like, personally? I found SG-1 a stronger show. There's very little I would change about it--but in turn, I don't find the fic as compelling. Don't get me wrong, I've read some beautiful SG-1 fics; but they don't stick the way I find SGA does.

And contrariwise, I find SGA less enjoyable to watch (shocked gasps)! I'm doing a rewatch, cause there are some fic ideas in my brain that I need data for, but the fanfic is so strong, and the character development and backstory SGA fic writers give this world and these characters is just so great. So instead of watching the show, I find myself reading others' interpretations of it instead, and preferring them instead of the show. But at the same time, I want to love this thing for itself, because other people love it.

And as I read these synopsis, and fanfics, and meta, the AU ideas or canon divergences come in pretty steady. Some are, frankly, combinations of two or more fanfics I have read, and they are largely plagiarism, so they are "daydream fodder" rather than "I actually want to write this" fodder, unless I actually sit and file the serial numbers off, so to speak. But others are just silly, or kind of sad, or perhaps a bit cracky--which is how I have a germ where Rodney is stepdad to two orc children, or one where Atlantis is actually in Northern Canada rather than Pegasus (but the Athosians and Satedans are instead in the Milky Way), or one where Rodney moves to Mongolia and becomes a mechanic after Doranda, and they lure him back (possibly Radek, by the scruff, because you've had your sulk, yes you were an arrogant dick and blew up a solar system because you didn't listen to me, please get over your crisis I want a nap and Simpson hates being in charge of Physics and Engineering).

Or the one I thought of today and gave as a prompt to someone: Independent Atlantis, where Elizabeth marries Teyla for alliance purposes, as you do. Your fav power couple could never.

(I also have thoughts on why so many, including myself, love Rodney as a character, even if in real life we would have possibly dumped coffee on his head, but that's a ramble for another day. But I despised him at 19, but he's grown on me at 30, so.)

[wistfulcynic]

The Meet-Cute (2 of 2)

In which Ruby decides that what Emma’s love life needs is a good old-fashioned meet-cute, and sets about arranging one for her. Or two, or three, or six... whatever, she’ll set up however many it takes for her friend to meet The One. But it may turn out that Emma doesn’t need any help finding The One after all...

First part on Tumblr and AO3 

a/n: this chapter contains sweetness, quite a lot of silliness, and a big ol’ hot kiss. 

Thanks to @optomisticgirl for the idea and @thisonesatellite, @ohmightydevviepuu, and @katie-dub for support and general delightfulness. 

-

PART TWO:

The next day was Wednesday and Emma spent the morning on patrol, driving around Storybrooke and trying not to think about how far away Friday was. She was just about to take a break and go to Granny’s for some coffee when her phone rang. The name on the screen was just about the last one she would ever have expected, and she frowned hard at it for the space of a good four rings before answering. 

“Graham?” 

“Hey, Emma.” His voice was just as she remembered it, gruff and accented. And faintly apologetic, which was new. “Um. Long time.” 

“Yeah, I guess you could say that. How’s life in the woods?”

“Ah, yeah, it’s good. And, um, about that. It’s actually why I’m calling. Because I can’t come in to town, I mean.” 

“Well I didn’t think it was because you wanted to catch up on old times,” said Emma drily. “What’s the problem?” 

“It’s my truck.” Graham paused and the silence stretched. 

“Your truck?” Emma prompted, her patience wearing thin. She was not in the mood for Graham’s strong-and-silent schtick today.  

“My truck.” He sighed. “It—well, it seems to be out of gas.” 

Emma rubbed her temples. “And how is your lack of forward planning the responsibility of the Storybrooke Sheriff’s Department?” she asked, in a voice just shy of a snap. 

“Well that’s the thing, I did forward plan,” said Graham. “I had a full tank last night because I knew that today I needed to drive to Portland. There’s a forestry convention I’m going to—well, it’s not important, but I wanted to get an early start so I made sure everything was ready before I went to bed last night. Then this morning I wake up to find my tank empty and the spare can missing.”

A creeping suspicion was beginning to crawl up Emma’s spine. “So you think, what, someone stole your gas?” 

“I know it sounds crazy, but honestly I can’t come up with any other explanation.” 

“Graham, do you happen to know Ruby Lucas?” 

He paused, and when he spoke again his voice was confused. “Ah, the woman at the diner?” 

“That’s her.” 

“I chat with her whenever I go there, maybe once or twice a month. She seems nice. Why?” 

“No reason.” Emma glowered through her windshield at Granny’s sign as she drove past it. “Listen, I can bring you a can of gas but it’ll take me at least half an hour to get it and get out to you. Does that leave you enough time to get to Portland?” 

“Yeah, it should. I’ll have to change my plans a bit, but it’ll be okay. Only, Emma, what about the person who emptied my tank—” 

Emma set her jaw as she pulled into the gas station. “I’ll take care of it.” 

—

Thursday morning found her in Granny’s early, marching up to the counter with her fists planted on her hips. 

“I could arrest you, you know. I probably should.” 

“What?” Ruby blinked innocent eyes as she prepared Emma’s coffee, with plenty of milk and extra cinnamon and hazelnut syrups. “What did I do?” 

“Emptying a gas tank is stealing, Rubes. You’ve got to stop doing this stuff!” 

Ruby handed her the coffee, and a bag containing a fresh bear claw. Emma scowled at it as Ruby asked “Did it get you a date, at least?” 

“It did not. At least, not in this decade.” 

“Um.” Ruby frowned. “What?” 

“I already dated Graham.” Emma decided that while the bear claw was unmistakably a bribe she could always just eat the evidence, and took a big bite. 

“You did?” Ruby demanded. “When?” 

“I’m surprised you don’t remember,” muttered Emma around her mouthful of pastry and nuts. “It wasn’t long after I moved to Storybrooke. Just before he decided to ‘escape the cage of civilisation’ and moved out to the middle of nowhere.” 

“Wait, wait. It’s coming back to me now. Are you saying that Graham is Mountain Lodge Guy?” 

“Yep.” 

“Fuuuuck Ems, I’m sorry.” To her credit, Ruby did look genuinely apologetic. 

“Well you should be,” retorted Emma, hardening her heart. “And you should stop doing this, Ruby! It’s getting ridiculous. I mean, it was always ridiculous but now it’s branching into minor-felony-level ridiculous. Please, I am begging you, stop.” 

“Ah,” said Ruby, biting her lip. “Um, can I stop tomorrow?” 

Emma’ blood ran cold. “Why?”

“I—may have already put the next plan into motion.” 

“What? What plan?” Emma demanded, just as her phone started ringing. 

Ruby grimaced. “Let’s just say you’d probably better answer that.” 

—

Emma took a deep breath and squared her shoulders before knocking firmly on the door of a large, sprawling house on the edge of town. It swung open immediately to reveal a man wearing a frantic expression, his dark hair standing up on end. 

“Oh, thank God!” he cried, falling to his knees. “Thank God.” The dog at the end of the leash Emma had looped around her hand wriggled in delight as he licked the man’s face. The man hugged the dog tightly, laughing as his cheeks was thoroughly washed. “How’d you find him?” he asked. 

Emma watched the reunion with a reluctant smile. “I had a tip,” she replied wryly. “Someone spotted him in the street and managed to grab him. They let the sheriff’s department know, and we cross-checked his description with reports of missing dogs.” Or at least that’s what she would have done had the dog actually been missing, and not lured into the backseat of a car by Ruby armed with a juicy steak. The dog had spent the morning in the storage room of the diner, gnawing happily at the bone for an hour before taking a long nap on a cosy blanket. And now he was home again, unharmed and with a belly full of steak. All in all not a bad morning for him, Emma reflected, though she felt sorry for his owner. 

The owner who was now rising to his feet and eyeing Emma with the eye of a man who, reassured of his beloved pet’s safety, could turn his attention to other matters. 

“I’m August,” he said, offering his hand. “August Booth.” 

Emma knew this of course, because Ruby had told her, but she took his hand anyway. “Emma Swan.” 

“Emma,” August repeated. “I’ve seen you around, obviously, but—well it’s nice to finally meet you. Can I offer you a drink or anything?” 

She shook her head. “Thanks, but no. I’m on duty and I really should get back to it.” 

“Of course.” He gave her a hopeful smile, as the dog bounced cheerfully at his side. “Another time, maybe?” 

“Ah, maybe.” Emma’s own smile was noncommittal. “Have a nice day.” 

“You too. Emma.” 

__

Emma got home that evening to find Henry with a huge grin on his face and an A on his solar system project. 

“Look, Mom!” he cried, waving the paper at her. “Mr Johnson said it was one of the best projects he’s ever seen!” 

“Wow, that’s great, Henry!” Emma took the paper and examined it with a beam of pride. “Well done!” 

“I can’t wait to tell Killian.’ Henry was bouncing on his heels. “Can we call him? Maybe he can come over again!” 

“Um, it’s a bit late to invite him over now,” Emma hedged. The truth was that she’d been looking for an excuse to text Killian since he’d left her place on Tuesday night, but was also not sure he’d want her bothering him. “But you can tell him tomorrow.” 

“Is he coming over tomorrow?” 

“Um, yeah. We’re going out.” 

“Out?” Henry’s eyes went wide. “Like on a date?” 

“Yeah. Is that okay?” 

“Mom, you don’t need to ask me if you want to date someone. It’s your life.” 

Emma shook her head, lips pressing together in a bittersweet smile. Sometimes her little baby boy seemed so grown up. It had been happening more and more often lately and though she loved to see it, it also gave her an aching twinge in her heart. 

“But you’re the most important thing in my life,” she said firmly, “and I’m not going to date someone you don’t like.” 

“Well, I like Killian. So as far as I’m concerned, date away.” 

She laughed, and pulled him into a hug. “So you can wait until tomorrow to tell him about your project?” 

Henry heaved a great sigh, though his eyes were laughing. “I suppose.” 

—

Henry may have been able to wait, but Emma found she couldn’t. Barely two hours later, after they’d eaten dinner and Henry had settled down to do his homework, Emma found her fingers typing out a text to Killian without her permission, and sending it before her brain had a chance to object. 

Emma: Henry got an A on his solar system project. 

She held her breath after she clicked send, nerves fluttering in her belly. But it was barely a minute before three dots appeared below her message and then Killian’s reply. 

Killian: That’s brilliant! Tell him I said well done. 

Emma heaved a breath and felt her lips curve in a silly grin. I think he’d rather tell you himself, she texted back. I was just too excited to wait. 

The reply came almost immediately. Your secret is safe with me, love, it said. I’ll pretend it’s the first I’m hearing of the news. 

The silly smile was still on Emma’s face as she tried to think of a way to extend the conversation. Before she could come up with anything the three dots appeared again followed shortly by a message. 

Killian: How was your day, Swan? Any exciting crime on the mean streets of Storybrooke?

Emma’s cheeks began to hurt as her grin widened further, and she settled in to regale Killian with the story of the dog, minus a few key details of course. When she finished he told her about a frustrating patron he’d had, who was looking for a very particular book but could not remember its title or author, or in fact any details about its plot or characters. All he could recall was that it had red on its cover. 

Which, as I’m sure you can imagine, did not much narrow things down, Killian remarked. 

The conversation drifted then onto other topics, flowing so easily that before Emma knew it they had been texting for three hours. When she finally got to bed that night—an hour later than usual—she drifted off with a smile still on her face, thinking of him and of their date the next day. 

—

Wear something warm, Killian had said, and so late on Friday afternoon Emma changed out of the thin blouse she’d worn all day and into a sweater. A new sweater, one she’d bought on an impromptu trip to the boutique that morning. It would be winter soon, she’d reasoned, and she could always use another warm layer. It was definitely not because the sweater was a pretty shade of rose pink that complimented her complexion and made her feel soft and feminine, or because its slim fit hugged her breasts in a very flattering way. 

Not at all. 

She finished the look with dark jeans and a brown leather jacket with a sheepskin trim and headed out into the living room, ten minutes early. 

Henry was watching TV but when she came into the room he looked up and his eyes widened. “You look awesome, Mom!” he said. 

“Thanks, kid.” Emma rubbed her damp palms on her jeans. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so nervous. “Are you sure you’re okay with staying here by yourself?” she asked Henry, who rolled his eyes. 

“Yes, I’m sure,” he said. “I have your number and Killian’s number and the hospital’s number and Mary Margaret’s number. Mary Margaret is just upstairs if I need her and she’ll come in to check on me at bedtime and make sure I’m not throwing any wild parties.” He gave Emma a sardonic look and she couldn’t suppress a chuckle. “Dinner’s in the fridge,” Henry continued, “I’m supposed to do my homework so it’s done for the weekend then I can play video games, and you’ll be home by midnight. Did I forget anything?” 

She put her hands on her hips and shook her head at him. “No, I think that covers it.” 

He got up from the couch and gave her a hug. “I’ll be okay, Mom,” he said reassuringly. “It’s just for a few hours.” 

Emma nodded, squeezing him tightly. “I know.” He was still her baby, though, and it was a mother’s prerogative to worry. 

Henry seemed to sense her mood because he gave her a cheeky grin. “Be sure you’re home on time, though, or else I might turn into a pumpkin,” he teased.  

She laughed. “I promise.” 

Just then the doorbell rang, sending Emma’s heartbeat into overdrive. She took a deep breath and then another as she smoothed her hair and adjusted her clothes. Henry smirked at her and went to open the door. “Hey, Killian!” he greeted. 

“Hello, Henry,” Killian replied, and God, Emma thought, his voice was even sexier than she remembered. “How are you?” 

“Good,” said Henry brightly. “I got an A on my solar system project!” 

“That’s brilliant, lad!” said Killian, catching Emma’s eye and giving her a wink. Probably the least stealthy wink she’d ever seen, more of a full-face twitch. 

Fortunately, Henry was too busy grinning with delight to notice. “Thanks for helping me,” he said.  

“It was my pleasure.” Killian smiled at Henry but his eyes kept flitting to where Emma was standing behind him, hands clasped and trying not to twist them nervously. “Swan,” he said, transferring his smile to her. “You look lovely.” 

“Thanks.” Emma flushed at the compliment and searched for the right words to return it. Killian was dressed in a sweater as well, a thick fisherman’s one in a deep blue shade that brought out his eyes. “You look...” Hot. Gorgeous. Highly fuckab—gah. No. She shook that thought from her head. “…um…” 

He shot her a small smirk, one that said he knew what she was thinking, even as his cheeks went pink. “I know,” he said.  

She rolled her eyes. Of course he did. 

They stood grinning foolishly at each other until Henry gave a loud cough. 

“Ah.” Killian scratched behind his ear, the flush in his cheeks deepening. “Are you ready then, love?” he asked. 

She nodded. “Yeah, I think so. Henry, are you—” 

“Mom.” Henry gave her a stern look. “I’m fine. Go.” 

“All right, all right,” she sighed. “I’m going.” 

She allowed Killian to guide her out the door and down the stairs with a hand hovering just over the small of her back. From another man such a gesture would have felt controlling but from him it just seemed sweet—old-fashioned, like the way he spoke and the general air of courteousness he carried.  

“Where are we going?” she asked, when they exited her building and turned down the sidewalk. 

He smiled, soft and a bit nervous. “You’ll see.” 

They chatted lightly as they walked, conversation made easier by all they had shared in the texting marathon of the previous evening, and when they arrived at the docks a good twenty minutes later Emma felt as though no time had passed at all. 

“What are we doing here?” she asked, looking around in confusion. 

“Come with me.” He held out his hand and she took it without hesitation. Briefly she wondered at how easily she trusted this man she hardly knew, she who almost never trusted anyone, and then he led her up a gangplank and onto a long wooden sailing boat and she forgot everything else in her astonishment. 

“This is yours?” she exclaimed.

“Aye,” said Killian with a small shrug. “You can take the lad off the sea but you can’t take the sea out of the lad. Or something.” 

Emma laughed. “You bought this after you left the navy?” 

“I did,” he replied. “Lived on board for a few months. I was going to stay on her while I was in Storybrooke but Belle said that was ridiculous when there was an empty apartment above the library, so…” 

“Yeah. And doesn’t it get cold at night? On the boat I mean.” 

“I have blankets. And rum.” He waggled his eyebrows at her and she laughed. “But yes, the apartment is much more congenial as a place to sleep, so I’m grateful for it.” 

On the boat’s deck a blanket was spread out, with a pile of cushions on one side and a small camp stove on the other. “I thought we could make grilled cheese,” Killian explained. “Henry, ah, told me it was your favourite. And everything tastes better under the stars.” 

Emma felt a lump rising in her throat. “There—there aren’t any stars,” she said. 

Killian smiled at her. “Not yet.” 

She made herself comfortable on the blanket while Killian produced a leather satchel, from which he removed plates and napkins, bread and butter, and a dizzying array of cheeses. 

Emma gaped as he lined them up in front of the stove. “I usually just use the kind that comes in pre-wrapped slices,” she said. 

“Aye, I have some of that.” he replied, holding up a small, square parcel. “Though I thought, maybe, if you were in the mood for it, that you, ah—might be up for trying something new?” 

His expression was so hopeful, so open, and she knew that he wasn’t just talking about the cheese. He meant the way she’d been living, closed-off and untrusting. Alone. He was asking her to let him in, and God, Emma thought, she wanted to. 

“I—yeah.” She swallowed hard, but the smile she gave him was genuine. “I’d like that. But, I’m gonna be honest here, I have no idea which one.” 

Killian laughed, a deep, rich sound that warmed her inside and out. “Try the gouda,” he advised. 

“I don’t even know what that is,” she said, laughing with him. 

The warm smile remained on his lips but there was something deeply solemn in his eyes. “Do you trust me?” he asked. 

Emma swallowed again. “Yeah,” she replied, and it was true. She really did. 

Killian nodded. “Gouda,” he said firmly. 

She nodded back. “Okay.” 

—

The gouda turned out to be delicious, melting into the kind of stringy, gloopy mess that had Emma’s eyes rolling back in her head with delight. Its flavour was mild, almost nutty, and absolutely delicious—way better, she was sure, than the soft, smelly stuff Killian put on his bread. 

“This is amazing,” she said around a mouthful of melted cheese. “That, on the other hand…” 

He chuckled. “It’s an acquired taste.” 

“I’m sure. So... why exactly did you acquire it?” 

An odd look crossed Killian’s face. “Sometimes you eat what’s put in front of you, love, and learn to like it later,” he said, in a voice grim with not entirely pleasant memories. “I’ve been in places where to refuse the food would be a grave insult, and a grave insult could result in... well, let’s just call them unpleasant consequences.” 

“Wow.” 

He gave shrug and an offhand smile. “I mean, not to be dramatic or anything.” 

“Oh no, obviously not.” She munched her cheese, trying to think of a lighter topic. “So, um, what made you become a librarian? No offence but you don’t really seem the type.” 

“No, probably not.” His smile warmed and softened and Emma felt herself relax. “I wanted a quiet life after the navy and I’ve always loved books, so it seemed like a natural choice.” 

“Yeah, I guess I can see that.” 

“It’s been healing,” he said softly. “In more ways than one.” He was silent for a moment, then turned to her with a quirked eyebrow. “And what about you, Emma, what brought you into law enforcement?” he asked. 

“What don’t I seem like the type?” 

“On the contrary, it seems a perfect fit for you. I’d just—like to know you better.” 

Emma felt a flush rise in her cheeks as her heartbeat quickened. “I was in bail bonds before I came to Storybrooke, but there’s not much need for that here so I sort of fell into sheriffing,” she explained. “I didn’t even intend to move here, I was just passing through. But I had car trouble and got stuck for a while, then the job opened up and I just—stayed.” 

“It’s a good place to stay,” Killian remarked. 

“Yeah. Way better than where we were living in the city. Henry was really little when we moved and I’m glad he’s growing up in a place like this.” 

“Aye, it seems an ideal spot to raise a child.” 

There was a wistfulness in his voice that made her heart thump harder. “I just realised I never asked you where you live,” she said. 

“Ah.” He scratched behind his ear again. “That is a question. I’ve been in Boston for the past few years but I’m starting to think I need a change. One of the reasons I was glad for this break in Storybrooke.” 

Emma focused on keeping her breathing steady. “Where do you think you might go?” she asked. 

“I might”—he shot her a mildly wary glance—“stay here.” 

“Here? As in Storybrooke here?” 

“Aye. There’s a job opening up next year at the high school library that I’ve applied for.” 

“I—” She blinked in surprise. “Wow.” 

“I hope it doesn’t freak you out, love,” said Killian, stumbling over his words in his haste to speak them. “It wasn’t because of—well, it isn’t as though you aren’t a factor, but mostly I just—” 

“You could see a future here.” Emma nodded. “Hey, I get it. Same.” 

He visibly relaxed, expelling a long breath before continuing. “I actually put in the application before we met,” he explained. “About fifteen minutes before, in fact. But I’d be lying if I said the prospect of staying here didn’t grow considerably brighter when I realised there was a chance you could be part of that future.” His eyes widened when he realised what he’d said. “I mean, I—” 

“Yeah.” Emma reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. “I know what you mean.” 

Dusk had fallen by that time, and the stars were beginning to appear in the sky. Killian quickly tidied up the plates and utensils and cheese, then produced from his seemingly bottomless satchel a thermos full of hot chocolate. 

“Mmmm,” said Emma, “that smells amazing. Though I usually have mine with some—”

“Cinnamon?” Killian grinned at her as he held up a small jar of the spice. “Aye.” 

“Henry told you,” guessed Emma. 

“That he did.” 

“When did you have time to mine my son for information about me?” she teased him. 

“We had some quite interesting conversation in between discussions of moons and planets,” he informed her. “It’s a truly wonderful boy you have, love.” 

“Yeah,” she agreed, accepting the steaming cup he offered her. “He really is.” 

Cradling their cups of chocolate, they relaxed back against the pillows and gazed up at the darkening sky. As the stars grew brighter Killian showed her some constellations, pointing to them with one hand while the other lay next to hers on the blanket, close enough that she could brush his little finger with her own. She slid her hand closer and let her fingers curl around his, and when he turned his hand to grip hers more firmly she relaxed against him, resting her head on his shoulder as they sipped their chocolate, looked up at the sky, and talked. They talked about everything, likes and dislikes, pastimes and pet hates. Their childhoods and their dreams for the future, their hopes and their fears. She told him, haltingly, about Neal, and he replied with the story of his affair with a married woman, which had led to him leaving the navy. For two such different people they had a surprising amount in common, she realised. Not so much in the specifics of their lives as in the way they looked at the world, and the experiences that had shaped them. Emma had never in her life felt so understood. 

All too soon her phone buzzed in her pocket, reminding her that it was almost midnight and she had promised Henry she’d be back before then. 

“I have to go,” she said apologetically. “Henry—” 

“Of course,” he replied. “I’ll walk with you.” 

He kept her hand in his as they stood and headed back to her apartment, twining his fingers with hers and brushing his thumb feather-light across her knuckles, setting her heart racing in her chest. His hand was warm and rough and the gentle movements of his thumb sent sparks dancing up her arm and all across her skin. 

When they reached her door she turned with a smile, still holding tight to his fingers, loath to break the contact until she absolutely had to. 

“I had a wonderful time,” she said. “We should do this again.” 

His own smile lit his face, stealing her breath as it always did. “Any time, love,” he murmured. “Perhaps next time we can go for a sail.” 

“I’d love that.” 

His eyes were soft as they caressed her face and she found herself holding her breath as they swayed in each other’s orbit, easing closer and closer, and then closer still until she felt his fingertips brushing across her cheek, until he cradled her jaw in his palm and their lips met. 

The kiss began gently, tentatively—sweet brushes of lips and sighs of breaths that soon grew deeper, hotter, more insistent as the hands they still held gripped tighter, as his fingers left her cheek to tangle in her hair and hers fisted in his sweater to pull him closer. A deep groan rumbled in his chest and Emma felt herself pushed back against the door, his lips insistent now, his tongue hot in her mouth and his body firm against hers. She released his sweater to curl her arm around his neck and hold him tight, pressing herself as close as she could get, rolling her hips over the hardness she could feel low against her belly. 

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this way, if she ever had. Like she couldn’t get enough of him—his feel and smell and taste—like she wanted to tear off his clothes and have him right here, and damn the consequences. But also she felt safe, secure in the certainty that while he clearly wanted her just as much, once the kiss ended he would say goodnight and go, no pressure, no demands, no resentment. She was certain of this because she trusted him, and the inherent decency she’d sensed in him from the beginning.  That kind of trust was freeing, she realised in a bright and stunning flash of understanding. Wonderfully freeing, to let down her defences and put herself into the hands of another person, knowing he wouldn’t take advantage or use that trust to hurt her. Her heart soared as she hugged Killian tighter and kissed him with everything she had, and when the kiss finally ended and he rested his forehead against hers, all she felt was happiness and the stirrings, deep in her heart, of a far stronger emotion. 

“That was—” he gasped, blinking dazed eyes and clearly struggling for words. 

“Amazing?” she supplied. “Incredible? Hot as fuck?”

He gave a breathless chuckle. “One hell of a goodnight kiss. Plus yeah, all those other things.” 

He pressed another kiss on her lips, brief and chaste and gentle, then released her and stepped back. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said. 

Emma tried not to feel bereft at the loss of his warmth and closeness. “Maybe you could come over for dinner,” she said. “I mean, if you’re not busy. It’s just Henry would love to see you, and—” 

“I’d love that,” he said, gently interrupting her before her stream of words could get out of control. “Let me know what I can bring. Not brownies this time.” 

His eyes twinkled with amusement and she gave a slight wince. “Was it that obvious?” 

“I hope you won’t take this the wrong way, Emma, but you’re a bit of an open book,” he replied. “One I’d very much like to read more of.” 

“I—I’d like that too,” she said softly. “And my favourite dessert is lemon bars.” 

“Lemon bars I can manage.” He smiled, a bit wistfully but with a new light in his eyes that made her feel like she could fly. “Goodnight, Emma,” he murmured. 

“Night, Killian.” 

She watched him until he disappeared around the bend in the stairs then slipped into her apartment, shutting the door silently behind her and leaning against for a moment. She closed her eyes and ran the tip of her tongue over her lips, then gave herself a little shake and took off her jacket and shoes before padding silently into Henry’s room. He was fast asleep, with the blankets kicked off and bunched around his waist. She pulled them down and tucked them in around him. 

“Mom?” he muttered. 

“Yeah, kid. I’m home,” she whispered. “Go back to sleep.” 

Henry blinked heavy eyelids. “Did you have a good time?” 

“I did. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. Go back to sleep.” 

“K,” he replied, and in his next breath she could tell he was asleep again. 

—

The next morning Emma dropped Henry off at a friend’s house and went to Granny’s for some coffee. Ruby greeted her with a scowl. 

“You here alone?” she demanded.

Emma crossed her arms over her chest. “I am.” 

“August another no-go, then?” 

“I have to admit, he was closer than the others,” Emma conceded. “Probably your best attempt yet.” 

“But not good enough?” 

“Nope. Not good enough.” Perhaps once there may have been a time when someone like August would have caught Emma’s eye. Before Neal. Even, possibly, before she’d met Killian. But now...

Ruby planted a fist on her hip and shook her finger at Emma’s nose. “I’ll get you, Emma Swan,” she declared. “Sooner or later, come hell or high water, I will find the man for you. I swear it.” 

“Ruby—” 

“Nope.” The shaking finger became a palm in Emma’s face, which she irritatedly pushed aside. “I know you don’t approve of my tactics,” Ruby continued, “but the gauntlet’s been thrown down. My honour is at stake.” 

“Your honour? Seriously?” 

“Yes, seriously! I’m going to find you a guy or die trying, and that’s just how things are. Now, here’s your coffee.” She thrust a takeaway cup into Emma’s hand and Emma sighed heavily, watching Ruby through narrowed eyes as she handed another cup to another customer, before finally taking a long sip. 

It was a minute before her brain registered the taste of what was in her mouth and then she spit the coffee out with a choking gasp. 

“What the fuck is this?” 

“Coffee,” said Ruby, who was standing ready with a pile of paper napkins. She fluttered her lashes innocently. “Why, is there something wrong with it?”

Just then Emma heard the sound of vigorous coughing and a very familiar voice spoke up from behind her. 

“Excuse me, lass, but I think you may have given me the wrong drink,” it said.

“Oh did I?” cried Ruby. “I am so sorry! What seems to be the problem with it?” 

“Well, it’s, er, very sweet.” 

Emma sighed and turned around to face Killian. His face brightened in surprise and pleasure but she spoke before he could greet her. “I think you must have mine,” she said. “You take it black?” 

“Aye.” 

“Here.” She held out the cup she was holding. “This one’s yours.” 

“Ah. And I suppose that makes this yours.” 

They exchanged cups and smiles, Killian’s bright but confused and Emma’s resigned, especially when their fingers brushed and her heart began to race. 

“Wow,” said Ruby loudly, “what a funny mix-up. You two should definitely get each other’s names, in case it happens again.” 

Killian opened his mouth to reply but Emma gave a tiny shake of her head and he closed it again, his forehead wrinkling with a baffled frown. Emma turned to Ruby. 

“All right,” she hissed. “You win. 

“I—what?” 

“I like this one. I’ll take him. Congratulations, you did it.” 

Ruby looked genuinely nonplussed. “Are you serious?” 

“Yep.” 

“What’s the catch?” 

“No catch.” 

“Well I am a bit of a catch,” piped up Killian, who was watching the exchange with amusement and dawning understanding.

Ruby’s eyes flitted between them, narrowed in suspicion. “Emma Swan,” she growled, “if you’re fucking with me…” 

“I’m not! Honestly. Here, look, I’ll prove it.” 

She set her cup down on the counter and turned back to Killian, watching his eyes go wide and the smirk fall from his face as she grabbed him by the lapels of his jacket and pulled him in for a kiss. Dimly she heard the sound of Ruby’s gasp and of Killian’s coffee cup hitting the floor, but then his arms were around her and he was sighing against her lips and all Emma could think was that what she’d told Ruby just now was true. She did like this one, and she damned well would take him. For the first time in far too long Emma truly and honestly envisioned what her life could be with a man in it, a partner to share it with, and found that the prospect didn’t scare her. She was excited for it. She wanted it. She wanted Killian. 

For all its heat and passion he kiss ended softly, and she smiled up at Killian, still clinging to his jacket, pressing her forehead to his. He grinned back, delighted if slightly dazed. “That was rather forward of you, lass, considering we only just met,” he said, deadpan. “But I can’t say as I object.” 

“Mmmm,” she hummed. “What do you say we take our coffee somewhere quiet and get to know each other a bit better?” 

“I’d say that’s an excellent plan. But as to the coffee, well—” He indicated the steaming puddle at their feet.

“Here you go,” said Ruby, and they both turned to see her holding out a fresh cup. “On the house.” 

Killian shook his head. “Oh, I couldn’t—”

“Look, anyone who gets a kiss like that off Emma is going to need it,” said Ruby firmly. She raised an eyebrow at each of them in turn. “There’s something going on here that I don’t know about, and rest assured I will find out what it is,” she informed them. “But for now take your coffee and go. You two are distractingly hot together and I have other customers.” 

“Well if you’re—” 

“I said go!” Ruby glared until Killian took the cup from her. “Enjoy. Oh, and Emma—” 

“Yeah?” 

“Call me later.” Ruby tapped a sharp-looking fingernail meaningfully on the countertop. “Or else.” 

—

@kmomof4, @stahlop, @spartanguard​, @mariakov81, @teamhook 

[bellakitse]

Stating Intentions

“TK, if you don’t stop fidgeting, I am going to tie you to the flag pole and leave you there.”

*

TK worries in the kitchen of the firehouse while Carlos and his dad talk in his office, it distracts Paul from his cooking with his fidgeting.

30 days of Tarlos - Day 27

TK Strand is not acting weird – just because he keeps shuffling around in the kitchen to the point that Paul has all but stopped preparing lunch to glare at him does not mean he’s acting weird. Maybe he’s a little restless, perhaps he’s a bit nervous, but he’s not being weird.

“TK, if you don’t stop fidgeting, I am going to tie you to the flag pole and leave you there.”

“Yeah?” TK asks distractedly, with a scoff as he looks over in the direction of his father’s office. “You and what army.”

Paul laughs loudly and sarcastically; it’s enough to drag TK’s attention back to his friend. He looks at him just in time to see him flex. “I don’t need an army, pretty boy,” Paul says, pointing at his bulging muscles. “These will do just fine.”

TK looks Paul over, appreciating his flex even if his friend is threatening to use them against him. “Whatever,” he mumbles, turning to look back towards his father’s door. He taps his fingers on the counter as he stares.

“You wouldn’t happen to be this jittery because a certain Officer of the law with even more impressive muscles than me is in the office with your dad right now, right?” Paul questions, a knowing look on his face when TK snaps his head back towards him.

“No,” he answers, cringing when it comes out louder than he would like. He takes a breath, letting it out slowly.

“No,” he repeats at a more acceptable volume. “Why would that make me nervous? Dad likes Carlos, and Carlos likes my dad. Just because we have officially started dating, and this is the first time they have been alone since Carlos and I decided to be a couple, doesn’t mean I need to be nervous. I mean, sure, my dad has never liked any of my boyfriends, and I like Carlos so much, and if my dad doesn’t like him, I’ll be crushed. But that is no reason to be nervous or jittery. I’m fine; everything is fine.”

Paul stares at him with a raised eyebrow. “Yeah, man,” he says slowly and disbelieving. “You sound totally fine.”

TK shoots him a dirty look. “Shut up, Paul,” he tells him, scowling when his childish tone makes Paul laugh.

“Aww, pouty TK has come out to play,” Paul teases him with a smirk, it makes TK roll his eyes before he shakes his head at his own silliness.

“I’m being ridiculous, aren’t I?” he questions his friend, watching as the smirk goes away and is replaced with a kind understanding look.

“Maybe a little,” he says gently. “But it’s understandable; you want them to get along. You and your dad are super close, and I think your feelings for Carlos are – “

“Really strong,” TK finishes for his friend when he trails off.

Paul nods at him. “You really like him, huh?” he asks softly, but they both know it’s not really a question.

Out of everyone, Paul is the only one that has spent time with Carlos and TK alone, and TK knows his observant friend didn’t miss their closeness the night they went dancing. Back then, TK was still fooling himself into thinking that Carlos was just a friend he liked to get naked with, now after his accident and the day of the solar flares, TK can’t pretend that’s still the case. Not when Carlos sends his heart racing with every sweet smile and soft touch he gives him.

“Yeah,” he answers, his voice low. “I really do.”

“He really likes you too,” Paul tells him, and TK can’t help the way it makes his heart jump. Carlos hasn’t been shy about letting him know he cares about him, but it means a lot to know that others can see it too.

“Which is why,” he continues. “Even though you have nothing to worry about because Cap and Carlos already respect each other, whatever is happening in the office is going to be fine,” Paul reassures him with a smile. “They have how much they love you in common.”

TK gasps at Paul’s words, staring at him with wide eyes as Paul continues to smile.

“You should have seen him when you got shot, TK,” he says with a shake of his head, frowning as he remembers those days. “We were all worried, man, and your dad was strong, but we could see how scared he was. Carlos couldn’t hide it though; when he sat with you, he would watch you like he was scared if he blinked you would disappear. We all took one look at his face when he got to the hospital and knew he was in deep with you.”

TK swallows hard, he’d known Carlos had been at the hospital, but this is the first time anyone has told him how he reacted to him being hurt.

He opens his mouth to say something; he’s not sure what – his head and heart are racing at the thought that Carlos might love him, the hopeful thump of his heart tells him how much he likes the idea – only for his dad’s office to open, his dad and Carlos walking out with smiles on their faces.

He jerks forward, his face turning red when they look over at him and Paul, catching his stare.

“Hey,” Carlos says softly as he and his dad walk into the kitchen, he comes to stand next to him, placing his hand on his back.

“Hey,” he answers just as quietly, leaning into the touch. “Everything okay?” he questions, looking at his father pointedly. It makes Owen grin.

“Yes, Carlos just brought over some paperwork,” his dad answers him, continuing only after TK has let out a breath. “And then I asked him about his intentions with you before showing him some baby pictures.”

“Your bowl cut phase was super cute,” Carlos adds, the corners of his mouth quirking upward.

“Dad,” he whines as Paul snickers, and his dad smiles. “Why?”

Owen shrugs easily, unconcerned about his embarrassment. “It’s my right as a father, and you were a cute kid.”

TK shakes his head, letting out a deep sigh. “You’re so embarrassing,” he groans, it makes Carlos chuckle as he moves his hand to wrap it around his shoulder, pulling him to his chest. TK goes easily, seeking his boyfriend’s comfort as he tucks his face into the crook of his neck.

“Come on, Strickland,” he hears his father say as he moves around the kitchen. “Let's go see what the rest of the team is doing.”

“What about lunch, Cap?” Paul asks as he follows him. “TK was being annoying and didn’t let me finish.”

“Yeah, he’s like that,” Owen jokes, grinning at him when he picks his head up to scowl at him. “We’ll order lunch today, my treat for you putting up with TK.”

TK huffs. “Rude,” he calls out to them as they leave him and Carlos alone.

Carlos laughs again, his amusement clear. When TK pulls back to shoot him a look, Carlos simply grins back at him.

“Did he really show you pictures of me as a kid?” he questions, blushing when Carlos’ smile grows even bigger.

“The one of you with his helmet on?” Carlos starts, his brown eyes shining. “He said you were four in that one, is the most adorable thing I have ever seen.”

“And did he really question you about your intentions?” he asks, letting out a groan when Carlos gives him an amused wince. “Oh my god.”

“It wasn’t that bad,” he promises. He runs his hands up and down TK’s shoulders reassuringly. “He just had some concerns and wanted to know where my head is at.”

“What did you tell him?” TK questions hesitantly, holding his breath when Carlos looks at him lovingly.

“I told him that you are important to me,” Carlos starts, he takes his hands off TK’s shoulders to cup his face. “And then I told him that I care about you, that all I want is to make you feel happy and safe with me.”

TK licks his lips, his breath catching when Carlos’ eyes drift down to his mouth.

“I want to make you happy, TK,” Carlos whispers. “I want to make you smile and laugh. I want to make you feel loved, baby.”

TK tugs at the hands on his face, bringing them down to his waist as he wraps his arms around Carlos’ neck, pressing his body against his. “I do,” he whispers, his mouth inches away from Carlos’ full lips. “Every time you listen to me, touch me, smile at me, I know how much you care.”

“Thank you for that,” he whispers as he brushes his lips against Carlos’, his stomach clenching at the small needy sound his boyfriend makes.

“Always,” he whispers back roughly, and TK knows he means it. He closes his eyes just as Carlos kisses him, proving not only with words but with action that he means what he says, letting TK feel that he is indeed, loved.

[danurso]

The Arc charm

RWBY: *playing with adrien*

Adrien: *happy baby giggles*

Yang: awww.

Ruby: he's so cuuuute.

Blake: he is.

Weiss: *hugging him* he's the most adorable thing on this planet.

Saphron: wow, so young but already surrounded by girls, adrien is quite popular don't you think.

Terra: *nods*

Jaune: yup, he is. Just don't let dad teach him how to flirt, its gonna go wrong for him.

Saphron: who needs flirting skills? He has the arc charm on his side already.

Yang: vomit boy already mentioned this arc charm and used it to go after ice queen, it didn't worked for him though.

Jaune: *deadpans* not all charm in the world could make up for how annoying i was being.

Saphron: still, i'm surprised your charm didn't work on her *grins* adrien on the other hand doesn't seems to have problems using the arc charm to get the attention from the ladies.

Ruby: what is this arc charm?

Saphron: it's a natural skill all arcs are born with which makes you a chick magnet basically.

Yang: is vomit boy's charm broke? Cause he isn't that magnet.

Saphron: believe me, during school days there were lots of girls interested in jaune, he was just too dense to notice that.

Jaune: i wasn't dense.

Saphron: yes you were, just like dad was when he first met mom. *sigh* at least i hope adrien didn't got that side from arc family.

Weiss: if you raise him properly, then you won't have that problem right?

Saphron: i don't think so, being dense is engraved in the arc DNA, so i'm afraid that i can't really do much about that.

Blake: *raises eyebrow* i thought adrien was terra's kid?

Terra: and he is.

Saphron: but he's also an arc.

Weiss: wait, wait, wait, how is it possible that he's both terra's child and an arc, last time i checked two womans couldn't. . .well. . .reproduce.

Saphron: *snort* and they still can't silly, that's why we had to add the boy factor to the story. *pulls jaune into a headlock* and that's where my little brother comes in.

RWBY/_N_R: *car crashing sound on the background*

Ruby: w-wait a minute. . .does that means that-

Saphron: adrien is jaune's son with terra? Yup, he is.

Nora: hold on a second. *picks up a cup of tea and sips it, before spitting it all out* HE'S WHAT!?!?

Saphron: what? We wanted our kid to be an arc too, and since my brother was a very kind person he didn't refused to help us and donate some of his DNA.

Weiss: o-oh right, so jaune donated the DNA so you could make an artificial insemination? For one moment i thought-

Saphron: no, they just straight up banged for a whole night.

RWBY/_N_R: *chokes*

Terra: *blushing* s-saphron!

Saphron: what? It's the truth.

Terra: still. . .

Saphron: still what? Don't act like you didn't liked it, i can still hear you screaming and moaning jaune's name for hours. it kinda makes me jealous, i never heard you moan like that with me.

Terra: *atomic red*

Jaune: *red* s-saphron? Don't you think you said enough already?

Saphron: yeah i probably did, but that reminds me, are you okay with making me and terra another baby?

RWBY/_N_R: *chokes even harder*

Jaune: *deep red* w-what!?

Saphron: me and terra were talking about it for awhile and we wanted another baby, we're both very excited about the idea of another adrien running around the house. . .although i can't really say if terra's excitement is for the baby or for getting dicked by you again.

Terra: *solar red* s-saphron!!!

Saphron: so? Can you help us out?

Jaune: . . .are you really okay with me doing that again?

Saphron: as long as you give me a new kid i'm one hundred percent fine with it, luckily terra is on her fertile period today so i don't think you'll have troubles knocking her up.

Jaune: *blushing* and you terra? Are you okay with that?

Saphron: ohh i bet she is, especially now that you've got ripped and even more handsome.

Terra: *hiding her face with her hands and with smoke coming from the top if her head* please stop.

Saphron: that's not a denial. So, can you do me that favor lil' brother?

Jaune: *dark red* well. . .if she's okay with it i don't mind.

Terra: i-i don't mind it, really.

Saphron: *pushing them upstairs* great, great, now get out of my face and start making me a second kid.

Jaune/Terra: *disappears on the second floor*

Saphron: *walks back to the living room and sits down on the sofa with a sigh* finally. *looks back at RWBY and _N_R who have completely shocked expression on their faces* what?

Ruby: *blushing* a-are jaune and terra going to. . .uhm. . .well. . .

Saphron: yup, unless you know another way for them to make babies.

Weiss: and you don't care for the fact that jaune is going to sleep with your wife?

Saphron: he's doing me a favor, why would i be worked up about that? plus terra has been a bit stressed because of her work recently and i don't have much time to take care of her, jaune's actually doing me two favors for the price of one.

RWBY: *blushing* oh my god.

Ren: well, when you put it that way it does make sense.

Nora: fearless leader has also been stressed for awhile now, i bet that this is going to help him too.

Weiss: are you two seriously agreeing with this!?

Nora: yup.

Ren: *shrugs*

Saphron: what about you girls?

RWBY: us?

Saphron: did any of you give my brother a try?

RWBY: *dark red* a WHAT!?

Saphron: so? Did you?

Ruby: n-no.

Weiss: absolutely not!

Blake: i don't think so.

Yang: no.

Saphron: you girls have no idea what you're missing. I bet jaune could help you girls with all the stress you've got on this trip.

Weiss: *red* who said we're stressed!? And what makes you think he can help us!?

Saphron: *grins raising three fingers*

Ruby: . . .what does that means?

Saphron: three. . .two. . .one *cover adrien's ears* aaand.

Terra: OOOOHHHHHHH FUUUUUUCK!!!!!

RWBY: *blushes*

Ruby: w-was that. . .terra?

Saphron: yup.

Terra: AAAAHHH!!!!! JAUNEEE!!!! OOHHH MY GOOOOODDD!!!

Yang: is the always that loud?

Saphron: not even close, terra is pretty shy in bed and she gets embarrassed of the neighbors hearing her lewd noises, so she tries her best to hold back her voice, but that's only with me, when jaune comes around the story is different.

Blake: *blushing* is he really that good?

Saphron: oh he is, i never saw him in action for obvious reasons, but from everything i heard from terra. . .well, let's just say that if she met first jaune instead of me, terra nowadays wouldn't be lesbian.

Blake: wow. . .he's that good?

Saphron: isn't that enough of a proof to you?

Terra:  YESYESYESYESYESSSS!!!!! THIS IS SOO GOOOOOD!!!

Saphron: do i really need to say anything else?

Yang: . . .gotta admit, she does have a point.

Weiss: are you serious!?

Ruby: i mean. . .terra is supposed to only like girls, but jaune can still make her feel like that. . .what would happen if he did it with a girl that likes boys?

Weiss: ruby i. . . *sigh* why do i even bother.

Yang: where's blake?

Blake: *walking downstairs with wide eyes and a nosebleed*

Ruby: blake? What's wrong?

Blake: i saw them. . . 

Weiss: d-don't tell me you were peeping on them!?

Blake: there are things i thought were only possible on books and doujins. . .jaune just proved me wrong. . .i need to see the rest. *walks back upstairs*

Yang: okay, now i'm curious. *follows her*

Ruby: h-hey! No peeping *follows* i-im going too, but just to make sure you'll not peep on them.

Weiss: y'know what, i don't care anymore *follows* wait for me!

Ren: . . .were you planning all of this?

Saphron: *grinning* maybe, but would it be that bad if your friends and jaune got together and made us some nephews?

Nora: it would awesome! And they would be so cute too!

Saphron: *picking adrien up* and adrien would have friends to play with him. Now if you excuse me i'll walk a bit with adrien, maybe find a nice hotel to stay, something tells me that even after he's over with terra jaune will still have a lot of work. Bye you two! *leaves*

Ren: . . .

Nora: . . .soo, wanna do something renny?

Ren: like?

Nora: i don't know, watch a movie, eat something, maybe-

Ren: *sigh* you wanna do 'that' too, don't you?

Nora: *pounces at him* thank god i thought you weren't going to ask!

[alaenawrites]

Falling For You (part 3!)

Part 3 of Falling For You!

You can read part 1 here and part 2 here. Enjoy :))

~~~

The next morning, Remus woke up before the birds could peck at his hair. The sun was barely rising above the lake, and he could still see dew on the Quidditch fields from his dorm window.

Marcus, Theo, Luca, and Ezra were still asleep, he assumed, curtains on their four-posters closed. Glancing at the alarm clock next to him, he realized classes didn’t start for another three and a half hours. Why am I awake?

With a jolt of excitement, he remembered the previous night, the words spoken only eleven hours ago. “Meet me at the astronomy tower Friday night. Seven o’clock.” He stretched his arms above his head and swung his legs onto the soft, dark blue carpeting, not bothering to contain his grin. Sliding his feet into the brown slippers beside his bed, he stood slowly, stretching his neck. As he stepped into the hot shower a few minutes later, he couldn’t help but think, “Three more days!” 

~

Remus was buttering his toast in the Great Hall, chatting with Grace, when Marcus slid in next to him at the Ravenclaw table. He nodded in greeting, but Marcus looked distracted.

“Have you seen him today?” 

Remus froze, toast an inch away from his mouth. Panic swirled through his head. First, No. I don’t think he eats breakfast. Or supper. Then, How did he know? Did James tell him? No, he wouldn’t, they’re not even friends, was it Sirius? Maybe he had seen them together at the Ball- Remus’s quickly spiraling thoughts were interrupted- Marcus must have seen his eyes widen and taken it for confusion, though he would have been only partly wrong. 

“Luca,” he explained, glancing up from the plate he was piling with food. Remus sighed in relief and started in on his toast. “Have you seen him today? I’ve been looking all over for him. I haven’t talked to him since last week, the Yule Ball, we-” Marcus turned an interesting shade of red. “I saw him there. Anyways, he wasn’t in his bed this morning.”

Remus shook his head. I guess not all of the boys were still asleep. “Sorry, mate. Hope you find him!” Marcus just nodded, and got up to leave, taking his plate with him to the other end of the table. A few moments later, James sat down next to Remus, looking a bit frazzled. 

In a low voice, James said, “Sirius told me about your plan to meet up this Friday. Don’t forget what I told you. I can’t tell you what to do, but you know what I think. Don’t go.” Puzzled, Remus opened his mouth to ask why, but James was already standing and walking out of the Hall. What happened between Sirius and James? Why did Sirius tell James if they don’t like each other?

~

On Friday morning, Remus woke even earlier than Wednesday. It didn’t even take him five minutes to remember why he felt so excited and full of anticipation- tonight! Only one more day! He struggled to make it through all of his classes, and even Theo pointed out how strangely he was acting. 

Finally, dinner was over and Remus was sitting on his bed, staring at his clock. 6:35. He closed his book, stood up, and pulled his curtains closed. Hopefully the boys would think he was asleep when they got in and wouldn’t bother him. 

Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, he ran a hand through his hair and smoothed his robes. Taking one last shaky deep breath, he smiled and walked out the door to the dorm room. 

Getting out of the common room was easy- a group of Ravenclaws was studying for an upcoming Herbology exam in one corner, and various students were reading or writing essays in the armchairs around the fire, but nobody looked up from their books. Everyone else was either in a teacher’s room getting extra work or in their dorms (or someone else’s- Ravenclaws weren’t particular about where they slept. He had woken up to quite a few Ravenclaw girls asleep on his dorm floor over the years). He opened the door and walked right into the hallway, no questions asked. Now came the hardest part: making it down the tower, across the school, and up the Astronomy tower without getting caught by Filch or Mrs. Norris- or McGonagall. He stuck to small corridors, ducking into open classrooms whenever he heard the telltale meow of detention for a week. At last, he made it to the top of the tower. 6:59. With one last deep breath and a glance down at himself, he pushed open the door to the roof.

Remus gasped. Sirius was right- this truly was the best place to look at the stars, and it was a perfect night for stargazing, but that’s not why he gasped. Sirius, dressed in dark blue robes, was staring at the sky, leaning back on his hands, neck craned up, sitting on a large blanket that he had spread in the middle of the tower’s roof. On it was a large picnic basket, open, full of chocolates, Honeydukes’s best candy, and various desserts snagged from dinner. Two bottles of butterbeer were sticking out the top, and there were napkins and cups next to the basket. Three small candles, charmed blue, were flickering a few feet away, and Sirius had obviously enchanted an air bubble around the blanket, preventing the wind from knocking things over. 

Remus took a step forward, barely believing his eyes. Sirius must have heard his footsteps and turned to look towards the door. When he saw Remus, his face lit up with the huge grin spreading across his face. He stood up and looked right at Remus, staring into his eyes. Remus felt like the sun had just floated about a million miles closer to earth.

“What do you think?”

Remus was speechless. He could barely whisper out the words, “For me?” Sirius nodded, grin fading slightly. 

“Do you like it? I mean, I wasn’t sure if it was too much, I just assumed you like chocolate. You do like chocolate, right?” Remus nodded, smile growing. “Okay good. I thought the candles might be a lot but I didn’t have time to get rid of them and now…. Here you are.” Sirius grinned again. 

Remus shook his head. “No. It’s beautiful- it’s absolutely perfect. Wow.” He laughed a little, “Thank you.”

Sirius just smiled, perhaps a little brighter than before. He gestured for Remus to come join him in the magical bubble and sat down again, facing the edge of the roof. Remus passed through the enchantment, feeling the cool magic wash over him for a minute before joining Sirius on the blanket. He looked up, into the night sky, just like he had in his dream. He couldn’t point out any of the constellations, but he noticed the North star, one his mother had taught him when he was younger. 

Sirius took the butterbeer and the sweets out of the basket, pouring two glasses. He gestured towards the pile of desserts. “Do you want anything? There’s a little bit of everything in here.” Remus smiled. As he took a chocolate frog, he felt his fingers brush Sirius’s. Electric shocks fizzled through his hand, up his arm, through his body. He thought he felt his brain fry, just a little. 

They sat on the roof in comfortable silence, drinking their butterbeer, eating their snacks, looking at the stars. Every now and then, one of them would make a joke, or talk about something that happened in class that day, and the other would laugh and tell another story. 

Once, Sirius took Remus’s hand in his own (Remus almost fainted) and used it to point out something in the sky. “Do you see that constellation?” he had asked. Remus had shaken his head, partly distracted by the fact that Sirius was still holding his hand. “It’s Gemini. The twins.” After that they hadn’t said much of anything for a while, holding hands, staring into space, occasionally eating chocolates or tarts.

“Do you ever think about space,” Sirius said suddenly. Remus looked up from a muffin he was about to eat, surprised. 

“What do you mean?” Huh?

Sirius smiled. He went back to where he was fiddling with his wand under the sleeve of his robe. “I mean, we think we’re so big, so important, y’know? But really, we’re so itty bitty. Even the continents on Earth seem huge to us, but Earth is gigantic.” His eyes widened, “And the sun is, what, 110 times larger than Earth? And then there’s all the other planets. That’s just our solar system. Think about the whole Milky Way, it must be so huge. What happens after space, does it just go on forever? How far is infinity? It just makes you wonder….” He trailed off, looking up into the night sky, eyes wide. He cleared his throat, cheeks turning a light shade of pink. Looking down and then back at Remus, he shook his head slightly. “Nevermind. That’s kind of silly. Anyways.” He looked away again, moving to unwrap a muffin.

Remus realized he was staring and quickly shut his mouth, nodding slowly. “No.” Sirius’s eyes snapped up. 

“No?”

“No,” Remus confirmed. “I think about that a lot, actually. People act like every single movement is important, and, don’t get me wrong, it is, on Earth, but…”

“Not in space,” Sirius finished. Remus nodded. Their eyes met, and Remus’s breath caught. Sirius’s eyes were wide and sincere, and he wasn’t quite sure when either of them had moved, but they were suddenly right next to each other. Sirius smiled a little. 

“Hi,” he breathed.

“Hi.” Remus hoped Sirius couldn’t hear his heart pounding.

Sirius brought his hand up slowly to Remus’s face, giving him time to pull away. Remus leaned in slightly. He could feel Sirius’s breath tickling his lips, his thumb tracing shapes into his cheekbone. He ducked his head down slightly, their lips only millimeters apart. What if he doesn’t want- Sirius moved forwards, pressed their lips together, answered all of the unasked questions swirling in his mind. 

He was amazed that he had gone so long without this, without this closeness and this feeling and the taste of Sirius on his tongue. He let himself explore his mouth, bringing a hand up, cupping the back of Sirius’s neck, deepening the kiss that much more. Sirius made a little noise, low and breathy, and Remus felt the familiar fireworks explode in his stomach, his brain, his spine- but this time, they were that much hotter, that much more intense. It could have been seconds, but it felt like hours, days, years. Remus couldn’t bring himself to care. He could have sworn one of the enchanted candles had tipped over onto him; he felt like every atom in his body was alight with Sirius. Even the heartbeat in his ears seemed to whisper SiriusSiriusSirius. He had never felt this alive. 

After what felt like forever, they both pulled away slightly, heavy breaths on each other’s lips, kissed red. They both laughed a little, ducked their heads down. 

Sirius looked up at him, traced the line of his jaw with one finger. The smile on his lips seemed to dance there, light and breathy as a feather. “I suppose I should have asked you this before, but…” he leaned in to press a soft kiss to Remus’s left cheek, then his right. Remus’s entire body felt like a sparkler, fizzling into the night sky. “Will you be my boyfriend?”

Remus smiled and brushed his nose against Sirius’s, placed a soft kiss on his lips. “As if I could say no.”