#twilight stoner au

[panj53]

Stoners vs Twilight part 9

Bella: *Mumbling to herself as she spirals through her depression during New Moon.*

From inside a closet: “Hey! In here.”

Bella: *Confused, opens the door.*

Orion: “Hey. Join me. Misery loves company and stuff.” *Already ushering her in, and closes the door behind her.*

Bella: “What are you doing in the closet?”

Orion:

Orion: “Anyways. Hotboxing.” *Takes hit from unseen joint.*

[velarisdusk]

Shadows at Twilight

Nesta & Azriel

word count: 2.3k content: [ platonic nesta & azriel, modern au, mention of substance abuse (cocaine), physical altercation, strong language, emotional conflict, family tension, mental health issues, mention of abandonment, mention of smoking (marijuana) ] summary: Azriel and Nesta's Thursday night smoke sessions become a lifeline. As tensions rise, the fragile balance they've been trying to maintain begins to falter. author's note: stoner nesta came to me in a dream but of course i had to make it depressing ✦ . Masterlist . ✦

The soft resonance of guitar strings filled Azriel's small apartment as the evening sun cast long shadows through the blinds. He sat on the edge of his worn couch, fingers absently plucking at the instrument while his eyes focused on the glowing screen of his laptop. With a heavy sigh, he closed the email—another rejection from a local venue.

“Thanks for your submission, but we're not looking for new acts at this time," Az muttered under his breath, mimicking the polite dismissal he'd read too many times before. He set the guitar aside and ran a hand through his dark hair, glancing at the clock on the wall. Nesta would be here soon.

He stood, stretching out the kinks in his back from hunching over his guitar for too long. As he moved to open a window, letting in the cool evening air, Azriel found himself thinking about how these Thursday nights had started — in the aftermath of Feyre, Rhysand, and Nyx's sudden disappearance. He recalled Nesta's frantic call that day, her voice strained with panic as she described the overflowing mailbox and the unanswered calls. She had demanded answers from him, but Azriel had been just as much in the dark.

The memory of that wellness check still felt surreal: entering the eerily quiet house with the police, only to find that impersonal note on the kitchen island. "We're leaving. Please don't look for us." Those words, so final and unexplained, had left a void in their lives that these smoke sessions had somehow started to fill. Az shook his head, pushing away the lingering questions. No use dwelling on it now. He was determined to keep the evening light.

The coffee table became a feast of their favorite munchies: salt and vinegar chips for Nesta, a mix of sweet and spicy nuts for himself, a couple of king-size Reese's cups they'd inevitably fight over, and some sour gummy worms for good measure. Az placed two cans of Cherry Coke next to Nesta's spot and a ginger ale by his. He knew they'd probably end up DoorDashing Taco Bell at some point—their crunchwrap cravings were pretty predictable—but it never hurt to be prepared. As Azriel pulled open the drawer beneath the table, revealing their well-used smoking paraphernalia, a knock sounded at the door.

“S’open!” he called out, quickly arranging the grinder, lighter, papers, and a small jar of pungent bud around the centerpiece.

"Hey," she said, making a beeline for the couch. "Sorry I'm late. Work was absolute chaos today. You wouldn't believe the client I had to deal with." Her hands fluttered as she spoke, the words tumbling out faster than usual. Azriel watched as she sat down, noticing the slight tension in her shoulders and her perfectly manicured nails tapping a relentless rhythm on her knee.

“No worries,” he said, tone neutral as he rolled them a joint each. “Rough day?”

Nesta shrugged, reaching for the TV remote. “Nothing I couldn’t handle. Smiling Friends?”

Azriel leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he angled his body to catch her eye. "Hey, are you sure you're alright? You seem... off."

Nesta's shoulders stiffened slightly. "I said I'm fine, Az. Can we just watch the show?"

As she turned to face him, irritation flickering across her features, Azriel's eyes widened. Even in the dim light of the apartment, he could see her pupils were blown. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut.

"Nes," he said, his voice low and careful, setting the joint down. "What did you take?”

Her defensiveness flared instantly. "What's it to you?"

Azriel's brow furrowed, a mix of concern and dry humor in his tone. "Well, I’d like to know if I should be ordering pizza or calling poison control. Seriously, what’s going on?” His eyes narrowed as he took in Nesta’s jittery movements, the slight sheen of sweat on her forehead. With her dilated pupils, the pieces clicked into place.

"Cocaine, Nesta? Really?" He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his voice. “What were you thinking?”

Nesta's posture stiffened, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Oh, that's rich coming from you. Don't act all high and mighty."

He blinked, caught off guard. "What are you talking about?"

"Please," Nesta scoffed. "You think I don't know about your little pick-me-ups before gigs? You're such a hypocrite."

Azriel's jaw tightened, his voice low. "That's... that's different. I'm not spiraling like you are."

Nesta leaned forward, her eyes blazing. "Different how? Because you're a 'tortured artist'? Give me a break." She made air quotes, her movements sharp and exaggerated.

He stood abruptly, pacing a few steps before whirling back to face her. "I'm not the one making a walk of shame to work every other day, or calling my estranged sister from borrowed phones."

Nesta shot to her feet, matching his stance. "No, you're just wasting your life playing dive bars. At least I have a real job." Her fingers drummed rapidly against her thigh.

"At least I'm not throwing away a law career I worked so hard for," he retorted, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.

Nesta's laugh was brittle as she threw herself back onto the couch. "You don't know anything about my work."

Azriel leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "I know you've been calling in sick more often. You told me yourself last week."

"So what? Everyone needs a mental health day now and then."

He remained against the wall for a moment, studying her with concern and frustration. Then, slowly, he pushed off and took a few steps toward her, closing some distance between them. His voice was low but firm as he continued. "A day, sure. But you're—"

"I'm what, Az?" Nesta interrupted, her voice rising as she crossed her arms tightly across her chest. "Enlighten me."

Azriel's eyes darkened, his voice steady but laced with frustration. "You're running from your problems. You're burying yourself in your work instead of actually facing them."

Nesta's jaw clenched. "You think I don't know that? At least I'm trying to keep it together. Unlike you, hiding behind your music and your so-called 'artistic struggles.'"

Azriel's hands clenched into fists at his sides. "Don't turn this around on me. Yeah, I’ve got shit going on, but I’m not self-destructing. I’m not jeopardizing my career and my relationships."

Nesta scoffed, her eyes flashing with defiance. "You’re one to talk about relationships. When was the last time you let anyone in? You’re just as closed off as I am."

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "This isn’t about me. It’s about you needing help. Real help. You can’t keep running, Nes."

Her expression crumbled for a split second before she masked it with anger. "And what do you suggest I do, huh? Therapy? Rehab? You think I haven’t considered those? It’s not that simple."

His voice softened slightly. "I know it’s not simple. But I care about you, and it hurts to see you like this. You don’t have to keep punishing yourself like this.”

Tears welled up in Nesta’s eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. "I don’t need your pity."

"It’s not pity," he said, his tone earnest. "It’s concern. It's love, Nesta. You’re family, and I can’t just stand by and watch you destroy yourself."

She turned away, hugging herself tightly. The silence stretched between them, tense and heavy. Finally, in a voice barely above a whisper, she said, "I called Feyre today..."

Az's expression hardened, a mix of concern and disappointment crossing his features. He didn't need to ask how she’d done it; he knew her pattern all too well. "Nesta," he said, his voice low and controlled, "you can't keep doing this. They clearly want space." Nesta's head snapped towards him, her eyes blazing.

"You don't know what they want! None of us do!" Her voice cracked with emotion.

Azriel's jaw clenched. "Maybe not, but I know they left for a reason. Have you considered that your constant attempts to reach her might be pushing her further away?"

Nesta's eyes flashed dangerously. "Don't you dare put this on me. You're just as lost without them as I am."

"At least I'm respecting their decision," Azriel countered, his voice low but intense. "Unlike you, I'm not harassing my coworkers for their phones or showing up to work high."

"Oh, please," Nesta scoffed. "You're not some paragon of virtue, Azriel. You're just better at hiding your mess."

Azriel took a step closer, his patience wearing thin. "My 'mess' isn't a nightly habit that’s consuming my life. Wake up, Nesta.”

Nesta's face contorted with rage and pain as she shot up off the couch and turned on him. "You think I don't realize that? You think I want to be like this?" Her voice rose to a near-shout. She paced like a caged animal, her fingers raking through her hair as she glared at Azriel. "I'm doing the best I can!"

His eyes flashed with frustration. "You want to know what I think? I think Elain was right."

Nesta met his gaze, her words low and tense. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"I spoke to her last week," Azriel shot back, his voice hard. "She thinks you're the reason Feyre left. And you know what? I'm starting to agree with her."

"You don't know anything," Nesta snarled, her body coiled with tension.

Azriel stepped closer, his voice rising. "I know she was always cleaning up your messes. Always worrying about you. Elain thinks she finally got sick of it, and I can't blame her." His jaw clenched, hands curling into fists at his sides as he towered over her.

"Shut up," Nesta hissed, her hands clenching into fists. Though she had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze, the fury blazing in her eyes was no less intimidating. 

"Face it, Nesta. Your sister couldn't take it anymore.” His volume rose, each word more forceful than the last. “Your emotional walls, your recklessness, your unwillingness to change—it drove her away! And now you're doing the same thing to Elain!"

Nesta's face contorted with rage. "I said shut up!"

"Why? Because you can't handle the truth?" Azriel's words were cutting. "She told me she wishes you’d left instead; that we’d all be better off if—"

With a wordless cry of fury, Nesta lunged at him, her hands clawing towards his face.

Azriel's eyes widened in shock as he instinctively raised his arms to block her attack.

"Nesta, stop!" Azriel growled, catching her wrists. She twisted violently in his grip, her teeth bared in a snarl.

"Let go of me!" Nesta spat, trying to wrench free. Her eyes were wild, pupils still dilated from the cocaine. She kicked out, aiming for his shins.

Azriel grunted as her foot connected, but he held firm. "I'm not fighting you," he said, his voice strained but controlled. "You need to calm down."

"Calm down?" she shouted hysterically. "After the shit you just said? Fuck you!"

She threw her weight forward, attempting to headbutt him. Azriel barely dodged, releasing one of her wrists to push her back. She immediately swung at him with her free hand. "You piece of shit!" Nesta screamed, lashing out again. Azriel deflected another blow as she continued, "You don't know anything about me!"

Her attacks came in bursts, punctuated by her rage-filled words. "Fucking lowlife!" she spat, narrowly missing his jaw with a wild swing, her nails grazing his cheek.

"Damn it, Nesta!" Azriel hissed, feeling the sting. He used his greater strength to push her back against the wall, pinning her arms. "Is this what you want? To hurt me? To hurt yourself?"

Nesta writhed against his hold, her chest heaving. "You don't understand anything!" she shouted, her voice raw with emotion. "You think you're so much better than me, but you're just as fucked up!"

Azriel leaned in, his face inches from hers. His voice was low, intense. "I never said I wasn't. I’m not your enemy here, Nesta, I’m just trying to stop you from being your own.”

For a moment, they stood there, both breathing hard. Nesta's eyes darted around, like a cornered animal looking for escape. Then, abruptly, she went limp in his grasp.

"Let go," she said, her voice suddenly quiet and dull. "Just... let me go, Azriel."

Azriel hesitated, studying her face. Slowly, cautiously, he released her arms and took a step back.

"I'm leaving," she muttered, pushing past him towards the door.

"Your keys," he said firmly, extending his hand towards her. "Give them to me. You're not driving like this. Get a Lyft or something."

“What are you, my keeper?” Nesta scoffed. “Drove myself here, didn’t I…” she muttered under her breath. Her hand went to her pocket, then paused. For a second, Azriel thought she might make a run for it or lunge at him again. But then her shoulders slumped, and she pulled out her keyring, took her apartment key, turned towards him and dropped them into his palm without meeting his eyes.

She made for the door again. Azriel didn't try to stop her, but his voice followed her. "This isn't over, Nes. We need to talk about this when you're sober."

Nesta paused at the door, her hand on the knob. Without turning back, she said, "Don't count on it," and slammed the door behind her.

Azriel stood in the sudden silence of his apartment, the echo of the slamming door fading away. He ran a hand over his face, wincing as he touched the scratch on his cheek. Nesta’s keys felt heavy in his hand.

[jillsandwhichs]

Cleon OneShots/AUs Collection , Chap 13 , Cloud Nine

Masterlist

Pairing: Claire Redfield & Leon Kennedy

Summary: Leon & Claire recently started dating and are absolutely crazy about each other. They non stop call, text, etc—this is love

Status of their relationship in this one shot: Dating

WC: 4.8k

Type: SFW

AU: Neither Leon nor Claire work at D.S.O/TerraSave. RC incident never happened. Leon is currently a Police Officer. Claire is a College student, she graduates within the year

A/n: Hi! Hope you all enjoy. Please check out my masterlist, there's a lot of stuff there. You can get to know me, you can see the rules of my blog and then you can see all of my fanfictions. You'll be able to find the previous chapters to this fic and upcoming ones. You'll also be able to find my Wattpad & AO3. Comments, reblogs & likes are appreciated. Thank you

Just outside of the apartment window, wet rain droplets poured upon it, covering it in water. Occasionally, the sound of thunder could be heard, causing Claire's cat to scurry around the apartment and hide underneath either her bed or table. It didn't bother Claire though, if anything, it was peaceful. She just enjoyed it whilst she read on her bed. She was currently reading that new 'Twilight' series everyone has been boasting about.

Aside from the rain, it was dark out already. It was 9:00 so no wonder. The moon was out and glimmering up the sky. It's glint was bright. It wasn't noticeable from her apartment but if Claire looked out her window, through the coated water on it, she'd definitely be able to spot it.

Overall, it was an angelic night. Serene. Calming. Abstract. It was nice. It was the perfect night to just chillax and that's exactly what Claire was doing. Her bed was in the middle of the living room, the bedroom was used for a mini office / library. She doesn't mind sleeping in the living room anyways, she's closer to her cat, Miracle, that way.

Laying back on her bed, she continued to read, so far she was pleased with it. Through Kindle, she read a few reviews and they were all positive so she gave the book a shot and she's glad that she did. Usually, she only reads horror or psychological books, a romance isn't often in the question but she's been feeling romantical lately, especially considering she just got a boyfriend, Leon.

She's known Leon for quite some time now, since July - It's October. They met through her big brother who works for the same Police Department. The second she seen Leon, she found him to be handsome. A little crush did in fact develop but she kept it to herself until a little earlier this month, Leon asked her out. Their date went very well and Claire was head over heels for him, more than she could fathom. He felt the same way. He asked her to be his girlfriend on Monday - It's been a week.

She's been like a fan girl with him, thinking about him all throughout her day, messaging and calling him. He's been reciprocating it too which makes her fall even more for him. Her brother says it's just puppy love but it really doesn't feel like that. Then again, it has only been a week. An attachment to Leon has definitely formed, there's no doubting that. Leon ever said to her that he finds her to be the most beautiful girl he's ever seen - That made her squeal like a school girl.

Admittedly, the same goes for him. He's very cute in Claire's eyes. Of course, all of her friends tease her and claim, "He has a baby face." But Claire doesn't care, he's handsome to her and that is all that matters. Besides, all of her friends either go for the asshole jocks or the stoners, at least Claire has an officer as a boyfriend! She's upgraded above all else.

It was like she summoned him because right as she put her book down, thinking of him, the sound of her phone buzzing was heard, causing her to immediately hop up off of her bed and grab it, seeing who it was from. It was indeed Leon. His message read, "Hey, just got home from work. You up?" Claire couldn't help but jump a few times whilst biting her lip. She's waited all damn day to hear from him. His job consumes up so much of his time, it's annoying but she understands.

Claire immediately began to type, her fingers moving at a rapid pace as she did. "Yes, I am up. How was work?" She messaged back, anxious waiting for a reply. She held onto her phone as she sat back down onto her bed. Her cat, Miracle was sitting hiding underneath it in fear of the storm so Claire was careful getting on it, not wanting to freak her pet out further. Her phone buzzed again as Leon messaged back, he must've been waiting for a reply too.

"It was fine. I missed you though." Leon's message was so sweet. Claire let out an audible "Awe". She felt so loved by him, even if their relationship wasn't that far yet. She definitely has some sort of love for him, even if it hasn't blossomed much yet. She can't expect it to. It's been literally a week. Claire just moves way to fast for her own good, no wonder she would lose boyfriends so easier. She'll take her time with Leon considering she really likes him.

"Awe, I missed you. What are you up to?" Claire sent to him, scooching herself higher onto her bed, resting her head against her fluffy pillows. Right as she was about to close the messaging app, Leon responded with not only a text, but an image too. The image was of him in bed, literally in the same position as Claire. It's like they're connected or something. "Laying down and watching TV. You?"

Claire decided to also take a picture of herself, but she wanted to look irresistible for him. She wanted him to say something about her appearance, he does, but he hasn't over message, that way she can savour the text forever.

Still laying down, her hair was in a ponytail and it was quite messy, but that was a good thing. She adjusted her brunette hair to be in frame of the camera, making it look 'messily cute', a lot of guy's find that attractive ; At least guy's she's been with. She had a necklace on with a feather on it. Her brother bought it for her on Christmas of last year and she's worn it ever since. That paired with her red tank top with lace flowery trimming on it. She thinks it's good enough.

Snapping the pic, Claire posed at an angle where her neck was flashing and her face was tilted slightly. It was like a trap for men. She knew all the tricks. Although, she's forgetting that her relationship with Leon is meant to be taken more seriously. She does genuinely feel for him, like never before. He's super sweet and understanding, no other guy has been like that towards Claire. It's made her like him immensely and vice versa.

Claire sent the photo along with a message saying, "Cute. I am also laying in bed, I was reading though." Then she waited. She was nervous to say what he'd say. Not only nervous but also in high spirits. She knew he'd say something. She was confident. She turned her phone off and set it beside her pillow before she got up off of the bed. She was concerned about Miracle, wanting her to feel safe.

"Miracle baby, come to mama." Claire cooed out beside the end of the bed. Whenever Miracle was scared, this is exactly what she'd do. She was quite skittish.

Claire has owned Miracle for about a year now. She was a stray that would roam outside her apartment and from time to time, she'd feed her. At first, she called her "Mimi" but when Claire was at a very dark point in her life, Miracle started to show up more and eventually trusted Claire enough to take her in. Miracle was Claire's miracle. A light at the end of her tunnel. And now she has to miracles, her and Leon.

"C'mon now honey, it's ok..." Claire said delicately, being very gentle with her. Miracle was sleuth too, always wanting to be hiding. It wasn't easy to get her out of her little enclosed spaces. "Tsk, tsk tsk, here kitty, kitty, kitty." Claire purred out, being lovey to the cat. Within seconds of Claire saying that, her head popped out. Miracle pulled herself out from under the bed. She was a fluffy white cat, not tot big nor too small, but Claire had to fatten her up due to her being super underweight.

"Hey sugar." Claire whispered, petting the top of her head. Miracle pushed her head into Claire's hand, wanting more physical affection - She was an attention seeker. "It's okay Miracle." Her reassuring words calmed Miracle down, making her more resilient to listen. "Come with me." Claire lifted the cat into her arms, rubbing her belly for a couple seconds before setting her down on the bed. Miracle set herself into a loaf position. "What do all cats do that?" Claire giggled to herself, walking over to the fridge and pulling out one of Miracles treats.

She was a good kitty for being brave enough to come out to Claire.

Pulling the ceramic paper off of the white plastic bowl, Claire put it on the bed in front of Miracle. "Eat up hun." Claire scratched her head, leaning down and leaving a kiss on her. She adores Miracle a lot.

As she went to go to the bathroom, wondering if Leon would ever even reply, she could tell her phone buzzed considering Miracle got distracted by it. "Oh now you just eat, ignore that." Claire tittered, sitting down on the edge of the bed and typing her password in. Leon's message nearly made Claire pass out. He even hearted the image of her. "You're very pretty. How did I manage to get this lucky?" Claire instantly wanted to message him back.

"You say that as if you aren't handsome. More like, how did I get lucky?" Claire teased her boyfriend through text. Their banter was often like this. Claire thinks their shared sense of humor has broughten them closer together. Now she could go to the bathroom and hopefully come out to a message from Leon.

-

Ambling out of the bathroom, Claire noticed she had two notifications from Leon. "You're adorable..." Was his first message. "But I think I am going to go to sleep here in a few minutes, probably after this episode but tomorrow we can call since I have the day off, yeah?" Was his second. He definitely needed his rest, he was most likely spent after working at the R.P.D all day, Claire couldn't blame him at all.

"Understandable. You need to sleep. We can totally call tomorrow! See you then, Leon." Was Claire's reply. "Great. Goodnight Claire." Leon sent his final message of the night, it was a good way to end it off. Claire blushed at his message, feeling a passionate warmth fill her up inside. Anytime Leon referred to her by her name, she couldn't help but giggle at it too. "Goodnight Leon <3." And sent.

The rest of the night, up until Claire ultimately fell asleep while reading, Leon was on her mind. He made her feel more than happy. She was merry when speaking to him. She was joyous when thinking about him. She was jubilant when around him. Everything about this man draws her in. He reels her in like a fish, and she can't help but fall for him. He's a gorgeous man and aside from that, a perfect one too.

Claire slept great that night, cuddled up beside Miracle. The rain eventually got lighter as it let up, it was the perfect white noise for a good night's sleep.

-

Leon woke up around 8:00 AM and it was now 8:20, he gave himself a while to really wake up. He was exhausted last night. All the retraining he's been going through has been overexerting him heavily. His eyes were still heavy too as he drank his hot coffee, hoping it'll wake him up somewhat. He also had the newspaper in front of him, scanning it over a few times just to occupy himself. It was all boring political stuff he couldn't care less about.

He awaited a message from Claire all morning, he didn't wanna message her and seem all clingy but he really has been contemplating it. Although, messaging Claire is what makes him chipper. It's what distracts him. Anytime they get to message is a lovely one. And seeing her last night, woo, it had Leon all over the place. He kept scrolling back up to the image, just gazing at her pretty self. Once again, he ponders on how he was able to get so lucky.

Last night's storm was a wreck. Just through Leon's large window, he could see some trees were damaged. Over near his apartment, it was bad. Claire lives about 30 minutes away near her campus so he's unaware on how bad it is. He just hopes she and her kitty are alright ; He is however aware that Miracle is scared of tedious things like storms.

He recalls a story Claire told him on how when she first took Miracle in, she was terrified of the refrigerator. Claire would just open the fridge and she'd began to freak herself out. Claire was actually concerned when it began to happen, she felt like she couldn't even eat at that point. It made Leon laugh his ass off first hearing of it. A cat having a fear of refrigerators was something totally new to him. But now, Miracle is content with them. Enemies to Friends then.

Leon's only been to Claire's place once and that's when he got to meet Miracle. She's a sweetheart.

Finishing off the last few drops of his coffee, Leon sighed and placed the cup on his round kitchen table that was polished wood. Leon liked how cozy his apartment was. He only recently moved in too, considering he's only been apart of the R.P.D for a couple months now. Leon just felt blessed to have a roof over his head and a place to call home. With house prices nowadays, he was worried he wouldn't be able to get one. But this apartment came in handy.

Every few seconds, Leon's eyes would dart from the newspaper to his phone, hoping there'd be a message from Claire but there never was. It was foolish of him, the way he was thinking. He just really didn't wanna seem like he was all about Claire - Worried that she'd leave him if he was. Then again, what if she felt the exact same way? Many thoughts roamed through Leon's head, not quite knowing what to follow.

Fuck it.

Leon picked his compact phone up, swiping it open and clicking on the iMessage app, quickly opening Claire's contact up. He has it under 'Claire' right now but has wanted to change it to something more cute, though he doesn't want anyone to see. Yes, they're dating, but only newly. It's still a very fresh relationship. He wants to take it slow, he thinks she does too. Rushing into things never ends well and Leon wants this to never end. Forever, maybe?

"Good morning. Just wanted to see how your morning was going." Leon said to her through message, praying she'll reply sooner more than later. With each passing day, they've gotten more comfortable with one another. Everyday, they message more than the last and it's got to the point where they call. Is that going to fast? Leon doesn't think so. It's good to feel safe with your partner, that's what you want, right? He's content with this pace.

He knows she doesn't have any classes today, she never does, especially since she'll be graduating here soon. She could just be sleeping in, which would be okay, he's willing to wait. He simply yearns for her. To speak with her. Claire has consumed Leon's thoughts. He hopes he's done the same to her. Claire seems all about him, but he doesn't know if it's just a front. Chris kind of hinted that she's dated around many times and he doesn't wanna be some boy toy for her but if she claims she's matured, he'll put his trust in her.

Slipping his phone in his pocket, Leon grabbed his mug and placed it in the sink - He'd do the dishes later. For now, until Claire answers, he just wants to either watch TV or work out.

-

Around 10:30 AM, Leon was using his punching bag. His fists continuously pounding into the weighted cylinder, his arms gaining muscle the longer he did it. It was a distraction from the fact Claire still hadn't answered him. Well, until now.

Ding!

Leons head shot around when he heard his phone go off. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and took off his fingerless gloves, tossing them aside. His hands felt semi numb after the intense workout he had just endured but he has to do it to stay in shape. It also makes him feel good, energized. It keeps him going. The notification was infact from Claire. His dearest had messaged him. He pulled his fist down with haste, clearly happy to finally hear from her.

The message read, "Hi, good morning. So sorry I didn't respond sooner, I have been studying all morning without my phone. My morning has been okay, how about yours?" Leon felt a relieved sigh overcome him. He's glad she wasn't ignoring him or something, only she was studying. She was a keen girl, she knew a lot. In College, she was studying English Lit in hopes of becoming an English teacher at a middle school. He knows that she can do it. He has faith in her.

He began to type a message out to her, contemplating on what to say.

"Hey, no worries. Studying matters more. My morning has been okay as well, mainly consisted of working out but hey, that's what a police man has to do, right?" His message was implied to be taken as a joke. He likes to play around with her. They're often goofy together anyways.

Only seconds later, Leon received a new message from her. "Guess so. Glad your morning was okay though. Any plans for the day?" Her message was short and sweet, Leon couldn't help but leer at it. She has him yearning for her, even over the most basic words. "Not really but if you're still able to call later today, I am totally up for that." Leon shot the message, feeling quite flustered sending it. He doesn't get why considering he asked her last night. He gets so jittery over the stupidest of things.

"I can totally still call later, I'd love to. Just give me a time and I'll be ready!" Her message caused what felt like his stomach doing backflips. She was too cute. The way she texted was adorable to Leon. He felt like a bore with the way he messaged but Claire hasn't said whether he's good or bad at it. "I would say around 2:00 PM works for me, gotta go grocery shopping soon so once I am done with that, we can call." "Sounds great, can't wait to hear your voice."

She can't wait to hear his voice? Leon felt his heart thump in his chest. He felt like The Mask in that one scene where his eyes pop out of his skull and his tongue springs out of his mouth. She has such a way with words.

But it's true, Leon definitely had to run some errands today, despite really not wanting to. His fridge is basically empty and not only that, he's out of a few necessities for his apartment so there's that too.

"Well, I can't wait to hear yours either. Talk to you soon." Leon then pocketed his phone. He'd rather get this stuff done sooner than later. He'd practically be out all day so the sooner, the better.

-

Opening his front door, Leon had multiple bags in his hands and on his arms, wanting to only make one trip. The walk from his apartment to the parking garage was way to long for his liking. He dropped off all the bags in his kitchen, letting out an expire of relief, the weight finally off of his arms. Not only did he grocery shop, he also bought some stuff for work and just for himself. He deserved it.

He even looked at stuff for Claire but didn't end up finding anything he thought she'd like.

Taking off his leather jacket, he hung it up on the back of one of the kitchen chairs and snagged his phone out of it. He had no recent messages from Claire, she must've just not known what to say. But now it was around 2 PM so they could call and Leon couldn't wait. He felt glorious for getting the time crunch correct. He just wants to make sure she is still free to call now.

"Hi. Officially home. Able to call still?" He kept it simple, not wanting to seem overbearing. He already felt like a burden as it was.

Now he waits.

-

2:20 PM, Leon heard his phone go off as he loaded food into the fridge, making it finally look full again. He speeded up the process, wanting to see if it was Claire or not ASAP. He set the last food in, Chicken Wraps, before closing the door of the refrigerator, sighing softly. He picked up his phone and smirked, enjoying what she had to say. "Able to call anytime you want. Anything for you." Leon found that to be enticing and rather sweet.

Without further ado, Leon pressed the green phone icon, ringing Claire up. Only after four rings, Claire answered the phone, a soft sigh on her end being made out. Leon was so delighted that he'd finally be able to hear her lovely voice again.

"Hey Claire." He voiced softly, sitting down in the chair. "Leon, hi, so great to hear from you." She responded, her voice low. Maybe Miracle was asleep beside her or something. "How has your day been so far?" "It's been okay, studied for a while and I just finished lunch." "Oh, what did you make?" "Frozen dumplings." Claire snorted, being blunt. It wasn't like she was made of money and could purchase better foods. She's a College student after all.

"We've all been there but I think all that really matters is that you ate." Leon cooed out, his voice seemingly gleeful. "How's your day been though? Was the shopping any fun?" "It was okay, just glad I stopped procrastinating." Leon chuckled over the phone, earning a giggle out of Claire. "Like you said, we've all been there." Her voice was gentle, she was so nurturing. "We have been. I think after we're done calling, I'll make me some chicken salad. Dunno why but I've been craving it."

After Leon said that, Claire let out a joking gag, clearly not having a taste for that food.

"Gross! But eat whatever you'd like." His girlfriend teased him. "Oh? You don't like it? That's a shame." "No, not at all, it's rancid. Over my dead body would I eat it." Claire giggled again, she sounded beautiful. Leon couldn't get enough of her angelic voice. "That's alright, but you better like tuna salad." "I do. Definitely more my style." Claire snickered. Leon also bellowed.

"When do you think we can see each other again?" Claire asked Leon, clearly wanting him. Leon felt a sense of bliss overcome him. She wanted to see him? "Soon, I promise." "How soon?" "Well, how about tomorrow? I'll come by your place after work." "Really? I would love that." Claire articulated, her tone sunny. She was happy. She loves seeing Leon because it's just not the same over the phone. Leon feels the same.

"How was Miracle last night? I don't know if it was storming over there or not but, if it was." Leon asked, his voice worrisome. "She was apprehensive but eventually came out and slept in bed with me. Thank you for asking, it shows you care." "Well of course I care, you're my girl now." Leon chortled, his tone enchanting. He really made Claire feel good. Loved. Was he already in love with her? "I'm glad."

"Speaking of caring, I would love to take you out soon." He admitted. It's true, he has. They've only really been on one date, he'd love to go out on another with her. "Oh? To where?" "Anywhere." He stated. "It doesn't matter, as long as I'm with you." Leon cooed to his girlfriend. Claire's cheeks heated up at her boyfriend's kind words. "Well okay then." Claire giggled at his words. She once again felt like her inner child was being held by this man.

"You have any plans for later today?" "No, probably study more and watch a movie." "Oh, sounds interesting. Me either, probably just going to make dinner here soon, watch my show." Leon spoke. Claire nodded, her phone still up to her ear. "What are you going to make for dinner?" "Haven't quite decided yet... Either Steak or Pasta, both sound tasty." "Yeah they do, I'm just stuck with either frozen food or takeout." Claire laughed. Being a College student is rough.

"I know but it's for the greater good, you're in College, you'll eventually be a teacher and all will be well." Leon reassured her. He was ambitious, more than she was. He was a reason to keep pushing through. "I know. Thank you." Claire said with tranquil. Leon was a sweetie pie. "I just can't wait til I graduate, I hope there are good job openings." "It'll depend but with your record, you'll be sure to get one sooner than later." He explained to her. He was right.

Claire took his words to heart. She hopes he's correct.

"Easy for you to say," Claire layed on her stomach, her feet in the air, "you got a job offer quickly." Claire snorted. Leon chuckled. "You got me there baby." That was the first time Leon ever called her a pet name. Claire's eyes widened and her heart was already feeling as if it was out of her chest. This wasn't puppy love. What Claire felt was real and true. "Baby...?" Claire hummed over the phone. "Do you not want to be called that?" "I do. It just surprised me, but I like it." "Good baby." Leon snickered.

Claire bit her lower lip, mentally screaming. She felt a surge of love flow throughout her.

"Leon, can I ask you something?" Claire said hushly. "Anything." "Do you truly like me?" Leon was appalled by her question. Of course he does, why would he be with her if he didn't? If anything, he loves her. "Claire, of course I do, more than anybody." Leon whispered out, sitting up in his chair. "You do? I hope so." Claire soughed. "What's wrong?" "Nothing, I just wanted to know." "If you say so. I do like you Claire, more than you'd be able to know." "I like you a lot as well." She said.

They both sat in silence for a little bit. It felt relaxing. Just hearing Claire's light breathing calmed Leon in a way. She's so precious. She's the most dearest to him. Leon never expected himself to feel this way about someone, but Claire is an exception. She's a great woman. He loves being around her. She makes him laugh. They bonded so easily. It's as if she is the one. And maybe she is.

"Claire, I'm gonna let you go, I should get ready to start dinner and I don't wanna hold up your studying." He said softly. "Aw, okay, I understand." Claire replied, her voice sorrowful. "Let's call later tonight, yeah?" "Sure thing babe." She giggled, Leon twinkled at her remark. "Cute... Well, I'll talk to you later, yeah?" "Yep." "Bye Claire." "Bye bye, Leon." Her voice gently spoke. She seemed upset that Leon had to go but at least they'd be able to call later in the day.

He hung up the phone and set it down, letting out a long and deep sigh. He misses her voice already but he had to get some stuff done, plus she had to study. With her finals coming up, she'll be a lot more busy and it's shitty but Leon was there once too. He gets it. In the meantime though, Leon will start up dinner, he's decided on Pasta ; Pesto to be nitpicky. And he's making it with Rotini Noodles, his personal favorite.

He stood up, and got the supplies out, even turned on some music while he did.

Yet all he could think about was Claire.

And he was all she had her mind on too.

They were both equally on cloud nine.

[chickycherrycola]

six-sentence sunday ✍

thank you once again to @silluuuu for the tag! i always look forward to this sunday game - seeing other writers' words, and the excuse to share my own. I still have far too many WIPs that I'm trying to juggle, but it's kind of nice because if I start to feel stuck on one project, I can pivot to a different one. 😎 for this week's snippet, here's more of that college AU I teased last time:

The inhale leaves a burning sensation on the roof of her mouth and the urge to cough crawling up her throat, but more pressing than either of those things is the weight of Soul’s gaze - his eyes on her in the low, gloaming twilight, the way he watches her wordlessly and without a hint of judgment in his expression. There’s a soft smile on his face, and Maka doesn’t miss how his eyes fall to her lips and linger there as she releases the joint from between them.  The most important thing in the world right now is that she does not cough. She cannot possibly cough. If she coughs right now, then Soul Evans, her tattooed stoner friend from freshman year biology class that she’s always kinda thought was handsome in a devil-may-care, piss-off-your-dad sort of way, might think she’s uncool, and that just won’t do.  She can think of no fate worse than Soul Evans thinking she’s uncool.

The first chapter of this one has been coming together quite nicely, and I have a hopeful posting date in mind too 🤞 more to come soon!

[mayorofclowntown]

Hello!

I made an Au!

Oh of what you may be asking? What silly silly clown man made an au o

Twilight. I made a twilight au. I'm not even kidding.

What is the au about?

The au is STILL around Bella Swan moving to Forks with her dad but it's not a love story between Edward or Jacob. She gets with Tyler Crowley.

What's different?

Everything.

Cullen's aren't siblings.

Jacob isn't a big dog.

They're in college.

There's more than vampires and wolves because that's BORING!!!! (Tyler is a Gargoyle!!! But they're a bunch of forest critters and all that.)

because Bella doesn't get with Edward almost immediately, the newborn army is because James died and Victoria mourns horribly. Laurent doesn't go after Bella for this reason, and is alive.

Bree (that sad, scared newborn Riley turned) lives and is Edwards adoptive sibling who is hidden with Carlisle and Esme. Because I said so. Jane doesn't need her dead tbh.

Aro's ending fight happens, but not because of an immortal child (bc Bella doesn't get preggos), still figuring out what happens tho.

Irl Notes for the AU!!

Bella and Tyler (guy who hits her with the car) get together because 🫶🫶🫶

Uhhhhhhhh Edward does NOT like Bella, he's just very hungry

Cullen siblings are not siblings, but still dating, they are all just roomies, I'll give them different last names;

Edward Cullen and his parents.

Alice Visão (Vision) (Portuguese)

Jasper Manouver (spelt officially Manœuver, a different way to say Manipulate.) (French)

Emmet Síla (Strong) (Czech)

Rosalie Belle (Pretty) (French) [ends up as Rosalie Belle-Síla]

Jacob is protector zoned, but it's like a "💜?" "no your a big dog, that's weird. You can protect me tho" "I'll take it."

The story isn't just about Edward and Bella, but like Edward, Bella, Jacob, Tyler, and whatever. Story mode

Will focus on vampire stuff but also like, other stuff bc fuck vampires.

Tyler's group are gargoyle Esque, because they're canon hippes. (Get it? Stoners-- do you get it-)

Modern Age because I don't wanna go back to 2008.

They're in college, they have specific majors;

Bella: Botany (plants)

Tyler: Botany (weed)

Edward: music

Jessica: she's like, a model energy so some fashion degree

Eric: idk I don't care about this guy tbh

jacob: not in college

the girl Eric is dating: photography

Mike: some football jock

There's like a part in the movie where Bella is like heavily depressed and a adrenaline junk??? I'm making it about the near death trauma she had, not the fact Edward leaves. She literally goes to therapy.

There is no monster racism, just the whole *someone in your family killed someone in my family and by traditional stances I should hate you but you're fine ig*. So Jacob and Edward are besties.

Jacob doesn't tell Edward someone's dead. because Bella isn't with Edward 100% of the time, she doesn't have to go to fucking Italy for something stupid tbh.

Victoria doesn't start a newborn army bc of Bella (because she's not dating Edward), she's starting it to make sure the Cullen family and roomies are outnumbered for takeover (but Laurent doesn't die)

Bree (teenager) doesn't die, she lives with the Cullen, specifically Esme and Carlisle.

Bella isn't a vampire, so the reason why vampires can't affect her is because sometimes,,, it doesn't affect everyone. It pisses off Edward because he's "curious" about her but she just can't be read. Tyler can't have his thoughts read because he's a gargoyle, that's all.

What Now?

I don't know. I'm sharing my au. That's all. I might make a side blog for it 🫶

[romanoffsbish]

Hello :) this should keep you busy:

1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91!

All the ones! <3

sorry not sorry

Much appreciated darling, 🥹🥰

——

1. Do you know how you want the story to end when you start, or are you just stumbling through the figurative wilderness hoping to find a road?

Funny enough, I actually find myself writing the ending before I write the middle a lot of the time because it narrows the story down for me.

11. what’s something neat you’ve learned while doing research for something you were writing? also, how much do you worry about doing research in general?

I recently wrote a Kate fic where I learned the word “worm” had a techy definition lol. I care so much about doing research it’s exhausting lolol… I will even leave footnotes with comments about stuff to ensure nothing gets lost in translation.

21. pick a writer to co-write a book with and tell us what you’d write about.

@mostlymarvelsstuff — My Tumblr bestie, we have a couple ideas going, but for a book it’d probably be the WandaNat College/Stoner AU with an innocent R.

31. tell us about one of your characters who’s an absolute joy to write

Yelena! I just find her the most easy to relate to, and I enjoy writing for her lol.

41. what is the weirdest story idea you’ve ever had.

Uh… I was both publicly shamed and encouraged. (Ogre!Natasha x Princess!R)

51. share the synopsis of a story you work on that you haven’t published yet

Well, I gave up on this one, but I had a Sugar Baby! Natasha x Stark!R, that would eventually be WandaNat (as Nat and Wanda were a couple—R & Wanda knew of one another and even had a few encounters 😉) It was going to be all about Nat being in love with the R too, but the R was oblivious and set her “free” instead. Then the R has a crisis of being older and still unwed, so she starts dating and Nat’s like 🤬😭, and W’s like “Baby… Maybe we should explore the possibility of your feelings for Y/N…” and in a originally 8 part story they would’ve found their way to one another.

61. what was the first commercial property (book/movie/tv show/etc) that you realized was actually professional fanfiction?

Um, I actually don’t even know one lolol. Is Twilight one?

71. how do you balance writing and life? do you ever feel overwhelmed by the amount of writing you have to do?

Writing = Life… Lol, tbh I have a lot of free time at work so I end up writing there, and when I have nothing to do during free time I’ll cycle between fics and Tiktok. I no longer let myself stress though, because it’s free labor, and meant to make me happy.

81. if you could go back in time and give your younger self a piece of writing advice specific to you, what would it be?

Stop being a people pleaser, and make sure you tell people no when you don’t want to write their requests. (Still learning 🤭)

91. how has your writing style changed over the years?

October 2021-Now; Well, I stopped writing 1st POV (character swaps), and stylistically I am just always changing things up lol.

[effervescent-hoe]

me crying while writing about a bunch of butch women helping Bella cut her hair short for the first time? more likely than you think.

[zziodyne]

posted this on twitter but i wanna post it here too thanks @neko-snicker for bestowing this curse upon me because i seriously can’t stop thinking about stoner twilight

[roslaeahle]

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. Not even a computer. I upload these chapters by using the intergalactic mind-frequency highway, and if you’re reading it, it’s two thousand lightyears in the future. What’s up, Earth? Y’all still just dinosaurs or have you evolved enough to read this yet?

A notable quotable from this chapter was “@/smeyer give me the strength to fix eclipse,” and if that isn’t a mood I don’t know what to tell ya. Shoutout to NeedMoreZzz’s, as always, for understanding which nouns get capitalized and which don’t. (Shameless plug) Go read her story On the Run which we’ve been working on together. As a stalker of the jacobxbella tag on multiple platforms, I can confirm that it is one of the better fics out there.

Also, Peach Pit just so happens to be the band I listen to while writing this fic. If you wanna check them out, I recommend starting with Tommy’s Party and just puttin’ that shit on repeat for three years. That’s what I did.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23191396/chapters/58303792

Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/886000163-what-if-xxxiv

[panj53]

Stoners Vs. Twilight part 8

Edward: *Making the bad decision to read Flora’s mind again.*

Flora: ‘ ‘

Edward: “Why can’t I hear your thoughts?”

Flora: “Huh? Oh, I can turn off my brain sometimes.”

[leahclearwlwater]

au where charlie finds out about vampires

 This is for @fanged-lostgirl who asked about this! So here we go:

Charlie learned about vampires in what Emmett and Jacob think is the funniest. They constantly joke about it or will randomly (loudly) think about it whenever Edward is around.

Here's what happened:

Edward was rushing over to the Swan house. He hasn't really spent the day with Bella bc she was hanging out with Alice, Rosalie, Angela, and Jessica. He missed her.

It was late- eleven o'clock. Usually Charlie is in bed, snoring, in deep sleep.

which is why Edward wasn't really paying attention- Charlie would be asleep. Usually. 

except he wasn’t. Charlie was half asleep, mind bleary and fuzzy, enough so that Edward cant even get the usual little impression of his mind and know that he was walking over to Bella’s room to ask her something real quick. 

so, a few seconds after Charlie knocks and opens Bella door, Edward ‘scrawny arms, died of spanish influenza’ Cullen is half hanging out of his daughters window, eyes wide, wondering if he could actually, for real die right there and then.

Everyone is quiet and just looking at one another for a few minutes, kinda doing that white people smile thing, you know? lips together and feeling awkward and unsure of what the hell is happening

“How’d you get up there Edwin?”

“... a ladder”

And Charlie looses it laughing bc yeah, right, like this kid who drives a tiny little volvo brought a ladder, quietly pulled it up at eleven at night, just to get into the house. That was the worst lie he had ever heard. There were much easier ways to get inside. 

“I should leave.” so Edward just drops down and runs off. When Charlie looks out, there is nothing. No trace of this kid who was literally hanging outside of his daughters window only moments ago

Edward gets home, immediately tells his family what happened, which immediately has Emmett cracking up

“Holy shit you dumbass, you absolute star struck fool!” 

“Em, be nice to your brother, this is very serious” Esme says as she’s internally laughing and she knows Edward knows she’s laughing and she may just crack a smile and shrug at him. “Sorry sweetie, but really, it is sort of hilarious.”

“Mom!”

Carlisle is smiling, but is a little worried. they spend all night discussing how to go on with the situation

Meanwhile.... Charlie is sleeping. He always knew that Cullen kid was weird. How weird would be determined tomorrow. 

The next day Charlie and Bella go visit the Cullen’s. This is the first time he’s been to their house and he’s like lowkey shook- it’s huge AND in the middle of the forest. His baby girl has been coming over here where she could like get killed by a creep in a mask or a big deer or tripping over her own feet or something

Carlisle, Esme, and Edward sit with Bella and Charlie in the living room as they explain what it was he had seen last night. Charlie, actually, takes it pretty well if you take yelling at them and pressing his face in his hands for like over half an hour well. The Cullen’s did. 

His daughter had been put into a lot of danger- JUST BY BEING AROUND THEM!! It takes them the whole day to just kind of smooth things out and for Charlie to get comfortable as he can with it all

Just... how? how is this possible? What else is in this world that he, and everyone else, has no clue about 

“God, next you’re gonna tell me werewolves are real”

“Um”

Now that Charlie knows, he sets up boundaries between Edward and Bella

“Look, I don’t really care if you can’t sleep, but Bella does” and “Just give me some peace of mind. If you really want to come over, you have to bring Alice as well and all be in the living room”

Charlie knowing really helped out Edward’s relationship with him. As much as he tried to act like he didn’t care, he hated that he didn’t fully have the father of the love of his life trust and approval, 

Edward starts coming over to watch baseball games with Charlie, Billy, and Jacob. He tells stories about some of the old games he went to watch that Charlie likes to hear

He comes to watch the Cullen's play baseball- it's the coolest thing he's ever seen

There was a fun game where the werewolves came to play that Charlie likes to bring up a lot

When Charlie realizes that Bella wants to turn to a vampire, they have a long discussion and came up with a compromise- she'd wait until she was twenty. If by then she still wanted to be with Edward for literally forever, Charlie wouldn't be angry at her

His toast at his daughters wedding is sweet and heartfelt, but still ends with Charlie saying "you better treat my daughter right Edwin. I am a cop. I know things"

[folieadeuxserver]

Announcing Ten Days of Horror, Folie à Deux’s first quarterly event! We’ll be hosting a ten-day horror fest for Hannibal and HEU creators, running from October 22nd through October 31st.

The fest is open to all creators, ships, and mediums! We have no minimum requirements and only ask that you adhere to each day's general theme. How you interpret that theme and whether or not you use our subprompts is up to you! You don’t have to create something for each day, but you’re welcome to do so if you so choose.

When you post your work, please tag us and use #HannibalHorror! The fest is also running on our twitter and discord server, and we have an Ao3 collection as well.

While the goal is to post your fill on the day for which it was created, you're welcome to post late fills at any time.

You can find each day’s information and unabridged prompts below!

Day 1 (10/22): Creature Feature Calling all monster lovers! today we celebrate them all – from reanimated corpses to undiscovered species, there’s a little something for everyone.

things that go bump in the night / the monster under the bed / transformation / vampires & werewolves / trapped with the monster / an imaginary friend / the living dead / a cold, wet hand / doppelgänger / the glint of inhuman eyes

Day 2 (10/23): Bathed in Blood It would be remiss not to pay tribute to the grosser, gorier side of horror, so today is all about the blood and guts! Splatterpunk, torture, graphic violence... show us your nastiest creations!

torture porn / body horror / uncanny valley / mutilation / a slow and sickening mutation / parasites / medical horror / blood & gore / revenge / an excess of bodily fluids

Day 3 (10/24): The Twilight Zone Today’s prompts are an ode to sci-fi horror! Pay homage to classics like Frankenstein and Alien, or try out your own twist on a well-loved subgenre.

outer space / a hostile new world / technology taken too far / eldritch abominations / a parallel universe / alien species / trapped in a time loop / an unsanctioned experiment / something beneath the ice / mother nature’s revenge

Day 4 (10/25): Born This Way Today we honor the human monsters, which are sometimes the scariest of them all. Killer horror, psychological horror, slashers... Show us something horrifying and all too real.

cults / the final girl / the dark side of the human psyche / institutional horror / descending into insanity / governments & corporations / abuse of power / obsession / indoctrination / hierarchies of oppression / paranoia

Day 5 (10/26): Instruments of Torture Today’s theme honors the many weapons, torture devices, and other horrific implements spanning the horror genre!

nail bat / an improvised weapon / chainsaw / crucifix / wooden stake / shards of glass / a bloody kitchen knife / needle / meathook / whip

Day 6 (10/27): Welcome to the Funhouse Today’s theme centers around the funnier and more absurd side of horror! Comedy horror, camp, black comedy – the opportunities are endless.

splatstick / absurd phobia / parody / the horror-movie stoner / ridiculous deaths / accidental transformation / black comedy cannibalism / bumbling slasher / fuck and die / a lack of self preservation

Day 7 (10/28): Once Upon a Time Today’s theme is Dark fantasy! Bring out your Grimms-style fairytales, mythical creatures, or just a touch of magic.

fairytale gone wrong / the gods are not kind / a darker timeline / black magic / the chosen one / evil overlord / a sumptuous feast / necromancy / cursed kingdoms / forsaken

Day 8 (10/29): Occult Activity Today’s theme is all about supernatural horror! show us your paranormal investigators, your exorcisms, your folk horror AUs or characters with psychic powers.

possession / the old gods / ghosts & hauntings / an accidental summoning / cursed object / an unconventional priest / sacrifice / dreams bleeding into reality / psychic powers / the veil between the worlds

Day 9 (10/30): A Dark & Stormy Night Today’s prompts center around the impact of setting. Whether atmospheric horror, gothic horror, ecological horror, or another genre, location matters!

snowed in / sun-drenched horror / gothic horror / the purgatory of white picket fences / a house with a history / an unexplored cavern / the bottom of the sea / a town you can’t seem to leave / a condemned building / apocalyptic horror

Day 10 (10/31): Insatiable Appetites Today is all about erotic and sensual horror. Blur the line between fear and desire, arousal and repulsion, or show us flat-out sexual horror.

the sensuality of violence / oviposition / teratophilia / tentacles / succubus/incubus / wound fucking / the need to consume / hunger / traumatic insemination

[ninyard]

part two of the stefan/andrew au PLEASE

WELP this might not be the part two people wanted but here’s what I wanted so~ enjoy!

(Part 1 ? is here)

((this got rly long so I had to stop but if u want a third part lmk 🥺👉👈))

Neil made his first mistake by not bolting the opposite way when Coach Hernandez told him he had visitors. An Exy racquet to the chest and a single glance at those bright hazel eyes turned Neils entire world sideways in seconds. This couldn’t be happening. Neil almost couldn’t hold back the ‘Andrew?’ that wished to escape his lips. Of course, this wasn’t Stefan’s Andrew, but Neil knew that already. Life had turned Andrew Minyard into a man of manufactured emotions, a life of violence and misled decisions landing him on Coach Wymack’s pity party guest list that was the Foxes’ lineup. Andrew didn’t flinch looking at Neil, and Neil begged the universe to have erased the memory of Stefan from Andrew mind. He hung around a motel, for Christ’s sake, how many other people would he have met before and after Stefan? Neil Josten looked totally different, with puberty, hair dye and new contact lenses on his side.

The second mistake he made was not realising Kevin Day was going to be around. If Andrew wasn’t dangerous enough, Kevin was even more so. Neil couldn’t believe his eyes the moment he looked closely at the teams lineup from the previous year. Kevin Day would have forgotten Nathaniel Wesninski, he was sure of it, but to look across to a picture of the teams goalkeeper and seeing the short blond boy he met in California? It was a sure sign for Neil to stay the hell away from South Carolina.

Neil’s biggest mistake was deciding to push his luck and take a plane there to sign with the Foxes. He was signing a death wish; but he didn’t care anymore. He was a dead man walking, living off stolen hours. It was only a matter of time before someone caught up with him. His mother was dead, god, his mom, Mary Hatford, the woman who taught him how to be. It wasn’t just like Debby, who died leaving Toronto, or Alice, who died leaving London, or Judy who died on the train between Germany and Prague. This was permanent, and Neil didn’t think he could run for much longer.

Andrew didn’t say anything during their meeting, in which he had plenty of opportunities to at least look like he recognised Neil, or the features of Stefan still left on his face. Kevin didn’t say anything either, and his words made it clear he didn’t remember Nathaniel, either. Neil was walking a thing line between life and death, with Stefan on one shoulder and Nathaniel on the other, waiting to tip him over, to expose the truth, to leave him buried like his mother.

The first night Neil slept - or more so lay on the couch in silence for hours, brain filled with noise and regret - in David’s apartment, he couldn’t stop thinking about Andrew. He couldn’t stop thinking about the kid with white-blond hair and a toothy smile, who ran his fingers so gently over Stefan’s skin, like he would break if Andrew dared get any closer. He couldn’t stop thinking about the playground, and the motel, and the kisses… and the punches, the kicks, the pulling of hair, the slaps across the face with yells to accompany them. Before Neil knew it he was stuck with his face hovering over the toilet bowl, his stomach threatening to burst at any moment. After a minute of gagging and spitting into the water, Neil washed his face and headed towards the balcony that David told him to smoke on if he needed to. This was one of those needing to moments.

Weeks went by without any indication he was going to be caught. Kevin looked at him like a stupid amateur, which was good for Nathaniel’s sake, but for Neil? Neil, who fought like his life depended on the racquet in his hands? Neil, who ran like his father was hot on his heels every single time he set off down the court? It hurt him to be insulted so often, but Kevin was leagues above him when he played. Neil was never going to be good enough. Andrew avoided him as much as possible. Nicky told him that was just how Andrew was; if you brought him no benefit, or if you made him bored, he would put you on a high shelf and never look at you again. By the way Andrew only spoke to Neil when Neil stood up to Kevin, Neil thought it was obvious that Andrew didn’t recognise him.

And then came the invite to Columbia.

“Get rid of the contacts, by the way.” Nicky had brushed off the realisation like it was nothing. It sounded like ‘you have something in your teeth’ but felt like a screaming siren above Neil’s head. It felt like a punch to the gut, like a gun to his head. “Andrew’s decision. And brown, Neil? You’re so predictable and boring it’s adorable.” He’d left a bag of clothes with Neil.

When Neil looked at his blue eyes, he felt too many feelings he couldn’t describe, or name. He felt like he was looking at his father. He felt like he was looking into the mirror like he had the last time he was Nathaniel. The last time he was in Baltimore. He’d cycled through the catalogue of contacts during his time on the run, but never once went back to blue. They were the icy eyes of a murderer, not the eyes of quiet, boring Neil. But at least they weren’t green. Neil was worried about Kevin recognising him by his eyes, but it was going to be dark out by the time they left. Neil would just have to stay in the dark around Kevin, and hope he got too drunk to notice, too drunk to remember.

When Andrew’s group came to pick Neil up, there was a change in dynamic Neil hadn’t seen before. Instead of Nicky being the middle man in their conversations, or Kevin being the reason to talk, Andrew was taking charge of their night. Neil’s heart raced every time he looked into his eyes. Every time he heard that voice it told him to run, the same voice as before, only deeper, emotionless. Neil couldn’t imagine this Andrew crying. Neil couldn’t imagine this Andrew being open, about his sexuality, or his feelings. If he didn’t look almost the same only older, he would probably doubt this was even the same Andrew.

“Oh! Oh, now, that’s interesting!” Andrew had commented as Neil left his dorm room. Nicky, Aaron and Kevin had walked ahead of the two of them. When they’d disappeared around the corner into the elevator down, Andrew turned and grabbed Neil’s face to inspect it. “What a change, hmm? Blue to brown is a bit drastic for fashion, don’t you think?”

“I’ve never liked my eyes,” Neil spoke through the fingers that rested over his lips. “I’ve worn them brown most my life.” Andrew tutted as Neil spoke, but left that thought there. His features were angry, like Neil had insulted him, but he S miled like he’d been talking to his best friend. He placed a cigarette between his lips as they joined the others in the elevator.

Before long, they were walking through the doors of Eden’s Twilight, music pumping and swirling through the air, vibrating their bodies as they walked. Andrew motioned for Neil to follow him to the bar once they’d found a table.

“Shots on me.” He’d come down from his manic high, waiting for his dust adrenaline to kick in. His smile was gone, but his tone and way of speaking was still the same. “What do you drink?”

“I don’t,” Neil answered, having to yell over the music.

“Sure you do.” Andrew waved him off. “I’m being polite. What do you drink?” He asked again, as the bartender came over.

“A coke for me.” Neil told the man behind the bar before he could ask Andrew. “Just a little ice.”

“See, now, Pinocchio, when someone offers you a gift you say thank you and accept it.” Andrew turned towards the man. “Roland. This is Neil. He’s a newbie.”

“I hear you,” Roland nodded, already placing shot glasses on the tray he’d put on the bar. “My choice, with dash for the new kid.” He poured a clear spirit into eight shot glasses, and used the fountain tap to fill a larger glass with cola. Andrew passed cash over and waved off his change as a tip. Before Neil knew it he was heading through the crowd, Andrew balancing the tray on one hand held high above his head. They reached the table and nothing has spilled, and before Neil knew it, the shot glasses were stacked in a tower on the tray as Neil nursed his coke.

“You don’t drink.” Andrew turned to Neil after watching the others take to the dance floor, coming up on their high, dusting when they couldn’t be seen. “Why?”

“Hate the taste, mostly.” That would be the truth if ‘taste’ actually meant ‘feeling of being out of control of my body’. He shrugged at Andrew’s dissatisfaction with that answer.

“You come to university and you don’t drink?” Andrew scoffed. “Do you smoke?” Neil shook his head. He’d tried an edible by accident once in some cafe in Europe, and got so paranoid they had to move on that night. He swore he saw his dad staring in the windows in the red-light district, a blunt between his lips, a smile made of murder wrapped around it.

“Not for me.” Neil took a sip from the cold coke. “Hard to find when it’s not legal and I hate the cops. Takes too much effort to roll.” Neil lied, like he knew what he was talking about, but he just remembered watching people in the cities he went to, everywhere having their local stoners, the folks who sat in the parks without a care in the world.

“You don’t drink, you don’t smoke, you won’t dust.” Andrew rattled off the options. “Is it molly you’d prefer?” And when Neil shook his head again: “Psychedelics? Benzos?”

“I’m just not interested.” Neil looked into his glass, focusing on the ice. If he kept looking at Andrew he felt like he would crack. “Don’t we get tested before games anyway? What’s the point?” Andrew didn’t answer before he heading back up the bar. Neil didn’t follow this time. When he came back, there was ten shot glasses on the table. Again, eight filled with an unnamed spirit that burned Neil’s nose and twisted his stomach. The other two were cola.

“I’d hate for the new boy to feel left out.” Aaron, Nicky and Kevin had arrived back to the table for their shots. Andrew handed Neil one of his glasses. Neil knocked it back when the others did. It was ordinary coke, no surprises, no weird tastes, no reason for Neil to believe Andrew would have given him a shot of alcohol instead. That was, until he clinked glasses with the others and swallowed the second shot in a quick movement. He felt the alcohol burn his throat. It warmed his chest, but the familiar feeling wasn’t what worried him. It was the taste of salt on his tongue when he hadn’t licked any before hand. He quickly excused himself from the table and left for the bathroom.

Andrew had drugged him. He didn’t know why, but all he knew was the crackers were already coursing through his veins with deadly adrenaline. He was sure his racing heart wasn’t helping. It didn’t help, either, when Nicky reached the stairs before he did, and pulled him in for a salty, dusty kiss. Neil pushed him off as discreetly as he could.

“Nothing?” Nicky complained as he Neil bounced up the sticky stairs two steps at a time. Neil was sure he heard him say something about Neil being too hot to be straight, but the roaring anxiety in his ears was enough to drown it out. He locked himself in a stall and tried to best to throw up. He hadn’t eaten before he’d left, and he hadn’t drank anything other than he soda, so his attempts were fairly futile. A knock at the door interrupted him, and when he answered with a quick ‘occupied!’ He heard the door unlocking from the outside. Andrew pushed his way into the cramped stall and shut the door behind him. Before Neil could even begin to object Andrew had grabbed him by the collar and shoved him against the wall, Neil struggling to keep his balance with the toilet in the way.

“You don’t like the taste of alcohol or you’re afraid of losing control? Telling your truths?” Andrew’s drug induced smile had returned with mischief and malice. “Let’s see how this does!” His voice was low as he spoke, with an enthusiasm to his words that made Neil sweat. When he went to protest, Andrew covered his mouth with his free hand.

“Shut up,” He clicked his tongue. “You have spent your entire extended stay here lying to me and lying to poor, gullible Coach. I see the way you look at Kevin, too. Either you’re lying about not swinging or there’s something deeper to that intimidation.” Neil tried to get out a ‘I don’t swing.’ Before Andrew shushed him again. “Don’t keep lying, newbie! One last chance at honesty.” He lifted his hand no more than an inch from Neil’s mouth. Neil was sweating, his hands shaky, his mind turning into fog, desperate to cling to any sort of euphoria it could find. When it’s search came up empty, it filled his stomach, his head, his hands, his feet, with anxious buzzing instead. He couldn’t ignore the nauseating feelings the drugs brought with them.

“I don’t swing,” Neil stood his ground. “I don’t.” Andrew brought his hand up to Neils hair and yanked him down to his level, hard. He kept an inescapable grip in his curls as their faces almost touched.

“Still don’t know?” Andrew pouted in fake-pity. “Ten years later and you still don’t know?” Neil’s stomach would’ve fallen from his body if it’s got the chance. His heart would’ve went with it when Andrew continued. “There better be a good reason for Neil existing, Stefan, and I can’t wait to hear it.”

“What?” He tried, but it was no use. His voice failed him, cracking as the futile attempts at lying left his lips. “I don’t know what-“

“Shut up.” Andrew repeated. His grip not relaxing. Neil was worried he was pulling his hair from the root, but that was probably the least of his worries. Probably. “Do not lie to me again.” Neil searched his eyes for a sliver of doubt. A tiny, tiny possibility that he might think he was wrong. It wasn’t there. He’d been caught.

“Andrew.” He wrapped his hands around Andrew’s wrist, the one hovering over his head, muscles tense from the grip on his head. “Can we talk without ripping my fucking hair out?”

Before Neil could react, Andrew had let go of his hair, but in doing so, had swung his head with full force into the side walls of the stall. His balance finally failed him, but Andrew caught him by the neck of the black turtleneck he’d been gifted. He heard a few stitches pop, but it didn’t matter. The sudden movements turned Neil’s stomach with a violent wave, and he gagged hard, his stomach threatening to come out his mouth. He leaned over to spit into the toilet and bared his teeth at Andrew, breathing heavily through them.

“So he lives,” Andrew smiled, his pupils blown, a white-knuckled hold on Stefan-Neil’s collar. Neil was afraid he was going to pass out. His body was on fire, his mind screaming like an emergency broadcast alarm. “Tell me you didn’t know, oh humour me! I’d hate to think you’re stupid enough to come here still in possession of the memory from there.”

“I didn’t think you’d remember.” Neil didn’t break eye contact.

“So you ARE that stupid!” Andrew pushed him back, letting go of his top. Neil tried to assess his escape routes, but it was no use. He couldn’t get out of this. “I remembered little Stefan the second Kevin showed me your file. I didn’t think it would be you, surely it couldn’t be, but our little visit to fuckport, Arizona couldn’t lie to me like you did. So is it Neil, or is it Stefan?”

“Neither.” He spat out the honesty, worried if he waited, another lie would take it’s place. “But you can call me Neil.”

“Oh, no, no!” Andrew grabbed him by the neck, holding his jaw in a way that could become a choke very quickly. “Maybe I’ll stick with Stefan. You don’t get a say. You know, I thought mommy killed you.” A knife twisted in Neil’s gut.

“She’s dead.” Neil tried to breath through his unwanted come-up. “That’s the only reason I’m here. Because she wasn’t alive to stop me.”

“Did you do it?” He held Neils face like the world would end if he let go. He held even tighter when Neil tried to pull away.

“No.” That was all he said. He thought about continuing, considering the fact he was a dead man already. But he stopped himself. How could he say it was his dad without saying he was the mafias right-hand-murderer? Was he wasting his time lying?

“Didn’t think you did.” Andrew laughed, barely even blinking as he intimidated Neil. “No balls then, no balls now.”

“I was twelve.” He spat through crushed cheeks. “We were kids.”

“Old enough to be a liar.” Andrew let go of Neil’s face with a forceful push and turned to open the stall door. “You’re going to lead us outside. If you deviate or try to run I’ll kill you. I will kill you.” So Neil did just that. He led the way in silence, down the stairs and towards the exit. When Nicky stopped and excitedly asked where they were going, Neil looked back to Andrew who waved his pack of cigarettes, a smile on his face, no essence of a lie present. Neil just kept walking, kept his head down, and tried to ignore the pain on the side of his head. When they reached the outside of the club, the brisk air biting their exposed skin, Neil turned to the first man he saw, a club-goer at the top of the queue, and swung a punch up. Andrew noticed the second his hands left his sides, balled up with a plan. The man threw a hefty punch back, shouting intimidations, knocking Neil’s short frame to the ground. As quick as humanly possible, Andrew had hoisted him up, wrapped his arms around his back and twisted his wrist in such a way that a single jolt would break it. He held him in that position with one hand, putting all his strength into keeping Neil still.

“He gets crazy on tequila!” Andrew laughed, shaking his head as he took out his wallet and pulled out a fifty note. He threw it at the guy as compensation, his friends holding him back from beating Neil’s vulnerable, ballsy ass. He continued yelling as Andrew hauled him away. He grunted in pain as he refused to loosen his grip on Neil’s wrists. He walked him around the back of the club, to an empty, barely lit parking lot. He threw him to the ground so quickly he didn’t have time to stop his fall.

“Every moment I spend around you, you prove you’re much fucking dumber than I thought.” Andrew spat down, then crouching down to Neil’s level, balancing on the tops of his feet. Neil cradled his head, arms wrapped around the nape of his neck. He was sure he had a concussion. He could barely open his eyes through the pulsing blood rushing through his head, but forced himself to, to look up at Andrew’s smiling face.

“What happened?” Spit dripped down his chin, blood slowly trickling from the busted lip he’d earned himself. “What happened to that Andrew?” Andrew froze for half a second, and Neil noticed. “The Andrew who cried because he was gay? The kid who actually fucking cared about anything?”

“Oh, you are treading thin fucking ice for someone who doesn’t know how to swim.” Andrew tilted his head. “Mention another precious memory and I won’t hesitate to actually break your wrist next time.”

“Why?” He spat blood at Andrew’s feet. “Afraid somebody might remember what you’re actually like when you’re not pretending to be a sociopath?” Andrew opened his mouth at the challenge, a smile creeping up one side of his face. “Are you afraid to actually have someone around you know anything about you? I’m a threat. That’s all you care about.” He continued. “What, do you think I’ll use it against you? You’ve been treating me like shit since we met. If I was going to stab you in the back I’d have done it already, asshole.”

“Since we met, again.” He corrected the most irrelevant part of Neils sentiment.

“Let me go now and I’ll move on. You won’t ever see me again.” Neil bargained. Andrew’s eyebrows twitched ever so slightly. “This time I’ll get a chance to say goodbye.”

“No,” Andrew stopped him. “You don’t get to arrive in to my life like a tornado and disappear. You don’t get to dig your own grave and push me into it.” He bent down to get closer to Neils shaking face. “You’re going to tell me exactly what happened first. Tell me what she did to you.”

“No.” Neil strained. “I moved on. You were dangerous. You almost got me killed.”

“Boohoo, do you hear my tiny violin, liar?” Andrew grabbed a hold of his hair again. Neil let out a cry of pain, trying to pry Andrew’s fingers from his scalp. “Talk. Talk or I will get you killed.”

“My father is a very dangerous man. He’s murdered more people than there are days in a year.” Neil wiped the blood from his lips. It stung as he did so, but it didn’t matter. He took out a small stack of IDs from his wallet and threw them across to Andrew. For a second, anyone would’ve thought they were real, but closer inspection killed that thought. Andrew was holding a driver’s license belonging to Chris Angle, 21, from New York. A European passport card signed by George Debois from Paris. A gym membership from Seattle, an employee pass from Toronto, two more drivers licenses from cities across the globe. All the names were different, but they didn’t belong to different people. They all had pictures of Neil on them. Some he had long hair, short hair, an unfortunate buzz-cut. He wore a beard in some, the baby face of a teenager in others. “You aren’t the only one I’ve lied to. Don’t think you’re special.” Andrew snapped the IDs with angry force. Neil took a deep breath, knowing the last memories of his mother were buried in the face of Christopher Hart, snapped in half, just like that. He continued searching through his wallet. Deep into the card pockets of the tattered leather. He didn’t look up when he heard Andrew drop the scraps of his identities on the ground. Neil found what he was looking for and threw it again, across the space separating them, it clattering by his feet. “If my mom found that she’d have killed me herself. We ran so she could protect me. I made that so much harder on her by meeting you.” Andrew inspected the card he’d been thrown. An under-eye twitch and a slow inhale accompanied his realisation. “You want to hate me for what she made me do, fine, but it was inevitable. You were never going to be the reason that made us stay.”

Neil had given Andrew something he couldn’t bare to part with. His old wallet stayed buried deep, deep in his belongings, so well hidden his mother hadn’t even known it existed. He usually kept his current IDs on his person, and never in a wallet. It was a ticking time bomb, but Neil needed something. He needed a reason to feel, and if that was the memory of the good day his mom had had when they finally showered after weeks of baby wipes and deodorant, it was something to hold on to. Neil had to stay grounded in some sort of reality. He was on the run, sure, but the people he met, the things he’d done? They were real. It hurt to see those memories snapped on the ground like trash, but Andrew didn’t snap the memory he held in his hands.

Andrew held the library card of Stefan Montgomery. It had a faded black and white photo on it, scratched out with time. He had begged the librarian to let him have the card without taking a picture, but she had insisted it was necessary so people didn’t have more than one. In the photo was a scared little boy, a gash on his cheek, with crispy curls and a skinny face. Neil remembered walking to the library when he couldn’t find Andrew, taking out books to help him learn any of the languages he needed to know. The library in Oakland taught him about the history of Spain, and the culture in France. There was something about Stefan that Neil didn’t want to forget. He’d kept that library card safe as if it were a lifeline, like he knew it would come in handy some day.

And then Andrew threw it across the empty parking lot like a frisbee.

“She didn’t see anything.” Neil tried, as if it would help. “We left because I made a friend. Not because… you know.”

“I was not your friend.” Andrew stood up and put a cigarette between his teeth. He lit it, one puff, two puff, three puffs until it burned red. “I was never your friend.”

“You were.” Neil struggled to stand up and join him. “Don’t lie to a liar.”

“You remember it wrong!” He took a short drag and flicked ash as he spoke. “You were a toy to play with when there was nothing else to do.”

“You could’ve went home.” Neil took the cigarette from Andrew’s fingers. “But hey, I wasn’t the only one who needed to escape heavy hands, right?” He pulled the smoke into his lungs and breathed out before flicking the barely smoked cigarette away. “You were my friend. You had Stefan killed because I cared about you when Stefan wasn’t supposed to care about anybody.”

“Be quiet.” Andrew pulled another cigarette from the packet and squared up to Neil who was standing so close he could feel Andrew’s breath hot on his face. “You didn’t care.”

“Are you listening?” Neil spat again, the heat of the cigarette having hurt his cracked lips. “We left because of you. Because I let you in, and I’m sorry you were collateral damage in our war against the world but fuck, we didn’t have a choice. Do you think I wanted to leave? I was going to leave you a note, but she wouldn’t leave my side until we were in another city and Stefan was just another name in the pile. Fuck you if you don’t want to believe that. I don’t owe you an explanation but you’ve got one anyway. Tell me to leave and I’ll go. Tell me you understand and I’ll go, Andrew.”

“I waited for you.” Andrew exhaled honestly through cigarette smoke. “Every day! The fourth day I tried knocking on the door of your motel room. Fifth day a random couple opened the door and I knew you weren’t coming back. Why should I give you another chance, hmm? When you so easily could run away before, who’s to say you won’t do it again?”

“I’m not asking for another chance,” Neil head was pounding. He felt like he could pass out, his ears ringing and body jittery. “I don’t know, maybe I’m asking you to remember what I meant to you.” Andrew pursed his lips at that. He was struggling to keep his composure, like the memory of before was chipping away slowly at this version of Andrew. He was holding himself together with twitches and small fidgets.

“I hate you.” He said, coldly. He had lit his cigarette and smoked through half of it before speaking again. Neil just stood, suddenly thinking about if Kevin were to find the IDs scattered on the floor. He didn’t even think he could lie to Nicky about that. He would pick them up in a moment, but he couldn’t afford to lose Andrew’s interest in the conversation. If Neil got distracted now he could ruin every chance he possible had at reconciling some sort of relationship with Andrew.

“I hate what the world has turned you into.” Andrew snorted a laugh at Neil’s dramatics.

“Oh, you are a pipe bomb.” Andrew started to walk away, but when Neil grabbed his arm to stop him, in a quicker movement he had twisted Neil’s arm in some sort of self defence move that hurt. “You don’t have a right to touch me anymore. Keep your lying hands to yourself or I’ll break every one of your fingers.” He didn’t let go immediately.

“Do you miss it?” Neil searched Andrew’s eyes for something, anything. “Being vulnerable? Being comforted instead of being alone, blaming the world for your problems?” Before Neil could even think to keep going, Andrew had used his free hand to manoeuvre a knife from his arm bands and hold it up to Neil’s face.

“I dare you to keep pushing.” His words were casual, but a threat nonetheless. “Stop trying to control a life you left. I won’t be a scratching post for your mommy issues, runaway.”

“What did Jakub do to you?” Neil brought a memory out from the depths. As soon as the name left his lips, Andrew’s entire body hardened and his eyes turned to glass. He slashed a cut into Neil’s cheekbone without hesitation and proceeded to let go of his arm and jam a thumb into the fresh wound. “Why did you spend your childhood alone in a playground?” Neil spoke through gritted teeth.

“If you want to keep your fantasy alive I advise you to really shut up now.” Andrew pushed him backwards, a final squeeze in the gash as he did so. Even more blood dripped down his face. Andrew wiped his hands in his pants and picked up the ignored cigarette he’d dropped in the altercation. “You are going in circles. This is your last warning.”

“My mom nearly broke half the bones in my body trying to get rid of the memory of you.” Neil took his spot back up so close to Andrews face he could practically see every one of the pores in his face. He still had freckles scattered across his face, his skin soft, with faint acne scars here and there across his cheeks. “I never stopped thinking about you.”

“You should have.” Andrew threw his cigarette at Neil. “Make your choice. Run like you’re used to.” He looked him up and down one more time and turned on his feet back towards the club. Neil didn’t follow. He started to pick up the remnants of his past and he felt his nose ache in psychosomatic pain, remembering a nose-breaking punch his mother threw when Neil dared asked if they could stay. He spat again, still trying to get the salty taste out of his mouth. His hands were shaking so badly he could barely hold onto the shards of plastic evidence of who he used to. After picking them all up he had to stop, and sit down. He was afraid he was having a panic attack, and he couldn’t tell if it was because of the drugs still ravishing his system, or if it was because of Andrew. Maybe it was both. It probably was. He didn’t think he could’ve spoken the truth if he wasn’t high, but God, if he were sober it would’ve been so much easier to run. High Neil was emotional Neil, empathetic Neil, hurt Neil. He’d only had the experience of being really, genuinely high a few times, and every single time just reminded him how much he hated the feeling of being out of control. Of his nerves, his feelings, every fibre in his being misfiring and doing the opposite to what he wanted. His brain was begging him to feel the chemicals it was pumping out, but all it did was amplifying the aching feeling in his chest. He let out a noise that didn’t quite resemble a cry, or a sigh, or a grunt. It was a noise born from pain, a mixture of anxiety and heartbreak, maybe. He wasn’t sure what that felt like. Maybe this was it.

He tried to steady his breath and he stumbled across the empty lot. The booming bass from the music at Eden’s practically shook the ground as he walked, at least, it sure felt like it did. He stumbled as he reached down to pick up the library card so carelessly thrown away. It hurt him even more looking at Stefan, feeling this pang in his stomach that wished things could’ve been different. He didn’t think he liked Andrew like that, and being on the same team was just the destruction of a childhood crush. Neil tried to come up with excuses in his head to how Andrew felt, but it was obvious he had thrown Stefan into the bad memories pile a long, long time ago. Neil showing up again just ripped through Andrew’s closure, and knowing he had feelings beneath what he showed, he was probably hurting too. It didn’t seem like it, but maybe he was. Neil had put the ID away, and looked around. He had no real idea where he was, or how to get home. Before he knew it, he was sprinting away from the club, going nowhere, going anywhere but there. His head wasn’t in a place to decide that he should stay. He’s worth it. His heart raced at the thought of Andrew’s face, looking down at the long unused library card. He’s worth it. Neil couldn’t look back. He was wondering what Andrew was telling the others, and if they would believe him. He wondered if he’d told Nicky about Neil’s Idontknow sexuality, and that’s why Nicky thought it okay to kiss him. But he didn’t feel anything with Nicky. He didn’t look at anyone in the way he looked at Andrew. He ran and ran and ran until he’d sweat out the drugs, until his head was more focused on trying to breathe than it was on Andrew, and his mom. It took a while, and he was lost when he stopped. Unfamiliar streets, him a stranger in someone else’s hometown. Maybe that made things worse. This feeling was too familiar. Lost, lost, lost. Sometimes lost became familiar, became home. He didn’t think he could be un-lost again.

-

Part 3

[purplehoodiesimon]

K & S 💋

K: What’s the angstiest idea you’ve ever come up with?

Hmmmmmmmm we're looking through the google keep fanfic folder to answer this one.

Ooh I know. That one little tumblr drabble of the wilmon Hunger Games AU. Ya know. The one where Simon dies :) Or Dear Titanic. Where Simon also dies. Not linking that one cause I link it just about every time I do these fic asks.

That's for YR at least. For other fandoms, I honestly don't know, I've had a lot of angsty ideas over the years.

S: Any fandom tropes you can’t resist?

Well looking at my ao3 bookmarks,

That about covers it.

Jk I'll actually answer the question now lol. It kinda depends on the fandom but like, generally I'll almost always click on fics that have a secret relationship premise (that's the small town queer in me), that have stoner!characters (that's the emerald triangle stoner kid in me), that have slow burns with really long word counts (that's the 'i can read the twilight saga in a day' in me), and fics that are like slice of life domestic cute as shit fluff kinda things. Especially ones where it's like, they finally got their happy ending after all the pain moment (that's the chronic illness 'shit i want to be normal' in me).

The content well is dry, send me asks about fanfic

[junkheaded]

twilight au where everything is the same but bella is a massive fucking stoner

[avatarty]

I know it's 2021 and I barely post anything, let alone about Twilight but if you're bored and looking for a fic to read, maybe check out mine?

How to Cope (After Your Vampire Family Leaves You) is basically a Stoner!Bella story taking place in New Moon. She doesn't cope well but this time when the Cullens leave Bella doesn't go catatonic. She gets a medical card and makes some new friends but things evolve -and somewhat spiral- from there.

The story is done in 3 parts; after the Cullens leave, when they come back, and then Eclipse. It's all finished so there will be regular and frequent updates. I've never had a story come together so quickly before and I'm pretty proud of this one.

Hopefully if you check it out and enjoy <3

(P.s. please don't judge bc it's wattpad lol)