#ugggggh I should not go

[essektheylyss]

the NORMAL book to read in a tree on campus at my very professional adult job is the scientific history book, but the one that WILL get me the look of absolute befuddlement and mild consternation I crave from my supervisor is the gnostic gospels, so here we are

[beevean]

what did Chaomix say this time?

I ain't linking it because it's truly a worthless video.

Basically, you know his recent hot takes on Twitter about Sonic's model? Imagine those tweets stretched on a 20-minute script. It's simply him trying to explain why in his opinion Sonic as a whole has gone stale because they "haven't updated his model since 2005".

Add some nice confusion between "design", "model" and "render" (sure you're flexing your artist skills my bud), him conflating design and animation yet again, some scorching takes like citing Sonic Adventure 1's expressions (some of which unused) as the peak of Sonic's expressivity (guess he forgot how his precious "animation" looked in that game), stupid ass nitpicks like "sonic's eyes don't have an in-built shine", easy to spot contraddictions (he roasts Forces’ model because it’s “too much like Classic”, but praises Lost World’s small changes like the 8-figure, which make the model look more Classic), and some palpable hypocrisy typical of people who would always put fan efforts over official efforts even if they're exactly the same... and there you go, that's his new video :^)

[elvesofnoldor]

.

[pinkskytwst]

SYMBIOTES

Octavinelle - (Octatrio/Prefect Romantic Poly)

As often as the Prefect worked at Mostro Lounge, they spent just as much time in Octavinelle just hanging out or studying. They might have had one of the smartest and clever lovers in NRC at their beck and call, but that didn’t mean they could have Azul take their tests for them. That meant that when they weren’t spending time with the other first years in Ramshackle or various clubs, they could typically be found in Azul’s office – whether that be bent over the coffee table with stacks of text books or sprawled out on one of the couches together with Floyd and Grim enjoying a movie on their phone.

That night was study night, however, as a unit test was going to be given on not just Alchemy but also Potions and Astrology within the next couple of days. Alchemy and Potions were the easier of the two – even though they weren’t actually all that easy when they had to learn at least fifteen years of basic background knowledge that the other students all absorbed during grade school – but Astrology was the bane of their existence. It was vague and dependent on so many different variables that they had to understand at least ten different aspects of what they were trying to figure out before they could even begin to decode the answer.

What kind of subject made you figure out the QUESTIONS as well as the ANSWERS!?

It’s only saving grace was that they didn’t have to actually be able to use magic to do it and so their grade would be counted on it’s own merit instead of lumped in together with Grim like some of the other subjects.

It didn’t make it any easier to remember how this or that constellation could mean this or that influence on this or that kind of event but ONLY if these certain criteria were met and if the criteria wasn’t met it meant something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. Not to mention you had to take the ‘star signs’, ‘sun signs’, and ‘moon signs’ of not only the person you’re seeing for but also YOUR OWN because of COURSE your celestial markers effect how the ‘messages’ could be read.

“Ugggggh.” They groaned, dropping their head onto their arms. “I feel like my brain melted and is going to leak out my ears.”

Jade glanced up from where he was seated across from them on the other sofa, legs crossed and poised as ever while the human felt like a withered gremlin that hadn’t seen the sun in years. His lips spread into an amused grin, but his eyes were rather soft as he set aside the books to reach out and pour the other a fresh cup of tea.

“Aw, does Koebi-chan need a cuddle brake?” Floyd teased from beside them on the floor where he was also using the coffee table for writing and the sofa behind them for a backrest.

Grim had long ago fallen asleep on his own book, stretched out and snoring softly. He was so cute and he had honestly been attempting to focus on studying for a while so the Prefect didn’t have the heart to wake him.

“I need a new brain.” They grumbled, allowing themself to be tugged closer and into Floyd’s lap, going limp and not even caring as their tactile lover had fun curling around their docile form. “Think Azul could make a deal with me for one? I don’t even need a luxury one, a discount brain would be better than what I’m working with now.”

Jade couldn’t help chuckling and slid the cup and saucer closer to the two for them to take.

“I apologize, angelfish, but our dear Azul isn’t in the business of human organ trafficking.” He said with ‘regret’ in his tone.

The Prefect peeked one eye open at him from where they were smooshed against Floyd’s shoulder.

“He’s in the business of NON-human organ trafficking?” they asked dryly, feeling Floyd cackle against the back of their neck.

Jade’s smile didn’t change but he didn’t answer the question either.

“Is there something that might help you besides tea?” he asked instead. “I wouldn’t mind making a snack. Azul should be getting back soon from club with Idia. Something to eat may be of benefit to your energy levels.” He said, checking his watch.

The Prefect just groaned again and nudged Floyd until they could move enough to reach out and take the drink and start sipping at the lightly steaming liquid.

“No, don’t think I can handle eating anything right now.” They admitted with a soft sigh, letting their head fall against Floyd’s shoulder once more. “I’ve been dealing with a headache since yesterday and it’s kind of making the thought of food the absolute worst right now.”

Jade’s brow furrowed at that and he stood to make his way around the coffee table and kneel beside them on the floor.

“You took medicine when you first arrived, though, yes?” he asked, though it was more confirming since he specifically remembered them asking for a soda to make the pills go down easier. “It has been at least two hours since then. It should certainly have worked to reduce your pain by now if not get rid of it completely.”

He reached out to brush some of their lover’s hair from their face and gently check their temperature with his wrist. Merfolk might have had lower body temperatures than humans but he was familiar enough with the Prefect’s normal vitals to know that if they had a fever it was a very small one.

 “It’s alright, I’m pretty prone to headaches and migraines.” They admitted, leaning into his touch before draining the rest of the tea and letting Floyd set it back down on the table. “Stress can cause them, bright lights too. I’ll be alright after some sleep.” They assured the brothers.

“It is hardly alright if you’re in pain.” Jade pointed out firmly. “I know human bodies are not the same as merfolk but I doubt prolonged periods of pain are healthy.”

The Prefect shrugged a little. “There’s nothing really I can do about it. It probably won’t go away until after I’ve had a chance to chill and recover from the tests and I can’t exactly stop studying when I’m trying to keep my grades at an acceptable level.”

“Azul can make a potion for you.” Floyd said, his expression and tone missing the humor from before. “He’s like, the best at those besides maybe the seastar.”

Their lover shrugged slightly. “Yeah but I’ve had a few of those already and I don’t think I can take any more today.”

“What?” Jade said sharply, eyes narrowing. “You mean to tell me that you have consumed so many potions for pain that you can safely take no more and you DID NOT TELL US and proceeded to spend multiple hours here doing precisely what could make it WORSE?”

The Prefect blinked at the sudden vitriol in the eelmer’s voice along with the tension that had shot through Floyd’s hold on them.

“I mean, it’s really not that big of a deal. I have them all the time.” They insisted, nudging Floyd until the taller male reluctantly allowed them to stand, quickly following. “It’ll go away eventually and then-“

Jade’s hands snapped out to grab their arms just in time to catch them when they stumbled. The color drained from their face and the two instantly guided them to sit on the couch.

“Koebi-chan!” Floyd fretted, his hands worryingly gentle as he was always afraid he was going to accidentally harm their human when they were hurt or sick.

“Floyd, go get some water and a cold compress.” Jade said seriously, ignoring when the Prefect tried to wave their hands at them.

“Guys, stop, I’m fine!”

Of course, their words were undercut by the sudden, warm crimson that began trickling from their nose and over their lips.

Floyd made a strangled noise and vaulted over the back of the couch to hurry out towards the kitchen.

Jade’s eyes narrowed and he kept a supportive hand on their back while tugging a handkerchief from his pocket pressing it to their nose.

The Prefect blinked up at him a bit sheepishly.

“Okay, so maybe I over did it a little.” They said weakly, trying to joke off the intensity of the Vice-Housewarden but Jade’s gaze only hardened.

“I believe the word you were attempting to find is actually: ‘foolishly’ or perhaps ‘carelessly’.” He answered in a cold tone that made them flinch a little, a clear indicator that he was not going to be letting them off easily.

Thankfully, Floyd returned a moment later with a glass of water, a cold compress, and tissues that he quickly shoved onto his brother as he took their lover’s other side once more.

“Koebi-chan is in a lot of trouble.” He said darkly, though his hands unendingly gentle. “Koebi-chan should have told us they were feeling like shit.”

The Prefect gave a small, muffled sigh behind the handkerchief. “Sorry.”

A frustrated look flickered over Floyd’s face, however, and he made sure to support them as Jade began pulling out tissues to replace the silk that was already starting to bleed through. They repeated the apology again when they saw the expensive accessory now a red stained wad in their hand.

“It is a bit of fabric, dearest, nothing more. What is important is ensuring that you rest and recover.” He said firmly.

“Don’t apologize when WE should have noticed. We’re your symbiotes after all.” Floyd muttered angrily to himself.

“It’s really not your fault, guys.” They said softly.

“Floyd, if you don’t mind, please text Azul and notify him that we will be having a sleep over tonight and to return if he hasn’t already left the board games club.” Jade said, ignoring their words as they continued to help hold the tissues to their nose and then pass them the glass of water to sip at for a moment.

“Got it.” Floyd said, pulling out his phone with one hand and sending a quick message to their other lover while Jade gathered the Prefect into his arms.

“Please bring Grim as well once you’ve notified him. Angelfish will likely need something to eat that is easy on their stomach also if you would see to that while I settle them in our room.”

Floyd nodded, bustling around to do what his brother suggested as Jade carried the Prefect from the Lounge into the Octavinelle dorm proper and to the room that the twins shared.

“Aa…I’m kind of in trouble, aren’t I?” they muttered as Jade used his magic to open their door and carry them inside towards the large bed that had replaced the two twin ones that had originally been there.

“Dearest, you are our partner, not a child.” He said with a small sigh. “But, yes, you are indeed in trouble.”

The Prefect gave a small snort as he set them gently down on the bed and made sure they were steady enough to sit on their own before turning and starting to gather the extra sleep clothes for them that had ‘conveniently appeared’ for their first time staying the night. He helped them change out of the uniform, tossing them into the laundry basket to take care of later.

Jade was adept at removing blood from clothes now, after all.

“Be prepared for Azul to fuss and this time I will not be rescuing you.” He said mercilessly, earning a groan from them as he helped them move onto the bed better and sink into the plush pillows.

“Cruel, cruel fishie you are.” They lamented, still a bit muffled as Jade exchanged the tissue for a fresh one and checking the amount of blood before throwing it away.

“If I must be cruel to ensure that you learn to share with us when you are feeling poorly, then cruel I will be.” He gave a sharp smile, picking the compress he had brought along and placing it over their forehead. “Now, why don’t you tell me what exactly you’ve been experiencing and what you have taken before Azul arrives, hm? I would hate to interrupt his worried hysterics.”

They couldn’t help the small, smile that mirrored the warmth in their chest from just how much care and concern the three were showing. It grew even more when Floyd entered the room not long after with a groggy Grim hanging limply over his shoulder and a tray of food items. They didn’t even have time to properly get Grim settled beside them on the pillow before they heard swift footsteps and then the Prefect was being checked over by a fretful octomer.

Deciding that it was safer to indulge them, the Prefect just smiled fondly and let themself be taken care of.

They could worry about studying later.

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

Written for Aviagax! Hope this helps with your study stress! <3

Hope you guys like it. <3

[shikonstar]

From the writer asks: 💞what's the most important part of a story for you? the plot, the characters, the worldbuilding, the technical stuff (grammar etc), the figurative language 🕯️was there a fic that was really hard on you to write, or took you to a place you didn't think it would take you? 🌈is there a fic that you worked *really fucking hard on* that no one would ever know? maybe a scene/theme you struggled with?

@elkonigin!

💞what's the most important part of a story for you?

Stories come to me pretty easily, so I think as far as fanfiction goes, it has to be the characters. They need to make sense in the world I put them in--even when they're shaped differently than canon, they need to be recognizable, or else I might as well just write original fiction.

🕯️was there a fic that was really hard on you to write, or took you to a place you didn't think it would take you?

I have a WIP (Working title, Settled) That is hard in some ways. One of the characters is having a less-than-pleasant response to trauma, and part of me is like, That is Not The Way to Handle That. Unfortunately, even when you KNOW that isn't the right way, that isn't always enough to stop you when you are going through it. So there is some ugly to overcome before we can get to the happy part, but I'm hoping I can do it in a way that makes the journey worth it.

🌈is there a fic that you worked *really fucking hard on* that no one would ever know? maybe a scene/theme you struggled with?

Ugggggh, I want to say all of it, but I'll go with chapters 4-7 of The Art of Falling in Tandem. I second-guessed every move, and honestly expected everyone to hate each one as I published them. I think that was RL depression creeping in and affecting things, but I always worry if it's the one time I should just sit on a piece and not let it see the light of day. 🤣

[togepls]

>temp at 99.9

uhhhhhh body. stop that. i do not want to have to call my husband and him speed home to take me to the hospital

[incomingalbatross]

Lance's intro episode is so good

It is, in the end, about Eugene facing the fact that even a Dashing Adventurer Thief is still a thief, and he can't just shrug off the things he did simply because he got to stop doing them. Which is one of the things that elevates this show, to me, because they didn't have to go there! But they did!

But also HONESTLY people need to start LISTENING when he tells them he's Eugene now. Literally no one believes in Eugene Fitzherbert except Rapunzel and... I have Feelings about that.

Anyway, though: LANCE. Menace to society. Eugene but with slightly fewer braincells and like two steps behind him in character development. Good to see him! Deeply frustrating, but still good. They did a good job of writing "Eugene's foster-brother" when building his character.

Cassandra is SO RIGHT to have alarms blaring in her head. She's doing such a good job.

...But Rapunzel is also valid to be like "FUTURE IN-LAW! Person Eugene loves!! This is the best!! :)" She just wants Eugene to be happy and to have loved ones!! Family and friends are Good Things!!

Ugggggh Eugene stop LYING to RAPUNZEL. It feels bad, obviously. It SHOULD. She TRUSTS you. :( But also ugh Eugene being torn between his love for Lance and his love for Rapunzel... (and what he knows is right).

Lance has NO MORALS and, again, slightly less brains than Eugene. Very good glimpse at Flynn Rider by proxy.

OHHH I LOVE the silhouette sequence. SO good. So fun.

...Cass and Lance are actually kind of in sync here (never tell either of them), in that they are mostly just sitting back with smugness and popcorn at the ready, because neither of them is emotionally invested in the Problems the way Eugene/Rapunzel are and so they don't really GET their respective friends' investments.

Eugene will lie TO Rapunzel (hating it), but when it all comes out and Rapunzel takes it upon herself to lie FOR him, that he can't take. He won't keep running from the consequences of his own crimes, but he especially won't let her compromise herself for love of him. <3

The fact that they talk about the emotional impact of being robbed!! That this is given weight! Yeah I'm not over that.

Additionally, the way the corrupting influence of the criminal life is shown in the fact that there is no trust between Eugene and Lance by the end of this episode. They grew up together. They cared about each other through all those years, as much as they cared about anyone. But...none of that can be trusted to outweigh self-interest by this time. There IS no honor among thieves.

But ALSO also. That Lance donated (almost all of) his haul to the orphanage, under his REAL NAME. He got it! He got at least part of what Eugene's been saying!

And that Rapunzel can still, sincerely, trust Eugene completely after all of this episode... and that she's still RIGHT. She does know he never wants to hurt her. She sees the good in him and the good is REAL, and that's why she sees him MORE clearly, at the end of the day, then all the other "wiser" characters.

[biluata]

For once I'd love to relax on a Friday night and watch Marvel's Inhumans live instead of running around doing stuff for classes 😩

[dreamwritesimagines]

“Yet, it wasn’t enough to stop you.” they’re like horny teenager sneaking around this is so cute and so funny at the same time LMAO. but awww :(( Anthony didn’t get to do Aftercare which is very very important and which is prolly why she feels a bit iffy afterwards. 

“Last night was perfect, and so had been the morning—up until that point.” sigh......i mean, what did i say last time. it’s never going to be easy, especially when you hear it constantly. and she really needs to open up to Anthony about it too!

the museum! <3 it still baffles me that Cece actually owns a museum all bc of one (1) painting she liked but Elias just said, nope you’re having ALL OF THEM ALSKASK. we love a whipped golden retriever <3 “Of course,” you lied through your teeth. ugggggh she needs to stop bottling this upppp. she’s not helping herself by shouldering this alone tbh. “Vices and Virtues theme” ....inch-resting.... and the men going as vices and the ladies as virtues...sounds about right lmao in that era, at least. “What is Anthony going to be by the way? Lust?” Cece always making all the sense LMAO BC THAT’S SO FITTING. but what would he wear tho?? a white button up with all the buttons undone? LMAO Cherie would DIE. i mean tbh, Anthony could literally wear anything and he’d STILL be the personification of Lust lmao. “But then we realized Elias is going to be there, so…” pfft, i say go for it. make Elias squirm LMAO. “He will be Pride.” lmao yeah, that’s fitting as well alksalkslaks

“Wrath.” course she is!!! AND I CANNOT WAIT FOR HER BAD BITCH ENTRANCE!! as t.swift once said, she don’t dress for women! she don’t dress for men! SHE’S DRESSING FOR REVENGE! she’s on her Vigilante Shit™ and i am HERE FOR IT.

“You will tell me what’s wrong.” THANK U CECE. i love her so much. like i loveeeee how nothing ever gets past her and ugh their friendship <3

“Because it’s starting to feel less like we’re pretending each day.” gosh SHE NEEDS TO TALK TO HIM. like i’m sure it’s nothing, and she’s just getting into her head a lil. but i guess their moments are being cut short so she also can’t find the time really. and when they’re together their mouths are busy with.....other things. BUT STILL. TALK TO HIM.

“No, that’s not normal.” aslkalksalks why’d i find this so funny. obvs since Cherie is so energetic it is kinda weird that she’s tired but like, everyone can simply be tired Anthony LMAO. even the most energetic of people. it’s why we sleep LKASLASALK but hey, maybe that’s just his Husband-tuition, he just knows something is wrong without knowing what it is yet.

“I have a gift for you.” GASP IS IT THE??? omg OMG OMG I REALLY HOPE NOT BUT MY BRAIN JUST. WHAT IF SHE’S GOING TO TAKE IT THE WRONG WAY??? THAT ANTHONY BOUGHT HER A HOUSE??? AND IT’LL MAKE HER THINK THAT HE’S TRYING TO GET RID OF HER??? i really hope not and that’s just my overthinking but AAH.

“You got me a ledger!” LMAAAAAAAAO this reminded me of that video of that kid who got a potato for christmas and he was just like “it’s a potatoooo, thaaaanksss” in the cutest and happiest way bc he didn’t mind he got just a potato alskalkslaks

Happy tears rushed into your eyes THANK FUCK. okay i can breathe now lmao. panicked for absolutely nothing alskalkslaksal. but no this is SOOOO CUTEEEEEEEEE. love a man who buys you a house in the street, hell, the country you grew up in no less. don’t settle for less alkslakslaks i’m kidding but aaah this is so sweet <33

“Tell me. What made you think that?” ugh he’s too good for this world stooop. “Darling, nothing could make me love you less.” AWWWW <33 see what happens if you just TALK about your feelings??? aksalkslas 

“Like a second honeymoon?” yep he should deffo dress up at Lust™ like he just has it in his blood if i’m honest. Anthony is like 50% man, 50% lust LMAO. “Would they hear us do you think?” on second thought let them BOTH be Lust. matching like the Obsessed Harlots™ that they are <3

gosh i love the concepts of the ball, how the design of the outside is very different from the inside. omg....half an hour fireworks????? so we’re going all in on this huh jfc. “Fire breathing?” MY THOUGHTS EXACLY LUCIE LMAO “It’s safe!” // “It’s fire!” LMAAAAO Lucie is so me right now. “If a lady or lord that I don’t like catches fire, I’m not going to help you extinguish it.” SHE IS ME I AM HER. she’s such a mood i love her.

“I got it.” i can’t insert a gif but *insert “ladies and gentlemen, we got him” meme here* lol “He signed it.” LIKE THE FOOL THE HE IS BWAHAHAHA. “Who could’ve known all that drinking with Eli would actually pay off?” yeah no shit LMAO. good thing neither of them had alcohol poisoning bc i’m pretty sure it was getting there alskalslaks

“Well, the ball is only days away.” oh.....my......genius, absolute GENIUS. I TOLD YOU SHE’S ON HER VIGILANTE SHIT™️ !!! that’s her whole vibe next chapter i swear. we LOVE a public execution but not gorey or anything like that but more a, rich, fancy and classy way. i mean, it’s a ball, nothing fancier than that.

“I think we all deserve to see him dragged out like the traitor he is.” YES YOU DO. AND WE ALL NEED TO SEE IT. AAAH I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THIS MAN GETTING DRAGGED TO THE MUD. JAIL TIME FOR U BROTHA.  Anthony chuckled. “If that’s what you want.” WE LOVE A SUPPORTIVE MAN WHO ENABLES OUR NEED FOR A DRAMATIC REVENGE lksalksalks

but gosh. that ball would be the talk of the ton for YEARS i tell you. and that’s how you show them who’s the Boss Bitch™️ and the Badass Queen™️ i loveeeee. we’re closing this series with a bang i see and i cannot wait for it!!

– TM Anon™️

TM ANON MY DARLING, I AM SO FANGIRLING OVER YOU RN OMG-

YOU’RE AMAZING, AND YOU’VE MADE ME SO HAPPY WITH THIS! ❤🥰🥰

Yessss, I think that’s exactly why she feels weird! Like, aftercare always happens with them, and that was the first time it didn’t 💔

They need to talk about it! ❤

Elias is such a golden retriever 😍 What do we think he will go as btw? Because I doubt he will go as a vice, he’s too cute for that 😁❤

a white button up with all the buttons undone? Oh Cherie would totally die if she saw him in that😈 Elias on the other hand would be grumbling for the whole night 😂

He will still be lusty in Pride costume I’d say 😏

She will have such a great entrance! And considering literally no young lady ever really wore red in that era, since it was the era of soft colors like white and pale pink and blue and stuff….It will make such a great impression on the ton 😈

Cece can see right through her 😂

“THEIR MOUTHS ARE BUSY WITH OTHER THINGS” I AM SCREAMING 😂

Husband-tuition I’m so making this a part of my vocabulary now, because it’s genius 😂

Omg I actually considered that idea! We think the same! ❤ At first I wanted to make her panic a little for thinking Anthony bought that house to send her away 😱❤

Lolll she was so happy with the ledger! 😂 I feel like all the characters think that Cherie loves grand gestures and expensive gifts and everything, but she actually just likes gifts from the people she loves 😂 Anthony could just buy her a simple ledger and it would be so precious to her 😍

They are learning slowly but surely how to communicate lolll😂 Like, if it were a couple of months ago, Cherie would refuse to talk about it but now she’s starting to see how important communication is, and they’re like…improving as a couple! ❤

yep he should deffo dress up at Lust™ like he just has it in his blood if i’m honest. Anthony is like 50% man, 50% lust LMAO. LUST FITS HIM PERFECTLY😂 And yesssss, Cherie is almost as bad as him at this point, neither of them can get enough of each other 😈

That ball will be the biggest ball of the season 😏 Cherie knows how to throw one, and the ton has been waiting for it ever since she and Anthony got married ❤

Lucie is so convinced that Cherie will either burn down the house or make someone catch on fire 😂

HE GOT THE PAPER! 😏

I’m still surprised they didn’t get alcohol poisoning in Stormview OR when Anthony asked him to be his best man 😂  

YESSSSS IT’S GONNA HAPPEN AT THE BALL! 😈 And considering the whole ton will be there… He’s going to pay for what he put Cassie through 😏

Anthony is totally going with whatever she wants 😂 He is so in loveeee🥰

We definitely are closing the series with a bang, and you’re right, that ball will be the talk of the ton for years for sure 😈😈 Cassie would be proud lol😂

Darliiiing I hope you’ll like the final chapter as well! ❤ You’ve made my day so so much better with this, I hope you know how amazing you are! ❤❤❤ ILYSM, thank you! 🥰❤❤

[joshstambourine]

Heartache Tonight

"Hii! I love your writing btw! I was wondering if your still doing the music imagines if you could do one with Sammy based on the song Heartache Tonight by The Eagles?" - @anniegurl66

Awe thank you much!!

Listening to this song again made me smile! I almost instantly knew where I was going to take this one shot! I’ve been wanting to write something like this for a while so thank you for giving me an excuse.

Warnings: Cursing, mentions of Alcohol

Word Count: 2701

Taglist: @anditsmywholeheart @babydxll

(Y/N) sat quietly in the corner of the bustling living room, there were so many people here. So many people were laughing and chatting loudly. (Y/N) could barely hear herself think, let alone try to have a conversation of any sort with anyone. For a while she had been chatting with her best friend Sam, he was the only reason she had even decided to show up at this party, but he had eventually gotten up and went off to play pool with some of the guys. 

Her eyes glancing at the glass in her fingers, there was only a swig left in it. She had sworn it to herself that she would leave once her drink was finished, not really seeing much point in staying; it was coming to that point in the night where people seemed to pair off and disappear into the night. (Y/N) tugged her phone out of her pocket to check the time 11:30 pm; Sam had been gone for a few hours now actually --- she didn’t realize just how much time had passed.

Little did (Y/N) know, Sam was in fact not playing pool. Or well he had played for a matter of five minutes before having his brothers tug him off to a quiet-ish corner of the room.

“So?” They were all too quick to inquire, “Did you ask her yet?”

Sam looked between the two of them with a rather confused glint in his eyes, “Whaaaat am I asking who?” He slowly responded with an innocent laugh, bringing his beer bottle to his lips.

Josh rolled his eyes, “(Y/N)! You told us that you were gonna talk to her and y’know--- ask her out?” He replied with a glass of whiskey in his hand. Josh wore a rather large grin; it was indescribable just how much he enjoyed sticking his nose into his brothers love lives --- really it came down to him wanting them to be happy but… it was also a shit tonne of fun to get them riled up over it.

Sam furrowed his brows, beginning to shake his head. “No idea what you’re talking about.” He simply responds.

Josh looked to Jake with a tired expression, they knew he was probably going to put it off. “C’mon man, it’s been what two years since you had started to like her?” Jake threw out with a tired sigh, stopping and glancing at a few people who had turned the corner to enter the room, not really wanting to just talk about it with random people present. Once they had dispersed a little he continued, “It’s about time that you just ask her. She may surprise you!”

Josh nodded quickly in agreement, “Yeah! And I mean, the way she looks at you… she’s totally into you, I wouldn’t be worried at all if I was you!” He tells Sam.

Sam still wore an uninterested expression, “No clue what you guys are going on about, I’m just here to have a good time and hang out with my friends!” He tells them, with a shrug.

Josh threw his head back dramatically, “Ugggggh… you’re my lamest brother.” He mutters to the air,

“At least say you like her and stop pretending that you have no idea what’s happening, that shit’s getting old.” Jake tells Sam calmly, taking a sip from his glass.

Sam’s eyes left his brothers, looking over the different people in the room. Sam just couldn’t figure it out, something had been holding him back but he couldn’t figure out what it was for the life of him. His lips parted letting out a small sigh, “Jeez, you guys are relentless about this.” Sam mumbles out.

“We wouldn’t have to be if you just got it over with.” Josh points out with an obnoxiously sarcastic tone as he looked at his drink.

Sam shook his head a little, “I’m just not there yet…” he admits, free hand beginning to fiddle with one of his braids. “What if she doesn’t like me that way…?” He continues.

Jake’s expression didn’t really change, but it showed in his eyes that he seemed to sympathize. “Then you know!” He tells him, “If you honestly like her, and are also as good of friends as you say you are, then you both should be able to rekindle the friendship otherwise.” 

Josh nods, “Annnnd I mean… what if she does?” He softly suggested with a warm look in his eyes.

Sam looked between his brothers with a new found nervousness; maybe he should. Jake was right, they were best friends, if she wasn’t interested then they should be able to recover from it without an issue. Sam’s head began to nod a bit, “You’re right. You guys are absolutely right!” He says with a touch of shake in his voice. Without another thought he reached out and tugged Josh’s glass of whiskey from him and tossed it back without the slightest look of being fazed.

“Hey!!” Josh exclaimed, “You can get your own, y’know!”

“You were just closer.” Sam says, handing the empty glass back, “I just--- I need a bit more courage first.” He admits to them, there was something about the tone… it made Jake nervous.

Jake raised a brow, “Alright… just remember, some courage is great---” he started, watching as Sam downed the rest of the beer in hand, “---too much is a little dangerous.” He continues slowly, pretty sure there wasn’t really any point in trying to convince him anymore. “I’m… gonna play some pool.” Jake finally says, beginning to start away; he had a feeling this wasn’t going to be the most clean confession but he also couldn’t necessarily stop it from happening.

(Y/N) had now gotten to her feet, her bag slung over her shoulder as she had begun looking around the room. At this point (Y/N) began searching for Sam, more or less hoping just to let him know that she was going to be leaving and to wish him a fun rest of his night. (Y/N) was getting a touch fed up, she had searched every room she could think of but still hadn’t seen him.

‘I guess I’ll just text him once I’m in the car.’ (Y/N) told herself as she wandered through the people to get herself back to the front door of the house. “Excuse me…” She muttered passing them by. Eventually she found herself by the front entrance which was surprisingly empty despite the sheer amount of people in the building, she had imagined that at least some of the overflow would have found themselves out here.

Before (Y/N) could take another step, she could hear her name being called from behind her. With a quick glance she was able to see Sam stumbling his way through the crowds of people, “(Y/N)!” He called again, “There you are!” Sam cheered with a wide smile, his cheeks dusted a rosy pink.

(Y/N) felt her brows furrow but she still smiled, “Yup I’m right---” before she could finish Sam had wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug.

“I missed you…!” He cooed, snuggling into her neck a touch.

(Y/N) let out a weak laugh as she came to be hugging him back, “Are you drunk…?” She lightly inquired, it wasn’t the first time she had seen Sam drunk but normally he was a little more on the ball at big parties like this.

Sam shook his head quickly, though his head was still in the crevice of her neck. “No!” He said, pulling back to hold her by her shoulders, “I just… I had to find my courage.” Sam admits to her, breath wreaking of liquor.

“Your… courage?” (Y/N) continued to smile, lightly placing her hand on Sam’s arms. “Maybe let's go find Josh or Jake okay? You can tell them all about your courage.” She hums in an affectionate way, moving to pull him along by his arm. (Y/N) really didn’t want to leave him alone and risk having him try to go home by himself.

“First!” Sam exclaimed, lightly startling (Y/N) as she looked back at him. She waited a moment, expecting him to say something.

“Firrrrst?” She says, drawing it out to hopefully jumpstart his brain a little.

“First.” Sam repeated as his hands moved to take hers, “Can I talk? Like… with you somewhere?” He asks her,

“Sam… are you sure that can’t wait until a time where you’re… a little more with it?” (Y/N) suggests with a warm look across her features.

Sam only shook his head as a reply, looking something like a child who didn’t want to eat their veggies with the way his braids swayed. (Y/N) let out a small sigh as she looked around, “Okay… um, where do you want to go?” She asks him, though she had barely gotten the words out before he began to pull her with him.

Despite being so clearly intoxicated, Sam had excellent balance. He walked in a straight line towards the door across from them, he pulled it open revealing an array of coats and shoes. Sam tugged (Y/N) to follow him in as he shut the door behind them.

All the while, (Y/N) has begun to grin from ear to ear, finding the whole situation hysterical to say the least. “Sam?” She lightly begins, in a hushed voice.

“Yes?”

“You realize this is a closet right?” (Y/N) mused, watching Sam as he rolled his eyes a little.

“Of course I---” Sam slowed a little, looking at the rack of coats he was pressed against “Oh, actually I didn’t realize that.” He mumbled slowly, beginning to laugh to himself. “Well shit…” He continued under his breath.

(Y/N) laughed along with him, though she soon was shaking her head a bit. “Ahhh, okay, well maybe we should try and find somewhere else then?” She suggests, having begun to realize just how close together they were, to the point that his every breath was brushing against her cheeks.

Sam still had one hand on hers, while his free one moved to fiddle with his braid. “Uh… this is fine I think.” He continues, his eyes seeming to dart away from hers for a moment. “Um…” He began, seeming to try and collect his thoughts. “(Y/N)?”

“That’s me.” She replied with a soft chuckle, still confused about what was happening.

Sam nodded, “...we’ve been friends for a long time right?” He continued cautiously. “Like… a million years or something.”

“I don't quite remember it being a million but---” (Y/N) continued with a snicker, watching as Sam’s eyes came to settle on hers. The gears were clearly turning his mind, a touch slower than they normally would be, but they were still turning all the same. After a moment or too, he let out a small huff. “Sam, let’s just go, you seem like you’re ready for a lay down.” She hummed, moving to pat his head.

Sam’s hand quickly took it into his own once again, the other gently pressing against her shoulder, he pressed his weight against her. Within an instant (Y/N) was pressed against the wall of the closet, Sam’s hand slipping up to cup her cheek. “Sam…?” She uttered out.

Sam quickly leaned closer, pressing his lips against hers in a gentle way, they were so soft. (Y/N)’s eyes widened, quickly trying to push him back. “Wh-what are you doing?!” She sputters out as soon as lips are free from his.

Sam seemed a little dazed at first, but soon enough he found his tongue, “I… I love you!” He tells her abruptly, beginning to smile in a warm way. “I… have for a long time.” He admits,

“Sam…” (Y/N) lightly let out, not getting a chance to utter another word.

“I just… everyone thinks we belong together.” Sam continued, not seeming to pick up on the cues that should have told him to stop. “We’re so alike and yet… you’re so much better than me in every single way. I know that I’m not good enough for you, I mean… I drank a shit tonne just to be able to walk up to you… but, (Y/N) you complete me. You make me so much better than I ever can be on my own and I just had to tell you.” He tells her in a quiet tone, hand moving from her cheek to lightly brush back her hair. “So… I love---”

“Sam---” (Y/N) repeated again, this time her voice was much more stern seeming to shake him a little. She reached up and began to take his hand from her hair, “I’m so sorry… but I… I don’t think of you in that way.” She admits to him, frowning as she watched his previously hopeful expression fall. “I mean… I did at one point but…” (Y/N) began to explain,

Her words made Sam’s eyes perk up, “Did I do something? I can fix it!”

“No, no, you didn’t do anything at all!” (Y/N) tells him, trying to reassure him. “...I was trying to tell you earlier but you seemed to be a little bit preoccupied… but I’m actually seeing someone now.” She continued slowly.

Sam’s eyes slowly widened, lips parting nervously. A weak sound came from his throat as he struggled to untangle his mess of thoughts. Eventually he began to let out what (Y/N) knew was a forced laugh, “I was kidding!” He suddenly says, hands pulling back from her and struggling to find the door handle, “The guys--- you know them, they dared me to do this stupid shit. I told them it was a bad idea a but---”

(Y/N) was unsure what to make of his sudden change, watching him fumble for the door handle. “Oh… uh I guess that’s… was the dare to kiss me or?” She slowly asked, clearly seeing through the lie but trying to give him the benefit of the doubt and save him the embarrassment. 

“All of it. Just--- ALL, you know the whole thing.” Sam quickly responds, finally finding the handle and opening the door for him to stumble out of the closet. “I’m so sorry, I would have fought them more if I--- I am just gonna go find those guys so I can yell at them okay?” He rambled, “Okay. Bye!” Sam exclaimed, rushing away from the closet.

Sam stumbled a little as he went, unsure where to go or what to do. He didn’t expect her to say no. That said though, he had steeled himself up for that answer. What was tearing him apart was the fact that she said she had liked him back at some point… but now it was too late. ‘They were right…’ Sam thought to himself as he walked towards the room with the pool table; his brothers were right. If he had said something earlier maybe this wouldn’t be the case.

When Sam stepped through the doorway of the room, Josh almost immediately looked to him with a small grin. “So?!” He quickly inquired, eager to hear about what had happened.

Sam’s lips pursed as he stepped forward with some urgency, his mind was such a mess. All he could think about was what Josh had said earlier, ‘What if she does?’ the words just kept racing through his thoughts. She had. She had and he missed it. Sam didn’t even realize what he was doing until he was doing it. He didn’t realize it until his fist had connected with Josh’s jaw. 

Sam’s eyes widened a little as he looked down at his brother on the floor holding his cheek in hand, everyone in the room looking at the two of them with the same amount of shock they were currently sharing. It was the first time it was quiet enough for Sam to actually hear the music,

Somebody is gonna hurt someone

Before the night is through

Somebody is gonna come undone

It's nothin' we can do

Everybody wants to touch somebody

If it takes all night

Everybody wants to take a little chance

Make it come out right

There’s gonna be a heartache tonight

//Thank you so much for this request! I remember reading a fic sorta like this before but I'm not sure for who--- anyways ever since I've been thinking about writing one in a similar vein!//

[petals42]

been so long and now...

Alright, not writing the fic but this is the fic I want to read for julie and the phantoms (okay updated note: I wrote it basically). Going to try to keep this quick (LOL it’s 7k). We’re starting after season 1 here.

[7k, Reggie-centric, Julie POV, child abuse mention, Ray is a good dad.]

Alright, the boys can now touch Julie (sometimes) and can still be seen when playing music, but other than that, it’s not super clear how much actually changes. And after that day in the garage, life seems to even out a bit. Which means Alex is off looking for Willie and Luke and Julie are spending a lot more time writing music together (and okay, maybe that’s new but if both of them ignore it, it's fine) and Reggie is back to hanging out with Ray. 

Ray can’t hear him or see him and the conversations are by necessity very one sided. Either Reggie filling Ray in on his day slash his ideas on ghosthood or Ray talking to himself/the computer but somehow it becomes fairly commonplace for Julie to walk downstairs and find her dad talking to (around?) her dead teenage bandmate. And there are times, sure, where she is like is this weird?? Should i say something about this??? But Reggie is kind of being left on his own a lot and she never really wanted to listen to her dad mutter about cameras and if that’s how Reggie wants to fill his days then… well that’s not her business. Neither party seems to mind. Probably because her dad doesn’t actually know.

Of course, the Julie-magic power does eventually start working more and more and then Carlos knows they are ghosts and then her dad hears them talking in Julie’s room when Luke accidentally starts humming and then catches a glimpse of them in garage when there’s no lights on so he doesn’t see how the hologram is working and--

“It’s time to tell him, I think,” Julie says to the boys and Luke nods and looks excited and Alex twists his hands around his drumsticks the way he does when he is a little anxious (but mostly okay) and when Julie glances over at Reggie, she expects that large megawatt smile that he directs at Flynn or Carlos but instead, he looks even more uncertain than Alex.

“I dunno,” he says, one shoulder raised. “I feel like we have an okay system?”

His concerns get drowned out by Luke and Alex and Julie herself pointing out that her dad is in photography, at some point he is going to realize that this hologram technology does not obey the laws of physics and/or light, plus he keeps almost seeing them just around his house and…

They play a song to tell her dad and lately, the boys have been able to be seen longer and longer, especially when they are just in the studio and don’t officially bow so once her dad gets over the initial shock (which, admittedly, takes him a little longer than Flynn or Carlos), there are introductions and--

Julie finds herself glancing at Reggie the whole time. Waiting for him to bound forward and say that actually he knows all about Ray and actually they’ve hung out quite a bit and actually, it was him that’s been slowly doing the puzzle with Ray in the corner room and maybe the other boys do too because there are a lot more awkward pauses that she thought there would be but Luke seems to realize it halfway through so suddenly he is taking the lead (and maybe trying to impress her father like omg what???) and so it kind of gets forgotten. (especially afterwards, in her room, when her dad lowkey tries to grill her about her relationship with these boys and she doesn’t have good answers and ugggggh maybe they should’ve stayed holograms).

Anyway, things are still mostly normal after that. The boys are not often seen or visible (except more and more to Flynn and sometimes Carlos) and so Reggie is often back to hanging around her dad and one time Julie does ask him “Do you let him know that you’re here?” and “Oh no,” Reggie says. “I wouldn’t want to bother him.” And Julie guesses that’s true, Reggie is normally chilling with her dad when he is editing photos so, alright. Again, she has lots of other things going on. There isn’t much point in digging into this.

Except then-- then the boys start being seen more and more around the whole house. It starts in the studio and then sort of spreads and it’s a weird new normal for sure, them still walking through walls whenever they want so you can’t forget they’re ghosts, but you sure can see them around a lot. And if Julie is around and can make them solid, they can eat and so it become a not rare occurrence to have the boys come eat dinner 2ish times a week or at least try to (Julie’s “powers” only work about a fourth of the time, to be honest, but they can be seen so they usually hang around.)

And right around when that becomes common place, suddenly Reggie stops hanging out with Ray.

I mean, it’s not something that Julie notices right away but suddenly Reggie is around the studio a lot more and sometimes she assumes he is in the house only to find out he has been hanging by the beach or with Alex and Willie and there’s no real reason for worry but it sort of… lurks in the back of Julie’s mind. A weird sense that something isn’t quite right there, that Reggie used to love hanging around her dad and giving her dad full reports of their days and, okay, maybe it was weird but still… it bothered her. Now that it was gone. 

And then, her dad asks her about it.

Not directly, but he comes sort of frowning into her room, asking if the boys are okay, and “yeah, why?” Julie says and..

“Oh, I dunno,” her dad answers, looking over his shoulder and drumming his fingers against his thigh. “It just feels… I don’t know, the house feels empty? Like… sometimes I think there should be someone and-- you know what, nevermind. It’s probably in my head.”

“No, no,” Julie says because she’s lied to her dad enough. “You’re right. I mean, Reggie used to hang out in the house all the time.”

“Reggie,” her dad says. “The bassist. He did?”

“Yeah, he was probably… what you were sensing.” and Julie has an awful moment of wondering if her dad thought that presence around him was her mom and if Reggie being more busy with other things was like losing someone all over again and--

“That’s what that was!” her dad sounds happy. And relieved. “Sorry. Who. Who that was. I thought I was going crazy.”

“No,” Julie shakes her head. “He’s real. And he was around a lot.”

“Hm,” Ray says and turns to leave. Then turns. “You know…  he’s still welcome, you know? Unless you guys are practicing more…”

“I’ll tell him,” Julie laughs. And then shoos her dad out because she has got to work on this chemistry homework and sometimes it sucks -- having three ghost bandmates who should be in high school but who never have to do anything and don’t even try to help her and--

*^*^*^

“Hey,” Julie says, plopping down next to Reggie on the couch. It’s a few days later but this is the first time they’ve been alone-- Luke and Alex, realizing they were solid enough to go eat and running for the kitchen, Reggie opting to stay behind.

“Hi, Jules!” Reggie says and he doesn’t seem any different. With her and the band, he talks just as much as always, big bright smile, whining about the need for a country song, laughing at all their mishaps.

“I have a question.”

“What’s up?” He twists to face her, giving her all his attention. He does that, she realizes. Focuses on her. All the boys do, to some extent, but with different energies. Reggie’s is the biggest, she thinks. Honest and open.

“So… I’ve sorta noticed that you haven’t been hanging out with my dad as much anymore?” Julie tries to keep her tone casual. She’s not accusing him. She’s just… curious.

“Oh,” Reggie says and his head tilts as if confused by her confusion. “Well, yeah.”

There’s a beat. Julie thinks Reggie is going to keep talking. Reggie does not. Reggie turns back to where he was tuning his bass. “Uh, why?” she finally asks.

Reggie frowns at her. “Well, he can see and hear us now,” he says, as if this is very obvious. 

“So?”

“So like… I don’t want to bother him,” Reggie says. “He does a lot of work during the day. It was one thing when he couldn’t hear or see me but now you know… I’m annoying.”

It’s Julie’s turn to frown, even though Reggie is already looking down again. There’s something about the way he says it, I’m annoying that bothers her. He says it as if it is an obvious fact. As if everybody knows it. As if it’s true. 

“You’re not annoying,” she says. “I don’t think you’re annoying.”

He blinks at her. “Well, no, you don’t,” he allows. “And Luke and Alex don’t. Most of the time.”

“And Flynn and Carlos,” she adds.

“Most of the time. But still, see, all kids. Teens,” Reggie says. “But old people… parents are different. You have to--”

He cuts himself off and for a moment, his hand grips the neck of his bass tightly and there is a tension in his shoulders and suddenly Julie thinks she maybe is in a little too deep here. She doesn’t want to upset him. 

“You’re dad is really nice but he still… It’s different,” he says and he shoots another smile at her, but it’s tight and fake and he jumps up the moment Alex and Luke burst back into the studio.

“So close,” Alex mutters as they come back in. “I had the sandwich IN MY HANDS.”

“Dumb choice,” Luke says, mouth still clearly full of something. “You gotta just hit the snacks, my friend. Focus on what’s quick and easy.”

The boys all head for their instruments and the moment is passing, Julie knows, and she also knows she now has clues that maybe she should put together but she doesn’t have time and why couldn’t her powers last just a little longer this one time? But-

“You should still go hang out with him again,” she tells Reggie as Luke starts tuning up and Alex gets settled behind his drums. “He misses you.”

There’s no time for Reggie to ask any questions but his frown of confusion as she turns away says it all. 

*^*^*^

It grows, this curiosity and she realizes she doesn’t know much about Reggie’s parents. Luke’s, she obviously knows very well and she knows the story very well and she has heard enough about Alex’s to know that they are not worth seeking out but Reggie’s…

She’s never even heard him mention them. Not even in all their conversations about Luke’s. And this is a sensitive topic for all the boys and she doesn’t know how much to push or even whether to push so--

“What were Reggie’s parents like?” she blurts one day. Luke startles and looks up at her and that’s fair as they had been in the middle of writing a song and there was no reason for her to ask. 

“What?” Luke says and she gets to watch as he tries to switch his brain over from music-mode to conversation-mode.

“Reggie’s parents,” she repeats. “What were they like?”

And she knows she’s hit on something when Luke’s head goes down and his shoulders come up and “I dunno,” he says. “It’s… we didn’t hang out there that much.”

“But you must know something?” Julie presses. “Like… did they ever come to see you guys play?”

“No,” Luke says and he’s leaning further away, eyes cutting to the door. “Look, I--”

“Were they against him playing music?”

“Uh- I don’t… Why are you asking?”

The question forces Julie to pause. And she chews her bottom lips as she tries to figure out the answer. Why is she asking? What does she think? What does she actually need to know?

“I don’t know,” she admits. “I just… he’s never even mentioned them.”

“Well, then… we probably shouldn’t talk about it,” Luke says and that’s fair, she knows it is, but she can’t help if she doesn’t have some information. And going to Luke was at least better than just googling. 

“So there is something to talk about,” she says softly. 

“No, I don’t… look,” Luke says and takes a breath. “Reggie never…. He never said anything about them, really. Not even when we were alive. He just… I don’t know. I told you, we never hung out at his house.”

“So you think they were…?” Julie lets the sentence dangle. Luke glares at her a little. Then takes another breath. Fiddles with something on his pants. Doesn’t speak. “You know I’m just trying to help, right?” Julie asks. “I just--”

“Reggie was really quiet,” Luke interrupts. “When we met him, I mean. He was… he was really shy.”

“Reggie?” Julie asks and she can’t help the disbelieving tone. That doesn’t make any sense.

“Yeah,” Luke says. “He was a great bass player, obviously, and nice enough but… really quiet. He… didn’t even laugh really. He just hung back a lot and… it’s weird to think about. Now that I know him.”

“You think he was that way because of his parents?”

“I mean… I dunno. Maybe?” Luke shrugs. “The few times he met my parents, he was… really weird.”

“Weird?”

“Just… weird.”

Julie opens her mouth to ask more questions, to say that that answer wasn’t specific enough, but Luke finally meets her eyes and suddenly she knows that this conversation is going to end.

“Look, if you want to know more, you can probably ask him,” Luke says. “Or like… don’t. It’s not like it matters anymore now, right?”

And there’s a trace of bitterness in that and a trace of please stop and more than a trace of I am uncomfortable with this conversation and so Julie lets it go. 

“Yeah,” she says, worried she pushed too hard. “Yeah, you’re right.”

*^*^*^

The clues are all there and Julie isn’t sure what they point to, so she tries to listen to Luke’s advice and remember that it doesn’t really matter. Reggie doesn’t have to see his parents again and it doesn’t matter and he continues to seem absolutely fine with the band. Fine and happy and--

“Helloooo?” she hears him call from the front door, just as she’s hitting the top of the stairs. She turns, a bit confused because the boys never bother announcing themselves but she opens her mouth to tell him she has to finish homework before rehearsal today and then closes it when she says that he is not looking at her at all, but towards the kitchen.

She walks down a few steps. Bends over so she can peer down and see what he’s looking at. 

Her dad is sitting at the counter.

“Hello!” Reggie is louder this time, and then waves his arms a little bit for good measure and her dad doesn’t see him, she realizes, doesn’t even flinch at all the noise and the arm flailing and she is about to tell Ray that Reggie is there when suddenly, Reggie’s face bursts into a grin and, seemingly satisfied that he is undetectable, the teenager plops himself down in the stool next to Ray.

Julie watches as her dad continues muttering to himself for a minute and then he pauses, and shifts, and glances, and she doesn’t know if he caught a glimpse of Reggie or if he can just sense it but his mouth quirks into a slight smile and he talks more now, at maybe a higher volume, but still to himself and Reggie doesn’t seem to notice the change, so she leaves them to it.

Reggie is still there when she finally finishes her homework two hours later. 

*^*^*^

It doesn’t really get that much better. Reggie still avoids the house when he is visible and, when she catches him with her dad, she somehow knows that he had made sure he was undetectable before risking it and he doesn’t talk as much now, not when he’s learning from conversations with Flynn and Carlos that sometimes it’s part way through a conversation that they are suddenly audible, but she hopes it’s a little bit nice, at least, that Reggie is there at least part of the time.

*^*^*^

They play a particularly good show and the boys stay visible for 5 straight days. Reggie avoids the house the whole time.

*^*^*^

It’s a Friday night when Julie finally gets her biggest clue. It’s a rare quiet Friday. They don’t have a gig all weekend so there’s no rehearsals and Carlos is home and the boys aren’t visible or audible to anyone but Julie so most of her time is spent laughing at what they say and then having to explain to her dad and brother and she thinks they are going to try to play a game, maybe like Clue? Something all the boys can play, though Luke is pushing for twister even though the boys can literally go through people so that doesn’t seem fair at all and--

Something (a ball) whizzes past her head as she and her dad are bent over trying to remember the Clue rules and then she jumps as there’s the unmistakable sound of breaking glass. 

There’s a moment of stillness and then it makes sense. There’s a vase broken on the ground and a baseball rolling under the kitchen table and she turns to see Carlos, looking shocked, mouth already open to apologize. 

“Carlos!” her dad says, standing and moving, doubtlessly to go get the broom. But there is glass everywhere and his voice comes out angry because this is not the first kitchen object Carlos has broken by a longshot. “How many times have I told you not to play--”

Things move very fast then. 

Her dad is moving towards Carlos because that’s where the broom is and Carlos is standing still and looking down because he already knows he’s going to get in trouble and then just as suddenly, Carlos is sort of stumbling back because he’s been pulled back and Reggie is standing where Carlos just was.

Squarely between her dad and her brother. 

“It was me,” Reggie says. And he sounds sort of breathless but also certain and he’s not moving from where he stands. 

Carlos is still sort of gaping that he was just pulled back by a ghost and Julie can see the other two boys processing that fact, the fact that Reggie just managed to touch another person and Ray jerks to a stop because a full teenage boy has just popped into existence in front of him. So no one says anything.

“I threw the ball,” Reggie repeats. More firmly this time. A lie, Julie knows, because Reggie had been on the couch with Alex. Nowhere near where the ball had come from. “It was my fault.”

His voice is still firm and his eyes stay on Ray’s for a second before looking down and his hands tighten into firsts before going slack and he swallows and--

He’s scared, Julie realizes. Scared, but still.

“It was my fault. So--”

“Reggie!” Her dad exclaims and he’s beaming, she can already see it, and then without a thought to whether Reggie is still solid or not, her dad is throwing her arms around Reggie as if he is a long lost friend

(Which in a way, maybe he is)

Reggie stays solid and his arms are pinned to his side and Julie sees him stiffen, sees his face frown in confusion.

“You’re here!” Ray says, still grinning. He leans back and slaps Reggie on the arm. “And solid, I see. Thank goodness. Come, come help me on this puzzle. You’ve been slacking and I swear this dark spot near the left corner is driving me crazy and-- Oh, Carlos, go get the broom and clean this up. No throwing balls in the house! Honestly, you’d think after the last time-- Reggie, wait, whatever happened with that telenovella you guys were watching, you haven’t updated me in forever.”

And then her dad is dragging Reggie away, who still looks shell-shocked, still looks like he was expecting something different, and Julie hangs back, partly to help Carlos clean up, partly to enjoy hearing Reggie slowly start to stammer out answers to her dad’s many, many questions.

*^*^*^

“Oh shoot,” her dad says an hour later, when family puzzle night is brought to an end because the three boys have abruptly vanished from existence. He looks at where Reggie had been sitting (roughly). “Well, we’ll finish next time.”

*^*^*^

What happens next, Julie calls in her head, the Period of Cautious Testing. 

She sees it play out.

Reggie comes into the house, waves hi to her, but doesn’t say anything and then he goes and sort of… lurks near her dad, watching carefully and if her dad seems to be in a good mood (which he is often, to be honest), Reggie will either say hello or obviously pull out a stool to make it clear he is there and--

“Are you free?” Reggie asks. Or “Do you mind?” or “Hey, can I--?���

He says it when Ray can hear him and writes it if there is pen and paper nearby and even when there’s not, he stays tense and ready to fly if he’s not wanted, but--

“Of course!” her dad says. “Sit down.” “Come look.” “Oh, Reggie, check this out--”

And Reggie stares and listens and there’s this smile he has, not his usual huge grin, but a smaller softer sort of wonderful-filled smile and he pays attention to her dad as if he might be quizzed on the information later, still starts out not talking as much but--

“Okay, well tell me about,” her dad says. “Oh, do you think--?”�� And “Wait, I want to hear what it was like to--”

*^*^*^

“Your dad is really nice,” Reggie tells her one day. He says it right as they are starting rehearsal and doesn’t really look at her when he says it, looks more somewhere over her left shoulder and he is basically running away towards his mic stand but still…

It makes her smile.

*^*^*^

“Come play with me,” Carlos asks her, throwing his ball in the air.

“Where’s dad?” Julie responds. This is usually her dad’s territory. Whatever talents she had in singing and music and sort of dancing do not translate into sports.

“With Reggie,” Carlos says, throwing the ball up, tilting his head up to watch as it comes down and catches it. “They are talking about… I don’t know. Something. He said he’d be out but you know how they get.”

Julie does. And it doesn’t bother her but..

“Are you mad?” She asks, just to be certain. Carlos had been the only son. Still is. But also… “That they are hanging out so much?” Her brother is still young. Her brother maybe doesn’t--

“No,” Carlos says. “Not like I want to learn about cameras at all.”

Julie laughs.That’s true. And her dad sure can ramble. 

“Also,” Carlos starts…. And then he is glancing at her and he is young and stupid and her ilttle brother, but when he looks up at her, he looks older and serious.

“Also, I think It’s nice. Reggie hanging out with Dad. I think he…”

He fiddles with his ball, but doesn’t throw it. “I think he probably needs that, you know?”

Julie did know, she just didn’t know that Carlos knew. And understood. And was willing to share Dad like that because he knew. She feels her face start heating up with pride. 

“How did you--” she starts. Then stops. She knows how she figured it out and she had mostly relied on being able to see when Reggie was around and how he tried to stay away for so long and her conversation with Luke.

“Oh. Uh. Well, he started a stash of food in my room,” Carlos says. Julie blinks at him. “I went up there one day and he was shoving granola bars in a box in the back of my closet. That was already filled with other stuff.

“He was acting really weird. I mean, nervous and I dunno. I asked him why and he said it was always a good backup in case you couldn’t go downstairs and then I asked why I wouldn’t be able to go downstairs and I think he was embarrassed but still insisted it was safer and--”

Carlos shrugs. Flushes because he realizes he had been talking a hair too fast.

“I don’t know. It made him feel better so I kept it. And it honestly is sometimes easier than going all the way downstairs.”

“Carlos!”

“He has one in your room too!’ Carlos says, laughing. “Basket tucked under your bed, I think. I’m telling you, once you get used to access to rice krispy treats in the middle of the night…”

“Oh my god,” Julie says and they are laughing about this, because what else is there to do but…

“So it’s really okay,” Carlos says. “Plus I figure now you and me can play catch?” He turns on those big brown eyes for that last part and he is so good that Julie can barely stand it.

“Oh alright,” she makes sure to roll her eyes so he knows that she is not falling for him for a second. “Let me put my bag down.”

*^*^*^

The boys are not supposed to be on her computer (there has actually been talk of getting them their own computer to uphold this rule, but none of them really seem to have much interest in technology (besides TV) given that they can always just poof to whoever they need to talk to and force Julie to do the research for them) so it’s a surprise when Julie walks into her room and finds Reggie, glaring at the screen.

“Reggie!” she says, fully intending to yell at him. She has private things on there! 

And then he looks up at her. He looks dark and serious and--

“Will you help me?” he asks. “I don’t know how-- this thing is so complicated.” And Reggie isn’t the one who will get frustrated-- that’s Alex when his anxiety gets to be too much or Luke when a song isn’t going well or even herself when having three rambunctious boys who can pop in on her literally any time gets to be a little much-- but he’s frustrated now. 

“Okay,” she says, her earlier rant about privacy flying out of her head. “Okay, yes, let me help. What do you need to do?”

With the boys, it could be anything. Alex wants to watch videos of skateboarding so he can pretend he knows something about what Willie talks about, or there was the week he discovered Sense8 and then Luke really just wants to google guitars or also there was that week Julie tried to get him on music producing software and then he just wanted to read articles about how digital music was destroying the industry (like some old grandpa).

“I’m--” Reggie stops and stands. Takes a breath and blows it out. Julie waits. He looks somewhere toward the ceiling. “I’m trying to find my parents.”

Julie stills. 

That is not what she was expecting.

“Oh,” she says and it’s a struggle but she keeps her voice carefully neutral. She also takes the moment to look down and see that Reggie has type “goo-gull” into the windows search bar. 

He doesn’t add anything and so she sets herself to opening the real google and seeing what she can do. Contrary to popular belief, it can be a little hard to find people if they aren’t famous and have fairly common names.

“What are their names?” she asks and instead of answering, Reggie just passes her a piece of paper. It has their names on it. And what she assumes to be his old address. She senses the mood and doesn’t say anything else. At least he comes and sits next to her to see the search results pop up. 

There are a lot of them.

“Don’t worry,” she says when she sees his eyes widen. “Even if I can’t do it today, I can put Flynn or-or my dad on it and I’m sure one of them can--”

“No,” Reggie says. “I don’t want-- not them.”

Julie nods and keeps scrolling. She doesn’t know what Reggie’s parents did for a living so she doesn’t know if some of these websites apply but she scrolls slowly and hopes he’ll tell her if he sees something. 

After two pages, “Let’s switch to images,” she suggests. “Maybe you’ll see them.”

Reggie hesitates but then nods. 

After some more silent scrolling, the silence gets to be too much -- “Why do you--?”

“There.”

Julie stops scrolling and, yes, there-- there’s something slightly familiar about that woman’s nose and the darkness of that man’s hair. She clicks to enlarge it, but it’s still a blurry picture, pulled onto google search from Facebook, if she had to guess and--

And she knows that you can’t really judge someone off of a photograph, especially not one that’s older and blurry but she… 

They don’t look nice, she decides. Even though both of them are smiling. The smiles look tense and forced and they are standing a hair too far away from each other to be called close.

“That’s them,” Reggie tells her needlessly.

“Oh,” Julie says again. He doesn’t sound excited. He sounds… she doesn’t know what he sounds.

She waits, risks glancing at him to find he is still just staring. And the silence drags and then right- right as she knows she’s got to say something, anything--

“I thought it was normal,” Reggie finally says softly. “They. I thought they were normal. I mean… I thought everyone’s parents were that way.”

He’s still not looking at her. Still just staring at the screen.

“I mean… Luke fought all the time with his parents and Alex’s were just… always too religious and a bit off even before they knew and so I just assumed that everyone… you know.”

Julie did not know. Not really. Not at all. 

“I knew they hated me,” he says and he finally glances over at her. He’s not crying, but his voice is tight and the nod he gives her is jerky. He looks away quickly. “For forcing them to get married. And for forcing them to stay together too, I guess, though… it wasn’t just…”

His leg is bouncing now. Jumping up and down even as his fist clenches and presses on top of it. 

“It’s not even just that though,” and his voice rises now, almost desperate. “They hated me. They said I was loud and annoying and stupid and I… I thought that was normal. I thought they were right.”

He shoots up now, solid enough that her little table gets pushed back when his shin hits against it, but he doesn’t seem to notice and he swipes at his eyes, but he’s not crying. Just red and Julie’s almost crying, she realizes, but she’s also tense and her stomach hurts and she doesn’t know what to do.

“They were my parents and they hated me and I thought-- I thought that was normal. That everyone would always hate--” He cuts off and Julie opens her mouth again but she doesn’t know what to say. The boys… the boys are young and happy and they are all an open book, even when they try not to be, but now… Now Reggie clenches his jaw and stops himself. The boys never stop themselves. 

“It wasn’t right though,” Reggie says and he’s angry now. More angry than Julie’s seen anyone. “It wasn’t fair. What they did. Making me feel… yelling at me all the time and-and sending me to bed without dinner so often that I- I fucking thought everyone snuck snacks into their room and shoving me around and even when they were happy, I just knew it could turn so quickly, that even one mistake could just ruin everything and I- I-”

He cuts off, breathing hard.

“Reggie--” Julie starts. She stands but he takes a step away from her so she stills.

“It wasn’t fair,” he says and he’s quieter now but it doesn’t feel calmer. He meets her eyes and his are wet. “I just don’t get how they could-- why they--”

“It wasn’t fair,” Julie agrees and this time when she comes closer, he doesn’t move. So she gets to put a hand on his shoulder and breaths a small sigh of relief that he is solid right now.

“I had to die, Jules,” he says, looking at her again finally. And this is… being dead is something the boys rarely acknowledge in a real way. It’s usually a joke or an offhand comment or their comeback for why they shouldn’t have to help her with calculus. It’s not this. Soft and serious and then followed by a dark chuckle. “I literally had to fucking die to figure out that they were bad parents. And I bet-- I bet they were glad.”

Julie opens her mouth to say that of course they weren’t, that any parent would be heartbroken, that he can’t know that but--

But she doesn’t know them. She doesn’t know if that is true.

“Well,” she starts but Reggie backs away and cuts her off.

“I have to go,” he announces. And then he glances at her and realizes she’s crying and maybe realizes what just happened because he runs his hand through his hair and guilt enters his eyes but “Sorry,” he says. “Sorry about-- You weren’t supposed to-- I gotta go.”

“Wait!” Julie tries, but he’s already gone. 

*^*^*^

Her first instinct is to run and get Luke and Alex, to tell them to poof to all the most likely spots for Reggie to be, to tell them everything that had happened and then maybe run and tell her dad too for good measure and to probably cry a little more but she--

She doesn’t.

She doesn’t know what stops her or why instead of yelling and rushing down the stairs, she takes a breath and falls back onto her couch, but… that’s what she does. 

She falls back and stares at the picture she’d found a little longer and--

I hate you, she thinks. You didn’t deserve him. 

And then she closes the tab without saving it. 

And she doesn’t tell anybody.

*^*^*^

Reggie is a little late to rehearsal that day, but not enough to attract much notice.

He comes in cautious though. Julie sees it, since she knows to look for it.

He poofs up outside the garage and then slowly walks in and he’s waiting, she sees, for someone to say something or act weird or for them to all stop talking at once in an obvious display of “we were just talking about your breakdown earlier.” He’s tense and cautious and--

“Dude, awesome,” Luke says in greeting, waving a hand at him. “You’re here. We can get started. I think I have a killer idea for a harmony echo thing in the chorus of--”

Reggie looks suspicious for a beat longer, eyes flicking between Julie and Luke and then Alex, but Alex is too busy trying out a new spin move with his drumsticks to really be paying much attention and Luke is still droning on about his latest idea and Julie just gives him a smile. And a nod. And hopes that her eyes convey she didn’t actually say anything. 

She knows it was the right call when the tension leaves Reggie’s shoulders.

Reggie gives her a smile and a nod and then they all do what they do best.

They play.

*^*^*^

That night, Julie spots her dad alone (actually alone) on the couch, fiddling with something on his laptop, and when they were playing music together, she didn’t think about it but now it all comes rushing back.

The hurt and the anger in his voice and the fact that she didn’t know what to say or do and it was the right call, not to tell anyone Reggie’s private business, she thinks, but she suddenly feels very sad again and the only thing for it is to plop down next to her dad and curl into his side. 

He hums in greeting and keeps his eyes on his screen and she just enjoys it. His warmth and smell and marvels in the fact that he is always there. That she can always do this. That she has a dad who will always let her sit with him and who has to be coached into being angry and just loves her so damn much. 

“Honey?” he says and he’s closing the laptop to twist and look at her. There is concern in his eyes. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she says, shaking her head and trying to ignore the heat behind her eyes that tells her she might cry. “Nothing’s wrong. I just-- It’s been a long day.”

“Too much practice?” he says.

“No, not that. Just… you know. One of those days.”

“Oh okay,” he says and then he’s lifting his arm so he can wrap it around her and squeeze her more firmly into his side. “Okay.”

They sit for a long moment, just breathing and Reggie should do this, she thinks, just sit and be calm and be held and she hopes one day, he does. That he is solid enough and comfortable enough and maybe he can’t tuck all that way into her dad’s side like she can but he should still… he should still try. One day.

She knows her dad would let him.

“Thank you,” she says. “For being such a good dad.”

Her dad’s soft laugh answers her. “Well, you know that’s my job.” 

“Yeah, but… also for everything else too. With the band and the music program and for-for being so good to Re-- the boys. All the boys.”

She doesn’t know if he hears the name she almost said, but he tilts his head as if he knows. He probably does somehow. 

“They’re great kids,” is what he says instead.

“Still,” she insists. “I know it’s a lot. But they- he- just thank you.”

He looks at her for a long moment and finally nods. 

“Anytime.”

*^*^*^

“Thanks,” Reggie says, the next day, drifting over to where she is resting on the couch while Alex and Luke get into a semi-argument, semi-productive debate on a certain rhythm. “For not saying anything to the guys.”

“No problem,” she says. “But if you want to talk more or--”

“No, no,” he says, waving a hand as if that is going to make her forget the entire thing. “It’s not a big deal. It’s--”

“Reggie.” She says it firmly. She says it and then waits until he actually looks at her. “It is a big deal. Your parents were-- They were wrong and mean and fucking horrible and if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s your right and I won’t say anything. But it is a big deal. Your feelings are a big deal. You are a big deal. So talk to me or to my dad or to no one but don’t tell me it’s not a big deal.”

Reggie blinks at her and Julie flushes. But doesn’t back down. Keeps glaring at him. 

“Uh. Okay,” Reggie says. “I- I will. Or I won’t. Tell you that.”

“Good,” Julie says, nodding once. And then Alex and Luke turn back to them and it seems they have compromised (Or maybe Alex won and Luke is just saying they compromised) and they’re back to it. 

*^*^*^

As far as Julie knows, he doesn’t talk about it. At least, not with her.

But, gradually, he stops hesitating before announcing himself to her dad and he starts buzzing with the same kind of energy that he does in the garage in the house and, then later, she goes downstairs for a late night snack and Carlos is there too, half-heartedly complaining that his stash has run out and he had grown accustomed to a certain style of living and--

“Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray Ray RayRay,” Reggie says, running into the house, tripping over his own feet somehow and skidding into the counter, knocking over the fruit bowl in the process. Her dad idly straightens it with one hand, the other reaching out to collect the apples and oranges that had rolled everywhere but Reggie grabs it and pulls. “You gotta see this, there’s a bird and the light-- bring your camera!”

“A bird?” her dad says, and he sounds a bit doubtful but he is already grabbing his camera. 

“Huge bird,” Reggie says, waving his hands as if to indicate. “Biggest bird ever. I think it’s a condor!”

“A condor! A California condor??” her dad’s eyes go huge and then he’s throwing one camera at Reggie and grabbing another out of a drawer and there are apples and oranges everywhere and her dad almost brains himself stepping on one and flying forward but Reggie catches him and suddenly, Julie is in the kitchen by herself, surrounded by fruit, staring at a pancake her dad was supposed to flip.

She rolls her eyes and smiles to herself and grabs the spatula.

She doesn’t think they’re coming back any time soon.

[timbertumbr]

BET! (BHC! Blue X Reader X BHC! Nox)

Right, First Bonley Hearts oneshot. Let's go!

Disclaimer: Blue and Nox are simping for Reader, not each other. Just to let y'all know.

Oh, And there will be flirting.

Lots of flirting.

And just in case-

Blue is Underswap Sans

Nox is Swapfell Sans

Rus is Swapfell Papyrus

Red is Underfell Sans

Ash is Horrortale Sans

You have known the skeletons across the street for a while now. So you were well aware of the bets Blue and Nox had on the daily. So when you received a text from Red while chilling on the couch, you knew today was going to be… interesting. 

Bad2thebone: Hey, so Blue and Nox made another bet. And it involves you.

You squint at the text, what? Blue and Nox usually keep people OUT of their bets, not in.

You: I’m afraid to ask, but how so?

Bad2thebone: They flirt with you until one of em gets you flustered, winner gets to take you out.

You: Okay- 1. How the hell did you know this and 2. With a sniper or on a date?

Bad2thebone: 1. They’re loud, especially with their bet declarations. And 2. That’s a surprise. ;)

You snicker.

You: Oh boy. Thanks for the warning, I owe ya.

Bad2thebone: 👍

You sharply inhale upon receiving a message from one of the devils themselves, Blue.

BLUESTREAK92: Y/N! WANNA HELP ME TEND THE GARDEN WITH ASH?! HE’S OKAY WITH YOU COMING OVER TO HELP! ONLY IF YOU WANT TO THOUGH! ^^

. . . Fuck. Your one weakness, the adorable gardener named Ash. Now you CAN’T say no! Damn you Blue, damn you…

With a sigh, you force yourself off the couch and leave the home towards your impending doom.

__________

When you arrived, Ash and Blue were tending to a patch of one of the many plants in the backyard. They wave as you approach, kneeling beside them.

“Hey Y/n…” Ash mutters, you nod with a smile which Ash appreciates and is quick to get back to work. 

“I’m glad you decided to join us Y/N!” Blue says with a knowing smile. You slightly glare at him before directing your attention to Ash.

“So what can I do to help?” 

“You can… um… hand me the tools?” 

“I can do that!” And so you do. You hand Ash the tools he asks for and Blue was talking about everything and anything that came to mind. Soon enough, you were done tending to Ash’s garden.

“Thanks guys… I really appreciate you both helping…” Ash says with a smile, FUCK HE’S TOO CUTE FOR HIS OWN GOOD!

“No problem dude, always happy to help,” Blue nods at your statement and glances around the garden before smirking, oh NO.

“Ya know Y/N, if you were a flower, you’d be a damnnndelion,” 

. . . Okay, you have two weaknesses. Ash, and the smooth talker named BLUE! YOU WERE NOT EXPECTING THAT!

“Pft- Hahahaha!” You couldn’t help but laugh, that was hilarious! Even Ash seemed to think so since he was snickering into his hand. Blue wasn’t expecting this reaction but he was glad to see you smiling, bonus points for making his soft spoken “cousin” chuckle as well! He should try doing this more often…

_____________

You were currently helping Rus in the kitchen, he was trying to make a cake before you came over per Nox’s request (demand). Rus was happy to spend some time with you AND his brother while you were making the frosting and Nox was working on something at the kitchen table. 

“So… you know what’s going on right? With Nox and Blue?” He asks hesitantly, You nod.

“Yeah, Red informed me. So far it’s just been Blue trying to make me laugh, Nox hasn’t done anything remotely flirty,” Rus winces silently at that.

“Yet,”

“Huh?”

“He hasn’t done anything ‘flirty’ yet because he’s planning, I’d be careful If I were you,” Rus jokes, knowing just how suave his brother can be. You smirk.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll be careful,” You assure as you start helping Rus frost the cake. Unbeknownst to you both, Nox was silently watching, a devilish smirk creeping onto his skull. 

“Aaaaaand, done!” You say proudly, looking at the decently iced cake with “cake” written on it with a different colored frosting. 

“Looks good, lets see how it tastes,” Rus suggests, you nod and grab two plates and forks and bring them over to the cake. Rus takes them and gets the knife.

“I’ll be serving them if that’s alright,” You nod at Rus’s request and take a step back to let him work. Nox then made his move, silently standing up and walking up behind you.

“There are plenty of fish in the sea, but you’re the only one I’d like to catch,~” He purred in your ear, causing you to squeak from surprise and turn around to see the smirking Nox. A blush crept onto your cheeks as your heart fluttered, god damn that was smooth and so sweet.

“Aww, th-thank you Nox,” You say with a sincere smile, Nox blinked bewildered. You had gotten somewhat embarrassed and flattered, not flustered. Nox couldn’t help but smile slightly, even if this wasn’t the result he wanted, your reaction was quite the sight. 

He gives you another smirk, winks and then walks back to his work while your blush grows slightly. You sigh and turn to Rus who was watching with an amused smirk.

“I warned ya,” He teased as he handed you a plate, you take it.

“Hush,” You mutter, causing Rus to snicker.

___________________

A week has passed. And their attempts to flirt have not slowed ONCE. Their flirts ranged depending on their mood and time of day. From hilarious and slightly embarrassing to down right dirty. (cough Nox cough) The two were now having a flirt off with you as their target and you don’t know how much more you can take. Then, your saving grace came in a text. 

Bad2thebone: Hey, I’m gonna cash in that IOU in now if that’s alright.

You: Omg, you have the BEST timing! So, whatcha wanna do?

Bad2thebone: Just watch me play a game, you know where my room is.

“Sorry guys, Red wants me for something, we can continue hanging out later okay?” You say as soon as you read the text, they both give you a look of disappointment, before Blue smiles.

“That’s alright! Have fun!” You nod as you hastily walk up the stairs and into Red’s room with a relieved sigh. 

“That bad huh?” He asks, not taking his eyes off the screen. You drag yourself across the room and faceplant his bed.

“Ugggggh, I don’t know how much more I can take!” Red glances at you before pausing the game.

“Well, what’s stopping ya from just letting one of em win?” Red asks, half wondering why you’ve held out this long and half surprised you DID hold out for this long. You pause before moving your head to stare at him.

“I’m… not sure honestly, maybe… because I don’t want one of them getting hurt?” Red hums, knowing how competitive and how emotional those two could get.

“Well, why not just end the whole bet by asking em both out?” You blink and rise from the bed.

“That’s… a really good idea, why didn’t I think of that?!” Red chuckles.

“And for the icing on the cake, giving em a taste of their own medicine,” You smirk.

“Once again, an amazing idea! Thanks Red!” You exclaim, getting off his bed and speed walking to the door.

“Knock em dead!” Red calls after you, causing you to roll your eyes as you leave the skeleton household and into your own to plan.

________________

You gathered the two skeletons in your living room and stood in front of them as you gathered your courage.

“Okay,” You start, getting the skeleton's attention.

“I’m aware of the bet you two have, and I’m not mad about it, it’s just…” The skeletons look at you expectantly, anxious thoughts ebbing their mind. You take a deep breath and continue.

“I’m grateful you two feel this way for me but I couldn’t just choose one, so would it be alright if we all go on a date?” You ask, Blue and Nox look surprised and glance at one another before returning their gaze to you.

“Of course!” Blue exclaims.

“I can work with that,” Nox comments, you smile brightly.

“Th-That’s great! Is it alright if we go on that date now?” Another glance is shared by the skeletons.

“Sure!”

“I don’t mind,” You smile again and gently take each of their hands and lead them outside of the home and towards the park.

“I’m glad I can spend the day with my two favorite skeletons!” You comment happily as you continue to lead them. Unbeknownst to you, both of them were blushing lightly.

Have you heard? There's a Valentine's Oneshot Event. Click here for the ground rules.

Want to Request? Please Read this before you do so.

[baggebythesea]

The lady and her knight

a drabble for the day 4 prompt of Glitra week 2021 - Princess/Knight AU.

@glitra-week-2021

"Glimmer," Angella said. "You are now thirteen years old, and it's time for you to have your own..."

"Pony?" Glimmer asked with eyes full of hope.

Angella sighed.

"No, Glimmer. We have been through that a million times. Horses are dangerous. No, it's time for you to have your own body guard."

"Ugggggh!" Glimmer said. "Moooooom. I don't need a baby-sitter. I can take care of myself."

"A lady's knight is far from a baby-sitter," Angella said, voice a bit sharper. "Your body guard will be someone in your own age. Someone you can bond with, share experiences with. Grow to trust with your life if necessary. It's not uncommon for such bonds to grow in time." She smiled warmly and Juliette, who returned the smile. "Your knight could become a trusted companion, a close confident, a..."

The word 'friend' hung unsaid in the air.

Glimmer gave her mother an uncharacteristically placable look.

"It might not be horrible..." she said slowly. "But who would it even be?"

"Ah, I have actually already asked General Juliette to chose a suitable candidate among the aspiring knights."

"Indeed," Juliette said with smooth voice and opened the door. "Could you join us please, Catra?"

A girl Glimmer's age entered. She was dressed in leather armour and carried a light sword at her side. She stepped up to Glimmer with the bearing of someone who has been told very sternly by her superiors to behave, and the irreverent smirk of someone who knew in her heart that she wouldn't. She sank to one knee and met Glimmer's eyes.

"My lady," she said, and even if the words were proper and the tone of voice were subservient, her eyes danced with obstinate light.

Glimmer gave her a long look.

She held out her hand, a queenly gestured practiced a million times to placate a mother who had told her very sternly to behave, but at the same time smiled a smile of someone who has no intention of doing so.

"My knight," she said with velvet voice.

They looked each other in the eyes.

Oh, you're so going to get it, they communicated - loud and clear with no need for words.

Catra took Glimmer's hand.

Glimmer helped her to her feet.

They both squeezed as hard as they could without breaking eye contact, without their smiles faltering.

"Catra has shown great promises in basic training," Juliette said. "She is an able fighter and a skilled strategist, and it has been suggested that she might benefit from some, ah, variation in scenery."

"Ah," Angella said.

Catra smirked.

"Glimmer might also... benefit from a... new perspective," Angella said.

"Ah," Juliette said.

Glimmer grinned.

They all understood each other, loud and clear.

"Glimmer," Angella said sternly. "I trust you will do your uttermost to treat your new knight with the dignity and respect her station deserves, and most importantly, behave like a lady."

"Of course, mother," Glimmer said, her eyes never leaving Catra's face.

"Catra," Juliette said. "I trust you will do everything in your power to serve and protect princess Glimmer, and most importantly behave like a knight."

"Of course, General," Catra said, her eyes locked on Glimmer's.

Oh yes, they understood each other perfectly.'

"Then I suggest you take your leave and get to know each other," Angella said. She gave Juliette a fond smile. "Me and the general have urgent matters that needs to be discussed."

"Indeed, my Queen," the general answered with warm voice.

And thus, Princess Glimmer and the knight Catra were left to their own devices.

- - -

The first shot was fired in unison. There was no communication, no agreement, but apparently they both felt the importance of both of them taking responsibility for what was to unfold - whatever that might be. The shot itself was trivial, just the two of them trying to squeeze through the doorway together and roughly pushing each other in the side. They traded a few sarcastic, demeaning apologizes, but they both felt this was just warm-up.

They strolled down to the balcony to 'get to know' each other and begin in earnest.

Glimmer took the next swing. Perhaps they felt it suitable for her status. A few lofty remarks, a demand for 'her knight to serve her' (they were drinking tea).

Catra didn't miss a beat and spilled the entire content of the tea can in Glimmer's lap. She looked her in the eyes and 'apologized'. Glimmer wasn't even mad, it was such a flawless execution.

Then Glimmer had Catra find a broom and sweep up the fallen tea tray, servant style. Catra managed to make such a mess of even finding the broom closet that Glimmer had to abandon the attempt and leave it to the servants.

Then Catra, apparently tired of leaving the initiative to Glimmer, started to make a fuss over Glimmer opening doors, walking up stairs, reaching things from the high shelf... all solid taunts targeting a spoiled little brat of a princess, but somewhat loosing in execution since Catra was just as short as Glimmer, and since Glimmer could teleport up the stair, which she smugly did.

Catra narrowed her eyes.

Time to step up her game.

Catra suggested they take a walk, and they just 'happened' to come by the training grounds. Catra suggested she'd take the opportunity to show her new lady what her knew night was capable of. While Glimmer jealously watched, Catra spun and jump and struck and flipped and reduced a poor training dummy to splinters, looking incredibly cool the whole time and not like a stupid pampered princes who's mother wouldn't even let her have a pony.

Then Catra administrated the coup de grâce - as efficient as it was cruel - by saunter up to the staring princess, a bit sweaty but otherwise as cool as anyone Glimmer had ever seen, and casually suggested that now when Glimmer had been so good to indulge her knight's fancy maybe they should do something more suitable for a princess, such as ballroom dancing or - she indulged in a moment of dramatic silence before she looked Glimmer in the eye and continued - embroidery.

Glimmer hated her. She hated her with a passion she never felt before in her admittedly short but still very passionate life. She hated her stupid grin and her strong arms and the way her fangs made her look dangerous and cool and she hated her smug, irreverent way of sauntering and she hated the way she swished her tail when she thought she had done something extra clever and what exactly did Bow think was funny with all this?

"Nothing," Bow promised and hid a smile under his hand.

Catra hated Glimmer. She was such a spoiled brat. She looked like a cupcake and smelled like strawberries and wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty and sparked like the sunset and... what was Adora laughing at?

"Nothing," Adora promised without even trying to hide her smile. Catra snarled and ran out of the soldier's quarter they shared and force the images of Glimmer's warm smile out of her mind.

The next day they escalated.

Glimmer was snooty, Catra was irreverent. Glimmer gave unreasonable commands, Cara obeyed them in as useless a fashion as possible. They traded barbs, as hurtful they could think of. They glared at each other with pure, undiluted hatred.

They both knew this would end in a catastrophe sooner rather than later.

"How do you to get along this far?" Angella asked.

"Just fine, mother," Glimmer has answered.

"Really? No problem getting to know each other."

"Of course not, mother."

"And nothing to remark on Catra's performance of her knightly duties?"

"Absolutely not. She is a credit to her order," Glimmer had answered with calm voice.

"How is the princess?" Juliette had asked. "These royal types can be such a pest sometimes."

"I couldn't say, General," Catra had answered. "The princess is the very epitome of grace and kindness."

"No problem getting along, then?" Juliette asked.

"No problem at all," Catra answered, voice unwavering.

The last thing they wanted was outside intervention.

This was their war.

It was such a tiny thing, really, when they first broke script. Just one barb hitting a bit closer to home than usual, a mask faltering for just a moment, and the other suddenly looking worried, suddenly reaching out a hand, as if for comfort.

The moment was over in the blink of an eye, and they both did their best to act like it hadn't happened.

But they didn't forget.

After that it was all downhill, really.

Or uphill, I suppose, depending on your frame of reference.

It was their barbs being more and more designed to provoke laughter rather than hurt.

It was them more and more often trying to impress rather than put down.

It was Glimmer asking if Catra could perhaps teach her some of the cool moves she did on the training ground.

It was Catra asking if Glimmer could perhaps show her some of the acrobatics she did while teleporting.

It was the two of them, walking hours over the castle ground and talking and laughing.

It was the time they got in their head to climb the old tower. Only a quick teleportation saved their lives.

It was them sneaking down to the cavalry unit and beg Adora to let Glimmer have a go on her horse Horsie.

It was Glimmer asking Bow to teach Catra some archery stunts deemed less than suitable for impressionable young knights by the Bright Moon military leadership.

It was the two of them deciding that knightly duties absolutely involved guarding the princess at night from unspecified but obviously real dangers.

It was the two of them staying up long after midnight in Glimmer's room, laughing and talking and thinking and plotting and eventually falling asleep, snuggled up together.

They become inseparable, much to the Castle staff's chagrin. Where one went, the other was sure to follow, and with both of them in the same place, trouble was not far away.

In hindsight, perhaps it was somewhat of an overreaction, the things Catra did to the knight of the Princess of Salineas after said princess had appeared rude to the Princess of Brightmoon during an official gathering (don't worry, the knight's moustache grew out again).

Definitely an overreaction was what Princess Glimmer did to the diplomatic attaché from Mystacor after said diplomat had made what could be constructed as snide remarks on Catra's behalf.

Luckily, Bow, Catra, Angella, Micah, Juliette, three thirds of the servant stab and half of the available palace guard managed to hold back the furious princess before Light Spinner suffered lasting damage.

Angella and Micah DID manage to coax an apology from Glimmer afterwards, but back in Glimmer's room, Catra and Glimmer laughed about the look on Light Spinner's face.

- - -

"More tea, Juliette?"

"Thank you, Angella, just a drop."

"I trust the scones were to your liking."

"Simply divine, as always, my dear Angella."

They were in the west tower, one of Angella's favourite retreats for tea with her knight. It was airy and light and they could see the court yard down below.

They watched with interest how Catra and Glimmer hid behind a couple of crates, apparently intent on sneaking outside as soon as the guard looked away.

"It seems my daughter is a bad influence on your knight," Angella remarked.

"Please," Juliette laughed. "Catra has been unruly from the very start. She would never fit in the usual command structure. As the personal knight of a member of the royal family on the other hand she can be forgiven for a higher degree of freedom."

"And the lonely, unruly princess just so happens to have found herself a perfect partner in crime," Angella laughed. "Juliette, I owe you thanks. I'm sorry I ever doubted you."

Juliette took Angella's hands. They shared a long, soft look.

"What is a lady's knight for, if not helping her lady facing the challenges life throws her way?"

"What, indeed?" Angella echoed.

They held each other's hand, looking lovingly in each other's eyes as their tea grew cold.

[cuddlecave]

is xiphoid

continuing the scenario...

gord wakes up, and he's warm and comfortable and pleasantly hazy. he tries to move and look around but there's not a lot of space? and it's very dark...

his eyes adjust after a moment to the very dim blue glow. uh. is this a dream?? he didn't think he lucid dreamed but how else was in one of his favorite safety/comfort fantasies?? bc, this. this was very clearly a stomach.

he pinches himself and fuck, that hurt, so, not a dream, then. he feels like he should maybe be panicking, what with having been eaten, and all, but he's just...calm, and feels safe. he tries to figure out the last thing he remembered...

the memories are confusing and hazy at first, with weirdly simple thoughts and emotions attached. thoughts about his 'mate' and memory of not knowing what the kitchen was? but the body around him moves, shifting lightly, and the soft sound of *benrs purring* causes all the memories to snap into place with crystal clarity.

he'd been...feral? and when construction had started he'd starting having flashbacks. his dumb idiot brain still apparently equated safety to vore, and it hadn't taken very long for him to try to get in benrs stomach once he figured out what he wanted.

and that benr, had in fact, humored him and let him *inside*. he covered his face with his hands, embarrassed. oh god, he'd pushed his weird mental safety thing onto benr who had absolutely no idea what was going on, jesus. he cursed feral gord for his lack of inhibitions.

benr woke up to some movement and noise in his tum. gord was awake, tensed up in a ball, and making an unhappy groan sound. he sat up, concerned, and rubbed at his boyfriend, letting out a questioning trill.

to his surprise, he got a verbal answer. 'ugggggh. fuck.' oh shit, gord was back, and oh Shit, he was probably all tense bc he didn't know what was going on.

'hey, ur back to your MIT smarts. uh, this is probably-'

'you *ate* me'. he sounded vaguely horrified. (he was, but with himself)

benr winced, 'its okay! I promise ur safe, it's ok, i-'

he was once again cut off, 'i know, I know it is. that not-im not worried about that.'

what? 'what?'

'i fuckin-basically shoved myself down your throat, god, I'm sorry I'm so weird, just get me out and we won't have to talk about this again' in a quieter voice, one benr isn't sure he's meant to hear 'great job freemn you ruined a perfectly good relationship bc of your fucked up brain. again.'

??? *???* 'uh, bro, it wasn't an issue, it was fine. really, not a big thing, actually-'

'you don't have to pretend to be okay with this' gord sounded very tired, and very resigned.

benr huffed in frustration. 'let me finish!'

gord felt so shitty, the worst -mate- boyfriend. first he's weird and now not letting benr talk. he cringes and stays silent. after a pause, he feels benrs voice rumble around him.

'its okay. good, uh, actually. got this...alien. thing. makes-makes me wanna protect my-the people I care about, by uh. well. eating them.'

'...*huh*?' says gord, stunned.

'every time you'd shake cause of the noise I wanted to, but like. earth is weird and eating is like, a death thing, and, you being all cave-gord, figured you just be real scared if I tried. was hells of shocked when you-but, like. not *bad* shocked.' gord felt the soft walls gently squeeze him. 'like this, a lot. not you scared but, protecting you, like this. holding you like this. real good vibes.'

gord tried to wrap his head around that. benr...*also* liked this. even *wanted* to do this when gord was scared...'i-why didn't you tell me about this before?'

'thought it'd freak you out. why didn't you tell me you wanted to?'

gord snorts incredulously. 'thought it'd freak you out.'

they pause.

gord says, 'we're both pretty dumb, huh?' and starts that wheezy laugh that benr likes so much. benr joins in, hugging his belly and grinning. this worked out surprisingly well.

---

(1/2)

continued under cut

[tw: detailed panic attack, self-loathing, and generally bad mental state] '...okay' gord sighs. 'we should probably talk about this more, but--im hungry, let me out? geez, how long was I in here anyway?' benr frowns, glancing to the window, where the construction sounds are still going strong. 'its been like, two hours? but, the sounds are still here, dude, you sure you don't want to wait until they're done?' gord feels a quick moment of panic that he immediately shoves down. they're just sounds, freemn. construction noises. it's fine, he's not a feral thing, he can handle some metal banging. still, it takes more effort than he'd like to force out, 'yeah dude, it's fine. I'm chill, now. and hungry! I'm going to make a sandwich.' there. now he has a goal. ok. good. benr doesn't love how fake the lightness in gords voice sounds, but he's absolutely not going to keep him there against his will. 'okay. relax, k? gimme a sec.' he waits until he feels gord loosen up to nearly limp, and starts bringing him back up. gord feels the muscles of benrs throat pull him up headfirst, and even as he anxious about the sounds (they're just fucking sounds, chill, god, he thinks to himself), he finds himself relaxed with the kneading of the reverse peristalsis. he gets back up, and benr is laid reclined as he takes a hold of gords shirt collar to help pull him out. he's got his hand and stump resting on benrs chest, only his lower legs still inside, when he hears a sudden loud grinding of metal, screeching in his ears. he can't help it, he freezes, muscles tense, and he's stuck for a moment before forcing himself to take a breath and relax, continuing to pull himself out. it's fine. it's not a big deal. hes cool, hes chill. look how okay he is, he's barely shaking! when gord visibly panics for a second at the noise, not even all the way out of benr, benr has to fight not to just gulp him back down. he looks at gord concerned, and when he's out, he holds him tight against his chest, hoping gord will change his mind. gord allows it for a few moments, but then pushes away from benr and stands up wobbly, and benr automatically steadies him with his hand. gord mentally shakes himself after being steadied. ok. he's got this. sandwich time. he goes into the kitchen (not the 'food area' weirdo feral-gord), and starts making his food. totally fine. yep! a clang brings a clash of pain-hurt-blood-oh God No-Fear and hes--! NOT THERE, GORD, CHILL. it's fine. hes fine. no flashbacks here! benr watches gord from over the back of the couch. gord is still shaking, just a bit, and every time the sound gets louder, or sudden, or both, he sees gord suppress a flinch. he doesn't like this. but gord wants to be out. benr blows air from his nose with frustration. why's his human mate gotta be so stubborn about enduring unnecessary pain? gord thinks about eating at the table, once his sandwich is done, (don't think about how long it took with your shaking hands don't think don't think-) but decides that even tho he's handling this fine, it wouldn't hurt to stay close to benr, just, just in case? (in case of what?-Stop Don't Think About It) he walks over to the couch, and benr automatically takes the plate from him and settles him in his lap (hes still sized up, and that makes gord more secure for reasons he doesn't want to examine), before handing the plate back to gord. gord leans back against him, and eats, both of benrs arms wrapped around his torso. it's good. safe. he Does Not think about how much safer he would feel if he was *under* that soft flesh he's leaning on, hes not thinking about it. hes an adult, he can handle some noise. (it's pathetic, wanting to be back inside. /why? why can't he ask for help?/ he can't be weak, like that /others can, it's ok to ask for help, you *know* this/ but he has to be able to protect everyone! /benr can protect you. he can. he did. he wants to. it's ok. he loves you./ he-god!) nope, not having any problems at all, cool as a cucumber in the Arctic, it's good. benr watches as gord stares into space

holding the empty plate, breath becoming uneven. he carefully takes the plate from gords lap and sets it on the coffee table, and gord barely registers it. benr spins him around to be chest to chest and hugs him, purring, and saying, 'hey, you good? you there?' it takes a moment for him to get a response, but he does. 'uh. yeah.' an unsteady deep breath. 'im fine.' his face is buried in benrs abdomen, voice muffled. 'uh huh' says benr, unconvinced. 'i am!' gord leans back to look benr in the face. 'its fine it's just-!' he cuts himself off with a gasp and flinch as a particularly loud and shrill sound comes from the street. he's trying to steady his breath and is looking back up at benr, but before he can say anything, benr says 'please come back in. youre hurting.' gord is holding back tears, he can't do that (/why not?! is he not allowed some comfort? some relief? some rest??!?/), he's just making benr help him, manipulating him for sympathy-(/he wants to help you he loves you he's your partner!!!/) he- 'i can handle it!' he forces out shakily. he can. he can, he can, he can he can he can- 'i know you can. but you don't *have* to.' benr says softly, cradling his face in one large palm. he-he-/loves you loves you loves you/-his thoughts are scattered under the weight of benrs words, and he starts crying, leaning into benr. (/it's ok. you deserve to be ok. take the help. it's okay./) benr hugs him tight, and says quietly, 'one for yes, two for no. do you wanna come inside?' gord raises his hand and taps benrs chest once. 'ok, it's ok. you're ok.' and he lifts gord up and gently closes his maw around gords head, and the warm-dark-soft-safe hits gord like a train. hes gently pulled down, until he's curled up and all he can hear is benrs heart, his lungs, and his own erratic crying breaths. soft walls collapse around him snugly, both the muscle and benrs hands kneading him. benrs soft purring comes into focus as gords breathing steadies and quiets. it's quiet enough he can hear the other, smaller body-sounds now, too, and he exhaustedly goes boneless, emotions completely shot. 'you ok?' his -mate- (no, fuck it, *mate*! it's stronger than boyfriend, he likes it!), his mate asks him. he swallows a few times and clears his throat before answering, 'uh. yeah. mm. better than I was. can't uh. hear the sounds, now.' he leans into the pressure of benrs hands. '...I love you.' the dim light glows a bit brighter, a vibrant pink shifting to a bright blue. the purring grows stronger, and benrs voice is distorted by it when he says 'love you too.' --- they fall asleep, like that. later, benr makes a point of looking up the publicly available schedules for the city construction, and marking them on the cute kitten calendar in their bedroom. gord still has some issues asking for help, but benr is doing a admirable job of making it easier. --- u know I didn't realize i was gonna write this much but! here we are. hurt/comfort my beloved

[bambamnesiac]

hey dorks

my 16th b day is tomorrow which I guess is cool

might get a cartilage piercing ? :/

i just feel like shit which is of course my “sweet 16″ luck

[sweet-mvgnolia]

I'm so sjwnanansnabba.