#ugh we haven’t had a moment with them in FOREVER!!!

[eccentricwritingbaby]

baby finn series, the godfather

lando norris x wife!mom!reader

series masterlist

summary - a collection of max fewtrell's importance to your son as his favorite godfather.

masterlist 

-

the big question

“y’know i’ve been thinking,” lando mumbles into your stomach, the comfortable home of baby finn as he grows at just four months, “we should figure out godparents,” your husband suggests. 

“oh yeah,” you sigh, continuing your motions of combing lando’s hair with your fingers as his head rests on your chest in order to have his nightly conversation with the baby, “we’ve been so wrapped up in names, i haven’t even thought about godparents,”

“i know,” lando shrugs, moving his hand gently up and down your bump, “should we do siblings or friends?” 

“hmm,” you think to yourself before voicing your opinion, “i think friends,” you feel your husband nod his head in agreement, “i mean our siblings already have a place in our baby’s life, we should involve our friends in a more meaningful manner,”

“i agree,” lando nods again, “do you mind if i pick the godfather, and then you could pick the godmother?”

“already itching to ask max, huh?” you giggle as your husband joins in with your laughter. 

“how’d you know?” he asks sarcastically as you continue your laughs. 

“do you wanna ask him tomorrow when he comes over to stream?” with that question, lando’s ears perk up in excitement as he moves his head off your chest in order to meet your eyes.

“yes!” he exclaims, “who are you gonna ask?” he questions, leaning in quickly to peck your lips as you think for a moment, “y/b/f/n?”

“yeah, that’s what i was thinking, she’s really been there for me with the pregnancy and we’ve been best friends forever,”

“invite her over tomorrow,” lando suggests, “her and max get on well, we can all have dinner after max and i stream and we’ll ask them,” you nod at his request, beginning to pull out your phone to text her and invite her over tomorrow. she replies quickly that she’s free and would love to come. you show lando the text as you smile together in triumph and excitement. 

the next day, max had come around four in the afternoon in order to stream for a few hours. you could hear the boys yelling and laughing while live as you moved around the nursery, sorting through different items. a few moments later, the knock on your door brings butterflies to your stomach, nerves rattling you about your question later. 

“hi!!” you giggle as your best friend greets you with a hug after opening the door, “i’m just getting some stuff together in the nursery before i start dinner, wanna help?”

“of course!” she cries out, “i can’t wait to see all the new stuff you got since i’ve been here last,”

“oh my gosh, so much,” you smile, “lando’s mom stopped by a few days ago with a bunch of things, that’s what i’m mainly sorting now,”

“ugh, that’s so sweet,” she holds a hand over her heart as you begin to walk back towards the nursery, “are they live in there?”

“i think so,”

“is it just fewtrell and lando?”

“yeah,”

“i’m gonna pop in really quick to say hi,”

“okay, just meet me in the nursery,”

after a plethora of clothes and toys sorted, two different video games conquered, you head to the kitchen in order to prepare dinner. 

“oh how i’ve missed your cooking, y/n,” max sighs out, rubbing his stomach as him and lando enter the kitchen. he hops onto the barstool at the counter next to your best friend as lando makes his way towards you, placing a gentle kiss to your neck. 

“and i’ve missed you eating all our food, fewtrell,” you bite back quickly, pointing your spoon at him jokingly. 

“need any help, baby?” lando quietly asks you, a hand coming up to run over your stomach. 

“i think i’m fine, it’s almost ready,” you turn a bit, kissing his cheek in appreciation, “you wanna get them drinks?”

“what are you guys drinking?” lando directs to your friends. 

“i’m drinking double for miss momma over there,” your best friend laughs, waving a finger at you. 

“i think that’s my job,” lando jokes along with her, “if i have to put up with the hormones, i get to drink double,”

“hey!” you exclaim with a small hit to your husband’s stomach, “i haven’t been that bad,” you look up from the food and find three pairs of eyes staring back at you with raised eyebrows, “what?”

“oh honey…” your best friend trails off, “lando’s a saint,”

“wow,” you sigh out, “i’m rethinking my decision right now,”

“what decision?” max asks, cracking three beers open and passing them around.

“well,” you pause and glance at lando, him giving you a slight nod to keep going, “we had ulterior motives in inviting you both here tonight,”

“a foursome?” your best friend jokes, “listen, guys, you’re great but i don’t see you like that-”

“shut up,” you cut her off with a laugh, “we were hoping you’d be baby norris’ godparents,” you and lando look at them, hope buzzing around you that they’d accept. 

“oh my god…” fewtrell trails off, a hand coming to cover his mouth in disbelief. 

“yes! a thousand times yes!” your best friend cries out beside him.

“what she said!” max joins in, both of them sliding off the barstools and running around the counter to hug the both of you. 

-

their first meeting

“hey mate, yeah she did great,” you hear lando mumbling into his phone as you continue to coo at the little baby boy in your arms, “why don’t you drop by? i’m sure she’ll be okay with it,” with that new sentence, you tear your eyes away from finn and meet lando’s gaze. he mouths a quick ‘max’ and you nod in approval to his visitation, “alright, we’ll see you soon,”

“max fewtrell, right?” you ask once your husband gets off the phone. he nods at your question, moving to be right back by your side, adoring his baby boy and his gorgeous wife.

“i don’t think verstappen is itching to see him like fewtrell is,” lando giggles as his hand comes up to brush some hair out of your eyes, “you did so good, love,” after the praise, he leans in for a kiss, happily reciprocated by you. 

“thank you, lan,” you breath out, “when will max be here?”

“about an hour,” he answers quietly, still adoring the little baby in front of him, “do you want to nap?”

“you read my mind, love,” relief lacing your tired voice as you begin to hand finn off to his father, “just wake me a few minutes before max arrives, please,”

“of course, get some rest, baby,” he holds finn in his arm with one hand as his other comes to pull the blankets higher onto your body. leaning over slightly, careful of the newborn in his arms, he pecks your lips lightly before you fall asleep. 

forty-five minutes later, you’re gently being shaken awake, finn safely in his hospital-given bassinet, “baby,” lando quietly speaks, careful not to startle you or wake the baby. 

“is max almost here?” you groggily ask, beginning to rub the sleep from your eye.

“yes, love, in about ten minutes,” he assures you. 

“okay, is finn alright?”

“sleeping happily beside you,”

“thank you, does he need to be fed?”

“the nurse said that your next feeding would be in another hour,”

“okay,” you let out a breath, “will you help me up? i want to change before he comes,”

“oh baby, you don’t have to change for him, just relax,” lando pushes, but you just look down at your shirt and up at him. 

“lan, i appreciate that, i really do,” you start, “but my tits leaked milk in my sleep, i’m soaked,”

“oh,” lando laughs, you joining him, “okay let me get you a new shirt,”

after you had changed into your clean and dry shirt, you scooped up your baby boy just as max begins to walk into the room. he’s holding a large bottle of champagne in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other. 

“hiii,” he whispers out into the room, “congratulations,” you keep quiet, letting your husband share this moment with his best friend. 

“thanks for coming, mate,” lando walks over to him, pulling him into a brief hug. 

“are you kidding? i wouldn’t miss this for the world,” he laughs, “these are for you,” he waves the flowers around before setting them down on the table next to you, “and this is for you too,” he waves the bottle of champagne as well, “for the sleepless nights,” he finishes with a wink. 

“that is so sweet, max, you didn’t have to do that,” you reply to his thoughtful gesture. 

“of course i did,”

“no i mean the champagne,” you nod in its direction on your bedside table, “that won’t be opened for months, i’m breastfeeding,”

“oh,” he retracts a bit before picking it up and moving towards your husband, “this is for you-”

“shut up,” lando laughs, grabbing the bottle and setting it down, “do you want to meet him?”

“yes,” he whispers out, eyes turning back to you and the bundle of joy in your arms. 

“c’mere,” you usher him over, moving the baby into his arms as he begins to melt at the sight. 

“he’s adorable,” max croaks out, emotions overflowing as he stares down at his godson, “thank god he takes after you, y/n,” you and lando share a laugh, and you eye your husband, urging him to tell his best friend the news. 

“um,” lando starts, moving to sit next to you on your bed, “do you want to know his name?”

“yes,” max replies quickly, his eyes never leaving the newborn in his arms. 

“its uh,” lando coughs, clearing his throat from nerves, “finn maxwell norris,”

“what?” fewtrell stares at your husband in disbelief, tears beginning to form in his waterline. 

“you heard me, mate,” lando nods his head, emotions clouding his face as well. 

“oh my go- oh my god,” max stutters out, eyes now moving back down to finn, “you are named after such a great guy,” he jokes, causing erupted laughter throughout the hospital room. 

-

babysitting

“okay, you’ve got the list right there with his schedule,” you point out to max, finn running around in circles with lando chasing right behind him, “and you’ve got everyone's numbers that you need,”

“i think so,” max nods, “i think i still have your mom’s from last time,”

“okay good,” you nod, “if there’s a real emergency and we can’t be reached call lando’s dad first, he’s closest,”

“got it,” max states, “you know i’ve done this a lot, y/n. i’ve been babysitting him since he was a newborn, now he’s three,”

“so you know i’m a paranoid first time mother,” you laugh at him, “i have to go through the motions,”

“i know, but he’ll be fine,” max laughs, pulling you into a hug, “i haven’t killed him yet,”

“very true,”

“and i’m more responsible than your husband over there,” fewtrell nods his head in the direction of lando and finn, running around like madmen in the living room, cackling with each other at their antics. 

“you are so right,” you laugh at the scene in front of you, “alright norris!” you call out, both your boys whipping their heads in your direction, “the big one,” you clarify, “we’ve got to go,”

“right, right,” he agrees, bending down to give finn the talk about behavior. after a few ‘yes dada’s’ and giggles shared between the two, your husband is walking over to your place at the door, “ready?”

“yes, love,” you give him a quick peck to the cheek, “finn?”

“momma?” he asks from his spot in between max’s legs.

“best behavior?”

“yes, momma,” he nods, gripping onto max as you just smile at him, “alright, we’ll be back late, max the guest room is all set up for you,”

“i know the drill, y/n,” he laughs at you.

“paranoid mother, remember?” you direct back. 

“yes, i will check in on the hour if i have to,”

“much appreciated, mate,” lando finishes the conversation, pushing you out the door, “we’ll see you tonight,”

the door shuts behind you and lando, max now bending over to meet the little blue eyes staring back up at him. 

“are we playing monster tonight?” he asks the little boy. 

“MONSTA!” finn screeches in excitement, running towards the living room and away from max as he starts chasing him. 

“i’m gonna get you!” fewtrell screams out as he chases finn, “monsters coming!”

“NOO!” your baby cries out, laughter evident in the home as the two boys continue the chase. 

that night, you and lando arrive back to a dark home, holding each other up a bit as you were both carrying a slight alcohol buzz. you giggle into lando’s lips as they continue their attack on your own. 

“lan,” you laugh into his mouth, “mmph, save it for the bedroom,”

“i can’t help it my wife looks so so good tonight,” he replies, voice in a dropped octave, his hands grabbing your ass with no shame. 

“mm,” you hum again into his mouth, “and my husband looks fantastic every night,”

“that’s not fair,” he laughs, one hand moving to grab your chest as his other hand stays on your bum, “i think you look good every night too, you one upped my compliment,”

“well, i’m sorry,” you feign innocence, “why don’t you just show me how beautiful i am every night,”

“oh baby, i plan on it,”

“c’mon let’s go to our room,” you begin to drag him down the hall, but not without halting your movements due to the slightly ajar door to your right. lando, still kind of tipsy, runs right into your back as you’re stopped. 

“what, y/n?”

“look,” you nod your head into the room, lando following your gaze, his glossed over eyes softening at the sight. 

“they’re so cute,” he laughs from behind you. you both take another moment, staring into your guest room at max and finn passed out in the bed together. max was pushed onto the left side with finn’s little body sprawled across him, “should i move finn into his room?” 

“no, let them sleep,” you turn your attention towards your husband again, “you owe me some compliments in the bedroom,” you grab lando’s hand and start your way to the bedroom once again. 

“i like the sound of that, love,” he whispers in giggles, you both a tipsy mess, running to your room. 

-

running away

“FINN!” you yell at your four year old, “i told you to pick up and put away your toys two hours ago, what is this?” 

“i don’t wannnaa,” he whines, stomping his foot down. 

“i don’t care,” you firmly push, “put away your toys now. otherwise your father will hear about this when he gets back,”

“i’m not gonna,” he huffs out, crossing his arms over his little chest, challenging you to break.

“fine,” you turn away from him and to the mess littered across your entire apartment, taking in a deep breath before you did snap, “wait until your father gets home,” finn doesn’t like the sound of this, beginning to cry and run away to his room, “DON’T SLAM THAT DOOR!” you shout down the hall. bang. it slammed. you breathe one more time, and wait for lando to walk through the door and handle his mini-me. 

you were five months pregnant, and too exhausted to deal with his temper tantrum. finn was always a good kid, and the tantrums were never often. but when they came, they came in hard. it was usually after not enough sleep, or not enough food, but only a few times a year, thankfully. you and lando always joked that all the built up little tantrums he didn’t have morph into a few gigantic ones a year. 

finally after an hour you hear the front door open, heaving yourself up and off the couch, you make your way into lando’s arms. 

“hey, baby,” he laughs, wrapping his arms around you as you just sink further into him, “what’s wrong?”

“finn, he’s having a tantrum day,” you sigh, waving one of your arms not wrapped around your husband to the mess that was your home, “he wouldn’t pick up his toys, he screamed, cried, slammed the door,” you breathe out, letting your emotions finally wash over you since your rock was finally home. lando wraps his arms around you tighter, letting you finally calm down a little. he sways you a bit as he hears you fight the tears back, rubbing your shoulder.

“i’m sorry, love,” he tries to calm you, “i’ll talk to him, okay?” you nod your head in his chest, “are you alright?”

“better now that you’re here,” you mumble, “i’m sorry i had to welcome you home like this-”

“hey, hey,” he stops you quickly, “don’t apologize, i’m gonna talk to him,” lando leads you back over to the couch, propping your feet up and then moving towards his son’s room. 

knocking twice on the door, he hears a quiet, but stern, ‘come in’. 

“hey, bubs,” lando greets the four year old, “i heard about today,” your husband tries to talk to finn, but he won’t look away from the coloring book he’s using, sprawled across the floor, “finn,” lando puts sharper, but finn just keeps coloring.

lando rolls his eyes quickly, moving towards his son and grabbing the coloring book from him.

“HEY!” finn shouts at his dad. 

“now i’ve got your attention?” lando asks him, “i should’ve had your attention when i called your name the first time- actually, your mother should have had your attention when she asked you to complete a simple task!” your husband begins to raise his voice at finn, not shouting, but definitely not coddling the boy.

“but dada-” he begins to whine. 

“no finn, no ‘buts’. you have been very bad today and you owe your mother an apology,” lando stands in front of him, hands on hips, and finn just continues to whine on the floor, “get up, finn, go apologize and clean up your toys,” he watches as his son doesn’t move an inch, “NOW!” he shouts, but the young four year old is unbothered. 

“no, i go live with uncle max!” he shouts back, now getting up to grab his small suitcase. 

“finn maxwell norris,” lando gives his warning tone to the boy, the one that usually scares the shit out of him, but he just keeps packing, “fine, go live with him,” he attempts to call his sons bluff, moving out of the room and back to his wife on the couch. 

“what happened? i heard you yelling,” you ask lando as he sits down with a sigh, wrapping his arm around you to pull you closer.

“i hate yelling at him, i do, it’s just when he gets like this-”

“i know, lan,” you reassure him, “i think we got blessed with such a sweet boy on most days that his hard days are worse than normal,”

“he says he’s moving in with max,” lando chuckles, “i’d love to see him go one night without our goodnight cuddles to him,”

you laugh along with your husband before adding on, “or he’ll come out of his tantrum fog and realize he misses his parents that he loves so much,”

“for sure,” he giggles with you, just as your son stomps out of his room and towards the door. 

“where ya going, finn?” you ask in innocence, already knowing the answer.

“to live with uncle max,” he huffs out. even in his terrible mood, you can’t help but find him just a bit adorable.

“okay,” your husband speaks to him, both of you beginning to get up and walk towards the door, “have fun,” lando opens the door, watching your son walk one door down the hall and knock. the door creaks open, max looking down at the little boy and his suitcase. 

“was there a sleepover i didn’t know about?” he asks you and lando as you watch from your doorway. 

“oh no,” your husband laughs, “finn tell him,”

“i move in with you,” he grunts out, making his way towards max. 

“i’m sorry, what?” fewtrell looks at the both of you again, searching for some sort of answer. 

“oh yeah,” you nod, “he wants to live with you now,”

“um,” max starts, letting the little boy walk through his legs and into his apartment, “okay?”

“don’t worry, mate,” lando laughs, “he’ll be back tomorrow,”

“i’m sure,” max agrees, “the kid hates the food in my house,”

“that’s because you have no food in your house, fewtrell,” you laugh.

“and that’s why i alway eat dinner at your house, y/l/n,”

“and that’s why i don’t feel bad about my kid crashing with you tonight,” you jab back. you all say your goodnights and head back into your respective apartments, you and lando heading straight to bed after the long day. 

three in the morning and the pounding on your door is not from your dream. you and lando shuffle out of bed and towards the door, already knowing who is on the other side. your husband swings the door open, coming face to face with his teary-eyed son. max is standing there, clearly half asleep, and holding the boy up by his waist. 

“this belongs to you,” he mumbles out, pushing finn into lando’s arms and tossing his suitcase past you both and into your home. you both are too tired to even say goodnight, choosing instead to shut the door and head directly back to your bedroom.

“tomorrow morning finn,” you start as you all climb into bed together, “you’re cleaning and apologizing,”

“i know, momma. i sowwy,” he curls up beside lando, your husbands arm instinctively wrapping around his son.

“we’ll worry about that tomorrow, baby,” lando kisses his and your forehead’s, falling back into his sleep as quick as he was brought out of it. 

“uncle max had no food momma,” finn quietly admits, causing you to let out a few giggles. 

“goodnight, finn, dada and i are happy you’re back home,”

“me too, momma,”

-

[earlysunshines]

asap baby

kim minji x fem!reader ; fluff

synopsis: hanni and danielle spent months getting you and minji together only to find out you haven't kissed once

warnings: sixth member reader ; they makeout i GUESS muahaha very small tho very short ; if you have a sweet tooth you'll love this one I hope ; loser gf minji I fear (my type) ; not proofread

a/n: LOSER GF!!! muahahahaha also i wrote this in one sitting what

not many things make kim minji weak in the knees, she’s very good at keeping her composure. however, as soon as you were put into her life, all of that was thrown out the window.

you’ve been minji’s member for over a year. you’ve also been dating kim minji, the prettiest most gorgeous girl you’ve ever met for nearly two months now–all thanks to hanni and danielle, your other fellow members.

as happy as they were to get you two together, it was almost dreadful to witness the two of you together. it wasn’t necessarily awkward, but time alone with minji was limited, and you two were stupidly shy and giddy when the girls were around you. the two of you still act like how you did while you were crushing on each other – before the confession – and it’s not entertaining.

you’re much more outgoing and open about your feelings, however, but you’re willing to be patient for minj–even if that means her taking forever to initiate things and show you just how in love she is other than using acts of service and gift giving.

it isn’t until hanni and danielle bug you to death on your whole relationship, itching for more out of the two of you.

–

hanni and danielle sit in front of you, petrified.

“you’re telling me, the most you’ve done is held hands with her and kiss her on the cheek?” danielle gasps, her brows creasing.

you shake your head, blushing. “okay, well, i’ve kissed her hand and forehead too–”

“bro, you haven’t kissed her? you’ve been dating for like, almost two months are you fucking kidding me?”

putting up your hands in defense, you begin, “hey! she’s… shy��� i think about kissing her and shit like that all the time but… i just… you know.”

“oh y/n, you haven’t even tried to initiate it? i know her, she definitely wants to kiss you too.”

“well,” you start, crossing your arms. “kissing isn’t the most important part of a relationship. she makes sure i’m healthy and we sleep in the same bed and i like her and care for her and–”

“well yeah you’re right but we didn’t spend five months listening and watching you two drool over each other just for you to end up together and act like an awkward couple in the 90s!”

“hey! we’re not! stop that!” you roll your eyes, then flop onto your bed from where you sit. picking up your phone, you gaze at the picture of your girlfriend on your screen. “i just– we kind of agreed to take it slow.”

“take it slow my ass man.” 

“well, everytime i’ve tried to initiate things more… you know, couple like… we always get interrupted! i mean i’ve tried to kiss her but i swear hyein and haerin have some superpower that lets them know when one of us tries to and they end up walking in and ugh!”

you weren’t lying, really. most attempts at trying to be affectionate and bolder were often interrupted.

after two weeks of going out with minji, spending nights together and cuddling as you talked about who knows what, you finally had the chance to be home alone. with everyone's schedules piled up, this rare moment of solitude was perfect.

minji had her arm around you as you both watched a movie, deciding to spend your last hour together curled up beside each other. your thumb gently grazed her hand repeatedly, making her smile and lean her head into you a bit more. it was calming, just being there beside her. the warmth of her presence was comforting, filling you with a sense of peace.

halfway into the movie, you turn to kiss her jawline. she tilts her head slightly, allowing you better access, her smile widening. the simple act feels intimate and precious, a quiet affirmation of the more romantic bond that took months of (mostly danielle and hanni’s) work to happen. 

her skin is warm and soft against your lips, sending a flutter through your chest. you savor the moment, wishing it could last forever.

“that tickles, you know.”

“mm, but you’re so cute.”

“you’re so corny,” she says, blushing. she looks at you more closely, tilting her head. “is that my t-shirt?”

“too early to do that?”

minji shakes her head. “nah, you look cute.”

her lips turn up in a smile, and you mirror her. “now look who’s corny.”

“oh, shut up, you’re literally blushing.”

“that’s only because the girl in front of me looks so good right now.” you gently push her glasses up so they sit on the crown of her head. the movie in the background dissolves into white noise, and minji’s breath hitches. your eyes dart down to her lips, making you subtly bite the inside of your own. “so good, kim minji.” 

she leans in closer, the warmth of her breath mingling with yours. the moment feels suspended in time, the anticipation building. you can see the sparkle in her eyes, feel the rapid beating of her heart through the closeness of your bodies. everything about her draws you in, making you smirk as your head tilts.

just as your lips are about to touch, you hear the door swing open and a pair of voices fill the air. you and minji quickly part, hearts racing. minji chokes on nothing, coughing as hyein walks into the living room and plops down on the couch between the two of you.

"hey, what's up?" hyein asks, oblivious to the moment she just interrupted. “what movie? no way you’re watching the mario movie without me!”

you exchange a quick, knowing glance with minji, both of you struggling to suppress smiles and calm your racing hearts. 

“sorry…” you mumble, turning to hyein and giving her an apologetic smile. “you’ve already watched this movie like three times!”

“still! i can’t believe you left me out…”

minji scoffs playfully, smiling at the two of you. she raises her brows at the youngest member. “you literally had a shoot, it’s not like we can facetime you in the middle of it.”

if that were even possible, hyein would’ve had to witness everything that had happened before. you and minji preferred things to be less… out there. besides, hyein didn’t even know the two of you were more than just members that had gotten super close. 

“hey, let’s watch it the next time we’re both free then!” you offer.

“yes for sure! anyway, i’m going to go change”

hyein walks off, leaving you and minji a space away from each other. minji stands up and puts her hand out, you grab it with a teasing smile. your girlfriend rolls her eyes at you and starts to lead you to the room you two share.

the two of you don’t really speak on the incident.

–

it takes a bit of time, a few weeks after the first incident to be exact, before you get the confidence to try again.

the rest of the members and your performance manager have gathered outside to recharge and grab water, leaving the two of you alone. minji sits next to you on the floor of the practice room against the mirror, both of you sweaty from practice.

minji is on her phone, her breath still a bit heavy from the past thirty minutes of repeating and repeating several moves until they were perfect. your eyes soften at the sight of her, knowing how hard-working and passionate she is about being an idol. she's been your main motivation ever since you both were trainees, and the way she caught your eye was also a factor.

you admire her dedication, the way she pours her heart into every dance move and every note she sings. the sweat on her forehead and the tired yet determined look in her eyes only make her more endearing to you. the room is quiet except for your breathing, the air thick with the lingering energy of your intense practice.

gathering your courage, you inch a little closer to her. your heart races, but the desire to share a tender moment with her pushes you forward. you reach out and push away some of the hair framing her face, which makes her turn over to look at you. her eyes smile before her lips do, making you fold.

“tired?” you ask.

“very.” minji admits, putting her phone down and giving you all of her attention. “you’re sweating a lot, you must be too?”

“it’s whatever.” you sigh, leaning against the mirror. you stare at your girlfriend, her eyes drill right back into yours before a smirk plays on her lips.

“you like what you see?”

“my sweaty girlfriend?” you chuckle and push her arm, then bite your lip not-so-subtly. “for sure.”

minji smiles, gums showing a bit. she places her hand on your knee, letting her fingers run up and down your skin. “you’re a tease.”

“kim minji, you look so kissable right now.” the words flow out of your mouth, pausing minji in her place. 

she clenches her jaw before scooting closer to you, her hand moving from your knee to your arm and under the short sleeve covering your bicep. her touch is warm, sending a shiver up your spine.

without saying a word, she leans in, her eyes locking onto yours. the moment hangs in the air, charged with anticipation. 

“yeah? what are you going to do about it l/n y/n?”

you scoff lightheartedly before leaning closer, time seems to slow down as you move your hand to caress her jawline softly. “wouldn’t you like to know.” you whisper just centimeters away from her lips.

both of your eyes close and just as you begin to close the distance, a group of girls bursts into the room. 

you and minji part suddenly, pushing each other away as your cheeks turn crimson. the interruption is jarring, and you can feel the heat rising to your face, matching the flush on minji’s cheeks. the lively chatter and laughter of the group fill the room, making it impossible to continue the moment. you exchange a quick, embarrassed glance with minji, both of you silently lamenting the lost opportunity.

haerin stares at the two of you on the floor as if a meteor had just landed between you, causing both of you to jump apart. there’s now three feet of awkward space between the two of you, and haerin simply tilts her head.

“minji, y/n, you didn’t get water?” haerin asks, her voice tinged with curiosity.

“not... um, thirsty,” you manage to say, feeling the heat of embarrassment still lingering. minji nods in agreement, her gaze darting away briefly.

haerin’s expression remains unreadable as she continues to observe the two of you, her silence adding to the awkwardness that hangs in the air.

your girlfriend jumps up with energy, clapping her hands and beaming, “alright! let’s continue!” which makes you chuckle. minji looks back at you and you mouth, good save, before sticking your tongue out at her.

–

“i told you we almost kissed! we just... every time i want to and we get close, it gets ruined.”

danielle frowns sympathetically, feeling bad after hearing your frustration. hanni shakes her head, then crosses her arms and nudges danielle closer to her.

“dude, just kiss her,” hanni sighs, then turns to danielle, who looks utterly confused. “like this.”

“woah, wait–”

hanni smiles mischievously at you, then fixes danielle with a serious gaze. “just put your hand on her shoulder like this—” she squeezes danielle's deltoid, making her gasp in surprise. “—then look her in the eye.” they lock eyes, and danielle can’t help but smirk at the absurdity of the situation, struggling to keep a straight face. you chuckle, thoroughly amused by their impromptu demonstration.

“then say whatever lovey-dovey shit and lean in, mmm~” hanni hums playfully, puckering her lips for effect.

danielle smirks back, leaning in slightly and catching hanni off guard. hanni jumps back dramatically, looking at danielle with mock horror as danielle bursts into laughter. you join in, unable to contain your amusement at the whole scene unfolding before you.

��oh, come on, hanni pham~ we have to give her a demonstration!”

“gross!” hanni sticks her tongue out at dani, who’s laughing louder now. “i didn’t think you’d actually play along!”

“don’t be shy!”

“i hate you.”

you smile at the two, rolling your eyes playfully before leaning back and hugging your pillow again.

the thought of minji, right before she’s about to kiss you, fills your mind with warmth. memories of those moments flash before you, making you smile. her lips look soft, and you've imagined how they would feel against yours countless times. they must be heaven, and you can't wait to experience it for real. you don’t want this to just be a daydream you have everyday anymore.

kissing minji is something special, something that has to be perfect. you want it to be a moment you both cherish, not hurried or awkward like hanni's demonstration. you want to approach her with tenderness and sincerity, making sure every detail is just right. it's a moment you've been waiting for, and you want to make it unforgettable for both of you.

“ugh, this is so frustrating.” you sigh, collapsing onto hanni’s thigh.”

danielle thinks to herself, then lights up. “wait, you’ve always been the one to start it, right?”

“i guess?”

“just find a way for minji to do it instead then.”

“and how will i do that?”

"just use your ways, i don't want to think about how i'd get minji to kiss me. that's gross…" hanni interjects, prompting you to push her head lightly.

"okay, minji is not gross, and she’s my lovely girlfriend that i want to kiss very much, thank you." you defend minji with a playful smile, while hanni pretends to gag, earning chuckles from you and danielle.

you start to ponder danielle’s suggestion seriously. how could you make a move on minji? she’s confident on camera when it comes to variety shows, livestreams, or anything of that sort, even playing along with fangirls’ comments. but she’s completely different when it comes to you, her girlfriend, and always reserved when it comes to initiating intimacy. she's comfortable with cuddles and the occasional kiss on the cheek, but you want more.

as you think about it, a plan starts to form in your mind. you recall how she responds to your touch, the way her eyes soften when you compliment her, and how she leans into your affection–but this is all behind closed doors

every nuance of minji's personality and her vulnerabilities flood your mind, and they all seem to revolve around your relationship. you muse over the idea of teasing her playfully to elicit a more spontaneous reaction—like kissing you.

as you think about the dynamics between you, a plan starts to take shape in your mind. 

–

the notification on your phone alerts you that minji is live, and since you're done with everything you need to do and nearby, you might as well surprise her.

you stare at the screen for a moment, admiring your girlfriend. she's wearing the leather jacket you bought her before you started dating, a white t-shirt underneath, a cap perched on her head, and the glasses that always make her look even cuter.

"ugh, you're going to be the death of me," you mutter quietly to yourself as you gaze at her image. gathering your courage, you knock on the door to the room she's in. you watch as she jumps in her seat, clearly startled by the sudden interruption.

"hello? who is it?" minji calls out, her voice tinged with curiosity. "hanni, is that you?"

you chuckle softly, turning off your phone and deciding to play along. slowly, you open the door just a crack, peering in with only the top half of your head visible. minji's eyes widen in surprise, and a bright smile instantly lights up her face, showing her gums and top teeth.

“y/n!” minji rolls her chair to the door and opens it fully, grabbing your hand as you step inside. “what are you doing here?”

“i got a notification from phoning and wanted to see you.” you grin, knowing her cheeks are warming up since the live is still going. “i have squid crackers.”

minji pulls a chair beside the two of you and pats it down so you can sit. “yum, let’s eat!”

“okay, okay.”

the live continues on with the two of you bickering over small things, arguing over vegetables and you trying to convince her that they won’t kill her. the comments roll quickly, something tells you that most of the live will be clipped and shared online, not that you mind.

nearing the end of the livestream, you and minji sit close together, your arms brushing against each other as you read through the comments. the phone sits on the desk in front of you, capturing your interactions with your fans.

underneath the desk, where the phone is positioned, minji taps your knee. you subtly glance down and see her hand open, silently motioning for you to hold it. a smile spreads across your face as you turn towards her, interlocking your fingers with hers. you exchange a brief, affectionate look before turning back to the camera, continuing to hold hands as you engage with the comments and wrap up the livestream.

you move your head closer to the screen to glimpse at a few comments, most of them complimenting minji with her glasses on and tousled hair. your lips turn up and you agree, “yeah, the comments are right.”

“what do they say?”

“that you look…” you read a certain comment that makes your nose scrunch as you laugh. “they're saying you look… scrumptious?”

minji chuckles, shaking her head. “strange.”

you lean back in your chair and keep your eyes focused on minji, the whole time as she reads through more comments, eyeing her like a meal. yeah, the comments have a point.

your girlfriend tries to maintain composure as she notices you eyeing her up and down, your tongue poking the inside of your cheek in a playful manner. she turns to meet your gaze, and all you do is smirk at her, glancing down at her lips for a fleeting moment before locking eyes with her again.

kim minji can stay sane for the cameras, she has to. 

even when you look at her like that, and in her hoodie. 

“minji please be my girlfriend…” minji reads out quietly, making you sit up and move to look at the screen yourself.

“absolutely not.” you retort, bringing minji in closer by the arm. “she’s off limits.”

minji looks at you, trying her absolute best to keep her cool and playing off her nerves with a laugh. “says who?”

“me.” you mumble, turning to face her. 

the livestream captures the entire scene: you grinning mischievously at minji, playfully holding onto her arm, clearly enjoying teasing her. she visibly folds a bit internally, swallowing lightly as she glances over at the rapidly scrolling chat. sensing the attention, minji gently unlinks your arms and ruffles your hair, pushing your chair back with a playful eye-roll as a blush spreads across her cheeks.

"okay, that's enough from you, y/n," minji sighs, feigning exasperation but unable to hide her smile. she addresses the screen, her voice warm despite her playful annoyance. "bye bye everyone, stay safe and see you next time!" with that, she ends the livestream as fast as she can, placing the phone down on the table.

as the screen goes dark, you exchange a knowing look with minji, both of you aware of how bold you were.

minji pulls your chair toward her, stopping you in your place right when your faces are a hand’s length apart.

“what was that y/n?” she questions you, narrowing her eyes. 

you giggle. “what do you mean?”

“you know what i– ugh, we’re going to be clipped and posted and–”

“and you’ll be watching over it all?”

minji gazes at you in disbelief, her breath catching slightly as she meets your gaze. you return her look, peering at her through lowered eyelashes, a subtle smile playing on your lips. the air between you two is thick with tension, the intensity of the moment palpable.

you begin to stand up, stretching your arms out as you make your way towards the door. however, before you can take another step, your wrist is gently but firmly pulled back. you turn around, surprised, to see minji still seated in her chair, her eyes fixed you, her pupils dilated.

her cap and glasses are taken off before she stands up and meets your level, her hand travels to your waist.

“was this on purpose?”

“what was?”

"don't make me work for it," minji warns softly, her head tilting ever so slightly to the side. her eyes linger on yours for a moment before trailing down to your lips. you feel a rush of anticipation as you lick them, waiting eagerly to see what she’s planning to do next.

“someone is eager, huh?”

“shut up.” is the last thing minji says before her lips meet yours, finally.

her other hand is on the base of your neck, lightly adding pressure as she kisses you. her lips are as soft as they look, and they feel even better against your lips than anywhere else. 

both of you pull away, then minji looks at you hesitantly. “is this okay?”

“fucking finally,” you sigh right before cupping both her cheeks and kissing her again.

minji's grip on you tightens, her touch indicating the need to hold onto you as the intensity of the moment deepens. the scent of peach and jasmine surrounds you, adding to the dreamlike atmosphere. your lips feel like a wish that no genie could ever grant, so hazy and perfect in this moment. as you slide your hands into her hair, the moment feels surreal, as if you're both caught up in a beautiful dream.

she shifts the two of you over towards the small couch in the corner, settling you down and hovering over you. she catches you smiling at her as your thumbs rub her cheeks lightly.

“you’re so cute minji.” 

“stop that.”

“are you flustered? aw look at you–” she cuts your teasing off with a kiss, both of you smiling into it. you want this to last forever, just you and minji together, kissing, her lips on yours, hand in your hair and the other trailing down your torso – just the two of you in the moment and nothing else.

your desire is rejected when you hear a squeal, making minji fumble and fall on top of you, her face meeting the base of your neck.

“minji? y/n? what–”

hyein.

your girlfriend gets up, crawling away from you, her face beet red and visibly flustered. she meets the youngest member with a complete lack of composure, while you sit up and watch everything unfold.

“w-why didn’t you knock?” minji scolds her, immediately looking away from hyein because she cannot look her in the eye after she had walked in on both of you. 

“are you two together? how long has this been going on? oh my god… why did no one tell me?”

“hyein, listen.”

“i knew something was up.” she facepalms, then looks at you. “sleeping in the same room… being alone together so much– i just though you guys were really close until i caught minji kissing your hand.”

your eyes widen. “what? when?”

“you guys were in the kitchen together cooking and ugh it all adds up…”

minji looks at you and silently pleads for help, prompting you to get up and stand next to your lover. hyein looks at the two of you expectantly, raising her brows as you two shrink under her.

“can we please talk about this with everyone else? they can help sort this out.” you suggest, which only feeds the flame (lee hyein).

“everyone else but me knew this?” she says in shock, then pouts at the two of you. “c’mon! why did you keep the juiciest stuff away from me!”

“because! you’re young! and besides, haerin doesn’t know either.” you desperately try to defend yourself, but none of your words get through her head – or maybe they do and she’s too shaken up to process it.

you and minji look at each other, blushes taking over your faces like a tsunami. 

a small breath leaves your lips; hyein had caught you making out with your girlfriend and now you both have to sit her down and give her a little talk as if you were two parents.

but at least you got to kiss your girlfriend after what had felt like forever, so maybe it was worth it in the end.

(plus, that look on minji’s face – yeah, maybe it was slightly worth it even if the kisses got cut short.)

[bird-in-the-space]

Echoes of the Unknown

After recovering from your illness, you talk with Emily and the human trio. You learn little about the bots. However, the idea of officially joining Team Prime leaves you in doubt.

Warnings: Ratchet being grumpy, a bit social anxiety, Miko taking pictures without permission, and a lot of self doubt.

Chapter 10

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

After Ratchet finished the cleaning progress,  infused you with fresh processed energon, and fixed up your dents, he made adjustments to your body after hearing about how your limbs dragged you a lot due to their weight and how much trouble you had moving them. The process felt like forever, but he finally gave you the clear to stand up and move while he made finishing scans. 

“Alright. How do you feel? The adjustments I made should have made your arms and legs more lighter for you to move,” Ratchet asked as you stretched your arms, and shoulders and tested your knees. Everything felt much better and not like you were carrying limbs that felt more like weights. 

“Much better. I feel like I can finally move without exhausting myself,” you explained. 

“Thank you… doc… you said slightly awkwardly. 

He grumbled at the nickname. “Make sure you do not go drinking any more earth oils. It’s unhealthy and bad for you,” he said before proceeding to do something else. 

“Lesson learned,” you said before seeing Emily walk up to you. 

“How are you feeling? Is the headache gone?” she asked. 

“Yeah. The headache’s gone, and I do not feel like I’m going to pass out anytime soon,” you explained. 

“That’s good. You gave me quite a scare when you passed out in the alley like that,” Emily smiled. 

“Yeah, sorry about that,” you said, feeling embarrassed and a bit guilty for scaring her. 

“Don’t be. You were not feeling well. You were probably gonna pass out sooner or later,” she said. “I’m glad we got you the help you needed before anything serious could happen,” she added. 

Jack, Raf, and Miko then showed up. 

“So… (Name).... what is it like looking at us from there?” Jack asked. 

“Everything is… smaller than it should be,” you answered. 

“Dude. I never knew Vehicons had faces behind their masks,” Miko said. “I thought the eye line and the smooth surface was their face,” 

You frowned. “Haven’t you been with these guys longer than us? Wasn’t there at least one time you saw these cons having faces?” you questioned. 

“We try to avoid putting ourselves in danger. Miko tends to do the opposite so she can take pictures of our bots scrapping the cons.” Jack crossed his arms while looking at Miko. She only rolled her eyes. 

“Well, this is different. Now smile!” Miko took out her phone and took a picture of you. The sudden camera light made you blink your eyes for a moment. 

“So, how long have you three known about these guys?” you asked. 

“For a while now,” Raf answered. 

“You do not have to worry about these guys accidentally stepping on you?” you asked. 

“We’re careful enough. I guess you do not have to worry about getting squashed since you’re a bot yourself,” Miko pointed at you. 

“That’s perhaps the only relief,” Ratchet scoffed. 

You didn’t know what to think of it. Not getting stepped on was one thing, but now you could accidentally do the stepping, and you were not certain if you could trust yourself to be that careful. 

“So… now that you decided to stay. You could become an Autobot,” Jack started. 

“Not a bad idea. Hey, maybe we could finally look into a new look for you,” Emily suggested. 

“Yeah. If you ever joined a fight, the bots could mistake you for the enemy because you still look like one of those Vehicons,” Miko said, making punching motions. “That would be really bad for you,” 

“Ugh—” you stayed silent at the suggestions. 

You, an Autobot? 

This was not your war. 

“I don’t really know about that,” you said. 

“One moment, please. I… I need to clear my head for a moment,” you said, walking away from them. Emily looked after you with a frown. 

You found yourself a lone corner and leaned against the wall with a sigh. 

“(Name)?” 

You looked down to see Emily in front of you. You kneeled down to her level. 

“What’s wrong? Something’s on your mind,” she asked.  

“Nothing. It’s just… my social battery is not very high right now,” you excused as it was partly the truth. 

“But there’s something else,” Emily stated with her hands on her hips. 

You stayed quiet, unsure how to explain it to her. 

“Come on. I won’t leave you alone until you tell me,” she said. 

“It’s just…” you sighed. “So much happened today and now we know that there’s a whole alien war going on. I mean it’s insane,” you confessed. 

“I’m glad these Autobots are friendly, but… me joining these guys? Becoming an Autobot?” you questioned. 

“I might be a cybertronian now, but I am very much still a human from inside. This is… This is not my war,” you said.  

“We got lucky escaping the Decepticons, but I can’t fight. What can I do for them? I’ll be more in their way than be any help,” you asked. 

“I get what you mean,” Emily placed her hand on your finger. 

“You do not have to join them if you don’t want to, and you do not have to do any fighting. I guess that was just Miko getting overly excited,” she said. 

“However, after getting to know them a little. I think this is the best place for you to be. They’re not that bad. I have a good feeling about this so how about you give these guys a chance? Become friends with them? That way you have people you can turn to for help,” she suggested with a gentle smile. 

You hesitated, but her smile and words made you consider it. “If you trust them that much already… then I guess I can give it a try,” you uttered. 

“Attagirl. And don’t worry about being any help. We can figure out that later,” she comforted, patting your hand. “Maybe you could be an extra pair of hands for the doc bot,” she grinned. 

“Ratchet seems like he prefers to work alone,” you said. 

“Nah. We never know once we ask,” she said. 

“But everything is going to be alright. Give these guys a chance. Who knows, they might just be the right people for you after all,” she smiled enthusiastically. 

“Okay,” you nodded. 

“Good. Now come on. Time to upgrade your social skills,” she said and you followed her back to the trio. 

You talked to them about random things. They shared interesting stories they had with their bots and slowly you dropped your guard around them. It no longer seemed bad and you found it rather easy to talk with them. Maybe this could work after all.

[scrubbinn]

_____ HRT: 15 months: “Human”

“Hey Mayday. How's my girlfriend doing today?... I hope you can hear me in there. I'm recording another tape for you in case you forget everything again. I just got back from the doctor, they ran some tests, still couldn't figure out what's up with my knee. I think maybe I'm just cursed, with this broken human body. I guess you don't have to deal with that now huh? Lucky.”

“It just sucks, you know? Not a single medical doctor in Canada can tell me what's wrong and then when suddenly, magic exists, it gets regulated so you can't use it for medicine! Ugh. Rules are dumb, why do we even have them. Also sucks that I have to walk here every time I miss you. Which is a lot. Why does everything have to be so shit?”

“Speaking of shit, you should have heard me go off on that doc when you first started… cocooning? I’m blanking on the word. But I just went off on that man, It felt so good just to throw everything back in that pompous jerk's face! He had it coming, you have no idea how long I've been waiting to go off on a medical professional. He does have his uses, I suppose. You weirdly seem to like him, and at least he can put in enough effort to care about your physical health. But you should have seen how he reacted to you, he makes me so, so, so, AAAAARG! Sorry, you don't like yelling right?”

“You know, when I heard about you passing out nearly half a year ago, I thought, this is it, I'm going to lose her forever. I guess I did, when she decided to forget me. That's not fair, I just, I can't help still being mad about it. After everything we went through, and everything you went through with our friends and family. This really meant more than all of those memories put together? God you're such a dummy. I wish I could understand you.”

“Getting to meet you all over again, I didn't hate it like I thought I would. No matter the memories, it really was still you. Just, a little different. Sorry I kept pushing you to remember something… Maybe it was wrong of me. But every time I saw your face, your eyes looked back like they were trying to remember anything. It made me kind of happy, like I was important enough that some small part of you didn’t want to let go of me. I thought we were making progress. But if we have to do it again when you come out. I might actually start to hate it.”

“...Hey, you are happy right? This is what you wanted, yeah? You know I'm ok with you not being human. When you told me you were thinking about this, I supported it. Though, I'm still having trouble getting used to it. I don't really know how to feel now that you're like this. I just, I want what makes you happy, and I know you want the same for me. It's just been difficult right now. To keep smiling. I… I went to that sushi place we were going to go to. They had really good unagi. I ate so much I could barely afford the bill, haha. I know if I go there again without you, it's just going to taste like nothing. If you're not there with me, what's the point? This moment. The world has color again, I can taste things again when I'm in this room, and it hurts so much because you're not here. I'm sorry I… I'm trying not to cry in front of you hun. I'm sorry.”

* * *

“You don't mind if I stay here tonight do you hun? I don't really feel like walking back home right now. When I’m with you I- um, hello?”

“Oh didn’t realize anyone else was here? You’re Abigail right?”

“And your May’s mom right?” Are you here to see her?”

“Yes, I haven’t actually checked in since I heard the news. Is that. Her?”

“Pretty sure yeah. Unless there’s another girlfriend shaped cocoon that I missed. D- Do you need a tissue?”

“No, I’ll be fine, thank you… Pardon, but would you be able to answer a question? I don’t really understand this whole therian thing. I’m still a little shocked when Mich- Mayday said she was doing this sort of thing in the first place. I’m fine with it, I support her. But, did she need to do this?”

“Huh, what do you mean?”

“Well I mean, did she need to change? Isn’t it just safer to hide? She’s doing such a brave thing but there are so many people that might hurt her. It's my job to worry about her, and I know this city is better and all with this sort of thing, but what if she gets attacked when she visits, what am I supposed to tell my sister if she asks what Mayday is up to. My family doesn't even know her name is Mayday now.”

“...Oh. Oh, this is weird seeing it from an outsider perspective.”

“I'm sorry? What do you mean?”

“It's that you don't get it, I mean I forgot it until now, but you don't understand. It would have been more dangerous if she didn't do this. She's in pain, her gender, Her body, her species. They don't match her brain. It's not like it's a choice either. She's hurting. Her staying human, she might have made worse choices. Ugh, I'm sorry hun. I should have realized how much this means to you, I'll be here, for real this time. I'll be here for y…

Oh my god, it's tearing. G-g-go! Get a doctor!”

“What? Oh! Uh, right!”

“Hun! Can you hear me? It's me! Follow my voice!”

“A…b…i…

Mimic HRT: 15 months: “no longer”

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

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[misc-obeyme]

You know what time it is.

Lesson 33 spoilers, including the hard lesson, here we go!

I am pleased. And I am not pleased.

I had so many great moments with all my faves. Solomon being there for me, Levi being a lil cutie, THIRTEEN DATE, Barbatos giving me lil Ds. What glorious moments. I shall share some screenshots momentarily.

BUT FIRST.

Belphie. What the fuck.

Technically, this is Mammon’s fault. He was the one who was like it’s not wrong to feel upset about it and like yeah he’s right, but Belphie is clearly taking that statement to an EXTREME.

We are dealing with YANDERE BELPHIE, my friends.

If I remember correctly, he was always supposed to be yandere. So now we’re really leaning into that, huh? Like straight up, I am going to keep you here forever because you’ll be happier with me than if you leave. Our boy’s gone a little off the deep end lol. I kinda love it.

Though I was really surprised by his final line of “I don’t want you to see what’s inside my head.” He seemed really concerned about it. Considering all we’ve seen already, it can’t be that bad, right? Then again, I wouldn’t want anyone I know to get inside my head, either. Please stay out, you don’t need to see the horrors, thanks.

Also, we still haven’t made a pact with Levi. Just like we didn’t actually make a pact with Beel. Is it because now they’re not sure they want to have pacts with us because of the whole needing magic to get back to the human world thing? I swear I have a memory of Solomon telling us that we could make pacts with all of the brothers at the same time. But we already have pacts with three of them? So why would we only make pacts with three or four of them at the same time? I’m so confused. Someone please share your thoughts with me on this because I don’t get it???

I really feel like they directly addressed some of the concerns we’ve all been having in this lesson, too. I mean Solomon straight up talks about wondering what the brothers we left behind are doing. Or if time is still going there or if we’ll end up exactly where we left etc etc. HOWEVER all that soup talk makes me think they are just going to mesh it all together. ‘Cause Solomon also said this:

What does that mean? How can the future brothers influence what’s happening in the past? Unless their memories are changing in real time… ugh why did they have to go with time travel shenanigans?? Don’t they know this junk hurts my brain??

Anyway, now it’s time for some of my favorite moments, enough about time travel and feelings and pacts!

Because my favorite sorcerer also said this. And I know there are some questions about his motives and blah blah but I don’t care. I love him. He’ll be all serious, then say something sweet and reassuring, then do something crazy or try to cook again… he’s got so many sides to him lol.

STOP MAKING ME LIKE YOU MEPHISTOPHELES. (Please you were like the last character I was neutral about I can’t afford to get obsessed with anyone else.)

Honestly, I laughed so hard when he said this. Mammon just called him out directly and he LAUGHED. He laughed and was like yeah duh of course, idiots. And look how pleased he is about it, too.

May I bring your attention to my baby Levi? Look at this silly guy. I was so happy I got to hug him. And the group hug was adorable, too. Satan protesting the whole time lol. Lucifer coming in and being like… I regret asking.

I swear sometimes I wanna kiss this guy JUST to watch him blush. It’s so freakin’ cute.

Smitten. I am smitten.

The way she’s like I don’t get why you like these weirdos, but I know they matter to you. Don’t worry, it’s going to work out. How she gets all defensive of MC. Her cute little smile. The way she suggests coming to visit MC in the human world & saying that Solomon can come too?! LIKE. I love her so much.

HE KNOWS.

Listen I was thrilled about this whole part - Barbatos being mysterious and giving me a weird piece of paper and a Little D? Yes forever. But also I think we’ve all suspected him of knowing the truth and this part right here just solidifies that for me. He definitely knows. He knows everything about what’s going on. I don’t think that means he’s Nightbringer or even that he’s working with Nightbringer. He could just know because he’s got access to all of time and what not. But either way, he knows.

Honestly I love Barbatos so much. Just the small parts we had with him were enough to get me in my feels. I also really enjoyed the hard lesson because even if Luke doesn’t know what’s going on, I think Simeon does. And their discussion was interesting.

So I’m gonna leave you with one last Barb moment.

I’m so impatient is it the end of the season yet?? I wanna know how it ends right NOW.

[dessertpanda]

PART 2 to my Goku x Reader Series ❤️

PT1 PT3 PT4 Master List

“An Invitation to Bulma's Birthday?” Y/N asked, as Goku read the letter out loud. “Yeah, Gohan brought it when we were training” Y/N was currently helping the boys with their math homework, explaining how angles work. “Interesting… Should we go?” She was unsure, which made sense since they’ve been basically blacklisted from that group for a good while now. “Can we Y/N? Pretty Please??” Goten was looking at her with hopeful eyes, puppy dog eyes if you will. “Me and Goku will talk about it, see what the best plan of action is” She looked to Goku for a little back up but it seemed he was lost in his own world. “Should we really go though? I mean, what if another fight breaks out?” Trunks asked while heading towards the kitchen. “True, but Goten it’s been awhile since you’ve seen your mom right?” Y/N returned her attention to him. “Y-yeah it has been, I’m still scared to be around her alone” He confessed, slightly embarrassed at his cowardliness. “Then it’s settled” Y/N looked towards Goku whose eyes were blown wide surprise that she changed her mind so fast.. “W-wait, we haven’t even talked about it” He argued unsure if this was smart or not. “Goku look, it’s been forever since Goten has seen his Mom, and he needs her” She gently grabbed Goku's arm so they could talk in another room. “But he has you, he calls you mama sometimes” Goku emphasized on Goten calling her Mom. “Sometimes like when he’s exhausted or just had a bad dream, he’s only looking for comfort” Y/N sighed shaking her head “Look, I know how hard it is to have a bad relationship with you parents, Obviously” Goku brought her into a hug of comfort, ever since the incident she been a little more sensitive about her parental situation. “I don’t want that for him, and if the best way for him to talk to her is with us around, then we have to bite the bullet” She pulled away from Goku taking his face into her hands. She could tell how uneasy he was about even the thought of seeing Chi-Chi again and Bulma to add to it. “Okay, as long as you’re there to keep me grounded I think, I think I can manage” He took a deep breath and grabbed her hand in his. Y/N has been noticing that little soft moments like these have been happening more and more recently. It scared her but at the same time gave her a little bit of hope that he might feel the same for her. “Okay,” She pulled away, heading back to the boys. She grabbed the invitation off the coffee table and read it out loud. “It says" You are invited to Bulma's Birthday Cruise, Location City Doc, be there by 12:00 pm, August 14, Dress is casual formal, RSVP by August 5. Hope to party with you” Y/N finished looking up at the faces of them all. “So, how do we RSVP?” Trunks asked, ignoring the fact that they have to RSVP today. “Umm Goku when did you get this?” Y/N asked, “Gohan gave it to me yesterday” “Ugh, They obviously don’t want us there” Trunks groaned “They gave it late in hopes that we wouldn’t be able to attend” He said pointing out that very obvious fact. “How are we going to RSVP? None of us has even talked to them in months' ' Goten was confused on how exactly they were supposed to do this. “And I don’t train again with Gohan till next week” Goku said with his hand on his chin “What about farther? Train with him today?” Trunks asked, “No, I trained with him yesterday as well” “Ugh, I have an idea but I really don’t want to” Y/N groaned and started to walk towards her bedroom. The boys sat patiently waiting for her return, intrigued as to what the plan was. “Call Old Man” The sound of ringing took over the living room as she returned. She took a seat next to Goku, laid her head on his shoulder and set the phones on speaker. “What the hell do you want?” A gruff voice whispered from the other side. “H-hey dad, It’s Y/N” She said calmly “Yes, I’m aware, Like I said what the hell do you want?” You could hear his thin patients through the phone. “Well. we’re calling to RSVP for the party” Y/N said gaining a little confidence as Trunks took her hand.

“WHAT” two other voices were now introduced to the call. “Chi-chi and Bulma?” Goku mouthed to her. She responded with a head shake “Yeah, there will be 4 of us, Me, Goku, Trunks, and Goten” She said smiling at the boys. “Um Yeah of course I’ll make sure to write your names down on the guest list” Vegeta said, “Perfect, I’ll see you then” She was about to hang up “Y/N wait” Vegeta called before she could hit the red button. “I’m assuming I’m on speaker, take it off but pull Kakarot so he can also hear this” They could hear shuffling on his side, as if he was moving rooms. Y/N followed in instructions, and pulled Goku right next to her face so he could hear through the phone. “Listen carefully, I want to talk to you about something when you get here, just us 3 I owe you an explanation and an apology” This surprised the Duo, “Also Chi-Chi, she’s umm what the Earth word.. She’s become a ?” He questioned his wording. Y/N tried her best to surpass the giggle. “At the party, I warn you two she is going to do all her power to make Kakarot jealous… She really hates you and Goku so just know.” There was silence for a moment. “ I just wanted to warn you so she doesn't ruin whatever that two of you have together, Okay” Now that surprised both of them. “VEGETA GET IN HERE” Bulma's voice boomed “I'M COMING WOMEN” He yelled back just as loud. “Okay, I’ll see you later” He said before hanging up. Both were too stunned to speak, finding out that Vegeta thought they were dating? “So I guess to them we are a thing?” Goku asked “Y-yeah, I’m sorry about his warning” She felt bad, as if Chi-Chi could betray him anymore. He sat still for a moment until he jumped up “Let’s do it!” Goku suddenly had this determined look on his face. “What exactly are we doing?” Y/n was definitely lost “She’s trying to make me jealous, lets fake date, so then she’ll think to back off” Y/N couldn't help but roll her eyes. “Where did you get an idea like that?” “A movie,” Goku admitted. “Please, It could be really fun, Plus we can get the boys to play along, Think of how badly they hurt us” He was now giving puppy dog eyes, practically on his hands and knees. “Never took you for the revenge type, but I don’t know” She was conflicted, sure it would be fun and hilarious to mess with them but would it hurt her even more after it was all done. “Fine, let's ask the boys” She caved.His stupid puppy eyes were just as good as Gotens “If they agree then we will be the “Perfect” family” She gave a small smile, giggling at the mischief they would be doing. “YES” Goku was exhilarated that she agreed. “Boys, we’ve been thinking” Y/N looked to Goku to finish “Would you guys like to go to the party?” Goku was secretly  praying they would say yes “HELL YEAH” They yelled simultaneously. “Okay so it’s a yes but we need to get some more formal clothes, other than training” Y/N said grabbing her coat so they could leave now. “But Y/NNN  I don’t want toooooo” They wined and moaned. “Last I checked None of you even have polos, plus it will be fun and we can go eat after” she tried bribing them. “FOOD?/FUN?” Goku was excited for the food while the boys were happy to hear fun. “Yep, get dressed, let's go now” She sent the boys to get dressed and waited outside for them.

+Mini time skip+

The boys shopping was relatively easy considering Trunks wanted a Pink Polo, Goten got a green polo as to be opposite of Trunks and Goku decided to wait till Y/N got her dress so they could go matching. "Okay Boys seems like you two are set now we just gotta get my dress" Y/N smiled while paying for the boys shirts. They wondered the mall for a little seeing if a store was to catch their eyes. "Oh Y/N what about this one?" Goku pointed to a store with lots of fancy and formal dresses at the window. "OHHH this looks perfect" Y/N quickly rushed into the store. "Hello there and welcome to Arias formal dress shop, Would you like me to set up a room and help with your outfits?" The store lady asked. Goku and the boys followed in soon after. "Oh a family trip, how lovely" The little shop lady clapped her hands "I'll get a room ready Right away" she then rushed to show Y/N her room and pick out of dresses she thought would looking good on her. "You boys sit here and your mamma will come out to show them" The man they assumed to be the shop keepers husband, handed waters and pointed to a couch in front of a makeshift runway. "Oh, so cool" They thanked the man for the drinks and took their respective seats on the couch. A few minutes had passed when the shop lady came out from the dressing room door. "We present the first dress" She did little jazz hands as Y/N stepped out in a deep blue dress, that had little stars on it. "Oh wow Y/N that looks amazing" Trunks smirked at the beauty of his sister. "I like it" Goten added smiling brightly at her. Goku got up and did a small walk around with his hand on his chin. "I uh sorry Y/N but that color just" Y/N frowned at his comment. "It looks great on you but doesn't it kinda remind you of Vegeta?" he asked shaking his head. A look of realization spread across her face. "Oh i guess so yeah, Okay lets try to stay away from the Blues?" Y/N took his comment to heart and asked the Shop keeper to continue their search. To which she happily agreed to. The next dress was a dark Green, with a little lace on it. "No, not my favorite" Trunks was quick to turn that one down much to Goten displease. "I personally liked that one" He muttered. But non the less Y/N went to try on the next one. This dress was pink and had little white hearts on it. "You look like that mouse character" Goten stated. "NO WAY THAT ONE LOOKS AMAZING" Trunks argued. "HEY YOU WOULDN'T LET HER MATCH WITH ME SO SHE CAN'T MATCH WITH YOU" Goten yelled back.  "Hey" Goku hollered sternly, "What have I said about fighting?" He looked down at the two. "Only do it with our fist not our words" They said looking down but then glaring at each other. "Right, but settle that later" Y/N said with her hands on her hips. "Yes ma'am"

After another hour of trying on dresses non of the boys could agree on one. "Okay this is the last dress" The shop keeper said, her hair out of place and breath slightly heavy. Y/n walked out in a deep red dress that complement all her curves and had slight glitter scattered on it. "You look" The young boys stared "Perfect" Goku was quick to finish, getting up to stand next to her. "This one, this is the dress" He said making her do a spin. "YEAH IT'S PERFECT" Trunks got up and flew around his sister admiring the dress. "Yeah Y/N this is the best one" Goten followed after Trunks. "So this is it?" Y/N Asked looking at herself in the mirror running her hands over her curves. "Yes, this is it" Goku said smiling at her through the reflection.  "Alright let's get checked out and head home" Goku said before the Shop lady stopped him. "WAIT, I have a matching dress shirt for your husband here" she said handing Y/N a shirt that matched the dress exactly. "Oh, perfect now we have everything we need for the party" Goku said quickly trying on the shirt to make sure it fits. "Yep and we match, how cool" Y/N giggle hooking her arm around Gokus. "And for such a lovely family, I'll give you a discount" The man checking them out smiled brightly. "Oh thank you so much" Y/N bowed.

"BYE THANK YOU" The small fake perfect family walked out the store and out the mall to head home. One they arrived at home they put their party outfits away and Y/N began to cook dinner. As their night came to a close, Goku was starting to like acting like a family again. Specifically with Y/N who fit into the roll perfectly. He looked up into the bathroom mirror and smiled seeing Her things spread about her side of the counter. He gently picked up her perfume and took a deep whiff of it. He found it intoxicating but he didn't know what these feeling where exactly. "a-am I falling in love with my best friends daughter?" He asked quickly looking up at the mirror again to stare at his reflection as if the answer was awaiting him there.  He chuckled before setting the bottle down, "I guess I am, but this is nothing like Chi Chi" He smiled and began walking out to the front room where she where waiting for him. As he walked in he smiled at Y/N and the boys "Because this is real" he muttered under his breath. "What was that Goku?" Y/N asked glancing up at him. "mm Oh he-he nothing, just remembered I forgot to grab jeans" He giggled, scratching the back of his head. "Oh, thats okay I can just order you some" Y/N smiled, opening her arms so Goku could lay with her. He set his head on her lap and smiled looking up at her. "I love you Y/N" He said. Y/N heart flutter, this time was different that all others, the look in his eyes and the tone of his voice. 'He really does' Y/N thought a blush and butterfly forming. For once since they began living together Y/N knew she could return those words and they would have the same meaning as his. "I love you too Goku". To this Goku smiled brightly up at her.

HOPE YOU LIKE IT, :) HAVE A GREAT DAY AND REMEMBER TO EAT,DRINK, AND LOVE YOURSELF BYEEEEEE

[tumb1rprincess]

Oh boy, episode 159. This was another one I had heard snippets of while first checking out the fandom, so I was excited for this one. And boy, did it deliver.

Jon’s voice in this episode, dear God. There are just so many lines where he’s practically snarling the words like a predator. I remember commenting a while back that he’s a minnow among sharks, but that’s certainly not the case anymore. He’s one of the sharks now. But then his voice gets so soft when he’s talking to Martin. That little “I thought you might be lost” just melted my heart. He’s been hardened from everything he’s been through, but with Martin, he’s so soft and gentle, agh, it just kills me. Also, that line about being lost reminded me of episode 13, when Naomi’s pastor expressed the same thing about her. Being lonely, being depressed, it is like being lost. You’re trapped in this mental fog or a horrible pain that feels like it’s going to last forever.

And Martin, Martin, baby, god, I saw so much of myself in what he was saying. The Lonely being a metaphor for depression is in full force this episode. Like, him just believing that being alone is really what’s best for him and everyone else, how many of us have thought that? And the Lonely this time around isn’t this crushing weight that makes you so sad that your chest aches, although it certainly has been in the past. Here, it just makes you numb, and depression has made me feel that way a lot.

Jon just listing off his friends who have died or left him, ugh, that was a punch to the gut. It just reminds you of how much he’s gone through and you can feel the Lonely drawing him in for a moment. And Lukas, the bastard, his voice is surprisingly soft and quiet during this bit, like he’s luring you in.

So I guess there is a bit of tragedy with Lukas. Like, he was pretty much raised from the get-go to be part of the Lonely, he didn’t have much of a choice. But hearing him describe that apartment complex and how every little detail and every vulnerable person chosen was to make it as lonely as possible, that had me seething. It all just felt horribly cruel.

Literally went “GET FUCKED PETER LUKAS!” when he…exploded I guess? Is that what happens to people now if they resist answering Jon’s questions for too long? They just explode? I don’t know, it’s what it sounded like. And we still don’t know what Elias won with this wager. That worries me a little.

The last part, oh the last part. Jon admitting that being alone is probably safer, but he still tells Martin he needs him anyway, cause he still loves and cares for him so much. And just how quick Martin was to reply “No you don’t.” Like, OUCH. Martin has probably never had anyone tell him that in his life. And how many of us have thought that during our low moments? Or how many times have we had people tell us that, but we can’t bring ourselves to believe them? And then Jon saying “I don’t just want to survive!” made me think of that infamous line from Wall-E “I don’t want to survive. I want to live.” Like, Jon is pretty much saying “I want to live my life and I want to live it with you.” And then we get the most tender lines ever with “Look at me and tell me what you see” and “I see you, John.” I was like

It’s not even an “I love you” it’s an “I see you” but it still holds so much weight. Jon is feeling like a monster, Martin is alone in the world, but they still see each other and love each other and that’s what brings Martin back. Because when we’re feeling depressed and alone, isn’t that what we want the most? Just for someone to say “I see you, I know you exist, you haven’t been forgotten.” I remember seeing fanart and animations of this moment everywhere when I was poking around the fandom and I can see why. Top tier JonMartin moment.

[bordysbae]

what if the reader likes to journal and shes been keeping a journal where she writes about her relationship with (guy of your choice) before they were like dating or something up until now and she gives it to them on their birthday and it’s all emotional and stuff.

“you kept those?!”

adam fantilli x reader

word count: 1k

sorry i couldn’t help myself but pick adam!! he’s too underrated ugh, but anyways this idea is so so so cute!

you and adam have been friends since before you can even remember. your moms were college roommates throughout all four years of university at michigan. so when they found out that you and your older brother drew, who’s the same age as luca, got into michigan, and that fantillis would be playing hockey there, everyone around you was ecstatic.

your feelings for adam began in the third grade, and you’re a freshman in college now. you guys began dating last year, and everyone was waiting for it to happen. you guys were clearly meant to be, according to both your families and friends, but nothing ever happened until now. of course you’ve had other boyfriends before and he’s had girlfriends, but deep down you always knew that he’ll forever be your first love.

when you starting having these ‘tingly feelings’ around him, as your 10 year old self described them, you decided to keep a diary. you would write in it every time you and adam had cute moments, and you still write in it sometimes. you’ve already filled up one whole diary, and you’re halfway done with another one, but being in college now, you don’t really have the time to write in it. so you thought, why not give the diaries to adam for his birthday?

written in the diaries are things like how once he cut you a slice of pie at the annual fantilli’s friends-giving, or even how you would get jealous that he was playing chel with your older brother instead of hanging with you. the first diary is from third grade to seventh grade, and the second one is eight grade till now.

—

you and adam drove about forty-five minutes to detroit, to eat at a fancy resturant everyone has been raving about. you’re sat at a candle lit table in a restaurant, with a view looking over the city, when the perfect moment comes up to give him the diaries.

“so as your birthday gift this year, i didn’t get you much, but i thought maybe you’d enjoy something a little more sentimental.” you say shyly, as you reach into your purse to grab the two old diaries.

adam let’s out a little chuckle, as he reaches across the table to grab them from you. “holy crap! you kept these?! i remember seeing these in your bedroom as a kid, you’d never let anyone touch them. i remember once me, luca, and drew tried to steal it from your room and you started screaming and hitting us” adam laughs, making you blush from embarrassment.

“yeah well you’ll see why when you open them.” you say, embarrassed that you’re letting him finally read all of the diary entries you’ve written about him over the years.

he cracks open the small book in his hands, and begins to attempt to understand your messy elementary school hand writing. he reads through a few pages and you both laugh about it, and he switched over to the other diary. he opens it to a random page, which happens to be from freshman year.

october 31st 2018

dear diary,

it’s halloween night, and this is the first year since fourth grade that we haven’t gone out together. me and adam swore to never stop trick or treating until we’re both old enough to drive, so that we can go to parties together, but looks like him and his new girlfriend have other plans. adam keeps sending me a bunch of snapchats of him at this stupid party with her head on his shoulder. it doesn’t help that luca and drew went out to a party too, so now i’m at home trying not to cry. i hate having a crush on adam, i never want to feel like this again.

adam looks up from the diary and gives you a small pitiful smile, making you hide your face in embarrassment, “i regret giving you these!” you groan and hide your face in your hands. he reaches across the table and takes your hand in his.

“don’t be embarrassed, i think these are super cute. they’re warming my heart. i can’t wait to read the rest of them, and if it makes you feel any better i had a crush on you during like half of these too. you think i really liked fiona that much? i remember i kept thinking how much i wanted to be trick or treating with you instead.” he blushes.

“you’re just saying that!” you laugh, unbelieving of what he’s saying.

“i’m dead serious! why else would i be sending you snaps you while i’m at a party. i really only dated her cause i was just tired of always getting chirped for not having a girlfriend, she she had a crush on me,” adam chuckles, making you giggle a little bit at the thought.

“i was always right there, y’know”

“i know that now, and boy do i wish i could go back in time and do it all differently. you don’t know how bad i wished i was the one who took you to homecoming freshman year. me and fiona weren’t even matching colors! oh and don’t even get me started on homecoming junior year. you went with one of my teammates, i was pissed!”

“well hey, you did take me to senior prom!” you chuckle a little, looking at your lockscreen photo of the two of you from last year.

“because we were dating then! that doesn’t count”

“yes it does adam! plus all of the stupid relationships we got into during high school just proves we were bound to be” you cheesily grin, making adam smile as well.

“yeah i guess so, but seriously if i could go back and change it all i would. i would’ve asked you out like, i dunno, five years ago!”

“oh sure, cause you definitely had the balls to do that. the real question is, wouldn’t our braces have gotten caught in each other?” you joke, remembering how ugly you both looked with braces five years ago. adam laughs, almost spitting out his water, making you and him both laugh even harder. you guys get a few stares from the older adults around you guys, but you both don’t care. you’re just enjoying the moments with the man you finally get to call yours.

[neptunemooon]

Instagram Live Chaos

Ruby adjusted her phone on the stand, her face filling the screen as thousands of fans poured into her Instagram Live within seconds. Her long hair was tied back, and she wore a comfy oversized hoodie. Behind her, Hatchi, her adorable Pomeranian, snoozed peacefully on a plush dog bed, his tiny chest rising and falling in rhythm.

“Hi, everyone!” Ruby greeted cheerfully, waving at the camera. Her voice carried a warmth that instantly made viewers feel at home. “I felt like going live because it’s been a while since I talked to you all. So let’s do a little Q&A today. Ask me anything!”

The chat exploded with questions, comments, and hearts flying at lightning speed. Ruby let out a giggle, her eyes darting across the screen as she tried to keep up. “Whoa, whoa, slow down! Let me catch one of these before my brain short-circuits!”

She squinted at her phone, reading out loud, 'Do you still rewatch The Walking Dead?' She grinned. “Of course! Are you even surprised? I think I’m on my third rewatch of season five. And yes, Rick Grimes will forever be my childhood crush. Some things never change!”

Her fans flooded the chat with laughter and agreement. Ruby loved moments like this, connecting with them over shared interests.

More questions came pouring in. ‘What’s your favorite song to listen to right now?' she read. “Oooh, right now, it’s Pineapple Slice by BAEKYUN sunbaenim. It’s such a feel-good song, and I’ve had it on repeat all week. If you haven’t heard it yet, go stream it after this Live. You won’t regret it!”

Questions kept pouring in like a tidal wave. Ruby picked another. 'Do you have a favorite Netflix series? And what are you currently watching?’ she read. “Yes! My favorite Netflix original is Orange Is the New Black. I’ve watched it like three times already. And I’m currently re-watching Law & Order: SVU and Modern Family."

‘Do you miss being a trainee?’ She tilted her head thoughtfully, her expression softening. “Hmm, I miss the friends I made during that time. There’s something about going through those hardships together that creates a bond for life. But do I miss the stress? Absolutely not. Trainee life was brutal, but it shaped me into who I am today. No regrets, though. I’m just glad I survived it!”

‘What’s your favorite memory with aespa? she read. “Oh, there are so many! But I think my favorite would be our trip to Jeju Island. We stayed up all night playing games, eating snacks, and talking about our dreams. It was such a bonding experience.”

‘Do you believe in soulmates?’ she read, then tilted her head thoughtfully. “Yes, but I don’t think they’re always romantic. I think you can have soulmates in friendships, too. Like Taeyong. He’s definitely one of my soulmate. I’d trust him with my life.”

‘Who’s your favorite TVXQ member?’ she read and then laughed, her cheeks turning slightly pink. “Kim Jaejoong sunbae. He was my first idol crush! I even told him when I appeared on his YouTube channel, and he wouldn’t stop teasing me about it. It was so embarrassing.”

‘I’ve noticed you don’t use the word oppa and instead say hyung. Why is that?’ Ruby groaned, already feeling the secondhand embarrassment creeping in. “Ugh, it’s because of my brothers! Growing up, they banned me from calling them oppa, saying it sounded weird and cringey. They told me to call them hyung instead, so it just became a habit. I never got comfortable using oppa, and now, even when I do call someone oppa, it makes me cringe a little. Honestly, I can count on one hand the number of people I call oppa!”

‘What’s your favorite movie of 2024?’ she read. “Beetlejuice 2! It was amazing! I’ve always loved the original Beetlejuice, so this sequel was everything I wanted and more.”

‘What’s your go-to comfort food?’ she read. “Vegan bibimbap! It’s such a simple yet satisfying meal."

‘What’s your favorite type of music?’ she read aloud. "Oh, definitely ‘50s rock! My dad introduced me to legends like Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry when I was a kid, and I’ve been obsessed with that era ever since. But if we’re talking about what I’m into right now, it changes depending on my mood—sometimes it’s rock, other times K-pop or pop. Lately, I’ve been loving Stephen Sanchez; his sound gives me major Elvis Presley vibes. I’m also a big fan of The Driver Era and, of course, Shawn Mendes. I’ll have to share my playlist with you guys one day!”

‘If you weren’t an idol, what would you be doing?’ she read. “Probably something in animal rights or eco-activism. I’m very passionate about veganism and protecting the environment, so I think I’d find a way to focus on that.”

'What’s your favorite memory with Taeyong?’ Ruby grinned. “Every memory with Taeyong is my favorite! But if I had to pick, I’d say the time we got matching friendship rings. It was such a spontaneous decision, but it’s something I cherish.”

Then came the inevitable: the celebrity crush question. ‘Do you have a celebrity crush right now?’ Ruby covered her face with her hands, letting out a muffled laugh. “It’s still Lee Taemin. I think it’ll always be Taemin. Don’t ask me why—it just is. Moving on!”

She froze mid-laugh as a familiar username popped up in the chat: "xoalsox". Her jaw dropped.

“Wait… Is that… Taemin-oppa?!” she exclaimed, leaning closer to the screen as if to confirm it. Her eyes widened. “Oh my gosh, why are you here?! This is so embarrassing!” She buried her face in her hands, laughing nervously as the chat went wild.

“Ruby, your crush is HERE 😏.”

“Taemin-oppa is here!!!”

“He’s watching you, Ruby!”

“Is this a dream?! Taemin and Ruby live interaction, LET’S GO!”

Ruby peeked through her fingers, her cheeks burning bright red. “Oppa, don’t you dare say anything embarrassing, or I swear I’ll block you. This is my Live, okay?”

The teasing comments kept rolling in, and Ruby tried her best to focus on the questions. But just as she regained her composure, another notification caught her eye.

"baekhyunee_exo" joined the chat.

Ruby froze. “No way…” she whispered, blinking at her phone. “Baekhyun-hyung is here too?!This has officially turned into chaos. Why are both of you here at the same time? Are you plotting against me?! She laughed, a mix of disbelief and mortification. “Okay, since you’re both here, behave. Baekhyun-hyung, don’t say anything you’ll regret later. And Taemin-oppa, don’t start with your teasing. I’m already on edge!”

The chat was pure chaos. Fans were spamming:

“Ruby, just admit you’re living every fangirl’s dream!”

“Ruby, you’re being attacked by your faves 😂.”

“Ruby, we KNOW Taemin is your favorite!”

“Taemin vs. Baekhyun: WHO WILL WIN?!”

Ruby tried to focus on the Q&A, but it was impossible. Every question seemed to revolve around Taemin and Baekhyun now. She read a fan question aloud, “Who would you pick to save you in a zombie apocalypse: Taemin or Baekhyun?” She burst out laughing, shaking her head. “You’re really trying to get me into trouble! Okay, I’ll be honest—neither. They’d both tease me to death before we even see a zombie!”

Then, she noticed Taemin’s comment in the chat: “I’d save you.”

Ruby gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. “Oppa! That’s so sweet of you!” she said, though her cheeks were visibly flushed.

Not one to be outdone, Baekhyun chimed in: “I’d distract the zombies so you could escape. Ruby, you’d be 100% safe with me!”

Ruby doubled over laughing, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. “Hyung, what are you going to do? Sing to them? Dance? Charm them into sparing us?”

The fans were losing it now.

“Baekhyun is husband material, confirmed!”

“Taemin teasing Ruby is my new favorite thing😂.”

“Baekhyun golden retriever vibes vs. Taemin teasing: the ultimate showdown!”

“This is the best Live EVER!”

Ruby wiped her eyes, trying to regain composure. “Okay, okay, back to the Q&A! You guys are distracting me!” She scanned for another question, her face still flushed. “Oh, this is a good one! Someone asked, ‘What’s your favorite song of all time?’”

Before Ruby could answer, Taemin commented: "If it’s not one of my songs, I’m leaving this Live."

Ruby nearly fell out of her chair. “Oppa! Stop threatening me on my own Live!” she exclaimed, her laughter making her sides hurt. “Fine, fine! My favorite song is Criminal. Are you happy now?”

Fans were crying in the chat.

“She really caved for Taemin 😂.”

“Baekhyun, how are you holding up?!”

“Ruby is so whipped for Taemin, we can tell.”

But Baekhyun wasn’t letting Taemin steal all the spotlight. His next comment read: "Ruby, tell them your favorite EXO song too. Don’t forget about me!"

Ruby smirked. “Okay, fine! My favorite EXO song is… that's hard its between Monster or Love Me Right. Happy now, hyung?”

Taemin didn’t let that slide: "She didn’t say it’s her ALL-TIME favorite though. Still winning."

Ruby groaned, laughing as she dropped her head onto the desk. “I’m literally getting bullied by these two on my own Live. Someone help me!” But it was no use. Taemin and Baekhyun kept dropping comments that had her—and the fans—howling with laughter.

Ruby reluctantly agreed to a quick game of Would You Rather, but the first question derailed her completely

“This one says, ‘Would you rather be stuck on a deserted island with Taemin or Baekhyun?’” She groaned, hiding her face. “I can’t with you guys. Who’s writing these questions?! Is it Baekhyun-hyung?!”

Baekhyun and Taemin’s comments popped up almost simultaneously:

Baekhyun: "Obviously me. I’d keep you entertained."

Taemin: "She’d pick me. I’d actually keep her alive."

Ruby let out an exasperated laugh. “I hate you both so much right now,” she said, her face practically glowing from how red it was.

But Baekhyun wasn’t done. His final comment had Ruby completely flustered: "Ruby, just admit you’re crushing on both of us and call it a day."

Ruby’s jaw dropped as she let out a high-pitched squeal. “HYUNG! You’re actually the worst! You’re actually the worst! I can’t even look at my phone anymore.” she exclaimed, covering her face in embarrassment.

Taemin, clearly amused, added: “Ruby, do you need me to save you from Baekhyun? Say the word.”

Ruby shook her head, laughing so hard she could barely speak. “Okay, that’s it! I can’t handle this anymore. Thank you, everyone, for joining this absolute circus and thank you to my two uninvited guests for turning this into a circus. It was a very interesting Live... I love you all, and I promise the next Live will be less… chaotic. Or maybe not. Who knows at this point? See you soon, love you all.”

As she waved goodbye to her fans, the comments were filled with laughter and hearts.

The last thing Ruby saw before ending the Live was a comment from Taemin: "This was fun, Ruby. Let’s go live together next time."

And from Baekhyun: "I’ll bring snacks for the next one!"

Ruby ended the Live with a flushed face and a wide smile. As the screen went dark, she leaned back with a sigh, muttering to herself, “These two are going to be the death of me.”

[holocene-sims]

next // previous

august 25, 2021 8:00 p.m. the black pearl

[grant] well, i know it doesn’t fix the existential angst and you shouldn’t ever feel like it needs to go away instantly, but i guarantee you will be a good dad.

[grant] any kids you have will feel loved. they’ll be set up for the future no matter how everyone’s lives play out. i know you’ll do your best, and i know soobin will, too. you guys have worked so hard to have such a long and healthy and sincere relationship.

[grant] and the fact that you’re worried about any of this means you’re going to do a good job. shitty parents and shitty partners don’t ask if what they’re doing or about to do is wrong.

[grant] everyone is going to make mistakes sometimes but it’s about getting most of it right, and i believe you will. soobin doesn’t hold it over your head that for a while, your fear made you a little controlling. you improved and she forgave you. you’re smart, you’ll adapt, and most of all, you should know you’re loyal. at the end of the day, a parent who puts their kids first and never turns their back on them is the best parent in the world in my eyes.

[grant] mistakes can be forgiven if you put your kids first and treat them like a human being who matters.

[henry] thank you. i appreciate it. that means a lot coming from you.

[grant] and i understand your main fear in the first place. i've thought about it many times. i never worried about myself dying but others dying. elizabeth, uh...yeah. those big family losses seriously will ruin you forever in one way or another. the way you lost your father only makes it worse. it does strip away any feeling of invincibility you have.

[henry] you can say that again.

[henry] i'm glad someone understands.

[grant] you can never really know, i guess, what’s going to happen to you or to anyone you know, and it’s not helpful to say it’ll be fine because we all know crazy and terrible things happen. it's unfortunately mathematically true. but trust me, i'll kill you if you die!

[henry] you’ll kill me if i die? haha.

[henry] thanks for making me laugh, too.

[grant] yep. i will re-kill your ghost.

[henry] i'll kill you if you die.

[grant] thank you, buddy! you’re a real one.

[henry] dude, ugh, i googled life insurance policies a month ago. ew, adulthood.

[grant] life insurance is a good thing to have, though.

[henry] it is, it is. even if my hypothetical kids just buy a fucking pool with the money.

[grant] i mean, if it benefits them, right?

[henry] let me add a note to the policy saying you can either get an in-ground pool put in or free college tuition–one or the other.

[grant] does that include getting a sick ass waterfall feature installed on the pool or no?

[henry] by the way–

[henry] disclaimer that this is just an idea, not concrete at all, but soobin and i briefly mentioned moving back to korea as a way to make sure our kids have a good life.

[grant] wow, really? it is worth thinking about! it is rational. most of your family is here and all of soobin’s family does live here, and you do have to consider what’s best for you and your family, current and future. before i did move back home, when i was with you know who, i thought about this, too, if we ever had kids that maybe we could or should move back to michigan so they'd have my whole family around.

[grant] and just so it’s on the record, you have my full support in any decision here.

[grant] are you interested in moving back?

[henry] i don’t know. i haven’t lived here since i was five years old. i've only visited, and then came back for one year to do the military service because i was wary of giving up my citizenship. but i almost did because truly, i did not want to go into the army. that shit sucked.

[grant] what does soobin think?

[henry] well, it was her idea. i'm very whatever about wherever i live. i feel no strong pull one way or another at the moment. but it’s different for her.

[henry] she lived here much longer than me. she cares much more and has a preference. i mean, she spent pretty much her entire life here except since college and during the school semesters between sixth and twelfth grades because her parents sent her to a fancy private school there.

[henry] i will say, soobin’s main point isn’t wrong, and it's the one you brought up. most of our family is here. it’s like you and michigan. that’s where your folks are. and that support is invaluable when you have kids, both for their social development and for financial reasons. plus, my mom actually wants to move back. she never talks about it, but i know she does.

[grant] i get that, too.

[henry] like i said, she’s just never been the same since my dad died. which i don't fault her for. she does her best to be happy, you know, but i think she feels very alone, even more now that i don’t live on the upper peninsula anymore. she was with him forever. they were soulmates. and her life drastically changed after he died.

[henry] this has been the first time she's had a job since, god, the 1980s. she loves being an art teacher for school kids, but that's a huge change in addition to the sudden loneliness.

[henry] and on the loneliness side, she has your family and they've been close for a long time.

[grant] she was literally over at my aunt bridie's house the other day making shampoo with her.

[henry] yeah, so she sees them pretty often and she also has her book club and some other friends, but she knows way more people here. seoul's where all her family and friends are.

[henry] i want my mom to be happy, you know? it’s my job as her son, and i'm the only child she ever had. she doesn’t need me to look after her every day, not really, but i want to and she deserves that. and truth be told, a part of me believes that if she comes back, i would feel not very good about being away from her.

[henry] i think that if i encourage her to come back or talk to her about it and she does go through with it, that would sway me more to soobin’s side. again, i want my mom to be happy, and i'm also scared of losing her. it doesn’t matter if it’s sudden or slow. i don’t want to lose her, and especially not if i feel like i've spent my whole adult life away from her, not prioritizing what time is left with her.

[henry] not to be morbid, but she’s almost 60. at some point you do ask yourself how much longer you have left with your older family members around. life is unfortunately very short.

[grant] of course. that’s totally understandable. she's a great mother, and you wouldn't want to miss out on that. and i'm sure you don’t want your kids to not have their grandma present in their lives.

[henry] but then i have to start over with my job and maybe i lose contact with my friends if i leave. i do have friends here–sorry, they weren’t able to come hang out this time, maybe next time–but my real two best friends are in michigan. it’s you and ben. i don't let anyone else get that close to me except for soobin because to me, my best friend slots are full. i don't want anyone else. no one else is worth it.

[henry] and i always said you’d be my kids’ godfather. i don’t want them to miss out on knowing you the way they should.

[grant] there’s facetime! and i'd come visit. and i'm so goddamn annoying, i will be texting you about everything i think about in the world for the rest of our lives. you're not going to lose me.

[henry] i try my best to believe i won't lose you.

[grant] also, don’t stress out too much about this yet. you do not have to make any of these decisions now, and when you do need to, the right answers will come to you.

[grant] and listen, one last thing and then i'll shut up. i don’t know how, i don’t know why–i don’t think there is an answer to this–but the people we lose are still with us, even if only in spirit. i am famously a skeptic, but i felt something this year that changed my mind. i know you miss your dad but he’s still with you. somehow he’ll see your kids grow up, and he’ll be there guiding you to make the right decisions.

[grant] your dad loved you, like, beyond what words can express. he loved your mom just as much. he would never willingly leave you. if there's something after this mortal existence, he's still with you.

[grant] oh, and we should probably eat this pizza before it's frigid.

[henry] fuck, i forgot about it. thanks for reminding me. yeah, let's demolish this pizza, and then i'll take you to that cool arcade i told you about. we'll make up for the awful arcade experience at your cousin's bachelor party.

[4townie]

Road to 4☆TOWN

part 1…part 10…part 20…part 30….part 40…part 50

They all stared at the baby. It was almost deja vu.

“What’s it like?” T asked quietly. “Meeting your kid for the first time, I mean.”

“It’s indescribable really.” Jesse admitted as he stared at his sleeping daughter. “I wanna say love at first sight, but it doesn’t even really begin to cover it.”

“It’s kinda like love, joy, fear, relief, and even more love wrapped into one emotion. And then multiply it by twenty.” Selina gently stroked Marcel’s hair as he slept on her chest. “And with Marcel, there was also a moment of realization that hit me like a truck. This wasn’t just any baby I was holding, this was our baby. We were parents.”

“That’s so wild.” T marveled at the thought.

“And kind of scary.” Taeyoung chimed in. “Like that’s a tiny, helpless person. What do you even do with it?”

“You cuddle it every time you see it and it repays you by punching you in the face.” Robaire answered quietly.

Everyone started snickering.

“Are you ever gonna give that up?” Z laughed. “Your niece was like eight months old. It’s not like she meant to hit you.”

“You don’t know Sabrina like I do. She’s evil.” Robaire shuddered. “Actually, she kinda reminds me of someone else I know.” He glared at Taeyoung who might as well have had a halo over his head.

“Know and love to be specific.” Taeyoung made a hand heart. “Besides, silly kid’s gotta silly. It’s who we are.”

“Y’know, I think I really like watching them sleep.” Z said, looking between Lacey and Marcel. “They both look so small and peaceful. It’s so precious.”

“Isn’t it?” Jesse tried to suppress a squeal. “Ugh, I could hold them forever and just stare.” His eyes sparkled when he looked back at Lacey. “It’s truly just a magical experience. I was made for fatherhood, I love it so much.”

“Awww, you really like reminding me that I picked the right guy, don’t you?” Selina smiled at him. “Come over here so I can kiss you.”

“Pffft, like I could say no to that.” Jesse snorted.

The boys all gagged and groaned when he sat next to her and leaned in for a kiss.

“Gross!” Robaire looked away.

T covered Taeyoung’s eyes. “There are little eyes present.”

“Yeah, little eyes that have seen what you do with your boyfriend.” Taeyoung glared as he lowered T’s hand.

“Quit being so dramatic.” Jesse rolled his eyes. “We literally just had a baby, what do you want from us?”

“If any of you guys have kids, I’m gonna make sure we tease you when we visit.” Selina joked with a smile.

“Oh well that ain’t me.” Robaire waved a hand. “I could never handle whatever the hell was happening with you two yesterday.”

“And I’m ending my cursed bloodline.” Taeyoung nodded nonchalantly. “Plus, my baby energy is too strong. I could never give that up to be a d—…a d—…” He gagged. “I can’t even say it. I’m just gonna be everyone’s cute and fun uncle.”

The room fell silent. Slowly, all eyes were on 2ron. They exchanged a panicked glance when they noticed. “Uhhhhh—”

“Well this is a familiar scene.” Everyone turned to Courtney who was standing in the doorway with crossed arms. “Did you ever plan on telling me about this?”

Jesse blushed and laughed awkwardly. “Sorry, I guess I forgot.”

“Yeah, yeah. I get it. It’s not like I haven’t been covering for you with Mr. Freeman this whole time.” Courtney rolled her eyes. “Boys, get out.”

“What? Why?” Robaire pouted. “We’re having such a nice time tormenting each other.”

“How long have you guys been here?” Courtney raised an eyebrow.

“Like forty minutes but—”

“Nope. Save it. That’s a really long time, they need their space.” Courtney said. “Tomorrow’s another day. And when it comes, you’ll stay for twenty minutes tops.”

“Ugh, fine.” Taeyoung groaned as he got off of T’s lap. “Bye, guys.”

“Congrats again. She’s adorable.” T waved as he dragged Taeyoung away.

“C’mon, Robaire.” Z tugged on his arm a bit. “We gotta go.”

Robaire hesitated. He stared at Jesse and his adorable little family unit, and for a moment he was overwhelmed with happiness for him. He sighed and got up. “Yeah, okay. Let’s go.” He leaned over and planted a kiss on Selina’s forehead. “I’m really happy for you guys.” He looked at Jesse. “If I could, I’d dap you up but—”

“Don’t even worry about it.” Jesse shook his head. “We’ll see you both tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah, if I don’t get him too drunk.” Z smirked.

“AARON!” Robaire blushed as they turned to leave. “I am not a lightweight.”

“Yeah sure. You keep telling yourself that.”

Courtney laughed and shook her head. “At least they can get along sometimes.” She turned back to Jesse and Selina. “Obviously I won’t stay for long, I just came to drop off some homemade banana bread that Elliott and I made together.”

“Awww, that’s sweet.” Jesse smiled at the gesture. “You know, you’re welcome to stay for a while if you want to, like, actually meet the baby.”

“I would love to, but Freeman doesn’t actually know I’m here.” Courtney said awkwardly. “I’m supposed to be finishing up some of the details of your guys’ tour.”

“Oh right.” Selina felt a pang in her chest. “You’re going back on tour next month.”

“Oh…” Jesse’s smile faded. “I almost forgot.”

“Yeah, we’re leaving in five weeks.” Courtney nodded apologetically. “It all feels really fast, I know. Honestly, I kinda feel bad about—” She was cut off by her phone ringing. “Damn, it’s Freeman. I have to go, but I’m seriously so happy for you guys. She’s beautiful.” She waved before answering the phone and heading out.

Jesse and Selina were silent.

“Well, that was a reality shattering visit.” Selina finally spoke.

Jesse stared off into space. “Five weeks. I only have five weeks with her.” He looked back at Lacey. “She’s gonna grow so much while I’m gone.”

“Well, it’s only one month.” Selina tried to comfort him. “You’ll be back in no time.”

“One month is a lot for a baby to grow.” Jesse reminded her.

“Yeah, but—…yeah…” Selina sighed. She suddenly perked up a bit. “But maybe I could go—”

“—with me to Australia?” Jesse looked at her. “I’ve been over that a thousand times. You’d be spending a lot of time alone in the hotel while I work. At least here you’ll have help.”

“Oh.” Selina looked defeated. “I guess that makes sense.”

They stared at each other longingly.

“So we’ve only got five weeks together. We’ll just have to make it last.” Selina gently caressed Jesse’s face. “We can’t let this ruin our happiness. I mean, we haven’t even taken her home and we’re thinking about you leaving.” She smiled wistfully. “You’re still here now. I want to enjoy it.”

Jesse got quiet again. He looked between his two kids and finally smiled a bit. “Yeah, I’d rather focus on right now.” He wrapped his free arm around Selina to pull her closer. “I’m not ready to let go yet.”

———

And that is the end of Act II! I’ll be taking a bit of a break before coming back with Act III but I’ll be posting some more of those backstories in the meantime. Keep it crispy😉

[malarkgirlypop]

MEDIC! - 9th Part (Donald Malarkey x Fem!OC)

Hi everyone, I feel like I should give up on this story lol, it's just going on forever, and mostly it's just for my enjoyment. I am still only in Bastogne and I want to follow the storyline of the HBO show to the last ep. But omg I just keep thinking of things I want to add. I feel bad leaving the story unfinished if people are actually reading it, but I don't think anyone is anymore. So maybe I can just stop posting. Anyway this is a sad chapter, got in my feels a bit and I have become a bit obsessed with Babe, ugh I just love him so much, so I had to give him and Em a little moment. As always this is based on the HBO show and the actors who portray the men, no hate to anyone actually involved.

Please let me know if anyone wants me to keep up with this story, if not, I might just let it die. Thanks!

I bounce in the jeep beside Gene as we drive into Bastogne. The grey war torn town is overrun with soldiers and their artillery. The driver yells over the engine telling us that everyone has pulled back here and that beyond this town we have no back-up. The 326th medical platoon was captured, that is why there is no aid station and no medical help. Snow covered bodies line the street all stacked on one another. I look away trying to focus on the task at hand, I help lift Skinny, who took a mortar hit to the leg, onto the stretcher to get him into the makeshift hospital. The driver tells us they are giving the men hooch, which I assume is a type of liquor, to help with the pain. I follow behind Gene as the soldiers carry Skinny into the church. The hospital is full to the brim with people, the smell of blood and infection permeating the air. A nurse orders the men on where to put the injured as they come in. She is a tall woman with soft features, a blue head scarf wrapped around her head to keep her hair out of her face. Gene hands Skinny over to her stating the situation, informing her no morphine had been used on the man. I follow the nurse with my eyes watching her go to the next room to help the other nurse with a patient. Gene asks a soldier beside us why the injured men haven’t been evacuated. 

“We can’t evacuate, we’re cut off.” The man informs us. The sounds of the nurse’s voice travels through the church as she speaks French to her colleague, her voice warm and comforting. Then men here seem to calm as she touches and speaks to them. I watch her enamoured, I haven’t seen another woman in a long time, so it feels comforting. She approaches Skinny with a bottle of alcohol pouring him a glass for the pain, as he drinks she strokes his hair in a gentle manner. The man sighs as if relieved of pain by her touch. 

“I’m in heaven Doc.” Skinny smiles as the two nurses tend to him. I laugh, shaking my head. The nurse’s eyes land on me, she tilts her head seemingly recognising me as another female. I’m sure I don’t look very pretty, swamped in as many clothes I can fit onto my body, dirt and sweat caked to my face and skin, my hair loosely tied under my helmet. At a glance I would look like another soldier. Gene proceeds to ask the nurse for any supplies she can spare. I follow along to help. She gives Gene a box filling it with supplies, Gene pulls out odd looking bandages, “What’s this?” he asks the nurse, looking confused. 

“From the bed.” She replies, still stocking the box.

“Sheets?” Gene clarifies. The nurse nods, putting the last of the equipment into the box. They exchange thank you’s in french. The nurse turns on her heel walking off to her next task, Gene is hot on her tail, as I tag behind. Gene asks her a question in French which I don’t understand, but she replies with her name. 

“My name is Renee.” She replies as she moves quickly to the next room. Gene follows her continuing the conversation. I go to follow when my hand is captured. I look down as a soldier grasps my hand, his eyes swollen shut. I kneel down beside him. My eyes scan over his body. He has other injuries scattered around his body. He moans in pain, still holding my hand.

“Nurse?” The man whispers quietly. I take my free hand cupping his cheek, so he knows I’m here. 

“What do you need?” I ask the man, my thumb absentmindedly stroking over his skin. A sob escapes his lips, his grip on my hand tightening. 

“I’m scared.” The man chokes out. I look around seeing the alcohol they used to help with pain perched on a counter just out of reach. I stand to grab it but the man still clings to me. 

“No, please don’t go.” The soldier cries. I kneel back down so that I am closer to the bed.

“I’m right here, I’m not leaving.” I console the man as I run my fingers through his hair in a soothing manner. His sobs grow quieter, I sit with him continuing to comfort the soldier. His breathing turns even, his grip on my hand becomes looser. A soft snore leaves his lips. I sat with him for a while more in case he woke up. I see Gene peer around the corner, signalling his head to me that we are leaving. I stand from my position, placing a soft kiss to the man’s head, before following Gene back to the jeep to return back to the front. Gene grabs a pair of boots from one of the dead soldier's feet, I look away, I don’t want to see him have to yank the shoes off of the man. Renee appears from the church calling for Gene, throwing him some chocolate, they share a smile between them. I take my place in the jeep, as Gene sits in the front. We drive away, as we do I turn back to the church watching it grow smaller as we travel. My mind lingers on the man I sat with, I didn’t even know his name, but I wonder when he will be able to go home and be treated properly for his injuries. 

We arrive back on the front to see a group of men gathered in front of a jeep. A soldier stands in front of them blessing the men. We hop out of the car making our way over, as the man finishes his prayer. 

“Reconnaissance mission, Kraut hunting.” Spina informs us. I nod at Gene who hands over the box of supplies we got from the hospital. 

“We’ll go.” Gene tells Spina as I start to trail behind the men. Johnny approaches us, stopping us in our path. 

“Doc and Lane, it's a combat patrol. How about you two hang back. Stay out of trouble.” He smiles, giving us a nod as we silently agree with the man, stopping in our place. He follows the soldiers, telling Hobbs to hurry up, yelling for them to form tactical columns. 

I sit by Gene as we stare into the fog. We lost sight of them after they had walked for a bit. We hear distant shouts and chatter. I squint trying to see anything. But we wait in silence. My stomach clenches, anxiety gnaws at my insides. I bounce my leg, jittery with anticipation. I hope that the mission goes well. I look over to Gene again. He perches himself against the tree, staring into the distance. He seems off, more distant. I’ve seen that look countless times now, it pains me to see it on his face. I nudge his knee, his eyes glance over to me.

“Hey Gene, are you ok?” I tilt my head, showing my concern on my face. He nods, focussing his eyes back onto the scene in front of us. 

“You can talk to me Gene.” I offer, “You and I are in the same boat, you know. I’m here for you.” I can’t tell if he is listening to me or not but I continue. 

“It’s ok to ask for help, I know as someone whose job is to help others, it’s hard to ask for help back. But I’m here Gene, I will listen. I can be a shoulder to cry on if you need. I know it’s hard when all you see is pain. It takes its toll. The soldier’s get to share their victories of missions, but most of the time we don’t get that satisfaction. It’s hard to tell if we are winning or not when all we see is the aftermath of it all.” I ramble on, unsure if he is paying attention, but I want him to know I’m someone he can come too. 

“I’m fine Lane, but I think you should take some of your own advice.” He states coldly. “You don’t ask for help either. Last time I saw you, you were nearly dead in a hole.” I scoff, going to protest that it was different, “Just because you didn’t ask for someone to come with you.” I sigh, guess he has a point, he and I are the same. 

“Fine, how about we both take the advice then?” I offer my solution. He gives me a curt nod. Rapid gunfire sounds, the yelling increases, pulling out focus back to the forest in front of us. I sit forward straining my ears to hear what they’re yelling. My heartbeat accelerates, as I shift to a crouched position, readying myself to run. I look to Gene who has the same position. I almost leap out of my skin when a soldier appears from the fog. 

“What’s happening, sir?” Gene asks the man who puffs from his run. I recognise Peacock who runs past us. 

“We’re pulling back. We made contact. I gotta get to CP.” Peacock disappears into the tree line. Leaving us glaring into the distance waiting for the rest of the men to pull back. 

I watch silhouettes of the men running back towards us, I get to my feet. They yell confused at each other as they sprint through the trees. One of the men falls to the ground as a bullet hits him. Gene rushes forward, I wait to see if anyone else needs any help. I scan the men as they run past. They hold the line, lying down and readying their weapons as Gene aids the fallen soldier. Lewis appears by my side asking Johnny what happened. 

“We lost Julian.” Yells Martin, Babe looks distressed. He yells that Julian is still alive. I move forward to go and find him out of instinct. But I don’t get far, Lew’s hand grasps my bicep, stopping me in my tracks. 

“We have to fall back.” Martin yells arguing with the persistent Babe who wants to save his foxhole companion. Gene and Christenson move the man back from the line to the awaiting jeep. I fall back with the rest of the men, I turn my head as I run, looking into the foggy forest, my mind wanders to the dying man they had to leave behind. 

After we get back to safety the men seem disheartened, losing such a young life has taken its toll. They sit in a large circle, the normally banterful chatter is dead, coughing fills the silence along with murmurs of the men having quiet conversations. Babe seems to be taking it the hardest, my eyes wander over to him every now and then. He hunches over into himself, hugging his arms around his body. His stare is glazed over, like he isn’t here. Winters tries to bring morale to the men joining them in their circle, having soft conversations with them. It’s apparent that Babe isn’t listening. Too caught up in his own thoughts. 

The cold night falls quickly. I wrap my jacket closer to my body, how I wish I had a portable heater, oh or one of those heat packs you take skiing, that would be heavenly. I sigh, my breath showing in the freezing air. I get up from my empty foxhole, I need another person or I will literally die from hypothermia. I stand from my hole running from one to the other. I know who I want to find. I stumble across Babe, shivering alone in a foxhole that isn’t his. My heart clenches, remembering that his foxhole buddy had just died this afternoon. I slip in beside him, his shivering chattering his teeth. “Babe, you’re freezing.” I wrap my arm around his shoulders pulling him closer to me. He leans against me. I rummage around in my bag pulling out my blanket, I wrap it around his legs and chest. I shake my head, this isn’t enough. I stand, his hand shoots out, grabbing at my pant leg. 

“Don’t leave.” He begs, grasping firmly at the material. 

“I’m just going to try and find more blankets. I will be right back, promise.” He nods, hesitantly letting go of me. I move quickly, keeping low to the ground as I run. Asking in the holes for spare blankets. I got one from Luz and one from Perco. I promise them I will give them back in the morning. They smile at me, telling me not to worry. I thank them. Grateful for their generosity. 

I jump back in next to Babe, who doesn’t appear to be any warmer than the last time I saw him. I put one of the blankets over the foxhole to shelter us from the snow and wind, hoping it will trap some of the heat in with us. I pull him close again, wrapping a blanket over the both of us. He sighs, I rest my head on his, I rub my hand up and down his arm trying to create some warmth. We don’t speak, I let him grieve quietly. 

“You’re warm.” He whispers barely audible. I hum, “My mother used to say the same thing.” 

“Used to?” He asks. My chest constricts, I don’t talk about my mother often, it’s a subject that hurts too much, but I feel I can share with Babe. 

“My mother died when I was 18, from cancer.” I tell him. Tears well in my eyes, but he faces away from me. “After that I was on my own, being 18 I was considered an adult. I don’t have any other family, my father wasn’t in the picture and my grandmother had died a couple years earlier.” He doesn’t speak, just listens to me talk, “My mom when she was really sick always got really cold. I would stay with her, she always said I was like her hot water bottle.” I chuckle thinking of all the times she would latch onto my side, as I protested that she was too cold. She would laugh and touch me with her cold hands and feet. I would shriek, trying to get away playfully. She would always fall asleep first, I would lie in bed listening to her soft breaths, cherishing her while I could. I would bask in her scent, and her thin arms that wrapped around me. When she got really bad she would have to stay in hospital, she would try and fit me in her bed but it was too small. I would sit by her bed and hold her hand while she slept. After she had passed I had to grow up, I was on my own, no one to love or care for me. Kind of like how I am here. I didn't exist, no family, no friends. I often thought if I were to die what would happen. Would I be found, would someone be able to identify my body, would anyone come to my funeral. A tear slips from my eye, I hastily brush it away with my free hand. 

“I’m sorry to hear that, Em.” He says after I stop talking. I don’t speak, worried my voice will crack if I continue. Not only was I alone, but I didn’t have anyone to talk to. I wasn’t able to process my grief, I had to move on, move forward. Pretend like it didn’t happen, that I was fine and capable of being by myself. No one I could share fond memories with about my mother. I often visited her grave. I would talk to her about my life, what I was doing, but even to her headstone I lied. I put up a front that I was alright. Was it stupid I didn’t want to worry her even if she wasn’t here. Did a part of me wish just to pass too, life was so hard, even harder without her. I had no one. I guess it wouldn’t make a difference if I did die here, no one would realise I was gone. Babe had stopped shivering, still nestled into my side with my arm wrapped around him. I wiped the stray tears from my cheeks before he realised I had been crying. We sat in silence listening to the world around us. I let my mind wander, I slipped into thoughts of my beloved mother, but the memories were faded and tattered at the edges, not as crisp as they were before. Her laugh was not quite like how it used to be, I was forgetting. That hurt the most, I have these memories of her but I don’t know how long they will last, I’m so scared I will forget. I have forgotten her smell, the clothes I took of hers now smell of me and not her. I don’t want to forget her, but it’s hard to maintain by myself. If I had someone who had known her to share them with, maybe they would last. 

I’m pulled from my mind when the blanket moves from above us, and Gene sits beside Babe. He doesn’t move from his position to look up, Gene smiles warmly at him. “Got you.” His smile fades when Babe doesn’t answer, I give him a worried look. He russells through his bag, pulling out a chocolate bar, “Heffron,” he offers Babe the sweet, still Babe is unmoving from his position pressed to me. Gene unwraps the bar exposing the chocolate, breaking a piece from the top. “Edward.” He holds the chocolate in front of his face, Babe sits up slightly looking at it. Gene places it in his gloved hand, “Eat it.” Babe snaps off a piece with his teeth, “Good.” Gene says to him pleased. He chews slowly. “Perfect.” Gene sniffs, pleased that Babe is eating. 

“I promised him if he got hit, I’d get his stuff and bring it to his ma, you know.” Babe blurts tearfully, his voice cracking as he speaks. “Now the fucking krauts will strip him.” 

“Hey, no. It’s okay.” Gene tries to reassure Babe, not really knowing what to say. But it’s not okay really, it’s awful and now Babe has this weight on his shoulders, that he couldn’t uphold the promise they had made to each other. The guilt he must hold will be eating him alive. 

“It’s not. It’s not okay. We should’ve got to him.” It’s silent for a beat, as his words hang in the air. We have nothing to say that will make him feel better, he did try, for all that counts he tried his best. Babe coughs, as he again presses himself to me, I wriggle getting comfortable, holding him closer. Gene gets under the blankets as well, sandwiching Babe between us, hopefully keeping him somewhat warm. 

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

Chapter 10

[cjsarchive]

First Date-Matthew x Reader

I looked at myself in the mirror one last time. I couldn’t help the smile that grew on my face. Matthew and I were about to go on our first date! He had yet to tell me where we’re going, as he wanted to surprise me, but he told me to dress casual and comfortable since we would be gone most of the day.

I checked the time, 9:34am. I grabbed my things and went downstairs to see Matthew waiting by the door. As soon as he saw me, he gave me one of his infectious smiles, “Hey! You ready?”

I smiled, “Yep!”

“You look really c-cute by the way!” He said to me while blushing slightly.

I playfully ruffled his hair, “So do you, my love.” He blushed harder and I giggled. He was so cute.

We sat on the bus listening to music while sharing my earbuds. “You’re still not gonna tell me where we’re going?” I asked playfully.

“Nope! You’ll find out when we get there.” He gave me a silly face.

“Ugh, the wait is killing me! Tell me where we’re going, please?” I jokingly gave him puppy dog eyes. He covered his face with his hands.

“Don’t! You know I can’t resist you when you do that!” I laughed, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

Soon enough, I saw the signs telling us that we’re on our way into fair parking. I gasped, “We’re going to the fair?!”

“Yep! You excited?” He asked with a hint of nervousness in his voice, “I wanted our first date to be something memorable so I thought ‘Why not the fair?’ It’s not too much, is it? I was worried it would be too big for a first date-” I answered him with a kiss on the lips. I pulled away and smiled at his blushing face.

“I’m so excited! I haven’t been to the fair in forever.”

“O-oh! Well great then!” He said with relief.

We arrived in the fair and I was nothing but smiles. There was something about the fair air that always makes me happy. Matthew stared at me lovingly before asking, “Sooo, what’s the plan?”

“Alright,” I clasped my hands together, “First, I say we do as many rides as possible, then we eat, then we play games for prizes. What do you think?”

Matthew thought for a moment before smiling and nodding, “Sounds like a plan! Wanna do the roller coasters first?”

“You know, I’ve actually never been on a roller coaster.” Matthew gave me a shocked look. “No way! Well we gotta change that!” Matthew grabbed my hand and we started heading towards the nearest roller coaster before he stopped and looked back at me, sudden worry in his eyes, “Unless there’s a reason you’ve never been on one. Are you afraid of them?”

I laughed slightly, “I gotta admit, I kinda am. But don’t worry, I want to try them!”

Matthew let out a sigh of relief and smiled, “Alright! Let’s go then!”

Matthew and I held hands as we walked. “Whatcha wanna do now?” Matthew asked me, gazing at me with a slightly tired smile. Its been a long and fun day. I looked at the sun about to set and then at the ferris wheel.

I pointed to it, “Let’s go and watch the sunset on the ferris wheel.” Matthew’s eyes followed my finger and smiled wide,

“Yeah! Let’s do it!”

We eventually got on the ferris wheel and waited for our descent to the top. I let out a sign on content as I looked at Matthew. He was looking out the window at the setting sun. I smiled, took his hand, and kissed it. He looked back at me, his face turning pink.

“Thank you for this day, Matthew.” I leaned my head on his shoulder.

“Heh, no problem.” He laid his head on top of mine.

Once we made it to the top, we stood up and looked out the window at the now set sun and the view of the city in the distance. “I love the view of the city at night,” I sighed happily, “It just brings comfort.”

Matthew chuckled, “Can’t fight ya there.” I turned to look at him, the lights of the scenery outside shining on his face made him look ethereal.

“You are so handsome.” I said bluntly. He blushed and looked down, flustered.

“Heheh, thank you!” He looked up at me, “You are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever known.” I felt my face heat up as I giggled.

“Thank you,” I found myself getting lost in his eyes, “This is the best first date ever.”

“R-really?” He laughed at himself, “I was so nervous for today, you have no idea,” He looked back at the view as he began to ramble, “I was worried something would go wrong like suuper long lines, or the heat being too much, or one of us eating too much or somethi-“ I gently grabbed his face and kissed him softly. He wrapped his arms around me and we melted into each other, “I talk too much, huh?” Matthew said softly as we pulled away.

“A bit,” I admitted. I rested my forehead on his,” You’re amazing, Matthew. I love you. So much.” A bright smile grew on his face.

“I love you too. Meeting you was one of the best things to ever happen to me. I’m so lucky to have you.” I leaned up and softly brought our lips back together. How did I get so lucky?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This was my first time writing in a while so sorry if it’s a bit cheesy��. But I do wanna get back into writing regularly so if anyone has any requests, im open to them! I might be first date stories for the other boys as well:)

[bookwyrminspiration]

Hey, for the prompt ask game, can you do “ Jeez, i don’t even wanna know how you got that battle wound there; sit down and let me fix it up, won’t you? “ with Dex and the triplets? Maybe it could be post-canon, and it could be the triplets comforting Dex? But if you have another idea, you can do that too!

Hi Nonsie!!! I certainly took my sweet time, but I hope you enjoy--I had a lot of fun figuring out their dynamic and each of the triplet's personalities :)

dear god please just let me sleep <- ao3 link

warnings: blood, injury

word count: 5k

Dex hoped he’d be able to slip away to his room before anyone caught him; he’d been running on a bare few hours of sleep the past few days, and if he didn’t crash soon, his body would make him.

Especially with how his arm stung--he couldn’t wait to sleep that off. And then immediately jump back into a political clusterfuck of trolls and mutants and treaties.

But he should’ve known better.

“You’re back!” Bex shouted, falling through the wall of the entryway and nearly losing her balance to careen through the other. “HE’S BACK!”

She turned to yell the second part at someone else, and sure enough Lex slipped through a moment later--literally. His ice path was apparently too slick for him, and as it cruised past before ending abruptly, he, too, cruised past and directly into the wall.

“Took you long enough!” his younger brother said, grinning as he shook frost from his hair--a perfect mix of their parents. “Where WERE you? We’ve been waiting all day!”

Dex summoned what little energy he had left, hoping one final show of bravado would be enough to get him through this. And then, on the other side, his bed would be waiting for him all soft, and warm, and peaceful…

“Just stupid elf work--it’s all boring. You’d hate it,” he said, offering a small smile back as he moved to continue, hoping they’d lose interest. If he just got to his room, he could close the door behind him and put up that sound-barrier he’d made from that old obscurer. “What were you waiting for?”

Rex caught up with them then, carefully stepping over the trail of ice Lex had left through the house and stopping Dex short when he said, “You. You said you were free to hang out this afternoon, remember?”

He hadn’t.

“AND! I’ve decided--we’re playing BRAMBLE!” Bex bounced through the wall again.

Rex blinked slowly, watching him. “Is that still okay? We haven’t seen you in forever--you’re always disappearing places. But if you can’t--”

“Ugh, no! Base quest would be more fun!” Lex shoved at Bex, who only laughed as his hand went straight through her shoulder--and the momentum sent him tumbling to the ground, since ice coated the floor wherever he stepped.

Mom had been telling him to cut it out, since it made the house even more dangerous for quick feet, but he hadn’t gotten the message yet.

“Knock it off, you two!” he scolded, not answering Rex’s question. “If you’re going to be rough, do it outside, remember?”

Lex stood unsteadily, then made a show of thinking. “No, I don’t think I remember.”

Then he grinned, wicked, and lunged towards Dex.

Maybe if he hadn’t had four hours of sleep in the past two days, and if he hadn’t spent those two days crawling around mutant troll hives, and maybe if one of those loose trolls hadn’t swiped him solidly on the shoulder a mere few hours ago before Lovise subdued it, he’d have been able to jump out of the way.

But all of that had happened, and he went down hard.

Lex made a noise of surprise at the way Dex crumpled, Rex gasping and Bex laughing as they crashed to the floor.

He couldn’t help the strangled hiss of pain that slipped through his teeth as Lex’s hands wrapped around his arm.

And the laughter stopped.

Lex froze--metaphorically and literally, ice crusting his nails and seeping onto Dex skin as panic bloomed on his face.

“Dex?” he asked.

Someone repeated it, but he’d closed his eyes in a grimace, pushing up slowly into a sitting position. He couldn’t stand.

His shoulder pounded and his head throbbed, and maybe his heart wasn’t beating quite right. Too fast, as if there wasn’t enough time for it to finish a beat before the next.

“What’s wrong with him?” Bex asked, too loud, and the fear in her voice had him voicing his eyes open.

He couldn’t let them see this.

“I’m fine,” he lied, prying Lex’s hands from where they still grabbed him and offering what he hoped was a comforting smile. He didn’t think he succeeded. “It’s just--”

“You’re bleeding,” Rex interrupted, coming to crouch beside him and pointing.

Dex followed his finger and cursed. The binding over his scratches must’ve been knocked loose in Lex’s tackle, and now bright red had started to seep into the fabric of his tunic. And just after it’d finally stopped bleeding.

Lex didn’t seem to know what to do with his hands, shakily sober as he looked around. “My imparter’s somewhere, I’ll hail Elwin.”

“Don’t,” Dex told him, shaking his head and making himself dizzy--oh how desperately he wanted his bed. “He’s busy enough with the gnomes, and this is just a scratch.”

It was true enough.

Bex braced her hands on her hips the way she always did when she was preparing to argue--loudly. “You’re being stupid! Mom and Dad would agree with me if they were here--right Lex?”

Poor Lex looked too pale to respond, staring at the spreading blood through the fabric as he sat atop his legs next to him.

“I can treat it,” Rex offered, shifting uneasily. “If you really don’t want to hail Elwin.”

“You can what?” Dex repeated, too tired to follow.

He pulled at a thread in his tunic and looked down, cheeks flushing. “Dad’s been--he’s been working with me a lot in the store. Showed me how to make some things and how to use them. I could…I could help…” his voice faded towards the end.

Dex knew Rex had taken on almost the same role he’d had with their dad at that age, since Dex was usually too busy to help these days. If it wasn’t mutant trolls, it was the weird new illness in the gnomes--again, and this time it wasn’t the plague; they’d checked--or the weird aggression in some of the animals the Ruewen’s were taking in at Havenfield, or the million other assignments the Council and his friends had piled on him--and all this while having to keep up with the elite levels.

But he’d hadn’t been keeping track of just how far Rex had progressed already.

“Yes, do that,” Bex commanded, nodding solidly as she reached down to grab Dex as Rex disappeared down the hall. At the last moment she realized she was reaching for his bad arm and switched to the other, and he found himself hauled to his feet by his little sister.

Dex started to shake his head--he was their big brother, he was supposed to look after them--but Bex cut him off.

She’d started poking around the bloodied sleeve, and before he could stop her--though to be honest, he was so exhausted he didn’t even think to try--she’d exploited some mystical weak point in the seams and torn the sleeve clean off.

The four solid scrapes down his shoulder--previously covered by a goblin military-style wrap and some kind of second skin that’d torn loose--were on prominent display. Lex made a noise somewhere between a gag and terror.

“Stand right there--don’t even think about moving, or I’m going to rig your bathroom with stink spray.”

But as Bex reached for Lex, still pale on the floor, he couldn’t let her take complete control. He’d never live it down. “Hey,” he started, waiting until Lex looked over at him--though he looked away just as quickly. “Don’t worry about it, okay? It’s nothing--I just need to sleep, it wasn’t you.”

Lex didn’t look convinced, but before he could try again, Rex came back with a clinking bag and a furrowed look on his face.

“Okay,” he started, pulling out a bottle of youth and a cloth. He looked up and saw Dex’s now-revealed arm--but didn’t balk. “Jeez, I don’t even wanna know how you got that battle wound there; sit down and let me fix it up, won’t you?“

“LAME!” Bex scoffed, tossing Lex onto the couch where he made no move to adjust himself. Dex sank down a cushion away from him, aching. “I want to know everything! Did you get attacked by killer dwarves? A showdown with ruthless ogres?!” She took a deep breath, clearly preparing for a long string of baseless guesses--but Dex saw Lex’s wan face had started to go green.

“Stop!” he told her, and she made a scrunched face. “If I tell you, will you let it go? Lex looks like he’s gonna faint.”

She rolled her eyes. “Lex is just being a BABY, don’t hold back. Ew, what IS that?”

The second part was directed at Rex, who had settled himself next to Dex. He’d already removed the rest of the old bandage and started to clean the wound--but when he turned to look at him, he had a pot of something in his hands with a truly nasty texture.

Rex’s face went red. “It helps with irritation and infection! That’s what dad told me--it just looks like snot because that helps it stick to the skin.”

“Not you two, too!” Dex groaned, rubbing at his face with his good hand and wishing, desperately, that he’d been able to sneak up to his room before they’d caught him. Or that he’d remembered they were supposed to be hanging out today in the first place.

He should’ve gone to his dorm in the silver tower, but he hadn’t been there long enough for it to feel like home yet--and he doubted it ever would. So when Lovise had ordered him to go home and rest, he’d raised the crystal for Rimeshire and leaped before realizing this wasn’t technically where he was supposed to be.

But he did like his bed here better, so he hadn’t left.

Maybe he should’ve.

He inhaled as Rex spread whatever snot-like concoction he’d defended over his shoulder, more from the cold than anything. The chill refocused his eyes, the way splashing your face with cold water helped stave off the need to sleep just a little longer--he used the trick often when he stayed up late working. Earlier in the night he’d use a stimulant, but when it was close to done and he wanted to be able to immediately collapse after just a few more tweaks, he’d push through that way.

“So?” Bex prompted, arms folded over her chest as she kicked at his shin. “What’d you do? Was it gross? Did it hurt a lot?”

He realized there was no getting out of this. “Trolls,” he told her simply.

But of course that wasn’t enough.

“NICE! What’d they do? Did you have to fight them?” She’d leaned closer, into a bit of sun that had the staticky red hair sticking all over her head glowing in the light.

“No, and I can’t tell you anything else--it’s classified! So stop asking!”

He probably could’ve gotten away with a few more details before he got in trouble if he really wanted to--but he didn’t. He didn’t want them anywhere near the problems their world was facing; they had enough going on as it was just being them.

Bex groaned, Lex looked relieved, and Rex’s face was screwed up in concentration as he used a clean cloth and some Youth to wipe off the snot-like mixture; he hadn’t said a word as they’d let it sit, and Dex honestly couldn’t tell whether he was bothered or glad he didn’t have to hear the story.

“Am I hurting you?” Rex asked when he saw Dex was watching.

“Huh? Oh--no, you’re good.” Dex shook his head, flagging again. “I’m just tired. I forgot we were supposed to do something together today--sorry.”

Lex piped up for the first time in a while, voice uncharacteristically quiet. “Was it…bad?”

“Was what bad?”

“The…the trolls…” he whispered, his face all screwed up like he was imagining them.

Bex’s smile turned wicked. “Scaaaaaaared, are you?”

Lex’s face froze and ice sparked in his eyes as he shot back, “Am not!”

“You’re terrified! Can’t even handle thinking--”

“BEX!” Dex cut in, glaring at her. “Dad told you to stop taunting him!” As she’d gotten older, her skill at identifying the most embarrassing thing she could possibly say had evolved into a wicked talent for figuring out the sorest point she could possibly poke.

And, in typical Bex fashion, she loved to poke.

Lex, unfortunately for him, was an excellent target; they were together so often, and he still got riled up in a way that only egged her on. It’d started to slide off Rex long ago, so she’d lost interest in teasing him.

“I’m not!” Bex protested, spreading her hands to show how innocent she was.

“I so don’t have the energy for this,” Dex sighed, leaning back into the couch and closing his eyes.

Rex stopped him. “Wait! Don’t lean back yet, I need to get the bandage around your arm--I can’t do that if you’re laying on it.”

Lex, expression curled, reached to the floor to send a sheet of ice sliding under Bex--who lost her balance and fell through the coffee table.

Dex ignored them as they started fighting, turning to Rex; every feature was focused on his shoulder, lips thin and pale, but hands steady.

With a pang of guilt, he realized he hadn’t paid attention at all to what Rex had been doing--his eyelids had started blinking at different times, so no one could really blame him, but he still felt bad.

He’d gotten used to pain these last few years, so the faint stings in his shoulder as Rex wrapped him up barely registered--especially as he handed him a painkiller.

“You’re good at this--maybe we should give you to Elwin.” He set the empty vial aside, trying to recork it with one hand and shaking fingers. He wasn’t having much success.

A final tuck to secure the wrap. “There--you should be good. But, uh, you should probably check with Elwin later,” Rex said over Lex and Bex’s arguing about whether non-water frozen liquids counted as ice. He took the vial from Dex’s other hand and corked it easily, dropping it into his bag.

Dex shook his head. “Nah, he’s way too busy--this is fine.”

Rex looked like he wanted to argue, but only shifted and looked away.

Unable to help the small groan as Dex let himself sink into the cushions, he closed his eyes.

Then, “Was it bad?”

He decided he didn’t need to have this conversation with his eyes open, and enjoyed the reprieve as he asked, “Was what bad?”

The cushions squeaked under Rex, and Lex and Bex cut off.

“OO are you gonna tell us now?”

Rex sighed. “Was your…mission bad? You don’t…you don’t usually come home hurt. When you do come home, that is.”

“I get hurt all the time, Rex--all my friends do.”

Lex’s voice this time, from his other side. “Yeah but--but you’re always better by the time you come home. Mostly. You don't usually…” he trailed off, and Dex swore the temperature dropped several degrees on his left.

You don’t usually collapse.

“What, you worried about me?” he added a light tease to the words, lips curling ever so slightly. If he didn’t open his eyes soon he was going to fall asleep right then and there.

Bex spoke up, impatient. “Well, DUH! Why do you think I keep asking about it, dummy?”

His eyes snapped open, his mouth falling ever so slightly open as his eyebrows raised.

Bex stood in front of him, disheveled and soaked from melting snow, one of her legs still inside the coffee table. And staring directly at him.

“Huh?”

She tapped him on the forehead. “I SAID--”

“Not so loud!” he protested, and she huffed in indignation.

“I said, why do you think I keep asking about the trolls, dummy? You’re our brother, we wanna know what’s going on! You never tell us anything, that’s why I have to be so pushy!”

“You just like being pushy,” Rex said.

Bex thought for a moment, rocking back on her heels. “Yeah, that too.”

Dex looked between the three of them. Lex had his legs curled up on the cushions, ripping a hole in his pants wider, Bex with her arms crossed standing towering over them all, and Rex with his hands still stained with Dex’s blood.

And all facing directly at him.

“You worry about me?” he repeated, brain trying to reboot so it could process that--and failing.

“You never talk to us about what you and all those weird friends of yours do, but you have to know we hear the rumors,” Bex shifted her hands to her hips, and he almost felt like he was being scolded.

Lex cut in, “And when you still lived here, we’d see how you came home--you always had all those cuts and bruises.”

Dex blinked. “You were paying attention to that?”

“Not really,” Rex shrugged. “But it was hard not to notice sometimes. Especially whenever we thought about…”

“Your planting,” Bex finished for him. “We were there, you know.”

“You think about my planting?” He should probably stop repeating everything they said, but it was hard not to.

Lex admitted, “Sometimes,” and started sketching something in frost on his arm.

Dex wasn’t sure what to say to that; it was always awkward whenever it came up with his parents, but he’d never spoken about it with the triplets. It hadn’t even occurred to him it could affect them--they’d been so annoyingly loud and disconnected from the world around them when they were younger.

Of course they still were loud and annoying as hell, especially at home, and especially whenever he was around--at least Lex and Bex were. Rex was always…a little quiet. Somber.

With time, he’d started to come to terms with the fact he wasn’t going to manifest, and he’d slowly become more part of the triplet triad again like he’d used to be. But now there was a distance between them, even as he found his new place, that Dex worried would never go away.

“Did you fall asleep with your eyes open or something?” Bex interrupted his musings, shifting her weight side to side impatiently. Like she wanted to be moving.

“When was the last time you slept?” Rex asked suddenly, leaning forward and squinting like he could glean the answer from something on Dex’s face. And maybe he could, because he guessed, “A few days?”

Dex made a face, closing his eyes again. “Something like that.”

“I bet I could stay awake for an entire week,” Bex mused, nodding in agreement with herself as she looked off somewhere. “I’d definitely last longer than you,” she said, and he could only assume she was talking to Lex with the indignant noise he made.

But Lex didn’t respond. Instead, his voice turned back to Dex, hesitant and awkward. “You know--you know you can always talk to us about it--right? You know that? We could even help--we’re old enough.”

“What?! No way.” Against all his wishes, his eyes were open again--but this time it was terror, not surprise that had his heart pounding and his head throbbing with the blood rush.

Lex was adamant, even as his cheeks colored. “We’re older than you were when you met Sophie and started doing--doing whatever it is you do!”

Dex’s retort stopped abruptly in his throat as he quickly did the math and realized, with no small amount of horror, that his little brother was right. He’d been a level two when everything had started, and now--now the triplets were level fours.

He’d started even younger than them--how was that possible?

They looked so small with their shaggy hair and bright eyes, their round cheeks and wrinkled clothes--well, Bex and Lex were wrinkled. Rex had stayed composed.

Who’d been so irresponsible as to let Dex join the rebellion that young?

But even if they were older than he’d been, that didn’t make them old enough--they should stay far, far away from the dangers of his life.

Desperate, he searched for another excuse. “You don’t even know what we do! You can’t be ready for it.”

“We could if you told us!” Bex cut in, pulling at a wet knot in her hair so forcefully he winced.

“Mom might actually kill me,” he told her, and it wasn’t far from the truth. His mom, even as a member of the Collective of the Black Swan, one of its leaders, was nervous about having him involved in everything--after years of proving himself! Everything she was doing was so they didn’t have to risk themselves, so she could give them a better world on a silver platter.

Yeah, she wouldn’t be thrilled if he managed to drag his three baby siblings into it, too.

“Since when do you do what people tell you to do?” Bex shot back, succeeding in tearing the knot from her hair with her fingers and dropping it to the floor. “What---scaaared?”

“If you’re not scared, then you’re not ready!”

“You’re scared?” Lex asked, as though surprised. He’d stopped fiddling with the now-very-large hole in his pants and stared at Dex like he’d never seen him before.

Dex sighed, not sure how he’d gotten himself stuck in this conversation. “Of course I am--we don’t do this for fun, you know. We do it because someone has to. And that means risking our lives all the time! And if you don’t understand how scary that is--” he glared at Bex “--then you’re not taking it seriously and won’t be any help.”

“I understand,” Rex said, quiet. He looked at his bloody hands. “Dad and I talk about it sometimes.”

That stopped him short. “You do?”

Rex shifted as all three of them turned to him in surprise.

“Dad never talks to US about that,” Bex complained. “Why do you get to be special?”

Something behind Rex’s eyes shuttered and he tensed. “Because I’m not special.”

Even Bex looked like she regretted the words as they registered what he meant.

“Rex, you are--” Dex started, automatic, but Rex didn’t let him.

“I’m not moping,” he said. “I don’t need you to comfort me. It’s a fact. I’m not like you. That’s why…that’s why Dad and I talk about it. Because it’s…different for us. And he wants to make sure I’m ready, just in case.”

He looked away, color creeping up his cheeks.

Lex shifted, and Bex’s face was all scrunched up in a way he’d need Keefe to understand.

He wasn’t around much anymore, and he’d spent the triplet’s childhoods trying to stay away from them because they’d always caused such a headache.

But he did know this: they didn’t talk about this.

Bex and Lex had been insufferable about it in the beginning, back when they’d thought Rex would just be a late bloomer. So when it had become clear that wasn’t the case…

It’d piddled off into something unspoken between them, even as Rex found a new place in their triad. Found himself alone even in a group. Which was why Dex worried.

Because Bex and Lex didn’t really get it, and Rex didn’t explain it.

“Maybe Bex and Lex aren’t ready,” Rex said, scratching at the drying blood on his fingertips so it flaked off, “but I am. I know there’s…a lot I can’t do, but I can help. I helped you just now.” He pointed to Dex’s shoulder.

“Hey--I’m ready!” Lex said. “Bex is the problem, not me.” He’d dropped his legs off the couch and sat up straighter.

Dex was never going to come home again. “GUYS! Why can’t you bother mom about this--I don’t have the energy to argue with you about it right now.”

“Aww, does Dexy need to go beddy-bye?” Bex grinned, yanking her leg out of the table to reach forward and grab at his cheek like a baby.

“YES!” he burst out, swatting her away and pressing the fingers of his good arm into his eyes. “That’s ALL I’ve wanted to do since I got back--it’s why I came back. I’ve been awake for three days and spent all of them crawling through mutant troll hives and getting attacked! Of COURSE I want to sleep!”

Silence fell, and he wanted to be pissed with them the way he always used to be when they were little and hyper. He wanted to roll his eyes and shove them outside so he could enjoy how their voices muffled through the walls as he worked.

But they weren’t those people anymore.

And he simply didn’t have the energy to be angry.

“I’m done talking about this,” he sighed, moving to push up from the couch.

“Wait!” Bex lunged forward, pushing him back as she leaned on his legs, eyes bright. “Don’t go yet!”

Rex shook his head, sinking back against the cushions. “He really does need a nap.”

“Just one more minute!” she insisted, staring him right in his face. Hers was a little blurry, and he had to fight to keep her in focus. “We can do this, okay? You don’t need to keep babying us; we can take care of ourselves. We already DO--all the time!”

“I’m not trying to--”

“Yes, you ARE!” she cut him off. “Didn’t you HATE when everyone did that to you? Maybe we haven’t fought mutant trolls or anything, but we’re not little kids anymore. We can help you!”

Dex shook his head, letting it drop against the cushions. “I said I was done talking about this! Let me go.”

“No!”

“Bex!”

“PLEASE!”

“I said no!”

“What if you die again?”

The words burst from her chest, hot and angry and with enough force Dex thought they’d blow straight through him. Bex’s hands were in fists at her side, her cheeks flushed and face furious.

Lex had drawn his legs back onto the couch and wrapped his arms around them, eyes wide. Rex’d screwed up his face and dropped his gaze to the floor, finally leaving Dex’s blood on his hands alone.

Dex could barely hear himself through the ringing in his ears. “What are you talking about?”

Bex crossed her arms, looking between her three brothers--Rex and Lex both quiet, Dex confused and wondering every moment how he was still awake.

“They made me promise not to say anything, but--”

“Bex!” Lex cut in, horrified.

What? What didn’t they want him knowing?

Bex rolled her eyes, but Lex’s hand just went through when he reached for her. “Lex is a crybaby, but I’M not afraid to say it. They get all nervous when they hear the gossip about you and your weird friends, that’s why we want to help. You barely come home anymore, and when you do you’ve always got problems--like your stupid troll scratch you won’t tell us about. They’re total wrecks about it when you’re not around--they just want to seem cool in front of you.”

“Do NOT!” Lex interrupted, bright red as his hair. “You’re just as bad!”

“Am NOT!” Bex asserted, and the snowball Lex flung at her passed right through her face; she must’ve made her whole body intangible, because she fell through the table and started to sink into the floor with a wicked laugh.

Rex raised his voice. “SERIOUSLY! Can you two CUT IT OUT for ONCE?” His hands had balled into fists, and his lips had gone thin. “This is why Dex doesn’t talk to us anymore!”

Lex dropped his hand, coated in frost; Bex pulled herself up and sat back down with a thump as she became solid again.

Dex had nothing to say.

Or maybe he did. “You haven’t done anything wrong.”

“What?” Lex asked.

His voice was suddenly hoarse and he didn’t know why, and the words started to spill as his eyes fell closed, a battle he finally lost. “I’m sorry I’m not home as much--I didn’t…I didn’t know you cared. It’s not because of anything you did. You know that, right?”

“You don’t have to pretend it’s not,” Rex said, sounding so tired Dex wanted to cry.

“Do I look like I have the energy to pretend?” He raised his eyebrows even though his eyes were closed, and he didn’t move.

Bex responded. “No, you look awful.”

“You’re--you’re okay, right? I didn’t…” Lex was anxious again, and Dex remembered his horrified pale face as he crashed atop Dex.

“This wasn’t you, either,” he promised again.

“That didn’t answer the question,” Rex pointed out.

Dex groaned--of course they had to pick today of all days to be observant. “Just give me…a day…I’ve had worse.” His breathing was slowing, and faint alarm bells started to toll in his head; if he didn’t get up now, he wasn’t getting up for a good long while.

Then, out of nowhere, rustling came to his left.

Warmth seeped into his side as Lex pressed against him, and he felt a head on his shoulder.

“I swear I didn’t mean to,” his voice whispered next to his ear, and Dex hummed low.

“I know.”

Then Rex was on his other side, careful of his shoulder. “Did it help?” A slight tap below his bandages.

He nodded.

“Babies,” Bex muttered, but he felt the couch shift under her weight--far enough she wasn’t touching anyone, but close enough she was there. “This conversation isn’t over.”

“Not now, Bex,” Rex chided.

“I know!” Bex said. “I’m not saying now! Just making sure Dexy knows we’re not going to drop this just because he got beat up by some trolls and can’t stand straight--as if anything about him was ever straight.”

Dex stopped listening, heart slowing as his brothers shifted against him and argued with his sister. And something about it--maybe the house, which he’d been away from too long, or the noise more familiar to him than his pulse--was infinitely more comfortable than his quiet dorm back in the silver tower.

“I think he’s falling asleep.”

“Good, he looks horrible. We should draw on his face.”

“We should draw on your face. You need a mustache.”

And then Rex’s voice was at his ear, low. “Thanks. For letting me help.”

Dex could barely hear him, but he thought, No, thank you. For everything.

As he drifted off, surrounded by his little siblings on their family couch, actually together for the first time in years, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

[dragonfly0808]

Some of my Top Ships for Valentine’s Day!

This was supposed to be like 5 ships but shit got a little bit out of hand…

In no particular order:

Helia x Flora (Winx Club): they were my first OTP, it’s a classic, we know it, we love it, they invented the word adorkable. They are just… chef’s kiss

Callum x Rayla (the Dragon Prince): they are… my everything. From their very first interaction I was like… oh. They just balance each other out so well and it’s so much fun to watch them fall in love and grow together even if there have been a few… bumps in the road recently… they are my babies.

Runaan x Ethari (the Dragon Prince): WHERE IS MY SPIN OFF?! I NEED TO SEE HOW THESE TWO FELL IN LOVE! They just… the second Ethari was introduced these two had my heart and I just… I can’t even describe what it is about them that just gets me right there.

Lizzie x Daring (Ever After High): I said what I said. No regrets. Should’ve been endgame. You don’t get it, they get to be their real selfs when they’re with each other! The fucking potential! We only got 5 min in the webisodes and like a few dialogues in the books but they will forever live rent free in my brain.

Zuko x Katara (Avatar): …was this one predictable? I feel like this one was predictable, it just made so much sense with their respective characters, story lines and everything about them was just set up so perfectly but just never paid off. But yeah… these two were PERFECTION, up until they didn’t end up together somehow.

Percy x Annabeth (Percy Jackson): Come on, this is THE ship. I apologize in advance for the person I will become when the show comes out cause I’ll only be talking about them for a very long time.

Luka x Marinette (Miraculous Ladybug): You don’t understand how much I mean it when I say that I will go down with this ship. Luka is just… the cutest? And like… Marinette? Being supported? Being loved? Getting to have someone on her side that doesn’t feel like she owes them anything? Is this a potential OTP? Yes, yes it is.

Inej x Kaz (Six of Crows): I don’t think I have to say anything here. These two are just… wow. They would both kill for each other and… I love that it’s not an ‘I can fix them’ relationship, it’s a ‘I will change and be better for them’ relationship and I just…they are the pinnacle of romance.

Raven x Beast Boy (Teen Titans/Comics): Come on… do I have to say anything else? These two were made for each other! They understand each other in a way that almost no one else can, they both have dark sides that could take them over but they fight it, be it in different ways. And I just… they deserved so much more.

Mateo x Rufus (They Both Die at the End): If you haven’t read this book… it’s one of my faves but you shouldn’t read it unless you’re in a somewhat stable mental place ajajjajajja. But these two were just… ugh. I usually despise insta-love with every inch of my being but it worked so well for these two I just- AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH

Sophie x Gideon (Shadowhunters: Infernal Devices): These two I feel like are underrated in the fandom. Like, come on! In my personal opinion, they have the best love story in Shadowhunters. I’ve loved them since I was 9 and they are just so… they are just so good with each other? I love them. Every single moment of their relationship slaps.

Ron x Hermione (Harry Potter): They invented hesitant friends to friends to best friends to lovers. And they were done so wrong in the movies. Can anyone recommend me fics with them as the central focus? The Harry Potter part of AO3 is a fucking mess and I’ve found like two and I need more!

Luz x Amity / Hunter x Willow / Eda x Raine (The Owl House): How the fuck did a single show give me 3 new OTP’s? I’ve got no fucking idea but somehow they did it. I adore this show, I cannot wait for the finale. All the love stories are just… top tier just… wow. Lumity are the perfect enemies to lovers arc, Huntlow are just… so cute and perfect and of course we have Eda and Raine who are just iconic and IF I DON’T GET A KISS I AM GOING TO-

Wednesday x Tyler (Wednesday): COME AT ME BRO (please don’t), I love when people say they shouldn’t be together cause *SPOILERS* like… this is Wednesday Adams we’re talking about, if anything it makes it better! I love this ship. Their dynamic is just superior to me. Crazy x different kind of crazy? Perfection.

Charles Xavier x Erik (X-men): X-MEN WERE FUCKING COWARDS. That’s all I’ll say about that. I deserved so much better.

Rarity x Apple Jack (Equestria Girls): My fave sapphics, they were girlfriends. Farm girl x fashionista? Fucking genius. The aesthetics and dynamics are just perfect. The heavens open up and you can hear the choir when there’s a plot line revolving around their… ‘friendship’.

Nam-ra x Su-hyeok (All of us are dead): They are just… so fucking precious? He runs towards zombies to protect her and they are both crushing on each other from a distance, trying not to be obvious and it is so cute and so precious and just… I can’t wait for s2.

Stiles x Lydia (Teen Wolf): I’m not watching the movie. I refuse to. These two had 14 year old me in a choke hold.

Barry x Caitlin (The Flash): yes, I’m that person. Seasons 1-4 I still held on to hope. I love these two, just two nerds supporting each other and being THE team. This was truly so much potential.

Sarah x Leonard (Legends of Tomorrow): *sobs* they were just… so unexpected but they also made so much sense?

Hiccup x Astrid (How to Train Your Dragon): They were my obsession for a good while, Race to the Edge gave me way too much serotonin. I cried violently watching the last movie I just- they were so good. Their whole character development in Race to the Edge? Absolute fucking hold.

Winter x Jacin (The Lunar Chronicles): These two are just… childhood best friends to lovers, I’d kill and die for you, we know we love each other but we’ll never admit it and just be teaseful and then when they finally kiss it’s just so intense I was fucking fainting. I love them.

Dominick x Erika (Barbie, The Princess and the Pauper): They invented romance and they are the only insta-love love story that I will accept.

Robin x Regina (Once Upon a Time): I will die angry. Srly, they were just… perfect for each other? The definition of true love and they understood each other, Robin was so good for her and he believed so much in her and they loved each other in such a pure way and just… also they were just hot as fuck together I mean, they had me questioning my sexuality.

Starfire x Robin/Nightwing (Teen Titans/DC Comics/DC Movies): I don’t even know how to describe the amount of serotonin these two give me, they just make sense to me and I love them.

Kid Flash x Jinx (Teen Titans): They had 1 episode and they made history.

Artemis x Kid Flash (Young Justice): …I’m still waiting… fuck me… THEY WERE JUST SO FUCKING GOOD AAAAAAAHHHHHH- The way they annoyed each other but slowly grew to trust each other and then became friends and you can’t even pin point the exact moment they start falling in love because it just happens so naturally and so organically and it’s just- AAAAAHHHHHHHH

Impulse x Blue Beetle (Young Justice): Bart is in love with Jaimie and he is not subtle about it at all. Jaimie is a bit oblivious but you know that he is just as much in love if not even more

Jonathan x Nancy (Stranger Things): I swear yall’ if they really redo the triangle next season, I’m going to riot cause these two, their story is so well done in the first 3 seasons and it’s just like… what the fuck ya know?

Mike x Eleven (Stranger Things): I don’t care what anyone says, I still love them.

Lucas x Max (Stranger Things): …ow? I honestly don’t know what else to say.

Ben x Evie/Harry x Uma (Descendants): YOU KNOW I’M RIGHT, DID YOU WATCH CHILLIN LIKE A VILLAIN/WHAT’S MY NAME?! THE CHEMISTRY WAS LITERALLY DRIPPING OFF OF THEM. HE WAS SO HAPPY EVERYTIME HE SAW HER AND THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN GOLD TOGETHER.

Lucas x Maya (Girl Meets World): I am so tired… these two were just… so good together, the chemistry, the story line, Maya accepting the ‘bad’ side of Lucas in a way that Riley never did and him just being there for her no matter what ‘I could never hurt you’ I just… why?

Veronica x JD (Heathers the Musical): Listen… hear me out… I know that he was kinda crazy but… they were kind of an iconic duo okay? Freeze Your Brain? Dead Girl Walking? Our Love Is God? Seventeen? Meant to Be Yours? I Am Damaged? Sorry was I… not supposed to ship them after listening to those? I love them. I’m allowed to have at least one kinda-toxic-if-you-think-about-it-ship.

Juliette x Warner (Shatter Me): They created sexual tension. Every single scene slaps and their arc is just perfect and I love them and they are just… they are so intense but in the best way possible.

[poteqa]

The Infinite Corridor

Short Story starring Silvia Valentine

Also Starring: Kurt Valentine, Cindy Valentine, Michael, and Nova Lilum

Summary: Silvia, lover of horror that she is, takes the chance to enter the newest, scariest haunted house in the local park. However, things go south when an invited stranger gives her a chase through the very haunted house she was hoping to enjoy.

Warnings: Strong language, fake horror scenarios, real horror scenarios, stalkers, fake gore, reference to a strange creature

The sounds of horrific screaming and chainsaws echoed the theme park grounds. The horror theme was timely for the month of October, and the midnight hour had just passed. Silvia Valentine, and her close brother, Kurt, were patiently waiting in the line of another haunted house. Silvia let out a great yawn. “Oooaaah! Can’t wait to shower after all this…”

“I mean… We can leave now, you know.” Kurt replied.

“Yeah, but we’ve come this far. And I really want to see this one!”

Kurt sighed in defeat. “Fine…”

As the two spoke, they could see a small figure approaching them. They both turned to see their sister, Cindy, sneaking her way to the outer rim of the queue to talk to them. “Hey!” She gleamed with a bright and sunny shine, despite all the miserable decor. She adjusted her glasses, having snuck her way over to them through abnormal pathing. She was holding onto an empty beer glass that had lights and ‘zombie infection’ theming. “You two have been in this line foreve-”

A guy further down the line called out, “Hey! No cutting in line!”

Cindy’s sparkling personality died for a moment. “I’m not cutting your stupid fucking line! I need to ask them a question!” They could faintly hear the guy going, ‘Jeez, sorry…’ Cindy took a deep breath and dug her finger through her blonde hair. “Okay.” She was back to her sunny side. “Is this the last one you two are doing?”

Silvia smirked. “Oh, this is more than the last one. This is… ‘the big one’.”

Cindy glanced at Kurt. “That means ‘what’ exactly?”

“This is the ‘Infinite Corridor' haunted house. Basically, it’s three times longer than the other houses, averaging at about 10-15 minutes.” Kurt didn’t seem thrilled.

Cindy became disgusted. “Ugh… I could barely stand the werewolf one you both forced me to do, and I felt like we sprinted out of that one.” She shrugged it off. “Well, you two enjoy. Gonna get one last drink for the night, and then when you two get out… funnel cake?”

“Hell yeah!” Silvia growled.

“Good!” Cindy walked away and waved. “Toodles!”

Silvia stretched as the line moved closer. “Not long now.” Kurt didn’t really respond. “...Hey.” He turned to her in response. “If you want to skip this one, it’s no problem. I can get through it by myself.”

Kurt nodded in denial, stoically. “I need to make sure you’re safe.”

“I can take care of myself! Besides… I got Michael.”

“Has Michael even shown themselves while we’ve been here?”

Silvia scratched her head. “Well… No, but I get the sense that they understand the danger that we’re going through here is ‘fake, play danger’.”

“They… still haven’t spoken to you, right?”

“Oh, the moment Michael speaks to me, you’ll definitely know.” Silvia said. As she did, the line moved towards a point that they were next to go inside.

An attendant approached them both. “Before I let you two in, some words of advice! This house has flashing strobe lights, a maze of mirrors, and visual illusions. You have a wide gap between you and the next guest, so don’t rush through the house too fast for your own safety. There are scare actors, but they will not touch you. Please do not touch or harm the scare actors. If at any time, you wish to leave the house, let an attendant or a scare actor know: They will lead you to the nearest exit. And most importantly: Have fun!”

“Thanks!” Silvia responded with excitement .Without another word, they were let in, walking into a massive black tarp entrance.

A warm green glow welcomed them to what seemed like the lobby of a macabre hotel. Bleeding luggage was scattered, creating the pathway that the two of them had to follow. It led them closer to the front desk of the ‘hotel’. The lone attendant spoke to them, only showing one side of his face. “Welcome to the Infinite Corridor.” He turned his face, revealing that half of his face was skinless. “Enjoy your stay…”

Silvia giggled. “You look awesome!” Kurt practically had to pull her away into the next area. They walked through what seemed like a hotel hallway. There were no lights, but the green glow in the dark hue gave them plenty of vision.

Kurt wrapped his arms around Silvia’s shoulders, putting them in a position to stay together. He maintained this position half to keep her from harm, but also half because he was really scared.

As they passed the door to a hotel room, someone on the other side of the door suddenly began banging on the door, scaring them both to a yelp. Slvia’s yelp was followed by a laugh.

As they continued, they left the hotel hallway, into a dark corner. The dark corner had an attendant, implying this was a checkpoint in case anyone wanted to leave. The attendant nodded, as the siblings continued through the tour.

Suddenly, the two were scared by a scare actor dressed like a journalist, as he took a ‘picture’ of them with a flash camera. The ‘journalist’ spoke to them. “This is a crime scene! You shouldn’t be here!” The two continued, knowing that this was just part of the house. As they continued, they were inching towards ‘the crime scene’, which had an entryway made from a clear plastic sheet.

Kurt spoke to Silvia. “I guess the theme is that the corridor takes you through infinite realms of horror or something…”

They proceeded into ‘the crime scene’. It was a massive hallway filled with dangling corpses, which were obviously plastic. Still, the aura was uncomfortable for them both. Before they could make another step, the entire room lit up with a bright light and the sound of a camera going off echoed with it. The effect created the illusion that they were constantly being photographed as part of the crime scene, as the light and sound would repeat every five seconds.

Both were disoriented by the flashing light repeating. Kurt winced in annoyance, while Silvia took his hand and tried to lead him through the dangling corpses. “Just follow me!” She called out. As she led, she tried to glance around at all the corpses, trying to see if any of them were scare actors trying to get them. It seemed unlikely to her, as they had to push the dangling corpses out of the way to get to the other side.

The flashing continued, much to their dismay.

As Silvia continued searching the area, she began seeing a figure in the area. A tall, looming figure that towered over all the corpses, to a disturbing degree. She glanced up, only to see that the head of the figure had a crescent shape. Their flesh was a dark purple. She gasped. “Michael?” In another flash, Michael disappeared.

“You okay?” Kurt called out, as Silvia had stopped.

“Yeah!” She continued. “Sorry, I thought I saw something.”

They made it to the other side of the crime scene, and out of the flashing lights.

Silvia rubbed her eyes. “Didn’t like that segment one bit.” As she cleared her vision, they found themselves at another checkpoint.

Kurt was massaging his forehead. “Sil, I’m sorry, I can’t… I gotta stop. Those flashing lights just gave me the worst migraine…”

“No, that’s totally fair!” She waved towards the attendant. “He wants to leave.”

Kurt glanced at Silvia in surprise. “But what about you?”

Silvia waved it off. “I’ll be fine. I’ll get through this in no time. Don’t worry.”

As the attendant led Kurt out, he glanced at his sister with a look of immense worry.

Silvia was alone, walking through the darkness of the checkpoint. She took a deep breath and kept going… only to be greeted by bright colors and lights.

The next area was a fun house. Carnival music blared through the speakers and massive lights rotated, making the area look like a celebration. Silvia bounced a bit to the music, as she was still having fun. As she turned the corner, she could see a psychotic clown stand further down the hall. The clown began mimicking her bounce as she slowly got closer to him. “Hi.”

“Hi!” The clown said with a demented voice. “Do you like clowns?”

“I love clowns!” She said, bouncing past him.

“You should stay here forever, then!” The clown’s creepy voice sounded genuine and loving towards her.

Silvia giggled, continuing her bouncing and not looking where she’s going. “Sorry, I…” Another clown busted through a door, scaring her to the point of shrieking. “AAAAH! Fucker! Good job!” She laughed it off. Continuing past the clowns, she made it toward another checkpoint. ‘Early checkpoint for those scared of clowns, I guess.’

As she progressed through the checkpoint, she noticed that there weren’t any attendants there to guide her. She shrugged it off and kept moving on, leading to another area of the funhouse.

The colorful walls were stained by blood writing, with words ranging from ‘HELP!’ to ‘IT HURTS!’ to ‘RUN!’. All this led to a circus-like entryway. Silvia smirked, walking towards the entryway.

As she took her next step, a man reached out from the darkness and grabbed her by the shoulder. She shrieked, turning towards him and moving out of his reach. “Ha… You… You got me, you…” She paused, getting a good look at him. The man was dressed in plaid with jean overalls. He had a potato sack over his head, with holes for his eyes.

Silvia backed away slowly. “You…” She noticed that he didn’t go with the theme of the area, but more importantly… “...You’re not supposed to touch me…” She said, remembering the rules of the park.

As she said that, the man lifted up a hatchet that he was holding onto into both hands: A hatchet that didn’t look fake at all. Before Silvia could react, she could see behind him. Michael had appeared, towering over the man. Michael raised their hand and pointed to one of the words that was painted onto the walls.

Run.

Silvia immediately turned around and broke into a sprint, entering the circus entrance without a second thought. Inside, she sped through what looked like a giant three ring circus. She couldn’t spend time focusing on the details, but her pathway was a straight line. No scare actors popped out, but there were definitely automated scares that she sped by. She was too fast for the scares to catch her. And the hatchet man was not far behind.

Exiting the circus led her to a new area. Rushing in, she almost stopped at the sight of her own reflection. ‘Fuck! This is the Hall of Mirrors area!’ She rushed in a direction, hoping to lose the man a bit, but being surrounded by disorienting mirrors made it unclear where to go.

For a moment, she managed a decent distance. In the distance, she could hear the sound of the man slamming his hatchet at a mirror, as it was still showing her reflection. He was disoriented too.

As Silvia turned the corner, she could see Michael again, standing in front of a few mirrors. They had no reflection within the mirrors. Immediately, Michael raised one of their hands, pointing out where to go next in the maze. Silvia ran in that direction, only to find Michael again, pointing to the next area.

“Thank you, Michael!!” She called out, finding her way out of the maze with their help as they appeared again and again to guide the way.

The hatchet man was falling behind, as he struggled to get through the mirror maze on his own. As he managed to exit the maze, he stumbled into the next room, huffing in frustration. The room was that of a bloody, clown dressing room. Plastic body parts littered the room. Despite the expectations of a haunted house, the room seemed like a deadend. There were no further doors.

The hatchet man looked around the room, only to pause at the sight of the massive mirror in the room. It was taller than he was. As he approached the mirror, he immediately noticed the illusion.

The mirror wasn’t real. It didn’t reflect his image, but on the other side of the ‘mirror’ was a mirror-reflected replica of the dressing room he was standing in. The ‘mirror’ itself was the doorway to the next area.

As he stepped through the ‘mirror’, Silvia came out of nowhere and hit him in the face with a prop, only to grab him before he could fall back. “Fuck you!” She shouted as she kneed him in the groin. He buckled over in pain, giving her more time to run away.

As she ran, she managed to find the next checkpoint. “Oh thank fucking god!” She practically crashed into the attendant there. “Where’s the exit! Please, fast! The exit!” She screamed.

The attendant was panicking. “What, uh… There!” He pointed to the nearby black tarp.

“Thank you! You have to run! He’s trying to kill us!” Silvia screams, running out of the house.

The attendant called out. “Ma’am, you’re perfectly safe her-” Before the attendant could say anything else, the hatchet man knocked him out with the blunt side of his hatchet. Without a second thought, the hatchet man followed Silvia out of the house.

Silvia ran through the park area where scare actors and guests alike were walking around. “Help!” She shrieked. “He’s trying to kill me!” Many of the guests and scare actors shrugged it off as someone overreacting, only for the hatchet man to come sprinting out of the house after her.

She rushed ahead towards a nearby bathroom, which Michael was pointing to. It was the men’s bathroom. ‘Maybe some guys in there can help me!?!’ Rushing in, she yelled out, “Please, help me! Please!” However, she’d find that the bathroom was empty. “...Are you shitting me?”

The door barged open, as the hatchet man cornered her. Silvia backed up towards the other side of the bathroom.

She was terrified, but she was ready to fight. “Come on, mother fucker. You think you're the first masked axeman I’ve had to deal with?” She got into a position where she was ready to fight or dodge.

The hatchet man took the time to relish this moment. He held his hatchet with one hand, looking forward to whatever attack Silvia was about to land on him.

Immediately, a tall figure behind the attempted killer grabbed his hand. “Excuse me…” It was Kurt. He twisted the hatchet man’s arm, forcing him to drop the hatchet. Kurt immediately put his foot over the hatchet.

Cindy peeked her head out from behind the masked killer. “Do you have any feminine care products?” She teased, pulling out a hand taser. As Kurt let go, Cindy jabbed the taser into the hatchet man’s neck, knocking him out.

Silvia sighed in relief, catching her breath. “...Oh thank god…”

“You had good form.” Kurt complemented her. “You might have been able to fight your way out of the bathroom, knowing what you’re capable of.”

Silvia smiled. “I still got Dad’s self-defense training in my noggin.”

Cindy hid away her taser and let out a laugh. “Did you have to pick the ‘men’s bathroom’? I mean, I admit I haven’t seen a urinal in forever, but like…”

Upon those words, they could hear the sound of someone flushing the toilet inside one of the stalls. They all turned towards the stall, which was half open.

Nova stepped out, adjusting his tie. “....The toilet has an automatic flusher, and I just got here via portal. I swear I wasn’t using that toilet.”

“Riiiiiight.” Cindy teased.

“I heard things were getting messy, so I came.” Nova explained. He gestured toward the masked man. “Stand him up.” Kurt forced the man to stand up, holding his hands behind his back. Nova yanked the potato sack of the man’s head.

The man was still conscious. None of the four of them could recognize the man, but Nova could recognize the hourglass tattoo on his face. “Know this guy?” Kurt questioned.

“Well…” Nova could hear chatter outside the bathroom. “Goes without saying, but… What do we tell the cops?”

Kurt and Cindy both said ‘Nothing’ at the same time, while Silvia said, “Jack and shit.”

Nova nodded with a smile. “The three of you learn quickly.” He glanced at Kurt. “Get your badge. Follow my lead. We’re gonna sweet talk them. That way, I can take this bastard for interrogation.”

Cops rushed into the bathroom. Kurt turned, showing his badge. “Detective Valentine. I was on the scene.”

---

Silvia and Cindy sat together in Kurt’s car, waiting for the boys to get back. Silvia yawned, sitting in the passenger seat. “Ooooaah. We should do this again next year.”

Cindy glanced at Silvia with a perplexed look. “You were almost killed by a man with a hatchet and a mask! Hell, this isn’t the first time a man of that exact description tried to kill you!”

“That was two months ago!”

“Oh okay!” Cindy sarcastically answered. “You’re right! The last time a masked man tried to kill me was ‘never’. …My point is… How can you stand to still enjoy horror when you have to experience such horrible things from your ‘work’?”

“Assholes will always exist, and I won’t let them ruin a thing that I love. Besides, you know who it was who got me into horror…”

Cindy sighed. “Yeah, I know…”

There was a momentary silence.

“...Cindy, how the fuck did you sneak a taser into the park?”

“Never question my methods.” She sighed. “Besides, they confiscated it from me and scolded me for having it.”

“...How many more do you have?”

“Seven at home, one in my purse, two in the glove compartment of my car…” Cindy proceeded to open the glove compartment of Kurt’s car. “I keep one here too. Want one?”

Silvia pondered for a moment. “I might consider that.”

They both noticed Kurt and Nova approaching the car, immediately unlocking the car for them. Cindy stepped out of the car, giving the driver seat to Kurt and moving to the backseat with Nova.

Kurt got inside, handing a white bag to Silvia. “We got good news, bad news, and good news.”

Silvia held the bag. “Where do we start?”

Nova spoke up. “The good news is, I’ll be able to interrogate that bastard in Hell in about two hours.”

Cindy nodded. “The bad news?”

“I couldn’t get your taser back.” Kurt said in defeat.

Cindy sighed in defeat. “Oh…” 

Silvia looked inside the white bag. “I think I know what the other good news is.” She pulled out an entire funnel cake.

“Oh fuck yes…” Cindy immediately broke a piece and started eating some.

Nova raised his own bag. “I got myself one too. I know Belna loves funnel cake. I gotta get going. Gotta prep the interrogation.” He opened his hand, as a black substance began to form around his fingers. The black substance began to solidify, turning his fingers into claws. Using them, he tore a hole into the roof of the car, creating a gateway back to Hell.

“Later, Nova!” Silvia called out. Kurt and Cindy joined in on saying goodbye.

“Have a good one, Valentines.” Nova crawled up through the hole, returning to Hell. As the hole closed behind him, the car remained in pristine shape. Kurt started the car and began leaving the parking lot.

Silvia did the honors of breaking different pieces of the funnel cake to share between her siblings. As she enjoyed her own piece for a moment, she gazed out of the car towards a nearby lamppost. Michael was standing beside the lamppost. She knew neither of her siblings could see them, so softly, she mouthed the words ‘Thank you’ to them.

As the car drove past, Michael gazed up to the sky with their singular purple eye. They knew they were tethered to Silvia, so they wouldn’t be allowed to stay next to the lamppost for long. But they took the time to gaze upon the moon. Their crescent head almost overlapped with the full moon in the night sky. They reached out toward it with one hand, all seven fingers towards one of the few things Michael ever got to create.

They turned their hand, gazing upon their own palm. They were slowly disappearing, as they were becoming too distant to Silvia. Softly, an echoed voice came from them. “..You are welcome…” Speaking too far for Silvia to possibly hear. They vanished, returning to Silvia.