#uh i dunno what else to tag for that sorry

[jinxed-fates]

a spider revealed itself to me while i was using the bathroom worst experience of my life

[doubleedgemode]

I wanted to go on a drawing spree yesterday, but I could only muster these two before dozing off.

First one, even if I'm not that sure about how I drew her face shape in this angle (and most importantly I forgot her neck and torso bandages OOPS) I do really like how most of the drawing came out. And at least it isn't a bland bust this time, though I'm pretty sure I've already drawn a pose like this before. (Oh no the next drawing is a 3/4 bust again..)

Second, yesterday I saw an artist draw some of the coolest redesigns ever for a different media piece, and thought about the many awesome gg redesigns I often see so I wanted to give A.B.A a spin... Except I was out of ideas so most of this drawing is her regular design haha. I got too tired to even try to attempt to draw the rest of the body and half-assed the key but I like the vibes and pose (even if I.. think I made her neck a bit too long? Old habits die hard... Necks are my enemies when drawing!)

I like the idea of her having a key take on the classic frankenstein bolts (though wait, her head key is referred to as a screw. Would this also be a screw or key shaped bolts??-)

[reikane-enthusiast]

I’m drawing her

[steddieas-shegoes]

assistant to the dm, steve harrington

for @steddielovemonth prompt 'secretly studying nerd shit' rated t | 1,361 words | cw: mild language | tags: friends to lovers, getting together, d&d references (could be inaccurate since i don't actually play), banter that's also flirting

🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉

"I just don't understand why you needed to borrow my character sheets. You don't even know what most of this means," Dustin said as he handed over the papers.

"I just need to see something," Steve replied, taking the papers and adding it to his mess of a kitchen table. Other character sheets were strewn all over, most filled out, but some empty. A couple of books were open on random pages, recognizable images of weapons and monsters visible to anyone who walked by.

"Why does it look like you're studying for a college degree in D&D?" Dustin asked.

Steve looked up at him, eyes blank, mouth in a straight line. "Because I finally got accepted to Indiana State. Go away."

"Fine! I want those sheets back though!" Dustin said as he left Steve to his studying.

Hours must have passed, the light outside turning to dusk before Steve thought to take a break. His head hurt, his vision was blurry, and he didn't feel any closer to understanding a god damn thing.

He thunked his head against the table, letting out pained groan as his head throbbed.

"Are you looking for something or have you decided to finally play with us?" Eddie's voice said directly behind him, making him nearly fall out of his seat. "Shit, sorry. Thought you heard me come in."

Eddie's hands were on Steve's arms, squeezing, centering.

Like he knew exactly what he needed to lose the slight hint of remaining panic left in his chest.

"I was just trying to figure out if there actual dragons in this game or if that was also made up," Steve said, sitting back and putting distance between them. He couldn't breathe when Eddie was touching him, which was often. He was starting to worry about oxygen deprivation to his brain. "Disappointed to find out the dungeons part seems like it's up to the DM."

"The whole thing is pretty made up, Stevie. That's the point," Eddie smirked, but it fell away when Steve turned back to the messy table. "Are you, like, wanting to play?"

And this is why he wanted to keep it a secret. Maybe he shouldn't have had everything spread out in the open like this, but he'd assumed he was safe in his own home. With the door locked. And with Eddie supposedly playing the Hideout tonight.

He looked back at Eddie. "Why are you here?"

"Dustin said something about you not answering the phone after he left hours ago and you seemed pissed off or something," Eddie shrugged. "Just wanted to check on you."

"The phone? It didn't ring." Steve didn't think so anyway. He had admittedly tuned his surroundings out entirely once Dustin was gone. "But it's Tuesday."

"Uh huh. It is Tuesday. How long have you been sitting at this table?"

"Ha. Funny." Steve rolled his eyes. "You play the Hideout Tuesdays. Tuesdays are for Corroded Coffin, Wednesdays are for dinner with Wayne, and Thursdays are Hellfire."

Eddie blinked at him. "Yes, usually that's true. But, wait. Sorry. You have my schedule memorized?"

"I mean, some of it, yeah. The parts where I know you won't be nearby or easily reached."

Steve knew it was ridiculous, but how the hell could he make sure he was safe if he didn't even know what Eddie was doing?

Eddie looked like he wanted to say something else about it, but must have changed his mind. He pulled out the chair next to Steve, turned it towards him, and sat down.

"So you've been studying this stuff for..." Eddie leaned in, eyebrows raised in silent question.

"I dunno. A few weeks. I didn't have most of the sheets until a couple days ago though," Steve gestured towards the papers spread out. "I still don't really get it."

"You've been studying for weeks? Stevie, why didn't you just ask me or any of the kids to help explain it?" Eddie almost sounded hurt. "I've been playing for half my life! And I've been a DM for half of that!"

Truthfully, Steve was trying to learn so he could have conversations with Eddie about the stuff he liked. That was basically lesson number one on how to get someone to like you, and Steve had already tried the music thing and failed.

He just wasn't that into the echo of loud guitars and angry drums.

He couldn't exactly ask Eddie to teach him everything and then turn around and try to use what he taught him to flirt with him. That was lame and embarrassing.

"Steve?" Eddie had his hand on Steve's leg, leaning in further towards Steve. He must've been trying to get Steve's attention while he was lost in thought. "I'm kidding. I mean, I wish you'd said something sooner, but if this is how you get into it, I'm not gonna stop you."

"I just wanted to surprise you."

Steve could hear how pitiful that sounded, could hear the whine in his voice that he wasn't able to pull his plan off. As if Eddie would even care! Eddie was the most easygoing, laidback, chaotic person he'd ever met. He would just be happy to have someone else in his little club.

"Surprise me? For what?"

He was also incredibly slow when it came to feelings.

"Because I want to spend more time with you! Because I like you! Because I want you to like me!" Steve tried not to sound frustrated, but his headache was turning into a real problem, and he was tired, and sick of hiding things. Robin told him to just be honest, so he was. "I wanted to surprise you the next time Hellfire was here and have all this knowledge, but it's hard! I don't even know how you keep up with most of this, let alone all the characters? There's like...at least 800 options for how to use weapons and spells. I can't even remember half the races or classes or whatever. I don't even know if those are the same thing. And I keep getting distracted thinking about how you look when you stand at the end of the table and do one of those stupid accents."

"Are they stupid if they're this distracting?" Eddie was smirking, suddenly more confident than Steve had maybe ever seen him.

"They are stupid. That's why it's distracting. And I'm stupid for letting it get to me!" Steve leaned forward, put his head on Eddie's shoulder. The angle wasn't the best, but he didn't care. "You get to me so bad, Munson."

"You're kinda easy to get to, Harrington." Eddie's lips briefly pressed against the side of Steve's head. "Been waiting for you to catch up."

"What do you mean?" Steve pulled away. "I've been trying to get you to realize for months!"

"You came to one show at the Hideout. I think Robin's been to more shows and she's a lesbian."

"She told you?!"

"Steve, she spilled every secret she's ever had when she kept me company in the hospital. I think I know things you don't even know."

Steve let his head fall down against Eddie's shoulder again. "I should've known you were teaming up."

"I wouldn't call it that. She just wanted to look out for us," Eddie's hand cupped the back of Steve's head. "So what did you learn?"

"Probably nothing useful."

"Well, it's easier to be an active learner. I could use an assistant on Thursday if you want some hands on experience," Eddie's fingers scratched at Steve's scalp, melting his brain and making him feel like he was completely weightless. "If you just wanna watch, that can be arranged too."

"You don't let people watch," Steve mumbled against his shoulder, his weight sagging against Eddie.

"I think I can bend my own rule for my boyfriend, right?" Steve could feel Eddie's heartbeat quickening beneath his ear.

His face felt warm as he realized what Eddie was implying. "Only if your boyfriend can sit next to you."

"I think that can be arranged."

"Oh, and I'd like to trap Dustin's character."

Eddie snorted, kissed Steve's head again. "That can be arranged, too."

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

Character voice

Thanks @aziz-reads here!

Rules: rewrite the given line in your OCs' voices

“Please stop crying.”

Lexi: “Omigosh, I'm so so sorry, it's... It's okay... You can stop crying now....”

Maddie: “Um... Look you, uh, don't need to cry. Maybe... I dunno, do you need a hug or something?"

Ash: “Hey, stop crying, there's nothing to worry about!”

Gwen: “Shhh... It's okay... You don't need to cry anymore.”

Robbie: “Alright, c'mon. No need to cry! Let's do something you want to do.”

Akash: “Woah, woah...dude, it's okay. Y'don't need to cry. What can I do to help?”

Jedi: “My sincerest apologies. But I'm afraid crying may not be of much use in this situation. Would you like some water to help keep you hydrated?”

Carmen: “All that crying is very distracting, would you mind stopping?”

Tagging @katelynnwrites @satohqbanana @awritingcaitlin @goldfinchwrites @noelle-writes-pirates

+ ANYONE ELSE

Y'all's prompt: “How can you even enjoy that book?”

TSP intro

TSP tag list (ask to be +/-): @thepeculiarbird @illarian-rambling @televisionjester @finchwrites

@nebula--nix @literarynecromancy @honeybewrites @the-golden-comet

[afterdarkprincess]

I love you (it’s ruining my life)

Pairing: Sami/Jey Rating: Explicit Word Count: 4,372 Summary: Sami and Jey realize they're in the same hotel and meet up.

Third and final part to the i love you (it's ruining my life) series!

fic inspo started with @motherknuckers forever grateful for this idea 🥰

tag squad: @feelschicken @harmshake @elementaldoughnut12 @southerngirl41 @imabillyami and @jeysbvck

AO3 Link

Part One - am i allowed to cry?

Part Two- fuck it if i can't have him

---

Sami feels himself go still in the bed.

It’s gotta be Jey texting him. The Jey who he just used in his dirty fantasies to get off in a fit of desperation.

Dare he look?

He didn’t respond to Jey’s first text, as touched as he’d been by the gesture he really didn’t know what to say. He’d resigned himself to maybe just giving the message a like in the morning, but now…

He really should flip the phone over, close his eyes and go to sleep. His alarm will go off sooner rather than later, and Kevin is unbearable whenever he tries to sleep in. He’s already pushing it with the late hour.

But his curious hopeful heart can’t resist.

Juicy Uce 3:04am- “You still up? Can’t sleep.”

Sami rubs a hand over his eyes. He’s gotta be seeing things, there’s just no way- except somehow when he opens his eyes the message is still there.

His heart feels like it’s beating out of his chest. This makes no sense,

His feet hit the floor, fingers tightly clenched around his phone as he makes his way back to the bathroom, shutting the door to block out the mocking noise of Kevin’s snores.

He takes a moment to splash some water on his face, trying to calm his heart rate.

Sami taps his fingers against the countertops anxiously, staring at Jey’s contact open on his screen. How on earth is he supposed to respond to that? What does he say? “Yeah I’m up plagued by thoughts of you?”

He sighs out a heavy breath, scratching the back oh his neck. If he’s gonna risk talking to Jey like this he might as well break all the floodgates.

He presses the call button with his thumb.

——

Jey tilts his phone to see the screen, and he’s surprised to see an incoming call rather than a text reply.

His palms start to sweat. He’s alone in the room, he has no real reason not to answer the call.

Fuck it, why not?

He accepts the call and hits the speaker button, letting the phone rest against his chest, cool glass against warm skin.

The call connects, and for a moment there’s just silence. Jey begins to suspect that maybe Sami dialed him by accident. Maybe he rolled over onto his phone or something, this was such a bad idea…

But then.

“Jey? Um, you there?”

Sami sounds unsure and nervous, but just hearing his voice puts Jey’s mind at ease.

“Yeah!” He catches himself, too eager, too energetic for the late hour. He clears his throat. “Yeah, M’here.”

Sami sighs on the other end of the line and he tries not to read into that too much. “Good, good.” He pauses again. “So…what’s up?” His tone sounds cheerful but Jey’s not buying it.

“Dunno, Sami. You called me.” He can’t help but smirk at the ceiling when Sami makes a noise in protest.

“Yeah but- you texted me!! You said you couldn’t sleep!”

Jey laughs, probably louder than he should in the quiet of the room. “M’just fuckin’ wit you, Uce. Chill out.”

“Oh,” Sami giggles, and the sound warms Jey’s heart. “Oh okay. So… can’t sleep huh?”

“Yeah- I don’t know, tried to work out to get tired but no dice.”

There’s another pause before Sami finally responds. “Jey- hm. I mean, you know I’m always here for you but uh… why did you text me tonight? I sorta thought that you hated me now.”

He flinches, his chest aching at Sami’s words. It’s his own fault, he’s given Sami no indication to think anything else of him as of late.

“Just been thinkin’ bout you a lot tonight. I-“ He swallows thickly. “I’m sorry for how things went down between us. How things gotta be now.”

—

Sami’s gut reaction is to protest, to argue that Jey does have a choice, that their path is not set in stone.

But it feels like a moot point now. He’s said it before, and surely he’ll say it again. And really is that what he wants right now? To fight? It’s not what Jey needs to hear either.

“I’m sorry too. I know… I know this isn’t easy for you.” He bites at his lip. “Been thinking ‘bout you too.” It comes out rushed and half mumbled. Might be a blessing, maybe Jey didn’t hear him.

“What was that last part, Sami?”

Of course he won’t let him off the hook that easy.

“I uh- you’ve been on my mind tonight, that’s all.” He can feel the blush blooming across his face. Jey certainly doesn’t need to know exactly what he was thinking about.

There’s a tiny noise on the other end of the line that was so quiet he almost thinks he imagined it. Then Jey coughs.

“So uh- listen, this might sound crazy, but we both up right? What hotel you in, uce? Maybe we can get some waffles or sumthin?”

Sami’s heart feels like it can’t possibly beat any faster. “Drury Inn, off the highway.” He responds in one breath.

“Shut up,” He hears a smile in Jey’s voice, familiar and dear. “Me too- you alone?”

He shakes his head as if Jey can see him. “Nah, surprised you can’t hear Kev’s snores honestly.”

Jey laughs, “Wanna get outta there? We can talk in my room.”

“Gimme the room number- I’ll be right there.”

__

Jey paces the floor in his room after the line goes dead. He’d given Sami his room number. Sami was coming to his hotel room. Alone. In the middle of the night. This was such a bad idea.

The late hour was making him think stupid thoughts, that had to be it. Because the way Sami had sounded when he said he’d been thinking about Jey- well he dared to hope for a moment.

Two soft knocks come from the door, and Jey pauses, pinches his nose and takes one big breath to steady himself.

He crosses the room in a few strides, opening the door. He’s here. he’s here.

Solid and real in front of him stands Sami Zayn. He’s swimming in a hoodie, and Jey prays that it’s not Kevin’s.

His face is an unreadable mystery, his smile not quite reaching his eyes in the carefree manner he’s used to seeing, but it’s better than the pained looks of anguish that Jey’s become unfortunately accustomed to over the last month.

He’ll take what he can get.

“Ey man, c’mon in.”

Sami nods and enters the room. The door shuts behind them and the sound causes Jey to wince.

It’s a double room, Sami sits on the undisturbed bed precariously and Jey mirrors the action.

They don’t say anything for a moment, but Jey can’t take his eyes off him and Sami’s eyes stare back just as intensely.

“Fuck this,” Jey stands suddenly and gets into Sami’s space.

Sami stands, and he can’t stand the face he’s making, like he’s prepared for a fight.

“Jey-“

He doesn’t get out another word, Jey’s hands are on either side of his face, careful, so careful not to hurt, just to hold.

Jey doesn’t think, doesn’t allow the doubts and the everything to cloud what he’s feeling right now. And all he wants to do is kiss this silly man in front of him.

So he does.

-

The short walk from Sami and Kevin’s room to Jey’s gave Sami just enough to begin panicking.

There was a sick feeling, guilt from earlier bubbling up in his stomach and washing over him like waves.

He stared at the door for longer than he should have. He tries to find his bravery again. Jey wouldn’t have invited him over if he didn’t want to see him. Though Jey also didn’t know all the dirty things that Sami things about, maybe he would reconsider if-

Sami banishes the thought with a quick slap to his forehead, girds his loins and knocks on the door.

A moment goes by, then he hears Jey’s footfalls from within before the door swings open.

Hearing Jey over the phone had been one thing- now being in his presence, seeing him like this in the flesh? Sami fights to smile, keeping his mouth shut for fear of what might come tumbling out of his mouth if he actually starts talking.

The light is low in the room, he shuffles to the free bed opposite the one where Jey had clearly been trying to sleep- this was such a bad idea. This was such a bad idea.

Jey sits across from him, and just looks. Just looks at Sami, staring with those beautiful doe eyes that have plagued Sami’s dreams and waking thoughts for months. He can’t fathom what is face is doing, he fights for neutrality but, but then Jey is standing- god his lovesick guilt is all over his face, isn’t it? Jey’s disgusted with him, ready to throw him right back out into the hallway with a new set of bruises for his troubles. Sami stands, breathing Jey’s name, a half-hearted plea for what he doesn’t even know.

But Jey does something he would have never expected.

His hands find both sides of Sami’s face, softly cradling him in their warmth. He’s so close suddenly, face only inches away from Sami’s own, and he can smell the sweet coconut scent of Jey’s body oil.

And then…

Jey is kissing him.

All of the noise in Sami’s head goes completely silent. He can’t think, can’t move, can’t breathe because Jey is kissing him and it’s everything he’s imagined but better because he’s real and solid and here.

By the time Sami processes what has just happened, Jey is backing away with panic in his eyes- why is he moving away?

“Jey, wait- please!” He’s across the room, as far as he can physically get, pacing and avoiding Sami’s eyes.

But Sami won’t let it end like this, no when he’s so close to getting what he wants. He’s become an expert at understanding the enigma that is Jey Uso over the last few years, knows how to read his body language that is just as complex as any of the other languages Sami knows.

And he can speak it back.

Sami launches himself across the room, catching Jey off guard, crowding into his space, pushing him against the wall.

“Please don’t run from me again,” he barely gets out before smashing their lips together.

Jey melts underneath him, all the tension bleeding out of his body before he starts kissing back ferociously.

They kiss like they fight, a messy violent dance, semi-choreographed with some slight improvisation along the way. Their noses knock together, their teeth clash. It’s visceral and it’s perfect.

“I’m sorry-“ He gasps for breath between bouts. “I’m sorry I didn’t respond at first- it was like I was dreaming all over again.”

Jey laughs hot breath into Sami’s mouth. “Oh so you been dreamin’ ‘bout me huh?”

Sami laughs a little maniacally, grabbing Jey’s curls and biting at Jey’s lower lip. “Oh you have no idea.”

Jey’s hips jump against his- too much, not enough. “You know this- uh, ah- this ain’t what I had in mind, invitin’ you over.” He kisses Sami again anyway. “Wanted to talk-“

Sami wraps his arms around Jey’s waist, pulling him back towards the bed keeping him close, afraid to let more than a few inches come between them now.

He turns them around before they reach the bed, letting Jey fall back into the rumpled blankets before climbing over him, breathing hard as he catches his breath.

He sees the evidence that Jey is just as affected by their actions as he is, his dick throbbing painfully in his briefs.

“Okay- we could uh- talk now, or uh-“

Jey cuts him off with a kiss before grinning. “Later, Sami. Tryin’ to kill me here?”

Relief floods through him and he drops his weight to cover Jey completely with his body and connect their lips once more.

-

Jey’s mind can’t quite keep up with everything that’s happened, but he’s certainly not going to question anything.

Sami had led him to the bed, now held himself up overtop of Jey, bracketing him on all sides, and Jey can barely think beyond the throb of his dick in his sweats.

Sami looks nervous again- the way he did when Jey let him into his room, that faraway haunted look that he hates to see mar Sami’s features. He promises that they’ll take later, and that’s enough for Sami to smile again

Jey kisses him, with more depth and fervor than before, his lips parting to let his tongue dart out to taste Sami’s lips.

He runs his tongue over the bitten rough texture like a balm, like maybe he could cure Sami of the habit with his touch alone. A foolish thought. Sami lets him in, breath mixing between their mouths until they breathe and move as one.

His dick becomes impossible to ignore, spurred on just by the friction against Sami’s thigh.

Jey comes up for air with a plea, “Clothes- Sami, please.” In any other context he would be embarrassed by the tone in his voice, but he doesn’t have a spare fuck to give right now.

Sami moves, pulling him up by the arm. Jey yanks his own shirt over his head and yeets it in the general direction of his bag. He smiles like a shark and grabs Sami’s shirt by the collar and tears it from his body.

“Hooollly shit,” Sami says, but Jey’s eyes are glued to the rise and fall of his chest and the blush that covers his exposed chest. He’s seen Sami shirtless a million times, but never like this, never where he could touch. He puts his hand on Sami’s pec, letting his fingers brush through the soft hair before his thumb brushes against a puffy pink nipple. He rubs a slow circle and listens in fascination as Sami’s breathy moans get higher in pitch.

Jey thinks he could stay just like this for hours, but his dick throbs for attention and there are so many other things he wants to learn.

He lets up on his assault to Sami’s left nipple, and shoves his shorts down to free his erection at last, and Sami’s eyes go wide.

“Jey- are you, we don’t have to do anything like that tonight- I want you to be sure…”

He fights the desire to rolls his eyes. “I look unsure to you, Sami?”

Sami laughs, full and warm, letting his forehead fall to rest against Jey’s. “Guess you got a point there- I’m just, I’m so happy.”

The smile on his face is irresistible, and Jey has no choice but to kiss him again, running a thumb over Sami’s cheek.

When he has the ginger good and distracted, Jey darts his hand down to divest Sami of his shorts too.

“We even now,” Jey grins.

Sami giggles- somehow now being here with Jey, naked as the day they were born, he feels light and free. Like all his worries are miles away where they cannot touch him.

“Jey, kiss me please.” He breathes, and his request is fulfilled when he gets an armful of Samoan lips-first invading his space.

They fall backwards, tumbling into the sheets. Jey’s lips brush against his, sweet, addictive, each kiss leaving him craving another, wanting more.

He licks into Jey’s mouth, savoring the taste of him.

Sami does his best to catalogue each sensation, committing all of this to memory. Each sensation, the way Jey smells and tastes, the soft feel of his skin.

He detaches from Jey’s mouth with some difficulties and moves to kiss him anywhere he can reach, licking under the line of Jey’s beard before moving to his neck. He nips lightly at Jey’s earlobe, just next to the gold hoop he wears.

Jey lets out a broken moan and it’s music to his ears. “Let me hear you make that sound again.” He sucks the earring and the sensitive lobe into his mouth, feasting on the noises it brings out of his lover.

Their dicks slide together, slick with precum, and Sami can’t help but lean into the sensation. He holds onto Jey, tightly gripping a thigh and shoulder as he rocks their erections together, starting a steady pace that feels like heaven.

“Jey- fuck, feels so good, you feel so good-“

Sami’s silenced by Jey’s mouth on his, delving in as they grind against each other.

One of Jey’s hands snakes down to wrap around both of their lengths, holding them together in his wide grip and adding to the friction.

“Gettin’ close, Sami.” Jey breathes into the small space between their lips.

Sami fights for each delicious breath. “Ah, me too. Wanna feel you.” He joins his hand with Jey’s, spurring them both towards the edge.

He can feel Jey’s muscles tighten, feels how he’s effecting this man that he’s longed for, ached for for so long. It’s enough to swell the hot pit of desire and send him shattering in release.

Jey groans beautifully and his cum joins the mess on their hands.

Before he can really think about it, Sami pulls their hands to his mouth, letting his mouth wrap around Jey’s fingers, lapping up their combined release.

Jey’s lips part, staring at him in wonder. “Fuckin’ hell, Sami- you tryin’ to kill me?”

Sami licks at his lips after he deems their hands clean, and can’t help but giggle, sending Jey into a fit of laughter with him.

They collapse into the bed, Jey’s arms wrapping around Sami as he takes the position of little spoon.

Jey buries his nose into Sami’s disheveled curls and lets out a long sigh.

Sami threads their fingers together and kisses the back of Jey’s palm.

“I can’t stay here tonight.”

Jey sighs again. “I know.”

“And I can’t just abandon course now, as much as I want to. Can’t exactly come back to the Bloodline- and Kevin…”

Behind him, he can feel Jey tense up. “What’s that fool got to do wit’ it?

Sami turns over to look him in the face. “Jey- you know it’s not like that with him. But he is my friend and I’m sure he won’t be thrilled, but that’s beside the point. Jey- we’ll have to fight each other. And I don’t know how often we’ll even get to see each other.”

“So?”

“So I’m saying this will be difficult as long as you remain with the Bloodline. Jey, you know how I feel about it-“

Jey lays his hand gently against Sami’s face. “i know, Sami. I know.” He shakes his head as he speaks. “It ain’t easy to leave your own family neither, but-“

“But?”

“I’m willin’ to try. You been right, ‘bout a lot of things. Can’t stand the way Big Uce been acting lately. And Solo been damn near brainwashed, does whatever Roman says.” Those big eyes stare into Sami with full force as Jey takes Sami’s hand again, returning the gesture by kissing their combined palms. “N’ I wanna try this with you.”

Sami’s chest feels ready to burst. “Really? It’ll be really hard, we’ll have to keep things secret for now, until you’re ready to leave- are you sure?”

Jey nods, “It’ll be worth it. We gon’ figure it out.”

He feels his eyes getting heavy, it has to be close to morning at this point, and he really needs to get back to his room before Kevin wakes from his beauty sleep.

“We will,” He murmurs, letting his forehead rest against Jey’s again. “I should go.”

Jey steals a quick kiss.

“Jey,”

Then another.

Sami giggles. “Jey!”

Another.

“C’mon, not fair.”

“Wut?” Jey’s grinning like a mad man between pecks.

“You’re killing me here, Uce.” Sami pushes at his shoulder playfully.

Jey ducks in for one more but he makes a face. “Ugh no, you can’t call me Uce no more bruh.”

Sami can’t stop laughing. “No Uce, but bruh is okay?”

“Yeah bruh,” Jey’s smile is just infectious, but Sami rolls his eyes dramatically.

“I’ve changed my mind- you’re weird actually.” Sami pulls a frowning face, but he can barely keep the act together.

“Really?” Jey’s head tilts and he looks like a puppy and Sami can’t handle it.

“No,” He can’t help but kiss him again, and Jey wraps his arms around his neck, pulling him in again. for a longer kiss. “No, Jey! I have to go, for real.”

Sami breaks them apart, soft smile never leaving his face as he extricates himself from the bed. He looks around for his shirt as Jey just watches him from the bed. He’d burn the whole world down to keep this expression on Jey’s face, but.

“Are you sure?” He pauses with his shirt in hand. “Are you sure about this? I mean you know I want you to get away from Roman, but you don’t- I mean am I worth all this?” Sami worries at the skin of his thumb.

Jey frowns, sitting up to take Sami’s hand in his again. “Yeah, Sami. You are, for real.”

Sami feels the tension bleed out of his shoulders. He has no other option than to trust Jey, and for better or worse, he trusts Jey implicitly.

The expression on Jey’s face changes, and he looks down at their connected hands.

“I’m in this Sami- I’m tired of lyin’ to myself all the time, pretendin’ none of this matters. I been thinkin’ bout it a lot actually- and I’m serious about this, ‘bout me and you.” He still doesn’t look back at Sami’s eyes. “Are you?”

Sami takes Jey’s chin in his hand, tilts his face so Jey has no choice but to meet his gaze. “I am, Jey. It scares me how much sometimes.” He drops a kiss to the worry lines on Jey’s forehead.

Jey nods, “Okay- yeah, good. You still got my number right?”

Sami tugging his shirt on and shoving his feet into his shoes, nods. “Yeah, I’ll get in touch whenever I can get away from Kevin. Maybe I can talk it out with him in time, get him to understand. He can be a pain in the ass, but he means well.”

“Whatever you say,” Jey makes a face. “But Jim just as bad, and Solo been watchin’ me like a hawk since I been back.”

He nods, and shoves his hands into his pockets. “We’ll figure it out- we will.” He takes another step toward the door, and Jey gets up suddenly.

“Wait, Sami-“

“Jey-“ His hands are on Sami’s face again, and he crushes their lips together.

“I love you,” Jey’s eyes are wide, staring at Sami as he tries to process the words that he said. “Not like my brothers, not anymore, hell maybe even not back then. You ain’t gotta say it back, I just…”

It feels unreal, like the mirages that plagued him earlier, but Jey is real, solid beside him. Being vulnerable in ways Sami couldn’t have imagined.

He rubs his thumb against the soft skin of Jey’s cheek, uses the momentum to card his fingers through Jey’s hair soothingly.

“Jey, I’ve loved you for… I don’t even know how long at this point. I couldn’t stay in the Bloodline, I wasn’t strong enough to endure what Roman put us through, not like you. But you were the reason I stayed as long as I did. It broke me to leave you there alone, if my hand hadn’t been forced…”

Jey brushes their lips again. “No use thinkin’ bout it now.”

Sami nods. “But if you’re worried I’m not in this as much as you, you couldn’t be further from the truth. I love you Jey, so much that it’s kind of ruining my life.” He laughs in spite of himself.

“Well at least we on the same page with that,” Jey smiles and Sami can’t help but feel hope. That maybe somehow all of this will end up okay.

He kisses Jey one more time. “I really do need to go,” He checks his phone in his pocket, it’s nearly 4:30 in the morning. “I’m gonna hate myself in a few hours.”

“Me too,” Sami sighs. “Plus I gotta go deal with Kevin’s snoring.”

Jey raises one eyebrow. “You sure you ain’t wanna stay here?”

“I don’t know what would be worse, the snores or an interrogation if I’m not in bed when he gets up.”

“Fair- he can be uhh… loud.”

Can’t argue with that. He nods, “Yeah, that he can. Okay,” Just one more kiss can’t hurt. “I’m gonna go now.” One more brush of lips.

Jey steps forward toward the door, giving Sami no choice but to walk backward as they exchange short pecks. “Gotta get my hit here, Sami.”

Sami grabs the handle of the door, and gives Jey his best “serious” face. “Goodnight, love.”

Jey smiles a big cheesy grin. “Night, Sami.”

The door shuts, leaving him with the image of Jey’s toothy grin to warm him all the way back to his room.

—

Jey stares at the closed door for a long moment after it closes behind Sami. He sighs, just trying to process everything.

It’s late, and he really will hate himself when he has to get back up in less than 2 hours. He heads back towards the bed, turning out the lights before crashing back onto the bed.

He catches a faint whiff of Sami’s scent still on the sheets and fights a wave of sadness that threatens to wash over him. Sami loves him, they’re going to make this work. He has to be okay with missing him.

Jey checks his instagram reflexively, swiping through stories then his feed. The clock mocks him and his barely open eyes, and he’s just about ready to put his phone down and go to bed.

h. uce 4:35am- ily, go to bed lol

He tap backs the heart emoji, and puts his phone on the bedside, and lets himself drift off to sleep.

----

Hope you enjoyed!!! I really enjoyed writing this series 🥰

[faededaway]

Alpha Nanami x beta reader: wherein, reader learns that their crush likes them too.

[not proper a/b/o but I'm tagging it as such just in case people want to avoid it] [other warnings: alcohol, bar, drunk Nanami, slight self deprication. Slight... Ooc? Very slight ooc. Also office setting. Reader is depicted as dense] [not smut]

[1337 ish words] [MDNI]

It was one of those days at work, where one chief felt too generous and asked everyone to go to a bar with them.

“Drinks on me!” and “Banzai!” the naive juniors would reply. The older employees knew that this was a ploy for something that had nothing to do with them and had more to do with the chiefs internal drama. Who could say anything?

So, that's how the middle managers, you and your colleague Jasmine, ended up babysitting the table of juniors while three others were handling the table of seniors.

How this topic of conversation started, though, was a mystery.

“Seriously, why are you single? What's the reason? I know you want to date. I also happen to know that five people in the office like like you. So? What's holding you back? You against office romance?”, Jasmine asked while moving a bottle away from a too drunk junior.

“Not really. I won't lie and say that the idea of coming to office together, or I dunno, having lunch breaks together doesn't seem slightly romantic to me. But it would be weird wouldn't it?”, you say while placing a neatly folded suit under someone's chin.

“Why would it be weird! Our office is kinda lax about this stuff”, Jasmine sighed.

Well, she didn't lie. Your office was lax about this stuff.

“Well, there is one shallow reason”, you murmured. There was a reason. A person, to be exact. Someone who you thought was way out of your league.

Your colleague sat up from her seat, “what is it?!”

Two of the sleeping people on the table jerked awake at her exclamation. Thankfully, they went back to sleep without waiting around for an answer.

You pondered for a moment. You wouldn't usually say this out loud. But, this is Jasmine. She's not a gossiper. And the thing you're about to say isn't all that believable as a rumor anyway. You're very average. Never had much of a scandal before. And no one else is in a state to listen in on this conversation.

So you took a deep breath before murmuring, “betas usually date other betas right? But I don't wanna.”

An audible gasp was heard from your colleague. “Oh? Oh. Do tell me more.”

You regretted saying that. Part of you wanted her to not hear you. Part of you wanted a chance to change your answer.

“Well, I'm not ...very beta like when it comes to er-Romance. I want someone dominant”.

“So? What's stopping you? No one says you have to date a beta”, she interjected when your words fell short.

“Well, don't alphas and omegas just... Connect? Why would an alpha want me when they can have an omega. Why would he choose me when countless omegas throw themselves at him everyday? I'm like a discount version of them.”

Before Jasmine could respond, someone slammed a glass in the booth behind you. You turned around to see what happened.

A tall man walked out of his booth and towards your table. Tall, blonde, handsome, and oh. Oh

It took you a moment to recognize him. His coat and tie were gone. His hair was drawn back. He wore an expression on his stoic face that made it almost unrecognizable.

Anger. He was livid. And he was stomping over towards you.

“Who told you that?”, he growled when he reached your table.

Jasmine and you stared at him in shock. Some of the juniors sobered immediately after hearing his voice.

“Uh, Nanami, we're sorry about the ruckus why don't you have a drink?”, Jasmine tried to handle the situation by sobering him before he said something that no one needed to hear.

But Nanami only glared at her until she kept the glass of water back down. He repeated his question.

Nanami was visibly drunk. His eyes were darker, face slightly flushed. And his voice. No one ever heard him use his alpha voice before. That voice made your insides melt. Thankfully, you were seated. You were sure your knees would give out if you'd been standing.

“Nanami, n- no one told me anything. Why don't you sit down and-” you tried to soothe him.

“Oh? So my mate is calling herself that on her own accord?”, he cut you off and glared at you.

Mate? Who-

At that, multiple gasps were heard from across tables. You're not sure if one of them was yours.

“I don't-, I didn't, I-”, your face flushed at his implications.

He leaned over the table and bent down to face you, “did you assume your worth like that? Do you not see how much you mean to me? How I can go home knowing this is how you think of yourself?”

Your heart raced in your chest. You could smell something strong on his breath. Scotch?

You remembered something Gojo Satoru once told you.

“I always go drinking with Nanami! He never gets drunk so I can drink as much as I like! Although he sometimes leaves me at the bars when I pass out. Haha!”

Nanami has strong tolerance, so how?

You looked back at his table and saw 4 empty bottles of a drink you're sure would've knocked you out to next week.

You turned to face him and thought hard about what made him call you his mate.

Yeah, it's true that he was nice to you. He always took his time to explain things to you in details. He never worked overtime but was always there to accompany you if you ever did. He always walked you home after. If you forgot lunch, we would always remind you. He'd even leave a pastry on your desk if you skipped lunch. Nanami has always been supportive of you in the office. He has even helped you outside of work when he heard of your troubles. Bad plumbing, annoying landlord, creepy stalker, complicated bank notes, or even long waiting lines at the doctor's. He had helped you with those. And that is why you wanted him. You wanted him as your mate, but you couldn't decipher what made him like you!

Wait. Fuck. I am stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Fuck. He likes me. Of course. He's always liked me. Nanami 'I don't work overtime' worked overtime with me. How did I miss this? Why would a 'good boss' do that much? They'd just tell me to go home!

“Nanami, I am sorry,” I'm sorry I missed your cues all this time.

You wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. Nanami stood up and moved into the booth with you. He cupped your face and held your gaze.

“I heard every word you said here. Downed too much alcohol trying to stop myself. It's my mistake. As someone who's always been in charge of explaining things to you, I should've known you'd need this spelled out for you. I have been courting you for a while now. Correct me if I'm overstepping but you've accepted them, haven't you?”, his eyes pleaded with yours.

You remembered all the care and responsibleness he showed you with every gesture. He showed you how capable he is as a mate all those times. And you fell for him but didn't even stop to consider that he, an alpha, could like you, a beta, to this extent.

“I like you, Nanami. I like you a lot. And I'm sorry. I'm sorry I was, I am so dense and self absorbed. I'm sorry I didn't see it. But, I l..love you. And yes! I do accept your courtship,” you couldn't stop your tears then. You'd yearned for this man for so long. You couldn't help but cry of joy.

Jasmine passed him a tissue which he took with a 'thank you'. He'd wiped your tears as he consoled you. You heard Jasmine sniffle her own tears and blow her nose beside you. That reminded you that this was happening in public. Nanami claimed you in front of all the people who knew you. He called you his mate.

You smiled at that and hugged him. This sought after Alpha was off the market and yours alone.

[ghoulishfrk]

PAIRING — WARNINGS — WORD COUNT!

〘 Iitadori Yuji x Kogal Reader | None! | ~.5K words 〙

MASTERLIST !! PINNED POST 🎧💿

ੈ ✮ ˳ Lulus Notes :: Reader is black and a Gyaru. She’s specifically Kogal cuz she’s a high schooler. Making Gyaru readers myself cuz there’s not enough

✩°｡ Tagging :: @punkologist , @honeybleed

"Ugh, I should've brought more money with me. Why do cute things have to be so expensive?" You whined to your friend. She nodded while drinking her soda. You both had decided to go shopping together at the mall that day but underestimated how many things you'd want to buy.

"I'm gonna go broke at this point." She complained alongside you. She suddenly noticed something behind you and leaned forward towards you. "There's a cute guy staring at you."

You shrugged, "He probably thinks it's weird like everyone else," People staring at you want uncommon. Sometimes people had the audacity to try to ask what your "price" was, assuming you dated people for money simply for your looks. "Or he wants to ask my "price"." You grumbled.

"I dunno, he seems pretty smitten by you~" she teased. You felt your cheeks get warm but refused to show her any emotion. "Yeah right, he probably has a girlfriend if he's as cute as you say he is." You argued back. "Man, you're gonna end up single forever if you never try." She went back to sipping her soda. "He's coming over here by the way."

"WHAT-" you reacted in shock before turning over, only to notice the boy was already at your table. He was pretty tall, he had dyed pinkish hair that was styled in an undercut. He wore a dark blue uniform with a red hoodie and red shoes. He had some marks under his eyes you assumed was makeup or scars. Your friend was right, he is attractive.

The guy had said something, you had been so distracted looking at him that you didn't pay attention to what was said. "I-I'm sorry, can you repeat that?" You snapped out of your trance. "I was wondering if I could have your number." He looked sheepish, scratching the back of his neck.

Your cheeks grew warm but you didn't immediately give him your number. This had happened before, boys asking for your number just to prank you later through calls and messages. "Why do you want it?" He'd have to convince you that he actually wanted to talk to you and not just bother you.

"W-well-'' He looked nervous. He turned his head back over to his table where a brunette girl and a raven haired boy cheered him on with a thumbs up, the brunette being more enthusiastic than the raven head. He turned back to you, his cheeks turning pink. "Um, well, I think you're cute and I uh, wanted to get to know you better." He muttered something at the end that you couldn't catch but you could make a guess what it was.

Your cheeks grew even warmer and you extended your hand to him. He looked at you confused before he realized what you wanted. He pulled out his phone and set it to make a new contact, handing it over to you. You wrote down your number plus your name and handed it back to him.

"Y/N…" He mumbled your name to himself. "It's kinda rude to not say your name, y'know?" You teased him with a smile. His cheeks grew redder in embarrassment. "It's Yuji, Yuji Iitadori." He finally presented himself while giving you a closed eye grin. You bummed, "Nice name, mine's Y/N."

"Not interested in you huh?" "OH SHUT IT!"

© all rights are reserved to @ghoulishfrk. Do not steal, modify, copy, and/or repost my works anywhere.

[ink-flavored]

OC Questionnaire Tag Game

I was tagged by two people for this one, so thank you to @leahnardo-da-veggie & @ink-enchanted!

Rules: Answer 3 questions in your OC's voice and then give the next player 3 different questions to answer.

I have six questions because I was tagged twice, so I'll put my answers under the cut and do everything else right up top

Tagging: @foxys-fantasy-tales @jezifster @bargainbincheese @friendlyshaped @saintarthur01 @hallwriteblr and anyone else who wants to play!

Your Questions

Do you miss someone?

Are you more selfless or self-centered?

How many hot dogs do you think you could eat in one sitting?

~

My turn! I'll answer these for Pride, Justice, Henry, and Priscilla.

My Questions

Which of the 7 deadly sins are you?

What is something you cannot live without?

If you are the "good guy", what, if anything, could make you switch to the "bad side"? If you are the "bad guy", what, if anything, could make you switch to the "good side"?

If you could wish for one thing, what would it be?

What is your most treasured possession?

Do you think you could win in a fight against your nemesis?

Which of the 7 Deadly Sins are you?

Pride: "You're fucking kidding me, right? Like, you're joking?"

Justice: "Uh... I don't like to think about it, sorry."

Henry: "Every man has his vice... Most people would guess greed, and I suppose they'd be onto something."

Priscilla: "Wrath. 💞"

What is something you cannot live without?

Pride: "Weed. It's proof that humans can do one thing right."

Justice: "People. The people I love. I wouldn't be anywhere without them."

Henry: "The farm. Percy'll get onto me for saying it, but I can't imagine ever living in any automobile-choked city again."

Priscilla: "I never go anywhere without the lovely engraved pistol Henry gave me for our first anniversary."

If you are the "good guy", what, if anything, could make you switch to the "bad side"? If you are the "bad guy", what, if anything, could make you switch to the "good side"?

Pride: "I'm gonna need the Big G to personally descend from His throne of gold and suck my dick before I even consider that. And I don't have a dick, so we're all gonna be waiting a long ass time."

Justice: "Depending on who you ask, I've already gone to the 'bad side', and the catalyst, for me, was trying to stop an injustice. To them, I prevented a good deed on purpose. I want to believe I'm still 'good', but I think it's all relative. No one wants to believe they're evil."

Henry: "Maybe if it ever stops being damn good business to be the bad guy, I'll hang up my hat."

Priscilla: "When the world gives back everything it's taken from me."

If you could wish for one thing, what would it be?

Pride: "I dunno... for my life to not suck?"

Justice: "Peace and understanding between people. It wouldn't fix everything, but it would go a long way."

Henry: "Enough acreage to board horses. Now that's good business."

Priscilla: "Darling, if you tell someone what you wish for it won't come true!"

What is your most treasured possession?

Pride: "Dante let me have some of their paints they didn't want. I've used them up now, but... yeah."

Justice: "My reading glasses! They don't actually do anything, but they're fun to wear."

Henry: "The dogs."

Priscilla: "This is cheating a bit, but our dogs are simply the most precious things I could possibly think of."

Do you think you could win in a fight against your nemesis?

Pride: "Abso-fuckin-lutely."

Justice: "I don't really have one. I guess the concept of injustice is my nemesis, in which case... I'm doing my best?"

Henry: "I'd rather not get close enough to find out."

Priscilla: "Oh, I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult. I've gotten this far, after all."

[holdmytesseract]

Hey :) can i request a drabble with Daryl and the song "Moodswings" by 5sos: "I think I need you more than you need me" ... thank uuuu :)

a/n: I love this song! 🥰 Thanks for requesting, kind nonny! 😄 I hope you like what I wrote! ☺️

Warnings: bit angst, grief, mentions of death, fluff

Set in Season 9!

Word Count: 1042

Tagging: @km-ffluv @stitchintimefan @sweetpeapod @loz-3 @peaches1958 @fictive-sl0th @lou12346789 @bookofsecretjourneys

Lyric-Drabble-Mania Masterlist

Based on this song:

Demons

You took the two plates, filled with the piping hot soy bean stew from the small, makeshift counter of the food distribution in Hilltop in your hands and gave thanks, before you made your way across the small path, leading towards the trailer you shared with Maggie, Rosita, Sasha and Daryl. It was a very chilly evening, so the hot plates in your hands warmed your skin up.

Arrived at the trailer, you opened the door with your elbow and stepped inside. "I got some more food." You announced with a soft smile, before placing the plates on the small table, at which Maggie and Rosita already sat. "Where's Sasha?" "Finished eating already. She went to lay down." Rosita answered, taking another spoonful of the stew. "Oh okay..." You shoved one plate in front of Maggie, who stared aimlessly at the wall across. Your heart ached so much for your friend. Losing Glenn on such an excruciating way was horrible. "Maggie, hey..." You addressed your friend softly. "Eat something." She shook her head. "Not hungry, thanks." "I know, but please... You've got to eat something... It's important for you - and the baby..." Her gaze lifted, glassy eyes meeting yours. You tried to give her a reassuring smile, placed your hand on her arm, giving it a squeeze. In the end, she nodded, taking the spoon in her hand. Then you looked around the trailer, noticing that somebody else was missing... "Where is Daryl?" Rosita shrugged her shoulders. "I saw him leaving the trailer earlier, but I don't know where he went." "Oh, um, okay... I, uh, will go, look for him. He needs to e-" "Glenn's grave." Threw Maggie suddenly in. "He's at Glenn's grave. I saw him there." You swallowed hard. "Glenn's grave?" "Yeah." "Okay. I'll look for him. Thanks, Maggie."

You took the plate with the stew back in your hands and left the trailer again, in order to find your boyfriend. You made your way over to the two graves, put there for Glenn and Abraham. Maggie was right. Daryl sat on a stone beside the graves, chewing on his bottom lip and fumbling with his fingers nervously. The sinking sun casted a soft orange light on him; the cold evening breeze rustling his long hair. You could tell just by the look on his face and gestures, that he was deep in thoughts. So, you approached him slowly, in order not to startle him - what didn't really work out well in the end....

"Hey," you whispered, placing your free hand on his shoulder. Although, you were slow and gentle, you felt his body jolt underneath your palm anyway. "Shit, sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." You apologised immediately and sat down beside him. "'S okay." "Here, I've got something to eat for you." Daryl shook his head, shoved the plate towards you. "'M not hungry. You eat it. Need it more than I do." He stared back into distance, leaving you frowning. Yes, something was definitely wrong - and you had a guess... He had been this way since he returned from the Sanctuary. He was even quieter than usual. Yes, he almost seemed... absent-minded from time to time.

You placed the plate on the grassy ground and took his hand instead. "What's wrong? Is it about... Negan? What he did to you?" Daryl didn't answer for a moment, just fiddled with his hands again, before he nodded meekly. "You want to talk about? You don't have to, of course." Daryl shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno... 'S not jus' that..." You just gave him a compassionate look, leaving him the option to talk further about what was occupying his mind - or not. Daryl swallowed hard, visibly fighting the tears. "It's my fault." You knew instantly what he was talking about... The line-up. Negan. Glenn's death. "No, it's not your fault." He nodded, sobbing. "It is." You started to shake your head, brushing a few strands of his wild curls out of his face. "It's not. This isn't on you, Daryl. I know, this may sound cruel, but... He would've killed Glenn anyway. And if not Glenn, then anyone else." Daryl looked up to face you, teary blue-grey eyes meeting yours. "Wha' makes you so certain of that?" You swallowed hard. "Do you really think Negan was going to stay true to his word and kill just one of us, after everything we've done to him? To his men?" You shook your head once again. "He's a cruel man. Unforgiving. He wouldn't have left it by just one. I know it." Daryl looked away again, facing the ground and taking a deep breath. "Shoulda been me instead, not Glenn." An audible gasp left your lips at his words. "What? Daryl, stop saying such things... He did enough to you. Tortured you. Physically. Mentally." "But it's true, innit? Glenn was 'bout to become a father, Y/N... And I-" He stopped abruptly in his sentence. "And you what?" You asked with a shaky voice. Of course, your heart ached and bled for Maggie. Glenn was one of your dearest friends, family. You missed him more than anything, but... You couldn't have lived longer on this god forsaken, rotten world, if Negan would've chosen Daryl instead. It would've ripped you apart.

Daryl leaned over, rested his forehead against yours. "Yer strong. Ya can live and survive without me." You scoffed, lifting your hands again to cup his cheeks. "No, absolutely not – and we both know that. I think I need you more than you need me. You can easily survive without me, but I? No… My heart couldn't live without you, Daryl. It would die and decay... You are the survivor. I'm just lucky I've got you – and the others." Now he was the one who scoffed, but he also couldn't suppress the small smile on his lips at your loving words. "How do you do that, woman?" "Do what?" You asked, giggling softly. "Make me smile, even if I ain't got a reason ta smile." You giggled again, pecking his lips. "Love, Daryl, love." The archer smiled even wider and leaned in to kiss you properly. "Negan is going to pay for everything he did. I promise."

[bunbeeplays]

The Lemon Legacy: Generation 1, Chapter 113 - The Playdate of All Time

It's a little dreary, but this was the only day Anna could convince her husband to tag along for the playdate too.

Anna: You have a lovely home.

Ophelia: Thank you. Uh, mind telling me who these other three kids are?

The more the merrier but it's weird one of them is a teen.

Calvin: Sorry for the short notice, but I mentioned this playdate to my boss and he asked if his twins could come.

Ophelia: That's okay, we've got plenty of toys! I'm sure the kids will have a lot of fun today. I, uh, don't think the teenage boy will have much fun though.

Calvin: Oh, that's their brother Trent, he's just dropping them off.

Ophelia: That's nice of him.

Calvin: Mr. Esposito's a busy man. And his second wife doesn't really… do kids. Wish I had that privilege.

Ophelia: Uh, isn't Jaden your son?

Calvin: What's your point?

Calvin: Trent's a good kid but he's one of those… you know.

Ophelia: Uh, no?

Calvin: Come on, you see the eyeliner, right?

Ophelia: …An emo?

Calvin: Is that what we're calling them nowadays? I can't keep up with that PC crap.

Ophelia: Uh…

Trent: Hey, Mrs. Lemon. Thanks for having us. I freaked out when Dad told me you were the one hosting this! I'm a huge fan!

Ophelia: Thank you so much, but you can just call me Ophelia, hon. Your sisters look like sweethearts, we don't mind at all.

Ophelia: You don't have to hang out with us old folks, we'll take good care of the girls, but you're more than welcome to stay.

Trent: Uh, a chance to hang out with the singer from my favorite band? I'd love to stick around. Besides, Claudia's kind of clingy.

Calvin: Oh. Great.

As the kids run off to play, Gemma sees one of these unfamiliar little girls and can't help but admire her sense of style. The pompom necklace, the butterfly wings? This girl knows how to dress for a party!

Gemma: Hi! I'm Gemma. What's your name?

Marina: I'm Marina!

Gemma: I like your butterfly wings! Can you fly?

Marina: I dunno, my hermano won't let me jump off stuff to try.

Marina: This is my sissy Claudia!

The other little girl, who was plucking away on the xylophone, perks up hearing her name.

Claudia: Hi.

Gemma waves and Claudia goes back to playing.

Marina: Hermano says she's always on that grind!

Gemma: What's that mean?

Marina: I dunno!

Gemma: What's a hermano?

Marina: My big brother!

She looks over at Trent and back to Marina.

Gemma: Wow, your big brother is real old.

Marina: Yeah, he's like 40 or somethin'. My daddy's like 150, and my step-mommy's like 12!

Gemma: Whoa!

Jaden's kind of doing his own thing too. His daddy doesn't like 'all that kiddie crap' in the house so he's too overwhelmed by the options to be social.

Marina: You got lotsa fun toys! Wanna play with me?

Gemma: Okay!

First Jaden, now Marina? Gemma's making so many friends!

The adults table isn't nearly as fun. Calvin and Anna drone on about their ministry for the Church of Llama Day Saints, but can't even pretend to care when Ophelia talks about music or Trent talks about… anything. Ophelia is enjoying talking to Trent, at least.

Anna: So what church does your family go to?

Ophelia: Oh, uh, none. I mean, we believe in the Watcher, but uh, organized religion just isn't for us.

Anna: Ah. I see… I'll pray for you.

Not Trent mocking Anna behind her back 💀😂

Calvin: If you'd like to go to a service sometime, we'd be more than happy to let you sit at our pew.

Ophelia: Oh, I think we're good.

Trent: If you change your mind, don't worry. They never stop asking.

Xander wishes Lulu hadn't gone to sleep so he didn't have to be here.

Gemma and Marina have a grand time playing dolls in the play tent, but Claudia seems a little less focused once she hears her sister giggling and having fun with someone else…

Claudia confronts Gemma while Marina is distracted by something shiny.

Claudia: Stop playing with Rina! She's MY sister, not yours! I'm gonna tell my papi and he's gonna fire you!

She hears her papi threatening to fire people all the time. It must mean he sets them on fire!

Whoa! Why was this girl being so mean and yelling at her? Gemma wasn't trying to steal anyone. She thought they were all having fun together.

Gemma starts to whimper as tears pool in her eyes but thankfully Ophelia's to the rescue.

Ophelia wipes Gemma's little tears away and comforts her.

Ophelia: It's okay, baby doll, you didn't do anything wrong. Sometimes it's hard to share. I'll make sure she apologizes.

Thankfully, Ophelia doesn't have to do much because Trent steps in.

Trent: Claudia! ¡Basta! You know better. Marina can play with who she wants. Say sorry to Gemma for being mean.

Claudia: But-

Trent: We're guests here, you're not going to be rude to our hosts.

Ophelia's impressed. Seems like this isn't the first time Trent's parented them.

Now Claudia's the one sniveling.

Claudia: S-Sorry, hermano.

Trent sighs.

Trent: Thank you, Clauds, now go tell Gemma, okay? I'm not mad, you're not in trouble, just make sure you're using your manners, alright?

Claudia: Okaaaay.

Trent can't stand to see one of his sisters crying. He won't let them act up but he's not completely heartless.

Trent: Come here, you're fine. Now go show Gemma the nice girl I know you are, yeah? Love you, pollito.

Claudia: I'm not a chicken!

Trent: You're my little chicken!

Trent: Sorry about that.

Ophelia: No, it's fine, kids are kids. Thank you for saying something to her, though.

Trent: Hey, I'm not raising any spoiled brats, you know?

They have a father AND a step-mother. Why is this teenager raising them at all?

Claudia: Sorry I was mean. You can play with my sister.

Gemma: Okay! You can play with us too if you want!

Well, not really, because Trent says it's time for them to go shortly after. It takes a bit to pull Marina away from her toy.

Jaden's hashtag feeling himself though.

Calvin: What is my son playing with?

Ophelia: Oh, that's Gemma's makeup kit.

Calvin: Why would you put that out when you knew a boy was coming over? Don't you have any toys that are more masculine?

Ophelia: I don't really consider toys to be masculine or feminine…

Calvin: I see the woke mind virus got to you too.

Ophelia: You and Anna keep saying 'woke' but I'm not really sure what you mean by that.

Calvin: Look, that's fine for your girls, but maybe put that away next time Jaden's here. I don't want my son thinking he can wear makeup.

Ophelia: Makeup isn't only for girls.

Calvin: Trent's gone, you don't have to pretend that's normal anymore.

Ophelia: I'm not pretending.

Calvin: Listen, I'm trying to be civil here. Don't push your woke agenda on my boy.

Now there's an agenda? Wish someone filled her in.

Gemma: You look as pretty as my mommy!

Before Jaden can respond, his dad comes to berate him.

Calvin: Jaden, are you trying to embarrass us? Boys don't wear makeup! We're cleaning that off before we leave.

Jaden whimpers. He didn't want to be bad, he just wanted to have fun…

Xander: Don't you think he's being a bit harsh?

Anna: You can raise your kids how you want. We're raising Jaden to be a respectable young man like his father.

Xander: muttering Dude's throwing a tantrum over mascara but sure.

Ophelia's hoping to get struck by lightning.

Gemma: I dunno why your daddy got all yelly. You're so pretty!

His heart feels less heavy when Gemma says that.

Jaden: …Thanks.

Even if his parents aren't always the nicest to him, his new buddy Gemma has his back!

[the-down-upside-finch]

OC in 15 (Tag Game)

I was tagged by @aziz-reads in this post! I'm excited to try this one for the first time, so thanks for tagging me!

Rules: Share 15 or fewer lines of dialogue from an OC, ideally lines that capture the character/personality/vibe of the OC. Bonus points for just using the dialogue without other details about the scene, but you're free to include those as well!

I think for this one, I'm going to share dialogue spoken by Sterling from Minding Q's, mostly because it's going to be really funny to me at least (CW: strong language)

“I wasn’t sure if it was gonna be warm or cold today, since it’s s’posed to rain later or whatever, so I just went with layers like usual. I think I made a mistake wearing pants, though. Damn, it’s hot out here.”

“Don’t die in there!”

“Wow—okay, stalker.”

“Okay, I should actually start heading back so I don’t get struck by lightning. Uh, but thanks for talking!”

“You’re not my real mom!”

“I don’t have a Pilea yet, actually. But-- I mean, if you want, we could swap. Not the whole plant! Just, like, a cutting. Or a leaf. I’d give you a cutting from one of my plants that you like. Maybe not the albo, though. Just ’cuz-- Sorry, I just sell cuttings from him, so I dunno if I could give you one for free. I could if I didn’t have to pay rent—but unfortunately, capitalism exists! And I have to buy groceries. Whiiiiich I totally forgot to do yesterday. Fuck—why does adulting have to be so hard?”

“Can you just let me deal with the consequences of my actions in peace?”

“Wait—oh my god, you’re right. It’s already Wednesday today. Ugh! I hate Labor Day! Not having classes on Mondays always fucks me up. I mean-- Sorry, you don’t mind swearing, right?”

“What! That’s lame. Seriously, why does being an adult have to be so lame?”

“Oh, sweet! They have grilled cheese sandwiches! I fucking love grilled cheese.”

“Sure! My class gets done at... Hang on. I literally just checked this. It ends at... No, not that button. That’s also the wrong button. Can I just-- Can I-- Oh my god—can I please open the right tab? There we go. That should not have been that hard. Uh... Thursday... Thursday... Where the hell did it go? Wait, I’m stupid—it’s right there. Jeez. Okay, it ends at two fifteen.”

“Yeah, I definitely was not paying attention.”

“That’s another thing I don’t like! Fucking roller coasters!”

“Huh? Oh. Oh, wait. Shit! I forgot—I’m super angry at you and never want to speak to you ever again!”

“Yeah, that’s prob’ly a good idea. I’m not really in the mood to die today.”

Yes I put those entire paragraphs in there on purpose. It’s just who he is.

I'm going to gently tag @mary-is-writing, @veneritia, @maddstermind, @asablehart, @amaiguri, @macabremoons, and anyone else that managed to scroll all the way down here!

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

OC confession

Thanks @illarian-rambling here, @mysticstarlightduck here,

Rules: post a scene where someone confesses something - anything!

Tagging @urnumber1star @theelfauthor @katwritesshit @sarahlizziewrites @writeintrees

+ ANYONE ELSE

TSP intro

TSP tag list (ask to be +/-): @thepeculiarbird @illarian-rambling @televisionjester @finchwrites

@nebula--nix @literarynecromancy @honeybewrites @the-golden-comet

Context: Ash and Lexi have been feuding a bit since Ash befriended a girl Lexi associates traumatic memories with. Here's Ash laying out all that's been bothering her recently. It's long, so under the cut.

From The Secret Portal Part One (Lexi POV)

Ash took a deep breath, slowly letting it out. “You were right.” “About?” “Shelby.” I froze—shocked for a second. I wanted to say something snotty, like oh, you just make friends with someone, and dump them whenever you get bored of them? But instead, I could only say, “What?” “Okay, what happened to you in first grade might’ve happened to me last Friday?” I blinked. “Huh?” “I was at Shelby’s, it was going great, but then it got weird.” “Weird how?” “Weird… I dunno, just weird, and I kinda got the creeps, and I bolted.” “Bolted?” “Yeah, I ran outta the house.” “That bad?” “Yeah, that’s why I’m guessing you repressed it.” I looked down at the floor, allowing my unbraided hair to fall over my face as I pondered. I didn’t remember first grade, and I barely remembered Shelby. Maybe that creepy thing did happen to me, and that’s why I hated Shelby. “In case you’re wondering, she’s uninvited.” “What?” I looked back up. “To my birthday party,” Ash confirmed. “But… you’re not.” “I’m not?” “You’ve been my friend forever. I want you there.” The corner of my mouth twitched. “Thanks.” “And, uh, there’s something else.” “Yeah?” “I need to get something off my chest.” She leaned against the wall. “What?” Ash sighed. “My mom and Frank had a falling out.” “They did?” I asked, having met her jerk stepdad before. “Yeah,” said Ash. “I dunno what happened, but it happened, and I was sent into a daze.” She swallowed. “They’re getting a divorce.” I didn’t respond. But she continued. “I’ve been living with Dad and Mary. And my mom. And Hannah and Mikey, too. Obviously. And Frank’s probably gonna get some custody of Mikey.” I’d been to her dad and stepmom’s house. It was relatively small, but it had three bedrooms. And now, six people were living there. Three adults, nonetheless. “I’m sorry to hear all of that,” I said softly. “But I think it will work out. Your mom and Mary get along. And Frank was rude, so maybe it’s good he’s out of at least most of your life.” “I guess so.” Ash closed her eyes, sighing. “Thanks. I missed your optimism.” I couldn’t help but smile softly. “I’ve been feeling… I dunno, weird lately. And I just needed to escape, I guess.” “That’s why you went to Shelby?” “I dunno what was happening with Shelby,” said Ash. “Maybe all the stuff happening made me listen to her more. But… she felt genuine. Like she actually cared about me and what I wanted.” “What about me?” I asked, more harshly than I intended. Ash flinched, I cringed. “I’m sorry, go on.” “She reached out to me,” Ash continued. “I dunno how she figured out something was going on at home, but she did. And… because she kept talking to me and made me forget about all the drama at home…” she shrugged. “You didn’t know what was going on, and I didn’t feel like talking about it then. Shelby just… coaxed it outta me somehow. And then you got mad, and because I’d become so open with Shelby, she made me madder at you—” “About that,” I said, “I was a jerk. Even if that creepy thing did happen to me, I don’t remember it. I shouldn’t’ve been so against it.” “But you were right.” “The problem is that I was right! I acted like a selfish jerk… and I was right. I should feel better, right? I won, but it doesn’t feel like a win.” I sighed roughly. “Maybe we were both wrong.” “So,” said Ash after an awkward moment of silence, “we’re friends again.” I looked her in her eyes. I smirked a bit. “Friends. Not again. Always.” Ash scoffed, rolling those bright green eyes. “Don’t be such a sap, Lex.” I laughed as we walked back into the locker room.

[hergan416]

Get to Know You Tag Game

Thank you @alabaster-moon

Three Ships: I only get three???? aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa (I think this tells you more than the actual ships I choose at this point). Uh. Prideshipping (yugioh), Katamar (One Piece), and oh my god I want to choose a yuumori ship for the last ship but I literally can't I've been weight the pros and cons of the ships for like. 15 minutes. Just staring at this ask. Albert/Milverton maybe?? because I want to write more of it and Dark!Albert is really hecking interesting? Moriarthree? Something I can go find content to read like mycal? I DONT KNOW IM SORRY and now you have like 5 ships

First Ship: I know I shipped other things before this but my first ever OTP was prideshipping. Most everything else was like... canon ships I supported or like... stuff other people were writing that I was into. I mean, I guess you could also consider zendall from All My Children in that I helped my mom send zendall keychains to AMC in the mail after they broke them up??? but I do truly think that was more about my mom than me.

Last Song: My phone says "A Million Dreams" was what I stopped halfway through playing most recently. I've listened to music since then, but the audio player on my desktop doesn't keep track of what I was listening to after I closed the program. (Honestly, I don't like that my phone does this either? I just can't get rid of it there).

Last Movie: Hell if I remember?? I don't really watch movies regularly. Fiance thinks it might have been Wakanda Forever? Which sounds right.

Currently Reading: Other than fanfic... My Secret Life. Yeah. That's uh. A thing.

Currently Watching: My family is NOT caught up with Master Minds. Not sure if that counts. But yes, we record and watch all episodes of a trivia game show.

Currently Consuming: I think I'll choose fanfiction for this?? I have been LIVING off Dying Wish which is a massive reincarnation RP fic that has literally made me fall in love with Albert as a character? I have lost so much sleep the last week because I started reading before bed and then suddenly it was like... 4 am? 5 am? even later?

Currently Craving: Oh man. I dunno. I think something sweet. Or maybe a nap. Or maybe some mycal? I'm pretty sure the next chapter in the above fic is mycal smut AND a different mycal fic that I've been reading (@user-needs-new-hyperfixation's Love In All it's Disrepute also updated today and I'm just so stoked to read more of THAT also)

Tag List: (0 pressure please, just if you want) @user-needs-new-hyperfixation (hopefully this double tag does not do anything screwy hyper, sorry), @sakuplumeria OOH IS IT GOING TO LET ME TAG YOU NOW?? DID YOUR BLOG GET FIXED?, @wurm-food, @xamaxenta, @operagoose I know you but what are you up to now?, @bum-scum, @sapphicspaceranger, @straycrayoncrypt, @rivaltagonist, @winxhelina OR anyone else who wants to!

[mystic-hysteria]

Get to Know You: Sims Style

Thank you @bunnybananasims for the tag! I really do love doing these types of posts hehe.

What’s your favorite Sims death?

Hmm, I like the burn-up in the sun death for vampires. Although it never has happened once in my game, I do like how dramatic it is.

Alpha CC or Maxis Match?

Maxis Match for sure.

Do you cheat your Sims' weight?

Nope. If they roll the want to work out, or automatically do so, I guess they can become fit. Other than that, I couldn't care less.

Do you move objects?

All the time. I dunno why, but I create the buggiest lots sometimes, so uh, some intervention is needed.

Favorite Mod?

This one's a tough one! If I had to choose one mod I can't live without it has to be ACR. Without it the game's so dull I think.

First Expansion/Game Pack/Stuff Pack?

Haha! It was Supernatural for TS3.

Do you pronounce live mode like aLIVE or LIVing?

Neither? I pronounce it LIVE mode.

Who’s your favorite sim that you’ve made?

My in-game born Ray Cooke.

That's the only HQ photo I have of him but it's so outdated I'm sorry! He's the son of Rainelle Neengia andJulien Cooke's son, and Stella Terrano. He's so cute if I do say so myself.

Have you made a Simself?

Never. Weird I know.

Which is your favorite EA hair color?

Brunette? Yeah, Brunette.

Favorite EA hair?

Ripp's hair. It's just nice!

Favorite life stage?

Teen / Adult

Are you a builder or are you in it for the gameplay?

Gameplay... Building is a means to an end for me.

How has your “Sims style” changed throughout your years of playing?

It depends on what CC I was using at the time. When I first started playing TS2, I only cared for hairs and clothes. I also had mismatched hair systems.

As you can see, poppet with simgaroop with god knows what else. My defaults also didn't match!

I call this stage of my simming career trying to find my style. I tried different hair systems and different CC styles. I have a dedicated PV-ST hood with only true maxis match CC.

This is when I about settled for Dreadpirate's Pitstop skins and Simgaroop hairs. I also started using face details (?) like wrinkles, shadows, and shapers. It really was a game-changer.

Some of my most recent pics. Although I changed hair systems again, this time to Trotylka's Remi hair system, it pretty much is the same. Feels nice to settle on one thing and stick to it.

Who’s your favorite CC creator?

Oooh I have lots, but the top of my head I can list @moocha-muses @deedee-sims @pforestsims @lucilla-sims @mdpthatsme and so so many more. My game thanks every single CC creator out there.

How long have you had Simblr?

I have no idea. I used to be active on @hystericallytragicsimmer before, so I don't know if that counts as well. I'd say 2018-2019ish/

How do you edit your pictures?

Photoshop :)

What expansion / game pack is your favorite?

I'll say one for each game:

Ts2: Seasons / Ikea Stuff

TS3: Supernatural / uh i don't know

TS4: City Living / Vampires

As for tags, tag yourselves lads :)

[kellyscowboy]

꒰✧ᯇ✦꒱ DON'T BE SORRY FOR LEAVING AND GROWING OLD || ch. 1

ᯇ summary ! ✦ Jack Kelly finally gets out of New York and makes something of himself. Though, he's never been good at goodbyes and David won't answer his letters. || read full thing on ao3 now WRITTEN FOR THE NEWSIES FIC EXCHANGE ᯇ tag list ! ✦ @bound-for-santa-fe @bunniebusiness @hotelbxllamuerte (taglist form is in my pinned post if you would like to be added!!) GIFT FOR @daveysjackie !! (sorry for the tag) ᯇ warnings ! ✦ cussing & angst 1230 WORDS © 2023 , 𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐰𝐛𝐨𝐲

next part

“Were you ever going to tell me, Jack?” David asked. His lip was in a deep pout, and his hand was placed disappointedly, loosely, on his hip.

Jack bit his nail nervously. “Uh-huh.” It was a lie and they both knew it. In fact, not a single person was meant to know. Jack was supposed to quietly slip away in the middle of the night and never have to face the sorrow of a goodbye. It had been a solid plan, until Racetrack had found the ticket underneath his pillow.

They had been arguing for a while when Racetrack punched him and left a nice shiner on his cheekbone. “You’re a coward,” He screamed. And he was right, Jack knew as much. He was a coward.

“I don’t owe you anything!” Jack yelled. I owe him everything. “What have you, what have any of the newsboys done for me? Huh?”

There was a festering bubble of guilt that steadily grew inside of Jack. The newsboys had done more for him than his own family had. They had taken him in. They had saved him from himself after he had been in the refuge. Quite frankly, he owed them his life.

In his mind, these were valid reasons for him to not say goodbye. They were a family. He knew that if he ever told them that he was leaving, that he would never make it to Santa Fe. Jack would be tied to New York forever. He couldn’t risk that; he couldn’t risk staying there any longer. It would destroy him.

“Whatever, Jack. Who needs you, anyway?” Racetrack had half the mind to rip up the ticket, to force the boy to stay. “Wouldn’t be the first time you left us in the dust.” He honestly believed he never wanted to see Jack’s face ever again. Conflicted with his feelings of betrayal and hatred, he spat at Jack’s shoes.

Jack was quiet for a couple of seconds. “You’re not gonna tell anyone, right?”

“No. No, I won’t tell no-one. On the promise that you never show your ugly mug back here ever again.” Race dug a finger into the boy’s chest. “You’re gonna hurt everyone who ever had faith in you. And I hope you never feel anything but guilty for it.”

After that, everything was fine. No-one else knew, and he could still slip away without having to say goodbye.

Then, the day before he left, David let his curiosity get the best of him. In the middle of the line at the circulation gate. “Hey, Jack. I’ve been meaning to ask, where’d the bruise come from?”

Jack saw the finish line stretch farther away, felt the bubble of guilt in his stomach begin to expand. It had been a couple of days since he got it, and he was riding on the fact that everyone was too scared to ask. Leave it to David and his stupid words. “Oh, uh-”

“Yeah, Jackie. Why don’tcha share with the fellas, huh? Where’d you really get the shiner?” Racetrack interrupted. “Or should I tell ‘im the truth myself?”

David gave him a sideways look. “Jack? What’s he talking about?”

“I dunno. You know Racer, he’s always yappin’ on about something. Don’t mind him. He don’t know what he’s talkin’ bout.” Jack threw an arm around David’s shoulder and gave him a small grin.

Racetrack scoffed, then shoved the boy away from David. He replaced Jack’s arm with his own. “You want to know why Jack’s been acting so weird?” He gave a few pats to David’s pec over his shoulder before he pointed at Jack with the same hand. “Why he ain’t been around so much?”

“Um…” He looked at Jack and wished he could ignore the guilty look the boy wore. “Yeah, I guess.”

“Well! Our Jackie boy—he’s got himself a one-way ticket to Santa Fe, New Mexico.” Racetrack stated, then gave David a sarcastic smile. “Ain’t that nice? He’s catchin’ the 8 o’clock train tonight.”

Les shook his head. “Jack wouldn’t. He wouldn’t! ‘Specially not without saying goodbye! Right, Jack?” Jack looked like a dog with its tail between its legs as he avoided Les’ gaze. “Jack?”

That’s where he found himself. His nails bitten and David demanding the truth.

“Don’t lie to me, Jack.” David said. “Please. Don’t lie.”

Jack frowned. “I just-”

“Just what, Jack? Just didn’t think we deserved the decency of a goodbye?” David yelled. “You know, every single one of us has had your back since the day we met you. I blindly helped you lead a fucking strike. And even after you abandoned us—for the first time, I guess—we all came together and helped you. We at least deserve a goodbye.”

Jack’s hands swung helplessly at his side. He didn’t know what to do, what to say. Deep down, he knew David was right. But he couldn’t admit that. Not there, not now. So, he deflected. “You promised you wouldn’t tell anyone, Racer.”

“Well, excuse me. I didn’t realize the breaking of trust had to be one sided in this ‘friendship.’ You’re full of it,” Racetrack said.

“Don’t get mad at Racetrack because you’re a shitty friend.”

“I’m the shitty friend? I finally get a chance to get out, to be in the place I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid. And all you care about is the fact that I was too busy to think about saying goodbye? You should be happy for me, David! All of you should be!”

Racetrack scoffed. “Don’t pretend like you just forgot to tell us, Jack. We ain’t stupid.”

“Why would I be happy for you? You’re leaving behind everything that was ever good to you.” David said. “You’re going to ruin yourself, Jack Kelly.”

“Yeah, well.” Jack looked David up and down before staring at him. “I’m also leaving behind everything that was ever bad to me."

"Really? When have we ever been bad to you?"

Jack was silent for a moment. "Didn't ya always say I could be something more? That my art could get me somewhere? What happened to that, Dave?"

"You can be something more here, Jack-"

"No. I can't! You don't get it!" Jack's face was red as he yelled.

"No! I don't! I don't get why you have to go halfway across the country just to paint!" David yelled back. 

"I ain't got no inspiration out here, Dave!"

David frowned. "Really, Jack?"

"You can't find no inspiration in us, Cowboy? Really? After everything we've done together?" Racetrack was livid. "We took down the biggest paper company there is, and you can't find any fucking inspiration in us?"

"No. I can't."

"You're unbelievable." David scoffed. "I just can't understand you!"

"Whatever, Dave. Who needs the lot of ya?"

Jack angrily stomped his way to Wiesel and bought his paper. He let the Delancey brothers’ snide remarks consume him. The bubble in his stomach grew bigger.

Jack made one fatal mistake; he turned around for one last glance at the boys. Racetrack and David were seething, they had their fists tightly clenched together and were biting down on the inside of their cheeks.

And Les looked up at him with big eyes, wide with betrayal and disbelief. His usual wonder-struck gaze filled with sorrow. The bubble in his stomach popped, and he walked away into his new life without another word.