#up in the most ridiculous outfit possible just to spite him

[chipistrate]

Sorry how is this evidence for Michael being alive /genq

Not talking about the theory as a whole but why would this play in to it? Why would he make this??

Yeah, it's his family, but what would compel him to make something like this if he really is just chilling around the Pizzaplex for whatever reason- there isn't even an empty spot for him to sit at or anything since there's a Mike staff bot as well

[lillian-nator]

Everything below was made by Me, Eye, and Ethan over the course of like 3 days

Thank you (with additions from sleepy my beloved)

Like

Okay

So

Wilbur isn’t the oldest

Techno is

But it’s a war run empire, they take pride in their troops and armies and triumphs

The soldiers come first

So Techno is the commander in chief , the general

Wilbur, second born

Is heir to the throne

To the diplomatic side of the empire

and Tommy Gets shit

He doesn’t even understand why Phil had another kid

Of course there is the situation where Techno or Wilbur dies, or one of them steps down, but it won’t happen

Was he really born to be the understudy

he was born as a backup

Tommy was an accident but they’re not gonna let the public know that

like he's the Zuko

Phil doesn't really pay attention to him so his mother picks up the slack

Wilbur is 21

Techno’s 23

Tommy’s 17

However I have a really good idea for prince Tommy, just like what if he doesn’t like the way that people treat him? Like he doesn’t want all these yes men he wants to be he wants to be told now, he want somebody to tell him he that’s against the rules he just wants him like structure he just want someone to hate him he want someone to not like him and say no and tell him that he’s stupid which is why he does all of the stupid shit that he does

Ever since he was like 4

Everyone has said yes

He wants to defy them

He wants to just do something to make someone say no

That and he lowkey

He wants ~~Phil~~ Wilbur to pay attention to him

Is a Little Shit who causes so many problems on purpose to try and find someone who will push back against him

He wants someone to give him structure and discipline but overall he just wants his family’s attention

He’s broken shit, thrown temper tantrums, he’s started fights and he’ll he’s even snuck out and stole things

He’s never been stopped

People consider him snobby and spoiled

He's a brat

He gets everything he wants, but he doesn’t really want it, he just asks to see if they’ll tell him no

Tubbo = Stable Boy

Ranboo = Prince of another country (probably the americas)

Ranboo could definitely fit the role of an overseas royal prince who Tommy sees as a regal, spoiled, uppity little shit. Like Tubbo, who Tommy sneaks everywhere, has met Ranboo and likes him. Tommy can't possibly see why, he's unbearable.

Bench Trio = Best freinds

I think that Tommy and his brothers were always very very close

they just have jobs and shit

They took over Phil's shit

they probably drift apart as they get older, Wilbur and techno have duties and Tommy starts his quest for attention, they grow apart from their little brother without realizing it

Tommy and his mother (kristin) are always and have continued to be close

she definitely chides him, and tells him quietly to not do things for all of his "misbehaviors"

but there is only so much that she can do, because she has the duty to not make a scene

that and she's not who he's looking for attention from

You may be asking "How is crime recognized, identified, discussed, and atoned for?" more specifically, "Is it a 'you stole my bread so without asking anyone I'm cutting your hand off' or is it the US court system" ~~You may also be Ethan~~

The answer is:

like the UKs

But more like

Okay so the Supreme Judicial system, but Phil (and then Wilbur) has teh final say

Court system, but with Phil overseeing everything

instead of a judge

HOWEVER, that's in the national level

in smaller villages, its more of the cut your hand off system

because the judicial system isn't regulated

So bonus questions:

Punishments and the identification of whether a crime counts as a crime?

soldiers can call crimes out, and citizens can file reports

Phil's not really shit, he just doesn't show Tommy any attention because he's busy with the other two

Just honestly doesn't even care about most shit Tommy does

Like, doesn't pay attention to it until it affects him, he's busy running a country and training the boys to running a country

I don’t think they (the brothers) realize how badly everything is affecting Tommy

The only one who knows anything about the full extent would be his mom, and she’s in a similar boat to Tommy

Phil doenst really see her much either

Not like she could “Make a Scene” trying to get Phil to pay attention to his youngest, to actually love his child, he’s barely around

Kristin and Phil spend time together at night, but during the day everything is for the cameras

its like the UK royals, how they do shit just for the people

And Phil doenst want to hear about the kids at night, he wants to spend time with his wife

Tommy has stolen a car and will do it again

Just fucking hopped in and took a joyride

With Absolutely No Repercussions

Do you think Phil ever tries to hire like, a nanny or something? In the aftermath of the Car Incident? Yes, and it never worked

Tommy, like 15 at the time, pissed as hell as a random ass woman tries to tell him to go to bed at 8:30 pm

Tommy wants somebody to tell him no but not somebody hired to tell him no mannn

Tommy goes to like parties - like ragers

he has a network of really famous friends like young actors and shit

dude is a party animal, underage drinking, rumors of drugs, he’s the PR Teams worst nightmare, but they’re not going to say anything

The press makes up SO MUCH SHIT

The press once said that he had done cocaine when it was really one of his friends

Tommy adopts two dogs (hello Betty and Walter) without asking either of his parents

Betty is short for Elizabeth

He brings them in off the street

Literal abandoned street dogs and he goes, mine now

He like, walks down the street with sunglasses on, and just doesn't look at anyone as he walks the dogs, who have like black nice leather leashes

The paparazzi always finds him walking the dogs

like a modern celebrity

Mans can and will call the paparazzi on himself - because he is a drama queen ETHAN Tommy voice "hello pa pa. I have hired two new staff, pa pa." "Huh?" "they have found work in this palace as emotional support animals, pa pa." "....ok." tommy voice "he didn't even blink, elizabeth the fourteenth" END OF ETHAN MAKING FUN OF THE BRITISH

By the way just to clear things up with you all, Tommy addresses Phil as "Father"

most of the paparazzi's pictures of Tommy are him flipping the camera off

He poses for them

just sees a camera and fucking sticks his tongue out and flips them off

He’s wearing some atrocious outfit while walking his dogs and he just has a full on fashion photshoot of poses for them

If his dad won’t give him attention at least they will

Tommy befriends some of the staff

he hates a lot of the butlers tbh

thinks they're stuck up

but likes to gossip with the maids, and sit in the kitchen as the chefs cook lunch "Heyyyy, chef!" "Your highness, what is it, are you hungry?" "Can't a man just talk to his chef? Befriend his castle staff?" "Ah."

that and the kitchen gives betty and walter treats

Top ten Prince Thomas microaggressions

Number One: he calls Phil "your highness"

For context, kings are referred to as Your Majesty

He calls Wilbur Your Majesty

It was a joke when they were younger, a habit from then on, but now it’s to spite Phil

Tommy spends an ridiculous amount of money on clothes all at once, purely to see if Phil would yell at him for using the family debit card for it

He never wears the clothes

He doesn’t particularly like any of them anyways

Instead he donate them all anonymously

Tommy may be a brat but he isn’t wasteful

By the time Tommy’s 12 he’s started acting up, and it escalates slowly until he hits 15 where things just start snowballing and he gets worse and worse

he's definitely nicknamed by the press as some sort of party animal or fratboy

a spoiled brat

He’s 16, and he knows his place in the family, he is forgotten and glossed over, but he won’t be ignored, not if he can help it

The Public gives him the attention he wishes his father would give him, he walks his dogs with the paparazzi tailing after him, just hoping that maybe one scandal or one horrible picture will eventually be enough to make his dad actually See him

he'll tell the paparazzi what they want to hear

and give every magazine a story to tell

they notice him

he just wants somebody to tell him no, somebody tell this boy no without being paid to please

Tommy probably has like, pierced his ears or smth. Gotten tattoos.

he has holes in his face yes.

he pierced his ears and his nose

He has a tattoo on the inside of his finger that matches with Tubbo and Ranboo

Maybe the picture of him plastered from last weekend will make his dad reprimand him

Maybe the weed found in his backseat will get his Dad to ground him

Maybe the bottle of fucking pills he was “holding for a friend” but got caught with Will get some sort of reaction

and its not like he's only doing it for attention

he starts it for attention, but he loves it he does

he has fun, he loves his friends, he likes the parties and the air

but, he also loves the attention, he's not gonna lie

Tommy who took adderall at a party once but it didn’t do anything for him, he seemed to function a little better actually

Tommy who knows Techno has adhd and takes adderall for it, Tommy who puts two and two together Bc he’s not fucking dumb

Tommy realizing his dad never cared to even get him diagnosed or treated

and Techno does notice, he does figure it out, but he does either a "hey..." or a "m8 I'll just get you your own if its helpin you focus" and tommy is furious

Tommy's life here is just

'trying to be yelled at HARD MODE'

Just wants to be screamed at, lowkey

I think, Wilbur avoids the tabloids

And the press

And the news

However, his advisors often read him the shit about Tommy - or anything about him

But they never see the pictures

They don’t see the picture of Tommy drunk on a strangers balcony

They don't see how bad it is

Tommy however? LOVES reading what the press has to say about him

Phil sees it however,

And he’s so disappointed

He gives Tommy so many talks but it never works

Because it doesn’t get him to love Tommy, to care about what Tommy does

Not like their mother

And he never makes a scene, not in the way Tommy wants to

It's all about "YOUR RUINING OUR IMAGE"

not: "YOUR RUINING YOUR LIFE"

He never asks if Tommy is ok

He never asks if he’s safe

Tommy's mum however, SO MANY AWKWARD "STAY SAFE" TALKS

He doesn't just fucking jump off shit because of her, he's slightly less reckless so that he can come home alive to her

I just think that Wilbur, no matter how busy, would find time to concerned yell at his baby brother if he were to find out about the pills

Weed and alcohol? Not great but ok.

Pills though?? He is full blown concerned Wilbro there

His brothers care. Their father is busy. He's a jerk sometimes too.

Wilbur does put out the fire a bit

He’s glad Wilbur had his best interest in mind

But man

The news headlines

They do him dirty

Shit like “Prince Tommy Caught Doing Cocaine at Frat Party” really fuck him over

They really just try their best to make him look like shit 95% of the time

Tommy loves it, just a little

Bad press is still press

He laughs at the headline Bc he knows he wasn’t doing cocaine, but Phil doesn’t, wilbur and techno don’t know that

It’s a tense week after that headline is released

His mom doesn’t even know if Tommy would have actually done cocaine

They just don’t know

Kristin asks him

She’s the only one who believes him

I think Wilbur wants to believe him, Techno too

But it’s hard to, especially when you’re not even sure you know your own brother anymore

Wilbur says something along the lines of being disappointed in Tommy, if he thought Tommy was trying to be better

Tommy scoffs and says he is trying, but that it’s real rich of Wilbur to be or entering to care now

This isn’t even the worse headline

One time a blonde kid got picked up from the same party Tommy was at on a stretcher, he had had an allergic reaction

Some shitty journalist saw and automatically assumed it was Tommy

They ran with the story that the prince had fucking overdosed for at least a week

The things they say are close to the truth but not quite

The PR Team tries their best to help but

They don’t even know what’s true or not

Tommy goes on a bender for a week, and walks into their office with coffee and pastries to apologize

They all know that presents mean a rough week of damage control

But Tommy imports them these Bomb ass donuts so

Fair trade really

Also heaven forbid tommy gets seen with a girl

It’s the worst shit

Tommy gets caught, drunk off his ass, pushing a couch out a window

(To be fair the people were moving soon anyways, they didn’t need the couch, it was a going away party)

And the next morning, recalling what he did

He orders up those pastries and calls the coffee place

Swings by to pick up the coffee and picks up the pastries all within the next two hours and delivers them on the third with an apology note

It’s fucking DAMAGE control

Thinking about Tubbo and Ranboo being Tommy’s DDs when they can

They are

When Tommy’s handler isn’t around

Them doing wild shit together but not Wild Shit

Tommy teaches them how to do burnouts and donuts in a fucking lambos in an empty mall parking lot

Ranboo goes everywhere incognito, Tommy practically flaunts his rank, Tubbo is considered a nobody and doesn't have to do anything but show up in casual clothes. He has a uniform for stablework.

Ranboo's parents are approving of his friendship with the fledging prince, as they hope he can wrangle Tommy to regality and he's building positive relations between the two kingdoms.

Phil is disapproving, worried Tommy will taint Ranboo and his rep and cause a tense air between the two kingdoms. Tommy loves Phil's worry, he practically bathes in it, it's the attention he so craves.

Tommy definitely will hold Tubbo's hand when he walks with him, because the headlines all scream Tommy is the gay?? and while he's very incredibly straight, he finds this hysterical.

Ranboo isn't always in Tommy's kingdom and rather spends most of his time at home. He might be second to heir or the crown prince himself, but he does have to spend time in his own country. Tommy face calls him a lot and he and Tubbo are ecstatic when he announces he's going to visit

I imagine he's second to the throne because that means he can focus on building relations instead of training to be king.

Older sibling Fundy, gets chronic illness, and Ranboo has to take over the throne for a bit

One of Tommy's worst stunts was hitching a ride to the Americas/Ranboo's kingdom without telling anyone.

Whether by boat or plane, he was gonna go visit his young king friend no matter what.

I say "young king" but he's still a prince. Just filling in for fundy

But all eyes turn to Ranboo and Ranboo is stumbling with attention he'd never known. Tommy has to help, doesn't he?

He expects such a punishment for stowing away to visit, but the headlines are... positive. Prince Tommy's friendship with Princr Ranboo becomes.... legendary, practically. Tubbo is always excluded from the news, even when he comes with.

Never too fantastical for classism

But no, the headlines see Tommy's visit not as the young, rebellious prince stowing away, but as a young boy risking his skin to visit his stressed friend.

Tommy is appalled.

And Tommy just groans and shows him the phone

And Ranboo laughs and goes

“There there Tommy, I’m sure dragging me to a frat party will be enough to ruin the good press.”

“Maybe get a dui, you’ll have diplomatic immunity so no jail time?”

“Boo, I wouldn’t get jail time even if I wasn’t em-mune, I am simply too poggers.”

“Sure man, let’s go with that.”

Tommy’s like “maybe I need to actually start doing hard drugs”

Ranboos just like “no -“ just “Please god no, your brothers will kill both of us.”

The Boo is terrified of Techno and Wilbur

Not as royals though, simply as Tommy’s older brothers

Like he knows about Tommy’s issues with validation and feeling unloved, he knows his Brothers are often very busy

But he also sees the way they look at Tommy, and the way they look when people talk bad about Tommy

He knows if something were to happen and he was to cause harm to Tommy or cause Tommy to cause harm to himself

It probably wouldn’t end well for him

Wilbur and techno try as hard as they can

But they’re SO busy

That they can’t do much especially when Tommy’s so persistent on doing his shit

Tubbo is great with the horses he tends to, and Tommy adores them. Ranboo is an excellent, regal rider and Tommy and Tubbo are more rough and ballsy, so races are fair and fastpaced.

Ranboo once got bucked by a royal stallion and Tommy and Tubbo never let him live it down.

I imagine Tubbo lives on the property, as some servants do. He either doesn't have a family, has a bad one, or his family doesn't live close to the palace.

So Tommy 10/10 sneaks to the servants' quarters and he and Tubbo sneak out to ride the horses.

I feel like Wilbur makes more of an effort after the pills and cocaine incident, he tries to ask Tommy about the headlines

Purples is Tommy’s friend

Rich family, old money

Throws a lot of the parties Tommy goes to

Purpled and punz :handshake: Tommy

Frat Boys

I think you guys are underestimating the time that Tommy spends at the castle

Like he still has school, and usually 3 days out of the week he follows around his brothers like an endearing little shit

But those 4 days where he’s gone (which includes weekends) plus nights, he’s doing shit

Also, yiu know Pongo right

101 Dalmatians

That’s how Tommy walks Betty and Walter

They are like standing completely proper and walks straight

ah yes, the royal bitches and also betty and walter are there too

the paparazzi taking pictures of Tommy and the dogs

and Tommy turns, taking his sunglasses off, and smiles big and wide "They have names you know? You should stop callin' them 'the royal dogs'."

One of the guys, he's familiar with the prince turns on his camera and asks "what're their names Prince Tommy?"

"Betty and Walter. Give them some respect."

Tommy visits Ranboo sometimes. Ranboo was looking for him one day and just found him standing in a long hall, staring at a portrait.

It's Ranboo, just barely younger, hands folded behind his back, the perfect picture of regality.

Tommy is staring at it because he knows that at home, there is a portrait of Wilbur looking like that, and one of Techno, and one of Phil and Kristen, and one of himself.

But somehow this image of Ranboo is.. haunting

Not because it doesn't match with the Ranboo he knows, but because it does.

It haunts him because he can stare at his portrait for hours and never see himself, but this is so plainly Ranboo that it's chilling.

Ranboo stands beside him, hands folded behind his back as they always are when he is in nice clothes and his eyes are visible. Tommy glances over and Ranboo is facing him, but staring up at the picture. It's still him.

The clothes are different and his hair is longer now, but Tommy can't tell the difference past that.

He knows that Ranboo is what his family wants him to be

He knows that Ranboo is him if he hadn't strayed, the same past

Ranboo knows exactly what’s going through his head right now

And he knows exactly what he needs too

They get fucking piss ass drunk in Ranboo’s room order takeout and FaceTime Tubbo

They can party tomorrow, Tommy doesn’t need to be in public right now

ANywyas

Tommy and his mother have a wonderful relationship

she teaches him literacy and history, they have a tutor teach him maths

they eat breakfast together every morning

the whole family does

but his mum tries to eat lunch with him at least 3 times a week

he goes out for lunch the days he doesn't eat with his brothers or mom, out to some resturant, sometimes, they trash it or party, sometimes he just brings Tubbo, no big group, and they just chill

With Ranboo in line for kingship (the way royalty works is that if the ruler dies, it will always go to the next in line of blood, never by marriage. Even if every heir was dead, it would still not go to the ruler consort but instead to a family member of the late ruler), rep is so much more important

he can't really be seen with Tommy sometimes

not on the bad weeks

not when Tommy just destroyed a bnb or set off fireworks with his friends, or was caught throwing chairs into his friend's pool

Tommy likes sport cars

big car guys

He has an exorbitant amount of fancy cars

its truly like

disgusting

how many cars he owns

Wilbur makes fun of it Bc the kid is just now legally old to drive

But Wilbur has so many expensive instruments

Some of which he doesn’t even know how to play yet

to be fair

Wilbur doesnt go breaking his instraments

Techno, techno has swords, which makes sense Bc he’s a general

But the amount swords he has just hanging on his wall

Never meant to be used

It’s so many

I feel like Tommy has a few cars that he doesn’t even let get scratched tho much

His babies

he has his expensive cars that he wrecks

and then his expensive cars that he treats like gold

They’re named

Clementine is this horrendous orange car that he absolutely loves

Its a bright orange ferrari

(He loves it Bc it was a gift from Phil, one of the first cars in his collection)

(Tommy doesn’t know that the idea was his mother’s, his father didn’t know what to get him)

all of his cars have padding in the back for his dogs

Tommy hates purse dogs, the girls with them are always fake and horrible

but he wishes his dogs were that small

Easy to transport

but they got all gangly limbs like him

and stand up to his hip

Henry is his sleek black classic mustang convertable

its what he drives when he doesn't want to be followed by the papp

It’s what he drives when he takes The BT to lunch

its not that the paparazzi doesn't know its him

they know

but he's not in one of his bright fucking obscene cars

The press and Tommy have a weird sort of understanding

He creates their headlines and they let him have moments to himself

If someone breaches that

They risk getting blacklisted

that car was what he drove to his grandmother's funeral in

im not naming his grandmother, but all royals live like forever

Clementine barely sees the road I think

She’s kept in top condition

By Tommy’s own hands

But she probably doesn’t get driven to the parties

Or the brunches

Or the clubs

She's used pretty much exclusively for black tie events

Tubbo is his driver for those Bc he trusts no one else with the car

And he has to exit her before she’s parked

So Tubbo valets and then meets him inside

It’s also how Tubbo gets into the black tie events

so its modern right

so its like thousand-dollar suits instead of capes

so, Tommy just refuses to wear blazers and suit jackets

he always wears his button-ups rolled to his elbows

Maybe, maybe you’ll get him in a vest

But most of the time it’s a button up, rolled up sleeves, and the tie is most likely incorrect or untied

The only reason it’s correct half the time, is because Wilbur makes him let him tie it

Tommy won't wear the jacket because he prefers to roll his sleeves up - he's able to do anything, party or just like rough housing with his brothers, or helping out the staff

Wilbur won't wear a tie, or a button up most days, opting for a high-end sweater and loads of jewelry; its just much more his style.

Techno won't wear a vest because it restricts the places he can hid weapons, and he almost never keeps his tie tied.

Tommy trying to walk past Wilbur to leave with and untied tie

“Wait! You know you can’t leave like that, come here.”

Tommy’s groans and slumps over but walks over to Wil anyways

“I’m just gonna untie it halfway through the party, you know i will.”

“Well, I’m not letting my little brother walk a red carpet with an untied tie, you know I won’t”

The second half said in a mocking tone of voice, very clearly mimicking Tommy’s whining

It’s a soft moment, they stand there together, brothers

And as Wilbur’s pat the finished tie, they make eye contact and both of them have undeniably fond looks on their faces, damn they’re brothers n shit

“Thanks Wil.”

It’s quiet, it’s soft, it’s Tommy

“Of course.”

Just as soft, just as quiet, wholly Wilbur

Wilbur clears his throat breaking the soft atmosphere of the room

“Now go, you gremlin. Don’t be late”

Wilbur ruffles Tommy’s hair, careful not to mess it up too much

Tommy rolls his eyes And quickly heads for the door “Bye Wil! Love you! Don’t wait up!” Wilbur quickly yells after him

“Love you too! Don’t do anything stupid!”

“Oh Wil you know I can’t promise that!” Wilbur just rolls his eyes and returns to his book

Yeah Tommy stays away from tobacco I think

Just weed

and I wouldn't be surprised if like hits peoples vapes sometimes, but doesn't smoke cigs

for sure, its stressful

Wilbur smokes cigarettes though

and he can't act out like Tommy can

and Phil loves him..

Techno and Wilbur watching Tommy rebel in the ways they never got to

They feel kinda sad, that they never got to be kids like that, sad that Tommy feels like he has to act out for attention

he gets to do shit

like he gets to be a real teen

the whole, dumb rich 17 year old experience

like yachts, and expensive hotel rooms, and sport cars

And sure they probably wouldn’t have been going to frat parties or crashing brunch places, but they see him with BT

See him have actual friends

And they’re happy for him

But it hurts a bit

And Tommy's hurting too

It's a lot

but its like

even if Phil wasn't shit

its a lot of attention

like everyone is watching them at all times

Techno and Wilbur have to stay refined in the eyes of the press

Tommy gets to put on a show for them

Yeah yeah

Do you know how much a drunk picture of Prince Tommy is worth?

Too much

Some random guy on his first paparazzi job, gets a pic of Tommy, shirt mostly unbuttoned, tie tied around his head, drinking out of a beer bottle, and flipping off the camera while stumbling out of the most expensive hotel in the UK

The guy never has to work again

Purpled son of some billionaire, and Ranboo a literal prince is with him

They are both laughing at him

Tommy swung on a chandelier that night

A picture of that ends up online, some socialites Twitter

The amount of people in her dms for that picture?

Ludicrous

Like just the random pictures from Snapchat stories

Magazines pay thousands

Yeah the amount of double takes people have done going through their friends Snapchat stories like

Just tapping through

“WAIT WAS THAT PRINCE THOMAS????”

So, Dessert Drinks

It’s alcoholic beverages that have like chocolate or gram crackers or maybe candy in them

That are meant to taste like a dessert

So there’s chocolate cake margaritas, or like s’mores drinks

They’re Tommy’s favorite things in the world

Everyone thinks that he’d like the like strong, burning, whiskey esk stuff

But no

He wants the sweetest thing you got

Like he’ll drink straught vodka, but not if he doesn’t have too y’know?

He also like wine strangely enough

The like really expensive wine

Bc it reminds him of Wil

They have it down in the cellar

Techno is the whiskey dude

Or like 1942

Which is just a really bougie tequila

He just likes the shit that burns

Tubbo will drink literally anything

He’ll eat anything too

It definitely comes from the spot that he didn’t have that many choices like Tommy, but he genuinely just likes anything

Which is why Tommy really likes to treat him out to fancy fucking restaurants

One of Tommy’s favorite past times is spoiling his loved one

Fucking loves giving presents n shit

It's his love language

Ranboo doesn’t pay for anything when he’s visiting

Tommy insists on paying

Tommy has millions from the throne, he will use it

Plus he uses his daddy’s card so like, Phil can afford to spend the money

Oh he has one of those black cards doesn’t he

And by he I mean Phil

But you know, Daddy’s card

Black amex all the way

Boujie motherfuckers

Tommy's drunk like persona is different depending on the environment

When its Wilbur and Techno having to deal with Drunk Tommy

He’s like an excitable puppy, he would switch from rowdy to sappy real quick for his brothers

So they’re trying to get a drunk Tommy to bed but Tommy’s 100% clinging to them

Just full of affection

Techno tries to leave to go study and drunk Tommy just looks so fucking sad

Kicked puppy

He’s very much turning on the little brother charm, full scale pouting, whining, nicknames and all

making grabby hands, sitting on thr ground, fluffed up hair, shirt all wrinkled

"Fucking - fine. What are you gonna do without me, hm?"

He’s a god damned puppy and it’s hard to believe this is the same kid who got in a bar fight last week

he hangs off the chandeliers of boogie hotels

he also trashes his friend's rentals

on the other hand, he hugs his brothers

and steals Wilbur's crown

when he wears Will's crown it goes over his eyes

Still does after all these years

He’s grown but Wils head is simply too big

Tommy has his own crown of course

he just doesn't wear it as often as Wilbru does

Wilbur wears his all of the time

Tommy wears his when

A. he's drunk and with friends

B. at formal or royal events

he likes wearing it when he's partying

still thinking about drunk Tommy and his brothers having to deal with him

He makes techno give him a piggy back ride

He can walk fine, he just wants a piggy back ride man

Can you blame him?

They all really miss being little

They miss being able to be kids n shit

when their mother took care of them

and their father did all the king shit

And when Techno would give Tommy piggyback rides in the garden

When Wilbur had all the time in the world to learn how to play guitar

Even if it comes from Tommy getting drunk off his ass they’re glad they can still find the childish joy that they once had y’know?

Techno gives Tommy a piggy back ride to his room, and Tommy steals Wilbur’s crown and they talk and it’s nice

And as everything winds down Wilbur plays his guitar

And it’s so similar to when they were younger man

...

but then,,, Wilbur gets called down for an emergency meeting

and Techno has to make sure the guards are doing their rounds

and Tommy's left all alone in The Prince's Chambers

and people wonder why Tommy likes partying

fills the time, doesn't it?

He wakes up cold and alone and hungover

And he calls Tubbo and they just fucking day drink man

It’s a bad two days

Yeha but basically after this night he and Tubbo get fucking drunk as hell and they don’t come back to the castle for two days

And Tommy is barely sober during those two days

After those type of days happen Tommy always goes completely straightedge for a week

He doenst need to develop an addiction y’know?

Plus the chaos doesn’t have to happen drunk

He’s pretty irrational sober anywyas

half of the parties he's at he's not even drunk

sometimes he'll get high

but he just likes the adrenaline

and just hanging and being fucking assholes with his mates

POV you are an emotionally wrecked prince who is hanging onto this present as proof that your dad knows who you are at least in the slightest and you find out it’s not actually a gift from him but something your mother told him to get you

He didn’t even think twice just called the dealership and asked for the car, didn’t even know which one it was

mmmmm Tommy wrecks Clem that night

It’s not a good night for anyone

Got drunk as hell man

No dd

Car crash

I don’t think Clem is totaled

And Tommy is ok

But she’s scratched and dented and it’s just a representation of how Tommy feels

Something about Clementine being symbolic of hope and the idea that his father knew him

And with that crashing down

Clementine was bound to crash too

Tommy gets out with some bruises and Clementine can be fixed

But it happens on a public street so it’s everywhere

Tommy wrecks Clem

Then fucking goes on a bender

just destroys shit

parties so he doesn't think about it

and then he fucking crashes

Wilbur and Techno and Kristin all know what the car meant to him, what it symbolized to him

So when there’s a headline and a picture of Tommy staring at a wrecked Clem, they don’t know how to feel

maybe he mentioned something about upgrading Clem to Phil, or offhandedly at family dinner

And Phil asks something like “Right and when did you get this one?” Very rudely y’know

And Tommy’s like, it’s the one you got me for my birthday last year, and Phil just says something about how he has to be more specific because he doesn’t even know which one that is

And Tommy feels everything crumble around him and he just tensely says, “never mind...” and goes back to his food

The other three watch the whole exchange like, “fuuuuuuuuuck”

And then as soon as dinners over Tommy’s out the door man

He’s gone

he doesn't take the dogs, which means he's causing damage

He doenst even take Tubbo

they can hear the handler hand Tommy the keys

Tubbo comes to Wil to ask if he knew where Tommy was and that’s when they realize Tommy’s going out to cause real damage

And Tommy’s phone is turned off

They can’t contact him

Tommy gets handcuffed

he won't get arrested, but he'll get brought back in a police car

he fucking like crashed into a poll on purpose

like it was less on purpose and more like he definitely wasn’t not trying to hit something

And then they fucking breathalyzer him and he’s drunk as balls

Straight vodka type night

there's a bottle in the cupholder

He gets out when he wrecks and you just see him dead eyed staring at the scratches on her hood

The dent in her door

The cracks in the windshield

And he just takes a swig of the bottle

He lets the police take the bottle and handcuff him, taking him back to the palace

Clem is towed back too

He doenst care man

this is bigger than party to distract Bc it’s all he’s thinking about even drunk n shit

So I feel like he’s absolutely crushed

he spends like a week or two in a depressive episode won't leave his room, won't talk to his dad

and then he asks his mom "why didn't you tell me?"

and she just purses her lips and and shakes her head

and he's out

he needs to leave

he doesn't need her pity

and he just goes to Purp's and parties

because he just wants to have fun for one night before he learns that everything is a lie

His brothers are there as much as he lets them be

Tubbo too

Ranboo would try to make it over after seeing the headlines

he gets on a jet

and goes as soon as he sees the news

cause Clem was Tommy's baby

He loved that fucking car man

And then

Boom

One dinner is all it took to ruin everything

Phil's just left like "what'd I do?"

Techno is straight faced

Wilbur rolls his eyes at Phil

And Kristin just looks stressed

She’s still staring the the door Tommy all but ran out of

none of them finish dinner, Kristin waves the butlers over to clear the plates

They don’t, and Phil is just so confused and frustrated and he doesn’t know what happened

Top 10 Prince Tommy Headlines: 10. Mourning or Disrespectful: Prince Thomas caught smoking outside grandmother's funeral 9. New Connections? Prince Thomas and Prince Ranboo seen outside Palace walking Royal Dogs 8. Protective Older Brother; Crown Prince William shielding Prince Thomas from cameras while walking down London streets 7. When Will He Stop? Prince Thomas continues his week-long bender 6. Another Frat Party: Prince Thomas found stumbling drunk after rowdy night at The Ritz London 5. Boy Crazy? Prince Thomas and Mystery Boy seen dancing at Crown Prince William's Birthday Ball 4. Is Prince Thomas's Rampage Over? The Prince seen hungover, nursing a coffee at London Branch Costa Coffee 3. Time to stop; Prince Thomas caught doing cocaine at socialites party 2. A good friend - Prince Thomas flew to the United States to help Prince Ranboo with new responsibilities

1. When is enough, enough? Prince Thomas crashes after driving drunk, arrested.

10 Tommy doesn’t smoke cigs so mans was just getting high at his grandmas funeral

he was real close with his granny, it was a sad day

It was because his father said something like “oh, I didn’t know you were coming Tommy”

It was his fucking grandmother Phil

Tommy just puts his sun glasses on, and sits as far away as he can

Number 5, the boy is Tubbo, Tubbo thinks it’s fucking hilarious, Tommy is pissed

Some of those headlines seem like they’re from the car month

Obviously number one is

But then the bender headline

Then the coffee one

And then the Wilbur one

They seem like a series of events

big month for the press

Tommys hungover and he calls Wil asking for him to pick him up

And Wilbur drops everything Bc he’s just glad Tommy’s coming back home

wilbur fucking glares at the cameras

Tommy's used to it

And then the press tries to mob them and Wilbur Almost breaks decorum

Like almost fucking yells at someone who gets too close

and Wilbur never does that

he's so in-line

he never breaks the rules

but goddamn if they take one step closer -

He’s been especially stressed, and all he wants is to get his baby brother home man

He’s been smoking a lot more since the wreck

He just wishes he could make everything better

Tommy relishes in talking to the press

Wilbur will clart someone who gets to close to his baby brother

The press who’s never seen Wilbur as anything other than composed and charming suddenly being faced with a very angry older brother who smells slightly like cigarette smoke

Wilbur in the Pogtopia coat but it’s some designer piece that’s expensive as hell

It’s his smoking coat

And it’s what he picks Tommy up in

So he smells like smoke

And not the tasteful cologne he usually wears in public

just like a dark overcoat

really expensive wool

Wilbur using it to cover them from the cameras

when they were younger, like 16 and 12, Wilbur would hide Tommy

like no one got a picture of Tommy until he was 14 or 15

Kristin really hid the boys when they were kids too

Tommy trying to peak out and make faces at the camera

it was illegal to get pictures of them younger than 10

like immediate blacklist

And also maybe some legal issues

Wilbur pulls Tommy's hood up over Tommy's head

And it’s very older brother of him too, he pulls it over to protect his face but then cinches the strings to be a little shit

Those Wilbur and Tommy brother moments comps exists in the universe too

But it’s just shit like that

Tommy has a great support system

He really does

His brothers love him

His mom loves him

He has two amazing friends and a bunch of other great friends as well

And sometimes he feels like a brat for throwing all these fits over his dad y’know?

Wilbur always tries to like, keep an arm around him when they're doing red carpets

And keeps Tommy sitting next to him at Royal events

but also like, steals food off his plate

and ruffles his hair

Tommy whispers the fucking worst jokes about the dignitaries and nobles and Wilbur has to keep a straight face

god thats tommys favorite thing to do

he tries so hard to get Wilbur to laugh and lose his shit

The fucking big boobs bit

But it’s Tommy whispering it to Wilbur completely out of context and randomly at a gala

ALSO

THE WHOLE EXTENDED FAMILY BULLSHIT

TOMMY HATES IT

LIKE WHO THE FUCK IS THIS LIKE AUNT TO HIM?

HE DOESNT KNOW HER

But Royal Families are always big on that shiit

They try to hug him n shit

And Tommy depending on how Brave n shit he’s feeling (how fed up he is) will either politely excuse himself or straight up say no and step back with a glare

he's honestly uncomfortable around the strangers

who say they're family

like he's too sober for this

He needs a god damned drink

But he’s in a vest and a nice tie and his crown is sat proper on his head

And he can’t have a drink

god he's like a little doll, he plays by Phil's rules

the crown comes on and he's the proper prince

He fucking hates it

he sips on Wilbur's wine, and does the whole "tequila for water" thing sometimes

Flask in his sleeve

Techno catches him with the flask once and is just impressed

god is that a look on Techno's face

He sees Tommy slip it from his sleeve and somehow sleight off hand take a drink

And it’s just a raised eyebrow and a head nod that says

Good for you

Bc techno also needs a drink during these events

Sometimes Tommy will spike his and Techno's drinks

as Wilbur regally sips on wine

Wilbur fucking also secretly wishing he had a flask during the drier events

Wine drink just isn’t enough sometimes

Wilbur puts on his best face

and pretends he wants to be there

and gives out a warm smile, and raises a glass

god he fucking hates it sometimes

and sometimes he loves it

but man, does he hate it sometimes

Tommy complains and Phil makes a passive aggressive comment about how

“Oh but don’t you love parties Tommy.”

Wilbur sits between them

The table goes

Techno Kristin Phil Wilbur Tommy

Tommy just sneaks another sip of the flask

he doesn't have time to deal with his dads shit

Slumps back in the seat

He probably wouldn’t even try to hide it after that

Not like Phil is actually looking at him

He can let the press have it

He doenst care

just like leaves the flask next to him

under teh table

and jsut takes large swigs from it

Tommy maybe having a group of his friends crash one of the stuffy events

Not an important one

So fucking dedication ceremony to some inane building

He just invites a wild group of socialites

It’s nice

It’s not as wild as a normal Tommy Innit party

But it’s not a stuffy fucking boring ass royal meeting

they just bring some fucking whiskey into the back room and chat shit

Tommy fucking has a group of friends crash this gathering

It’s not wild

But it’s not stuffy

It’s nice

Tommy even drags Wilbur back for at least a little

and that takes a whole lot of work

It really does, Wilbur isn’t even a little tipsy off the wine, and Phil been by him the whole time and it’s just been hell, he can’t get wiobur away from the “socializing” hes doing

but when Wilbur is a bit tipsy he just becomes more charasmatic

truly a king

Less someone putting on a mask for their father

A little bit more authentic

he's a natural, sipping wine with one hand, and shaking hands with the other, crown propped beautifully on his head, million dollar suits hanging off his frame

It’s nice to see his brother in his element

its a bit sad

but its nice

A little yeah, Wilbur’s

Wilbur’s leaving him, not really but

Wilbur being king is-

It’s going to be hard

Different

More than it is already

Wilbur will always love him

But eventually he’ll be too busy for Tommy

Just like Phil is

And it hurts

But that thought is what makes Tommy take a drink of his flask and drag Wilbur to the back room

Wilbur doesn’t have to forget him yet

Tommy looks real regal too

Wilbur wishes that Tommy could see what he sees

But he knows that Tommy’s self worth issues would take more than a nice hug and some warm words to fix

Tommy looks regal, and the gold crown really fits with the whole golden boy aesthetic

and he laughs, and makes conversation with everyome

and everyone eases up around him

Wilbur wishes that Tommy saw what he sees

also

Tommy and Ranboo's texts have been leaked once

Wow so many dog pictures dude

but also

:sparkles:state secrets:sparkles:

That was hell to clean up

it fucking was

it used petnames (which the public is never supposed to know about the nickanmes of royals fun fact)

and said shit about Phil

and detailed Fundy's illness which isn't public

and talked about meetings that Wilbur forced Tommy to attend

Tommy was terrified

Ranboo too

He was so scared someone would be angry at him for it

He doesn’t think he could handle be yelled at for this thing that wasn’t even his fault

like of course he could've not said it over text

but one of his best friends lives an ocean away

and his life is just all about secrets

dont make this something too

:sparkles: hackers :sparkles:

if someone god a hold of Tommy's IP, or Phone, or Phone number

or

dms

they could be using instagram, twitter, or snapchat to have some of these converstaions

dms can get leaked real easily

Mmmm you ever think about Crime Bous

Because all I can think about is when Wilbur does get out of the house, and just like every event they go to

Tommy isn’t a fucking party boy then, he’s just Prince Thomas, Crown Prince William’s baby brother

And they always get photographed and shit

But they have a great time

They’re always smiling when they’re together

Sans Wilbur being a really protective older brother, and when their grandmother died

It’s nice to just go get lunch together at that one specific cafe they’ve been going to for years

Or just walk the dogs together

Just hang out and be brothers

They sit at the same table every time, and Tommy has gotten a Raspberry Lemonade since he was 8

When they walk the dogs, Wilbur holds Walter and Tommy holds Betty

Sunglasses on, big wool overcoats, and pants that were sewn just for them

And they’re seen walking out on the streets during big events a lot too

To like take a breather

Tommy has made a habit of allowing the press to ask him questions whenever they find him

Wilbur on the other hand always knows exactly what to say to press that come up to them

He always shoos them off with a polite “we won’t be answering any question right now thank you” and a blinding smile

And Tommy’s making a face at the press from over his shoulder

Either like sticking his tongue out or making some sort of face at Wilbur

As he gets older, he stops doing it as much because it gets a bit tiring, everything is tiring

But he does it every once in a while, usually a sharp grin over Wilbur’s shoulder accompanied by a middle finger

when like press sees that Wilbur smokes like a lot

hm

big thin

and I feel like Wilbur would straight up be like "its not a big deal, its completely legal"

and hes like smoking 8 cigs a day, but its fine

He doesn’t have an issue

It’s just a little stress relief

King at 21 is a lot to handle

and maybe the stress is so much that it becomes a problem

but hey its his relief

its legal

he's fine

That’s Wilbur’s mantra most of the time

he falls asleep in Tommys bed a lot, waiting for the teen to come home

wilbur does

he finishes a pack, and sighs, rubbing his eyes

The empire is on the brink of war, it always is

He looks in Tommy's room, its empty

And he sits on the bed, waiting

10 minutes later he's asleep

The sheets don’t smell like Wilbur, and Wil thinks that’s what makes it’s so comforting

They don’t stink of nicotine or Wilbur cologne

The smell like Tommy

and while that smell like expensive booze, and coconut shampoo

its perfect

and the dogs are in Tommy's room too

he's a little less alone

Betty is the cuddler

She’ll come up and sleep next to Wil

but she wont do it to just anyone

its a bond, its trust

its the fact that Tommy likes Wilbur

she growls at Phil

she nudges at Kristin, LOVES kristin

anyways

its lonely and sad

because Tommy usually doesnt come back

Tommy snakes back in early in the morning and tucks Wilbur in

Though most times Wilbur falls asleep in Tommys bed

Uncovered

Completely dressed

He’s lucky bettys fur is sleek otherwise his very expensive clothes would be covered

I think Wilbur more often then not will wake up with Tommy in his arms, and that makes him very happy

like, Tommy comes it at 5am, and just snuggles next to Wilbur

It’s makes Tommy sad to know his brother is waiting up for him to never come

But at the same time he’s always so happy to see him when he gets home

I imagine sometimes butlers come to get Wilbur for work, and Tommy makes them leave so that Wilbur can sleep in "Hello your highness, we came to fetch King Wilbur for his morning briefing" "He's sleeping." "Well, I can see that Your Highness -" "So let him sleep." "Prince Thomas -" "Let. Him. Sleep. Okay?" "Yes, Your Highness."

I've decided that Tommy is the big spoon

in these vulranable moments, when Wilbur is weak, Tommy kind of holds him

like obviously there are a lot of tims, where Wilbur wants to hold his baby brother

however, Tommy kind of holds Wilbur, like wraps himself around Wilbur, and puts Wilbur's head in the crook of his neck

this happens when Tommy comes home to find Wilbur in his bed

either this, or Tommy curls into a ball and rests his head against wilburs chest

Tommy has daddy issues

Wilbur has the weiht of the world

Techno has ptsd

Phil: fuck you my kids are completely fine!

Wilbur’s nicotine addiction

Tommys abandonment issues

Technos fucking PTSD

Once, when the empires war was getting really, really bad, and Wilbur had to decide life or death shit

He smoked a whole pack in a day

And then just kept going

His hands wouldn’t stop shaking

why wouldn't they stop fucking shaking

Tommy stopped partying that week, he isn’t ignorant, nor a fucking dick

He was Wilbur’s right hand for as long as he needed him

Despite how badly he wanted to party until he could see straight

His brother needed him

His king needed him

And he will gladly serve Wilbur as long as he would have him

He stood right behind Wilbur

Every decision

He was right behind him

Even if it meant constant decorum and constant royal dress, Tommy was there

And that was a grounding fact

If Tommy hadn’t been there Wilbur thinks he may have lost it that week

Sometimes the only thing that kept Wilbur’s hands from shaking terribly was holding Tommy’s hands

When the advisors and court had left

Tommy would take Wilbur hands and make him do breathing exercises

Wilbur wasn’t allowed to look anywhere other than Tommy’s eyes

They would get through this

Together

They would, Tommy would make sure of it

Tommy in the room also made everyone a bit nervous and loosen up around Wilbur though

Because sometimes they act like they can boss Will around

And Tommy is stone faced, and has the media wrapped around his finger

The court knows that all it would take is one “scandalous statement” from Prince Thomas to end their careers

Wilbur could fire them, but he’s stressed

Any other day, he’s a fucking FORCE to recon with

But Tommy? He’s here to ensure the best or their careers would end

And you know that Tommy has at least 3 sources in the biggest news outlets in the empire

He could get ANYTHING out there

Wilbur’s throne is the biggest in the middle

Two thrones smaller aside him

Within the like office / study / planning room

Tommy's hasn't been used until just then

Tommy finds it quite uncomfy

But he can deal

Also Tommy drops the nicknames for the week or so

No “Big Man”

It was “Will” and “William”

Your Majesty at one or two points

But that felt a little too formal for both of them

Too alienating

Tommy learned a whole fucking lot of fucking politics that week

Not that he didnt listen in his lessons it’s just that

Well

He can’t not listen if he’s not there

It’s different IRL too

Seeing all the decisions

It’s terrifying

And he’s exhausted

Dressing nicely and talking for 12 hours a day about politics

And life / death decisions

So many cuddles dude

Just permanently cuddling if they’re not presently working or “coping”

And I think

That although Wilbur is the one who’s going through it

When they cuddle, Wilbur likes to hold Tommy

Just in the sense that Tommy’s here and safe

In the midst of all the death around Wilbur

He needs to know that his person, his kid is alright

Plus having this one thing this one routine helps him feel a little on control during this out of hand time

:sparkles: Prince Tommy PR leak :sparkles:

I talked about how Tommy was close to his grandmother

and how he was smoking outside of her funeral

maybe it was during that time in his life

really dark place in his mind

smoked and drank every day

Wilbur smoked a lot during that time yet

they probably drank together a few times

like straight up vodka

Just they’re so young and so tired

and so its like, pictures of Wilbur and Tommy (and just Tommy) drinking in the parlor, and in the like, bar area of their private living area, dark eye bags, red eyes, just straight from the bottle

Both of their ties were undone, no jackets, sleeves rolled up to their elbows, Wilbur's top 3 buttons are undone, they're both like manspreading

like they're just at their lowest, particularly Tommy, but Wilbur was having an adjacent bad time

Tommy's hair is a fuckin' mess

HOWEVER, they're both still clean shaven, neither of their shorts or trousers are wrinkled or stained

They may be going through it, but the royal image waits for no one

How does the castle react? Immediate lock down.

Interrogations or some shit

none of the princes are allowed to leave

they have to do clean up

they write scripts essentially for Tommy and Wilbur to adress the press

they need to send out a memo that they don't agree with underage drinking

its all structured, scripted, and written by advisors (and their father)

major damage control

which is just not what Tommy needs right now, because he's like trying to work through his grief

and Wilbur has a fucking fight with his father about that

Phil does not care

They fucked up

Someone else fucked up

And now they’re going to be big boys and fix it Like Phil's going to Tommy's room to get him to look over what his quick press tour and Wilbur jsut stops him in front of the door "He's fucking grieving - Let him have a moment will you? Don't you know how close he was with Gran?" "You messed up. He messed up. Now you're gonna be big boys and fix it." “You’re horrible sometimes you know that?” “I am your father” “Then act like it, your majesty”

meanwhile Tommy: in bed, hasn't slept, major depressive spiral, cuddling Betty, Walter standing guard at his door, holding onto a blanket that his grandmother gave him

just - can't even cry anymore

just empty

Literally just despondent

Staring at the ceiling as Betty noses his face

like good luck getting to get up, let alone read shit

He hasn’t showered in days

He is very much not presentable

like it's only been a week or two since his grandmother's death

and he still is processing

He is no where near done grieving

[aelingalathyniusrailme]

Broken, battered, and beautiful-chapter 2

if you haven’t go check out chapter 1

 “Oh hi.” even in the privacy of her own home elain was clothed in a fine dress made of satin, the color of sunflowers with a high neckline. Gwyn tried to muster up embarrassment for her own plain outfit that most definitely could have been mistaken for sleep wear, but she couldn’t find the energy to care.  

“Hello, um I wanted to come by to say thank you for the other day.” Gwyn felt awkward and uncomfortable, this female had done nothing to wrong her and yet it was difficult to let the protective and territorial instincts go. Azriel was not hers, it was a mantra she replayed in her mind over and over. The words a double edge sword encouraging her to move on with a torturous truth. 

“It’s no worry, I never would have left you on the ground at night” elain smiled warmly, “and besides nesta would have my head if something had happened to you.” gwyn gave her a tight smile, the most she could force herself to manage. 

They stood in an unpleasant silence, the only sound being the soft anxious tapping of gwyns hand on her thigh, a nervous tick she had yet to break. thankfully after a couple dreadfully long seconds elain spoke, “would you like to come in?” 

Gwyn let out a sigh of relief and gave a slight nod of her head. She then followed Elain into her home. As Gwyn's eyes roamed the place she felt as if she had stepped into the spring court, or what it used to look like, she supposed from what Feyre had told her about its current state. 

Elain must have noticed her curious glance at the windows stretching from ceiling to floor with the sun blazing through them, “when I was looking for an apartment I wanted as much sunlight as possible,” she paused to reposition one of her many many plants. “For me” she paused once again, taking in the almost overwhelming amount of blossoms. “And the flowers. In case you haven’t noticed, I have a slight obsession with greenery.” 

“Slight is a modest term.” gwyn noted. She laughed. The sound was sweet and full and covered the room in a joy that could not be masked. Gwyn wished she could say she couldn’t remember the last time she laughed like that, but she had. Darkness coated the once joyous memorie, infecting it with anger and malice. Pain was soon to follow but Gwyn shoved it down, pressing a lid on her emotions, better to feel nothing at all then the heartbreak of what she had lost.

Elain quickly picked up a few scattered papers on her table and pulled out a seat for gwyn. “Would you like some tea? Emerie gave me a few samples but I haven’t had the chance to try them yet.” 

“I would recommend the strawberry green tea, personally I think it’s her best, though most of them are… editable.” 

She raised an eyebrow “most?”

“Well for Emerie's sake I’ll let you form your own opinions but between you and me, I’d keep a safe distance from the lemon ginger.” 

Elain looked amused. “I will keep that in mind.” 

gwyn watched as elain made the tea quietly humming to herself. She set down the cup in front of her, “one strawberry green tea.” Gwyn gave a nod of gratitude before quickly realizing that that was a poor response. God had she lost her manners along with her dignity. 

“Thank you.” 

Once again silence fell over them, the conversation they had both known gwyn had come for hung in the air, hovering, waiting for a moment to strike. But Gwyn had made a promise to Catrin, a promise to her found sisters, and a promise to herself that she would be brave. 

“What happened between you and azriel?” she blurted. Elain took a deep breath before answering, everything about her expression and posture, unsurprised by the question. 

“In order to really understand, I would have to start from the beginning. Are you positive you want to hear the truth?”

No. yes. No.  She did not want to hear, she desperately did not want to hear but she had to know. “Yes.” 

Elain nodded, “It’s been about four years since I became fae and the subject still isn’t my-favorite, but four years ago I was engaged to a man named grayson. Looking back he was truly dreadful and a little bit of a tool. But I was in love, or.” Elain’s cheeks flushed slightly. “what I thought was love. He truly hated the fae and when I became the one thing he hated more than he loved me, his love quickly became fear and his fear fueled his hatred. I was dependent on others, in more ways than one. And with my world being literally and figuratively turned upside down, the one person who was supposed to love and support me through it all, abandoned me without hesitation. Although the argument could be made that I was coddled my entire life and this was a much needed wake up call.” Elain paused, letting out a shaky breath. 

“If this is too difficult for you we can stop.” As much as Gwyn needed to hear this story she would not force Elain to relive her trauma. 

“I owe it to you and to my sister to avoid bad blood between us and if telling you this story is what it takes, then that is the least I can do.” She took a sip of her tea. “Now I knew I had just lost who I thought was the love of my life and then I was forced into the hands of another.” 

Her stepbrother, she thought. “Lucien.” 

“Yes,” elain smiled fondly. “He was my breaking point. All I wanted was to collapse into myself, to pretend that I was still human. But with him I couldn't. He was a walking reminder of everything I hated about myself. The only thing that haunted me more than him was my own reflection. I thought that if I avoided him I could ignore the magnetic pull that drew me to him.” She looked down and bit her lip. “Denial was a personal favorite of mine.” 

Gwyn raised her eyebrows. “I can tell.” she watched as color flooded her cheeks and Gwyn's lips twitched. 

“But it was proving to be a little more difficult than I had expected. And then there was this dark, attractive male who seemed to be intrigued by me. He was kind and he was there so I forced myself to believe I had genuine feelings for him, that I desperately wanted him.” Gwyn's stomach lurched but she forced it down. “He was a perfect distraction, there were these small moments where our fingers would brush or I would find him looking at me as if he desired me. I needed so badly to believe that this was what I wanted and yet I felt nothing. I thought that becoming fae had broken me. I made up my mind that if I kissed him, the feeling I craved would come. So at solstice, when I knew there was no way for him to avoid me, I gave myself an opening and waited until after dinner to give him his gift. He gave me a necklace and kissed my neck. We were moments away from, well you know, when he left very suddenly. I was confused and a little bit hurt and I still felt nothing. So I followed him, and well” elain let out a bitter laugh. “Let's just say Azriel said some rude things.” 

Gwyn’s face was one of constant shock as elain told her the shadowsinger’s conversation with the high lord of the night court. “The only thing he could say about you was Three Brothers, Three Sisters?!?”. 

“Yep.” 

“He thought he was entitled to you because his brothers were mated to your sisters?!? Even though you had a mate??” 

“Exactly” 

“And you guys were so not on the same page, you guys weren’t even in the same gods damn book.” 

She laughed. “I guess that’s what happens when you don’t communicate.” Gwyn's thoughts were a cage of her own making, one she couldn’t escape. She was outraged on behalf of elain, how dare azriel make some sort of claim on her, she was not a toy to be passed around. But she couldn’t help but think first Mor than Elain, what the hell was she to him? Had it all been a game of pretty words and sweet lies? Was she just one of many? 

“Anyway, I decided that the distraction wasn’t worth putting myself through whatever was going on with him so I gave him back the necklace. I assume that he saw you sometime that night or in the next few days because I saw you with the necklace a couple weeks later. I know that I did not have the right to be upset considering I gave it back but, for me, it confirmed that my decision was the right one.” 

Azriel had, in fact, come to her that night Gwyn thought back to solstice 2 years ago. It was the first time she had been alone with him, It was the first time she'd been alone with any male since.

 “Azriel and I barely spoke or interacted since solstice when a couple weeks ago, when I was shopping in town I saw him so drunk he could barely walk. I’d seen him with you a couple times and it seemed like he had changed so I went to go help him and he tried to kiss me. I slapped him and walked away. The next day he came by my apartment and begged me not to tell you. I told him I owe him nothing and closed the door in his face.”. She didn’t owe Gwyn anything either and yet she still defended her. “I then told Nesta what had happened and asked her to tell you.” elain took another sip of tea. “I thought it would have been better if it came from her.” 

Gwyn watched elain, even doing something as mundane as drinking her tea, in this house, she looked more peaceful and in her element as she had ever seen her. Gwyn was also positive this was the most she had ever heard her talk and despite a part of her still wanting to rip her head off, she was grateful for the female and she was sympathetic for what she had gone through, and she was embarrassed for not seeing this side of azriel. 

“I’m sorry.” 

A puzzled look graced elain’s face. “What for?”

“For what you went through, for whatever part I played in your pain.” she chuckled at that. 

“You did nothing wrong, besides if anyone should be apologizing it should be me.” 

Gwyn snorted. “That’s ridiculous.”

“How about it should be azriel apologizing to the both of us.”

“Deal”

elain looked out the window. “Oh speaking of solstice, I have to do my gift shopping.” she glanced at Gwyn, something in her gaze she couldn’t detect, maybe pity, maybe spite from an old grudge, maybe it was genuine, maybe a mix. Whatever it was made her ask, “would you like to come with me?”

And even if it was pity or spite, even if all elain saw was a broken toy in need of saving, she said “yes.”

tagging: @stars-and-scripts  @valkygwyn @em---r @whereisvaughan @purplecherrypie @lattristantketchup @bookish-isha @meher-sumedha @jennysofoldstone @ratabrasileira 

[binniedeactivated]

For the Time Being. || gyu💫

𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒐𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 <3 (i hope you don’t mind if I remixed it a bit)

╰─▸🖤❝ @[𝒃𝒖𝒈𝒔𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒚𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈.. ] 

✎𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈: 𝒃𝒆𝒐𝒎𝒈𝒚𝒖 𝒙 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 

✎ 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒃𝒍𝒆¡ 

✎ 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕; 2k

[@𝒃𝒖𝒈𝒔𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒆] 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒇𝒇..

-ˏˋ🍧 “𝒎𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒖𝒎--𝒇𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆. 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘? 𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒐𝒇𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒂 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆...”.  ˎˊ-

“we have to hurry up choi beomgyu is playing tonight”, yara warns, smearing another coat of ruby red lipstick on her plump, weirdly attractive, heart shaped lips. 

“don’t worry we’ll be on time, let me just do this mascara real quick”. rayne then says shortly after smoothing her sparkly gloss on her lips and twisting the metallic golden cap of her mascara specially made by kylie jenner. you always thought elongated lashes perfectly complimented her beautiful brown skin. 

“right? we’re lucky we’re doing our makeup right now or else we’d never get a spot on the bleechers. yara is hella pressed for no reason”. sage quickly wits making you and rayne laugh in unison but only making yara scoff and look at her funny through the bathroom mirror. 

you would apply some eyeshadow, eyeliner, hell even mascara but you weren’t really talented at that. last time you did your makeup the girls teased you for looking like you were heading straight into your casket. so you left those things alone and instead did something you worked best at which was fashion. 

you wore a two piece pastel pink halter top with a tightly fitted skirt to match. you curled your hair as best you could and parted it to the side. you thought you looked pretty cute, especially with the soft pink half rhinestone/half fur chunky slides that you wore. you weren’t rich by any means, so you definitely tried your best to keep up with your friends whose makeup always outdid anything you wore. 

“i’m not pressed, and honestly the most pressed one in this room right now is the pink panther over there glaring at herself in the mirror”. yara combats, popping her lips in the midst of rayne and sage’s laughter to make sure she had enough on. 

“how am I pressed? you’re the one rushing us”. you reply trying to seem as unbothered as physically possible. it was harder to be unbothered when you actually were. you were bothered every single time, in fact. but that’s how everyone in your friend group interacted with one another, so you didn’t want to feel like the sensitive one. 

“you wore all that just so beomgyu can notice you? you did the absolute most. imagine having to wear skin tight clothes to be noticed”. yara always had this playful demeanor whenever she said things like this, so you never knew when she was actually joking. making it even harder for you to know when to be properly angry. 

“girl leave her alone. if she wants to walk around the game looking like she’s in a strip club then let her”. rayne defends. well, that’s how you interpreted it at least. 

she was defending you right? 

you laugh it off, “can you guys relax? it’s just an outfit”. 

“yeah anyways--”. yara neverminds, sparking another fit of laughter out of rayne and sage. sage rubs your shoulder in a half assed apology, “girl you know we’re just playing with you”. she assures. 

yeah, playing. except you were always waiting for the joke to start.

speaking of playing, the University’s varsity team was playing well. It was the biggest game of the year after all, so it was only right that they gave it their all. but up by 50 points during halftime? that was a guaranteed win. 

“god look at him, he’s so sexy”. yara stared, referring to beomgyu who was currently taking a rest to drink some water from his bottle, his long wet black locks desperately clinging to his forehead, sweat glissading down the milky skin of his neck and his ear piercings shining under the beams of the basketball court.

“he looks sexy sweaty, I can only imagine him shirtless”. rayne adds, just as stargazed as yara. 

you roll your eyes at them both. yeah he was cute, you thought. given, he’s the university’s most valuable player. but the way girls obsessed over him was utterly insane. you got the concept of a crush definitely, but you knew rayne and yara would downright stalk him if they ever got the chance. 

“the thirst is real”. you scoff before standing up, adjusting the purse chain dangling off your shoulder.  “I’m going to the snack bar. you guys coming?”. 

“oh my god he’s about to come over here”. yara freaks, anxiously tapping rayne’s hand. “i’m going to talk to him”. she adds while shuffling through her purse trying to find her lipstick. 

“calm down. he could be going to see his family”. you point out, not wanting her to get her hopes up only for them to be quickly shot down. rayne gave you this spiteful gaze before rolling her eyes. you knew she was going to crack another friendly joke.

“just because you can’t get a boyfriend to save your life doesn’t mean she can’t”. she sasses, leaving sage in utter shock. “damn rayne. that shit was kind of cold”. 

“she’ll get over it she always does”. she dismisses before helping yara get ready. your heart sunk, you wanted to cry. you wanted to just run back to your dorm and stay there for the rest of your life. but again, you couldn’t be the sensitive one. you maintained yourself by rolling your eyes in a sassy manner and heading to the snack bar alone. 

it was hard pushing through hoards of people who were stoked about the game. most of them damn near yelling about what team was going to make a comeback and how. you even almost ran into someone’s baby stroller, that’s how crowded the school gym was. all this, and all you wanted was a candy bar. 

to be quite honest, you didn’t know if you wanted to take your candy bar and go back to your seat or take your candy bar and leave. 

rayne knew that was something you were insecure about. yet she ridiculed you about it anyway. 

you swallowed the knot in your throat. trying to push her words to the back of your mind. 

“damn you alright? you look like you’re about to cry”. 

you turn to the voice beside you, wanting to pinch yourself at the sighting of choi beomgyu. you quickly fix your composure. 

“i’m fine. i’m just--anyway you’re playing well tonight. the university is definitely never going to stop talking about this”. you say with your heart fluttering. he nods in appreciation. he found it hard for his eyes to glare into yours so he fidgeted a lot. he was shy, but of course he was trying to play it off. 

“thank you. you sure you’re okay?”. 

“of course. why wouldn’t I be?”. 

“well I may not be an expert when it comes to girls... but they can say the opposite of what they feel sometimes”. 

“it’s really nothing beomgyu. you should get back to the court, the news is interviewing your teammates”. you say brushing a strand of hair behind your ear. not realizing that beomgyu was watching you closely-- wondering how in the hell someone could be so pretty. 

feeling his eyes you turn to him and he diverts his gaze quickly to the cashier since you both were next in line. he wanted to slap himself for almost getting caught. he smiles softly at the guy, “hey can I have a hotdog please?”. he asks and pulls out his wallet. you admit you were kind of shocked at his manners. 

shouldn’t star athletes be mean? cocky even? 

“would you like anything?”. he questions and you shake your head quickly. “no it’s okay I got it”. you assure before paying for your snack minutes after. you were expecting him to get his food and quickly run off to the guys but he didn’t. he was sort of waiting for you. 

no way was this happening right now.

you shyly stroll towards him so the both of you could continue your walk back to the bleechers.

alongside you, beomgyu took a breath, and decided to just go for it. 

just say it, beomgyu. she won’t reject you. 

“you know um--to be pretty you’re actually really timid”.

you stifle a blush from going to your cheeks. “well, when your self confidence is shot down by your friends everyday what else can you be”. you say sarcastically. 

“that doesn’t sound like a friend to me”. he replies. 

“yeah I guess that’s just how they bond with others? I don’t know. but it hurts even more when they do it for--worthless reasons”. 

“like what?”. 

“over a boy”.

“that’s pretty fucked up. they ruin your self esteem everyday over guys?”. 

“pretty much but I should be used to it at this point. I don’t want to be too sensitive maybe I’m just rambling”. 

“it’s not being sensitive if it really hurts your feelings. do you stand up for yourself?”. 

“i try but it backfires”. 

“revenge?”. 

you roll your eyes, pulling the chain of your purse back onto your shoulder. “how the hell am I going to get revenge on all three of them? they look better than me anyways”. you mumble. 

“well what guy is making them say all that?”. 

you nervously bit the insides of your cheeks and sigh.  

“you”. you mutter underneath your breath. “but I mean what would you care anyway? it’s not like that’s the first time you heard that someone liked you. several even. just go join your teammates beomgyu. don’t waste your time talking to me”. you quickly add. 

“I care enough to make them jealous”. 

“what?”. 

“maybe we can um--fake date. you know? at least so they can get off your ass a little”. 

your heart starts to pound in rates you never thought you’d reach. fake date? with choi beomgyu? is he joking?

“i can’t ask you to do that you have too much of a reputation on your shoulders”. 

“you didn’t ask me I’m offering. and I’m willing to do it as long as it’s okay with you of course. just a favor as friends. I promise to end it once you’re satisfied with the damage done.”. 

“w-well--”. 

“and I’m pretty sure as many times as they made you feel bad about yourself this one thing could ruin them all”. he chuckles sweetly. 

“it’s not that it’s just I’ve never even had a boyfriend before so how will I even act?”. 

“well first--”. beomgyu pauses to place his soft, way larger might you add- hand into yours. he squeezes it for good measure. “we hold hands”. 

oh god--he was only your hands and sparks of electricity shot through your veins. 

“but don’t you think we’re moving too fast? i go to the snack bar once and now I come back with a boyfriend”. you laugh. 

he chuckles, “don’t tell them we’re dating. look I’ll walk you back to your seat and do some flirtacious shit and you just follow my lead”. 

you nod with your nerves burning holes through your stomach. you finally approach the spot where you were sitting and you could see the girls freak out until they noticed his hand intertwined with yours. 

you diverted your gaze as beomgyu walked up the bleechers with you and led you to your seat. you cross your legs, trying to make things look as natural as possible. 

“thank you gyu”. you daintily smile and he smiles back. 

“no problem, don’t lose the number I gave you. I have to get back to the game”. you nod assuringly and wondered how the hell gyu was so good at this. you were practically torn on the inside. 

“I won’t. play well!”. you shout after him. “always!”. he shouts back blowing a kiss at you while making his way to the court before halftime was over. 

it was fake but, why were you smiling from ear to ear?

[fanartfunart]

Fly Away: Episode 7, Theatrix

Ao3 - First - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6

(Féline Sombre & Paon Lilas designs)

Summery: An AU where Adrien never went to in-person school, not getting the cat miraculous, and found the peacock miraculous. - The school holds an audition for a play and Chloé is determined to sabotage Lila's audition. It goes about as expected in terms of akuma-creation.

-

The black box theater was small. Assorted students unfolded the bleachers of the theater seats. Chloé watched Marinette and her gaggle of friends in the theater crew chatter while they set up the theater room. She hummed as she stood on the edge of the stage.

“Quaint,” Chloé rolled her eyes, “This better not be where we’re actually holding the play, or I’ll have to talk to the manager of this whole mess. Sabrina, did you remember my costume?” She asked, looking at her nails.

“Oh… no… It’s only a school audition. Do you need it?” they said. She held the script and a makeup bag against her chest.

“I need it to get into the role! The mind of the character! You know that!” Chloé huffed, turning to look at them with crossed arms.

“Oh-oh sorry! I’ll go get it!” 

“Go! Go! Hurry, we only have half an hour before I’ll be on stage!”

Sabrina squeaked and scrambled out of the room. They narrowly avoided crashing into Lila. “Sorry!”

Lila smiled, “Don’t worry about it,” she waved as Sabrina raced out of the room. She walked up to Chloé. “Fancy meeting you here. Auditioning for the role of an extra?”

Chloé huffed, “Of course not, I will only take a starring role, of course.”

“Oh really? I mean, keep your hopes up high, right? I’m sure the teacher would want the most experienced actor, unfortunately for you.”

“Ha! I’m sure he’ll know talent when he sees it. Besides, I know about professional acting from my best friend, Adrien~ I’ve even helped him in some of his photo shoots.”

“Of course, of course…” Lila rolled her eyes then tilted her head, “Oh, speaking of Adrien, what are you going to do about that book Marinette stole?”

“Yeah yeah, you told me about that weeks ago. Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous. Fun fact, I don’t care about what you say!” Chloé smiled sharply, “You’re just jealous that we’re friends with Adrien and you’re just another one of his little fans. Alya told me Marinette lost it and was intending to give it back. They even went back to look for it. Alya isn’t my favorite journalist but she knows how to get the truth.”

Lila hummed, “Of course. It’s not like Alya couldn’t be lying to protect her best friend,” she sighed, “I’m just looking out for him.”

Chloé frowned and folded her arms, “Right, because you’re sooooo sweet.”

“Aw, I’m glad you think so,” Lila smiled. Chloé glared at her.

“I have your costume!” Sabrina cheered, holding the outfit against her chest. “Er…” They glanced between Chloé and Lila. She grabbed Chloé’s arm, pulling her away, “Let’s go get you ready!”

Chloé maintained a glare as she was dragged away. They walked into a back room, and Chloé huffed. She took the outfit from Sabrina. “I’m going to destroy her chances at getting any role in this play.”

Sabrina grimaced, “Chloé… you can’t solve everything like this-”

“I can too!” Chloé scoffed, “Eliminating her will even give me an upper hand in the audition. If Lila wants to be the center of attention she’ll be the center of attention,” Chloé walked out from behind the dressing screen and spun in the dress, “Come Sabrina, I have a plan.”

They frowned, “I’m not going to help you.”

“Huh? Why not?"

"It's going to hurt her feelings. There's plenty of spots in the play, you can get the lead even with Lila in the running. You need to be the better person."

"...I’ll let you borrow my new scarf?”

Sabrina shook her head, “Sorry Chloé, but I can’t help you.”

Chloé blinked. She huffed, “Fine, I don’t need your help.” She turned on her heel with a flick of her hair.

They watched Chloé storm off and glanced at the floor. Something sharp threatened their heart. She shoved it down, racing to follow her best friend.

Something moved behind the curtains when Lila got onto the stage. ...And no trace of Chloé. Sabrina frowned. She wasn't seriously going to sabotage Lila still... was she? They slipped away from their seat and up to the backstage.

Chloé glared at Sabrina from her hiding spot. As if to spite her, she maintained eye contact as she slid a banana peel under the curtain onto the stage. Sabrina frowned and glanced towards Lila. Gasping, they lunged forward and grabbed the banana peel before Lila could step back into it. 

She giggled awkwardly as Lila turned, looking at her. She glared, clearly assuming she was the one planting the tripping hazard. Sabrina inched backwards, back behind the curtain. Chloé frowned. She glanced at the lights and raced for them as quietly as possible. Sabrina gasped and raced after her. 

Getting into the light booth, Chloé glanced at the buttons to see which one would help her ruin Lila's audition. The booth door slammed open.

"Chloé, don't," Sabrina whispered urgently.

"I'm not listening to you ex-best-friend. Just don't get in my way and I'll think about taking you back as my best friend."

Sabrina gasped, taking a step back. The sharp thing came back, digging into her heart. "Chloé, please."

"Hm? Who said that?" Chloé taunted. She pressed a button to turn off the lights. The crowd in the theater murmured to each other.

Sabrina surged forward and flipped the light back on. Instead of returning to normal, the lights grew intensely bright. The theater teacher was glaring at her, and Chloé was already making her way down the steps casually. As if she had nothing to do with it.

"The lights are prohibited to students right now! Get down here!" The instructor called. Sabrina squeaked, scrambling out of the booth.

Blinded by the sudden light, Lila stumbled, hair flopping into her face as she caught herself. Her shoe slipped off and was flung into the rafters, stuck. A ruckus of giggles echoed from the students watching the performance. 

Lila stood up, flushing in mortification.

The teacher wasn't even watching her. Too busy telling Sabrina why she wasn't allowed in the light booth. She glared at the redhead, then to the giggling students. Well. She wouldn't give them the time of day. Let alone the satisfaction of seeing her embarrassment. She marched out the door. Fists clenched and face burning. 

Lila fumed all the way to the courtyard. A purple butterfly fluttered down from the sky. Lila turned, face to face with the purple butterfly. She stared at it. She'd never been akumatized before, but she'd seen plenty. The chance to gain power was far too enchanting. She raised the crumpled script in her hand, and it disappeared into the paper. 

“Theatrix, I am Hawkmoth.”

Paon Lilas kicked his legs against the edge of a roof, humming to himself. Yet again, his father was gone all day. Marinette, Chloé and Sabrina were at school for their play and Kagami was busy at a dinner party with her mother, so he couldn't hang out with any of them to fill the empty space in his heart. There was no trace of the book to occupy his time chasing. So instead he was on a roof, taking in the feeling of being someone not Adrien. A pair transformed into someone a little more whole than either half alone. 

He glanced in the direction of the school with a wistful sigh. He tilted his head. A red curtain covering the building. Fluttering over the building. Whatever was that? He stood, eyes wide. Leaping to the building, he circled the curtain. He reached out to touch it, and a small red blur flew out of the curtain. He stumbled backwards. 

The kwami looked up at him, gasping. “Paon Lilas.”

“Sugercube, did you find the exi- oof!” A black kwami bumped into the red one, shaking his head and frowning, “Well if it isn’t Big Bird.”

“Wait… You’re not Ladybug and Féline Sombre’s-”

“We are. I’m Tiki and this is Plagg,” the red kwami introduced, gesturing. She zipped up towards Paon Lilas’s face. Her eyes narrowed at him for a moment. Seeming to weigh her options, the kwami very seriously pointed back inside. “Our holders are trapped inside. You must stop the akuma yourself so that Ladybug can cleanse it.”

“Ladybug and Féline? How?” 

“They fell for some cheap theatrics and illusions,” Plagg sighed, waving a paw, “Look kid, we couldn’t get to them without being caught. So I guess it’s up to you, Feather Fluff… Oh well! Got any Camembert by chance?”

“We will attempt to assist however, right Plagg?” Tiki huffed, paws on her hips.

"Yeah yeah, but some cheese before we go would be nice," Plagg said with a sigh.

“I don’t have any cheese…” Paon Lilas shook his head and geared up to run inside, “Alright, let’s go then-”

“You can’t dive in head first!” Tiki exclaimed, pushing back on his chest. 

“Why not?” Paon Lilas and Plagg asked at the same time. Paon tilted his head at the black kwami, confused. One minute he’s trying to get out of coming with, the next he’s anxious to get going?

Tiki sighed, “You need a plan. The entire school is shrouded in an illusionary world. We need to be cautious.”

Paon Lilas huffed, “Okay, uh, I’ll figure it out when I get in there.” Paon ran into the curtain, Plagg close behind. Tiki sighed as she followed them. 

The lights were blinding, as if a spotlight was pointed at him. He looked around past the light, as he was far too used to doing. The room was a grand stage, with a graded wooden floor and endless rows of empty seats beyond the stage.

He could feel himself automatically changing how he walked. Less of a heroic stride and more of a model’s purposefully casual sashe. The one that he’d practiced so often it became second nature. Far too Adrien Agreste while he was Paon Lilas. An intense feeling surrounded the realization, shaking him to his core. Yet, even with his powers to help, he couldn’t quite place what that feeling was. His heart squeezed, like a spasm in his chest. Like he’d been dunked in ice-cold waters. 

He grit his teeth in determination and focused on the emotions around him. He couldn't sense the emotions of the kwami to his surprise. Maybe that was to hide their holders from anyone with this power. He glanced around. Hints of people's emotions were everywhere. But he didn't see anyone. "Weird," he muttered. "Ok I can… tell people are here but, I don't see anyone..." He doubled over with a hacking cough.

“Woah kid, are you okay?” Plagg said, zipping in front of his face.

He nodded, "Fine. Just… I've been ill, don't worry about it."

Tiki hovered over his shoulder, "Try to pinpoint the Akuma if you can."

Eerily cheerful music twinkled around them, coming from nowhere in particular. 

"Well hello," a familiar voice sang, "Well, where were you now?" Sabrina was suddenly across from him, spotlighted. They wore a historical suit, accented in purple and blue flourishes, and a masquerade mask that looked like it had been paper crafted. They walked towards him with a light bounce, as if she was about to break into dance. “We’ve been waiting for you~ Welcome to the show!” She spun, grabbing his arms. They continued with a cheerful sounding song, dragging him along into a dance;

“We’ll have singing and dancing for you, /Oh yes, ever the hero, /Come with us, birdy, fly the coop! /You don’t need to worry, no”

Tiki hovered over his shoulder, “Don’t listen to them! The singing is what created the illusion!”

“Here in this land of dreams come true! /You’ll be happy here, you know. /We hope you can join us too, /Welcome to the show!”

Paon Lilas tugged away from their grip, shifting into a fighting stance, glaring as they continued to twirl around him. “But... Sabrina’s not the akuma, is she?”

“No, of course not!” Plagg called out, looking at the teen with more concern than Paon expected.

Sabrina bowed with a welcoming gesture and was joined by several other students in masquerade style outfits, in a grand finale of their opening song.

“You’ll be happy, yes /Unless you try to escape /Our leader demands success! /We wouldn’t want to cause a mess, /You see, this is no rescue, /It’s just the beginning though, /We’ve been waiting for you, /Welcome to the show! /We’re pleased to introduce our noblesse, /We’re sure she will impress, /The grand stage’s greatest actress, /Please welcome Theatrix!”

A light burst onto the stage in front of him. Paon Lilas shielded himself and the kwamis with his fan from the brightness. He slowly lowered the fan as a hypnotic voice vocalized to the growing music.

“Well, well, well,” Theatrix sung. She had bright red hair, pinned back loosely with a white rose clip. She wore a white suit with long floor-length coat tails, which rolled up like a scroll. Her suit collar had a large black bow. She wore a white masquerade mask accented with lines of writing. She practically shimmered in the light as she smiled at him. “Welcome to my show.”

The lights immediately went out. Paon Lilas strained to make out where everyone was in the sudden dark. He knew how to walk on a dark stage well enough. Familiarizing himself with the incline (there was surprisingly none), he kept a cautious distance from the edge.

The light faded in again and Theatrix was next to him. She propped an arm on his shoulder. Everyone else was busying themselves with various tasks, around what now appeared to be a dinner hall. She was mostly calm, but anger and embarrassment boiled under the surface. She must’ve been the second calmest akuma he’d met…. After his own father.

“So,” she said, uncomfortably close, “Here to nicely hand over your miraculous? Where’s your friends?”

Paon Lilas threw her off, shifting into a fighting stance, “...They’re not… they’re not my friends. I’m by myself.” 

“Oh?” Theatrix tilted her head, “So you’re all alone~” she sung, “All by your lonesome.” Music trickled back in, gentle and quiet… dark.

“Oh don’t start-” Paon huffed. He raced forward with a swing. She jumped out of the way, and beckoned Sabrina and Chloé forward as the pair began to harmonize with her.

“So you’ve come to save the day, /Without a friend to aid you~ /Your heart calls out to me, /Lonely darling, come with me,”

“I’m not lonely,” he interrupted with a glare. 

Plagg zipped around from one hiding place to the next, looking up at Sabrina. Trying to figure out how to release them from the akuma’s hold. 

“You’ve been wishing, /Wishing for a friend, oooh, /Darling let me guide you-”

Paon Lilas shook his head, “Get out of my head!” His voice came out sing-song, matching Theatrix’s haunting voice. She smiled. He looked around frantically. He needed to find a way to ignore her song properly. He spotted a boy with headphones loosely hanging around his neck.

“I can heal the hurt, /Just come and stay with me, /Forever~”

He ran up to the boy and snatched his headphones. Nino turned on him, grabbing his wrist.

“Stay,” he sang in tune with Theatrix.

“Don’t fool yourself, /We can be your friends /Forever~”

Paon Lilas twisted himself with a grunt, escaping Nino’s grip, “Not like this, not ever,” he sang, and pulled the headphones over his ears. It muffled the music, and the scene faded, revealing the school courtyard. Theatrix glared at him and pointed. "Get him."

The idle students turned towards him. Paon's eyes widened as he was tackled. He yelped and struggled to keep them off.

"I've got to find out how to release everyone from her hold! Any ideas would be great," Paon harshly whispered, trying to spot the kwamis in the fray. 

Tiki zipped up to him "Everyone's lure song was different. If you can figure out why, maybe you can release them!"

Paon Lilas huffed, barely blocking a tackle from Marinette, stumbling backwards. "Okay, okay."

"You can dive deeper into people's emotions and get some surface reasoning!" Plagg said, "Just focus."

"I can?" Paon Lilas kicked his attacker's legs from under them, coughing.

"You can. Your powers work similarly to Hawkmoth. You can do this, I believe in you!" Tiki cheered.

He leaped up to the second floor of the building now that he could actually see it. With a frown he paused and focused on the dulled emotions of the first person he saw, Sabrina. 

The emotions felt slippery, as if he was trying to catch water with his bare hands. Fear, abandonment, concern, duty. He closed his eyes, trying to focus on the why. 

Behind his eyelids, he saw it. Sabrina reached out to the retreating figure of Chloé, expression outright heartbroken. He opened his eyes. "Her," he pointed the redhead out to the kwamis, "Sabrina. Did either of you guys hear her song?"

Plagg waved a paw lazily, "Some boring ditty about being used and being left behind."

Paon Lilas frowned, "I have an idea… It's dangerous. But if I can confirm it I should be able to make a sentimonster to free everyone."

"Careful," Tiki whispered.

He leaped down and grabbed Sabrina, who shrieked. With gymnastic grace, they twirled in his hold and kneed him in the gut. He sputtered on a cough, but kept her grip on them. He was quickly surrounded, and he struggled to fight them all off while keeping Sabrina in his hold. 

"I'm trying to help you!" Paon shouted, frustration mounting. 

The headphones were ripped off his head. Theatrix dangled them from her finger, humming. 

"What do you want, /What do you really want, dear /What is in your heart, /This is your brand new start!"

Paon let Sabrina slip out of his hands. He covered his ears, brows furrowed.

"Just tell ussss. /What do- /You want~ oh ooh-oh! /Just give me your heart's song /I'll give you your heart's wants, /All I need is a heart song, /Open your soul, dear. /Give it to meeee, /What do- /You want~" 

Tears streaked down his face. The song just bubbled up in his chest before he could stop it. Theatrix echoed him, smiling and drawing closer, like a circling shark.

"I want a lifeee /Impossible to reach. /I want people /Who I'll never see /Nothing will give me, /What I need. /Nothing could be, /What I truly want. /Deep down, I know /My heart still bleeeedss- /For someone, /I'll never see!-" He choked as a hazy silhouette of his mother blurred in his vision. "Again…"

He twisted his eyes shut and shook his head, he spoke, "She's gone, an illusion won't bring her back..."

"What do you want, /It will be easy for me," Theatrix continued, gently touching his cheek, "soft as a dream, /Real as can beeeee~ /But only if you, /Give your miraculous to me."

The two kwamis made sounds of alarm.

Paon Lilas looked down at the brooch and clamped a hand around it, "No."

"...No?"

"You won't take him away from me too. I can’t get her back, but I can still hold onto this!" 

He threw off the few remaining people holding him in place and grabbed Sabrina. She tried to throw him off again, but expecting it, he hoisted them into a fireman carry. He leaped up out of immediate reach, yelping as Theatrix followed close behind. He deposited Sabrina on the roof and held her arms.

"Listen to me. You're worth so much, Sabrina, just break free. You're smart and kind and generous. Please, be generous to yourself and break free. Chloé won't leave you, you're her best friend. Trust me."

"...How do you know? How do you know I won't be alone?"

"You're never alone. You… you have family. You can even make new friends! I'll even be there if you need me, I promise."

"Paon...Lilas?" They said, cautious, tilting their head, "...When did you get here?"

He chuckled uneasily, "Not too long. Are you with me? No more illusionary world?"

"Illusions…" Sabrina gasped, "Oh no an Akuma?!"

"It’ll be okay! I...have it handled. Mostly. But… I need a little help. Can you release the rest of the people Theatrix captured?"

"Of course!" Sabrina exclaimed. She gasped and pushed him out of the way, "Lilas watch out!"

He coughed as he tumbled down the slope of the roof. Theatrix was fuming. He couldn't see where Sabrina went.

He latched onto her clear determination, her drive to help, and quickly plucked a feather from the fan, "Fly Away little Amok, and give them a helping hand!”

"You're done for Birdy! You're ruining everything! It was nearly perfect!" Theatrix shrieked.

"Purrfection is impossible to strive for, didn't you know that?" Paon Lilas called back. Theatrix growled and flung herself at him.

The feather landed in Sabrina's glasses. A floating mirror appeared in front of her and an image of herself smiled back at her, waving. She stared at it, shocked. 

"I need you to show Mirror Me to everyone you see and convince them to leave their illusion like I did with you! It should show you what they're seeing and the song they were lured with." Paon Lilas said over their telepathic connection.

Sabrina snuck back down and harshly whispered "Plagg?!"

The kwami zipped over to her with a teary giggle, "Oh, don't do that again."

They smiled softly, cuddling the kwami against their cheek, "I won't. Come on, Plagg, Claws Out!"

Féline Sombre looked up towards Paon Lilas struggling to keep Theatrix at bay. She frowned, focusing on the students and friends trapped in their illusionary worlds.

“Oh, to no longer live in a world so secret, /Close to friends, close to family, /Nothing to take it all away in a minute. /Oh, to be open and free /Who would care I’m a klutz, /When the world is happy. /Safe and carefree,” Marinette sang as she flitted around the bakery with the hazy “casual” form of Féline Sombre. “Oh! To no longer live in a world so secret, /No more lies, no more cries, /Nothing to take my friends too quick.” She giggled as Tiki and Plagg zipped past, openly, stealing away with a bag of cookies.

“Oh, to be open and free, /Who would care I’m not strong enough, /When the world is happy. /Safe and carefree.”

“Listen to me!” Féline Sombre’s voice called out, “I know it would be nice for us to be safe, but we’re not until we defeat Hawkmoth. This isn’t real.”

Marinette tilted her head, then looked around at the cheerful world, “But it looks so…”

“Paon Lilas needs our help… Er, I need your help.”

Marinette blinked and her hazy “casual” Féline Sombre, solidified into the masked version. She sighed at the loss. “One day...” she whispered. They held out a hand and she took it.

Féline Sombre smiled at her, as Marinette looked around the courtyard. Several other students were moving around, trying to talk to their friends. “Try to release as many of your friends as possible, Paon Lilas made a sentimonster that can help you know what their illusions are.”

Marinette nodded numbly.

Paon Lilas fell through the roof with a panicked yell, and thudded onto the ground. Theatrix landed on him, knee pushing against his chest. He sputtered painful coughs, struggling weakly. Féline Sombre gasped and raced forward. Theatrix rushed to meet her, kicking their legs from under them. Tiki zipped over to Paon Lilas and placed her paws over his chest, on the peacock miraculous, a frown flickering on her small face. She glanced up to spot Marinette and gasped.

Marinette ran in the opposite direction, trying to find a good spot to hide. She ducked into the bathroom, opening her purse “Tiki! Sp-” she sputtered to a stop. Her heart leaped into her throat. The kwami wasn’t there. “Tiki?!” She looked around, “No, no, no, Tiki?” 

Tiki phased through the door, “I saw you get released from the akuma’s control but you ran so fast!” 

Marinette laughed in mild hysteria and relief, “Ohmygoodness, you’re here, oh thank goodness.”

“I’m always here for you. But right now, we need to help them Marinette!” 

Marinette nodded in determination, “Tiki, spots on!”

Paon Lilas hadn’t moved. Féline Sombre was fighting Theatrix and the remaining students under her control. Paon Lilas still hadn’t moved. He laid on the floor, curled in clear pain. 

“Lucky Charm!” Ladybug called, figuring she didn’t have a second to lose. The charm produced a gauze. “Oh no-” She glanced towards Paon Lilas, who struggled to stand up, his miraculous beeping incessantly. 

She ran towards him. “Let me help-”

His eyes were wide with panic. Bracing an arm against his chest, he ran. She saw the flash of light from the detransformation just as he opened the door to a classroom. Pushing the desire to follow him out, she refocused on Theatrix and Féline Sombre. 

“Ladybug! I’m pretty sure the akuma is in the mask! It’s the one consistent thing in her and her minions,” Féline Sombre called, “But I can’t reach it because she keeps moving!”

Ladybug nodded, and glancing at the gauze and Theatrix, she leapt into action. “Kitty, cataclysm now!” 

“You got it, Bug! Cataclysm!”

She twirled her yoyo to capture Theatrix’s arms, and created a loop with the gauze to stop her from thrashing her head. She strained to keep her secured as the remaining students still under her control tried to grab Ladybug’s arms and pull Theatrix free.

Féline worked faster than the controlled people, luckily. The paper mask turned to ash in the cataclysm, and the purple butterfly fluttered out. The illusion fell. 

Ladybug took a moment to sigh in relief before capturing and purifying the pesky butterfly. She raised a hand for Féline Sombre to high-five.

“Miraculous Ladybug!” she called, throwing the gauze into the air.

Lila looked up at the pair with a remorseful look. “Oh- oh what happened? Why am I here?”

Féline Sombre leaned down and offered a hand to help Lila up. “You were akumatized…”

Ladybug looked around, noticing the sentimonster had disappeared. A spike of urgency pricked in Ladybug’s mind. “I need to get Paon Lilas!” Ladybug exclaimed, racing to the classroom the boy had detransformed in.

Adrien kept his back to his door, taking harsh, crackling breaths. “I need to get out of here,” He muttered towards Dusuu. The kwami looked at him, eyes wide and tearful.

Between gasping sobs, he said, “Adrien, the miracle cure didn’t even help, you need to start being more careful...” 

He nodded, “I will-” he coughed, and the door moved against his back.

Ladybug knocked urgently, “Paon! Let me in.” 

He stood up, bracing the door closed. He exchanged a worried look to Dusuu, “Dusuu, spread my feathers!” He raced forward to the window and Ladybug managed to open the door just as he started climbing through the window. They both stopped, staring at each other. 

Ladybug raised her hands like he was a skittish animal, “Are you alright?”

“Fine,” He wheezed out, he swallowed, leaning out the window and looking down.

“Wait- please, just tell me who you are! Just… let me explain.”

He closed his eyes, listening to her footsteps slowly come closer. She was worried. But that didn’t mean she was worried for him. She was frustrated too. She was definitely frustrated about him. 

Her footsteps were getting too close. He snapped his eyes open and jerked back. She took a step backward. He coughed, and shook his head, “Sorry.” He leaped out the window and left her standing alone. He didn’t look back.

Tiki paced through the air as much as a floating creature could pace.

"Usually I'm the one freaking out, what's wrong?" Marinette asked as she finished her Paon Lilas doll.

"The peacock miraculous... it's broken," Tiki said, frowning, "I... don't know how."

"It didn't look broken? ...Does it being broken hurt you guys?"

"Yes, and our holders," Tiki said, eyes wide. Terrified. "We need to find them and we need to fix the miraculous."

"...How do we do that?"

"The spellbook."

[redeemedsoutlaw]

Robin of Locksley was not your typical teenager. Days were spent running through nearby forests perfecting archery whilst making friends with villagers, evenings adorned in the most uncomfortable of outfits to dine with nobility and nights dreaming of a life he wished for himself. Of course being born third in line for the throne didn’t leave much chance for dreams coming true. From a very young age Robin accepted his FATE. Sherwood was not a terrible place to grow or possibly lead one day. The court and crown were growing a mindset different from those prior, subjects loyal and loved by those who resided within the castle walls, leniency to roam within reason for adventures most heirs could only wish for and the ability to make friends outside of noble blood. Many of days were spend sitting under a large oak with Little John and Marian discussing the many opportunities life could provide if they only had the courage to reach out. Robin was not naive to the guards keeping watch on his every move but did nothing to acknowledge their presence as if it were an act of defiance. Life was pretty spectacular save for one thing… an arranged marriage.

It was ridiculous to have a woman promised before even meeting. Word of the girls beauty had reached Sherwood shortly after the arrangement had been made with a neighboring kingdom in favor of Prince Henry. The prince’s family were not in line for a throne nor did he reside within castle walls which was intriguing. Perhaps this Regina would be different from those princesses and duchesses met in the past. As fascinating as the prospect of meeting this young woman was it came with the reality he had no choice. Love was something to sacrificed for duty. Perhaps the arrangement would end with unconditional love and support much like his parents, but the hope was bleak.

Laughter echoed through the forest as Robin hung from a tree beside his best mate. Time meant nothing as the sun rose above. These days would now be numbered as the future King had taken ill. Whatever disease that ailed the man was kept under wraps to prevent any foreign enemies from staging a coup or trying to take the kingdom for themselves. As soon as eyes closed for the final time so would the walls to the kingdom for Robin.

“Aren’t you to meet your future wife this day?”

Eyes widened and feet quickly found purchase on the ground beneath. Breakfast had been skipped in favor of attending a festival in a nearby village this morning meaning the days events were not presented as normal. Goodbye, John! Was rushed out as feet quickly pushed against earth as quick as possible. A glare was set on one of the Locksley’s servants faces waiting for his arrival. I’m sorry! There was no time for apologies as several went to work cleaning up the dirt from skin the best possible without a proper bath. Bloody hell, Regina was going to detest him at first meeting. Mother was not going to be pleased.

They went to work dressing the man but before the green tunic lined in gold cords with a royal crest just above the breast could be placed on Robin rushed out the door ignoring the calls after him. At least he had grabbed the outwear on his way! A cream shirt was worn over black leather breeches complete with an impressive pair of boots. Their local craftsmen really knew how to put together a pair of boots! Blonde hair had been brushed through but still remained wild due to the amount of curls from earlier swimming. This is most definitely not how the Locksleys would present their son but they had no choice. The trumpets had already sounded and the visiting nobility exited their carriage. There he is! Came from his fathers clenched mouth. Forcing his way to the front to stand next to the reigning King and Queen, Robin started to put on the tunic uncaring if it was inappropriate to not to be dressing in front of the guests. “I apologize, your majesties.” His heart raced as he panted for air from the distance run. After the King and Queen both seemed to chuckle at the spirit everyone knew Robin possessed attention was turned to the guests.

An older woman with a sneer and cold eyes rumored to have magic sent a cold chill down his spine. However, Robin was not one to be intimidated. Straightening posture, he gave a simple bow. “Welcome.” No title was given to the woman in greeting. If looks could kill Robin was certain he would be deceased. Strange. Blue eyes quickly moved on to the man beside who seemed to have a jolly expression in spite of the old hag on his arm. “It’s wonderful to meet your acquaintance.” The sentiment was returned allow posture to relax just a bit. A warmth radiated from the Prince. It was hard to imagine these two were in a happy union. Dread they were arranged and this could be the outcome of his own sent Robin’s stomach tumbling. Never would he allow such a fate to occur. “I hope you enjoy your stay in Sherwood.” It was tradition for the father and mother of the bride to be to reside close until after the wedding and this would be no different. “We have set up a home for you just a short ride away. I do hope it’s to your liking.” One that was befitting of proper nobility. Thankfully Prince Henry and Cora had been made aware of their living quarters prior to arriving so they did not expect to be residing within the castle walls. A firm rule put in place due to the nature of rumors of Cora’s dark magic. “I assure you your daughter will have the finest chambers we have to offer.” A few steps back were taken and hands moved to clasp behind his back. Their daughter had yet to be presented due to his lack of punctuality. “I apologize for keeping you waiting. I look forward to meeting your daughter.” My future wife. 

@redeemedqueen​

[ibijau]

A continuation of NHS being revealed as half-demon after the Sunshot Campaign. Since I don’t think we ever see any demons in mdzs, I tried to borrow from Scum Villain for the general attitude towards them

With a frantic nervousness he could not quite contain, Nie Huaisang rearranged his hair once more, only for it to come out as ridiculous as everything he'd already tried. He'd spent hours on this, desperate attempts to hide what everyone would know was there anyway. He was tempted to beg his brother to buy him some white powder, even though he'd already tried that back in Qinghe, with little success. The mark on his forehead had shined through the makeup, bright red. 

A stupid hairdo really was his only chance to keep it away from prying eyes, but to show himself looking so stupid, and in Carp Tower of all places was… 

Catching a glimpse of himself in the copper mirror he'd been using, Nie Huaisang let out a frustrated groan. After being teased for years over his vanity, his own reflection was now so hateful to him that he grabbed that innocent mirror and threw it at the inn's wall just as Nie Mingjue entered the room. 

His brother gave him on long, unimpressed look before picking up the mirror. 

"Do your hair properly, and do it quick. I'd rather not be late." 

"I'm not going," Nie Huaisang announced, but he still started combing his hair in a more acceptable fashion. "What's the point anyway? If I'm here, it'll just make everything harder." 

Nie Mingjue handed him back the mirror, but stole the comb from his hand and sat behind him. Nie Huaisang couldn't help a shiver as his brother started brushing his hair, then separating some strands for the rest so they could be braided. It had been years since Nie Mingjue had done this for him. He had never thought to miss him, too proud of finally being old enough to do it himself, but there was a comfort in being taken care of in this way. 

"You have to be here," Nie Mingjue said as he started braiding. "You are not a danger to anyone. One incident doesn't make you dangerous."

"There could be other incidents," Nie Huaisang muttered. "If you got hurt again…" 

"I won't." 

In spite of his mood, Nie Huaisang snorted at hid brother's assurance. At the same time, if there was one man capable of making such a promise, it was Nie Mingjue. The only people who had ever managed to hurt him had been Wen Ruohan at the height of his power, and one lucky yet impossibly unfortunate Wen cultivator whom Nie Huaisang had promptly… 

He shivered at the memory. It was still unclear to him where that power had come from, or how he had unleashed it with such rageful precision. But it had been there, and he could still feel it thruming within him every time his emotions grew too strong. So far, it had never exploded again. It might, though. Nie Huaisang had spent the last few weeks in fear of himself. 

"What do you think they'll say?" Nie Huaisang whispered. 

"Nothing if they're smart," Nie Mingjue barked, starting another braid and pulling a little too hard. "You've done nothing wrong. You did not harm anyone on our side, that's more than Wei Wuxian can say."

"But Wei Wuxian is human." 

Nie Mingjue's hands stilled on his hair. They both tried to avoid a certain word when they spoke about the matter, but avoiding it didn't change the truth. 

"You're human too," Nie Mingjue claimed, his hands resuming their movement. "Human enough, and raised as one. You are Qinghe Nie's second master, you are my heir until I get children. You are one of us, and anyone who attacks my brother will have to deal with me."

That was exactly what scared Nie Huaisang, although he judged it wiser to keep quiet. But in protecting him, Nie Mingjue might be endangered, and it was the sight of him wounded and bleeding which had awakened Nie Huaisang’s nature. They had been lucky the first time, the people he had slaughtered had been enemies to all. But if someone else harmed Nie Mingjue, if Nie Huaisang became enraged and killed allies… 

The Great Four Clans rarely had dealings with demons, but smaller ones situated in wilder places did, and bore them little love. They would take offence to seeing a member of this despised race treated as an equal, as a superior even. It would create trouble. After all they were cultivators. Bickering over imagined slights was what they all did best. 

"I really think it'd be best if I didn't come," Nie Huaisang repeated.

"They have to see you're not dangerous. And I cannot leave you alone. I'm not taking that risk. If some idiot decides to attack you while I'm gone, you'll end up dead or in serious trouble."

Nie Huaisang sighed but did not insist, and allowed his brother to finish doing his hair in silence. When Nie Mingjue was finished, he checked himself in the mirror. The braids were elegant, almost dainty, just the way he liked to do them for himself and which got him scolded sometimes… But all Nie Huaisang could really see was that burning mark on his skin, like the brand of a criminal. 

It was going to be one very unpleasant conference. 

--

Officially, the reason so many clans, large and small, had made it to Lanling on such short notice was that with the war over, many matters needed to be settled. But even a fool would have noticed how conversations dropped the instant Nie Huaisang and his brother entered the halls, the way everyone's attention turned their way. It was not exactly new of course, because Nie Mingjue was the sort of man who nobody could ignore. If Nie Huaisang tried very hard, he could pretend it was his brother they were looking at.

“Stay close,” Nie Mingjue ordered as they walked to greet their host. “Don’t make waves.”

The same orders as always, and it comforted Nie Huaisang a little. He could tell himself everything was the same, that nobody was staring at his forehead, that they weren’t whispering about him with expressions going from fear to disgust. Maybe he should have come with that stupid hairdo he’d tried, just so people would at least have a better reason to stare. 

Still, among all those faces turned on him, at least one broke into a smile. Certainly Wei Wuxian was the center of enough fear and suspicion that his support would mean little, but Nie Huaisang still felt relieved. At least one person out there treated him normally. Two people in fact, since Jiang Cheng, noticing his brother's smile, gave Nie Huaisang a stern nod. Coming from him, it was the equivalent of shouting Nie Huaisang’s name while waving at him. And Lan Xichen had promised his support of course, as had Jin Guangyao, and… And there was Mingjue at his side of course. 

Nie Huaisang wasn't alone, and as long as he ket his calm, everything would be fine. 

When they arrived before Jin Guangshan, both brothers bowed. Nie Huaisang made an extra effort to keep his movements graceful, as much as a woman's, hoping to demonstrate how utterly harmless he was even though two dozen cultivators of all ranks could testify otherwise. 

"Sect Leader Nie, it is a pleasure to have you here," Jin Guangshan announced, lying through his teeth as always. Nie Huaisang rarely minded politics, but even he had to notice certain things. Then, to his shock and horror, Jin Guangshan looked at him, and smiled. "Second Master Nie, I'm glad you could make it as well." 

Nie Huaisang’s mind went blank at being addressed this way. As far as he could remember, Jin Guangshan had never said a word to him before, rightfully judging that the bastard second master of Qinghe Nie was beneath his consideration. It took Nie Mingjue elbowing him in the ribs to get him out of his daze, pushing him to mumble some words of thanks for the warm welcome. 

Thankfully Jin Guangshan did not push for more conversation at that moment, and they were able to go take their seats. A few more sects arrived after them, but soon enough everyone was there and the debates could start. Usually Nie Huaisang paid little attention to those conferences. If at all possible, he liked to bring a book to keep on his lap, hidden from other cultivators and from his brother. Otherwise he daydreamed, or observed the outfits of other guests, hoping that soon enough he’d have a chance to complain about them with Jiang Cheng. But that day, Nie Huaisang forced himself to listen to that tedious, boring litany of territory disputes and petty problems. Through it all, he could still feel eyes on him.

After a while of nothing but insignificant arguments, Nie Huaisang started relaxing a little. Nothing important seemed to be happening, and there was still time to look around and be judgmental of at least some outfits. He looked around for Sect Leader Yao, always certain to provide a few faux-pas to laugh about with Jiang Cheng. Indeed, that day the insufferable man was wearing an outer robe with a most atrocious pattern, and…

“It has been hard enough to fight off demons in the past,” a voice said, instantly drawing Nie Huaisang’s attention back to the conversation. “How are we going to deal with them once they learn that some major sects are willing to offer them help and protection?”

Nie Huaisang felt his stomach flip at the accusation, one rather more direct than he’d have expected to hear, but did his best to keep his composure when all eyes turned on him again. He looked for the man who had spoken, and found that it was someone he did not know. A small, outer sect then. Judging by where he was seated and the look of horrified embarrassment on Jin Guangyao’s face, he must have been linked to Lanling Jin to some degree. Nie Huaisang looked at his brother who ignored him, as if none of this concerned them.

“I’m sure nobody here would offer assistance to demons,” Jin Guangshan assured that sect leader, and he too made efforts not to look at Nie Huaisang. “It goes against the principles of every decent sect to collude with those creatures. I know what stories you might have heard, Sect Leader Ling, and I assure you they are being investigated, but demons are still not tolerated anywhere.”

“And yet there’s one sitting among us right now!”

Nie Huaisang tensed, and looked down at his lap, hoping against all hope that if he lowered his head enough, the mark would become less visible. Next to him, his brother chose instead to sit straighter, if such a thing were possible.

“I will hear no idle accusations made against my brother,” Nie Mingjue warned with worrying calm. “Nie Huaisang is a member of Qinghe Nie and will be treated as such.”

“So you do claim that creature as your own blood?” Sect Leader Ling asked.

“If Nie Huaisang did any evil, the principles of Qinghe Nie would dictate that he face justice for it. Those same principles also state that no injustice will be tolerated against the innocent. Unless he starts acting in a way that demands punishment, my brother is my brother. The details of his birth do not change that.”

“You will protect a demon!”

“Only if anyone is foolish enough to threaten him without cause,” Nie Mingjue said.

Whispers rose from amongst the assembled cultivators and Nie Huaisang wished he hadn’t come. In his absence, Nie Mingjue’s words would have had more impact, people would only have thought of Nie Huaisang as the short, foolish boy who always trailed behind his brother and laughed too loud sometimes. But being there, it was impossible for them not to see the mark on his forehead, and thus it was impossible not to see what he was.

In his absence, Nie Mingjue’s words would have come off as legitimate protectiveness. Instead, they were taken as arrogance, as rebellion even. For the leader of such a great sect to show himself with a demon at his side… 

“No one is threatening anyone,” Jin Guangshan intervened with a good natured laugh, as if he were merely breaking a squabble between children. “Sect Leader Ling’s concerns are not baseless, but Sect Leader Nie is right as well. As I understand it, there has only been one incident involving his brother, and it was in legitimate defence, wasn’t it?”

He looked at Jin Guangyao who smiled at his father and nodded.

“There was an ambush, and Nie Huaisang saved many lives by defeating some Wen cultivators who had previously escaped capture,” Jin Guangyao stated. “I am sure all of us who were present that day are very grateful for his quick intervention and we do not care how he happened to protect us.”

He said that with such conviction that Nie Huaisang himself would have believed him, if he hadn't seen how even Qinghe Nie disciples avoided him since that day, how servants at home refused to approach him. Even Lan Xichen had flinched when during a conversation Nie Huaisang had carelessly touched him, as he always did. The only person to show no disgust was Nie Mingjue, but even that might still change. 

"Isn't that just the same as admitting he's dangerous?" Sect Leader Ling objected. "He's had his first taste of blood now. I've fought enough demons to tell you once they learn to kill, there's no going back. It's their nature, they are vicious." 

Had the situation not been so dire, Nie Huaisang might have laughed. He had never liked violence much, and now less than ever. He still shivered in horror every time he thought about that incident and the things he'd done. 

And yet, part of him did not hate it as much as he should have. Blood and death still made him faint, but the thrill of having protected his brother, of being the stronger one for once, of returning the favour at last after a lifetime of hiding behind Nie Mingjue at the first sign of trouble… 

But that did not make him a monster, did it? It was normal to wish to protect his brother, it did not make him bloodthirsty and wild, did it? 

On the other side of Nie Mingjue, Lan Xichen rose from his seat, calm and elegant as always but with a rare hardness to his smile. 

"Sect Leader Ling, do you really wish to bring people's nature into this?" he asked. "The nature of humans is to be weak and die early. Yet as cultivators we all seek to avoid that fate, to reach great strength and acquire immortality. If we can go against our own nature and be accepted and encouraged by our peers, Nie Huaisang should deserve the same chance. I have known him for years and never once saw him act with cruelty. My uncle taught him and never saw a trace of evil within him, or he would have taken appropriate measures. Is there anyone here who has reproaches to make, not on what Nie Huaisang could do, but on what he has already done?"

As he sat down again, silence fell all around. Nie Huaisang could have kissed Lan Xichen for defending him this way, and he saw his brother relax a little as well. No matter how strong it had become, Qinghe Nie was still a butcher's sect. But Gusu Lan had a spotless reputation for purity and righteousness, so its leader's defence of Nie Huaisang hit differently. Even sect leader Ling appeared more hesitant after this. 

“I have said what I had to say on this matter!” he claimed, glaring first at Lan Xichen, then at the Nie brothers. “Give a demon all the chances you like, if you think it can become other than what it is. When it turns against you, do not come crying for help.”

Apparently satisfied with his intervention, sect leader Ling allowed the matter to be dropped. There was a moment of awkwardness as no one could quite figure out how to go on with the conference after so much tension. But quickly enough sect leader Yao, bless him, appeared to remember that he had no sense of shame and simply started complaining about a dispute he had with a neighbouring sect. Everyone was forced to listen to that annoying man, while Nie Huaisang allowed himself to relax and risked a glance at his brother. Nie Mingjue still looked deeply unhappy, but he managed a tense smile when their eyes met.

The situation wasn’t ideal, but they could do this. They still had friends, and even if they ended up losing those friends, they would at least have each other.

[anastasiaskarsgard]

You were having a fucking panic attack. Why did you agree to this? You were entirely too nice. Or Roman was just horrible. Either way you had the most foreboding feeling. You already were in the car and on your way so it was a bit late to turn back now.

Peering out the window, you tried to decide where you were heading. You’d originally assumed the White Tower, but you’d long ago passed that turn off. You also had left the residential areas, so it appeared this would be a public meeting.

You had figured with what time it was, he’d be taking you to Roman at the White Tower, or his home if he thought he’d make a scene. He wasn’t a fan of public conflict even though he had no problem making a scene. Maybe he was going to be mature about this. Somehow that seemed unlikely.

You figured the best way to get information was to just ask. The driver had the partition up, so you attempted to lower it. After pressing the button several ways, it became clear it was broken or disengaged. Not allowing the fact a brand new limo having broken buttons was very unlikely sink in, you scooted down the long leather bench. Now you were right behind the driver, and you knocked on the partition and waited a couple beats.

“Hello? Excuse me sir? My button is broken.” You called out. Knocking a few more times and still getting no response, you told yourself you were fine and you weren’t going to overreact. Roman probably had some rule about no contact with his whores. Not that you were a whore, but in the mind of his driver, you all probably blurred into one.

Maybe your outfit selection had been a bit hasty. In an effort to show Roman you were not going to be ordered around, you decided to wear your Hello Kitty pajamas. The red booty shorts with the famous cats face all over them, and the form fitting tank top, paired with your shiny white Uggs could possibly give the wrong impression.

You had been going for playful adult woman that didn’t take herself too seriously, but maybe an older gentleman wearing a suit would think otherwise. Add to that, you had a full face of make up, and had done your hair because you refused to look anything less than perfect in front of your ex... oh well.

As the car came to a halt in front of the nicest restaurant in town, famous for their exclusive invite only brunch they held on occasion, you couldn’t help but laugh at your current situation. With the restaurant having an open indoor/outdoor seating arrangement, everyone would be seeing you exit the limo in your pajamas.

Even though everyone dining here was well off, very few people took limousines anywhere, and just in case they were curious who’s limo this was, the big golden G on the window made it pretty clear.

Steeling yourself for the looks and hushed comments you were sure you deserved, you put on your brightest smile and thanked the driver politely when he opened your door. Holding your head high, you followed him into the restaurant, back towards the private rooms. Focusing on the mans jacket, you ignored the snickers and buzzing spreading through the patrons as you passed by. Finally coming to a stop in front of a set of gorgeously carved doors, he opened them to reveal a generously sized private room with Roman seated looking like he was shooting a photo spread for Vogue. Crisp gray suit tailored to fit him perfectly and the subdued lighting made his stunning good looks and inhuman beauty all the more severe. It wasn’t fair that some people were so gorgeous, and you felt cheated he was prettier than you were and he was male. In spite of all that, you couldn’t help but feel flattered at how his face lit up when he saw you.

“You are such a fucking brat. The one time I try to treat you like an adult you show up in Hello Kitty.” Roman chuckled, shaking his head at you.

You couldn’t help but laugh too. You felt pretty ridiculous, but you’d be damned if you’d admit it. Plopping down gracelessly, you stated sarcastically, “well thanks for trying to be an adult. And thanks for finally bringing me to the place I’ve been begging to go to for our entire doomed relationship. Glad to see you care. Now where’s the server, I’m going to need some vodka for my orange juice.”

Romans face fell into a frown and he glared at you for a moment before pressing something under the table. Not a moment later, a server arrived to take their orders, and hurried off.

Silence settled over the table and you sat staring at a large landscape piece, refusing to make conversation or attempt to make him comfortable. You didn’t want to be here, and he wasn’t making much of an effort. You don’t know what you expected, but maybe him getting up and trying to hug you or shake your hand. Something!

You refused to cry. You would not allow it. You would not give him the satisfaction. You-

“I’m sorry.”

You turned to look at Roman, shock written across your features. Taking that as encouraging, he continued on.

“I love you and it scares me. When you went back to the room, they all started to give me shit about you owning me, and I reacted...” he knit his brows together and seemed to be searching for the right words, “wrong. Like an asshole. I wanted to prove I could do whatever I wanted. When I returned to the room and you were gone, I lost my mind. I searched everywhere and then Bianca found me and took me to her room.”

Your heart shattered. And here it had started out so perfectly. You’d been elated to find out he’d searched for you, and his apology nearly made you fall from your chair, but it all crashed down with the last part.

You nodded your head and looked away as the server dropped off your items, and you tried to keep it together. It’d always be like this. There’d always be a Bianca. The thought was devastating.

“Can you say something or at least look at me?” He snapped. His famous temper was surfacing, and you really didn’t think you could handle a tantrum.

“There’s always going to be a Bianca, or an Ashley or a Susan,” you said sadly.

“I don’t even know a Susan.” He stated incredulously. “What does that have to do with me being sorry? Who is this Susan? Where did you meet her?”

“Roman!” You snapped at him, pinning him with your fiercest glare. “There’s no Susan!”

“But you just said-“

Slamming your hand on the table, you were pleased to see he jumped. “Do not interrupt me Roman. You will listen since you forced me to come.”

He let out a long sigh and lit a cigarette, cocking an eyebrow at you as you took your time, eating some of the delicious dishes and sipping your cocktail. When he lit the second cigarette, you decided to begin.

“Roman I love you but so does every other woman that meets you. I don’t trust you and I don’t trust any of them. I’m constantly a wreck and worried someone will steal you, when you really should just belong to someone greater than I am. I’m not putting myself down, I’m just not so full of myself to believe I am better than everyone else, and you deserve an unbearable gorgeous Bianca that puts herself above all others, and doesn’t even consider your flaws to be flaws. You’re not a very nice person, and it’s exhausting constantly apologizing, and I need someone that loves me and feels I’m the best thing that happened to them. The competition is simply too stiff with you.” You finished and were surprised to see that Roman was not only listening but seemed to be considering your words.

“Any thoughts?” You asked after he put out his cigarette and continued to stare thoughtfully at you.

His lip quirked up into a smirk, and you pushed down the urge to touch him. He was still gorgeous, and as mad as you were with him, you had missed him. You wondered if it would be counterproductive to have one more romp, but you swiftly shut that idea down. You weren’t sure that you could have the self-control to just have one more time, and that would just lead to you being another one of those girls for him. Another good time and as appealing as that sounded... your heart couldn’t bear it.

Plus you really were tired. Curling up in your warm bed seemed like the most exciting prospect, and you wondered if he’d be terribly mad if you left right now. As your eyelids dropped and grew too heavy to keep open, you barely heard his reply;

“I knew you’d be difficult and I love you too much to let you ruin it.”

You could now feel his breath at your temple, as he pressed a kiss there and pulled you into his lap. Your body was just not responding and you were certain you’d been drugged. You tried to fight against the darkness closing in on you, but it was no use.

You were completely at his mercy and you felt a chill run up your spine before all went black.

There will be a continue for this if enough want this to go on...

[datawyrms]

Dannymay2020 Day 31: Free Day (ghost sword fight lets go)

It was for science, a good cause. His life would be so much better if he didn’t have to hear his parents gleefully discuss ripping apart some mindless ectoplasmic scum molecule by molecule. Right now though, he was remembering the other reason he flinched in horror when having to take his parents anywhere. Complete embarrassment. One extra downside to ghost powers: knowing you actually can just have the ground swallow you up in shame, but knowing you really, really shouldn’t. When your dad is sitting with sodas strapped to his head and waving a foam finger with your friend’s name on it, it got very tempting.

He’d almost prefer dealing with an ecto gun. “Dad, you’re actually going to pay attention, right?”

“Course I will Danny-boy! That goth friend of yours will kick that ghost right back to its own dimension, and I’ll be watching.”

The half ghost groaned, crossing his arms. “Dad.”

“And totally see if it’s actually a fight with rules. I did listen, son! It’s just good to see young people taking up ghost hunting!”

“This isn’t ghost hunting!”

“Right. Your friend is just going to clobber a ghost with a sword. For Science!”

Well he wasn’t wrong exactly, but it wasn’t helping him not regret every second of this stupid plan. “It’s more Sam’s doing the ghost a favour, and Sam’s doing me a favour by letting us watch. Sooo don’t go calling the ghost scum or anything. Please.”

“Hmmhm. I did read your notes son. You think I’d come with no weapons if I thought your observations were shoddy?” he clapped the boy on the back, who had to struggle to not fall over. “Still gotta root for your friend kiddo!”

Yes. Yes he did, actually. Yet asking his dad to maybe be a little less enthusiastic was like asking the sun to maybe be a little less bright. Pointless, and possibly amusing to anyone overhearing you. “She manages without a cheering section most of the time,” he felt the need to point out before heading down the hill to check in with Sam.

“I don’t know what I expected. Not that, that’s for sure.”

“Tell me about it. I didn’t think he’d do anything but scowl from the hill because he’s worried about a dastardly ghost. Sorry.” he rubbed the back of his neck, eyes flicking between his friend and the bright orange blight on the hillside.

“Nah. Arlas will probably get a kick out of it anyway, she likes having an audience,” Sam shrugged, fiddling with the lightweight wooden sword. “I have a few new tricks. Who knew Star of all people would like fencing?”

“Did she swear you to secrecy?”

“Bought my silence by being a pretty good practice partner,” her grin faded somewhat “Guess I’ve been buying into their ‘popular’ shtick too. She’s not that bad.”

“Then I’ll pretend you didn’t tell me. You don’t think she’ll try and talk to Dad, right? That could get ugly real quick.”

“She might. She knows to keep the whole met in the ghost zone thing quiet, but I can’t promise much else,”

“Well I can’t promise he won’t call her putrid protoplasm so we’re totally doomed.”

“Maybe we can make it sound like good natured ribbing?”

“With what ribs?” Danny smirked in spite of himself

“Oh shut up you. Go worry about not turning invisible trying to hide from your dad or something. I’ve got this.”

He nodded, backing off to head back to his expected spot. He wasn’t meant to know the ghost well, after all. He did notice the ghost showing up before anyone else, but forced himself to act oblivious.

“Oh, there’s the spook! You mentioned the heavy leg armor, these ones can’t do the leg shapeshifting thing, right?”

Danny blinked. He’d actually read and paid attention to all of it? “Yeah, that’s right. It can be pretty heavy since they don’t have to walk much with the whole flying thing, apparently.” his eyes flicked to his Dad’s face, trying to figure out how the man felt about Sam and this ghost greeting one another in friendly terms. He didn’t look angry, so maybe it was a good sign?

“First to three hits is what you said, right?”

Man this felt weird. Answering things about ghosts without constantly worrying he’d be called a ghost for it. “Sam’s pretty sure five would take too long. Either because she gets tired out, or a ghost hunter barging in.” Something he had almost done three times, but he couldn’t mention that bit.

Jack kept his eyes fixed on the two, leaning forward even as he slurped from the ridiculous soda contraption. “That’s how she wins, right son?” he pointed as Sam blocked a swing and danced backwards, forcing the knight to give chase. “She outruns em and can go for smaller openings.”

“How did yo-yeah. That’s usually how, since she can’t just fly after her…” How could he pick up on that and not his son literally falling through things for a month?

Arlas looked as if she might have caught on to Sam’s usual plan as well, backing off instead of pursuing after another failed clash. He honestly had zero idea what to do in that situation that wasn’t ‘shoot ecto blast’, but his friend seemed to have a decent idea, feigning a left swing before jabbing forward at a much greater speed.

“Ha! Lookit that, already winning!”

“You’ll distract her if you cheer louder.”

“Nah, your little friends are tough!”

He did seem to be right, the boisterous cheering when Sam had the upper hand not earning as much as a glance from the fight. Sam did shoot Danny a look at the boo his Dad made when Arlas managed to turn a block into a strike Sam couldn’t defend against in time, and he could only shrug. Hopefully the knight wasn’t too annoyed at the blatant favoritism. Or maybe she expected it, being a visitor and all.

Still, making it through the combat without having to stop his Dad from trying to capture or hurt the ghost was pretty good. Even if it was still really weird to have him just watch. He personally didn’t even need to watch the fight, watching Jack was more than enough indication on how things were going. Okay, maybe he was a bit paranoid, watching just in case he had to do some split second overshadowing. Moreso now that the ghost apparently wanted to say hello to the watching human, to his complete dismay.

“Oh, so it is a family thing! What interesting armor.” Arlas said, looking at the bright orange jumpsuit. 

Jack did seem a little surprised at the possible complement, hiding it with a nod. “Always need to be prepared!”

Danny manared to peek out from behind his fingers. Dad hadn’t threatened her. That was progress. That was good! Him possibly wondering why she thought jumpsuits were a family thing was not good! Sam’s advice of remembering not to turn invisible suddenly seemed very useful.

“Still I hope it was a good show. Sir Manson is still a bit too fast for me, but I’ll figure out a way around that soon, you’ll see.”

“You could just lose the armor, you’re way better at planning than I am.” Sam pointed out, earning a laugh from the ghost.

“If I plan to work in it, I must be able to beat you in it! The extra preparation can only be a good thing. That, and I can use the same trick on the others if they get overconfident.”

“So you consider being a knight as a job? You could do something else if you got bored of the sword swinging gig?” Jack asked, hand on his chin as he watched the floating knight.

“Of course! There are plenty of things to do back home, but who wouldn’t want to help protect the Queen? It’s not like I cannot retire when I no longer wish to do it.” she paused, looking up at the sky as if searching for an example. “I suppose you do not really have proper communities of ghosts over here, just the stronger sorts or the occasional animal?”

“Nope. We just get the town attacking beasties”

“Ah, well who doesn’t? Troublemakers will be troublemakers.” she shrugged easily, apparently not considering herself a ‘beastie’.

Jack considered the answer, the loud slurping sound rather at odds with the pensive look on his face. Surely he didn’t think this ghost would make up an entire fake backstory, or be perfectly fine with losing to a human in a fair fight while being ‘mindless’. “So the Fentons are known over in your world then?”

“Well I wouldn’t say unknown. The outfits are pretty memorable! Yours more than your son’s. He is your son, I think. That’s the right term?”

Of course she had to bring up his jumpsuit. That he never wore. Because it was on his ghost form. Sam’s wince in sympathy did not help.

“See Danno, even the ghosts think you need more colour! Even Jazz’s is blue, maybe we should get you an orange one.”

“Maybe. Mine’s fine, thanks.” he managed to speak, hoping he didn’t sound too much like he’d been internally choking.

Sam took up damage control before her friend managed to be more suspicious than a wolf in a sheep pen. “Well, I’ve got stuff to do, and Arlas does too. See ya Mr. Fenton.”

The ghost did seem a little put out to not continue to chat, but took Sam’s lead, turning invisible before making her way back home.

“Not even going to try and scare anyone while she’s here huh? Interesting.” Jack commented. “Certainly a lot to think about kiddo! Our little researcher,” he ruffled Danny’s hair, earning a grunt from his son. “You think you might be able to arrange talking to some of these other ‘non-violent’ ghosts?”

“Oh. Yeah. Probably? Not right away, but sure.”

“Great! I want to see for myself if the stories line up. If they do, then we’ll need to figure out why only the blobs and animals showed up before the portal.” he got to his feet, apparently wanting to go write things down in the lab right away.

“Because they were the only ones dumb enough to leave the ghost zone without a portal to go home with.” Danny muttered “The smart ones wouldn’t risk it,”

“Right, you scrawled that on the back of your folder. Which ghost told you that again?”

In truth? Frostbite. Yet he didn’t have a way to explain that. “Phantom.”

“Well you can’t use yourself as a primary source son, that’d be considered speculation.”

Danny could only stare. Whoops.

[where-s-all-blue]

Self Insert AU for your chaotic crack fic needs

When you get transported into the One Piece Universe, you can't choose where you end up in nor in which time. Even your age might be jumbled up.

Depending on where you end up, your memories of your old life will disappear until the crew or group you are in is featured in canon.

If you make a joke about something, it's very likely that the universe will make it happen just to fuck you up. For reference, see C and R making up a lost island that sunk into the sea only for it to re-emergence randomly in the New World right in front of their eyes.

No matter what you do, you can't change the canon plot.

You don't have a plot armour.

Mod specific headcanons under the cut.

Onto the specific headcanons of C and R:

C

C ends up in the same town where Luffy meets Zoro, only days before it happens, hence her memories aren't that jumbled up, but she can't remember her real life friends. She pretty much joins them there and then.

C has the habit of saying cryptic things and accidentally revealing things beforehand, like when someone important is about to join the Strawhats whom she has joined. The crew thinks that she can see into the future.

She also tends to start crying when she meets people who are good but have tragic pasts. Luffy starts to use this as an indicator for people being nice.

During the timeskip, C ended up eating a devilfruit, her devilfruit was Neko Neko Mi, Model: Toyger ver Dwarf. This means that she is essentially a Toyger breed of a regular housecat, who happens to have dwarfism and thus will never grow up bigger than a kitten.

C uses her devilfruit to sneak around, get out of trouble and to get a free lift from her crew members. R uses his fruit power to intimidate people and to fight, he also uses it to go unnoticed while he naps in the dark corners.

The majority of people assume that she is max 14 years old due to her petite form and mischievous nature. However, when reaching Wano, she’s actually 18.

C’s outfit is modeled after a cow; she adores them as she finds them cute. She wears tiny horns on her head and a dotted over dress on top of her blue dress. Her cat form also keeps the horns on it.

Her fighting style includes using these horns to inflict damage. She also has learned how to use armament haki during her training.

She spent three months stuck in her cat form due to not knowing how to control it. She has managed to awaken her fruit powers, which doesn’t really help her much aside from giving her extra speed and durability.

During one of the early calls between C and R, they joked about her having the will of D. Later on she learned that she infact DOES have that secret name and she actually carries the will of Portgas D. Rouge. She also resembles Rouge by her looks and sometimes says things that especially got the attention of Garp as he’d last heard the woman herself say them.

C made up an island just to avoid suspicion, claiming that it sunk to the bottom of the ocean only to find out that the island did infact exist.

She also claimed that R and her are childhood friends before her family moved to the East Blue from the North Blue.

In Wano, she learns about the backstory of herself and is left speechless.

She’s actively trying to set Law and R up for her own amusement, even going as far as claiming that he suffers from chronic anxiety which can be cured by slow socialisation (to earn his trust) and cuddles, but the latter must be done by someone the red head respects. Law accepted this as a fact until his mind caught onto it about a week later.

Her favourite colours are purple and green, she often wears brown and blue.

The fake Strawhats had two sets of her; a feral kitten and a giant hulking man with cat ears. Upon seeing this, C immediately called out how they got her motif wrong.

C often takes selfies in the most inconvenient places like right in front of Katakuri, Oven and Daifuku, which she then sends over to R. She also likes to avoid fighting in favour of watching the plot unfold itself.

R

R ends up 10 years into the past, into the office of the Revolutionary Army where he was found by Ivankov and Dragon. He is also now a child. Until he turns 19, he doesn't have any memory problems.

Ivan looks for a cure for R's memory loss, but she doesn't have much time as she's supposed to infiltrate a prison. She quite literally drops him into the hands of Trafalgar Law, explains the situation and leaves without allowing him to protest.

Due to R's shyness, he spends the next half a year silent, making the crew think that he might be actually mute only to later on burst into a song in an attempt to soothe someone. The crew never realises this though as they're used to hearing weird sounds in the submarine.

R uses in total three names in this universe: Ren (Revolutionary Army), Eli (Heart Pirates) and Nao (C, later on the Strawhats). They joke that he has just very long name and those are parts of it.The joke later on turns into reality making R's name be Reneli Nao much to his embarrassment.

During Ivan’s search for a doctor who could cure him, R ended up accidentally eating a devil fruit. The fruit was Zoan type, Neko Neko Mi, Model: Black Jaguar. However for convenience, he refers to it as panther fruit as that way nobody can tell for sure if it was leopard, snow leopard, tiger, lion or a jaguar (Panther is the class name of each of these large cats).

R has two bounties, one as Ren and other as Eli, the latter being his "pet" bounty. Whenever the marines see him in his human form, they refer to him as revolutionary army member rather than as a pirate. Somehow they never put together the fact that Eli and Ren are the same entity.

His bounty as Eli is only around 100 beries due to the marines assuming that the black jaguar form is his real form, and thus believing that he’s a pet.

Before the timeskip, R uses black sunglasses to block out the light as he is very light sensitive, post timeskip he's seen using a cap.

During a call, C joked about him being the illegitimate son of Shanks, in Wano this is confirmed to be the case and the duo swear to never joke again.

He too claimed to be from an island which sunk, only for it to turn up on old maps.

R is an awakened Zoan user, which grands him higher speed and durability.

He also has the habit of switching into another language unconsciously when he curses or insults people. He most often calls them fools in Hebrew, which the rest of the crew assumes having been the native language of the island he’s from.

Law is the only one who knows what he is saying, which makes situations where someone assumes that they’ve earned his trust because he’s “giving them a nickname” even funnier.

He knows how to use both rapier and a katana, his old sword was a rapier which he called Shoshannah after his mother (this means lily or a rose), his current sword is named after his real life brother’s cat, Mito, which in Japanese means serene water while in Italian it can mean myth.

During Zou, the only reason why he got hurt was because of his fruit powers suddenly activated making him loose his balance.

He calls Ivankov “mom” on multiple occasions.

His denden mushi was a gift from Ivankov, however, he just can’t bring himself to decorate it claiming that he’s waiting for the moment he’ll be able to pinpoint just what would reflect him and his personality accessory wise.

His trademark colours are orange, blue and purple, which you can find from his hat and the scarf he wears around his waist to help him carry his katana.

R is a terrible liar which he tries to make up for by turning conversations overly philosophical. Most often he ends up accidentally blurting warnings to his captain and crew.

He often challenges his captain without even realising it by asking questions like “Are you sure about that?” or calling something the stupidest thing he’s ever heard right to his face.

He seems to be immune to feeling intimidated by people to the point where it’s thought that he simply doesn’t have any self preservation instinct. Despite of this, R is very careful and plans his moves to ridiculous detail, trying to take in any possible threats and any potential change in the environment.

Law has a theory that R is the reincarnation of Corazon because he seems to know things that only Corazon would know. This theory was debunked once he learned that R is only 3 years younger than he is.

Other

C and R meet one another in Sabaody, where they both start to regain their lost memories. While they're running from the marines, they quickly catch up and exchange numbers so they can keep in touch.

C and R call regularly, but have trouble when someone else picks up, they both are very shy after all. This leads to moments where C asks Usopp to ask whoever had picked up if Nao was available and vice versa.

Penguin and Shachi have a stash of photos from the time R was stuck as a jaguar cub (when they thought that he was a lot younger and that the devil fruit was just a black cat). They tend to show them to C out of spite towards R, who still doesn’t talk that much.

There’s a third person (let’s call them K), who’s sailing with Boa Hancock, C and K haven’t met one another in the OPverse, but R has made sure that the two also manage to talk by giving them each other’s denden numbers.

K likes to mess with R and Law by referring to them as brothers or “cat men”.

R reunited with K when his captain was taking care of Luffy. The latter found R’s situation hilarious.

The denden mushi of C has purple and green stripes and tiny horns, K’s radiates  G A Y  because of glitter. K’s denden also holds a tiny pride flag.

[regolithheart]

Love In The Time of Coronavirus: Chapter Three

Summary: One pandemic, one lake house, and two people who loathe one another. Will they be able to survive the outbreak...and each other?

MASTER LIST

Read on AO3.

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CHAPTER THREE:

Nesta’s stomach woke her up with a grumble. It happened so suddenly that she had momentarily forgotten where she was. Shifting onto her back under the covers, she stared at the ceiling as her eyes adjusted to the light. 

Dawn was her favorite part of the day, when the whole world was still quiet and dreamy. 

When she was little, she used to wake up before any of her family just so she could pad around the house and enjoy the silence before people began racing up the stairs and banging doors open and shut. It was her time to be alone and she had loved it. Even when she had moved out for college and after, when she had gotten her own place, there was nothing like making a cup of tea in the morning and watching as the light shifted colors before starting her day.

Nesta stretched in the bed and let out a big sigh. She did not have the best night’s sleep.

It had always been hard for her to sleep somewhere new and with the added agitation of her situation and the fact that she only had a banana for dinner, despite not eating anything since yesterday’s breakfast, she was sure her exhaustion would manifest itself as bags under her eyes. 

Still, she got out of bed, deciding that laying there for an extra hour wasn’t going to guarantee her any more rest.

She quickly straightened the sheets and comforter, never having been able to tolerate an unmade bed, and pulled on a lumpy cardigan before putting her hair up into a bun and opening the door to her bedroom. 

Nesta almost didn’t see it at first, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw her tote bag full of books, sitting on the floor just outside her door. Cassian must have brought it up stairs for her the night before and she didn’t know how she felt about it. She dragged the bag into the room and shut the door, not wanting to dwell on what it meant, if anything.

She paused in the hallway. She had hoped she was going to be able to sneak downstairs and find something to eat before having to deal with Cassian for the day, but the smell of frying bacon wafting up from downstairs told her he had beaten her to it. For a second, she contemplated going back to her room, but her stomach rumbled angrily and she decided that she had proven her point last night.

Slowly, she walked towards the stairs. 

Cassian’s bedroom door was open again, and since he was in the kitchen, Nesta let herself take a peak. Despite being decorated similarly to the rest of the house, there was something about it that made Nesta know it was his. 

The framed photographs on the walls didn’t match the art in the rest of the house, there was a worn leather armchair tucked into the corner of the room, and an obviously well-loved quilt lay across the end of the bed, which was made—to Nesta’s surprise.

But the most interesting thing about the room was the low bookshelf that sat just beneath the window. In a million years, Nesta would never have guessed that Cassian was a records collector, but the proof was right in front of her. And between the records, each in its own plastic sleeve, was various personal effects: an old baseball, a jar of pebbles, a gnarled length of driftwood, a wooden box in-laid with a delicate pattern. 

Cassian cleared his throat and the sound carried itself from the kitchen. Nesta jumped as if he had been standing right next to her, and without a second glance, she hurried down the stairs.

Nesta’s footsteps were light. It had been a running joke between her sisters who claimed that she was always able to sneak up on them, but as soon as she passed the living room, Cassian looked up from the stove.

“Morning,” he said, holding her stare for a second before returning his attention to the stove. He was done with the bacon and was now whisking eggs in a bowl. 

She was expecting him to make one of his annoying comments—his attempt at flirting, or annoying her. She never knew which it was, but was glad when he didn’t.

Nesta watched as he ground black pepper into the bowl and tossed a pinch of salt in as well, as if he’d done this thousands of times before. He was still in his pajamas, which wasn’t a big departure from his normal outfit, but the faded grey t-shirt was so thin that the muscles in his back were hard to ignore and the dark grey sweats hung low on his hips.

Nesta didn’t let her eyes wonder any lower than the waistband.

Instead, she snapped her attention up to the back of his head. His hair was pulled back in that messy bun he liked to wear, but it was obvious he had slept in it because half of it had come undone and some of the tendrils were curling behind his ear. It felt oddly intimate seeing him like that, and she wrapped her cardigan tighter around herself to stave off a shiver.

“Coffee’s ready if you want some or there’s hot water for tea,” Cassian said, his back still turned to her.

Nesta walked to the kitchen island to see a plate of perfectly cooked bacon and a bowl of fruit salad. 

“The mugs are above the coffee maker.”

On the back counter next to the refrigerator, was a coffee maker, an electric kettle, and to Nesta’s surprise, a brand new box of PG Tips. 

Nesta picked up the box of tea, the plastic crinkling underneath her fingers and she wondered how Cassian knew. Feyre must have told him and it made her feel the slightest bit of guilt for being so angry with her yesterday. 

She made herself a cup of tea and felt her mood instantly lighten.

“Breakfast?” Cassian asked, already scooping scrambled eggs onto a plate.

“Alright,” Nesta answered, trying to sound as indifferent as possible and hoping her stomach wouldn’t betray her. 

She helped herself to the eggs, but when she began to crack extra black pepper on top of them, Cassian tried to stop her.

“They’re already perfect,” he said through a grin.

There was the arrogance that she had been expecting all morning. 

She gave the pepper mill another couple of grinds out of spite and ignored his snort. With her plate full, Nesta pondered her seating choices and opted to sit at the counter. The dining table would make it feel like they were sharing a meal and that was definitely not what they were doing.

Taking a sip of tea to brace herself, she was ready to snap at him if he dared sit too close, but she didn’t know if she was more surprised or relieved when Cassian walked past her and out the kitchen door. She watched his retreating back as he strolled across the lawn, sat down in one of the Adirondack chairs and began eating his breakfast. 

Nesta ate in silence, occasionally throwing a glance at Cassian’s back through the window. 

He had practically inhaled his food, she noticed, and was now lounging in the chair, leisurely enjoying his coffee as the sun turned the sky pink and orange. She was slightly annoyed with herself that she hadn’t thought of the idea first, but was glad he’d left her alone. Sure it it was only their second day of quarantine, but she was hopeful that with the way things were progressing, she wouldn’t have to say more than ten words to him for the entire duration.

And Elain was coming today.

The thought boosted her spirits and she got up to load her dirty dishes into the washer and make herself another cup of tea, then headed upstairs to take a shower.

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

If the lake house had one drawback, besides Nesta’s current house mate, it was that her bathroom didn’t have a tub. The shower was spacious, bigger than the one in her apartment, but unlike the other bathrooms on the second floor, this one didn’t have a tub she could soak in. 

Perhaps she could use the one in the master bathroom. It wasn’t as though anyone else was using it, or even the other free bathroom upstairs. Cassian had claimed the one next to his bedroom by the looks of the hair products on the counter, but the other one remained untouched.

As Nesta towel-dried her hair, she grabbed her phone, wondering if Elain had started the drive up yet. Sure enough, she had a missed call.

She punched in Elain’s number and waited. 

She counted four rings and thought it was odd that Elain hadn’t picked up. On the sixth ring, she was ready to hang up when Elain’s breathless voice answered.

“Nesta, hi.”

“Hi, Lainey. Is everything okay?” Nesta rarely used her nickname for her sister, but from Elain’s strained voice, she instantly knew something wasn’t right.

“I… yeah. Everything is fine.” Elain paused for a second, but when she spoke again, her voice regained its usual exuberance. “What’s the house like? Is it gorgeous?” 

Nesta let her unease go. “Honestly? And I will deny it if you dare tell anyone I said it, but yeah. It’s amazing.”

“I knew it! I told—” 

Not one to concede fully, Nesta interrupted. “Except for one major flaw.”

“Oh?”

“I can’t enjoy it fully because I’m stuck here with an insufferable man.”

“Oh come on, Nes. Cassian’s not that bad.” Elain tried to hide her giggle.

“Lainey, he has a man-bun. What self-respecting thirty-year-old has a man-bun?”

“I don’t know… but he pulls it off. I actually think it’s kind of sexy.”

Nesta closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. It was hard enough to accept that her sisters were living with their respective boyfriends—fiancé in Feyre’s case—but she had refused to acknowledge the fact that they did anything beyond kissing. They were still her baby sisters after all.

“Do you think he sleeps shirtless? I bet he sleeps shirtless, if not—“

“Elain!”

Elain gigged again. “Come on, Nesta. Stop being such a prude.”

“I’m not a prude. I just don’t—”

“I can hear you blushing.” The delight in Elain’s voice made Nesta’s cheeks flush, and before Nesta could pivot the conversation, Elain gasped. “You’ve already seen him shirtless haven’t you?

“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I haven’t.” Nesta wouldn’t allow herself to remember the shape of Cassian’s back beneath the thin cotton of his t-shirt.

“Well… it’s bound to happen sooner or later, you know,” Elain said matter-of-factly and then her voice turned dreamy. “Two hot people stuck in quarantine together… I bet Feyre’s engagement ring that you’ll see him shirtless before this thing is over. Promise you’ll tell me if he’s a good kisser.”

Having enough of Elain’s distraction, Nesta let out an exasperated breath, loud enough for her sister to hear. “Are you on the road yet?”

Elain’s giggles turned into a quiet and reluctant sigh.

“Elain?”

“We’re… still at home.”

“And when are you planning on driving up?”

“Well, the thing is…” 

Nesta waited for Elain to finish her sentence, her patience slipping.

“The thing is,” Elain began again. “Graysen’s really busy at work right now, and—“

“Then he can stay in L.A. while you come up here.”

“Nesta…”

“No, Elain.” Nesta’s anger was a ball of lava in the pit of her stomach threatening to boil over. “We all agreed. You, me, Feyre. We all promised each other and I’m the only one who kept my end of the bargain. An Archeron never breaks her promise, remember?” 

“Nesta, I’m sorry! But the situation is more complicated than that.” Elain’s voice was getting higher which meant that she was getting frustrated.

Good.

“It’s not. I’m coming to get you.” Nesta was already on her feet, looking for her bag.

“No, you’re not.” 

“Fine! Then I’m going home.” She huffed at she reached under her bed to grab her suitcase.

“You’re not doing that either.” 

“Elain!”

“Nesta!” Elain’s anger matched her sister’s, but she took a deep breath and when she spoke again, her voice was much more calm. “You can’t leave Cassian there by himself.”

Nesta could feel her hand begin to shake with rage as she clutched her phone to hear ear. “I don’t care about Cassian. I care about you. And Feyre.” 

Elain’s voice was gentle now which did nothing to make Nesta feel better. “I know you do. And we care about you, which is why you should stay at the lake house. We don’t want you in your apartment by yourself for… who knows how long.”

Nesta wanted to scream. “You already told Feyre. You told her before you told me.” 

“I tried calling you earlier. Don’t be mad at us.”

But it was already too late. 

“Nesta?” Elain asked. Her voice was soft, and fragile. “I’m sorry. I really, really am. If anything changes with Graysen’s work, we’ll drive up there. I prom—“

“Don’t.” Nesta hated how her voice trembled.

“Call me—or Feyre—if you need anything. Or just because…” Elain let out another soft sigh. “I love you.”

Elain waited for Nesta to say something, but she didn’t have anything to say. It was as though all of her words had been burned up by her anger and the ashes made her throat dry. 

“I’m sorry,” Elain said again, before ending the call.

[arrancxr]

Arrancar in human-world clothes is my weakness >.< They’d all look amazing. This is assuming that they’d get their choice in clothes!

Starrk: 

-Human world fabrics are soft. He winds up in the most comfortable, casual outfit he can get his hands on– probably literally pajamas. He’s also one who doesn’t find it weird at all to be wearing something meant for humans. 

Halibel:

-A spiteful part of her is delighted to be out of the uniform that Aizen gave her. The rest is just nervous that this kind of thing isn’t meant for her. She’ll wear something simple and far more modest than her typical uniform. 

Ulquiorra:

-Good luck getting him into anything with any color. He’s pissy to begin with about being made to wear human clothes, and pushing your luck won’t get you anywhere. His clothing style is as monochrome and stuffy-looking as possible. 

Nnoitra:

-If you actually find anything that can fit him, he’s going to be shocked. Even so, he’s not meant for human shit like that; it’ll be an uphill battle getting him to wear it. He’d probably wind up in something simple and dark-colored. 

Grimmjow:

-He’s pretty okay with wearing human clothes... but his fashion taste isn’t going to change much. As in, don’t expect him to put on a shirt. He’s nothing short of thrilled to be getting out of the stupid uniform Aizen gave him. 

Szayel:

-Oh no. Szayel’s fashion taste is interesting, to say the least, and giving him the idea that he can wear human clothes is releasing something horrible. Expect the most pink, showy, over-the-top clothes he can find. ...all weirdly modest. 

Aaroniero:

-That kind of thing doesn’t matter much. What’s the point? He’s not exactly against wearing human clothes, but it seems like kind of a waste. Just get him something black and ridiculously comfortable and you should be good. 

[livingisharderz]

continued | @eatinqrow

A quip that is startlingly close to the first thing Hop had said to him after being informed of just What he was, and yet infinitely more frustrating, because Hop had at least been one of his own. While still (ostensibly) a mortal, this one calls Universe Seven home. In some part of himself, Roh decides then and there that the seventh simply harbors trouble in all its layers.

It just figures also that the one time he bothers with trying to fit in, it blows up in his face. What kind of planet is this, anyway, for one of its residents to so easily identify a Supreme Kai, even in this dowdy getup they call an outfit? What has Shin been doing here? ...Well, whatever it is, it can’t be too bad, if even his irksome universe is outpacing Roh’s own, he thinks to himself grudgingly.

Still, he reacts with a sour, spiteful expression, tightly crossing his arms and sizing up his impudent companion as if he’s weighing his chances of successfully tackling them to the ground.

“...Creation, actually,” he snaps. “Someone like me was responsible for your entire existence.” In another universe, but he’ll leave that part out.

He probably needn't have worried so much about his obviousness. Azuki, like a select few residents of Earth (in this universe, not that she ever thought of it strictly that way), is well accustomed to strange-looking weirdos showing up at all hours of the day. They never seem to have any idea how to blend in on a planet inhabited by the largely boring Earthlings, which really shouldn't be that hard.

She hadn't actually guessed he was a god, but the look on his face at being so quickly found out confirmed what had begun as just a barb for no reason other than that, as a Saiyan, she wouldn't be really living if she wasn't on the edge of conflict at nearly all times. She smirks internally, mirroring his movements with her own arm crossing over her chest, her own fearless staredown. Not challenging, exactly, but certainly meeting whatever threat might be implied by his response.

"You personally, or someone like you?" she questions, going right to the heart of what seems the most salient point in that answer. "Not that it really matters. I know what the God of Destruction does around here, don't tell me you're taking a sojourn for the cuisine, too." Not all gods can possibly be so ridiculous, she hopes.

[kinkymagnus]

thoughts on alec? since this is mainly a magnus blog i guess i'm curious.

kfjlkfgjd thanks for resending sorry tumblr’s a bitch ily

eh i feel like generally i talk mostly about magnus bc Every Other Blog (not literally obviously but like, in general) talks about Only Alec just like…..24/7

so while i like him fine, he’s like, mostly Magnus’s Love Interest on my blog lghjflgkhjfgh but honestly just generally while i do like him i honestly don’t find him that….interesting, individually, i guess? i mean he’s not quite boring, but he’s not a character i really relate to

so the reason i don’t really write alec-centric stuff is like. 1. i just don’t find him as interesting (although i’ve had a few ideas, they’ll likely never be published thanks to…) 2. Spite

aka the alec stans suck. the Alec Stans™ to be clear, the ones who suck, not everyone who likes alec. but like, yeah

anyway let’s not just talk salt and me being petty, despite alec being not my fave i can afford to answer one (1) ask without my entire blog crumbling down and revealing i’ve been an alec stan this whole time without me even knowing it

ok so alec headcanons i guess

1. alec was a chatty kid. not what you’d think, right? but then like, he was taking care of izzy, bc she’s his baby sister and Protective, and jace wasn’t really the type to listen to him. like, ever. alec would suddenly realize jace hadn’t been listening the whole time pretty much every time he tried to have a conversation with him or talk about things he was interested in, even when he listened when jace talked about his latest crush or whatever he was interested in. alec started abruptly going quiet before his sentence was finished, and jace didn’t seem to notice or was just like oh good you’re finally done talking, here’s what i was gonna say. eventually alec gives up. he still talks to izzy but she’s so little it’s a lot slower paced and he usually pays more attention to her than what he wants to say bc Baby Sister. by the time izzy’s old enough to like, properly, hold a conversation (she is also pretty chatty) alec’s already gone a lot quieter. by the time we see him, he basically doesn’t initiate conversation on things he’s interested in that aren’t work-related. he does still sometimes talk to izzy, but it’s hard to get the words out and get everything sounding right, so he gets annoyed with himself. it doesn’t come as easy anymore.

and not to show my magnus stan roots but magnus is kind of similar, albeit way less clear cut, he tends to ramble and talk a lot about his special interests only to shut himself up when he realizes he’s definitely boring whoever he’s talking to (he isn’t, necessarily, but after enough times being told to shut up when you get excited you believe everyone wants you to shut up.) and then he was trying to keep up the whole classy unaffected stylish “def not an adorkable disaster bi nerd, i am dangerous deadly unaffected lothario man who has never even heard of star trek or whatever” facade, and rambling about whatever interested him didn’t really fit that. so he retreated more into himself, too. he did have his friends to talk to, but catarina is so busy and he doesn’t want to bother her and raphael doesn’t want to hear his foolish old dad ramble on, does he, and ragnor–he’d always put up with magnus’s babble, and listened, but magnus felt like he was boring him and then ragnor was–well.

anyway so to united these, then, they met each other. and it takes a while, but they get comfortable with each other. magnus goes on a long ramble about a potion he’s been trying to get just right and then cuts himself off, embarrassed, and apologizes for probably boring alec, and alec’s like what? no, that was really interesting, i was listening, can you explain the thing with the mandrake root? and magnus is like…oh.. (also side note: magnus is incredibly cute when rambling about things he’s interested in, he waves his hands a lot and his eyes are all excited and warm and he’s so lively, and clearly passionate, that it’s engaging and pulls you in. like a really good professor. and sometimes he starts talking about something way above most people’s heads without realizing how Smart he is, but if you ask him to clarify he’s like, totally non-condescending and explains it in creative and understandable way????? sorry im in love with adhd magnus thanks to someone anyway)

and then vice versa, alec slowly feels more comfortable talking about things that interest him, like a book he’s been reading and how it’s so fucking stupid the heroine went for the “blonde bad boy” when he’s such a dick to her, or whatever, like it starts as an angry rant about something but before he can cut himself off he realizes magnus is listening. like, actually listening. and like, if it’s appropriate, magnus will ask questions, engage in what alec’s talking about, and alec finds himself getting better at putting to words what he means and magnus is never mean about it, always patient and understanding

2. as a kid alec read romance novels. cheesy shitty fun romance novels. especially the ones that are like, written by women (or better, queer people, but that’s later) and aren’t weird? you know what i mean? and he loved them. romance was something young alec dreamed of a lot, even if he tried to ignore how he preferred tall, dark, and handsome to the main character, or the kind man the heroine fell in love with to the heroine herself. he hid trashy romance novels like most teen boys his age (including jace) hid porn magazines or whatever. he eventually maybe found some queer lit, but he didn’t dare to bring those back to the institute, instead choosing to go to the library the few times he had free time to sneak out (aka when he wasn’t working, sleeping, training, or watching izzy and jaces’ backs when they snuck out to clubs and shit.

also: 3. also i stand by the fact that alec wasn’t in denial about being gay. he wasn’t repressed, he knew exactly what he wanted and who he was, he just didn’t think it was possible for him to be with a man and be happy. 

4. alec isn’t a sweet innocent baby boy!!!! he’s seen porn, he knows how sex works, he’s masturbated, and honestly i know the show said otherwise but i find it hard to believe he never once fooled around even a little bit. just a little bit. no actual dating? not hard to believe at all. even being a “virgin” despite how outdated and terrible the concept is, not unbelievable. plenty of “normal” people reach college-age without ever having had sex, let alone shadowhunters raised to be demon-fighting soldiers. but like. look. he has the Energy. alec….Alec Fucks. also just something about the whole like, his siblings are always sneaking off to clubs and he follows them to watch their backs (is this canon or just common fanon? i honestly don’t remember) just screams to me hey, he may or may not have made out with an adventurous seelie or a mundane with eyes. or maybe a blowjob or a handjob, who knows. i’m JUST SAYING. i know this isn’t canon but i don’t care. alec lightwood has seen a dick

5. alec is ridiculously protective of people he loves. especially family (both in the sense of literal family like izzy, and family in the sense of “making your own family” like magnus) like he’d kill for them, he’d die for them, he’d live forever for them,

6. alec can and will become immortal for magnus. and not just literally only for magnus, for himself as well–like he doesn’t have to spend the rest of his life being a tool for the clave, he can work for better relations between downworlders and shadowhunters, and like accords that aren’t shitty, and he can be more than just another soldier or even head of the institute, he can be more and have time to actually spend time on himself, like it doesn’t have to be training-work-protect his siblings-sleep-training, and then one day he gets married and has kids and dies. he can actually experience the world, do things he enjoys, spend time with his husband, and most of all, he can spend the rest of his life with magnus bane, the love of his life, his husband, someone he loves so much. he can make sure magnus’s heart doesn’t get broken again by falling in love only to lose him. they get their happy ending, you know???? we stan

7. alec would be a great dad i dont know what to tell you he just would be 

8. one of the first kinks alec realized he really had like. with magnus. was office sex. yes im a slut what about it

this is bc he was minding his own business, doing paperwork at his desk, and magnus maybe sent a flirty text and alec was like mm i want to fuck him right now. and then he was staring at his desk thinking mm i want to bend him over this desk, sweep all this paper off the desk and rip off his clothes, take off his panties last and then lick his pussy until he’s begging for me to fuck him then press his chest down against the desk and fuck him until he screams. maybe i could tie his wrists behind his back with a tie. like i’m his boss? oh my god magnus in a secretary outfit. shit. he gets no work done that day. it’s just a rabbit hole of one thought to another until he’s like. sitting there hard and unable to focus on his work bc the mental image of magnus bent over in a skirt over his desk keeps playing his mind and he doesn’t want to do this paperwork he’d much rather be doing his husband.

9. alec loves making out with magnus on the couch like they’re just chilling and watching a movie and cuddling and alec loves to pull magnus into his arms and just make out. like literally not even “this ends in sex and gets hot and heavy” literally just magnus in his arms. and they kiss a lot. it’s soft and warm and relaxing tbh

10. magnus!!! and alec!!! cuddling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they both love it!!!!!! they’re both lowkey touch-starved!!!!!!

11. alec’s a dom top and that’s that my dudes

[legxllyblxndc]

city break ( @foreverwednesday ) 

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle had been looking forward to the weekend away. It wasn't like she and Edie had much going at home. The electricity was strictly forbidden and they were just trying to get by. Getting out and being able to let their hair down for a little while was definitely going to be better. She smiled as she poured herself, Edie and Emilie a shot. "Why did he have to bring her?" Annabelle hissed to her friends. She didn't understand why Florence would come when none of them actually liked her but she knew better than to say something to Tommy.

AG LC TC FM: Link tapped his foot as he looked at his friends. He knew it wouldn't be long until they started on something a little heavier than alcohol and he was really trying to ease things off a little with all of that. He was trying - but he was failing most days. He knew that this weekend was going to be almost impossible. He clapped Gabe on the back with a laugh. "This is gonna be a good weekend, right?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow.

AG LC TC FM: Theo thought that it was really nice that he was asked to go on the trip with the rest of them. He liked being included with Edies friends. He had no idea what was going on with the two of them but he knew that he wanted to be around her, he wanted to be near her and he wanted to be friends with her friends. He looked around at everyone before he moved to sit down, a beer in hand. Theo never knew where his place was with this lot but he was just glad to be there with them all.

AG LC TC FM: Florence knew that Emilie and Annabelle hated her but she didn't care. She was trying to ignore all of that. Because this meant that she got to spend time with Tommy. She knew that she wouldn't trust him enough to go to something like this on his own. She was pretty sure that Tommy was definitely an out of sight, out of mind kind of person. So she was there to keep an eye on everything that was going on.

EH GS EC TM joined the chat

EH GS EC TM: Emilie had been so excited to get away for a city break - until she found out that Florence was coming. She was still excited to spend time with her friends, but she was determined to spend as little time as possible around her. "It's disgusting. I don't even want to look at her - the upper class-ness is turning my stomach." She rolled her eyes. "Why does she have to be here?! It's ridiculous. It's supposed to a fucking friends trip. Not friends and the person you occasionally fuck." Emilie shook her head. "And he can think a-fucking-gain if he thinks he's palming her off on one of us when he wants to bring another girl back to the room."

EH GS EC TM: "It's gonna be the best weekend, man!" Gabe grinned, nodding his head. He had saved up his wages to be able to pitch in for the girls to come, even though Emilie had paid her own way and he'd been excited since he put away the very first pound. He knew that Link and Tommy could've afforded it between them, but he wanted to help. "Hey - can you believe Tommy brought Florence?" He chuckled.

EH GS EC TM: Edie hadn't wanted to be the one to suggest Theo coming on the trip because she didn't want people to question it, but when the others had asked if she wanted him to she'd been happy to say yes. She always felt better when he was around, she just loved his company and she was so happy that he was here. She had taken a little something when they'd first gotten to the apartment, so she felt fine so far. She smiled and went over to join Theo, sitting next to him with a smile. "Excited for this weekend, then?"

EH GS EC TM: Since Izzy and Nick's engagement party, Tommy and Florence had been seeing a lot of each other and Tommy didn't want to give that up for the weekend - so he'd brought her along. He didn't think it was a big deal since there was space in his room, but he knew the girls were furious that he hadn't asked. He rolled his eyes as he looked over at them, handing a drink to Florence. "For you. It's a surprise." He laughed - really, he had just mixed a bunch of stuff together.

AG LC TC FM: Like Emilie, Annabelle hated how Florence just flaunted her wealth. Especially when she knew that she and Edie and Gabe didn't have much. She thought that it was spiteful and she didn't like the girl at all. "Oh, absolutely not. And she's a fucking idiot if she thinks that Tommy won't be hitting on some random girl tonight." She rolled her eyes. She knew that she should probably feel bad for Florence but she thought that, that was all on her. She knew who Tommy was. She thought that Florence was just asking for it now. "You'd have thought she'd have learnt. Seriously - what little self respect must you have for yourself to keep going back to him?" Though she was 'talking' to Vance again so she knew she couldn't say much.

AG LC TC FM: Link nodded as Gabe spoke. He was more than happy to pay all their ways tonight, he just didn't think that any of the others would appreciate it all that much. He would try his hardest though. "No. I can't. I can't believe he didn't say anything. Have you seen the look on Annabelle and Emilies faces?" It was so clear that they weren't happy with the fact that she was there.

AG LC TC FM: Though Theo knew that Edie didn't have to- he was glad that Edie had come over to him. He liked spending time with her and this weekend was no exception. He also liked being able to be there in case she needed a friend, like the last time. He didn't want her to have to go through everything on her own again. "Yeah - it should be really good." He smiled with a nod of his head, "Are you?"

AG LC TC FM: Florence liked that she and Tommy were spending more time together. It made her feel like he was actually serious about everything this time. She knew that she had given him too many chances but she thought that this was worth it. She raised an eyebrow as he handed her the drink, "Are you trying to get me drunk?" She asked, as she took a sip of the drink. She squinted her face at the taste. It was so strong.

EH GS EC TM: Emilie hated that Florence was just here for Tommy - she didn't understand why she couldn't let them have their weekend and just see him when they got back, if she was so desperate. "She's a fucking idiot anyway." She rolled her eyes, examining her nails as she spoke. She didn't feel any sympathy for Florence, mostly because Tommy made it quite clear who he was every single time. Deep down, though, she knew she couldn't really talk about self respect - she'd had a last minute outfit change due to a blooming bruise on her ribs as a result of Kurt not wanting her to go on the city break.

EH GS EC TM: "I know! I heard Emilie say she was going to kill her earlier... You don't think she will, do you?" Gabe asked frightfully, looking worriedly over at his friend. Usually, he would take it as a joke, but from Emilie or Annabelle he was never sure. He did wish Tommy had asked, though - he always changed a little bit when he was with Florence. "Oh well - it's still gonna be good!" He smiled, nodding his head. He knew they would have fun no matter what.

EH GS EC TM: Edie often found herself questioning whether she needed to distance herself from Theo a little bit more... Her feelings were definitely still there and when little things happened between them, she knew she was in hot water. "Yeah, of course - but just a little warning, do not do anything to piss off Anna and Em. They're in a mood already." She chuckled fondly, shaking her head.

EH GS EC TM: "Absolutely." Tommy laughed, nodding his head. "It's the only way you'll be able to fucking put up with those two." He rolled his eyes as he looked over at the girls. Although he thought Edie let them all walk all over her, he sometimes wished the other girls had a bit more of her chill. "Don't let them be fucking rude to you." He told her, although he knew Florence wouldn't. It was one of his favourite things about her. "Any requests with the bars we go to tonight?"

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle didn't even think that Florence might be more friendly with them, if they gave her the chance. But Annabelle definitely did not want to. She just wasn't interested in getting to know one of Tommys girlfriends when it was clear that she probably wasn't going to be around more often. "That's the understatement of the century." She laughed bitterly with a nod of her head. "You know what we need? Drinking games." Annabelle smirked. That was absolutely what she wanted and she thought that it would add something a little more interesting to the night,.

AG LC TC FM: Link laughed as Gabe spoke and he nodded his head, "Yeah, she was definitely joking. Though I wouldn't put it past her to start something tonight." He shrugged. He thought that Emilie was one of the most firey people he knew and he actually loved that about her. Link wasn't particularly fond of when Florence was around but he knew how Tommy would react if he said anything about it. "Of course it will!"

AG LC TC FM: Theo had no idea what was going to happen between he and Edie. He liked her so much. He wished that he had never let her go in the first place but he knew that he couldn't say that to her. He was so afraid of saying the wrong thing and completely ruining everything between the two of them. He just liked that they were able to be together now. "Oh really? How come?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow.

AG LC TC FM: Florence laughed as Tommy mentioned Emilie and Annabelle. She had felt the glares from the two of them but it didn't bother Florence anymore. She didn't see why it had to matter. "Of course I won't." The blonde rolled her eyes. She never let them get away with it. She didn't care what they thought about her, she thought that they were too far up each others arses, that they couldn't see anyone else. "I want cocktails so as long as there's cocktails then that's all that matters to me."

EH GS EC TM: Emilie laughed, nodding her head. "Well if I said what I actually wanted to say, I think the festivities might start early. And we have to save some drama for later." She grinned wickedly, grabbing her bottle of rum and topping up her drink heavily. "You're a genius. Mr and Mrs?" She laughed, raising an eyebrow. That always got them good and drunk and she definitely felt like she needed that right now.

EH GS EC TM: "As long as there's no death, they can start what they want!" Gabe laughed, shrugging his shoulders. He would obviously prefer there to be no drama, but he knew the two girls too well - they couldn't keep their mouths shut, especially once they'd had a drink. A grin spread across his face as he heard the talk of games and he clapped his hands excitedly. "Yes! Mr and Mrs, please!" He loved playing that game.

EH GS EC TM: Even now, Edie found herself wondering if anything would happen between them this weekend and she knew that she shouldn't be thinking like that. She had to be content with his friendship and for the most part, she was. She just liked him so much. "Well, um, it's because he brought Florence without asking anybody... and they don't like Florence very much. At all. In fact, to say they hated her and wish she disappeared off the face of the Earth would be an understatement." She winced.

EH GS EC TM: "Good." Tommy smirked. He knew that he would've been furious if Annabelle or Emilie had brought one of their boyfriends without asking the others, but this was different. It was him. And Tommy didn't let anybody tell him what he could or couldn't do. "Alright, cocktails. Shouldn't be too hard." He laughed, shrugging his shoulders. "Mr and Mrs? You want to cause fights so early on in the night?" He laughed, raising an eyebrow.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle laughed. She was definitely in agreement with her friend. She thought that if both of them said exactly what they wanted to say, none of the others would forgive them. She laughed as she heard Emilie and then Tommy and she looked over at him with a shrug of her shoulders, "What? You don't think your ego can handle it, Morley? You and me, up first!" She smirked. She liked challenging Tommy. She always thought that it was fun for them to do something like this. Both of them had a bit of an ego, so fun was always gonna come with that.

AG LC TC FM: "Exactly." Link muttered with a nod of his head. As he heard the drinking game, he nodded. He definitely felt like he needed a little something to get them going. "I'm just gonna nip to the toilet." He muttered to Gabe. It felt like the drugs were burning a hole in his pocket and he definitely needed something now. but he didn't want to miss out on the festivities. Especially not if Annabelle and Tommy were first.

AG LC TC FM: "Oh right." Theo muttered with a nod of his head. He didn't really know what to do with that but he knew better than to question it. Annabelle and Emilie were a force and he was definitely intimidated by that. He thought that he remembered the game from when he was with Edie last time but it definitely make him a little nervous. he didn't see this ending well.

AG LC TC FM: Florence shrugged her shoulders slightly. She wondered if Tommy could make it easier for her with his friends but she wasn't about to say anything to that. She thought that he wouldn't like that at all. "Exactly. So you're all good." She chuckled with a shrug of her shoulders. She was definitely excited for tonight and she hoped that Tommy was as well. She raised an eyebrow as she heard the others, "Oh, this is definitely going to be fun."

EH GS EC TM: Tommy laughed at the question and it didn't even take him a second to drink, rolling his eyes as he realised that Annabelle had as well. He thought it was pretty obvious that he was the best looking one in the group and he liked it being that way. He looked around at his friends as he waited for the next question. He always enjoyed this game.

EH GS EC TM: Emilie knew, of course, where Link and Edie had gone and although she hated it, she wasn't about to say anything. She wasn't even against drugs - that much. She just thought that their problems spanned far beyond having fun and she wished she could help them. She crossed one leg over the other and took a sip of her drink as she watched Annabelle and Tommy both drink, smirking slightly.

EH GS EC TM: Edie felt much better as soon as she had a little fix - she didn't even mind playing the game anymore and although she knew everybody would know where she'd been, she didn't really care. She sat back in her previous place, cross-legged and eager to catch up on what she'd missed. She figured that they'd both drank - she did think Tommy was good looking, but his ego ruined it. She definitely regretted the one time they'd slept together.

EH GS EC TM: Gabe looked over at Florence as the game began - he often wondered how she felt, being around them all. She very much confused him as a person. Theo was an outsider too, but at least they all got along with him... He didn't think he would go anywhere with two people who disliked him so much, if he was Florence. He wondered if she actually liked any of them, other than Tommy.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle didn't care what Tommy thought. She knew that he was probably better looking than she was but she could not admit that to him. She looked over at the others, wondering who the next person to ask a question would be. She thought that it was always fun to see what everyone seemed to want from these games. She knew that they wouldn't be tame either.

AG LC TC FM: Link rested against the wall, away from the others, when he got back. He wanted to watch for a little bit. Though he was looking forward to this one. He didn't think that Tommy and Annabelle were going to go easy on one another. Though he definitely felt better now that he had had a little bit of something. He looked at his friends as Annabelle and Tommy drank, then looked at the others, waiting for someone to say something.

AG LC TC FM: Theo smiled slightly as Edie sat down next to him. He wasn't about to do something which was going to upset her but he definitely knew where she had been. He just hoped that she would be okay tonight. He wasn't sure what to ask, he knew that he wouldn't say the right thing and he would probably be a little boring, so he waited for someone else to speak.

AG LC TC FM: Florence laughed as she saw both of them drink. She figured that everyone knew that Tommy was the most attractive one there. "Who has the worse temper?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow and a smile. She thought that if no one else was asking something, then she would. And she didn't think it was a bad question - until you took in who was playing.

EH GS EC TM: Tommy laughed at the question - he didn't even think that was a little bit of a competition. He knew that he could be hotheaded, but it was nothing compared to Annabelle. "Are you joking? She's a Gellar." He laughed, rolling his eyes. He didn't drink and he didn't think anybody would blame him for that.

EH GS EC TM: Emilie laughed as she heard the question, but raised an eyebrow at Tommy's answer. She didn't like what he was insinuating, but she was going to leave it to Annabelle to see if she wanted to pull him up on it or not. She pulled out a packet of cigarettes and cracked open the window, leaning out slightly to light up. She knew that it would probably be her and Florence asking the questions all night.

EH GS EC TM: Edie actually thought that both people had bad tempers, just in different ways- she knew that Annabelle blew up easily, but Tommy was absolutely the easiest to put in a mood, so she thought his reaction was pretty rich. She got up to join Emilie, turning to Theo with a smile. "Want one?"

EH GS EC TM: Gabe was usually pretty good with the questions, especially with this pair and he was thinking of what to ask once Annabelle had drank - or didn't drink. He liked playing games like this, because he knew it was never going to affect anybody's friendship - they were all pretty resilient that way.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle narrowed her eyes as she heard Tommy, but she drank anyway. "Would be different if you asked who got offended easier." She muttered with a shrug of her shoulders. She didn't like his comment about her having the worse temper just because she was a Gellar. Annabelle never liked being whittled down to just being a Gellar. Not when she was more than that.

AG LC TC FM: Link shook his head with a laugh as he watched the two of them talk. He figured it wouldn't be long before the two of them lost their temper at one another and he was already looking forward to the blow up. He liked that they could argue as much as they wanted and they would all still be okay again in the end.

AG LC TC FM: Theo was a very different person to the rest of them and he thought that it was kind of funny that Annabelle and Tommy were arguing about being the worst tempered. "I'm good. Thank you." Theo had never smoked and he didn't have any intention of starting now.

AG LC TC FM: Florence laughed as she heard Tommy because, if she was honest, she completely agreed with him. Annabelle obviously had the worst temper. She was a Gellar after all. And she thought that it was pretty rich of her to try and argue with him even though she had already had a drink.

EH GS EC TM: Emilie glared at Florence as she heard her laugh - it was okay for people in the group to laugh at each other, but not her. She wanted to ask something she knew Annabelle would win, to give her friend a bit of a leg up. "Who's the better friend?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. She didn't think there was a single competition there. Annabelle was fiercely loyal and Tommy? He picked and chose when he wanted to be a friend. She watched them carefully, curious as to what their answers would be.

EH GS EC TM: "Says the one who just got offended over a drinking game." Tommy sniggered, shaking his head. He always enjoyed winding people up, but especially when it came to Annabelle - knowing he could get a reaction was one of the finer pleasures, for him. He raised an eyebrow at the question and he took a sip of his drink. He had always been a good friend, he thought.

EH GS EC TM: Edie turned as she heard the question, curious to see what the answer would be. It seemed obvious to her that Annabelle was the better friend - but she also knew she was probably biased, because she and Annabelle had an understanding that nobody else in the group had. Not really.

EH GS EC TM: Gabe chuckled softly, looking over at Link with a raise of his eyebrows - this game always got tensions rising and he found it almost funny when Annabelle and Tommy bickered, because they could give as good as they got. He never had a clue who was going to win one of their arguments.

AG LC TC FM: "That's easy." Annabelle scoffed, quickly taking a drink. She would do anything for any of the people in that room, no matter what. She didn't think the same could be said about Tommy. If there was a girl involved, she was almost certain that he wouldn't. "You've got to be kidding, right?" Annabelle asked with a raise of an eyebrow as she realised that he had drank too. "You think you're a better friend than me? Are you serious?"

AG LC TC FM: Florence rolled her eyes as she saw the look on Emilies face. Though she didn't like her, she could've just smiled and pretended to get along. Something that it seemed like Emilie was unwilling to do. She thought that, that was incredibly childish and thought that she acted too high and mighty for that. She narrowed her eyes as Annabelle started debating Tommy, she thought that Tommy was a good friend too.

AG LC TC FM: Theo didn't think he liked this game. It seemed that the aim was just to get people annoyed at each other and he didn't understand why people found that fun. Though he kept quiet. He kind of just wanted to go to him room and read for a little bit. He sometimes didn't know why he came to things like this, when it was so far out of his comfort zone

AG LC TC FM: Link smirked as Gabe looked over to him. He found it entertaining to watch people, especially Tommy and Annabelle, play this game because he knew that neither would really give up. He laughed before he said his question, "Who has the better taste in partners?" He thought that, that would cause enough of a stir, especially since Florence was in the room.

EH GS EC TM: "Obviously I'm serious." Tommy rolled his eyes - he thought he was just as good of a friend as Annabelle, if not better. He was the person that kept the group entertained and having fun, after all. He thought that was just as important as all the other stuff. "Better taste in partners? Please - could there be an easier question?" He snorted and drank a big gulp of his drink. He didn't think there was any question there - Annabelle had the worst taste in boyfriends he'd ever seen.

EH GS EC TM: "Oh fucking hell, that's in impossible question. Nobody's a winner with this one." Emilie laughed, rolling her eyes. She couldn't stand Vance and she couldn't stand Florence - she thought they were both as bad as each other. She was already sick of having the blonde girl here and if she was honest, she just wanted to get drunk and go out so that she could get away from her.

EH GS EC TM: Like Theo, this game always managed to make Edie uncomfortable and although she loved her friends to the bones, sometimes she did feel a little bad for Florence - especially when Tommy didn't ever stand up for her. She looked over to Theo, sensing the same discomfort she felt. She nudged him gently. "Do you want to go upstairs for a bit?" She whispered, raising an eyebrow. She didn't think anybody would notice, anyway.

EH GS EC TM: Gabe grinned at Link's question - if he was totally honest, he thought Tommy had this one... He knew Florence could be too much sometimes, but he thought Vance was just a straight up terrible person. He finished his beer and reached to grab himself another - he was already through one six pack and he was definitely feeling a buzz

AG LC TC FM: "Well you're a liar then." She shrugged. Annabelle was convinced that she was a better friend than Tommy. She thought that she was there for the others way more than he was there for any of them. She thought the next question was in the bag so obviously drank. "Absolutely not!" Annabelle shook her head. She knew that none of her friends didn't like Vance but at least he was better than Florence, she thought. "Someone else play before I hit him." She rolled her eyes, downing the rest of her drink.

AG LC TC FM: Link laughed as he heard Emilies voice and he nodded his head, "Yeah, that's why I asked it." He didn't particularly care that Florence was right there and could hear everything that they were saying about her. He was pretty sure that she would be off with Tommy again soon anyway so it didn't even matter, he thought. It wasn't like they made much of an effort to stay together.

AG LC TC FM: Theo raised an eyebrow as Edie spoke to him. He so desperately wanted to but he didn't want to offend any of her friends. He was still trying to make a good impression on them all after all. "Your friends won't mind?" He asked her. he just wanted to make sure.

AG LC TC FM: Florence sighed at Links question and the responses. She thought that it was so rude of them to treat her liek they did. They didn't like each other but she would at least try. It felt like none of them could even be bothered with that. She finished off her drink and quickly moved over to making herself another one. She had told Tommy that she wouldn't let them walk all over her but she was too tired to deal with their bullshit.

EH GS EC TM: Emilie genuinely didn't think she was this mean to anybody else - she could be blunt, sure, but she just saw zero point in making an effort with Florence when Tommy was going to replace her soon anyway. "I'll play." She shrugged her shoulders as Annabelle spoke, looking over at Florence. "Me and you?" She raised an eyebrow, a little smirk on her face. She'd had half the bottle by this point and she was feeling bored. She wanted to spice things up a little bit.

EH GS EC TM: "Touchy, aren't we Gellar? Who was the most easily offended again?" Tommy smirked, finishing what was in his cup before he went to sit down. It never even occurred to him that he needed to stand up for Florence - as far as he was concerned, these were his best friends and this was the way they always were with each other. He treated Annabelle and Emilie's boyfriends with the same kind of contempt. He poured himself another drink, making sure it was strong and sat down to watch the next pair. He definitely thought this was going to be interesting.

EH GS EC TM: "They won't even notice." Edie laughed softly, shaking her head. She didn't say it in an angry way - she didn't mind it at all. She knew how much her friends loved her, but she was easily the most unremarkable among them and at times like this, she didn't contribute what the others did to these kinds of games. "Come on," she smiled, holding out her hand to him. The booze, coupled with what she'd taken earlier had given her a little bit more confidence and she knew she would much rather be on her own with him, than in here playing this game. Especially when the next pair was revealed to be Emilie and Florence.

EH GS EC TM: Gabe let out a giggle as Emilie got up and spoke to Florence - he was well on his way to being drunk and he could tell this was going to be fun. As Annabelle sat down, he moved across the room to sit next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "You're a better friend than Tommy." He whispered with a little laugh.

AG LC TC FM: Florence had grown tired of expecting Tommy to stick up for her. She knew that if it was a choice between her and his friends, he would always be on their side. Florence sighed as Emilie spoke to her. It was probably the most words she had said to her and, if she was honest, she should've seen it coming. "Fine." She muttered, moving to stand back to back with Emilie. She knew that, whatever she did, these girls were going to have a problem with her.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle rolled her eyes, "Might be opinionated but at least I'm not deluded." She shrugged. She thought that it was obvious and she hated that Tommy was always able to push her buttons. She was easily angered but he did it better than most people. Annabelle smiled though, as she felt Gabes arm around her. He was basically the opposite of Tommy, to her. He kept her calm, most of the time. "I know. Don't worry." She smiled.

AG LC TC FM: Link smirked as he saw the look on Emilies face. He knew that look and he couldn't wait for this one. He thought quickly as he looked at the two girls. He definitely wanted to be able to think of a good one to start it all off. "Who is more dramatic?" Link asked. He'd never said it, but he had always thought that Emilie could be pretty dramatic. He didn't know how much she would like that though.

AG LC TC FM: Theo nodded. He didn't like that. It made him feel sad. He thought that Edie deserved more than that. He knew that she loved her friend and they loved her too but he thought that she deserved to have people who realised when she left the room, like he did. Theo smiled as he took a hold of her hand. He missed Edie so much and he wasn't about to pass up the chance to spend some time with her away from everyone .

EH GS EC TM: Emilie laughed at the question, rolling her eyes as she looked over at Link. She raised an eyebrow before she drank, shrugging her shoulders. "Keeps things entertaining, doesn't it?" She laughed. She knew she was dramatic and she didn't really care - most of the time, it was for good reason. She wondered if Florence would drink and she thought it would probably annoy her either way. The only person Emilie wouldn't drink against was Annabelle, she thought her friend definitely had her beat in that one.

EH GS EC TM: Tommy genuinely did think that Florence was the kind of person who could handle herself - another reason he never stepped in. He didn't realise how tiring it would be to be constantly fighting off Emilie and Annabelle. He laughed at the question, looking over to see if Florence was going to drink. He had seen her at probably her most dramatic and he still thought it didn't beat Emilie on a regular day.

EH GS EC TM: "Good." Gabe chuckled, keeping his arm around his best friend as he watched the game. It did sometimes occur to him that people outside the group probably didn't understand how they worked, probably thought that the way they treated each other wasn't nice... But they all knew each other so well that they knew where the line was and it was so far in the distance, even still.

EH GS EC TM: Edie knew that on a regular day, her absence would be noted - but when it came to something like this, she would actually rather slip away unnoticed. She smiled and lead the way to the girls room, figuring it would be tidier than the boys. "Did you bring a book?" She asked with a little smile. She knew he was always reading and she thought it was adorable. She had always liked reading, but she barely had time to do it now.

AG LC TC FM: Florence didn't drink at that one. She thought that it was pretty clear that Emilie was more dramatic than her. Though she knew that anything she did was probably going to wind the other up. She was prepared for Emilie to start up and so she looked over at Tommy, a small smirk on her lips. She wanted to pretend like she was ready for whatever Emilie was about to throw at her.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle rolled her eyes as Florence didn't drink, "Fucking bitch." She muttered with a shake of her head. She didn't really know - or care - if Florence was more dramatic than Emilie, but she didn't like that Florence would think that of her friend. She looked up at Gabe for a moment. If she thought about it, she knew why Vance didn't like Gabe. If Annabelle was completely honest with herself, she knew she would drop everything if he wanted her to.

AG LC TC FM: Link chuckled as he heard Emilie and he nodded his head, "That's one word for it." He felt better now that he had a little something in his system, more confident, more like himself. That was why he relied on it so much. He needed it. And even though he pretended otherwise, Link wouldn't change a single thing about Emilie. He thought she was probably the most amazing person there was.

AG LC TC FM: Theo was just happy to spend time with Edie. It didn't matter to him where that was. He just wanted to be able to be with her. He laughed as she spoke and nodded his head, "Of course I did. You know i'll probably end up holed away at some point." He shrugged. He wondered if that was why he didn't fit in as well with the others. They were so happy being in each others company. He preferred to just being by himself.

EH GS EC TM: Emilie laughed at Florence's words, a little smirk on her face - she liked the fact that she was biting, it meant that she was bothered. "Nope - I just have the one boyfriend. I don't need a back-up for whenever mine decides he's not interested anymore." She smiled sweetly, looking at the rest of the group. "Next question?" She was never going to let on that she was bothered, but it did piss her off just a little bit whenever people used Link against her. She didn't like how it made her think.

EH GS EC TM: Tommy grinned at Florence's response, nodding approvingly. He liked it when she stood up for herself, especially because he more than anybody knew that she could. He knew both girls could handle themselves, that's why he liked this game. "Go on, Anna. You've usually got something to say." He spoke to the blonde with a challenging raise of an eyebrow.

EH GS EC TM: Gabe giggled as Annabelle spoke - more at the thought of Florence sleeping with the PM than anything else. He had a very childish sense of humour and they all knew that. He looked over at Link as Florence mentioned his name, noting the scowl on his friends face. He thought Florence was stepping into dangerous territory there.

EH GS EC TM: Edie smiled, ducking her head slightly as Theo spoke. She didn't think she would ever understand why somebody like him would want to spend time with her. "Yeah - I read Reasons to Stay Alive." She nodded her head - she was pretty sure he had been the author. She missed reading. She missed how relaxed she felt when she really got into a book. She hadn't been excited about anything like that in quite a long time.

AG LC TC FM: "At least I actually have interest in me outside of a drug addict and a dickhead." Florence retorted as she shrugged her shoulders. She wondered if she would go as hard if Tommy had even attempted to stand up for her. There was no way that she was going to back down to Emilie. She thought that all the other was, was a bully. She looked at Annabelle as she rolled her eyes, knowing the girl would try and make something mean against her.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle was about to speak when she heard what Florence had to say. "This is why no-one fucking wants her here, Tommy. You hearing this?!" She asked as she looked over at him. Surely he couldn't just let her talk about Link like that? "Most likely to be fucking sleeping on the street because they're a fucking bitch?" Annabelle spat. She was annoyed now and she looked back at Gabe, sure that he couldn't even defend her.

AG LC TC FM: At the mention of his addiction, Link stood forward then. He didn't see why that had to be brought up if he was completely honest. "Fucking uptight, stupid bitch." Link spat as he shook his head. "You come here, with people who don't fucking like you and try and talk to us like that?" He was angry, the drugs in his system almost lighting a fire under him. He wanted a fight now.

AG LC TC FM: "Thats the one i'm reading now." Theo smile. If he was honest, he just wanted to be able to understand what it was like living with mental illness a little more, so he could understand Edie more. He wanted to be able to be there for her whenever she needed it. "Do you think the coast will be clear downstairs soon? Or are we stuck up here till we go out?

EH GS EC TM: Emilie didn't even hear what the question was - she was too enraged by what Florence had said to hear anything else. "You want to watch your fucking mouth." She hissed, turning around to face the other. "I don't know how you dare come in here, knowing that nobody wants you here. Even Tommy only asked you to come so he'd have somebody to fuck at the end of the night if it turns out badly. You come in here and you speak to my friends like that?" She asked, her eyes black and hard. "I swear to god, one more word and I will take that silver spoon out of your mouth and ram it down your fucking throat. Game's over." She spat, before looking at Tommy. "Control your pet, please."

EH GS EC TM: "Hey!" Gabe snapped as he heard what Florence had to say. He was usually the last one to speak up, but he wasn't going to let her speak about his friend that way just to try and get one up on Emilie. He sighed and turned to Tommy. "Why do you even bring her, Tommy? It's not fair!" His voice sounded sad - it was far from argumentative. It was an actual question. He just wished Tommy would stop doing things like this, again and again. "Alright - let's go outside." He muttered to Link, nodding his head towards the door. He looked at Annabelle and Emilie to follow them.

EH GS EC TM: Tommy internally groaned as things started to kick off - he'd wanted Florence to stand up for herself, but not like this. The addiction was one of those things that was off limits, when not many things were and she had absolutely done the only thing that could make them all hate her even more. "Alright! Let's all fucking calm down, shall we?" He called over everyone, shaking his head. "Can we talk upstairs?" He said quietly to Florence, raising an eyebrow. He wasn't going to do it in front of everybody and give them the satisfaction of seeing what they wanted. He thought they had been just as bad to her, if he was honest. Maybe even worse.

EH GS EC TM: "Do you like it?" Edie smiled curiously, rolling over so that she was on her stomach, facing him. She had really enjoyed the book - she'd got it out of the university library, unable to afford a copy for herself and sat there all night until she'd finished it. She wondered what Theo was thinking as he read it - was he thinking about her? "Soon... It needs to peak before it gets better. We'll hear when it happens." She knew her friends like she knew the back of her hand. She nodded as she started to hear footsteps. "Right on cue."

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle smirked as Emilie talked to Florence. She figured that her friend would be able to handle it, if she was completely honest. "Leave it Em, she's not fucking worth the breath." Annabelle rolled her eyes. She thought that Florence was the lowest of the low. She thought that she was the worst person that Tommy could've picked to be with and sometimes, she wondered why he was even with her.

AG LC TC FM: Link didn't think he was done. He wanted to fight someone. But as he heard Gabe, he followed after his friend regardless. He wasn't going to stay there for much longer because he was absolutely sure that he'd punch Florence and then he really would be in the wrong. Instead, he punched the wall once he was outside. He didn't even feel how bad his hand hurt after that. "Fucking BITCH!" Link shouted again. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got about it all.

AG LC TC FM: Florence knew that she would push buttons, that's why she had said it to them. If they had spoke to her about it all, she would tell them that she could probably figure out some ways in order to help Link, rather than letting it all be brushed under the carpet. But instead they all just seemed to want to make her the bad guy. Florence wanted to say more to her but she thought that would just be pushing it. She sometimes wondered if Emilie even realised how mean she could be. "Why? So you can stand up for them?" She looked at Tommy. That was what frustrated her the most. He would never stand up for her but he would have his friends backs, no matter what.

AG LC TC FM: Theo nodded, "Yeah, it's really interesting. I don't think i've ever understood mental health more than this, you know?" He asked with a small smile. Theo really did think Edie was the most wonderful person and learning more about her issues was something that made him even more in awe of her. Theo wished he was braver. If he was, he would've reached to kiss her then.

EH GS EC TM: Emilie laughed, nodding her head. "You're right." She picked up her drink and started to follow the boys outside - she loved Gabe, but she didn't know if he was the best person to handle Link when he was like this. "Go on, be a good little girl." She told Florence with a smirk as she refused to speak with Tommy. She didn't know why she felt the need to be this mean, but something about Florence offended her personally - especially after what she'd said about Link. She would never, ever take that. "Come on," she muttered to Annabelle, heading out of the door. "Oi! What's that gonna do?" She sighed as she saw Link punching the wall, putting a hand on his arm lightly.

EH GS EC TM: Gabe jumped slightly as his friend shouted, wincing as he saw blood on his hand as he pulled it away from the wall. He completely understood why Link was angry, because he was angry too - he just felt it in a very different way. He lit a cigarette for himself and one for his friend, handing it over silently. He wished Tommy had stood up for him more - this was what he meant when he'd said Annabelle was a better friend than Tommy ever was. He looked to her with a sad smile, shrugging his shoulders. He felt very disappointed in Tommy.

EH GS EC TM: Tommy sighed, shaking his head. "They're my friends, Flo. You shouldn't have said that." They had all been through so much with Link that people outside the group didn't seem to understand - nobody else had been the ones getting him out of fights, sitting in the hospital with him, trying to keep an eye on him so he didn't do anything stupid. For somebody else to make a dig about it just felt like a kick in the teeth. "Look, just - let things calm down a bit before we go out and they'll be fine. It'll be fine." He thought his friends would cool off surprisingly quickly - they usually did.

EH GS EC TM: Theo's words brought a smile to Edie's face and she nodded her head - the book had given her a lot of understanding about even herself and the fact that Theo was trying to educate himself was something she thought was amazing. She looked at him for a couple of seconds, her breath hitching in her throat as she wondered if he was going to kiss her, but as he didn't she moved slightly awkwardly. "Um - we can probably go downstairs now." She smiled.

AG LC TC FM: Link rolled his eyes as Emilie spoke to him. He was so annoyed. Part of him knew that it was because he knew Florence was right. He wasn't ever going to deserve Emilie. Link didn't think that he would even be around for much longer. Since Amelia had died, he had figured that he would probably follow suit with it. And if he was honest, he was completely fine with that. "Made me feel better."

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle sighed as Link hit the wall. She moved closer to Gabe and took a hold of his hand. She knew that it took a lot to make him angry and that fact made her even angrier with Florence. She hated that she had managed to upset Gabe too. "Can I have one?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow as Gabe took out the cigarettes. She hadn't been able to afford them, recently, so she was just trying to get one wherever she could.

AG LC TC FM: Florence shook her head as she listened to Tommy. "There we go. Defending actual fucking bullies!" She snapped at him. She was so hurt. Florence knew that she could fight her battles but sometimes, she thought it would be nice if he could stand up for her too. "No. Doesn't matter. I'm gonna get the last train home." She shook her head before she looked up at him. "I don't want do this anymore, Tommy." She spoke, against her better judgement. Florence loved him but the way he was with his friends, the way his friends were with her, it was all too much. "I can't be made to be the fucking bad guy just for wanting to go somewhere with my boyfriend! It's not fair."

AG LC TC FM: Theo was just about to reach over to kiss her - when she moved away from him. He nodded as she spoke again, "Yeah. If you wanna go back down, that - that's fine." He smiled at her. Theo wished that he could've talked to her. He wished he could express what he was thinking but it was difficult. he didn't know if he could go through things wit h the two of them not working out again.

EH GS EC TM: Emilie shook her head, the tiniest of smiles on her face. "Punch away, then." She rolled her eyes playfully, but she didn't move away. She would absolutely love to go back in there and drag Florence out by her hair for what she'd said about Link, but she knew she'd only hate her more if she actually let her ruin the night. She was determined that they could still go out and have fun, to rectify everything and spend time together. "Don't let her fucking ruin the weekend because she can't control her mouth. She won't be saying anything else." She would make sure of that.

EH GS EC TM: Gabe squeezed Annabelle's hand as she took his, looking down at her with a little smile. "Yeah, of course." He nodded his head. He let go of her hand to take five from the packet, slipping them into his pocket before handing the rest of the pack to her. He knew she couldn't afford a lot at the minute and although he was by no means loaded, he made a steady wage at the coffee shop. What was his, was hers - it had been that way since they were kids. His parents had always instilled it in him. What the Saracens had, the Gellars had too.

EH GS EC TM: "Oh, come on! They're not bullies!" Tommy argued, shaking his head. He thought that was a bit much - he knew they could be a lot, but they weren't bullies. "Flo, don't get the train home - come on! This was supposed to be a nice weekend together!" He still wanted them to have the weekend, to do everything that was planned. "I want you to stay, okay? Please?" It was the closest Tommy would get to begging. "Stay and then tomorrow we'll do something just me and you. Leave the rest of them here. They'll be too hungover to move, anyway." He had no idea how being with Florence was ever going to work when his friends hated her, but he would try.

EH GS EC TM: Edie never had a clue where she was standing when it came to her and Theo and not because of him, but because of herself. She knew she loved him still and she always wanted him around, but she also didn't think she could handle them not working out again - she thought that might actually tip her over the edge this time. That, along with the fact that he didn't deserve to have to put up with her, when she was in a bad way. She cleared her throat slightly. "Yeah, let's go - before they actually notice we're gone." She laughed softly, shaking her head as she got up off the bed and started to move downstairs.

AG LC TC FM: Link shook his head. "I'm good now." He shrugged. He really didn't think that he wanted to see Florence for the rest of the night. He thought that she was nasty and he knew he wouldn't be able to keep his cool if he had to spend time with her. "I'm not going too." He snapped as he shook his head. he didn't like that Emilie was telling him what to do and he was already in a bad mood so he couldn't help himself.

AG LC TC FM: "Thanks." Annabelle smiled. The Saracens had always been so generous with her and her siblings and Annabelle didn't know how she would ever repay them all for that. That was why, no matter what, she would never let anyone say anything bad about Gabe. That was why she constantly fought with Vance about him. She didn't think it was more than, that. "Where the fuck is Edie?"

AG LC TC FM: "No? Then what have I done to warrant them to treat me like that? Because I think it's baseless and that's basically the definition of bully." Florence shook her head. She knew that he was never going to agree with her though. She sighed as he started talking to her again. "They all hate me Tommy and Emilies right - you'll be off with the first girl who shows you a bit of attention, won't you?" She knew that, that was probably harsh but it wasn't like it hadn't happened before. "And I didn't even just mean this weekend, anyway."

AG LC TC FM: Theo knew that he had to be patient. If Edie wanted to be with him, he hoped that she would tell him. He hoped that if she felt like she was ready, the two of them could really have something good. He nodded his head and got off the bed. As much as he wanted to stay there with Edie for the rest of the night, he knew that they were all there to spend time with ehr friends.

EH GS TM EC: Emilie rolled her eyes as Link snapped at her, stepping away from him. "Don't fucking snap at me." She muttered, but she left it there. She looked over at Annabelle as she realised that she actually didn't know where Edie was - she felt bad that she hadn't realised earlier, but she didn't think she'd been around for a while. "Where the fuck did she go?" She asked, narrowing her eyes slightly. She thought Theo was pretty harmless and he and Edie made sense as a pair, but she still looked out for her like a little sister.

EH GS TM EC: Gabe shrugged his shoulders in response to the thanks - he wouldn't want to have something that he couldn't share with his friends, not really. Especially when it came to Annabelle - that was why he had wanted to pitch in for the weekend away. "Oh yeah... When did she leave?" He asked, realising that she hadn't been there for most of the game. He wasn't the most perceptive person anyway, but he knew he probably should've realised that part of the group wasn't there.

EH GS TM EC: "Florence, nobody's acting like a fucking angel here, are they? You went after Link out of nowhere and he hadn't even said a word to you." Tommy raised an eyebrow. He didn't think that was fair and he didn't think anybody was especially in the right here. He rolled his eyes as she continued to speak - it made him angry that even though he was trying, even though he'd brought her this weekend, she still thought the worst of him. "Fucking fine. Get the train home then, if that's what you think. See if I fucking care." He snapped, shaking his head. His attitude could change so fast, because he hated feeling humiliated.

EH GS TM EC: Edie was pretty sure that the game would be over by now, so she didn't hesitate before walking into the living room - and stepped back out again as she realised that Florence and Tommy were in the middle of an argument. She winced slightly and looked at Theo, shaking her head as she closed the door. "It might be a little bit worse than we thought?"

AG LC TC FM joined the chat

AG LC TC FM: Link rolled his eyes as Emilie snapped back, though he should've guessed that she wouldn't like him snapping. He raised an eyebrow as he heard that Edie wasn't there and instantly felt bad that he hadn't realised that Edie wasn't there. Their families had always been close and Edie was definitely like a little sister to him, "Fuck sake." He muttered with a shake of his head. He was getting annoyed at the smallest things and he knew he needed something else to take the edge off.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle would usually feel like a charity case if it was anyone but Gabe and the others. She definitely appreciated that her friends were willing to help her and Edie out, rather than just not doing it at all. Annabelle smirked as she realised that Theo had gone too. "She's probably having a wonderful time." The blonde rolled her eyes. She thought that Theo and Edie were really good together. She hoped her friend would let herself have this one.

AG LC TC FM: "Why do you never stand up for me?! Of course your friends think it's fine to continuously dig into me because YOU don't say otherwise!" Florence was getting upset now. She really would do anything for Tommy. She was continuously defending him when it came to her friends. Florence rolled her eyes as he spoke, "Fucking thought so." She snapped. "I'm done, Tommy." She snapped, before she moved out of the room, pushing past Edie and Theo so she could get upstairs to grab her stuff. She wanted to be out of there as soon as possible.

AG LC TC FM: Theo raised an eyebrow as he heard the voices and then as he realised that Florence was coming their way too. "I think we're definitely in the wrong place.." He muttered. "Where are the others?" He was really curious and definitely wanted to find out what had happened.

EH GS TM EC: Emilie looked at Annabelle curiously as she spoke, realising quickly what wavelength she was on and laughing slightly. She thought Edie deserved some happiness and she hoped that she was off somewhere with Theo, because then she wouldn't feel as bad about not realising that she'd left. She could hear Florence shouting from inside the house and she was dying to know what was going on, but she was sure she'd get it from Tommy later.

EH GS TM EC: "They're so cute." Gabe smiled, shaking his head. He thought it was time that they just admitted they wanted to be together and took the plunge. "Can we just go out now? I'll call us a taxi, Tommy and Florence can meet us out or whatever." He shrugged his shoulders.

EH GS TM EC: "Because you can fucking handle yourself! What did they even say that was so bad?!" Tommy argued, shaking his head. He didn't think Emilie had said anything that Florence hadn't refuted with something just as bad. "Fine, whatever. You'll be back in a week." He laughed bitterly, watching as Florence walked out of the room. He wanted her to stay, he wanted them to talk about it and fix it - but he wasn't going to beg. He never would.

EH GS TM EC: Edie couldn't help but feel a little bit bad for Florence - she didn't like her, not by any means, but she could only imagine how awful it would feel for your boyfriend not to stand up for you at all. "They'll be outside, I think." She headed that way, waving slightly as she saw them. "What happened?" She asked, looking at Annabelle.

AG LC TC FM: Link rested against the wall with a sigh. He nodded his head as he heard Gabe, "Lets get the fuck out of here." He muttered with a sigh. He really did want to get out of there, get to some kind of party sooner rather than later.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle smiled as Edie came out, "Hey gorgeous!" She laughed as she heard her friends question. "Florence was a bitch to Link." She thought that, that pretty much summed up what she thought on the whole subject. She didn't want to spend too long talking about what had happened. She laughed, though, as she heard the word 'done'. "Okay - looks like Tommy will actually be bringing some random girl back." She rolled her eyes.

AG LC TC FM: Florence loved Tommy. She loved him so much but she didn't know how much more of his bullshit, she could take. She could handle herself but she didn't think that, she should have to. "You know - she said the same damn thing that I did and you found it funny when she brought it up. Fucking insane." She snapped. She continued up the stairs. She really didn't want to be near him anymore, near any of them. She wanted to be home now. "Not on your life." Florence shouted over her shoulder. "I am DONE!" And she really did mean it this time.

AG LC TC FM: Theo sighed as the others spoke. He really liked Edie and her friends but he thought that it was a little harsh when they spoke about other people, when they found enjoyment in the hurt they caused other people.

EH GS TM EC: **a few hours later**

EH GS TM EC: Since arguing with Florence, Tommy had pretty much spent the entire night with any remotely attractive girl in the club and yet it wasn't cheering him up. He'd had plenty to drink and even something a little stronger last time he'd gone to the bathroom, but he was still in a foul mood and it was written all over his face. He couldn't snap himself out of it and to be honest, that alone was pissing him off.

EH GS TM EC: "Have you seen the look on Tommy's face?" Gabe whispered to Link, raising an eyebrow. He didn't understand why Tommy didn't just admit that he was having a terrible night and go home - he had been snapping at all of them all night, he didn't seem to want to spend any time with them, so it felt like a waste. "Anyway! Another drink?" He grinned, gesturing towards their empty glasses. He wanted to enjoy himself, even if Tommy wasn't.

EH GS TM EC: "Make them all doubles." Emilie told the bartender with a smile, waiting until he'd poured their drinks and handing them over to Annabelle and Edie. She had been buying the drinks pretty much all night, but she didn't care - she would rather that than them struggle. "I can't believe she actually got the train home, can you?" She laughed, raising an eyebrow as she looked at Annabelle. She really had thought Florence would at least stick around for the night.

EH GS TM EC: "Thanks." Edie smiled as she took the drink - she hated being a charity case, but she knew that it was either this or she and Annabelle stayed at home. She didn't get paid for another week and even then it wouldn't be a lot. She took Emilie and Annabelle talking about Florence as her cue to go and she looked around for Theo, going to join him. "Hey! It's really cool here, right?" She smiled.

AG LC TC FM: Link nodded his head as he heard Gabes question. He was pretty annoyed with Tommy, if he was honest. He wanted to have a good weekend with his friends and it seemed like nothing was making him any happier. "He's being a baby." Link growled. They all knew he would end up with someone so he didn't understand why he was being such a baby about it. "Definitely." He laughed as he nodded his head. "And shots. The girls will want shots."

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle knew that Emilie only did it because she wanted her friends to have a good time too but sometimes she felt like the other could be a little flaunting with the cash. She knew it came from a good place but she couldn't help but be a little annoyed about it. "She knew what you said was right. There's no way he would go back with her." Annabelle shook her head. She found it pretty funny, if she was honest. She didn't realise how mean that made her seem.

AG LC TC FM: Theo had pretty much spent the entire booth that he and the others had found at the start of the night. The club life wasn't for him but he was trying. He smiled as Edie made her way over to him. He really did think that she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. "Yeah, it's pretty cool." he chuckled with a nod of his head. "What're you drinking?"

EH GS TM EC: "He is being a baby." Gabe agreed, nodding his head. They usually had such a fun time and Tommy was the life of the party, so he didn't understand why that was so different tonight, just because he and Florence had argued. He wished he would perk up a bit. "Yes! Of course they'll want shots." He laughed, looking over to see the girls. They, at least, seemed to be having a good night and he knew that his and Link's night would improve significantly if they ignored Tommy and spent time with the girls, instead.

EH GS TM EC: "He is being a baby." Gabe agreed, nodding his head. They usually had such a fun time and Tommy was the life of the party, so he didn't understand why that was so different tonight, just because he and Florence had argued. He wished he would perk up a bit. "Yes! Of course they'll want shots." He laughed, looking over to see the girls. They, at least, seemed to be having a good night and he knew that his and Link's night would improve significantly if they ignored Tommy and spent time with the girls, instead.

EH GS TM EC: If Emilie had known that her friends thought she was flaunting her money, she would've been mortified - it wasn't even that she had that much of it, just that she worked a lot aside having her student loan and she knew she was more fortunate in the family department than either of the girls. "Yeah, but he's walking around with a face like a smacked arse now as well. I wish he'd gone with her." She laughed, rolling her eyes.

EH GS TM EC: Edie slid into the booth across from Theo with a little smile on her face; she loved that no matter where they were, he was always completely himself. He didn't pretend to be anybody else to fit in with them all. She thought it was amazing. "Malibu, I think. Emilie bought it." She laughed, in a way of explanation. It wasn't what she would've chosen, but she'd told her friend to get her whatever she was having. Everytime she looked over, she was so happy that Theo was there.

AG LC TC FM: Sometimes, Link wondered if Tommy liked FLorence more than he let on. He didn't think he had ever seen Tommy get so upset over a girl before. He thought that, that was pretty telling. Link would always prefer Emilies company over anyone elses so he definitely wanted to spend more time with the girls. He got up then, and moved over to the bar. "What you thinking?"

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle had never known even a small amount of wealth. Her brother worked his hardest but it still wasn't enough some times. There was no way he could give her a helping hand and she refused to ask anyone else for it. It was why she liked that her friends knew her as well as they did. She didn't have to ask. "Leave him to it." Annabelle rolled her eyes. "I can't believe he'd be so fucking winey over Florence of all people.

AG LC TC FM: Theo wondered, sometimes, if he would be more accepted into the group if he tried to be a little more like the rest of them. He liked them all a lot but he didn't think the feeling was all that mutual, "Got it." Theo nodded. He liked that Edie wanted to spend time with him. He liked that she had come over. He definitely wanted to spend as much time with her as possible.

EH GS TM EC: "They'll want tequila, I think - but I'll be sick. So I'll have Sambuca." Gabe laughed, raising an eyebrow. The girls tolerance - and Link's, for that matter - never failed to amaze him. He was excited to spend time with Annabelle, though - she was his best friend and he always loved her company.

EH GS TM EC: "I know, what the actual fuck?" Emilie rolled her eyes, leaning against the bar as she sipped her drink through a straw. She had turned her phone off earlier in the night so that she wasn't being bombarded with messages and she felt so much more relaxed because of it. "Oh well, he'll get over it soon." She laughed, shrugging her shoulders. She didn't think this would stay a big deal for very long.

EH GS TM EC: If Edie knew how Theo was feeling, she would absolutely reassure him that the others just simply wouldn't invite him if they didn't want him around - and that meant a lot to her. "What about you, do you have a drink?" She raised an eyebrow. His calmness always kind of spread to her, it made her feel so relaxed.

AG LC TC FM: "They will definitely want tequila. Me too." Link nodded. He loved Gabe, like a little brother, but sometimes the others inability to keep up with the rest of them annoyed him. It was why he liked going out out with Tommy. Tommy could keep up with him - probably drink him under the table sometimes. "Is she back with Vance yet?" He asked, seeing Gabe glance over at their friends.

AG LC TC FM: "It's fucking stupid." Annabelle didn't think she had seen him like this with anyone. It was why - sometimes - she wondered if she and Emilie should go a little easier on Florence. It seemed like Tommy was pretty set on Florence. "Yeah - he will. Doesn't fucking matter." Though Annabelle wasn't with Vance, she had been texting him all night. She knew that he was going out too so she liked that he was thinking about her and not some other girl.

AG LC TC FM: "I just got a coke." Theo shrugged his shoulders with a laugh. He had never been a big drinking, he much preferred being able to be on guard in case any of his friends needed him .And he had a lot of fun without it. He didn't feel like he needed the alcohol.

EH GS TM EC: Gabe knew that he probably wasn't as advanced as the others when it came to drinking, but he still always enjoyed himself and he was always there at the end of the night, with the rest of them. He ordered the shots and his and Link's drinks and swiped his card - he would check how much damage he'd done in the morning. He shrugged his shoulders at his friends question. "Beats me. Probably, though. She's been looking at her phone all night." He rolled his eyes. He hated the way Vance treated Annabelle.

EH GS TM EC: Gabe knew that he probably wasn't as advanced as the others when it came to drinking, but he still always enjoyed himself and he was always there at the end of the night, with the rest of them. He ordered the shots and his and Link's drinks and swiped his card - he would check how much damage he'd done in the morning. He shrugged his shoulders at his friends question. "Beats me. Probably, though. She's been looking at her phone all night." He rolled his eyes. He hated the way Vance treated Annabelle.

EH GS TM EC: Emilie knew she had probably baited Florence a little bit too much and if she hadn't said what she had about Link, she might even feel bad about it - but right now, she didn't. She took another sip of her drink and felt eyes on her, turning slightly to look over the bar. "Those men won't stop staring at us." She rolled her eyes, giving them a sarcastic smile. She was pretty used to male attention, but it didn't mean it didn't annoy her when she didn't want it.

EH GS TM EC: Edie nodded her head, smiling. She wished she had the self control that Theo had, but she could never imagine choosing a soft drink over an alcoholic one... The feeling it gave her was too good. "Aren't you bored? Sitting alone?" She asked. Her tone wasn't judgmental, she was just genuinely curious about how he was so content to sit alone.

AG LC TC FM: Link nodded as he listened to the other. "Of course she hasn't." He chuckled. He didn't like either Emilie or Annabelles boyfriends. He thought that both the girls could do so much better. "Those guys keep staring at them." He growled, nodding over to the pair. He nodded his head at the bar tender and took a hold of the tray, not trusting how clumsy Gabe was, "Lets go."

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle raised an eyebrow as Emilie spoke and looked over to see who she was talking about. She was almost certain that they were only interested in Emilie. Annabelle knew that she was basically a sack of potatoes next to her. "You think they'll get us some drinks?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow and a smile. Even if she wasn't interested, she was definitely willing to get whatever they could from them.

AG LC TC FM: "No." Theo smiled as he shook his head, "And i'm not alone right now, am I? I'm with you." He chuckled. Theo loved sitting and people watching. Especially in a place like this. But he was more than happy that Edie had joined them.

EH GS TM EC: Gabe looked over as Link pointed out some guys and narrowed his eyes slightly - they looked pretty harmless to him and he couldn't blame them for looking, but he definitely wanted to be around the girls to make sure they were safe. He laughed as Link took the tray from him, not even trusting himself to carry them. "Hey!" He grinned as they reached the girls, gesturing to the shots. "Look what we brought!" He knew that the four of them were still going to have the most fun, no matter what.

EH GS TM EC: Emilie would never deny that she thought a lot of herself, but she also thought Annabelle was absolutely gorgeous and she would always champion that. She laughed as the other spoke. "Why don't you find out?" She asked. The guys didn't look particularly creepy, she just wasn't interested. She turned as she heard the boys, a smile on her face. "Didn't trust Gabe to carry them?" She asked Link with a laugh, raising an eyebrow.

EH GS TM EC: Edie smiled at that, playing with the ends of her hair almost subconsciously. "I guess not... And it's easy to watch people from here." She smiled, looking around them. The booth was in the perfect spot for people watching and she always found that so interesting. "I'm really happy you're here." She told him shyly, ducking her head ever so slightly.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle was about to go over to them, to see what they had to say, when she heard Gabes voice and she turned to face them. "You know the way to my heart, Saracen!" Annabelle laughed with a nod of her head. She took one of the shots quickly, looking around at her friends with a wide smile. She loved Edie and Tommy but Gabe and Emilie and Link was definitely her safe place.

AG LC TC FM: Link shrugged as Emilie spoke, "Would you?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow. "And figured that you wouldn't like it, if we turned up and you didn't have a shot." He was keeping half an eye on the men that kept looking at Emilie though. He didn't like the look of them, even if Gabe thought they seemed harmless. "Bottoms up, Horowitz" He chuckled. He felt good tonight.

AG LC TC FM: Sometimes, it surprised him how well, Edie knew him and he nodded. "Yeah, that's exactly it." He chuckled. He was feeling brave, for the fleetest of moments, so he moved to sit closer to her and took her hand in his, "I'm happy i'm here too." Theo was always happy when he was with Edie and he hated that he had almost lost that.

EH GS TM EC: "Of course I do!" Gabe laughed, taking the little black shot that was his with a grin. "I can't take all the credit though, it was Link's idea." He laughed before he knocked back the shot with a little wince. He couldn't ever imagine having better friends than these guys and he just wished that Tommy would snap out of his mood and join them.

EH GS TM EC: "Not even a little bit." Emilie laughed with a shake of her head. She was glad that Link seemed to be in a better mood than before, although she was sure she knew why and she didn't like it. "You're right, I would've sent you back." She smiled, holding up her shot with a laugh as he spoke and tipping her head back slightly as she downed it. She loved the other two, but she thought she'd probably be just as happy if it was just her and Link.

EH GS TM EC: "Not even a little bit." Emilie laughed with a shake of her head. She was glad that Link seemed to be in a better mood than before, although she was sure she knew why and she didn't like it. "You're right, I would've sent you back." She smiled, holding up her shot with a laugh as he spoke and tipping her head back slightly as she downed it. She loved the other two, but she thought she'd probably be just as happy if it was just her and Link.

EH GS TM EC: It was hard for Edie to believe that there had been a time where she and Theo weren't stuck in this awkward limbo - where they had actually been together and done everything together and they had been so happy. She smiled widely as he took her hand, looking down at their interlocked fingers happily. She loved the way her hand felt in his.

AG LC TC FM: "And here I thought you'd gotten smart." Annabelle shrugged her shoulders slightly with a laugh. She knocked back her shot, without so much of a grimace. She was definitely used to tequila by now and she absolutely liked the taste of it. "So - Gabriel - any plans for tonight?" She asked, looking around, "Or are you gonna be as pathetic as Tommy and go for all of them?"

AG LC TC FM: "Point proven then." Link nodded. He knew that he could easily switch. That something could happen and it could set him off but for now, at least, he was good. "So it was just worth me carrying them." He shrugged. Link loved being around Emilie. He never paid much attention to when people made comments about the two of them. It didn't bother him because he knew that it would never happen.

AG LC TC FM: Theo really wanted to kiss Edie and he thought that this was a step closer to being able to do that. He wanted things to be good between them again. He thought that things had been good - before they weren't. He thought that they could have all of that again."Is that okaY?" He whispered as he saw her looking down.

EH GS TM EC: "I'm learning every day." Gabe laughed, nudging Annabelle jokingly. He clapped as she necked the shot, impressed at how easily it seemed to go down. "Plans?" He asked with a confused chuckle. "Oh - you mean plans." He grinned. "Oh, what? And leave you brokenhearted?" He smirked. He was obviously joking, but he did almost hope that Annabelle wanted to go home with him tonight. He thought she looked incredible - better than any of the other girls in the club, easily.

EH GS TM EC: By now, Emilie knew that a lot of her feelings towards Link probably weren't just friendly... She didn't act the way she did towards him towards anybody else, not even her own boyfriend - but things just weren't that simple. She was with Kurt and she couldn't see a way out of that and besides, Link had a lot of demons of his own - not even to say that he had the same thoughts she did. "Oh for gods sake," she muttered as she saw the guys from across the bar making their way over.

EH GS TM EC: "Is wha -- oh, yeah - of course it is." Edie said softly with a nod of her head, squeezing his hand softly. She knew that there were reasons they weren't together and couldn't be together, but they'd almost left her head in that moment. And feeling a rush of confidence from the substances rushing through her veins, she put a cold hand on the side of his face and leaned into kiss him gently, pulling away almost instantly. "Is that okay?"

AG LC TC FM: "You are. And yet we're still surpassing you." Annabelle smiled. She loved spending time with Gabe. He had been one of the few constants in her entire life and she knew that she would forever owe him for that. "Is that what you think I'll be?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow and a smile. Annabelle never stopped to think about what more she and gabe could be. All she knew was that, usually, friends didn't go home together as much as the two of them did.

AG LC TC FM: If things with Amelia hadn't been so messy, Link knew that he would've told Emilie how he felt by now. He knew that he would've told he that he loved her, Kurt be damned. But he couldn't do it. Emilie deserved so much more than that and he hated that he couldn't be the man that she deserved. "Fuck sake." Link muttered as he spotted one of the guys.

AG LC TC FM: Theo smiled. He was so nervous when he was around Edie because he never wanted to do something that was going to upset her. Her kiss took him completely off guard. He nodded enthusiastically as she spoke again, "That was - yeah - it was more than okay." He chuckled, before he lent in to kiss her again.

EH GS TM EC: "I must be a slow learner." Gabe laughed, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly. Annabelle would always be and always had been his best friend - he loved her company above anybody else's and he couldn't imagine that not being the case. "You wouldn't be disappointed?" He pouted slightly, raising an eyebrow. He didn't think he would bother going home with anybody else, even if nothing happened between he and Annabelle. It wasn't what he wanted the night to be about. Not tonight, anyway.

EH GS TM EC: Emilie turned sharply as the guy reached their side of the bar, a cold look on her face, a single eyebrow raised. "What?" She asked, as though he was taking up entirely too much of her time. "I was just wondering if I could get you a drink?" He had an annoyingly confident smirk on his face and it pissed her off. "No." She answered firmly, holding up her still half-full drink, but he wasn't stopping there. Usually, she would kick off, but she couldn't be bothered tonight. "You can buy me one drink. And you can leave it there." She told him, pointing to the space on the bar. She turned back to Link with a roll of her eyes. She didn't plan on drinking it - Annabelle could have it, if she wanted it.

EH GS TM EC: Edie couldn't help but giggle as she saw Theo's enthusiastic nod, his words bringing the biggest smile to her face before he leaned in to kiss her again. When they were like this, nothing felt any different from the first time they had been together, to the happiness they had felt. And kissing Theo felt so right. She had barely kissed anybody else - maybe two other people in her whole life, but she still knew enough to know that it wasn't like this with anybody else.

AG LC TC FM: "I think that is almost definitely it. Charlie took all the brains." It felt so easy with Gabe. It never felt like this when she was with Vance. He was difficult and they fought and sometimes - Annabelle enjoyed all of that. Most of the time, she just wanted an easier life. She shrugged her shoulders, "Depending who you went with." she laughed. Though deep down, she knew she would be upset if he did. Annabelle had no idea what was going on between them but she never liked to think about it for too long.

AG LC TC FM: Link kept a close eye on the man as he hounded Emilie. He half wanted her to tell him what for, to tell him that she wasn't interested. So he was surprised when she said that he could get her a drink. And even though Emilie turned back to him, Link kept an eye on the other. It was how he saw what was put in her drink. "The fuck did you just do?!" He snapped, grabbing the other by the collar and pinning him against the bar, "Huh!? What did you put in her drink?"

AG LC TC FM: Nothing felt more right to him, than kissing Edie. Theo hadn't been with anyone else since he and Edie broke up. He hadn't been interested in any of it, if he was completely honest. But he knew that if Edie asked, he would be right back there with her. He loved her so much and he wondered if tonight was going to change anything. He hoped so.

EH GS TM EC: "Are you joking? Clancy took all the brains and she didn't leave enough for the rest of us." Gabe laughed, rolling his eyes. With the exception of Clancy and Felicity, none of their family were exceptionally bright, but he didn't think any of them really cared all that much. Their strengths lay in different areas. "Really?" He chuckled, raising an eyebrow. He thought he'd be pretty disappointed if Annabelle went home with a random guy over him, but he wasn't about to say that right now. He knew people were always curious about what was going on between them and he didn't really know - he was just happy being best friends with the occasional benefit.

EH GS TM EC: Emilie wasn't in the least bit interested, especially because she was spending time with Link - but she knew she was in for an easier life if she didn't kick off right now... But as Link moved past her to shove the other guy against the bar, she spun around to see what was going on. "What the fuck?" She snapped, looking at the drink on the bar, which definitely didn't look right. It was scary how easily she could've given that to her friend or maybe even drank it herself, if her glass had been empty. The guy squirmed, but couldn't quite make it out of Link's grip. "I didn't fucking do anything, let go of me. She said I could buy her a fucking drink!" He spat, pushing the other guy angrily.

EH GS TM EC: It was very out of character for Edie to be sat kissing anybody in the middle of a packed club, but because it was Theo she just didn't care. She kissed him for a few more minutes before she pulled away, slightly breathlessly. "Do you - do you want to go back to the apartment? Before the others get back?" She asked, her voice nervous but hopeful. She just wanted to be alone with him.

AG LC TC FM: "Okay - that's very fair. Clancy and Felicity. Though she could've gotten them from her mums side." Annabelle laughed. She loved that both Gabe and Charlie didn't care that they weren't the smartest. They were always so true to themselves and she really liked that about them. "I mean - if you pull like Beyonce level gorgeous i'm not going to tear you away, am I?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow. Though Annabelle knew that didn't really answer the question. She knew she would be upset if he went home with someone that wasn't her.

AG LC TC FM: Link shook his head. "Yeah, buy her a drink, not fucking spike it." He snapped. He wanted to kick the shit out of him, if he was completely honest. His fist was still stinging from earlier, but Link didn't care. Link punched him once, twice, before security grabbed him. "He's trying to spike girls! And you're throwing me out!? Is this some fucking joke?!" Link shouted.

AG LC TC FM: This was probably the furthest thing from himself that Theo could think off but he couldn't waste this opportunity. He looked at her for a second as she pulled away from him and nodded his head. "Yeah - I'd like that." He nodded. He didn't care if anything more happened, he just wanted it to be the two of them.

EH GS TM EC: "Yeah, that's how I like to see it. Clancy got my mums brains, Fel got her mums and the rest of us got what was left of dads to share between us." Gabe laughed loudly, shrugging his shoulders. His dad also wasn't the smartest person around - everybody always said how similar Gabe and his dad were. "Beyonce level gorgeous?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "Why don't you just cut the crap and admit that you'd be disappointed?" He laughed as he looked at her.

EH GS TM EC: Emilie was still slightly in shock that she'd even given this guy the time of day just to get him off her back and she hadn't seen what a creep he was - she was usually so good at that. As soon as she'd processed that thought, however, Link was already slamming his fist into the others face. "Link, stop!" She shouted over the noise, sure that he was going to get thrown out or hurt himself - or both. Sure enough, the security guard was soon dragging him out and she followed quickly, not even having time to tell the others. "For fucks SAKE!" She shouted after him as they got outside. "Why did you lose it like that?! You should've just let me handle it!"

EH GS TM EC: If Edie knew what was happening with her friends at that very minute, she would've felt awful about leaving the club... But she didn't and she just wanted to be on her own with Theo, now. She kept their hands intertwined and got up, leading the way out of the club with a little smile on her face. It didn't take long to get a cab and she didn't let go of his hand, even as she buckled herself in.

AG LC TC FM: "That's an excellent way of seeing it. Maybe you're not as slow as we think you are." Annabelle laughed as she shrugged her shoulders. She loved how similar Gabe and his dad was. Though Annabelle worried she was like her mother, she didn't really think she was like either of them. She didn't think she was like anyone she knew and sometimes that felt really lonely. "Because that would be telling, my friend."

AG LC TC FM: Link knew that, sometimes, he could let his temper get the better of him. He could flip without a moments notice. But he had always been protective of Emilie and that wasn't going to stop now. "What?! You wouldn't have even known, if I hadn't been watching him, Emilie!" Link shouted back at her. He had done the right thing and he wouldn't let her tell him otherwise.

AG LC TC FM: Like Edie, theo had no idea what was going on with her friends. He hadn't seen any of them all night and he hoped that, that didn't mean they had gone back. He really wanted to be alone with Edie. He liked that they kept the contact the entire way home. He was worried that they would bottle it, that they would forget again, if they didn't.

EH GS TM EC: "Maybe I'm one of those TV show tropes who starts out really dumb but ends up going to Harvard or something." Gabe laughed, raising an eyebrow. He didn't think Annabelle was like either of her parents - he thought she was entirely her own person and that was absolutely incredible. He loved who she was. "You're an impossible woman, Gellar!" He laughed, pretending to scowl down at her. "Another drink?" He beamed as he realised both of their glasses were empty.

EH GS TM EC: "I wasn't going to drink it, I'm not an idiot!" Emilie argued, rolling her eyes dramatically. "And besides, you should've just told me and we could've gotten him fucking kicked out! Not you!" She shouted frustratedly, putting her head in her hands for a second before she looked back at him. "You didn't need to do that, that was so fucking stupid!" She knew that if they were in a different place, he could've been arrested for that and if they realised what else he had in his system then he'd have been fucked.

EH GS TM EC: Edie was pretty quiet for the journey home, but she knew they were still on the same page - it was just something she could feel. Her hands shook slightly as she reached to get the key out of her bag and into the lock - the fact that the door was locked seemed like a good sign; it meant the others weren't back yet. "Upstairs?" She asked softly, wondering if he wanted to stay down here or not.

AG LC TC FM: "Oh yeah - i could totally see you in Harvard." Annabelle laughed. She knew that she was pretty harsh on herself but she thought that it was warranted. Annabelle had never understood how she could have gotten so lucky to have friends like she did. They were some of the most amazing people she had ever met and she didn't understand why they still wanted her around. "That's why you love me." Annabelle laughed as she shrugged her shoulders. "Absolutely!"

AG LC TC FM: "Then why tell him you wanted it?" Link shouted back at her. He wasn't going to be made out to be the bad person, that he had done something wrong. He would always look after her, no matter what had happened. "It's done now Emilie, doesn't fucking matter now, does it?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow. "You know what is stupid?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow. "Being in love with someone who has a fucking boyfriend. Who deserves more than a fucking drug addict." He rolled his eyes as he repeated Florences words from earlier, almost sure that she would know who he was talking about.

AG LC TC FM: Theo didn't mind the quiet but he could feel the sense of anticipation between the two of them. He liked that feeling, because he knew that something good was coming, something that they had waited for, for a while. "Yeah.." Theo nodded. A small smile on his face. Although this wasn't something new with Edie, he was definitely nervous.

EH GS TM EC: "What would I study?" Gabe laughed curiously - he loved that he and Annabelle could talk for so long about pretty much nothing, but entertain themselves so much in the process. "One of the reasons." He laughed in agreement, nodding his head. He could probably write a book on all of the reasons he thought Annabelle was the best person alive - without even exaggerating once. "Yes! What do you want?" He smiled, thinking for a second about what to get himself. He was already pretty drunk, but he wanted to be even more so.

EH GS TM EC: "For a fucking easy life!" Emilie knew that Link was only protecting her and she did appreciate it, but she wished he wouldn't be so reckless sometimes because she really didn't want to see him get into trouble. Not anymore. "It does matter, because --" She stopped as he spoke again, her face the picture of confusion. "What the fuck are you even talking about?" She asked, shaking her head. Surely he couldn't be saying what she thought he was saying? Surely he wasn't talking about the two of them?

EH GS TM EC: Edie knew that she should probably let her friends know that she'd come back, so that they didn't worry if they decided to look for her - but she didn't want to think about anything other than Theo and what was going to happen between them. "Okay..." The smile on her face matched his as she lead the way up the stairs and into the room, standing almost nervously.

AG LC TC FM: "ooh good question. Oh my god, you could be Elle Woods and go to the law school!" Annabelle laughed as she nodded her head. She was so glad to be able to spend more time with Gabe, without having to worry about what Vance had to say about it. She liked that she hadn't really thought about him since talking to Gabe. "A long island ice tea, please!" Annabelle was pretty drunk already but she wanted to be worse.

AG LC TC FM: Link shook his head as Emilie question him. "You know exactly what i am saying, Emilie. You've always fucking known." Everyone around them, knew how mmuch Link liked Emilie. They saw it before he ever had. He shook his head, "Doesn't fucking matter. Go back inside. I'm gonna walk home." He figured that, that was probably the best best. She had a boyfriend. It didn't matter what he thought, what he wanted.

AG LC TC FM: These were the moments which made Theo wish that he could talk to his brother. He wanted to celebrate with his brother that he and Edie were getting somewhere. He followed her up the stairs, a small smile on his face as he looked over at her. Theo looked at her for a moment, before he kissed her again. That was all he had been thinking about as they made their way home.

EH GS TM EC: "I could do that! Would you be my Greek chorus?" Gabe grinned, pulling a pouty face. He had never even considered going to university and he didn't regret not going, even now - it just wasn't for him. He had struggled in school and in college, other than in drama and he didn't want to repeat that experience for another three years. Not when there was such an obvious out. "Ooh, I'll have the same please!" He called, nodding his head approvingly. "A long island ice tea has everything! It's the perfect choice!"

EH GS TM EC: Despite what everybody had always said, Emilie genuinely hadn't had a clue that Link felt that way - they had both always denied it and she'd thought that was that. But the revelation that things might be different... It changed things. "What?! No I haven't, I didn't know anything!" She was completely in shock and she didn't know what to do. "Don't tell me what to do! And don't you dare walk away, don't be a fucking coward - tell me what you're saying, now!" She demanded, one second away from stamping her foot on the floor. She wanted to hear it.

EH GS TM EC: Edie just thought Theo was the best person she had ever met - she was lucky to even be in his company, never mind have spent time being his girlfriend... and now this. It was hard not to feel lucky when he was looking at her the way he was. She closed her eyes as he kissed her again, wrapping her arms around him tightly as she kissed him back. In that moment, everything felt okay.

AG LC TC FM: "I'd be your Emmett, duh." Annabelle laughed with a shrug of her shoulders. Annabelle definitely didn't think less of Gabe for not going to Uni. Sometimes, she wondered if it really was the right place for her. She liked living with Edie and she liked the social side of it all - but she found it hard to concentrate on anything that went on in class. "You're such a copy cat." Annabelle rolled her eyes.

AG LC TC FM: Link shook his head as Emilie spoke. He found it insane that Emilie seemed to not understand what had happened. He didn't know what to say to her though because she was right, he was a coward. Link sighed as he looked at her. "I'm in fucking love with you Emilie, you happy now?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow. He wanted to leave, he wanted to run. He knew he wouldn't be saying this if he was sober.

AG LC TC FM: Theo wanted to ask her what this meant. He wanted to know if this would change anything between them - but all of his courage was taken by kissing her and he didn't want to do something which was going to change what they were doing.

EH GS TM EC: "Oh, yes! I love this! Tommy's my Warner." Gabe laughed, nodding his head enthusiastically. He had to admit, he had been surprised when Annabelle had said she was applying to university - but he knew she could do anything she put her mind to and he would never refute that. "What can I say? You're my idol, if you do something - I just have to follow." He shrugged, a jovial expression on his face.

EH GS TM EC: Even though she had demanded it, Emilie didn't expect Link to be so truthful with her and all she could do was stand and look at him, like an idiot. She wanted to tell him that she loved him, too. She wanted to kiss him and to tell him that nothing else mattered, they could make it work. But nothing was that simple. Everything was against them working out and she knew it. But she loved him. All she could say was: "Why did you never tell me?"

EH GS TM EC: Edie didn't know what was going to happen after this - all of the reasons for them not to be together still existed and she knew that, but she didn't want to think about it right now. She just wanted this to happen and it was. She didn't break the kiss, but she took a couple of steps back, almost leading him towards the bed. She felt nervous, but an excited kind - he never made her feel nervous in a bad way.

AG LC TC FM: "Oooh, you pick me over Tommy, i love that!" Annabelle smiled. She had decided to go to university because she wanted to prove that she could do it. She thought that most of them would think that she couldn't and she wanted to show them all wrong. That was really the only reason why she was going. That and Emilie and Edie were also there. "Of course. I'm just such a trend settle, it's so obvious, don't you think?"

AG LC TC FM: The time it took for Emilie to say something, felt like the longest he had ever had to wait. It was like time stood still. And Link felt like he couldn't breath. Though when she did speak again, he sighed. Because that felt like an impossible answer. "Where do I fucking start?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow. "You're with Kurt before that Amelia had just dies.." He shrugged.

AG LC TC FM: Theo was doing better now. He was better after everything with his brother - but it wasn't the case for Edie. She was still the same. Theo felt like he was in a better place to handle all of that, to deal with it but he didn't like that he still wasn't completely sure.

EH GS TM EC: "Of course I do!" Gabe laughed. Tommy was one of his best friends, but nobody was more important to him than Annabelle and he would pick her every single time. He knew that in whatever way, they would end up in each others lives somehow and he was excited to find out how. "Naturally - I'm going to start plaiting my hair and wearing mini skirts soon." He grinned, pretending to show off his legs.

EH GS TM EC: Emilie nodded as Link spoke; because as much as she hated it, she understood... There had never been a right time for him to say - now, wasn't even the right time. But it was out and there was no avoiding that fact. "I don't - I don't know what to say." She sighed, taking a couple of steps back and a deep breath, to try and get her head in order. She loved him. She knew that. And she had to leave Kurt as soon as she got home, as terrifying as that was. "There would be so much standing in our way."

EH GS TM EC: Edie never wanted to be something that Theo had to handle. She wanted to be an equal, somebody he didn't always have to worry about and look after - but she just wasn't there yet and she didn't think she would ever be. She was a mess and that was just who she was. She wouldn't ever put that on him again and she knew that in the morning, she would be sure of all of this... But she wasn't thinking straight right now. She wasn't even thinking about the fact that the others could be back whenever, really.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle beamed as Gabe confirmed what she had said. She liked to know he would pick her over the others. Annabelle loved all of her friends but she knew that the same could be said for him - even over Emilie. She loved her but there was something more with Gabe. She knew she would be with him for the rest of her life, in some capacity. "You're the worst." Annabelle laughed with a shake of her head. "Have you seen any of the others recently?"

AG LC TC FM: Link had felt like this for so long and he didn't know what to say to her or what to do. He loved her but he knew that he couldn't risk the friendship. She was too important to him. "Then what's the point?" Link asked with a raise of an eyebrow. He didn't say it because he expected something from Emilie but because he wanted to get it off of his chest. "Seriously - just ignore me, Emilie. It doesn't matter."

AG LC TC FM: Theo wrapped his arms around Edie and pulled her closer to him. He knew that he would not be able to go back now - not unless she said something. And he was so glad that the two of them got to spend tonight together.

EH GS TM EC: "And the best?" Gabe grinned proudly, taking their drinks from the barman and handing Annabelle's over. "To being the best and the worst!" He laughed, clinking his against hers before he took a big gulp. He loved how easy cocktails were to drink. He tilted his head slightly as he thought about her question. "Well - Tommy is over there, but I can only see half of his face seeing as the other half is attached to that girls mouth." He chuckled, rolling his eyes. "But I haven't seen the others, no... I wonder where they are?"

EH GS TM EC: Emilie always pretended that everything was easy for her - she would never admit to struggling or needing help, but she knew that everything in her life could fall apart so easily and that scared the hell out of her. "But I --" As Link said it didn't matter, she wanted so badly to tell him that it did matter, because he felt the same... But she couldn't. Not now. "Yeah, okay." She sighed, running a hand through her hair as she spoke. "Yeah. I'm just gonna go home." She muttered.

EH GS TM EC: Edie was never this type of person and she knew that Theo wasn't either - and she'd be mortified if any of the others came back, but she didn't think they would just yet. Her hands reached for the bottom of her dress, but she paused for a second and pulled away. "Wait - is the door locked?" She whispered, looking back to Theo.

AG LC TC FM: "Yeah - I guess so." Annabelle laughed as she shrugged her shoulders. She smiled as they were handed their drinks. Annabelle hated that she couldn't pay for them though. "To being the best and the worst!!" She repeated, taking a gulp of her drink. Annabelle raised an eyebrow as she looked over at Tommy. "Didn't take him long." She sighed. She wondered how Florence would feel with that. She quickly shot a message into the group cheat with the two girls, "I've asked Edie and Emilie."

AG LC TC FM: Link shook his head as Emilie spoke. Now that she said she was going home - it was the last thing that he wanted. "Fine. See you in the morning - maybe." He sighed. He didn't want to say much more on that. He didn't think he wanted to go home. He didn't know what he was going to do but he figured he would be able to find some bar or party to take him through.

AG LC TC FM: Theo raised an eyebrow as Edie pulled back from him and he shook his head. He turned and locked the door. "It is now." He smiled. He couldn't believe that this was happening. He was so happy though. He hoped that this was a step in the right direction.

EH GS TM EC: Gabe didn't care about paying for the drinks - he didn't have a lot of money himself, but his parents didn't ask for rent and they cooked a lot of his meals, so it wasn't like he was going to starve until his next payday. He nodded his head, pulling out his phone and texting Link. "I've asked Link." He smiled. He was sure they'd all be fine, though, wherever they'd gotten to. They'd have heard about it if not.

EH GS TM EC: Emilie ignored what Link was saying, turning away and beginning to walk. She knew it would be a lot easier to just get a cab, but she quite wanted the walk and it was only about half an hour away anyway. She was completely in shock from what had just happened and all she could keep on telling herself was don't fucking cry. Link loved her but he didn't even seem like he wanted to be alive half the time and she had no idea how to help him, but she loved him too. Kurt said he loved her, but he hit her and she couldn't even remember a time when she had loved him. She had no idea what to do.

EH GS TM EC: Edie smiled, the last thing on her mind flying away as Theo locked the door - they were totally alone, just the two of them and that was how she wanted it. As she heard the click of the lock, she took another step forward and kissed him again, completely wrapped up in him.

AG LC TC FM: **the morning**

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle woke up with a sigh, still wrapped in Gabes arms. Of course the two of them had gone home together. She was glad that they had managed to get the room that was meant for Tommy and Florence. She smiled as she looked at him. Sometimes, she wished this was how it could be for the rest of time. But Annabelle would never know how to focalise that. "Morning." She whispered to him as she kissed his cheek.

AG LC TC FM: Link had spent the night wondering the street once the bar had kicked him out. He hadn't slept and he was still in the worst mood. He couldn't believe that he had told Emilie how he felt - and that she hadn't said anything back. She had basically brushed him off. He was so annoyed. He slammed the door as he got back, not caring who was awake and who wasn't and went up to his room - he was surprised as he found Tommy there.

AG LC TC FM: Theo had slept pretty soundly, with Edie by his side. He hadn't felt this content since the two of them were last together. He startled awake, as he heard the door slamming. "What was that?" THeo whispered, wondering if Edie was awake too. He didn't see how she couldn't be after that.

EH GS TM EC: Gabe hadn't had a doubt that he and Annabelle were going to go home together since they'd had an actual conversation about it and he wasn't disappointed. As usual, he had slept like a baby and especially with Annabelle wrapped up in his arms. He was still half asleep when she spoke to him and he gave her a sleepy smile as she kissed his cheek, yawning tiredly. "Morning. What time is it?" He opened one eye.

EH GS TM EC: Emilie thought she'd probably gotten about forty five minutes of sleep, if she was lucky and she was not a happy bunny because of it. When she'd tried to get into her bedroom, the door was locked and she was pretty sure she knew why. There was no way she was sleeping in the boys room when she knew Link would be in there and she was pretty sure Tommy would be in his room with some tramp, so she'd gotten changed and grabbed a blanket and ended up on the sofa. Which, again, did not make her happy. It was about seven or eight in the morning when she'd finally drifted off, only to be awoken by the loud slamming of a door. "Shut UP!" She shouted angrily, not caring who it was.

EH GS TM EC: Tommy had absolutely not planned on coming home alone and he'd so almost brought a girl with him just for the sake of it, but he hadn't been into it and so he'd told her to go home alone. He was pretty cut up about him and Florence and the more he thought about it, the more he regretted what he'd done. He was going to call her when he got back into London. He'd gone home around four and gone straight to sleep, surprised that the others boys weren't in the room. He'd been excited to hear about their nights, but when he'd woken up again at eight and nobody was there, he thought it was weird. By the time Link came in, he'd already gotten up and showered and was literally waiting for someone to come back. He looked up as his friend came in. "The fuck are you slamming the door for?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

EH GS TM EC: Edie was never a good sleeper, so this was probably the first time in months that she'd actually slept through the night - and she knew it was because she had Theo's arms around her all night. She jumped as she heard the door slam, her eyes opening quickly as she turned onto her side to see if Theo was awake. "I don't know... I guess somebody didn't have such a good night." She sighed. Now that it was light and she was sober, she was slightly embarrassed that everybody was going to know the reason they'd locked the door.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle didn't know why the two of them ended up like this. They tried to pretend like it was nothing more than friendship but she didn't think they could avoid it anymore. She wondered if Gabe would ever tell her that he liked her, or if it would just continue to be a friends with benefits kind of thing. She sighed as she turned over to check her phone. She had a few missed calls from Vance. She sighed before she turned to look at Gabe. "It's like half eight. Do you know what happened to the others?"

AG LC TC FM: Link rolled his eyes as he heard Emilie. He didn't care if she knew it was him or not, he was annoyed and he wanted to get into bed. he didn't want to talk to anyone. But Tommy seemed to have other ideas. "Because I haven't fucking slept." He snapped as he climbed into the bed. He had his clothes still on but he didn't care. "You didn't bring someone home with you?"

AG LC TC FM: Theo sighed. He had been having a good nights sleep and he wished that he could slip back into that now - though he knew that, that couldn't be the case now. "I guess so." He muttered with a nod of his head. Theo wondered if anyone would say something about he and Edie sleeping together. He hoped not. He didn't know how he would react to that. "You okay?" He whispered to her. He sat up and grabbed some of his clothes, passing her, her dress as he did so.

EH GS TM EC: It was times like this when Gabe knew that they couldn't just continue to say they were only best friends forever, but it was a lot easier this way - and he liked the benefits part too much to ever put a stop to it. "No," he yawned tiredly, stretching his arms out. "I reckon they'll be downstairs by now, some of them at least. Should we go down?" He asked, yawning again as he swung his legs out of bed and jumped out, pulling his pants back on. He didn't bother getting dressed anymore than that - they had all seen him in less.

EH GS TM EC: Subconsciously, Emilie knew that a lot of the reason she hadn't slept was because she'd been waiting for Link to come home - she knew where everybody else was but she couldn't help but worry about him, especially after what he'd said. See you in the morning, maybe. It made her even more pissed off that he'd come in and woken her up. She took a deep breath and finally switched her phone back on. As expected, there was a flurry of messages. Nice ones, nasty ones, back to nice ones and vice versa. She sighed and pressed the call button. "Hi, could you come and pick me up, please?" She asked him with a sigh. She needed to talk to him and she was scared, but she thought that maybe if he came and picked her up and they spoke on the journey home, things wouldn't be as bad. "Yeah, set off whenever, it'll take you like an hour anyway."

EH GS TM EC: Tommy rolled his eyes as Link snapped, shaking his head. "Well, don't think you're fucking sleeping now - it's not our fault you didn't come home, is it? You're not wasting half the day in bed. Get up." He bossed. He was always an active person and hardly ever slept in, even when he was hungover. "What's it to you?" He asked, slightly snappier than usually. "Who's pissed you off, anyway?" He wondered why his friend had only just come home and where the hell he'd been.

EH GS TM EC: Edie nodded her head as Theo asked if she was okay, smiling softly. "Better than." She told him quietly, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Are you?" She didn't regret what had happened at all and she was happy that they had another night left, she just hoped he didn't regret it either. "Thanks." She smiled as he passed her the dress, but she covered herself with the duvet as she grabbed her bag and pulled some more appropriate clothes on.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle couldn't help but be curious as to what happened with her friends. She could tell by the sound of Emilies shouts, that she definitely wasn't happy about something and she wondered what had happened. "I guess you've already decided that's what we're doing." Annabelle laughed. She would've liked to stay in bed for a little while longer, with Gabe, with it just being the two of them. But she figured that Gabe wanted to get the day started. She stood up though, and pulled on the dress she had brought for the morning.

AG LC TC FM: Link rolled his eyes as he heard Tommy, "Fuck off. You don't get to tell me what to do." He snapped. Though he knew that he wouldn't be sleeping. Link was still high out of his brain. He had had more, heavier stuff, since he had left Emilie. He wasn't really sure he was going to go back at all, if he was completely honest. and since he hadn't heard from anyone, he was pretty sure that they didn't care anyway. "No one!"

AG LC TC FM: Theo smiled as Edie spoke and he nodded his head. He liked that she had said that, he liked that she didn't seem to regret what had happened between the two of them, "Yeah. I'm more than okay." He chuckled as he got dressed. He wanted breakfast, he was already hungry, but Theo wanted to wait until Edie was ready to go down stairs. "Emilie doesn't sound happy." He sighed.

EH GS TM EC: Gabe was usually the laziest of people, but because everybody had gone AWOL last night he was excited to catch up and find out where the hell everybody had been all night. He laughed, nodding his head. "Come on! I'm starving." He grinned, beckoning for Annabelle to follow him as soon as she was dressed. He didn't care at all that he was still in his underwear whilst she was dressed.

EH GS TM EC: Already, Emilie's confidence was waning - she knew that she would probably chicken out of having a conversation with Kurt, that she wouldn't want to do it once she was in the car... But at least she would be out of here and back in London and maybe he'd feel bad about the texts. Maybe he'd be on good behaviour and he'd have missed her. Then she'd have a few more days to get her head in order, rather than having to have the conversation right now. She got up and busied herself making breakfast for everybody - she had promised it after all. It was the least she could do before she left.

EH GS TM EC: "Uh, yes I do. Get up." Tommy demanded, throwing his pillow over at his friends bed. Last night had already been ruined and he wasn't having today and tonight ruined as well, not a chance. "Well, obviously fucking somebody has, mate." He rolled his eyes, reaching for the glass of water on his bedside table and taking a sip. "Seriously, where the fuck have you been?"

EH GS TM EC: Edie smiled as Theo said he was more than okay - she felt so happy that morning and she hoped that nobody would tease her about it. She yawned as she quickly dragged a brush through her hair, getting up and straightening out her clothes before she joined Theo at the door. "No, she doesn't..." She sighed. She hoped her friend was okay. "Ready?" She smiled.

AG LC TC FM: "You're always hungry. What else is new?" Annabelle asked with a raise of an eyebrow and a laugh. She loved how comfortable Gabe was in himself and around them. She knew that most of the people there had seen her in less than clothes but she didn't care. "I"m coming. Calm down!" Annabelle laughed as she followed after him. She sometimes wondered what her friends were thinking about her and Gabe. She was so curious. But she didn't dare ask. "Hey gorgeous!" Annabelle chimed as she saw Emilie cooking, "Where'd you get too last night?"

AG LC TC FM: "Tommy - I fucking mean it." Link wasn't going to relent with this and if he was honest, he was two seconds away from completely blowing up at the other. He was tired, he was high and he was in a bad mood. "Doesn't matter, does it?" He snapped. He shook his head as Tommy continued. "Out. I've been out. What is it with the interrogation?!"

AG LC TC FM: Theo really did feel on cloud nine. He was so happy with how things had gone the night before. He didn't know what the others would say but he really didn't care. He didn't think anything could ruin the mood now. "Ready." Theo nodded. He wanted to take her hand but he didn't want to assume that the two of them were more than what they were the night before.

EH GS TM EC: "So then you should've been prepared for this!" Gabe laughed, practically running full speed down the stairs as he started to smell breakfast. "That's breakfast! I can smell breakfast!" He beamed, his voice probably loud enough for everybody in London to hear him, now. This was always his favourite part - chilling with everybody the morning after, filling each other in and catching up. He had no idea that people weren't in the best moods.

EH GS TM EC: Emilie turned to see who was coming down the stairs and smiled slightly as she saw Annabelle and Gabe - she thought the same about them as she did about Edie and Theo; she wished they'd just hurry up and be together. "Morning." She raised an eyebrow, flipping the bacon in the pan. "Gabe, couldn't you have put some more clothes on? You'll put people off." She laughed. "Home. And I'm going back to London today. I'm not feeling it."

EH GS TM EC: Tommy rolled his eyes as Link spoke, but he could tell he wasn't going to give in - and that pissed him off a little bit, but he knew why. He sighed and left the room for a second, only to return with a big glass of water that he put on the table next to his friend. "I'll save you some breakfast. Fucking boring bastard." His words were harsh, but he knew he wouldn't be making any effort at all if it wasn't for his very best friend.

EH GS TM EC: Edie's stomach turned slightly as she smelled the breakfast - she was starving, but she didn't want to eat in front of all of these people when she knew they would be watching her. She wondered if Theo was going to take her hand, but as he didn't she smiled and headed down the stairs. "Morning!" She called tiredly.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle couldn't help but laugh as Gabe spoke. She liked being around him so much because he always managed to put her in a good mood. "You're lucky he's wearing that, honestly." The blonde muttered with a shake of her head. It didn't really bother her that he wasn't wearing much. She shook her head as she heard Emilie. "What? No you're not!" Annabelle pouted. "No. We all came away tonight! You're not going home. You're not gonna be cheered up by your fucking boyfriend, are you?"

AG LC TC FM: Link shook his head slightly, "I don't want anything." He was so frustrated but he was glad that Tommy was at least leaving him alone now. Link wasn't sure how today was going to go. He didn't know if he could face Emilie, that was why he had stayed outside for most of the night. And now he definitely didn't plan on getting out of bed. He didn't want to talk to anyone else.

AG LC TC FM: Theo didn't realise how hungry he was, until he could smell breakfast. "Is Emilie cooking?" He asked, as he followed Edie down the stairs, "Good morning." He smiled at the others. He moved so he could sit down, twisting so he could look at the others. Theo really liked all of Edies friends, he just hoped things would be okay today. he wanted them to all have a good time.

EH GS TM EC: "Thank you." Gabe smiled sweetly as Annabelle defended his attire, reaching to pick up an untoasted slice of bread and shoving it into his mouth whole - he was too hungry to wait until everything was cooked. "Why are you going home?!" He asked through his mouthful, his eyes alarmed. "And where's Link and Tommy?" He demanded. He wanted to see his friends now.

EH GS TM EC: Emilie sighed, shaking her head as she began to plate up everybody's food. "Yeah, I am. Don't Annabelle, I'm going home - he's coming to pick me up now." To be honest, she was already slightly regretting calling Kurt to pick her up, but the damage had been done and she wasn't going back on it now. "Morning." She smiled as Edie and Theo came down, putting Edie's vegan food in front of her first. Then Gabe's huge plate. Then everybody else's.

EH GS TM EC: "Whatever you say." Tommy muttered, but he shook his head - he knew his friend well enough to know that something had gone down last night and he just wished he would tell him what. Then maybe he could help. "I'm here, Gabe." He laughed as he finally got downstairs, patting his friend on the head fondly and sitting in front of his breakfast. "Link's upstairs, won't come down. Who's gonna tell me what's wrong with him?"

EH GS TM EC: Edie smiled. "Of course she is." For all her friends faults, she really did look after them like a mother. She felt especially guilty when the vegan food was put in front of her - she knew she wasn't going to eat it and she felt terrible. But she knew that if she had one bite, she wouldn't stop. She frowned as she heard Emilie was going home and that Link wouldn't come down. "What's going on?" She asked softly.

AG LC TC FM: "Fuck sake." Annabelle snapped with a shake of her head. The good mood that she had been in just moments ago, completely gone. Emilie was her best friend, she didn't want to be away without her. She narrowed her eyes though, as Tommy said Link wasn't going to come downstairs - and she looked up at Emilie, basically ignoring the food in front of her, "What happened?" She asked, almost certain that it had something to do with her friend.

AG LC TC FM: "Thank you." Theo smiled as Emilie placed the food in front of him. He felt bad, even though he hadn't done anything wrong. He hoped that Emilie was okay. She had been so kind to him and he wished that she wasn't going. Though he knew better than to say anything. He didn't think it was really his place to ask her to stay. "Do you need help packing up anything, Emilie?"

AG LC TC FM: Link didn't feel bad for not going downstairs. He really didn't want to be near any of them. He was so annoyed and knew that he'd just take it out on them. He just wanted to sleep. He wanted to forget what he had said to Emilie. He didn't know what had compelled him to say it and he was so frustrated with himself.

EH GS TM EC: "What do you mean he's not coming down?!" Gabe hated the fact that he'd woken up this morning so excited for the day and now one of them was going home and another was refusing to come downstairs. "Should I go and get him?" He asked, looking at Tommy naively as he shoved a bit of bacon into his mouth. He really wanted them to have today altogether, he hadn't even planned on having a drink.

EH GS TM EC: "No, don't go and get him Gabe. Leave him alone." Tommy said firmly, making a start on his own food. He knew that if Link didn't want to be around him, then he definitely couldn't stomach Gabe first thing on a morning, never mind the rest of them. "Alright, what the fuck is going on? What do you mean you're going home?" He rolled his eyes. He was getting sick of everybody already. "Obviously something's happened, so spill."

EH GS TM EC: Emilie rolled her eyes as everybody started in - she'd known they would and honestly, she just wanted to get away from it all. Her head was still ringing after last nights events and now Link wouldn't even come downstairs and face her? What did that mean? She shrugged her shoulders as Annabelle looked at her, feigning innocence. "I don't know. Nothing to do with me." She lied, pouring some coffee into her cup.

EH GS TM EC: *continued* She smiled as Theo spoke - she really did like him, and she shook her head. "No, it's fine thanks. I might need help carrying my bags down later."

EH GS TM EC: Edie felt worried about Emilie, but she felt especially so about Link... He was like a big brother to her and they were in the same boat when it came to a lot of their troubles, so she wished more than anybody she could help him. "Are you sure you can't just wait until tomorrow? And we can all go home together?" She asked quietly, chewing on her bottom lip. Underneath the table, her hand searched for Theo's, needing to know he was there.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle was so annoyed that Emilie was leaving and that Link wouldn't come downstairs. She had no idea what had happened but she was getting frustrated that Emilie wouldn't tell them. She thought that, that meant that it was a big deal. "You're fucking lying. But whatever." She rolled her eyes before she looked at Gabe, "You want some of mine?" She asked. She really didn't feel like eating. Sometimes, she wondered why Emilie even bothered to cook her anything.

AG LC TC FM: Theo nodded his head as Emilie spoke, "Yeah. Of course. Just let me know." He smiled. He took Edies hand under the table. He had no idea what was happening but he knew that he wanted to be able to be there for her. He cared for her so much and he knew that she would want to check in on Link. He didn't know what to even think about all of this.

AG LC TC FM: Link didn't even know that Emilie was going. If he did, he probably would've gone downstairs so they could all spend the morning together. He didn't want to face the others, because he didn't want to talk to them about what had happened. He didn't want to be questioned. Link half expected one of them - Maybe Gabe or Edie - to come up and check on him but he was so glad that they didn't

EH GS TM EC: "Does it matter?" Emilie snapped, sighing as Annabelle offered her food to Gabe. "No, he doesn't. He can have Link's food." She muttered, sliding the plate over to him. She wasn't going to let Annabelle get away with it that easily, not today. She had known that Annabelle would figure out she was lying, but it annoyed her - she just wanted to go home and get away from what had happened. She couldn't believe that he wouldn't even come downstairs and she was pretty sure it was because she was there.

EH GS TM EC: "I'll go and get it." Tommy muttered, pushing his plate away from him. He had eaten a surprisingly large amount in the little time he'd been downstairs, but his frustration with the others was ruining his appetite. The weekend was turning out to be a bust and he just didn't understand why. As Emilie and Annabelle snapped at each other, he got up from the table and went upstairs to grab Emilie's bags, leaving them by the door. He really wished Florence had stayed. He got out his phone and thought about calling her, but he didn't.

EH GS TM EC: Gabe sat like piggy in the middle as Emilie and Annabelle argued on either side of him, finishing the food on his plate and looking around at both of them before he started on Link's plate too. He knew that Annabelle didn't eat a lot, but he didn't like to push her on it - he didn't think that would ever get a good reaction. He felt really sad that the weekend wasn't turning out to be as good as they'd hoped, when he'd enjoyed last night so much.

EH GS TM EC: Edie sighed as the girls started in on each other - she knew they were both just upset and frustrated, but she wished they could all figure out what was going on and enjoy a last night together. She didn't want the weekend to end on a bad note. "Do you think I should go upstairs?" She whispered to Theo, raising an eyebrow. She didn't want Link to think nobody cared.

AG LC TC FM: "If you're going home of course it does." Annabelle rolled her eyes. She had no idea what was wrong with Emilie but it pissed her off that her friend wouldn't even tell her. She sighed as Emilie said he could have Links. "Fine. Then I'm not having this." She snapped, pushing her plate away from her. She didn't like people trying to police her, trying to tell her that she couldn't do whatever it was that she wanted.

AG LC TC FM: Theo nodded slightly as Tommy went upstairs. He had wanted to help but it seemed like the other just needed to do something. Theo really wasn't sure what to do. It felt like he shouldn't be there. Like this should just be between the five of them ,whatever it was that was going on. He shrugged his shoulders as Edie spoke, "I dunno - do you want to check on him?"

AG LC TC FM: Link hated this. He hated that he couldn't be with his friends. He really hated that he had messed things up so badly. He didn't know how he would face Emilie again. He was so embarrassed. He had told Emilie that he loved her and he had got nothing back. He didn't know how he could come back from that.

EH GS TM EC: "I can't lie, I don't know if I'm winning or not because I still don't know how to play this game." Gabe laughed, looking up at Annabelle with a shrug of his shoulders. He sat resting against her legs whilst playing a game of poker that Tommy had forced him to play. After the way the morning had gone, they'd settled for a night in rather than going out and he didn't mind that. He did wish they hadn't had to get a takeaway, though. He preferred Emilie's cooking. "Am I winning?"

EH GS TM EC: Tommy laughed, rolling his eyes. "I don't know mate, you're fucking confusing me as well now. How can you be so bad at this?" He chuckled. He was glad they'd all stayed, but there was definitely still a bit of an awkward atmosphere in the room. They'd pretty much done their own thing all day until the nighttime and now they'd come back together he was just trying to make the most of the night. "Don't help him cheat." He told Annabelle with a raise of an eyebrow.

EH GS TM EC: Edie had been pretty quiet since Emilie had left - she didn't like that the girl had gone without any of them knowing why, but she'd still relished the chance to spend the day with Theo and she was still enjoying that even now. She had borrowed one of his books and was sat reading, her head on his shoulder as she turned the pages fast, dying to see what happened at the end. She looked up as Gabe spoke, letting out a little laugh.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle had been in a pretty bad mood since Emilie had left. She missed her friend. She wanted to know what was going on. If it wasn't for Gabe, Annabelle probably would've gone home herself. She rolled her eyes as Tommy spoke to her, "You think so little off me? I'm offended." She chuckled though. She liked this, being sat with her friends.

AG LC TC FM: Theo felt really content, his arm wrapped around Edie. Despite the rocky start, he thought that they had made a pretty good day of it all. Link still hadn't come down though and Theo was starting to get a little worried about it. He was reading, like Edie. He felt so good like that. He glanced up at the others with a chuckle. "You'd definitely beat me, Gabe." He had no idea how to play poker.

AG LC TC FM: Link had slept for most of the day. He still wasn't even aware that Emilie had gone home. He woke up with a grown. His head was pounding and he was still in a bad mood but he knew he couldn't hide away for forever. He sighed as he got up, got dressed and headed down the stairs. He sat on the floor, next to Tommy, without saying a word to any of them. He figured that Emilie was just upstairs or something.

EH GS TM EC: Gabe laughed as the others spoke, shaking his head and looking over to Theo. "Honestly mate, I don't think I would. Tommy's skinting me here." He laughed, kicking his foot out at Tommy jokingly. He looked up as Link came in, shooting a small smile at his friend. He was glad he'd finally decided to join them - he had been getting really worried about him and even though Tommy said not to, tempted to go upstairs and see him.

EH GS TM EC: Tommy laughed, nodding his head. "You would absolutely help him cheat if you thought he could beat me." He grinned, putting down his cards and beating Gabe for about the sixth time that night. He smiled as Link came and sat down next to him, giving his friend a nod of acknowledgement. "Alright?" He asked. He wasn't going to be the one to say Emilie had gone home.

EH GS TM EC: Edie felt a sense of relief as Link came down the stairs, even though she didn't realise she'd been waiting for it. Everything felt a little bit better now. "You should definitely help him cheat Anna, he'll be getting the bus home instead of the train if he loses anymore." She teased, laughing softly. Despite the obvious, it had been a really nice night and she just wished they had all been here for it.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle smiled at Edie and nodded her head. "Alright - move over. I'll beat him for you." Annabelle laughed. It was one of the few things that they used to play with Nick. None of it was with money, of course, but Annabelle seemed to remember she was pretty good at it. She didn't look at Link, just smiled slightly. She wondered how he would take the fact that Emilie had gone home.

AG LC TC FM: Link nodded in way of greeting to Tommy, he didn't really have much to say but he knew he needed to try and be present with his friends. "Emilie allowed you to have takeaway?" He asked, nodding to the boxes. He didn't think that she had ever not cooked for them all when they went away together. Not for a second did he think that she had gone. Especially not without saying bye to him. Things were weird but he didn't think they were that weird.

AG LC TC FM: Theo didn't know how to respond to Link. He knew that he definitely shouldn't be the one to tell the other that Emilie had gone home. For the second time that day, he felt like he shouldn't be there. He felt like it should definitely just be the others, so they could all talk about it together. Theo wondered if Emilie might've stayed if Theo wasn't there, so she could talk to her friends.

-: “Yes! Time to eat dust Morley!” Gabe laughed excitedly, sliding over so that Annabelle could sit in his place. He thought he remembered Nick teaching his sisters this game and he was excited to watch her in action. He reached over to grab a slice of pizza, half of it in his mouth already as he heard Link speak. “She went home, mate.” He mumbled through the mouthful, not realising that he was probably being quite insensitive. He thought Link would’ve known, that Emilie would’ve at least said bye.

-: “Fucking hell, Gabe.” Tommy rolled his eyes as Gabe guffawed his way through saying Emilie had gone, pushing his friend by the shoulder. “Alright Gellar, what are we playing for? If I win, you have to be my slave for a whole day.” He smirked. He knew they couldn’t play for money, so in his own way he was trying to make that fact a bit less obvious.

-: Edie could tell that Theo maybe felt a little bit out of place and she wished everybody else wasn’t there for a second so that she could tell him Emilie would’ve gone either way. She was determined like that. “I don’t think she was feeling very well.” She said discreetly, looking up from her book. She wished Gabe hadn’t said it like that.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle was even more convinced that something had happened with Link and that was why Emilie had gone home, as she realised that he didn't even know she had gone. Why else wouldn't Emilie have said something to him? "Works for me. And I play to get Gabes money back." She shrugged. It seemed pretty fair to her. Especially because she was convinced that she would win.

AG LC TC FM: Link raised an eyebrow as Gabe said that Emilie had gone home and he just felt even worse for what had happened the night before. She had gone and hadn't said anything to him. She was mad at him or she didn't want to see him or something. But none of it was good. He nodded slightly as Edie spoke, "Right." He sighed. He'd only just woken up but right now, he wished he hadn't.

AG LC TC FM: Theo felt really uncomfortable in that room. He liked Link. He was really good to Edie but he knew that he could blow at any moment and so the other scared him a little bit. He tried not to let on though and went back to reading his book. He figured that he wasn't needed in this conversation.

-: “Alright - sounds like a fair deal to me.” Tommy grinned, shrugging his shoulders. It was another competition with Annabelle and he always enjoyed them. He didn’t think for a second she’d win, but he was excited to find out. He thought it was really weird that Link didn’t even know that Emilie had gone, but he didn’t want to keep going on about it. “You were probably asleep when she went.” He nodded his head, as though that explained it. They all knew something had happened.

-: Gabe felt bad instantly for the way he’d spoken, but he knew he couldn’t really go back on it now without making a bigger deal out of everything than was necessary. He hoped Link didn’t go back upstairs - he really wanted to spend time with his friend. “Do you want anything to eat? There’s loads left.” He smiled, pushing the box towards his friend.

-: Edie knew that Link could have a short temper, but she didn’t think he was going to blow tonight - he seemed more sad than anything else and she hated that. She folded down the edge of the page she was on and put the book down, looking around at her friends with a little smile. It was so almost perfect.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle smirked as she looked over at Tommy, "You have no idea what is about to hit you." She laughed. She loved played games with Tommy. He was probably one of the few people who were actually as competitive as she was and she liked that. She was just about to start - when she heard her phone ring. She checked who it was and was quite confused. "It's Ems mum." Annabelle loved Emilies mum but the two didn't really speak unless she was at the others house. She stood up, "I'll be two seconds." She muttered as she walked out into the hallway, answering the phone as she went, "Hello?"

AG LC TC FM: Link nodded, "Yeah, probably." He sighed. He wished that he had been able to talk to her before she had gone. He didn't think that this needed to be made into a bigger deal that it was but he knew he couldn't say anything to the others. Clearly, Emilie hadn't told them. "Yeah - fucking starving." He muttered with a short laugh. He reached over so that he could grab a slice of pizza.

AG LC TC FM: Once Theo realised that Edie had stopped reading, he finished the bit he was on and put it down too. He didn't want to make a bad impression on the people around him. He wanted to be able to have them as his friends too - he definitely hoped that he would be around them all for a while.

-: “Her mum?” Tommy asked, pulling a face. He had no idea why Emilie’s mum would call Annabelle when she knew they were all away - maybe she hadn’t told her mum she was going home? Either way, he thought it was strange and he was annoyed that it was interrupting their game. “Hurry up!” He shouted, laughing to show that he was joking.

-: Edie didn’t know why, but as soon as Annabelle said that Emilie’s mum was on the other end of the phone, her stomach dropped. It was like she knew it was going to be something bad and she half wanted to follow Annabelle out into the corridor to find out what was going on. She waited with baited breath to hear what was being said.

-: Gabe was none the wiser as to why any of their parents would be calling, but he didnt think it was a big deal. “I’m not surprised.” He laughed as Link said he was hungry, shaking his head. He couldn’t go a couple of hours without eating never mind nearly a whole day. He was glad the food was still pretty warm for his friend.

AG LC TC FM: Theo could sense the tension from Edie as soon as Annabelle said that it was Emilies mum. He didn't understand why she would be calling if it was anything good and so Theo was definitely worried too. He squeezed Edies shoulder, wanting her to know that he was there and that she had support but he had no idea what to say. He hoped that Emilie was okay though.

AG LC TC FM: Link narrowed his eyes as Annabelle said it was Emilies mum. He didn't think that, that would be good but he didn't see what could have happened. None of them knew just how bad Kurt was. "Not everyone is like you, Gabe. We can go a few hours without some food." he nudged his friend, the hint of a smile on his lips.

AG LC TC FM: "Hello Annabelle. I'm sorry to be ringing with this news but i'm going to get straight to it." She could hear that her mum was upset but Annabelle had no idea why. "Emilie is in hospital. She had a trip and fell down the stairs. She really wants you here." Annabelle listened to everything that Emilies mum had to say - but from the word hospital, she felt like she was underwater. her head was ringing and she could hardly concentrate on anything else. "Okay - er - we'll.- I'm coming." Annabelle spoke. They didn't say much else after that before they hung up. Annabelle stood, her phone to her ear but the line dead, for a couple seconds. She had no idea how she was going to get home but she needed to be home now

-: Edie waited just a couple of seconds before she got up and went out to find Annabelle. She knew that if it was just a casual call, she would’ve heard laughter or Annabelle would’ve been back by now. “What’s going on?” She asked softly, coming round the side of the door. If she hadn’t been sure that something was wrong before, she was certain now.

-: Even as Edie got up and went out, it didn’t strike Gabe that it was anything bigger than Emilie’s mum just wanting to know what was going on - his parents would do the same, he thought. “It’s because I’m tall, there’s more space to fill.” He laughed, reaching for another slice himself. He was glad that Link seemed to be in better spirits

-: Tommy let out a loud yawn, trying to show Annabelle that he was getting bored waiting for her - if he knew how serious the situation was then he wouldn’t be playing around at all, but he had no clue. He couldn’t stand Kurt, but he never ever thought he’d do something like this. Or that Emilie would let him.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle just stared at Edie for a moment as her friend spoke. She still felt like her head was spinning. "Erm --" She shook her head, almost trying to shake herself out of it. "Emilie is in the hospital." She whispered to Edie. She couldn't believe it. She didn't know how something like this could happen and Annabelle felt even worse for letting her go. "I need - i need to get home. I need someone to pick me up or something. I need to get home."

AG LC TC FM: Link shook his head, "Yeah, of course that's it." He laughed. He looked at Tommy as his friend yawned. He loved the two of them. They were his best friends. Link genuinely wasn't sure he would still be alive right now if it wasn't for Gabe and Tommy. They were his saviours and he didn't think either of them knew that.

AG LC TC FM: Theo didn't want to listen in but he couldn't help it. He was closest to the door and so he overheard what Annabelle was saying, naturally. He looked at the three boys, wondering how they were going to react to the news. He didn't think any of it was going to be pretty.

-: Edie could see that Annabelle was spiralling and she wasn’t even sure how to help her, but her heart sank as she heard what had happened. Emilie had gone home with Kurt and now she was in the hospital. “Him?” She asked softly, feeling sick at the very thought. It seemed very obvious to her. “Oh god, okay, um...” She knew neither of their parents would come for them. “What about Gabe’s parents? They have the seven seater?” She suggested. She wanted to go, too - even if Emilie wouldn’t let her in, she would go.

-: Tommy laughed as Link looked over at him, but his gaze snapped to Annabelle as he heard what she was saying. “She’s what?” He asked, his eyes boring into the blonde. They were a family, through and through. And if somebody had hurt one of them, they would pay. There was no question about that.

-: Gabe first heard the word hospital and he turned around to listen, knowing he looked nosy but not really caring. “She’s in the hospital?” He asked softly, his face falling. He didn’t know what had happened, but based on who had picked her up today he could imagine. They had been arguing even as she’d gotten into the car. “My dad would pick us up.” He nodded his head. He knew that, without a doubt.

AG LC TC FM: "I don't know." Though annabelle was pretty sure that it wasn't. Emilie wasn't a clumsy person. She wouldn't have just fallen down some stairs, Annabelle knew that. "I don't know her mum just said that she fell down the stairs and is now in hospital." She looked at Gabe as he said his dad would take them. "Will you call him? Right now?" She needed to be with Emilie otherwise she was pretty sure that she was going to lose his mind.

AG LC TC FM: Link was so confused as he listened to the others. Emilie was in hospital. She had gone home and something had happened and now she was in the hospital. "I'll fucking kill him if it was." Link growled. All thoughts of a good mood was gone. Link would never let anything happen to Emilie, he always made sure of that. And now, because they had, had fight, she had gone home and gotten herself hurt. And he was so angry.

AG LC TC FM: Theo quickly got up as he heard Annabelle and started to put things together. he knew that no-one would want to be messing around once Gabes dad got there. He definitely wouldn't go the hospital, he knew that, that wasn't his place but he wanted to do what he could whilst he was there.

-: Edie shook her head as Annabelle told her what had apparently happened - she was absolutely sure that wasn’t the case. Emilie wasn’t even a little bit clumsy, she had never seen her so much as slip on the ice. She hadnt fallen down the stairs, not bad enough to land herself in hospital. “She lives in a bloody studio apartment.” She whispered with a shake of her head. She didn’t even have any stairs apart from the ones to get from flat to flat. Like Theo, she instantly started putting her things together, not wanting to be any hinderance.

-: “I’ll call him now.” Gabe nodded his head, already picking up his phone and calling his dad. “Dad? Can you please come and pick us up? Yeah, all of us. Emilie’s in the hospital and the train doesn’t come for another hour.” He spoke a little more with his dad before hanging up the call. “He’s on his way.” He told them, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He didn’t understand how this had all happened so suddenly, but he was sure they all knew what had happened. He wished they had never let her leave.

-: Tommy remembered the way Kurt had been this morning when he had arrived to pick their friend up and he wished he’d said something, wished he’d stopped her from leaving... because he thought it was pretty obvious what had happened. And part of him might have known it all along or at least suspected. Why else would that be what his mind jumped to? “I’ll be there with you, mate.” He muttered to Link. He was just glad Gabe’s dad was coming for them all.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle nodded her head as Gabe spoke and almost as though the relief of knowing someone was coming for them, Annabelle burst into tears. She shouldn't have let Emilie go. Kurt was in such a bad mood when he had picked Emilie up. They should've realised that something bad was going to happen. She needed to see Emilie. She needed to do something but she didn't know what.

AG LC TC FM: Link nodded as Tommy spoke. He knew that none of them would go easy on Kurt if he had really done this. Link was so angry at himself. "Fuck sake." He muttered with a shake of his head as he stood up. "How long is he going to be?!" He asked Gabe. He needed something. He needed to do something and so he paced the floor. It was all he could think to do.

AG LC TC FM: THe more they spoke, the worse Theo felt about what had been happening. He, like the others , had seen how angry Kurt was when he had gotten there and they hadn't done anything to stop it. He couldn't help but feel incredibly guilty. "Does anyone need me to do anything?" He asked the others. He just needed to be able to help, especially as Annabelle started to cry.

-: Gabe’s heart broke as Annabelle started to cry - it was usually he who was weak and she was the strong one, but he knew it had to be different now. “Come here,” he muttered, wrapping his arms around her tightly. He knew the only way she would feel better is if she saw Emilie... and maybe not even then. “It’ll take him about an hour to get here. Should we all go to the hospital, or...?” He didn’t think they’d let them all in but he had no idea how to decide who went.

-: “Oh, Anna...” Edie whispered as her friend started to cry, hugging her arms around her waist. She felt like she was seconds away from crying herself. Emilie was the strongest of their group and now this had happened to her. “Did she just ask for you?” She asked Annabelle softly. It was unspoken that Annabelle would get to see her, above any of them - but Edie thought that she or Link should get second priority. She felt like she needed to see her friend. “We should clean up?” She whispered to Theo. They could leave the apartment like this, after all.

-: Tommy chewed on the inside of his cheek as he thought about what the hell they were going to do. Nobody hurt one of them and got away with it. “Come on, sit down mate...” he sighed as Link began pacing, taking a seat on the sofa. All they could do was wait to be picked up now. “They won’t let us all in.” He shook his head in response to Gabe. He wished they would, but he didn’t think that would be the case.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle was usually able to keep herself together, especially when she was around her friends but Emilie was her closest friend and Annabelle hated that this had happened, and they could've maybe stopped it. If she had spent her night with Emilie instead of going off with Gabe, would this have even happened? "I think she just wanted me.." She muttered to Edie. She knew that she would probably want the others eventually but right now, it was just her.

AG LC TC FM: Link shook his head as Tommy spoke... though he still went and sat down next to him with a sigh. He didn't know what to do. He felt stuck there and he needed to be able to see Emilie. "They fucking better." Link was ready to fight whoever he had to in order to see Emilie - He just hoped that she wanted to see him too. He needed to make sure that she was okay.

AG LC TC FM: Theo nodded and quickly moved to start to clean the place up. He figured if he could do something, then he would. He thought that they needed some time to be able to process it all, "I've got it. I'll sort it." He nodded at Edie, shooting her a small smile.

EH GS TM EC: Gabe kept on wondering if he could've prevented this from happening, but he had to accept that the answer was probably no - Emilie had been determined to go home and they weren't to know what was going to happen... But that didn't stop the massive guilt he felt. "Then you go in first." He told her softly with a nod of his head. He didn't think any of them would fight that. It seemed obvious to him that the girls would want a moment alone, first.

EH GS TM EC: Tommy clapped his friend on the back lightly as he came to sit down next to him - he didn't really know if there was anything any of them could say to make themselves feel better, but he was so curious about what had happened between Link and Emilie to make her go home like she had. "You'll be able to go in. Both of you." He nodded at Annabelle and Link.

EH GS TM EC: "I'll help." Edie returned Theo's little smile; it made her feel better to have something to do, to feel like she was helping... They had never expected it to come to this and the whole weekend felt dark now, like they should never have come here. Time felt like it was going quickly and slowly all at once.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle wondered if Vance was there, if he knew that Kurt was hurting Emilie. She wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. Annabelle knew that she needed to end things with him. She couldn't let any part of Kurt near Emilie but Annabelle also knew that she couldn't be the one to end it. It had to be him otherwise he wouldn't stop. "God - where is your dad?" Annabelle hissed. She hated that they were so far away.

AG LC TC FM: Link shook his head as Tommy spoke to him, "Emilie definitely doesn't want to see me." He sighed. He knew that is Emilie wanted to talk to him, then she would've said bye. He felt guilty for what had happened the last night. He was the reason why she had wanted to go home. If he had kept his mouth shut, then she would've been fine. He could've been the reason for a second person that he loved, death.

AG LC TC FM: "Thanks." Theo smiled with a nod of his head. He was already making a plan in his head for them all to go away again, when Emilie was better and things were good. He had some savings so he knew that he would be able to save enough for a place like this for the weekend. He wanted them all to be able to have a good time together.

EH GS TM EC: "He'll be here soon, it can't be much longer." Gabe sighed. He knew his dad would be going as fast as he was allowed, but it felt like it had been ages, even though it hadn't actually been that long. "Have you got everything you need?" He asked her - he'd not unpacked anything at all, really, so his bag was ready for him to grab and go. He hoped his dad wasn't far away, because he could feel how antsy they all were.

EH GS TM EC: "Don't be stupid, of course she will." Tommy shook his head. He had never seen a friendship as close as Emilie and Link's and he thought that whatever had happened, it wouldn't matter after all of this. He didn't see how Link could blame himself, but he knew his friend and he was sure he would find away somehow.

EH GS TM EC: Edie was a little scared of what they were actually going to see when they got to the hospital - she didn't think she'd have been admitted if it wasn't really bad and she wasn't sure if she was ready to see her friend like that. "Let's bring everybody's bags down?" She suggested to Theo, raising an eyebrow.

AG LC TC FM: "I swear I'm this close to making a fucking run for it." Annabelle whispered with a shake of her head. She just wanted to see Emilie with her own two eyes. She nodded, "Yeah, I didn't take anything out." She had her clothes from last night in the room that she had shared with Gabe but that was it. But she didn't want to start packing. She didn't want to do anything.

AG LC TC FM: Link shook his head. He made sure that no-one was looking, listening, before he spoke to Tommy again. "I fucking told her I loved her." He muttered with a shake of his head. "And we had a fucking huge fight. She's not gonna want to see me." He hadn't even told Tommy and Gabe that he thought he loved Emilie before. But he knew his friend was wondering what had happened and he figured this made everything make more sense.

AG LC TC FM: Theo really wanted to ask how Edie was feeling but he didn't think that it needed to be asked. He just wasn't sure what to say to her at all. He was at a loss, if he was completely honest. "Yeah, sounds like a plan." He nodded and started up the stairs. "Is there a bag or something? We can just throw all the random little bits in that and go through it later?"

EH GS TM EC: "Not long to go, honestly..." Gabe sighed, trying to be comforting but also freaking out a little bit himself. He didn't know why none of them had thought anything of how angry the man had been when he'd arrived this morning. He was never particularly pleasant, but he'd been horrible and they'd just kind of gone with it - he didn't understand why. "Okay, good... It's all sorted then." He sighed, checking his phone. "He's like ten minutes away." He told her. He hoped they would pass quickly.

EH GS TM EC: Tommy's eyebrows raised in surprise as he listened to what Link was telling him, turning to face his friend whilst trying not to make it too obvious. "What the fuck?" He whispered, trying to process what he was hearing. "Why'd you say that? Do you?" He asked. It was the first he'd heard of it, although he'd always had his suspicions deep down. He didn't get why they would fight over that, though.

EH GS TM EC: To be honest, Edie was so happy that Theo wasn't asking her any questions, because she was pretty sure that would be when she broke down properly. She just couldn't think about it right now. "Yeah, we can use this one." She nodded her head, throwing pretty much everything into the spare bag. "Is that all of it?" She asked, looking around them.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle had just thought that it was Vance being Vance. He had always been pretty horrible. She hadn't thought much of it. She really hoped that they were wrong in all of this. She really hoped that Emilie had just tripped - but even as she thought it, she knew that would never be the case. "Ten minutes?" She sighed as she shook her head. She wanted them there now.

AG LC TC FM: Link knew that he would surprise his friend with that but he needed to tell someone what had happened. "I dunno. I was fucking drunk and high. And I shouted it at her." He shook his head. He knew he hadn't told anyone and that was because he was trying to hide it from them all. he didn't want anyone to know, not even himself. "Course I do, Tommy.

AG LC TC FM: All Theo knew was that he wanted to be there for Edie and to be able to do whatever it was that she needed. He loved her so much. "Perfect." He nodded. They went through room to room, getting everything they needed. He nodded as he heard Edie. "Yeah, I think so. We're good to go when he gets here." He just hoped that it wouldn't be much longer.

EH GS TM EC: "Ten minutes." Gabe nodded his head. He knew it sounded like forever, especially when you considered that they had the whole drive back to London... And he couldn't seem to get away from the fact that this could so easily be Annabelle, with Vance. It scared him so much. He was beside himself for Emilie, but he didn't think he'd actually be able to function if this was Annabelle. "Do you want me to get you anything for the car? Whatever or whatever?" He asked. He was just trying to do what he could, trying to make anything seem more bearable.

EH GS TM EC: "What did she say back?" Tommy asked, raising an eyebrow. Everything was starting to make a little more sense now that he knew what had actually happened between them and as much as Tommy wasn't the person to believe that love was the be all and end all, he felt sad for his friend that this was the way things were today. "Yeah, I thought so..." He sighed, putting a comforting hand on his friends shoulder.

EH GS TM EC: "Okay, good..." Edie sighed, nodding her head. "I'm just going to use the bathroom before we go." She whispered, pulling on her backpack as she walked into the bathroom, locking the door behind her. But instead of actually using it, she sat down on the closed lid of the toilet and pulled a bottle of vodka out of her backpack, unscrewing the top and taking three big gulps before she put it back and sighed in relief, flushing the toilet to make it seem like she'd been. She couldn't handle all of this sober, she just couldn't. It wasn't working.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle didn't think that Vance would ever hurt her liked this - but she had never thought that Kurt would do the same to Emilie. She hated that she hadn't been able to see this coming, see the signs. "No. Will your dad drop me off at the hospital though?" She didn't want to waste a second. "I'm scared to see her, Gabe." Emilie was her best friend. She knew that she would be there for her but she was so scared to see her. She was the strongest person that Annabelle knew. She didn't want to see her friend so vulnerable.

AG LC TC FM: "That there was too much in the way. Or something, I don't know. I don't remember." Link sighed as he shook his head. He didn't know what to make of any of it. He just remembered that she was mad at him and that was all. Link shrugged his shoulders as he looked at Tommy with a sigh. "But then she went home and now she's in the fucking hospital."

AG LC TC FM: Theo nodded, "Alright - i'll be downstairs." He had no idea what it was that Edie was going to do. And he wouldn't know what to do even if he did. He walked down the stairs slowly, carrying as many of the bags as he could. He didn't want to disturb anyone in the living room so he placed the bags by the front door and sat down in the chair nearby .

EH GS TM EC: "I love you." Gabe muttered, kissing the top of Annabelle's head before jumping into action as he heard his dads car pull up. Despite being an adult now, he still felt a little sense of relief that his parent was here, that somebody older than them was there to tell them it would be okay. "Hi dad," he sighed as he got into the car, patting the seat next to him as he looked at Annabelle. "Alright, where does everybody want dropping off?" He asked, looking behind him at his friends. He knew they had to get things done as soon as possible.

EH GS TM EC: "You don't know that." Tommy shrugged his shoulders. "And anyway - it doesn't matter now, does it? It happened." He was trying to be comforting, but he didn't know if he was doing a very good job. He was already up on his feet when Edie shouted and it didn't take him long to get into the car, buckling himself in with a sigh. "I'll - I dunno, where should we all go?" He sighed. He wanted to wait at the hospital, but he didn't know if they would even let him.

EH GS TM EC: Edie gratefully took Theo's hand as they climbed into the car, resting against him as soon as he sat down. She had been trying so hard not to rely on him for support, but today that had all gone out of the window. "I want to go to the hospital." She replied to Gabe quietly. Even if she had to wait outside in the cold, she didn't care. She wanted to go, in case any of them needed her to do anything. She couldn't go back to her and Annabelle's horrible flat and be alone there.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle quickly climbed into the car, next to Gabe. "Hi Peter." She muttered, as she rested her head again Gabes shoulder, "Thank you for coming to get us." She already knew that Gabe knew where she was going so she didn't say anything. She just wanted to get on the road now, "Will you hurry up?!" She shouted at the others. She was getting frustrated and she knew that it wasn't fair.

AG LC TC FM: No matter what Tommy said to him, he knew that it wouldn't change his mind. He was the reason that this had happened to Emilie. She was the only reason why he hadn't taken anything. He knew that she would be so angry with him if he did. He needed to be there for her, he needed to be ready when - if, he wanted to see her. "We'll wait outside." He nodded. He knew that he couldn't go home and if Edie wanted to go to the hospital, he'd stay with her.

AG LC TC FM: Theo wrapped an arm around Edie. He wanted to keep her close to him, he wanted to make sure that she knew he would look after her, no matter what. He kissed her forehead as she spoke, "Do you want me to stay with you?" He asked her. Theo would go home if not. He just wanted to make sure that she knew he was going to be there, if she wanted him to be.

EH GS TM EC: "Don't thank me - I came as quickly as I could, but there was a lot of traffic." Gabe's dad sighed, giving Annabelle a sympathetic smile in the mirror. Gabe always felt lucky to have parents like his - they would look after any of his friends like they were their own and he knew that not everybody in the car had parents like that. He sighed and reached for his bottle of water, taking a sip just to give himself something to do.

EH GS TM EC: If he was totally honest, Tommy was just glad that Link didn't seem to have taken anything - it was the first thing he thought his friend would've done when they'd found out about all of this and he thought they'd have been looking after him as well as her.

EH GS TM EC: Edie was so grateful to have Theo next to her, she couldn't even put it into words. She shook her head as he spoke, though. "No, it's okay - but thank you." She whispered. She didn't even know if Emilie was going to let the rest of them see her, but she definitely didn't think she'd like Theo being there. "Do you think anybody has told Charlotte or Ayla?" She asked quietly. She was sure Emilie would want them to know.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle nodded as Mr Saracen spoke. She had always really appreciated him. He had been kind and he had made sure that she and her siblings always had everything they needed. The Saracens didn't need the strain of an extra four people, but they made it work, they looked after them. She tapped her food as they made their way back to London. She needed to do something and there wasn't much else to do.

AG LC TC FM: Link didn't think his new found sobriety would last for forever but he knew that right now, he didn't have a choice. He needed to be sober. He needed to make sure that Emilie had whatever she needed, that his friends had what they needed too.

AG LC TC FM: "No problem." He nodded. He hoped that she would know he would be there for her if she needed her , no matter what time it was. He shrugged his shoulders at her next question though. "Emilies mum rang her, she'd ring them, wouldn't she?" He wasn't sure though. He didn't know any of them as well as Edie did, though. "I can call them? Do you have their numbers?"

EH GS TM EC: Gabe was pretty much silent for the rest of the journey back - he didn't want to talk if Annabelle didn't want to. He just wanted things to be as easy as possible for her, because they were going to be so hard once they got to the hospital and he wouldn't be able to stop that then. "I think we're nearly there." He sighed as he saw a sign for the hospital.

EH GS TM EC: It was late and Tommy knew that if the situation was different, he'd be flat out by now... They were all supposed to still be in the apartment having the best time, laughing and joking - but it felt a million miles away now. He closed his eyes just to rest them, opening them when he heard Gabe speak. It all felt just a bit too real now. As big as he was, he almost wished it was his parents picking them up, so that he could see them.

EH GS TM EC: Edie nodded her head; Theo was probably right, her mum would've called them. "I'll see if they're there, first." She whispered. Trying to help was the only way she was coping with all of this, she just felt like he needed something to do, a job that was hers. "Are you going to be okay getting home from here?" She whispered. She hadn't realised how late it was.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle sighed as Gabe said they were almost there. As much as she had wanted to get there, she was so nervous now that they were pulling up. Annabelle nodded her head. "Im gonna go straight in, see what they say, see if I can see her." She hoped so. if not, she hoped that she could at least see Emilies mum. She thought that she would get all her answers from the other woman.

AG LC TC FM: Link was almost glad that he had slept all day. He was wide awake now. He was high on adrenaline too. Because he needed to see Emilie. He had no idea if they were going to be allowed in tonight, but it didn't matter. They would wait for however long it took.

AG LC TC FM: Theo nodded, "Alright." He smiled slightly. He was at a loss of where he could help. Theo had always hated hospitals, but since his brother, even more so. They made him nervous and he didn't think anything good ever happened there. "Yeah. I'll be fine. Will you call me if you need anything? Anyone." He spoke a little louder so they could all here. He wanted to help them all, if he could.

EH GS TM EC: "Okay, I won't be far behind." Gabe nodded his head, letting Annabelle take the lead. He was a little bit scared to go in, because of what he thought they were going to see. Emilie's mum was waiting for Annabelle in the entrance, her face tear stained, but relieved to see the blonde girl. "Annabelle, she smiled sadly, taking a step towards her. "Thank you... Thanks for coming. She's awake."

EH GS TM EC: Tommy thanked Gabe's dad before he got out of the car slowly, taking in a deep breath as they finally got into the fresh air. "You alright?" He asked Link with a raise of an eyebrow, running a hand over his hair. Now that they were here, he almost wished they wouldn't let them wait... As selfish as he knew that was.

EH GS TM EC: "Of course. Thank you. For everything." Edie whispered, squeezing Theo's hand gently. She didn't think a better person existed and just seeing how much he was willing to do for them all only reinforced that. She wished she could ask him to stay, but she knew it was selfish.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle smiled as she saw Emilies mum, blinking back the tears as she looked at the other woman, "Of course. We all got here as quickly as we could." She looked over her shoulder to her friends. "Can I see her?" She asked, as she looked back to Enid. She didn't know what she would do if she wasn't able to see her friend now. She needed to be able to see Emilie otherwise she was sure that she would go crazy.

AG LC TC FM: Link nodded, "Yeah." He muttered. But the really answer was that he wasn't. How could he be? He didn't know how bad things were with Emilie but if they were keeping her in over night, he could imagine. He wanted to see her but he knew that he couldn't impose. He hung back with the others, letting Annabelle talk to Emilies mum.

AG LC TC FM: "You never have to thank me." Theo smiled as he shook his head. He would do anything for Edie, anything for anyone that he considered a friend, if he was completely honest. He didn't live far from the hospital so he could be there in a heartbeat if Edie needed him.

EH GS TM EC: Enid nodded, wiping a tear from her eye as she did so. "She asked if you can go in by yourself, at first?" She sighed. She knew the others would want to see her daughter, but she knew that she was embarrassed and the only person she wanted to see right now was Annabelle. At least, initially. "Annabelle -" She said softly before the other one went in. "She doesn't... She doesn't look like herself. Just be prepared." Seeing her daughter in that state had been worse than she'd ever imagined.

EH GS TM EC: "Come on, we'll go and sit inside or something." Tommy muttered, nodding his head towards the automatic doors. He didn't think there was any point in freezing out here when they could sit and wait inside, until they got told they couldn't. He thought it was obvious they were going to be here for a while, so he at least wanted to grab a seat. "Is Annabelle going to be okay on her own?" He raised an eyebrow. He didn't often show concern, but this was one of those rare times.

EH GS TM EC: Edie nodded her head, giving Theo one last grateful smile before she turned and followed the boys into the hospital, pulling her feet up into a cross-legged position on the chair as she waited. She didn't care if she had to wait all night, she would be there. She was determined to be there whenever Emilie decided she wanted to see the rest of them.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle nodded her head, "Yeah, we thought that she would. I think they just wanted to be here." She loved her friends, she loved how they were always going to be there for one another, no matter what. As Enid continued, Annabelle bit down on her lip to stop herself from crying. She didn't think that the older woman needed that. "Okay." She whispered ,her voice cracking a little as she did so. She was scared but she needed to see her friend.

AG LC TC FM: Link nodded and followed Tommy into the hospital. He was just glad that they were all there now. he was just glad that they could be there and they were closer to Emilie if she needed him. He just hoped that Kurt didn't show his face because Link didn't think that he would be able to stop himself if he did. He shrugged his shoulders as Tommy asked about Annabelle and he looked to Gabe and Edie, those two would know better than he ever would.

EH GS TM EC: "I know. I'm so glad you're all here." Enid nodded her head. She was well aware of what had happened to her daughter, even though Emilie hadn't said it yet and it absolutely broke her heart. But seeing the support she had from her friends made it the tiniest bit better. She put a comforting hand on the younger girls arm before she opened the door for her.

EH GS TM EC: Like Link, Tommy was wondering what he'd do if Kurt - or Vance, showed their face in the hospital. He was pretty sure he wouldn't be able to stop himself or his friend from lunging at them - and to be honest, he wouldn't want to. He thought the guy deserved everything that was coming to him and he hoped he ended up behind bars.

EH GS TM EC: Edie shook her head as Link looked at her. She thought going in alone was something that Annabelle had to do, especially if it was what Emilie had asked for - who were they not to respect that?

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle knew that her friends would be there for her when she was done talking to Emilie - not that she thought she would be leaving her friend any time soon. She was almost sure that her heart stopped beating as she saw the state her friend was in and she blinked hard to keep back the tears. "Fucking hell, Em.." Annabelle muttered with a shake of her head before she moved to sit down beside her.

AG LC TC FM: Link didn't know what to do as they waited. He wanted to be able to do something but he didn't think that he could. He knew they just had to wait there and see what happened. He just wanted to know if she was okay, what hte fuck actually happened.

EH GS TM EC: Emilie hadn't seen herself yet, so she didn't really know how bad it was... But the way she felt gave her a fair idea of what it must be. She could only remember what had happened in snippets. The car journey had been fine - he'd just been angry because of the traffic and because she'd sounded blunt on the phone. It was when they got home that he'd wanted to hear all about her weekend and when she'd not wanted to talk about it, he'd gotten angrier than he'd ever been. Her eyes flickered upwards as she heard Annabelle's voice and she shook her head slightly. "Don't..." She whispered through swollen lips, turning as best she could to look at her best friend. She had only wanted to see her, first - partly because she was her best friend, but also because she knew Annabelle had the best chance of understanding what had happened.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle took Emilies hand, just needing to have some sort of contact with her best friend. Despite Enids warnings, she looked worse than Annabelle could've ever imagined. "What the hell happened?" She whispered. She had to ask. If Emilie didn't want to tell her, then she wouldn't push her but she had to ask. And if Emilie didn't tell her, then she already knew what had happened. If Kurt had really done this, if he had hurt Emilie like this, then she knew that she had to go and talk to him. She knew that she would kick the shit out of him. She wouldn't let him get away with any of this.

EH GS TM EC: Emilie and Annabelle were never the touchy feely type of friends that other people seemed to be, but she appreciated the contact and she squeezed her friends hand lightly. She swallowed hard as Annabelle asked what happened, even that hurting more than she'd thought it would. Every part of her was screaming out in pain. "He didn't want me to go in the first place." She whispered. This was the only time she had ever, ever admitted that Kurt did any of this to her... Or had done in the past. "And then I got him to pick me up and he said he'd told me so. And I said he didn't have to be like that. And he told me to tell him everything that happened. And I said no. And he didn't like it." It had been a little bit more in depth than that, but that was the short version. And she really didn't want to go into the long one. A single tear rolled down her face and she swiped at it furiously.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle didn't say a word as Emilie spoke about what had happened. She couldn't believe that she hadn't realised, that none of them had realised. Annabelle knew, from the way that Emilie was speaking, that this wasn't the first time something like this had happened. She wanted to cry but she couldn't. She wouldn't. She couldn't let Emilie worry about her right now. And she knew that she couldn't get angry in front of Emilie either. She had, had enough of that tonight. The blonde nodded her head, trying to figure out what to say. "Why didn't you tell me?" She whispered. Her voice was so full of emotion, unable to hide anything that she was feeling.

EH GS TM EC: Really, Emilie didn't know why she hadn't said anything to her friends other than that she didn't want to - she had been embarrassed and she had been scared. She didn't want them to look at her any differently and besides, most of the time, Kurt had been so sorry about what he'd done. He could go months without laying a finger on her... But it would always happen in the end. "Didn't know what to say." She said quietly, her voice thick with emotion. "Everyone had their own shit to deal with and I just - didn't want you all to think I was fucking weak. Or whatever." She whispered. That was how she felt now, lying here. That was how she felt as she'd crawled to her phone, smashed on the floor and called her mum, crying and telling her she'd fallen down the stairs.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle should've realised that something was happening. She should've realised that Kurt was being more than just mean to Emilie. She was her best friend and she should've realised that something was happening. She loved Emilie so much and she hated that her friend had to go through something like this on her own. She felt even more sad as her friend said that she thought they'd think that she was weak. That was the last thing that Annabelle would ever think. "Are you kidding?" Annabelle asked with a raise of an eyebrow. "Emilie, you're one of the fucking strongest people I know. And I think it even more now I know you've gone through this."

EH GS TM EC: "Don't. Don't say that because you feel bad for me. Makes me feel fucking pathetic." Emilie muttered, shaking her head. She blinked a couple of times, wanting to get rid of the tears in her eyes. She couldn't believe it had come to this - she couldn't believe she had let this happen to her. It had never been this bad before, but it had still been bad and she didn't understand how she had let it go so far. "Who's outside?" She asked quietly. What she was really asking, was if Link was there. Had he forgiven her? Or was he still too angry?

AG LC TC FM: "I'm not saying it because I feel bad for you. Fuck that. You know me Emilie, when would I ever?" Annabelle asked with a raise of an eyebrow. She wasn't going to repeat what she had said but she really meant it. She thought that Emilie was one of the strongest people she knew. She thought it took a strong person to even put up with all of that. Annabelle knew that she couldn't say how she would be if she was in Emilies position but she didn't think she would be like her friend was. "Everyone. Gabe, Edie, Tommy and Link. Edie told Theo to go home."

EH GS TM EC: Emilie knew that Annabelle was probably right - she wouldn't say it for no reason, but that reason felt a lot like pity right now. She sighed as her friend told her who was outside. She really wanted to see them, but she didn't want them to see her. "I don't want them to see me like this. Is it really bad?" She asked, her voice barely a whisper. She knew that Annabelle would give her an honest answer and she needed one.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle never saw the point in lying to Emilie, even now. She loved her best friend and so she knew that they could say anything to one another and it was all going to be fine. "It's not good." Annabelle muttered with a shake of her head. "I can try and cover a bit up with some makeup or something if you want? See what I can do so you can see the others?" She wouldn't put any pressure on her but she knew that they, especially Link, would like to be able to see her.

EH GS TM EC: Emilie nodded her head. "Yeah, I didn't think it was." She sighed, touching her face gingerly with her fingers. There wasn't a part of her that didn't hurt. "I don't think you can... I can't even touch my face without it hurting." She sighed. "Can I use your phone? So I can see?" She asked, looking at her friend hopefully. She wanted to look better before the others saw her. Annabelle was the only person she felt okay with seeing her this way. They had seen each other in every state possible.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle didn't think she had seen anyone in such a bad state as Emilie right now. She knew that this wasn't something she was going to forget about in a long, long time. "Okay.." Annabelle nodded. She didn't know how patient Link would want to be but she knew that she wouldn't let him pressure Emilie into seeing him. If she didn't want to see him, or the others, then she wouldn't. "Yeah, here." She handed over her phone to her friend. She wouldn't deny Emilie anything right now. "Please tell me you're done with him, em." Annabelle whispered. She needed to know her friend would be safe, that she wouldn't see her like this again.

EH GS TM EC: Emilie knew it probably wasn't fair on the others... If this was one of them, she'd be trying to bust the door down right about now - but she hoped they'd just give her a little while longer, to try and sort herself out a little bit. She hated the idea of anybody thinking less of her, especially them. She reached out and took Annabelle's phone with a shaking hand, a gasp escaping her mouth as she saw what must be her own reflection. Whatever she'd expected, it wasn't this. Her eyes filled with tears and another, single one spilled over. How had she let anybody do this to her? She sniffed hard, not wanting anymore tears to spill. "I have to be, don't I?" She looked at her friend, shrugging her shoulders. It wasn't that she loved Kurt - she hadn't for a very long time, but he had made her think she wouldn't be able to cope without him. But this had broken any spell that he had left on her. "I'm done." She promised. Looking into the phone, she pulled her hair out of its tie and let it fall down, moving it so that it covered at least some of the marks.

AG LC TC FM: Annabelle blinked back tears as she watched Emilie look at herself. She hated seeing her friend so sad. Annabelle loved her so much and this was completely breaking her head. Annabelle nodded as Emilie spoke. The last thing she wanted was for Emilie to go back to that. "You can stay with me and Edie for a bit when you get out of here, if you want? We'll get the locks changed on your apartment and make sure it's safe for you." She didn't know how she would get the money but she knew she would do anything to make sure that Emilie was safe.

[acrobaticcatfeline]

Logan and His Little Bumble Bee (Single Dads AU)!!!

Word Count: 2170

TW: Breakup mention, uhhh, Logan has a major distaste for his ex? Oh Logan is pan in this and his ex is a female. Minor character death mention, bad self care, I think that’s it? And most of that is in the second paragraph and doesn’t come up again, but let me know if I missed anything!

Notes: This was produced in spite of my brain not wanting to create. I have a week off I’m not letting it go to waste stupid writers block! Pardon me as I go do... more research and writing for the hogwarts au fic I’m writing. I hope y’all enjoy this!!!

Pairings: past Logan and a female unnamed character that I suppose I will have to make now, slight mentions of pining logicality, familial logince, familial moxiety

Summary: “Roman darling, we have to wash your prince outfit ok?” logan sanders is having a heck of a month you know? suddenly hes a parent and has a promotion and honestly its the most stressed hes been since he was in college but you know he gets moments like these sometimes where he can just hold his little bee and maybe things will be alright.

“Roman darling, we have to wash your prince outfit ok?”

Judging by the screams, it was not ok, and Logan was at the point of sticking himself in the washing machine. He’s tired and the past month of his life has been hell. Last month his ex-girlfriend dropped Roman off at his house as a surprise. Yeah imagine how surprised you’d be to now be the sole guardian of a child you didn’t know existed because your ex was petty enough to keep it from you until she got bored of him 2 years later. So he became a father in a matter of minutes, he got a promotion at work, but that involved working more hours, leaving him with the problem of how the hell was he going to be taking care of a 2 year old when he had work usually 10 hours a day instead of what he used to do. Then he had a bomb dropped that his uncle died. That was… not easy news to take for certain. It was worse that his funeral was halfway across the country, meaning he couldn’t go, and he was stuck at work with a baby and was mourning the loss of his family member and at this point he wasn’t sure if he was able to take it anymore. He hadn’t had a full nights sleep in two weeks, he hasn’t eaten properly for just about that long as well, eating fast food on his way to work every day, usually having coffee for lunch and having something weird thrown together from what he has in his house which for the past week has been cheese ramen while his kid gets the perfect diet because yes, he’s currently a hot mess of the highest caliber, but he refused to let himself be bested by a toddler. He refused to let his ex be a better parent than him, which just so happened to make him love the kid out of spite. And that’s how he got here.

“roro, please? I’ll let you wear your bee onesie?”

And the screams stopped in their tracks. Thank god, Logan had already taken the largest dose of ibuprofen he allowed, and he could still feel the migraine approaching. The baby boy in question was sitting in the grass in Logan’s backyard, playing with some dolls and cars. He turned towards Logan and started crawling over to the tired man sitting in the grass. When he got to him, he sat again and reached up with grabby hands, signaling he wanted to be picked up. Logan obliged, swooping up the little kid and starting to stand up. Roman poked Logan’s cheek softly before planting a big kiss there. He smiled widely, very proud of himself, and Logan felt his cold unfeeling heart melt at the sight.

“oh gosh how could she have given you up. Even if you are a little terror sometimes,” he pinched Roman’s cheek softly with a smile as the little one giggled cutely. “you’re still so sweet and cute. Yes, you are Ro! So sweet and cute! Just like a little bee huh? Ready to be a little bee roro?”

The toddler giggled loudly and nodded before making a grab for Logan’s glasses. Logan quickly twirled him upside down for a moment before swooping him back up.

“no no no! no grabbing dads glasses Ro! I can’t see without those! No no, but we can play with yours okay? You want your glasses?”

Logan had made it into his old office, now a nursery for Ro, and grabbed his bee onesie and his fake glasses that Roman loved to play with. He sat Roman down and changed him rather quickly, luckily once Logan convinces him to listen, Ro is very obedient and behaves very well. He’s a good kid, Logan gets livid thinking about what possible reason she had for giving him up. He picks up Roman again, laughing slightly when Roman tries to wrap his tiny arms around his neck. He quickly grabs Roman’s prince outfit and drops it in the wash with the rest of his clothes, starting it finally.

“what do you wanna do little buzz boy? You wanna go to the park? I have time to go to the park. Hasn’t your sitter taken you before? Do you like the park Robee? Hmm?”

Roman giggles and nods. Logan feels a slight tinge of sadness at the simple response. Roman was 2 years old and babies were supposed to be able to say things that sounded like words by 18 months old. Roman never spoke, he giggled and nodded and shook his head, and understood what Logan said, but he never tried to speak back. The bitter part of him wanted to blame his ex, pretend it was her bad nurturing that led Roman to choosing not to speak, but he knew rationally that sometimes kids had speech impairment and wouldn’t start talking until maybe even 3, but it still worried Logan. Everything he read said it might be autism, but he had his doubts as he worked with autism regularly and had to be well versed with the DSM-5 for his career. He would often repeat words a lot, say the words for what Ro wanted, hoping that he would at least say something. He was going to go to pre k this year, but Logan didn’t feel ok with sending him off to school without any form of communication. That was a set up for something to go wrong, what if the other kids teased him? What if the teachers were bad to him! He would have no way of knowing! That terrified Logan, so he decided he would wait. He had enough money to hire a sitter for another few years while he helped Roman speak. He did fear that he would miss his first words, but he had to work, if he didn’t there was a lot of things he would do instead of… being in Florida psychoanalyzing people all day.

Don’t get him wrong, he loves his job, but it was stressful, and he was regularly reminded that just because he’s a qualified professional, doesn’t mean he isn’t more similar to his patients than he was comfortable with addressing.

Logan grabbed his baby bag, refilling whatever the sitter had used the day prior. He strapped Roman into the backpack sling he had, put it on so Roman sat on his chest, preferring being able to actually see his kid, and grabbed the bag and a few other things, being his phone, wallet, and keys. The park was a short walk away and his weekend adventures with Roman were usually the most exercise he got during the week, so he slowly made his way there, stopping occasionally to make a silly face at ro.

“you wanna go to the playground Ro? Or the field?”

Roman held up 2 fingers, and there it is again. Yeah Roman may not talk, but he definitely understands what he’s saying. He’s a really intelligent kid, and Logan may or may not be ridiculously proud of him. They found a rather quiet area in the field and Logan took off the sling and let Roman out of it, letting him wander around. Roman pressed on Logan’s leg softly to help him stand up. He then takes off running, and Logan stays seated, watching his little bumble bee play. Its not until he hears someone clear their throat next to him that he sees another man, a quite handsome man actually, with a baby that seems to have a question. He stands hurriedly.

“oh my, I'm sorry I zoned out a bit I'm running on 2 hours of sleep please forgive me, is there something I can help you with?”

“oh yeah! Oh, sorry to disturb you, you do seem exhausted. Um I was just wondering if you know whose little boy that is? My kiddo is being fussy and wants to play but I always want to check with the parents first, heheh!”

“huh? Oh, that one over there is mine, if your son wants to play, I'm sure my Roman would be happy to join him! How old’s your little one?”

The other mans smile widens and he sits down, letting his son go off to play with Roman. Logan sits down next to him.

“oh, my little Virgil? He’s almost 4! Also, hello, my name is Patton! How old’s Roman?”

“nice to make your acquaintance Patton, I'm Logan. My son is a little older than 2.”

“aww! Really, I thought he was at least 3! He’s pretty big for his age, he looks strong and healthy!”

Roman and Virgil come running over, and Roman is giggling heavily and runs straight into Logan’s arms eliciting a small ‘oof’ from Logan as he wrapped his arms around his child. Virgil also was giggling as he ran into Patton's grasp much faster, knocking them both over. He looked over concerned but lost the worry as he saw Patton laying down and laughing twice as hard as Virgil was, hair sprawled around his head and oh hey there's Logan’s gay showing oof. He turned away, hiding his face in a hug with Roman.

Of course, Roman had to be the curious tike he is right then, pulling out of the hug and patting Logan’s cheeks in confusion. He poked and prodded and pinched because he was Logan’s little scientist and that’s how you figure out things you’re confused by. Logan had a mind to be embarrassed but gosh his Roman is just so cute and curious and man he loves him.

“daddy daddy!!! He’s so funny, he doesn’t talk but he’s funny!!! He’s like me!!! can we play again later?”

Patton sits up, and Logan restrains himself from pulling the leaf out of his hair.

“aw we have to ask his dad first but maybe! Logan, could we set up a playdate later?”

Heck Logan stop being gay for a second, staring at him is creepy, answer him you doofus!

“uh, yeah sure! Ro seemed to enjoy himself, so why not. I only have weekends off, but he has a babysitter that would love to have another thing to do with the little bug. Um, here, let me give you my number and theirs.”

Logan quickly repositioned Roman so he could reach into his baby bag for a pen and paper. He quickly scrawled it out then handed it to Patton.

“oh, you’re left handed? Neat so am I! can I see that paper too? I should probably give you my number so Ro’s sitter knows it.”

Logan hands it over and a few minutes later Patton's phone starts going off.

“oh geez that’s my alarm, I gotta go, some family is visiting for the weekend, it was nice meeting you Logan! I look forward to seeing you and your itsy-bitsy bug boy again! Bye bye Roman! Virgil say bye!”

“BYE ROMAN BYE LOGAN!!!”

And they turn and leave, and Logan lets himself watch for a few short seconds before turning back to Roman. Roman’s face becomes a smile again and he hugs Logan tightly.

“what's up bug? You wanna keep playing or do you wanna go home and take a nap with dad?”

And Roman giggles and hides in his chest before-

“DAD!!! Play dad!!!”

And Logan can feel his jaw drop and he has to quickly fix his expression because Roman starts looking shy.

“Roman! You just! Oh my god you just said your first words!!! Roman I'm so proud of you my little love bug!!!”

And Roman smiles widely again and bounces up and down.

“bug!!! Bee bug!!!”

“yes Roman, yes bees are bugs oh I love you so much roro I'm so happy! You make dad so happy roro!”

“happy dad!!!”

“I, I need to tell your mom! She’ll be so proud of you Ro just like me!”

“noooo! No mom! Mom… mom bad!”

And Logan’s face drops. He swoops up Roman and hugs him tight. He doesn’t want Roman to think that, his mom, his mom still loved him, he’s sure of it… she was being responsible and having someone else take care of him… or at least that’s what Roman should think.

“no, no Roman she… Roman she loves you so much you know that. She’s not bad she’s just not ready to take care of you.”

“you too! You too but… I… here. You here. Mom bad. Mom gone.”

And if Logan started crying that was no one’s business but his own. Besides, this wasn’t the time, right now he had to deal with a ridiculously self-aware 2-year-old.

They would play in the grass for another hour, and Logan would blink the tears in his eyes away and prepare to have one heck of a conversation with his ex when they got home. Right now, though? Right now, he was reveling in the short amount of time he had with his son.

Let me know if you want to be tagged in my writing!!!

Thank you for reading I will see you later ladies lords and nonbinary royalty!!!