#we're gonna have a story at school so we need some extras

[applesaucesims]

Here's a tiny peek at the other two makeovers I did with @oswanily's base sims.

Maybe you can tell I've aged them down to teenagers and dressed them the same. This is because I plan to use them as background characters for my next generation and that's their school uniform hehe - that's also why you don't see that much of it just yet.

[obsessivestar]

'What If It's All A RomCom?' - a Ted Nivison x Reader.

{{-Story Description: You're a youtuber with a fairly decent following deciding to help your good friend Tanner with a minor film project, with you set as the leading lady. When the actor for the male lead is a no show, Ted takes up the role himself. One problem: This short film's a Rom Com, and you just met the guy.-}}

//18+, Def gonna be some smut. Reader is implied to be afab, under 5'5 and has specifically named friends, all who have no real connection to Ted.

This story will be in multiple chapters. Also gonna post this on Wattpad and Ao3 (when I figure them out LMAO) under the same username: ObsessiveStarla. Hope you enjoy :^)

Also idk how to do all the fancy Tumblr border stuff so sorry if it's all messy :^(((//

Word count: 2.3k

Chapter 1: No Show, No Movie.

I'm keeping my eye on the road, occasionally glancing at the GPS to make sure I can guide my buddy Tanner as he drives. We had quite an early morning to get to L.A., having been on the road for the last 2 hours to get to this airbnb we'll be staying at. Tanner's nearing the end of film school, so he's getting all his classmates and anyone else that's available and interested to help him with his big final project: A legit short film, filmed, written and directed by him. Having some experience with being on camera myself, he elected to make me part of the main cast. I don't mind at all, if it'll help him out. Even if it's a romantic comedy. I'll kiss some dude, get him that 100%. I'm excited for this.

"Has Conner messaged me at all?" Tanner asks, breaking the last 20 minutes of silence. I quit out of my daydream to check Tanner's messages. Other members of the crew have updated them on their location, including a name I don't recognize, but Conner hasn't responded at all.

"Nope. Mostly everyone else is nearly there though." I responded, lightly shrugging my shoulders. A humorous but knowing smirk creeps along the edges of my lips. "Think he slept in?" "I fucking hope not." Tanner huffs, his tone suggesting he's half-joking. "He is literally /the/ male lead. He's like one of the people I need there the most today."

I put the GPS back up on the screen and lay back against the passenger seat, slightly raising a brow to myself. What would happen if he's late, or doesn't show up at all? Could we even get a replacement in time? We only booked this place for the next couple weeks.

As we get off the highway and get even closer to our destination, I see a notification pop up on Tanner's phone, it's the name I don't recognize. Ted. He's not in our friend group and I don't recall Tanner mentioning him from class.

"Is Ted a new guy?" I ask, turning my head to Tanner. "Oh, no, he's like...a friend of a friend." Tanner pauses before reiterating "He's going to be the editor. He's a youtuber, like you; he went to film school as well."

"Oh. He's like the only name I didn't recognize."

"Yeah, he's a cool guy, no worries, he'll probably be there with me to help with the, yknow, directing too."

There's room for a response, but I don't continue the conversation. We don't have a lot of money to put into this, so that airBnb is also where we'll be filming everything. Most of the film crew and extra actors got their own accommodations elsewhere, but some of us will be staying /at that/ location itself. Wonder if that includes the editor? It'd be weird to share a house with a dude I didn't know, but if Tanner trusts him, I will as well. "I know where to go from here, let everyone know we'll be there soon."

I take Tanner's phone and let everyone know we're close by, including Ted, before setting the phone aside. Tanner pulls into what I thought was a street at first, only to notice its the driveway of the airbnb. Wild how we can't afford multiple sets and hotels, but can afford this villa-like estate for nearly a month. Hey, whatever works, right?

Tanner parks by the many other vehicles and grabs his phone before we both hop out. I can't help but look up at how tall the building is. It looks like one of those frat houses an influencer would own, like if you told me this was owned by fuckin' 'disney channel flow' Team 10, I would 100% believe you.

Tanner and I are greeted by most of the cast and crew as we approach the front door of the house, giving the appropriate hugs and handshakes as we head inside. That's when I spotted a tall man in a dark green sweater fixing up some professional looking cameras, dark hair slicked up to add to his already impressive height, with circular glasses to match the relaxed vibe I'm getting from him. To be fair, he only stands out so much to me because I don't recognize him. This must be Ted.

He looks up from his camera when he spots Tanner and I greeting the other crew members. I casually glance away to one of the pictures on the wall to avoid giving the impression I was staring. I have a habit of fixing my eyes onto people without realizing it.

"Traffic?" Is the first word I hear out of Ted's mouth, directed at Tanner. I don't really know what I was expecting to hear come out of this man, but it certainly wasn't a voice like that. It's strong, deep, almost fake sounding, like he's already playing a character, but no, that's just him.

"Dude, we passed by, like, 3 accidents" Tanner shakes his head slightly, putting his hands on his hips. "And Conner hasn't even gotten back to me, It's been an interesting morning."

As they have their conversation, my thoughts turn to a more curious nature as I contemplate what this guy actually does as a youtuber. If he went to film school as well, does he make long video essays? Commentary, like me?

"This is (Y/N), mine and Joe's friend." My thoughts are cut by the sound of my name, realizing Tanner was introducing me to Ted. Makes sense. We don't know each other. "She's gonna be the female lead."

"Ahhh okay, nice to finally meet you. I'm Ted." Ted personally greets me with a gentle handshake and a winning complexion. I return the handshake with a shy smile. "'Finally'?" I repeat to him, raising a slight brow.

"Yeah! Joe's told me about you, 'said you'd be shorter"

A sudden chuckle escapes me. Joe's my best friend and is part of the wardrobe team, of course he'd say something like that. "He's a dick.." I kid, shaking my head to myself. "You, on the other hand, are a fuckin' giant."

"Oh I know. I have to fuckin' duck down to get into any room upstairs. Tallhood ain't what its cut out to be" We both get a laugh out before Ted returns to setting up the cameras. I notice Tanner checking his phone again, visibly both anxious and frustrated.

"Man." Tanner speaks, seemingly thinking aloud. "Still nothing." "Isn't he the other lead?" Ted speaks as he moves to adjust the stand of one of the lights, glancing up through his round glasses. "I figured he'd be here first."

"He should've been here first." Tanner huffs, masking his clear frustration with a chuckle. "I-I don't know what I'm gonna do if he just doesn't show." "What would we have to do?" I tilt my head at Tanner, feeling a little anxious myself.

"I have no idea, honestly" Tanner responds, shaking his head. "At best, we'd have to find someone to take his place within the next, like, couple days. At worst, I'd have to cancel this whole thing."

I frown, trying to think of some helpful alternative in my head, but nothing comes up. I'd hate for everyone to have to go home, and getting the money back for the airbnb would be a hassle. We all pitched in for this place. As much as I've joked about it, it's pretty nice. 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, half the place is a giant living room and there's even more outside. I'd hate to leave without getting to sleep in one of those giant beds. All I can do is hope for the best, I guess.

About an hour passes. At this point, everyone except Conner has shown up on set and most of us that will be on camera are fitted and ready. We had already read through the entire script together over Discord prior to getting here, so all we need to do is just start filming.

I'm refreshing my memory with the script when I hear a notification ping from Tanner's phone. It takes him less than a second to pick it up and look at the message, pausing to read it. I see his expression go from relief to uneasy, his thumbs tapping on his phone's keyboard louder than usual as he responds before setting his phone down and taking a deep breath.

"Conner can't make it."

Silence fills the room for a moment as everyone looks up from their tasks. I approach Tanner, script still on hand.

"What? What does he mean he can't make it?" I asked, honestly shocked with what I was hearing. "So, yknow how he's just...not been responding since we left?" Tanner asks, looking understandably annoyed.

"Yeah?"

"Apparently he ate some bad food last night and has been throwing up since 4am. We left at 5."

The only thing I can do is run my fingers through my hair in frustration. Dude probably ordered bad chicken or something. Of course. "So our main dude, THE male leading role or whatever, has food poisoning." I say that as a statement, but I'm honestly just so confused, I don't want to believe it. "What do we do now? Could we hire someone else in time?" "Even if we could, we wouldn't have time to get the chemistry built up between you two." Tanner shrugs. "There'd be no way of knowing if it'll work out."

"I'll do it."

Tanner and I turn our heads to Ted, who's joined in on the conversation shortly after assembling the last light. My first instinct is to let out a sigh of relief, but I steel myself, trying to really process what he's offering.

"You? You wanna be the male lead?" Tanner points at Ted, rather surprised he'd offer. Ted seemed to laugh at the expression on Tanner's face "What's that fuckin' look for? You think I can't be romantic, Tanner?" "No--" Tanner cackles, putting his palms up defensively as he laughed. "That's not it! I just-- you haven't read the script, and, yknow..." Tanner pauses, shrugging his shoulders and tilting his head in my direction. "You two just met, you'll have to, yknow--"

"'Yknow? Yknow?' I KNOW, Tanner. I. know." Ted begins to mock Tanner in a friendly manner while pointing at himself, his strong voice easily overpowering Tanner's timid tone. "I've been doin' this since you were in little baby diapers, alright? I can read the script, I can kiss the pretty lady, I got this!"

I suddenly feel a whole lot warmer, resisting the urge to put a hand to my cheek. I mean, I have blush on already, but now I'm definitely blushing. I'll have to kiss this guy?

I mean.

That ain't a bad thing.

That's a nice lookin' dude. I'd be blind not to see it.

But I did just meet him.

"I mean...." Tanner seems to be at a loss for words, glancing in my direction once more. I realize I've been one of the main talking pieces of this conversation, yet I haven't spoken a word. "Ah--I.." I stammer out what was meant to be a coherent response, realizing I'm a bit more sheepish about this than I thought I'd be. He called me pretty. I...don't know what to do with that. I can handle a compliment, sure, but this was...

"Hey, sorry, I don't wanna step over any lines..." Ted's smile faded after my lack of a response, resting his hands behind his back. "Oh no! I-I wouldn't mind it at all." I finally managed to speak up. I swear, I felt like a bashful damsel in those old transatlantic-accent films. "I mean, like, better this than sending everyone packing early, right?"

"Real flattering." Ted responded with a renewed smile and a chuckle, getting another sheepish blush from me. "Whatever works for everyone, I'm down for it."

Based on Tanner's knowing expression, I can tell he gathered something of use from whatever that exchange was. "I mean..." Tanner repeats again, as if to remind us he's also there with filler words before taking in a sharp breath of realization, or maybe it was one of acceptance, I couldn't tell. Either way, he had an idea. "OK, how about this: most of the crew didn't get breakfast on the way up here and we're all gettin' pretty hungry, we could use some caffeine. How about you two head back out and get everyone something from Dunkin' or wherever? Get talkin', see if it works."

"You setting us up on a breakfast run, or a date?" I collect myself fast enough to make a joke, actually getting a decent chuckle out of Ted. Part of me couldn't believe I had even made that joke aloud, I was also kind of genuinely asking. "I am testing the chemistry." Tanner clarified slowly with a half smile. "And I...don't want to do it myself."

Ted and I look at each other, giving me a brief moment to realize Ted's eyes are brown. Don't know why I've chosen to collect that information now. Just another observation I've made for the day.

...Man, I'm hungry.

"Alright, but I'm not driving your car." I agree with a shrug. "No need, I got my Tacoma." Ted responds, making a clicking noise with his mouth and gesturing me to follow him outside.

"You...have your city in Washington?" I ask genuinely, getting another laugh out of him, not intentionally this time. "Toyota Tacoma. My truck." He corrects me, guiding me to an old dark green pick-up truck. "I've had this baby since high school. Graduated with it."

"Ahh, your high school sweetheart. Lovely. Happy to meet her."

"Fuck off" Ted jokingly scoffs, hopping into the drivers seat. I have this big grin on my face as I get into the passenger side. He's giving me this...oddly comforting vibe. I can talk and joke with this guy so naturally, like I've known him for longer than an hour.

Somehow, I get the feeling we'll get along just fine, even if I'll end up having to kiss him once or twice this month....

....That's got me thinking, how many times am I kissing this guy again?

__________________________________

|| Chapter 2 || Chapter 3 || Chapter 4 || Chapter 5 || Chapter 6 (smut) || Chapter 7 || Chapter 8 || Chapter 9 || Chapter 10 (smut) || Chapter 11 || Chapter 12 || Chapter 13 || Chapter 14 (smut) || Chapter 15 ||

[ddoxhan]

that summer

draw me in your world, as you let yourself into mine let me be your safe haven, for I love when you shine

word count : 4.8k words

genre : fluff with a tinge of angst; your typical summer love story but haerin does not feel the same way you do for her?; runner! haerin x literature student! fem!reader; you are an overthinker and sometimes just wish you stop thinking

t/w : none :)

a/n : this is the longest i've ever written for a oneshot and honestly, i didn't want to split it up cause i wanted yall to feel the whole thing at one go. enjoy !

"haerin-ah, wait up!"

"you're just slow! we're gonna be late if we don't hurry!"

you swore you needed to wake up earlier to avoid having to rush to school, especially when haerin waits for you every day to walk together. at this point, the two of you had been running to class for three days in a row now, not walk. to your surprise, the girl has never complained or grumbled about how you would make her almost miss the bell. but then again, she's always been like that. haerin was never someone who wouid let out her anger on you or anyone in general. you've never seen her get angry, concluding that she just doesn't know how to.

the said girl turned her head around while not faltering in her rushed steps, making sure you're keeping up with her speed. but the thing is, she's the school's top runner and you barely pass your required tests for physical education. haerin knows, which was why she opted to drag you along by your hand. the sudden grab left you slightly taken aback. well, slight is an understatement, you were very taken aback. especially when you have the most obvious crush on her.

you've always had a crush on haerin ever since you were 12. it just happened so when she saved you from some bullies, aka silly boys, running away from them as you two rest at the neighbourhood playground after. she sat you on the swing while you cried in both fear and relief. but all the fear washed away when she flashed you a smile that you never forgot till this day. the way her eyes curved up and her snaggletooth showed with that big smile of hers, that's when you fell for her.

as you busied yourself in your own world, you once again arrived at the school gate right before they closed it off, with some students sighing at how they missed it by a split second behind it. a slow realization hit that you've ran to your limit, you tried taking deep breaths but it might have made it worse. sometimes you wished you were more athletic, for these kind of situations, and also to spend more time with haerin if you were in the track and field team.

"hey, try breathing with both your nose and mouth, it can help."

the girl in front of you looks unfazed, as if she just went for a relaxing morning jog. which isn't entirely wrong as you don't live too far from school. you stand up straight again, doing what she told you to. it actually did help but as she glanced at her watch, you understood what it meant.

"go on, don't be late for class because of me."

"it's fine, there's still some time. I'll go with you."

although you were very sure classes starts in 3 minutes, you didn't argue further as it just meant you get to spend more time although it's just minutes. when the two of you were put into different classes, the time spent together reduced drastically plus haerin's training after class on some days. it was just lunch and maybe weekends if she didn't have extra training. but you felt bad for wanting her to spend her only free day with you, so you try to refrain from jumping onto her bed during some weekends.

why is it so hard to just spend some time with her?

lunch came. and that meant you get to see haerin again after the last time before classes started. at this point, you were just too infatuated with her that you were experiencing some sort of separation anxiety that you can't seem to quite explain. there's nothing you can do about it, you were just that in love with her.

but you did not guess for her to walk along to the cafeteria with him. him who? him, woonhak, the heartthrob who happens to be almost as good as haerin in the track and field team. everyone who sees them walking down the corridor would literally stop to look at how good they look together. it's to the point that they gush over the possible relationship they should have.

you were one of the people who'd look too, but you were always left slightly upset and heartbroken whenever you heard such comments. for sure, woonhak didn't do anything other than walk with her because he likes to ask and learn from haerin when it comes to running. there was no one to blame for your feelings except yourself. and at times, you just wished you could just like someone else cause the pain gets unbearable.

"hey froggie! how was class?"

it might sound like you're being selfish, but you wished haerin only ever smiles at you like that. that smile, the very same one you fell for and also the one that makes your heart clench a little. not to mention the nickname, it makes you feel as if she sees you nothing more than just a friend.

"the same. mr park is giving out work, again. I'm not surprised anyways."

"how about you?"

you swore you saw how her eyes sparkled a little when she started telling you about hers. but you don't feel that much good inside after.

"oh! you know woonhak right? him and I got chosen to be interviewed for a promotional video for the school."

"oh, him..."

"sorry, did you say something?"

"ah, yeah I know him."

"yup him, we agreed to meet on sunday to prepare ahead of the interview. I'm sorry if you wanted to come over."

"no don't be, it's fine. I can just work on mr park's project on sunday."

"but still, it feels weird that I won't be around."

"oh come on, it's literally just a few hours! and before you know it, you'll be back and I can come over if you want."

"this is why you're my best friend, I can always count on you."

well, that hurt a lot. you didn't know if it was intentional or just coincidental as she manages to throw your urge to confess out of the window every time it surfaces. all you could hope was that she didn't take notice of your feelings, or else you swear you'd never be able to face her again. the very last thing you need is for this friendship with her to shatter to the ground like glass. but you knew, the moment you fell for her, you were already walking on thin ice.

"what do they have for lunch today?"

"kimchi fried rice, today has your favourite strawberry milk."

picking up yours, you shaked it to tempt her to quickly go get hers and come have her food with you. and so she did.

whenever it came to her favourite food, she always looks like a cute little kitten who's hungry all the time. and when she spots them, she'd rush to get it and sit with you with an adorable smile plastered on her face as she eats or drinks away. you wish you were able to be someone who makes her that happy too, but along with those thoughts were the heavy consequences of your confession.

whatever you two have built throughout these many years will just shatter like glass, into fragile pieces that will not be able to be pieced together again. even if it could be pieced together again, nothing can stay the same.

for now, you'll keep it to yourself. nothing has shifted between you and haerin, so you shouldn't too.

you have no idea what the hell you're doing right now. what kind of situation is this, you don't know.

"you told me we were gonna work on that project. as far as I know, this is not part of the project."

"I know, but just, we'll work on it after. for now, I just need you to accompany me."

"bro, this feels so illegal to be spying on someone."

"I'm just making sure that boy isn't doing anything to haerin."

"you know they're like the most shipped couple in school right? and woonhak's a really nice person."

"you never know."

all dani could do was roll her eyes at how dumb you look, she looks, with this so called disguise that barely covered their identity. she told you the shades were not it when it's practically indoors, and how it literally makes them stand out even more. at times like this, she questions herself why she's friends with you, and why she's willing to be in this with you. overall you were a great person, just not when you get too overprotective of the girl you love.

"if you're just gonna snoop around, you might as well just confess."

the moment you heard the word 'confess', the coffee you were drinking through your mouth came out through your nose. dani didn't know whether to laugh or help you wipe the table cause that was the reenactment of that 'the incredibles' meme of violet. maybe this was why she was friends with you.

"w-what do you mean?"

"you're too obvious to not notice each and every time you zoom out of class to have lunch with haerin. and zoom out again when the bell rings so you can head over to the gym hall to watch her practice."

"bro why didn't you tell me?!"

"tell you what? that you're like an idiot in love but the person you love doesn't seem to feel the same way?"

"I am not an idiot! but I definitely am in love..."

the mood suddenly shifted to somewhat gloomy as those words left your mouth. admitting that you had feelings for haerin to someone else for the first time didn't feel much extravagant than you thought. it wasn't that what you felt wasn't real or overwhelming, they very much were. but the thought of her not reciprocating them, broke you a little on the inside.

you've always imagined being by her side throughout university till the day you'd grow old and get a small house in the countryside. if it were the best friend context, things would have been fine. but you want to be there for her as someone she loves, too. as cheesy as it sounds, just the two of you against the world and no one can stop you.

reality begged to differ when you see how happy she is now as she picks up some clothes from the racks in a store. with woonhak smiling down at her. you couldn't deny that they look good together, way to good that it was believable if haerin told you they started dating after this date. the more you saw the two of them together, the more it was harder to imagine you being the one who would be making her happy.

although you've known her for so long, you weren't one to express your feelings through words. 'actions speak louder than words' was the motto you've lived with all this time. but this love thing takes more than that. being a literature student did not help with that vast range of vocabulary cause there was no point of preparing a confession. it has to come from the heart, and that's what makes it so hard.

"..."

"they left by the way."

your head whipped to the direction of the store they were in, and the last spot you saw them at was indeed empty.

"let's go then! you better saw where they are heading."

not even allowing dani to finish her chocolate drink, you dragged her along to chase after the two. they were definitely fast, very fitting to be in the track and field team. and dani did not sign up for this.

in the end, dani had to drag you out of that mall before you ended up actually stalking those two poor souls. you were definitely not pleased with that decision but you two had a project to attend to, so you placed whatever that's disturbing to the back of your head. although it was sort of futile.

"well, at least we got half of this done, sorta."

"we can meet again tomorrow after school to finish it up if you want."

the australian squinted her eyes at you, as if trying to question your intention. she had the right to after what you pulled off today.

"for real, this time. I kinda want to get this over with and watch haerin practice."

"you better keep your promise."

giving a salute, all dani could do was chuckle at your attempt to lighten the mood with your antics. how can she not love someone like you when all you do was make everyone around you smile?

"hey, do you think it's possible that haerin would have feelings for me? even the slightest bit?"

"I don't see why not. you're a nice kid."

"the definition of nice is different for everyone, and so it is for me."

the older took a seat next to you on the bed, putting down her books on your study desk. when the topic about your feelings for haerin surface each time, you can't help but let your real self seep out a little, the happy-go-lucky facade faltering.

"you know, you don't have to be nice to be liked by anyone."

"but that doesn't mean I can be bad either."

"you know I don't mean it that way. it's just that, whether the person is nice or not, if you like them, you just do."

"that's true..."

it was feeling a little weird to talk about this with someone, but you were glad that it was dani. she was like an older sister figure that you could rely on whenever you needed her.

"you love haerin. and do you love her because she's nice? or because it's her?"

as you registered her words in your brain, you couldn't help but feel hopeful all over again, even after seeing those two at the mall today. maybe, they really are just friends. maybe, haerin does like you a little. maybe, you should confess.

you were so lost in your own thoughts that you couldn't feel the presence next to you, slowly clasping your hands. dani looked at you really endearingly, as if you were the person she cherished the most in the world.

"whatever you do, I'd be here to support, okay?"

giving her a reassuring nod and grin, dani's heart swelled at how your mood was lifted again. all she wants to see was you smile, regardless of who's behind it.

"FROGGIE!"

the shout from across your bedroom door grabbed your attention as your eyes darted towards it. as it swung open, the very person you two were talking about barged through to throw you into a hug. along with dani cause haerin knows her too.

"unnie! what are you doing here? the project?"

"hmm, we were just tidying up cause it's getting late."

the older slipped out from the embrace to finish packing her stuff to leave those two to their own world. maybe one day, she'd be able to find someone she loves too.

"bye unnie!"

"dani, I'll let you know what time tomorrow."

"yup sure, just ping me when you're done."

as dani left when she saw your thumbs up, you're tackled into another hug. you were wondering why she was being extra clingy after that date with woonhak. did woonhak confess to her? was she being shy about it? is she gonna tell you something? you were overthinking a lot of things and it wasn't a good sign cause that just means you're going to start doubting every single action haerin takes.

"I missed you."

you wish you would just disintegrate into dust at this very moment. everything that has happened today had already put your brain and feelings into overdrive. and for her to say this, made your heart feel heavier than ever. you didn't know why, it just didn't feel all that good although you did miss her too. but the words just can't seem to fall from your lips.

all you could do was look away and nod. because if you were to look at her, you think you are going to cry and confuse her even further.

"I should go shower first, it's been a long day."

"then we can cuddle!"

haerin slipped away from the embrace into your bathroom. with her belongings scattered around your room, it makes you feel even dizzier from all these crashing feelings. it's as if you are itching to confess to her or else you'd combust for real. that was why you could only keep your mouth shut, or everything would be over.

for now again, you try your best to act normal in front of her. for your own sake, for her sake, and to keep this friendship the way it has been this whole time.

everything went on like normal. you and dani wrapped up that damn project mr park gave, having lunch with haerin every day, spending your time watching her practice, hanging out every weekend. but as haerin's competition was approaching, she spends more time at the gym hall, even during weekends at times. you can't blame her when she's the top in her team.

this competition was utmost important for her as many big companies scout at this particular one. meaning that if she does well, she may have a chance of signing with one. but that means that she would have to move to the city if that does happen.

you were afraid to lose her. sure, you two would still be friends even if she was miles away. so that's exactly what you're afraid of, staying friends. you knew you had no guts to confess to her anytime soon. if haerin leaves, you will still be here. you can't imagine how it will be without her, because you've spent your entire life with her by your side.

even today, you're in your room as haerin is training more as days are left till the competition. divided between confessing or not, you wrote down all the things you want to get for her on your laptop. the tomato frog that she loves so much, a printed sweater with a cat, a couple bracelet that she had her eye on last month. you remembered everything like you knew the back of your hand. it wasn't intentional, but you just did. not to mention that you had quite bad memory that you took a week to remember your seatmate's name.

you were going to do it. you were going to confess. it took you years to finally make that decision and you want it to be perfect. what did it mean by perfect, you don't know. it was your first time, but you just wanted it to be from the bottom of your heart. regardless of whether haerin would reciprocate the feelings, you came to an agreement with yourself that it was fine if she didn't. she was going to move away when she wins that competition so it would just mean that you two stay friends. friends who are apart from each other.

although it may take time to heal, it was going to be fine. not everything in life can go smoothly, and you were willing to take the risk. it was unfair for both you and her. you couldn't pretend any longer that you saw her as a friend, when the way you treat her is definitely more than one. and she deserves to know what you feel for her, with no secrets kept between the two of you.

D-10.

"WOONHAK! GOOD LUCK!"

"YOU'RE GONNA DO GREAT BRO!"

"HAERIN-AH! SLAY IT!"

"HWAITING!"

screams and shouts from both sides of your ears were definitely gonna leave them ringing for some time. of course you weren't going to miss haerin's big day. you were beyond proud that she made it to the finals after beating her opponents in the semifinals. quarters were a piece of cake since she was a whole second ahead of everyone.

it was no doubt when she held the fastest record for 100m among the schools here. the agents definitely had their eyes on her the entire time, it just depends on who she chooses.

you didn't really like going out for events like these but she was an exception. although you weren't screaming your lungs out for her, you caressed that ring on your finger very dearly. the ring haerin got you when you two got into the same high school, calling it "the lucky ring". whenever there were big happenings, you'd wear it, feeling that she was with you through them. this time, you wore it so she could feel that you were with her.

"ON YOUR MARK."

the determination on haerin's face didn't go unnoticed even if you were nowhere close to the tracks. and when she flashed that smile at you before the whistle went off, you cried softly into your hands.

you love her so much. so much that this was going to be the last time you two were going to be friends. friends who grew up together, playing with puddles at the playground. finding restaurants to visit together. laughing at stupid videos in bed. taking pictures and videos of each other when one is sleeping. all those days were going to be a memory. a sweet memory for you to look back at after this day.

reporters swarmed the winner of the competition, blocking the pathway for the others who could only sigh at their defeat. some were lucky with outstanding performance.

"could you tell us what's your future plans after this?"

"will you be signing with Krux? we saw their agent approach you personally."

"is it possible to know who kim woonhak is to you?"

"i'm sorry everyone but haerin will be heading off first, any questions will be answered by me."

the coach pushed haerin into the locker room before locking everyone outside with him. she let out the breath even she didn't know she was holding.

"so, who is kim woonhak to you?"

the noise was starting to die down outside as the reporters were led to a different room for interview. the silence was growing deafening as those words echoed across the empty room.

"you're my friend."

"damn, I really didn't have a chance, did I?"

"you know that very well. plus, there's a whole line waiting to date you so why waste your time on me?"

haerin couldn't bother, as she had something better to do and someone better to be with.

"sunbae, you do know I don't like you anymore right? not after you turned down my confession the other day."

"I was just making sure. I've seen too many of you playboys in action."

"oh come on, I'm not a playboy!"

woonhak was someone who was very responsive to teases, and haerin takes every chance she gets to tease the hell out of him. if anything, he was like a brother to her and she was like a sister to him. in fact, both of them decided to sign with the same company since they were offered. it was always good to have someone on your side in the sports world.

"I know, I was just messing with you. now get out, coach probably needs you."

"why me when the winner is right here chilling?"

"because you're gonna answer on my behalf."

the scene that was unfolding could easily be misunderstood if walked in at the wrong timing. and someone did just that. but what haerin didn't expect was that you walked in on them, seemingly laughing and smacking each other, like a couple. well, it did look like that to you at least.

you felt like you were interrupting something, so you dashed out of there as quick as you could. your eyes were stinging as the humid wind cut through your tears that were threatening to fall. although haerin was deemed the winner today, you were zooming past people faster than she could, as if in denial that you lost even before getting a chance to tell her.

it was getting more and more suffocating as the people around you were overwhelming. although you could breathe better when you reached the tracks, taking in the view of the vast field, it was too much that you had to hit your chest to let out some suppressed cries.

just as you felt slightly better, you felt a pair of arms swinging across your sides from behind, trapping you with them. you didn't even need to see who it is, as their scent invaded your senses, carrying familiarity with it.

"haerin-ah, congratulations! I'm so proud of you."

you turned around to bring her into a hug, but also hiding the fact you were crying because things were to change today.

"thank you, I wouldn't have done it without you."

"no, don't say that. you.. did it because you trained very hard for this. and you'll be achieving your dreams."

"you did do something for me, you were there for me. I saw you at the bleachers and that made me more determined to win."

"why are you crying, froggie? don't cry, we'll still see each other."

haerin cupped your face with her hands to wipe the tears off of your face. but that just hit the nail on the coffin, meaning that she would sign and leave for the city. which was now or never.

"haerin-ah."

"hmm?"

the endearing look in her face as she looks at you was more than enough to let you know she would be here for you no matter what. even as just a friend. although it was starting to rain, you knew you had to do it now. the words were getting stuck in your throat as it started to get dry. but, you were going to do it still.

"I love you."

"huh?"

the confusion on her face hurt you more than it should. you should know that she does not feel the same way you did for her. you should know that she was probably already dating woonhak after what you saw earlier. you should know-

"I love you too."

it was the first time you have ever seen that smile on her face. a grin so wide, it's like she's the happiest girl in the world. the most crescent eyes you've seen on her, as if she's staring at the girl she loves.

wait. she said she loves you too.

the sunshower was drenching the two of you but you couldn't give a damn about it. she said she loves you. she reciprocated your feelings. but you were having a very hard time trying to wrap your head around it.

"I love you too, you silly."

her laughter tickled your ears as you stood there frozen. your dumb reaction had her swaying you around with her in the rain as the sun was blinding through the droplets. just as she stopped to look at you again, you still had that bewildered face.

"I thought you were dating woonhak..."

"me? and that idiot? babe, you gotta be kidding me."

the sudden endearment had your cheeks flare up as you bury your head in her shoulder, in attempt to cover your face. but your ears were shooting bright red too, earning an earthy laughter from haerin, you could feel it through the embrace.

"so that means we're dating right?"

she looked at you with a shocked face before peppering kisses all over your cheeks.

"yes, of course froggie. unless you wanna get married."

the attempt at humor cracked both of you up, but you knew that was something you see happening in the future. but for now, everything was perfect. you were perfect, and haerin's urge to kiss you was too strong at that moment.

"can I kiss you?"

all you could do was nod and as her lips touched yours, that's when things were sinking in for you. your hands slowly draped over her neck as you pulled her closer to feel the longing for her warmth grow stronger. the sunshower painted over you and her, but you couldn't care less about what's around you when the most important person is in front of you. it was true that today was the last day you two were friends, but blossomed into a new beginning as each other's love.

as you pulled back to breathe, you two had your eyes closed, foreheads touching. although no words were exchanged, you knew, many more summers were to be spent with the love of your life.

it was the summer rain, the summer rain when haerin fell for you as you held her hand and ran in the rain back home.

that summer you fell for her too.

[slowlydifferentbluebird]

Dreams come true - Aespa High School AU - Day three

Hello people, part three is finally out! I know this time it needed more time to come out, but I'm starting to bring more variety on the blog. Talking about this third day things are not going so smoothly anymore for our main character, time to introduce some angst in the story🤭 Also, this time I'm using a Winter Pic because I feel she plays a big role in today story, but don't worry, all the girls have their space to "shine"

"Are you still awake, loser?", the message from Minjeong read like this, making your face scrunch in confusion. It was midnight, why did she text you at that hour? "Yup, what are you up to?", you replied, laying on the bed of your room in the darkness, illuminated just by the light of the moon, coming through the window. "Wanna skip the first lesson tomorrow?", her question left you speechless for a moment. Like, she sure was a bit naughty, but this was such a bold move from someone you exchanged the phone numbers with just few hours before. "Why?", you countered with another question, trying to obtain more informations and get more time to think about it. "Because I want to bring you to a place", she explained, making your confusion even bigger. "Don't worry, we won't get in trouble, loser", she added quickly, teasing and reassuring you at the same time. You rolled your eyes, annoyed yet amused by her push and pull. "Fuck it, let's do it!", you thought, before accepting her proposal and agreeing on the plans for the tomorrow. She wished you goodnight, leaving you alone again with your thoughts, now even more agitated, before eventually falling asleep, relieving in your dreams all the events of that second day.

At 8am, the next morning, you were leaning against the wall of the back of the school. Luckily you were able to elude Mark that day: he was extra late again so you just went school alone. You were also lucky enough to not meet none of your classmates or teachers while reaching the place. You looked at your watch again: 8.05am. Where the hell was her? If this was a prank or similar... "Waiting for someone, stranger?", the soft yet active voice of Winter reached your ears, making all your doubts disappears. "Here you are, girl, you took you time. I was starting to think you played me", you admitted, being unable to show a relieved smile. "Aww, were you that eager to see me again? I'm glad, but your girlfriend is gonna be jealous about that", the bob-haired girl teased you, caressing your arm. "Are you gonna keep to tease me and Aeri forever?", you asked, sighing and shaking your head. "Just when you or her shows me proofs of the contrary", she shrugged, smiling like a satisfied fool. "Yeah sure...however why did you picked this place as meeting point and where are you bringing me?", you inquired her, looking around, almosto check the surroundings. "How many questions, I don't remember you being this curious during lessons", she smirked and you had really the strong temptation to curse at her neverending teasing. "Just follow me and you will discover, loser", she invited you, starting to walk, getting at every step more far from the school building.

"Come, we're so close right now", Minjeong whispered. Her action make you puzzled, you walked a lot and you were pretty sure about being out of the school territory, so why was she so worried? Was is it a dangerous zone? "Alright, we're basically arrived, now do like me: squat and walk slowly, no sudden movements", she explained, keeping to whisper. Once again you followed her instructions, but all that mystery left you an uneasy feeling in the chest. The area was clearly abandoned and unkempt. The anxiety was starting to have the best on you when..."Meow!", an easily recognizable sound got your attention, making your head snap in Winter direction. "Hi babies, I'm back", Minjeong announced in a kind tone. You carefully moved next to her just to discover a whole bunch of baby kitties, meowing and looking at you two. "Are they...the reason for your request?", you asked, impressed by this side of her. "Of course, what did you expect? A date? Well...for that maybe in the future", she said with nonchalance, while opening her satchel and pulling out some milk and a couple of bowls. Without the need of saying anything more, even because her smooth answer just messed up your brain, you helped her organizing the bowls and getting sure every kitty had its meal. "How did you know about them?", you demanded, while letting one of the babies play with your fingers. "Yesterday, after school, I heard a cry and I found one of them, so I just followed him till here: they are very friendly but sadly their mother is not with them", she revealed, pouting sadly, showing you for the first time a more sensitive side. "But why me? You could have asked to any of the girls and yet you picked me", your question was sudden, lefting Winter speechless this time. You were right: she didn't even think about it till that moment. However she found the response quickly enough, she just needed a look of how much fun you were having playing with the kitties, you were so lovely and happy. "I already told you: you are different from the others...in a very positive way", her answer made your gazes met. You had not noticed before how cute she was and how much her eyes were the perfect match for her smile; at the same time Winter thought it was a lot of time she didn't feel so in tune with someone else, especially a person she had meet so recently. "Ehm...and then I can always blackmail you about the rooftop", she added at last second, as if she was trying to hide again behind her mischievous nature.

When both of you finally got in class, everyone eyes was directed to you. It was not like they were trying to make a story, but the the way you and Winter just came in laughing and teasing each other left few space to the fantasy. You coughed in embarassment and even the usual bold Winter immediately adjusted her behaviour, returning to act cold. You silently went your desk, avoding the gazes of your friends: Karina was staring blankly in your direction, Mark seemed confused af, Ning had an annoyed smirk on her face, and Giselle...you could feel her eyes burning into the back of your head and you had no the gut to turn back. Your emergency plan was to stay quiet and act like you were not there until the rest of the day. But, of course, you couldn't seriously hope about getting away with that. You barely managed to survive the next lesson just because miss Sunny arrived earlier than usual, but you were not lucky enough to go through the lunch break unscathed.

You saw Minjeong flee away the moment the bell rang, immediately followed by Karina, that seemed intentioned to tackle her or something. You didn't have time to worry about her tho. "So...what did I miss?", Mark asked, sitting on your desk, trying to convince you to spill the tea. "Not much", you vaguely answered, putting your things in the backpack in a hurry. "Why so eager to get away? Are you that hungry? Or do you just want to meet up with Winter again?", Ning, from the chair next to you inquired, going straight to the point; her body language was very accusatory, she tiny but she was leaning towards you enough to put pressure. "Nothing of all this, I just need a breath of fresh air", you justified, trying to get up, but the moment you moved, a couple of strong hands put you in your place again. "Stay seated", Giselle voice was stern, cold, irritated. "Now you're gonna tell me where the fuck you have been", Giselle ordered through her teeth, grabbing your chin and oblying you to look at her. "Oh my god, why are people making such a fuss for nothing?", you groaned in annoyance; this whole situation was getting ridicolous. Why were you even being questioned for such a silly reason. "For nothing? Are you fucking kidding me?", Gigi shouted angrily at you and that really made you snap. "What's your problem? What do you care if I skip lessons to spend time with Minjeong?", you shouted back, getting up to confront her face to face. "Calling her Minjeong...are you two already that close?", Ning instigated, an hint of bother in her tone; luckily both you and Aeri was too focused on each other to hear her. "Ning, I won't add fuel to this fire...actually guys, why don't we all chill and relax?", Mark tried to bring some peace to the discussion but it was kinda late to that; he was just glad that at that point it was just the four of you in class, everyone else was gone away. "What do I care? Did you already forget that I'm your bestfriend? Of course I got worried if you start skipping lessons since the third day, idiot", Giselle retorted, her eyes were starting to get watery because of the screams and her anger. "It happened just once, drop it...you know what? I'm done", you sighed in frustration, finally moving away from your spot and rushing out of the room, leaving behind you just the sound of someone sobbing.

You were so pissed off at your friends, why did they have to ruin a nice moment like the one of your morning? Did you need to inform them about anything in your life? Did they have the exclusivity on your persona? You were already starting to regret on moving there. You were actually so nervous after that fight that you were not even hungry. You were spiraling in your doubts and angry thoughts when..."Hey...can I join you?", you looked up to meet the kind smile of Karina, her eyes full of concern. You simply nodded, moving a little to leave some space on the bench you were sitting on. "Are you okay?", she softly asked, putting her hand over yours. "Kinda...yeah", you barely replied, conflicted on how to act: you were still angry with the world but it was not Karina fault. "Are you sure? I heard you had a big fight with Giselle", she exposed her worry, caressing the back of your hand with her thumb. It was not the first time she did that, it happened even the first day, it was oddly relaxing and you felt like your heart was being in peace again. "Yeah, it was a rough moment...actually it was the first time we have ever fought in so many years of friendship", you told her, looking at her pretty face with a ladle smile. "You know, sometimes it happens in these cases: human relationships are different online and in real life; probably you two just need to find...the right balance", Jimin suggested, offering you a comforting smile. She was not a genius in relationships and stuff like that, but she saw you in a moment of difficulty and she felt she had to comfort you somehow. "Maybe you're right...but I guess we need to resolve this mess first. What about you and Winter? Is everything alright?", you asked back, checking the situation you glimpsed before, but at that question Karina looked totally lost. "Did you two not fight? I saw you running behind her at the end of the lesson", you explained, pointing out what you have seen. "Ohhh, that! No, we simply ran to the cafeteria because today there was tiramisù on the menu", just at her reference of food, your stomach growled; furthermore you felt like a fool: of course they didn't fight, you were the only one attacked for that event.

After chatting a bit more, you and Karina parted away, she really helped you to calm down. Now you were not mad anymore, just sad, disappointed and very hungry. Despite that you decided to walk around again to clarify your thoughts. You were not feeling really good, but you thought that maybe walking would have helped you feeling better. The truth was that at every step, you felt even worse. With difficulty you went back in the building, trudging on the stairs to reach the floor where your class was. What was wrong with your body? Did the fight really disconcert you that much? "Here you are, hurry up, lessons are abou to star...wait, are you good? You are so pale", Ning walked into you at the corner of the hallway and, even if at the start she was intentioned to act in the usual irritating way, she immediately changed attituted, seeing your conditions. "Yeah...perfectly...fine...", you tried to act tough, but you were out of breath and you were sweating. "No really, is something wrong? Do you need to go to the infirmary?", the worry in her voice was obvious, probably your appearance was realy giving your hard time away; she placed an hand on your chest to stop you in your track, she did it kindly but you it feel like a strong push. "Maybe...just water...", you gave up on your facade, feeling your strenghts vanishing. "Let's go to the vending machine, I'll buy you something and...OH MY GOD!", she grabbed your arm to guide you, but right in that moment the world around you started to spin, you felt the lack of oxygen in your lungs until...everything went black. The last thing you remember was the faint voice of Ning asking for help and a cold surface hitting your cheek.

[luvangelbreak]

Deprived | Twenty

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 matthew sturniolo x layla venita (female!oc) summary: everyone knows the story of the bad boy and the good girl but what happens when the school's most popular boy, Matthew Sturniolo, and the girl who notoriously is never there, Layla Venita, cross paths. warnings: swearing, smoking, suggestive? word count: 3.3k a/n: this series has been longer than I anticipated but I'm living for the slow burn so it's gonna be a while till we're done folks.

pov: layla

I spent the next week couped in my room, refusing to leave as I quickly smoked the bag of weed Wes had given me. Allie had messaged me in concern multiple times and I finally built up the courage to reply to her a day after her last message.

Allie <3 Monday hey girl are you okay? matt has been off all day 1:30pm Tuesday if u wanna talk im here <3 5:37pm Wednesday im getting concerned pls message me if u need anything 3:47pm

You sorry just havent been feeling good im okay just need time alone 10:21pm

Allie <3 im sorry :(10:23pm

You its okay i'll be at school tmrw 10:27pm

Allie <3 okay! see ya then <3 10:28pm

I locked my phone and threw it lazily on the bed beside me, rolling over to face the wall where my window was cracked open. I was glad my dad was out tonight, having to deal with him for over a week straight was draining and I felt like it didn't benefit my self-loathing in any way. I sighed as my mind always travelled back to the look on Matt's face, the pure hurt in his eyes that I knew I caused.

Part of me was glad he hadn't messaged or tried to talk to me. It meant that I could push him away if I wanted to. I did just that without even consciously meaning to. I got scared and made it his fault in my brain but as I continued rotting in my bed, I realised I hurt him more than I ever meant to. It wasn't his fault that I was afraid of someone being close, it wasn't his fault that I let something so small set me off. I needed to make him realise it wasn't his fault and I was just not used to the affection and accommodation he offered me daily.

I barely slept over the past week and this night was no different. My alarm went off in the early hours of the morning and I knew I had slept a total of 4 hours from the way my brain had constantly been reeling. I dragged myself out of bed and trudged into the bathroom. I took an extra long shower to attempt to rid the disgust I felt towards myself.

After scrubbing my entire body head to toe, I jumped out of the shower and walked to my room. My entire body felt heavy and I felt tears prick my eyes when I looked over to the pink sweater that was still laying over my bag. I picked it up, realising it was the only clean sweater I had since I hadn't been bothered with laundry. I quickly slid it over my head before sliding on my black sweatpants and combat boots. I slid my leather jacket over the top, not bothering with any makeup as I lazily tied my now damp hair into a low ponytail. I grabbed my bag, quickly sprayed on some perfume and grabbed my phone off of my bedside table.

I quickly exited my house without food or water in my stomach and as I began walking down the road, I decided to light one of the last few cigarettes I had pre-rolled. I grabbed my headphones from my bag, slid one into my ear and plugged them into my phone. I clicked shuffle on one of my playlists and I let my feet drag on the asphalt as I slowly made my way down the streets of Massachusetts.

After an hour, I finally arrived in the parking lot of the school and I scanned the cars, my eyes landing where I saw the familiar silver minivan. I paused, letting out a heavy breath as I collected myself and began walking to the group of people in front of the car.

Nate was the first to notice me and he just looked at me with no expression before he turned back to the group. As I got closer I noticed the fact that Mia was standing beside Matt with her head leaned on his shoulder, his arm wrapped around her back lazily and I felt a pang of pure jealousy run through me. I tried to shake it off as I got closer, knowing I had no right to be mad about it right now since I was the one who caused the riff between the brown-haired boy and myself.

"Speak of the devil," I heard Nick say when his eyes caught mine and I was a few feet away, standing uncomfortably as I looked between all of them. All of their heads turned to look at me, Allie being the only one who didn't seem like they were looking right through me.

"Matt, can I talk to you?" I asked quietly as I didn't dare to meet his eyes yet and there was an uncomfortable silence that fell over us, "Please."

"About what?" he asked, his tone short and I looked up to see his face completely expressionless but his eyes held such hurt and aggravation that it felt like it cut right through me.

"Last week," I mumbled, ignoring the pain in my chest of seeing Mia looking at me with a slight smirk. I focused in on the boy I had hurt, his blue eyes piercing in the sunlight.

"Now?" he questioned, not taking his eyes off of me and I just looked at him, the judgement of his friends radiating off of them. He sighed heavily before swinging his arm out from around Mia and I felt a weight lifted off of my shoulders but there was still a pressure on my chest, "I'll be back."

I looked at the ground as he pushed away from the hood of the minivan and he walked past me. I followed behind him, not daring to look back at his friends as we walked to the back of the parking lot before he stopped to face me.

He didn't say anything for a moment as I looked up at him and he scanned me head to toe before murmuring, "That's my sweater."

"Yeah. I left it on my bag all week but I didn't have any clean hoodies for today," I explained and he hummed as I picked at the skin around my fingers, my nails too short to bite now that I had been picking at them all week. I nervously chewed on my lip before I said, "I'm sorry."

"It took you a week to say that?" he asked, his voice quiet but his words laced with pain.

"I didn't mean to hurt you. I know I reacted to what you said horribly but I just-" I cut myself off as I took a breath and looked down at the gravel below us, "I haven't had anyone take care of me the way you do. It scares me. I'm sorry."

I squeezed my eyes closed, chewing on my bottom lip far more aggressively than I intended but my heart raced as I waited for his response. I felt his hand fall under my chin and he lifted my face to look up at him, noticing now that he was slightly closer to me. He used his thumb to gently pull my lip away from my teeth as I fidgeted with the hem of the pink sweater.

"Why didn't you just talk to me?" he asked, his tone softening as he looked down at me and I shrugged dumbly.

"I am bad at talking about that sorta stuff," I answered quietly, my throat closing from the sadness that invaded my body as I looked up at him. I had no right to be upset right now, I was the one who fucked up and made this so difficult, but I felt guilt invade my entire body when I realised I didn't want to push him away. It was habit and I was always bad at breaking them.

"Don't do that again," he demanded softly and I pursed my lips as I pushed my sadness down the best I could as tears sprung to my eyes, "Or I swear to god I won't talk to you again and I don't want to stop talking to you. Ever."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push you away. I just don't know how to deal with everything I'm feeling and I know it's shitty but I promise I'm trying. I have no right to be sad right now because this is my fault but I feel so horrible for making you upset. You deserve so much more than that and if I can't give that to you I understand if you don't want me to be around anymore," I rambled out all of my feelings and conflicting voices in my head but I was cut off by his lips on mine.

I paused for a moment to register what was happening before my body melted into his, his arms wrapping around my lower back as I snaked my arms around his neck. I pulled him into me, missing the way his body felt against my own more than I anticipated. It felt like a breath of fresh air after being stuck in my room for the past week with smoke-filled lungs. He gripped my hips, pulling me impossibly closer to him as I tangled my hands in his hair before he pulled away to breathe for a moment.

"You're an idiot," he mumbled before he leaned back in to kiss me gently again.

"I know," I mumbled against his lips and he ran his tongue against my rough lips, the sting of his saliva hitting the open splits on my lips from chewing them. I hissed and pulled away as he looked down at me.

"You need to stop biting your lip," he muttered as his eyes travelled all around my face, "And stop picking your nails. You're not gonna have any left soon."

"I've been stressed the past week. I can't help it," I whispered as I looked up at him in awe. I had forgotten the pure oxytocin that ran through my system when I was with him and I refused to let it go again.

"Pretty girl," he gave me a sympathetic look and I shook my head as I pulled away from his face slightly, my arms still slung over his shoulders.

"Don't feel bad. This was my doing and I will make it up to you," I answered sternly and his face broke into a small smile. I sighed, the weight being lifted off of my chest now and my body tingled with joy.

"All I'm asking is that you talk to me next time," he whispered, leaning down to place a peck on my lips and I let it linger before I pulled back and nodded.

"I will try," I scratched the nape of his neck lightly and he bit his bottom lip as my face dropped, "Don't look at me like that before we have to go inside. I'll drive us back to your house right now."

"I don't see you for a week and you're ready to jump my bones already," he chuckled and I raised my eyebrows.

"How else can I make it up to you, ya know?" I joked as let my mouth form into a smirk and he shook his head as he pursed his lips, "Does this mean I can come to your game this week?"

"Of course baby," he smiled down at me and I felt the butterflies erupt in my stomach again, promising not only him but myself to never let myself ruin this again.

"By the way," I let my right hand trail from his neck to his chest, playing with the necklace that sat comfortably on his collarbones, "Allie's brother was just dropping me home. He tried to flirt with me but I shut it down. I wasn't lying about that."

"I know. I overreacted. I'm sorry about that," he said softly and I shook my head, twiddling the pendant between my fingers as I looked up at him.

"I know how it looked. I would've been just as upset. You don't need to apologise for it," I mumbled, trying hard to convey my feelings as best I could to which he didn't respond verbally. He instead placed another kiss against my lips and smiled against me as he squeezed my hips.

"Matt!" I heard Chris's voice call from only a few feet away and we both broke apart to look over at him, "You guys done? We gotta go to class."

"I forgot about that," I joked and Chris just gave me a deadpanned look as Matt chuckled.

"We'll be there in a sec," he called to his brother who just rolled his eyes and spun around to walk back to his friends, "They're more pissed at you than I was."

"I can tell," I mumbled as I watched their eyes pour directly into me, "Allie messaged me though."

"She was the only one defending you," he told me honestly and I hummed as I looked back up to him, "I'll talk to them."

"Don't sugarcoat it. You can tell them I'm a dumbass who doesn't know how to deal with her emotions," I stated and he shook his head with a smile, placing a kiss on the top of my head before swinging his arm over my shoulders.

"Come on," he said nodding towards the group and I hesitantly began walking with him by my side. Their eyes stayed glued to us as we approached and Mia gave me nothing but a scowl with her arms crossed, "Chill out. We talked about it."

"That didn't seem like talking," Mia spat and I remained silent, letting Matt handle the situation as I looked at Allie who gave me a sympathetic smile.

"Don't Mia," Matt deadpanned and she only scoffed with a roll of her eyes, "We talked about it and I don't wanna hear it."

"Only took you a week," Nate raised his eyebrows as he spoke and he looked at me. I pursed my lips while glancing between them.

"At least it happened," Matt retorted before the bell rang and he sighed, "We'll talk about it later. Let's go."

He began walking with his arm around my shoulder still and I followed suit, Chris moving to stand on the other side of Matt as everyone else followed behind. We made our way to our classes and once we sat down, a weight fell back on my chest.

Not only did I have to make it up to Matt, I had to win back his brothers and his friends.

+++

Pretty boy where did u go?? 12:23pm

You 🚬 be there in a minute 12:24pm

I locked my phone, sliding it into my pocket as I finished off my cigarette, throwing it onto the ground before I wedged it into the ground with my boot. I made my way back inside and straight to the cafeteria where I saw the group of friends sitting together.

"Hey," Allie beamed as she scooted closer to Mia to make space between her and Matt for me to sit. I smiled at her as I swung my legs over the bench and sat down. Matt placed his arm around my lower back as he continued his conversation with Nick.

"I don't want to wear a tie. That's why I got the red shirt," Matt groaned and Nick gave him a deadpanned look.

"It's prom. You're supposed to look fancy with a tie," Nick stated and Matt ran a hand across his face.

"We're all wearing a tie. Don't be a bitch," Nate pointed out and I tuned them out as Allie tapped my shoulder to gain my attention.

"You okay?" she asked quietly and I nodded with a hum.

"Yeah. Thank you for checking on me," I answered in a hushed tone and she shrugged with her sunshine smile that warmed my heart to know she wasn't annoyed with me.

"Of course. That's what friends are for," she said casually before she turned back to listen to the group conversation. I let her words hang over my head like a cloud.

That's what friends are for.

I don't remember the last time I had a genuine friend and her simple words struck me right in my heart. She had always been kind to me and from the moment we talked, she had been such a light in my life. I realised I not only wanted to share my emotions and feelings with Matt but also with Allie to show her that I appreciated her.

I wanted to be better for both of them.

"How long do we have to stay there?" Chris whined as he threw his head onto the table dramatically and Allie rolled her eyes.

"You're acting like you're being held hostage. If you don't wanna go it's fine," Allie responded, her tone quietening at the end and I could sense the slight sadness at Chris's distaste for prom.

"Al, I told you I'm going and I'll stick to that. I just don't wanna be there for five hours," he lifted his head up to look at her and she shrugged, eyes glancing at the table.

"We can leave early and go back to my house," she offered and Chris's mouth broke into a smile as he nodded.

"Works for me," he said triumphantly before sitting up again, resting his elbows on the table in front of him.

"How are we getting there?" Mia asked, looking around at the group and I just sat there in silence, deciding to go along with whatever plan I knew Allie had already set up.

"Meet up at my house at five thirty so we can take photos and make sure we have everything and then we will leave at like six-thirty to get to the hotel," Allie explained the plan and everyone seemed to hum along in agreement. I felt Matt's arm snake further around my back as he scooted closer to me.

"How are we getting there?" Nick asked and Allie smiled as she adjusted her ponytail.

"I got us a limo," she announced happily and Mia showed her first sign of happiness of the day as she squealed excitedly, "You guys won't drink right?"

Matt and his brothers shook their heads with a firm no and Allie turned to look at me and I shrugged, "Depends on what it is."

"Bottle of champagne in the limo?" Mia asked Allie and Allie nodded causing Mia's smile to widen.

"You're dad won't arrest us if we drink?" Nate asked, the half-hearted joke not landing well with Mia as she rolled her eyes.

"Not if he doesn't know," she pointed out with a slight smirk and Nate raised his eyebrows before nodding in agreement.

"Did you find a dress?" Nate asked, turning his attention to me as he attempted to make conversation. I assumed that in the time I'd been in my other classes and was outside Matt had talked to Nate, Chris and Nick since they weren't glaring at me anymore but they still felt slightly standoffish.

"No. I'm just gonna make my own," I explained and he nodded, his smile in a downturned smile.

"Mad impressive that you can do that," he complimented me and I gave him a half-hearted smile as Matt traced circles on my hip with his thumb.

"Thanks. I just hope I can finish it in time," I explained and I could sense Mia's disgust towards me radiating off of her but I was learning to tune her out like I had always done before Matt came into my life.

Suddenly the bell rang for our next classes and everyone began getting up. I stood up from the table before Matt spun me around and kissed my lips gently. I froze for a moment, shocked at the fact he did that in the middle of the cafeteria but I quickly reciprocated the action before he pulled away.

"See you after school pretty girl," he smirked at me before he walked away and I stood still for a moment as I watched him walk away with Nick, Chris, Nate and Mia.

"You guys are so fucking cute it makes me want to throw up," Allie rolled her eyes playfully beside me and I looked around to see people staring at me once again. I pursed my lips, my cheeks tinging red as I hid a smile and shook my head before I began walking out of the cafeteria.

tags:

@dsturniolo @chrisstankyleg @lov3bug @pinklittleflower @thatcrazybitch-69 @trinity2058 @alorsxsturn @chrizznmetswife @ilovechrissturniolo1 @leprechaunbirthdaygirl @sturnfix @lilsstvrn @sturniololol @sturniolowhore @jebbie-project-blog @jaxyy219

[cathumanthing2]

List of things my orchestra, chorus, and band teachers have said:

"I need your bows to be infused with the power of christmas and stretch out" (orchestra 1)

"i guess I'll be practicing all week instead of doing homework" "atta girl, you got your priorities straight!" (band)

"it needs to sound like 'ho ho ho' not 'ho ho those damn kids keep takin my cookies'" (orchestra 1)

"you're making it sound like the wrong sleigh! its 'sleigh ride', not" *plays the chord from psycho* (orchestra 1)

"dont drink and run, kids" (orchestra 1)

*mewing* (chorus)

"you guys are so zesty" (chorus)

"it sounds like if you took a box of ornaments and just dumped it all over the tree then threw the tinsel on and then it catches fire and your house burns down" (orchestra 1)

"thats a good mama" (chorus)

*weird voice* "i have flower" (orchestra 1)

"YES, ill let you take my job today" (orchestra 2)

"if you're gonna fart... pose" *strikes some weird pose* (band 2)

"you're supposed to do *makes petting motion* kittyyy kittyyy, pet it gently, not *fucking WHACKS the invisible kitten* animal abuse" (orchestra 1)

"yes, im evil and made this warmup to make you smack yourselves in the face" (chorus)

"i want you to burp so loud and long that even your dad is impressed" (band 2)

"i guess we're teaching sign language now" (orchestra 1)

*steals people's sheet music* "im doing you a favor" (band)

*day before long weekend* "you did so good that im giving you Monday off of school" *collective groaning noises at an overused joke* (band)

*chases oboist around the band room* (band)

"who do you think it is?" *calls on kid with hand raised* kid: "is it-" "its not [name2]" (chorus)

"i need you to pretend you're throwing up" (chorus)

"i cant believe im saying this but... percussion, can you perhaps be louder?" (band)

"I have a funny story...my dad died and when my mom got married again she didn't invite me to her wedding." (orchestra 2) (NOTE: i never had this teacher, i joined orchestra the year after she retired)

"do you know how hard it is to make frosty the snowman sound like frosty the snowman instead of frosty the big wet sad puddle?" (orchestra 1)

"We will accept bribery" (chorus)

"guys, will you PLEASE stop hitting kittens" (orchestra 1)

*at a baritone who has his arm resting on the back [name]s chair* "[name2], i dont think [name] wants to go on a date with you" random kid: "yeah, [name2] is like 'hey, wanna go to the movies and put our hands in the popcorn bucket at the same time'"

SO. thats what i have so far. this is FAR from a complete list. the band 2 is for an extra band where the teacher isnt the same one or one of the ones for band, and orchestra 1 and orchestra 2 are completely different and numbered based on when i joined. 1 is after school and not really a school orchestra, and 2 is a school orchestra.

bonus: things they say a lot

"snailed it!" "open up your vowels, sopranos" "you SLAYED" "does anyone have any hot tea?" (chorus)

"SHAPE IT" "less talking more rocking/less conversing more rehearsing" "lets go! *loud clap*" (orchestra 1)

[insert dad jokes here] (band)

[writtenonreceipts]

Rowaelin Month Day Twenty-Seven: Single Parent @rowaelinscourt

Month Masterlist // Story Masterlist

Story is hidden on Ao3 for the time being, but can't resist sharing for today's prompt.

Warnings: None, ~3.5k words

Summary: After a flashback disrupts Rowan's progress in town, Aelin and Meiri spend the day at the park.

.*.*.*.*.

Where We've Been, Where We're Going--Part Nine

Rowan didn’t return to the house that night.

Aelin tried to not let it bother her.  Tried to assure herself that everything was alright and she hadn’t somehow insulted him.  Not that she cared of course.  He could do whatever he wanted.  He wasn’t a prisoner nor did he owe her an explanation.

But after Aelin had picked up Meiri from Nehemia’s, she hadn’t seen any sign of Rowan’s truck in town.  And then once Meiri was in bed--Rowan still hadn’t returned.

She didn’t know why she cared.  Or maybe it was unease and a cold shift of distrust.  She remembered nights when Arobyn would come back late and she had no idea what mood he’d be in.  It usually wasn’t the best mood and often led to fights.

Which was why Aelin shouldn’t let herself care about Rowan.  Because he didn’t need it.  He didn’t need her nagging him or worrying.  He probably loathed it anyway.

When morning came and there was still know sign of him, Aelin told herself not to worry.  It wouldn’t have surprised her if he’d just gotten tired of being in Terrasen and decided to leave, break all the promises he’d made and not look back.  She wouldn’t judge him.  At least…she’d try not to.

With the day off from work, Aelin was determined to spend it all with Meiri.  It had been a while since they’d had a mother-daughter day so the extra time would be nice.

As Aelin made oatmeal and cut up some banana’s Meiri pattered into the kitchen with her princess blanket over her shoulders.  She climbed into one of the kitchen chairs that creaked beneath her before glancing around.

“Where’s Rowan? He’s gonna miss breakfast!” 

Aelin hid her wince as she turned to grab the milk from the fridge. “He’s helping Uncle Malakai, remember?”

“He never misses breakfast, though,” Meiri pointed out.

She looked up at Aelin with her big blue and gold eyes looking so expectant that Aelin decided she hated Rowan Whitethorn.

“He just needed to get an early start,” Aelin said, pouring a cup of milk for Meiri.

Hopefully that would be the end of it.  Aelin had no desire to lie for Rowan.  Especially not like this.  She’d never really had a reason to lie to her daughter.  Even when it came to talking about her father, Meiri accepted the small half-truths given.  And she still didn’t ask about him a lot.  But it felt different where Rowan was concerned.  Especially because she hadn’t wanted this.  She hadn’t wanted another man in her life that would just let her and Meiri down again.  Yet somehow he’d carved a place in their home.

Irritated over that reaction, Aelin returned to the kitchen table with the milk and the oatmeal.

“Are you excited about our day today?” she asked, eager to distract Meiri. “We can go see Marion and then go to the park.”

It was still August which meant they had a few weeks until the school year started in early September.  Aelin wanted to make sure they used their summer up in the best possible ways while the weather was still good.

“Yeah!” Meiri said excitedly. “Do you think they fixed the big blue slide?  It’s my favorite.”

A few high schoolers had thought it would be fun to disconnect a few pieces of playground equipment last week which left a lot of the park unusable.  Aelin didn’t know if the kids had been caught but she did know that Chaol had a whole slew of community service activities ready for when they were found.  

“I hope so,” Aelin said. The parks department also had a nearly nonexistent budget and a lot of things were slipping through the cracks, especially when everyone was so concerned about seeing the county fair be successful.

Meiri attacked her oatmeal with gusto before taking her dishes to the sink.  She dashed upstairs to get ready for the day while Aelin finished her own breakfast.

Her phone remained quiet on the table before her.  All it would take was one text to Rowan and she knew she’d feel a little better.  But what would she even say?

Hey just making sure you didn’t abandon us.  Or if you did that’s fine just wanna check and see.

Because that was normal.

All he was doing was crashing at her place until he was ready to move on.  Nothing else.  Just the way it was meant to be.

Aelin shot off a text to Marion letting her know of their plans before she got up and made sure the dishes were washed before heading upstairs to get ready for the day herself.

…

With a pile of books between them, Aelin pulled into the small parking lot for the park.  It was another beautiful day in Terrasen with the bright sun and scant clouds in the sky.  Aelin would take these days for as long as she could get them.  Not just the heat of the day, but times where Meiri was bouncing with excitement and chattering on about how much she loved her books and which one she wanted to read first.

Aelin smiled to herself as she got out of the car--Meiri already unbuckled herself and was rapidly piling books in her arms.  As Aelin gathered the old picnic blanket from the trunk as well as her own book, she made sure Meiri was keeping to the grass and nearby area of the park.

They’d never had trouble here, nor in the town for that matter, but Aelin wouldn’t take her chances.  Even after nearly six years without a sign of Arobynn--Aelin knew she’d always be looking over her shoulder.

“Rowan!” Meiri yelled suddenly.  

Aelin’s head snapped up, glancing around the park.  Sure enough, there was the familiar head of silver hair in the mulch of the playground.  His giant toolbox was at his feet and he had a battery hand drill in hand as he carefully maneuvered the big blue slide into place.  His truck sat in the far corner of the lot, somehow staying hidden beneath the large oak tree on that side of the park.

Hearing his name, Rowan froze before looking around and finding Meiri running towards him.

“You missed breakfast!” Meiri shouted as she ran closer.

Rowan said something that Aelin missed and she couldn’t see his face given the slant of the sun.  He wouldn’t say anything bad would he?  There was an obvious reason he’d avoided returning to the house--maybe it had something to do her or Meiri or--

Meiri let out a squealing laugh.  Rowan had handed her the large drill and knelt before her as he showed her how it worked.  It reminded Aelin of when her father had made her a small trophy case for all of her medals and awards for playing the piano.  Rhoe had constructed a small case for her and showed her the wood and tools he’d use and consulted her in what color to paint it and everything.  As far as Aelin knew, it was still sitting in her old bedroom.  Unless her parents had tried to move on.  It had been seven years since the last time Arobynn let her talk to them after all.  She was twenty-six, her birthday a few weeks ago.  They’d move on by now, wouldn’t they?

Meiri laughed again as the empty drill bit whorled.

Aelin collected her book and blanket and the small cooler packed full of snacks.  She didn’t bother locking the car, knowing they’d stay within eyesight of it.  She went over to where she and Meiri usually camped out, beneath the long spindly branches of a maple tree, and set things down before walking over to the playset.

Meiri had given back the drill and watched in rapt attention as Rowan drilled in a bolt.  He set the drill down and gave the slide a hefty shove.  It remained in place.

“Wow!” Meiri said. “You did it!  Momma, Rowan fixed the slide.”

Aelin couldn’t help but smile at how pleased Meiri was over the new development.  Already, Meiri hedged closer to the ladder that would take her to the top of the slide.

“He did, didn’t he?” Aelin glanced at the man in question, brow raised. 

Rowan just shrugged. “I ran into Chaol this morning and he mentioned it, thought I’d have a look.  It should be good to go.”

He pushed on the slide again.  Even when it didn’t budge, he didn’t seem convinced that it would remain fixed.  

“Can I play, Momma?” Meiri asked.  She tugged on Aelin’s hand all while looking back at the playground.

If Rowan’s relentless shoves weren’t going to get the slide to move, Aelin figured he’d repaired it better than it had been when first installed.  So Aelin ruffled her daughter’s hair and urged her on.

“Have fun.”

Meiri launched onto the playground, scrambling around the ladders and steps.

Rowan shifted almost imperceptibly and Aelin could have sworn a small caution was on his lips before he clamped up entirely and only watched Meiri continue to play.

“She’ll be fine,” Aelin said, “you probably made the slide immovable even in an earthquake.”

He didn’t say anything until Meiri launched herself down the slide, squealing the entire way.  When she reached the bottom of the slide, Meiri ran straight back to the ladder and to the top.  Completely unharmed if rather static-y.

“Right,” Rowan said.  Shaking his head, he knelt down and gathered his tools. 

Aelin almost asked him about where he’d been last night and this morning, but it didn’t matter, did it?  Prying would say more about her than it did him.  And if him leaving was going to get any easier it would do well to distance herself now.

So, Aelin stepped back to where she’d left the blanket, book, and cooler.  She smoothed everything out and settled into an easy reading position where she could see the entire playground and watch as Meiri dashed between slide, swing, and monkey bars.  

It was an otherwise quiet day with the occasional bird chirping overhead.  This park was on the far west side of town and, honestly, no one really liked it.  It was often empty and easy to get parking.  Which was also why Aelin preferred it.

Maybe that was why she was so surprised when Rowan came to stand at the edge of the blanket, still looking out over the playground.

Aelin looked up at him.  There standing beneath the maple, he was covered from the sun and she could see the stubble growing again and the dark circles beneath his eyes.  He looked exhausted.  And Aelin knew what that kind of tired did.  It was bone weary to the point that you simply had to embrace it and live with it and hope that something, somehow, would keep you going and going and going.

“Did you tell Luca about Emrys?” Rowan asked.

Aelin set her book aside. “Yeah, I swung by Chaol’s place this morning.  He was really excited.”

“He gonna help you with the party?”

“Only by making food suggestions,” Aelin said.

A small smile flashed across Rowan’s otherwise harsh features.  Even that bit of softness was fascinating.

“Though,” Aelin added, “I think we’ll just do it as the diner.  I don’t want their house getting too crowded and my place…well.  The diner’s more local anyways and I know a lot of people will want to be there.”

Slowly, so slowly and without looking at her, Rowan lowered himself to the ground.  He stayed off the blanket, didn’t even touch the worn edges.  It took him a minute to settle there, legs stretched out before him, frown back in place.  Aelin wondered how long it had been since he’d truly taken time to himself to just exist.

“I was going to leave,” Rowan finally admitted.  He picked at a thick blade of grass and carefully began ripping it lengthwise into small strips, hardly looking at it and instead watching as Meiri latched onto a sliding pole and went careening at almost concerning speed. “But I’m already enough of a bastard--I only made it a few miles out before pulling over.  Slept out there too.”

Aelin vaguely remembered the messages she’d seen on his phone.  Someone was expecting him in California and others too were still trying to reach out to him in one form of friendship or another.

She wondered if it had anything to do with that--that he’d finally broke and chose to fulfill whatever duty still on his ledger.  She almost told him as such.  That he could just leave.  That no one would blame him or begrudge him that.

“I should have told you what I was planning, or that I was--” Rowan cut himself off, lips pressed together.

They stayed like that for several minutes.  Aelin figured it would do well to let him proceed as he wanted.  Prying into someone’s life had never worked out well for her in the past.  But Rowan seemed to be measuring his words, carefully considering them instead of holding back entirely. 

Rowan let the pieces of grass fall from his fingers before he spoke. “There was an accident last night that Chaol mentioned where a kid had…the kid died.”  He looked at her, straight on and direct and Aelin had a feeling she would not like where this story ended. “And all I could think about was when I let this kid, only a year younger than me, I let him scout out a building we were watching.  And he was always wanting to do something, always wanting to be busy and be active y’know?”

His gaze fell back to his hands. “I could have stopped it if I’d actually thought about what was happening.”

Aelin felt her stomach twist in knots, felt the cold brush of the reality of what Rowan had experienced.  He continued to stare at his hands and Aelin wondered what those hands had done.  Had they held his friend's hand?  Has he tried to staunch the bleeding?  Had he found who was responsible?

Arobynn had never told her what training was like, only that he was in charge.  He’d never told her about his deployments, only that he was in charge.  He’d never told her anything, only acted on his own pain.  And when that happened it was always upon her.  She knew well how to be silent.  She knew well how to listen and carefully craft a response even if it never was spoken aloud.

But Rowan, Rowan was different.

Wasn’t he?

“I never made it back for the funeral, but his mom sent me letters after,” Rowan continued. “I tried apologizing, tried telling her I did everything I could.  Tried telling her it was my fault.  And she only sent me pictures of the family garden and told me that Danny had wanted to give her something before he left.  So he started that garden for her and she’d been keeping it on ever since.”

“How long has it been?” Aelin whispered.  

“Six years.”

So it wasn’t what drove him back stateside.  That would be another painful story.

Once Aelin would have pulled out the beer and the vodka that Arobynn told her were only for special occasions.  She would have kept pouring glasses while trying to fix dinner.  She’d never touch until he would put her on her knees and tell her to distract him.  She always did what she was told back then and never anything more because if she ever did something she wasn’t supposed to…well…there was a reason she told Yrene to delete her file at the hospital after Meiri was born.

But now, Aelin wanted so desperately to reach out to Rowan.  She herself would want even the simplest of touches.  Even a hand to hold or a shoulder to lean on.

“Do you still get pictures of the garden?” Aelin asked, unsure what else to say.

On the playground, Meiri had begun collecting rocks to stack against each other in a sort of cairn.

“Yeah,” Rowan said, “the tomatoes always do well.  Danny’s sister even got married in the yard with all these sprawling plants in every picture.” 

He smiled, barely, at that.

“I’ve never been able to grow anything,” Aelin mused.  She paused and gestured to Meiri. “Except that.”

Meiri chose that exact moment to screech and kick all the rocks she’d collected in varying directions.

“You’re doing a good job at it,” Rowan said.

Aelin returned her attention to him.  He was back to watching her with that guarded expression he wore so well.

“Well, I’m running out of ways to cut her pancakes so a revolution may be on our hands.”  Aelin settled back on her elbows, letting the warm summer breeze cool her sweaty skin.  She had a few water bottles at the ready and would call Meiri back soon to make sure she was getting enough to drink.

“Dragons and aliens?” Rowan suggested.

“Done and done.  Poorly.” Aelin grinned. “I am a failure of a mother for that, according to Meiri.  No amount of syrup was enough to save it.  Emrys is better at pancakes than me.”

Rowan shook his head, running a hand over his mouth as he tried and failed to hide his amusement.

“Your daughter can be a bit brutal,” he said.

“Well, she has to get it from somewhere.”  Aelin called Meiri over and handed her a water bottle and snack.

Meiri took the items before trotting over to sit on the edge of the slide.  Apparently a grasshopper had been sticking close to the area and she wanted to try and catch it.

“So,” Aelin said, “why California?”

He’d never exactly explained that choice and Aelin was admittedly curious about it.

Rowan shifted and stretched one leg out before him, the other bent so he could rest his elbow in his knee.

“Well, I’d just got back from Kovac,” he said, “and didn’t have anything holding me in New York.”

The words were slow as Rowan took his time to explain.  Aelin almost told him to forget it, that it really wasn’t her business, but he continued before she could.

“One of my squad mates is in California right now,” he continued.  “After…after my last tour.  Well.  I’d never gone on a road trip before, so why not now?”

He was leaving things out, not that Aelin could blame him.  There was something heavy in his voice and the way his shoulders slumped just a little.

“My squad mate was injured, pretty bad, and we’d all said we’d meet up when we were all out.  So I started driving.”

“I’m sorry about your friend,” Aelin said.

“It got me to go to Kentucky,” Rowan admitted, “it’s where Danny was from.”

He paused, lost in thought.  A look of regret flashed over his face.  She knew that look.  It wasn’t one of exact misery but it was painful nonetheless.

“He told me to go hike Mammoth Cave, that it would be the best thing to do to make me feel alive,” Rowan added. “That and go to the county fair his town always hosted.  It wasn’t fair season, so I ended up hiking most of the day, got lost a few times and eventually made it back.  Then I had to find the nearest store to find these dumb little pink candies that taste like chalk, but it was a tradition his family had.”

“That sounds like a good day,” Aelin said.

He smiled, barely. “It was.  It was supposed to be the entire squad.  We were all supposed to go out and do that one thing for him.  But…well.  Things happen.”

Aelin didn’t know if that meant everyone else was dead but him or they’d all just drifted apart after they returned.  She wasn’t sure if she even wanted to know.

And then before she could stop herself, she spoke. “I left my boyfriend, or fiancé, technically he just gave me the ring and told me to put it on.  He wasn’t…he wasn’t a good person.”

“Aelin,” Rowan spoke softly.  He reached across the distance between them, fingers barely skirting the back of her hand.

“He doesn’t know about Meiri,” she said, smiling as Meiri stuffed the last bite of sandwich into her mouth with all the elegance of a five year old. “She’s everything to me.”

Rowan wrapped his fingers around hers, giving them a tight squeeze.  It was enough.  For just that afternoon, Aelin would let herself be comforted.  It was the most information she’d ever shared about herself with someone that wasn’t Marion or Nehemia.  She hadn’t even told Emrys or Malakai about her past, though she had a feeling they both had a close enough idea to what she was running from.

But for now, Aelin let herself accept Rowan’s comfort.  

For now, she let herself imagine that everything was going to be alright.

[fuctacles]

chapter 4 is up!! I'm getting to @penny00dreadful's art I PROMISE. Beta @dragoon-ze-great Easter egger @pumpkinspiceeddie extra brain cell @blasvemous

"Will and I lifted a car last month. Dad was pissed." 

El was someone they'd mostly kept tabs on through others. Whenever they had to save the world, they ended up in different places, and while they were good friends, they talked mostly at family gatherings. The last they heard from her, she hadn't fully regained her powers but could do some small things here and there.

Robin stares at Steve. Since she was the last to join The Party, she knows El the least and hasn't seen her in action after the Mind Flayer. But the Will part? Neither of them had any idea about it. The new information is impressive and more than what they've been hoping for,

Steve eases the phone from her hand, trying to curb his excitement.

"What else can you do?" he asks. "The spying thing? Opening gates?"

"I don't spy," El protests indignantly. "But yes. I've been checking on Max and Lucas on their road trip. But I haven't tried to open a gate. Why the heck would I do that?"

That's a good question and Steve isn't sure how to form his answer. Thankfully, Robin intercepts the phone from him.

"We might have found someone stuck like Will had been. Is there a way you could check the house around us? See if you can find him, feel anything? Uh," she falters, glancing at Steve. "You can do that, right?"

El hums.

"I think so. I can try, but I might need Will for that, and he's not home."

Steve's hope falters. While El has been staying with Hopper and Joyce, as none of them see the need to part, Will has been pursuing art in college. He briefly lived in New York, even, but the loud place hasn't been to his liking.

"Where is he now?" 

"He's at school. But he'll be back next weekend."

"Okay. Can you call us as soon as you find anything?"

"Sure. I'll do the rounds today and talk to Will. Have you told Dustin yet?"

Steve huffs with a roll of his eyes. 

"Of course. I wouldn't hear the end of it if I didn't."

She laughs softly. 

"Yeah. Are you guys still in the same apartment?"

"No," Steve admits, with a peppering of guilt in his voice. "I bought a house. With that trapped guy inside. Well, in the Upside Down version of the house, I guess. We're like, halfway between Hawkins and Indianapolis."

El hums at the information.

"Okay. Will there be a housewarming party?"

Steve blinks, stunned at the sudden change of topic. Next to him, Robin snorts out a surprised laugh.

"As soon as I figure out the renovations, yeah."

"Cool! Can't wait to see everyone again. I'll call you later."

"Yeah, later."

She hangs up and he stares at the receiver for a second before putting it down as well.

"She is so weird," he mutters, shaking his head with a smile.

"I don't know, seems pretty normal to me."

"Yeah, to you."

They go back to the living room to find a new message on the typewriter.

Not that Ive been eavesdropping or anything but did she say SHE LIFTED A FUCKIGN CAR?

"Uh, no." Steve crosses his arms. "She and her brother had lifted the car," he corrects Eddie. 

Sorry for not being specific enough. Can you tell me again how you know a girl with superpowers?

"It's a long story."

Time is all I have

Steve sighs, falling onto the couch. 

"Well, I think it started in the fall of '83, I mean, for us at least..." he starts but can sense the look Robin's giving him, so he turns to her. "What?" He frowns. 

His lip reading isn't the best unless it comes to his best friend, so he's pretty confident she just mouthed to him, "You're gonna freak him out."

"How?" he mouths back.

Guys? Eddie types, but they barely spare him a glance. 

"Demogorgons?" she reminds him incredulously. Steve rolls his eyes but thinks about it for a bit.

"If he hasn't seen one for this long, I think he's safe," he states, this time out loud. 

Robin cocks her head.

SAFE FROM WHAT

"I guess you're right." She shrugs eventually. "Go on, then."

Steve turns to the typewriter. 

"This place where we think you are, we call it the Upside Down. El was the one who opened the gate to it. There were more kids like her, but most of them didn't survive the laboratory— "

What the fuck

"I know," Steve chuckles. "Anyway. The stupid scientists let these monsters through the portal..."

He recounts the story to his best ability and knowledge, with Robin piping up here and there and taking over the Starcourt part. Eddie is silent for most of it, to the point that Steve asks halfway through the story if he is still there. 

Yeah im processing, he answers.

"...so since it's been quiet for so long, and you've been trapped since then, I think we can safely assume it's not something new. That you were a casualty from that time," Robin finishes up. "Fuck I hope it's nothing new."

so im in a mirror hell dimension full of monsters ???

"You said there were no monsters." Steve frowns.

But there could be! There is the potential of monsters!

"See, I told you he'd freak out." Robin crosses her arms and throws one leg over the other for good measure. It's probably what her more difficult students see on the daily.

Steve glowers at her. 

"Shut up, Robs. What does it look like around you?" He turns back to Eddie. "When you look out of the window?"

nothing?

Steve taps his foot impatiently.

"Describe the nothing to me."

My porch is there but beyond that its just shadows. outlines of the backyard and the trees around it. I can kind of feel the grass but can barely see it. When I step outside it doesnt feel like walking on solid ground, more like 

The keys pause as Eddie thinks. 

solidified air. I left the house once, walked til I couldnt see it anymore but it turned up in front of me. Like Ive made a huge circle. 

"Huh. That does not sound like Upside Down. No slimy veiny roots everywhere?"

No. gross

"What about the sky?"

a black void. No clouds no nothing

"Huh."

What if its something else and you cant help me?

"I think, as long as there won't be any necromancy involved, we will figure something out," Robin says.

"Yeah, we draw the line at raising the dead," Steve agrees with a nod. "So you better be alive out there."

For the first time, I hope I am

read on ao3

[goliig68]

I don't think tianshan will be in touch during the time he tian leaves

I think we need to take a look at this panel

Here, mo guan shan is asking "when did you come back?" It's like he tian's sudden appearance surprised him and he didn't expect to see him. If mo and he tian talked to each other sometimes then I Don't think mo would have been surprised. Some may say mo wasn't that surprised or he didn't care but I guess he was keeping his cool this whole time (also after all this time, the first thing he tian did to him was to blow smoke to his face so whatever reaction mo wanted to show was replaced by anger😂)

And also this:

"I've been gone for so long, I wann talk to you about many things"

I mean...why would he tian say this if he talked to mo from time to time?

And in this chapter mo drunked himself, and they say people show emotions or say things on their drunken state that they won't show or admit when they're sober.

And in the last Xmas chapter mo was crying, and I guess that was his true emotion/reaction after seeing he tian.

Because he hasn't seen he tian for a long time or maybe wasn't even aware of his condition :')

Another thing that I want to talk is "when he tian will leave?"

I assume it's after they graduate from middle school (idk how middle schools work in China but in my country middle school is a school for children between ages 13 to 15)

Notice how in extras or special chapters old xian doesn't show us anything during their high school times? I assume it's because they are not together in high school, and obviously jian yi is gonna dissappear the entirely of high school.( zhanyi is the same as tianshan in this case, zheng xi and jian yi won't be in touch, but I feel like he tian is going to tell mo about his disappearance and won't leave mo in the dark... but zhanyi? God, zheng xi didn't even know if he's going to see him anymore or no)

But still, some of these special chapters are really tricky, in some of them mo has his right ear pierced and in some he hasn't, if he tian leaves after he graduated then he's going to pierce mo's ear before that happens? Or maybe he has his ear pieced but he's not wearing the earring at that time? Idk the more I think about 19 days future timeline the more confused I get.

That's it, folks! I guess we're going to have a arc full of angst and heartbreak in future chapters, and I bet old xian is dying to reach to that point of the story haha🥲

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

Ikemen Sengoku - Kanetsugu

These translations are not intended as a replacement for the game. Please support Cybird by buying their stories. Expect grammatical errors. I kind of rushed this one.

The sun was beginning to set.

Mai: "Well, that's it for today. Good work."

Boy: "Okay! Thank you."

I came to help at the school and saw the boy leave, smiling.

At that moment, I suddenly saw a shadow.

Kanetsugu: "You seem to be doing well."

Mai: "Kanetsugu!"

I turned around, startled by the unexpected visit of my lover.

Mai: "You came too."

Kanetsugu: "Yeah. I'm here to restock the brushes and paper. You can never have too much here."

Kanetsugu: "Are you done helping?"

Mai: "Yep, just now."

Kanetsugu: "Then let's go home."

(I'm so glad we're going home together. His timing is perfect.)

Mai: "Are you here to pick me up, by any chance?"

Kanetsugu: "Still clever as always."

Mai: "So, I guess that means I'm right, huh?"

I looked up expectantly, and Kanetsugu sighed a little.

(I knew I was on to something.)

I couldn't help but smile at Kanetsugu's kindness for taking the time to pick me up and not allowing me to know about it.

(My lover is really a wonderful person.)

We both left the school together, happy.

Kanetsugu: “We’ll stop by a shop before we return to the castle. I’ll buy you an obidome.”

Mai: “Huh?”

Kanetsugu: “You said the other day that your obidome’s accessory was broken.”

Mai: “Don’t worry, I’ll buy it myself.”

I shook my head as I hurriedly refused, still happy that he remembered me.

Kanetsugu: “You’ve taken the initiative to help out with some of the unfamiliar tasks at the school, so this is my way of saying thanks for that.”

Kanetsugu: “If you don’t mind, take it.”

(Kanetsugu...)

My heart skipped a beat when he looked me straight in the eye and said this.

Mai: “Okay. I’d be happy to.”

His expression softened a little at my acceptance.

When we came to the front of the small store, the shopkeeper saw him, and his eyes lit up.

Shopkeeper: “Oh, if it isn’t Master!”

Shopkeeper's wife: "What? Lord Kanetsugu is here?"

In response to the shopkeeper's voice, his wife came out from the back of the store.

Kanetsugu goes by the name "Echigo's Master" and is sometimes addressed as "Master" even in the castle.

I felt proud whenever someone called him that, which was both friendly and respectful.

Kanetsugu: "You both look like you're in good health."

Shopkeeper: "Of course! It's all thanks to you that I've been able to procure my supplies."

Shopkeeper: "I actually wanted to thank you."

Kanetsugu: "I see. But I only offered you a potential supplier. It was your skill that made the negotiations successful."

Shopkeeper's wife: "Oh, come on, sir. This guy gets carried away if you praise him too much."

Shopkeeper: "Who's going to get carried away?"

Shopkeeper's wife: "You, you silly."

Their banter was fun to listen to.

Mai: "You two really get along."

The couple laughed a little shyly, and I felt even more warm and fuzzy.

Shopkeeper: "By the way, what can I get for you today?"

Kanetsugu: "I want to buy some obidome for Mai."

(Some!?)

Mai: "Kanetsugu, one is enough."

I hurriedly pulled his sleeve to stop him.

Kanetsugu: "You're gonna need extra when it breaks again."

Mai: "I won't break it so easily."

Kanetsugu: "Just choose. I don't mind spending some money on something you're going to use."

(He says that kind of thing so casually.)

I was speechless as I felt how much he cherished me.

Kanetsugu seemed to have no intention of giving it up, and the couple at the shop were beaming at us.

Shopkeeper: "He really loves you, okugata-sama."

Mai: “Huh?”

My heart skipped a beat, hearing him say that.

Mai: “No, we’re still not married!”

Kanetsugu: “You’re overreacting.”

Mai: “Because...!”

(Do I look like Kanetsugu’s wife?)

Shopkeeper: “Oh dear. I thought you were already married, since you’re getting along well.”

Shopkeeper’s wife: “I don’t like to impose on you, sir, but you shouldn’t keep a woman waiting.”

(Ah, she’s pushing it!)

Before I could say anything, Kanetsugu, standing next to me, spoke up.

Kanetsugu: “It won’t be too long now.”

(----!)

I couldn’t stop blushing with surprise and joy.

That night, just as I was getting ready for bed and getting into the futon...

Mai: “Is what you said about marriage earlier true?”

I asked, unable to suppress my excitement, and his wisteria-colored eyes met mine.

Kanetsugu: “That’s right.”

Mai: “..........”

He confirmed, and joy once again spread through my heart.

Kanetsugu: “Are you that happy?”

Mai: “Of course!”

Mai: “I want to get married, but the thought of committing my future to you makes me even happier.”

Smiling naturally, I expressed my feelings in words, and he stared at me, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Kanetsugu: “I see.”

(Ah...)

His soft smile made my heart flutter.

(I want to touch him.)

My growing infatuation gently pushed me.

Mai: “Kanetsugu, can I kiss you?”

Slightly embarrassed, I looked up at the man I love and asked for a kiss, but what came back after a short silence was his sigh.

Kanetsugu: “No.”

(What!?)

Mai: “You’re thinking about marriage, yet you can’t kiss me?”

Slumping my shoulders dejectedly, he reached out and forcefully lifted my chin.

Kanetsugu: “I’ll not wait for you to kiss me.”

Kanetsugu: “I will kiss you myself.”

Mai: “Mnn...!”

After declaring it, he kissed me roughly, and while I was at the mercy of it, his eyes shot deep into my heart.

(Kanetsugu...)

His wisteria-colored eyes yearned for me and held a heat that almost burned me.

Mai: "Mnn...unfair..."

Kanetsugu: "Unfair? What is?"

I protested, out of breath, between kisses.

Mai: "I want to kiss the person I love too."

Kanetsugu: "You really want me to kiss you harder, huh?"

He growled softly and kissed me even harder to shut me up.

I lay in bed tonight, seeking the one I love and feeling the happiness of being desired by my lover.

(The fabrics I just saw were beautiful. Oh!)

A few days later, I passed the thrift shop on my way back from my shopping trip and saw the couple at the storefront, looking as friendly as ever.

(They both look really happy.)

(Someday, I'll marry Kanetsugu, too.)

Just thinking about it makes me fidgety.

(Huh? But how is marriage done in this period?)

(I wonder how it differs from my time. Come to think of it, I don't know anything about it.)

Once I realized that, I instantly began to worry.

Not paying attention to my surroundings, I walked around wondering where I should learn when suddenly一

Mai: "Whoa!?"

I tripped on a stone and stumbled.

But at that moment, someone grabbed my arm and supported me.

Yoshimoto: "Are you okay, Mai?"

Mai: "Yoshimoto!"

Yoshimoto: "You're lucky you didn't fall."

Mai: "Y-Yes, thank you."

After thanking him, Yoshimoto let go of the hand supporting me.

Yoshimoto: "You seem to have been thinking about something."

Mai: "That's..."

(What should I do? I don't know if I should ask for advice.)

After staring at me for a brief moment, Yoshimoto smiled softly.

Yoshimoto: "I can at least listen to what you have to say if you like. We can talk about it over tea at the teahouse there."

Mai: "So that's how it is."

Yoshimoto: "I see. Well, it's only natural that you don't know."

I confided to him that I had no idea about marriage in this era, and he nonchalantly chimed in.

Yoshimoto: "I can tell you what I know if you want, but what bothers you exactly?"

(There are many things that bother me.)

Mai: "First, where do people in this town celebrate?"

I asked him a simple question that popped into my head while he sipped his tea and blinked once before answering.

Yoshimoto: "We're not doing anything too grandiose like that."

Mai: "What!?"

(Hm, his answer is unexpected.)

When I returned home that night, I was lost in thought, recalling my conversation with Yoshimoto.

Apparently, in turbulent times, people don't usually hold formal ceremonies.

(Most often, couples here become husband and wife before they know it, and most of the ceremonies are political marriages of samurai or noble families.)

(Now that I think about it, it's totally different from my time.)

For the first time in a while, I experienced a bit of culture shock.

Also, for some reason, the word political marriage weighed on my heart like a heavy stone.

Kanetsugu: "Mai, are you listening?"

Part 1╏Part 2╏Premium╏Epilogue

[juanabaloo]

if we're gonna get an I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel (OMG yes) then PLEASE can we get a Bring It On sequel?? i am on my knees begging......

(my rough outline below the cut)

as hinted at in the DVD extra Torrance and Isis both end up at UC Berkeley on the same squad and Cliff is dating Torrance. ig Cliff is also at Berkeley but that really doesn't matter this movie isn't about him. Missy is rich and is doing a gap year so she is traveling elsewhere. (i know Cliff is rich too but who cares) fast forward to present day, roughly

the movie should focus on Isis actually (and if the remaining Blaque members want to participate, them too) to make up for the imbalance of the original BIO. the movie can introduce a new younger cast and have them look like the Clovers and not the Toros. (meaning Blacker and browner)

if you fudge the dates a bit perhaps the younger cast can be like Isis's kid and throw in Torrance's kid as well. (your choice if Cliff is the dad, if they are still together, etc)

so the original (older) cast is there but not the focus. they have some good scenes but the new cast is running the movie.

for the original cast: we need a few Missy scenes of course. And Clare and Whitney and Darcy and some of the others. Les and Jan definitely need a cameo. Les should be married to some guy.

option A: Missy and Torrance are actually together and raising the kid(s). this is OK but I prefer...

option B: Missy (Eliza) and a Buffy-esque new character (SMG) are a couple. it's no big deal and we don't get much back story, but it's an AU Fuffy.

if you abandon the "introduce a new younger cast" route then have it be like a high school reunion vibe, although of course Torrance and Isis would attend different reunions. if you want to get really angsty maybe have Torrance realize Missy is the one who got away but i wouldn't want that to interfere with the Fuffy. i think the reunion plot could maintain the great original BIO vibe, but the angsty plot could not.

[bibewilderedandbuck]

Maddie's "buck is 28 and i still have my hands full." not one person is like "where..........are ur parents" they just know those fuckers dont care

incoming rant about how much buck's parents and my parents are a like......

i maintain that theory that they're perfectly fine people outside of their kids. that is sitting in my head all day long. Bc that's what my parents were like. They are members of the community, my mom was the truancy officer at my high school and she would give jobs to kids down on their luck, to fix our computers or the car or mow the lawn. kids who had to work bc their families couldn't afford for them to spend the day at school (she would go to their court hearings and testify on their behalf). or babysit kids who were in the charge of their elder ""delinquent"" siblings. she would help pay for school lunches for those who couldn't afford it and if i had a friend who didn't have a lunch she had a mini fridge with extra food. My dad wasn't around bc he worked too hard, but he would always be up for taking all of our friends to ice cream on the weekends and he would make it a point to take us individually to an outing for our bdays so he could have time with us.

but she wasn't like that with Us. and thats the point. she shoved all her catholic guilt and family trauma on to us. the amount of times i can tell you that we've had to call the cops or almost take her to the er bc she pulled some stunt bc we were "ignoring her". she cried for a YEAR when i decided i wanted to leave for college. and my sister and brother have similar stories. we were all her therapist at one point in time. talking ur mother off the ledge when you don't even realize how depressed you are is one helluva way to grow up.

i was that kid who kept getting injured and it was definitely bc i was clumsy (i spent a lot of time before the age of 15 in hospitals for all sorts of reasons). as a kid you notice real fast that you get the Right Attention when you're hurt or sick

it took me a long time to unlearn how to say fuck you to the mandatory apology she would want for hurting her feelings aka "not filling her love tank properly" and even longer to even slightly understand what a personal boundary could be since we weren't allowed to have those.

I'm only a few years younger than buck and my parents are boomers, and we share a lot of traits (adhd and the Need to be wanted and the immediate anxiety catastrophizing). Not to mention we're both queer (thank you abc). WHICH also makes for a fascinating resemblance. i'm only getting therapy, adhd testing, ssri's recently bc i'd been fighting my way to finding myself for so long. When your parents are off but no one else sees it, you are under this cloud of i need to take care of THEM so i never did any discovering for myself! Until college.

Fuck. their portrayal gets to me so much bc they are so much like my parents. they care about what other's think but not what their actions do to the children living in their house. I UNDERSTAND their grief and i UNDERSTAND their loss. But those are explanations not excuses.

my parents never wanted kids, i was an accident. And you can tell they never really thought that they would have to set aside their life, their trauma to deal with a whole new being. And that's what the buckleys did.

i have no conclusion to this lmao, i just know that i am gonna write some buckley parents stuff and imma use it to work through some things

[acaciapines]

What are your thoughts on fionna and cake so far? Any favorite/least favorite characters or episodes?

i dont know HOW you sent this at the most perfect time but we just finished!! so so so so SO

as a heads up this is! nimona. acacia will add her thoughts after but for me i think i liked cake the most??? its the shape shifting cat of it all I CAN BE A SHAPESHIFTING CAT TOO!! but honestly i think i liked everything im riding the high of finishing it so?? i cant think of things i disliked?? im new to watching things!! this is the first show ive watched!! as me! so its like EXTRA special!!

i really liked all the worlds they went to!! they all were so FUN and the designs were so GOOD i love how they redid fionna she looks SO GOOD NOW and simon's depressed old man energy was real real good! um what else. i dont know!! i had a really good time! i think i liked it more than adventure time proper!! its shorter so it has more time to just be good all around but even the parts of adventure time i really liked i liked fionna and cake more!! whooo!!!!!! nimona out!

-🩷🦈

(acacia now) i also really liked it, haha….i never actually cared much for the fionna and cake episodes in adventure time, but the way they did it here was so so interesting--i think i just really like normal ass people in fantasy stories and it was done really well here, i FELT fionna's energy okay. i too do all of those things.

i was not expecting the stuff with simon and betty but i really liked it!! i found it very interesting…also i pinged it early on like 'huh this seems. mildly unheathly wonder if they do anything with that' and they did! which was great for me personally.

i dont know! i really like stories about fighting for the world you get even when its not perfect…i think the ending did that SO WELL, because like, we get some magic that sticks around (mostly cake) but the world itself doesnt become this fantasy magical land…for the most part its very real.

bubbline was my favorite part of adventure time and i really liked gary/marshall here but WHY DID THEY DO BUBBLEGUM DIRTY LIKE THAT…of all the names they picked GARY??? like. barry is right there………..truly the only choice i do not understand. cannot fathom how they got gary. is this payback for all of bonnie's unethical sciencing. honestly thats fair.

also me watching pb and marcy in the vampire world: oh yeah i might be aromantic but i am 100% gay too always nice to be reminded

overall! we had a BLAST watching this and now that we're done i. i dont know what we're gonna do with our time anymore.

actually thats a lie i need to read the adventure time high school aus. i know they have to exist. every fandom has them. i need to study them with a microscope i need to know how people try to adapt adventure time into a human high school au when most of the main characters are fully adults. do they just make jake a normal dog.

the true answer is jake should be a furry <3

okay thats all for us if you cannot tell we are still riding the fionna and cake high. deciding to watch adventure time was the best decision we made.

[supernovaa-remnant]

well, since you're alright with it, i'm not gonna hold back lol

first of all, i just need to mention interstellar because i love that movie too. though for me it's less about the science and space and more about the way it's made. not to bring my passion into this but it's just such a great movie. the cinematography is fucking incredible and the story is just so insanely good.

continuing, wormholes are just so fascinating to me as a concept!! it would be so cool to find out if they're able to exist and especially if we could "create" them.

ganymede is another moon i think is super pretty to look at. i don't know how to explain it but i really love the way the surfaces look like their own little universes i guess??? that's the best way i can describe it lol

and titan really sounds interesting!! i'm definitely gonna look into the missions you talked about, would love to find out what they could find in samples from there.

last but not least, relating back to something you mentioned, but do you believe in life outside of our planet/solar system??? personally, i think there's actually a pretty high chance of us not being alone in the universe, especially because space is, like, big beyond comprehension lol for me, the thing is more about if we're ever going to be able to get in contact with other life forms (especially in a time were, like, both of us are still alive lol)

oh I wholeheartedly agree—the cinematography in interstellar is phenomenal. I don't know much about the subject, but, after I watched the movie, I turned to my friend and told him about the cinematic beauty of the movie. also!! never apologize about bringing your passion into the conversation!! I'd love to hear more abt the cinematography in interstellar :3

as for the story, I loved it so much. If I didn't major in astronomy, I was gonna major in creative writing. Like—writing is one of my biggest passions, and a common theme I like to both write about and read about is hope. And, ultimately, I feel like that's what interstellar was about. Hope. That no matter how dire it is, hope is always worth it.

Because the people on Earth could have given up and just lived out their lives and not tried. A lot of people wanted to do that. But Murph never gave up. The people chosen to find a new planet for humanity? They could have just gone with Plan B and started from scratch. But they didn't give up. And even after everything went horribly, they could have given up and tried to build on that barely hospitable planet. But they tried that crazy maneuver with using the black hole's gravity, and they didn't give up.

Not only does hope appeal to me in narratives, but it's a big part of why I love space. Space and space exploration in may ways is a representation of hope. At least in my mind.

I think that visually, there's a lot of beauty in a lot of planets and moon. I love the way you described Ganymede's surface :3

Extra terrestrial life??? I absolutely believe there's life out there. I did an entire school project on the statistics back in high school, but, statistically speaking, it's nearly impossible for there to be no life anywhere but this planet. Like you said, space is so big that people just can't truly comprehend it. And it's still expanding.

I think there are a lot of factors to consider when thinking about why we haven't run into any "intelligent" life. (in astronomy, the phrase intelligent life is used to mean life that both wonders about their place in the stars and has the means to send and receive signals from space).

Some of the more intriguing answers to this "paradox" (if life is abundant why haven't we seen it?) are the following:

a) maybe we're just not interesting enough to alien life to be worth communicating

b) it's possible that there's just no other life/intelligent life in this galaxy or even our cluster of galaxies

c) we don't know the timescale at which life exists on. everything we know about life in the universe comes from Earth, and we just haven't been around long enough to know. life on Earth has existed for an incredibly small amount of time. we don't know if life—let alone our definition of intelligent life—exists on a time scale of thousands of years, millions of years, or billion of years. if it's on the lower end of the scale, then it's possible that we just don't be around at the same time as other life (sad)

But, I don't know, I have hope. I have hope that one day humanity will meet other life. Maybe we'll create wormholes and travel to galaxy clusters far far away and find life there. Maybe life will find us. Maybe life in the universe is just beginning, and maybe everyone is simply around the same stage as us.

But I think it's so amazing that people have looked up and the night sky and wondered what's out there. Wondered who's out there. Is anyone out there? I mentioned this before, but space exploration to me is about hope. The hope that Earth wasn't a fluke and that other life does exist. The hope that maybe this—the wonder of space and the excitement at the prospect of life—can be something unifying. The hope that maybe someone else is looking up at different constellations asking the same question we are: are we alone? The hope that the answer to this question will be no.

[tsuki-sennin]

Tsuki plays NichiAsa catchup! Part Two! Three whole-ass episodes of PreCure! I'm uh... gonna have to truncate a few things, but that's okay! The important thing here is I'm getting myself back up to speed. And it might be extra long anyways, who knows~!

Tsubasa and Ageha get their finisher, and like... two episodes worth of soul-searching. That's the impression I'm getting.

Spoilers, I guess...

-Holy shit, that's so much breakfast

-Ageha, what the fuck, how can we afford to eat like that-

-You don't know what Tsubasa eats! He could need specific kinds of fruit like a waxwing, grain like a sparrow, snakes like a secretary bird! Hell, he could be a cannibal for all you know!

-Oh

-Well, that's two out of four, at least.

-Off to school with ye, girls not focused on this episode.

-I see Elle does not fear the vacuum.

-Running into the man's room right in front of him, you are so cruel Ageha-neesan.

-Pimped out crib.

-Oni Pants

-Borb Form

-What the fuck, that was like two seconds how-

-Come now Ageha, a bird's gotta bathe in a body of water!

-Tsubasa looks like someone put him in the drier on a towel setting.

-"Decompress, Tsubasa! I need to see the feathering!"

-S-Rank Victory Babysat.

-Sora's very happy to smell like Premium Bandai prices.

-Pretty Holic~!

-The boy sleps

-Staying up late into the night with your latest masterpiece...

-I can't believe she transformed once and then died the next episode. This is some Takahashi shit right there.

-"Don't Hehe! me, woman!"

-Tsubasa-mandated nap.

-"Well okay~! Time for you to go through the wringer~!"

-Well yeah Battamonda, they do tend to come in groups.

-In fairness, this idea is sound in theory.

-"It's time for you to paint~!"

-Tsubasa takes his craft seriously.

-Fittingly enough I relate Ageha a lot more to Tsubasa's dad.

-Ne! Ne?

-Tulip~!

-I suppose it's only fitting that a babby contributes to the artistic achievement of the babysitter's club.

-Hirogaru Yuki!

-Hirogaru Wanderful~!

-...Battamonda was weirdly fast there.

-"No littering! >:("

-Man Shield Cures are cool.

-"Wow Sora, I can't believe we had a fun adventure you can't prove didn't happen off screen~!"

-"It was wild, Mashiro~! Wait until Tsubasa hears about th- BIRD!"

-Battamonda hates babies.

-"NEEEEEE"

-You tell him, Princess!

-Ooooh

-Very nice colors.

-Updraft Shining!

-OHHHH PAINT PALLET THAT'S SO CUTE

-Red!

-White!

-"BUTTERFLY WHAT THE HECK-"

-The sounds are fun

-A whole-ass Phoenix.

-BORB GROUND POUND

-"Mirror Pad! ...I guess!"

-"HAX! I CALL HAX!"

-Age!

-HAPPY

-Good morning, Miyuki.

-Butterfly being part of the ending finally feels correct.

-Mashiron focus, let's goooo

-20 episodes! ...well, 21, but I'm getting there!

-Tea time.

-"Finally, some quiet."

-Horsegirl Yoyo

-No time for any of that, Cinderella time!

-Oh fuck Momotaro again.

-Fairy tale books, books, books, and books!

-...perhaps Miyuki should've waited a little, I think we're a little close to Marchenland.

-Shopping~!

-"Didn't I just scold you last episode about working yourself too hard?"

-"Whatever, Mom~!"

-NATSUMI-

-Sorry.

-That name's a bit of a fight or flight for me now

-Wait, Natsumi... Pretty Holic... oh, that's a Tropical Rouge reference

-Cute

-Mashi-ron Privileges

-MERMAIDS

-THIS IS TROPICAL ROUGE

-Time to write a story~!

-Lots and lots of

-...MOVED BY BREAD

-Sora, you are truly someone special.

-Elle wishes to become sand. She cares not for how coarse, rough, and irritating it may be.

-...I deadass thought that farshot of Sora was her making a lenny face.

-Oh okay, and this one of Mashiro gives me big Osaka energy.

-"Too big, too Momotaro!"

-"My artistic genius has left me and took the kids."

-"It's okay Mashiro! You're still based, you're still cool!"

-Uh oh, here comes trouble.

-Sharingan is Caringan.

-I mean it seems like this little guy doesn't mind her not handing over the keys to her kingdom too much.

-Well, that went nowhere~!

-Urashima Taro!

-"INSPIRATION STRIKES!"

-Go Mashiron, shuffle rapidly home!

-Finally hitting your stride is the most satisfying thing ever.

-Tea Time

-You know what you must do, Sora.

-"...Okay!"

-Appreciation Jumpscare

-Victory!

-Battamonda, once more!

-"Whoa, you might get hit by a truck and all your disgusting guts might get on your manuscript~!"

-Full Team Transformation!

-...at least, until the next one shows up.

-"Disrespecting the sancity of a traffic light!? Unforgivable!"

-T

-Toki wo tomare?

-"Fuck the fight! Prism's dream is our dream too!"

-...Oh my God, it pauses Battamonda too.

-Orange!

-Shield Mode!

-Oooooooh!

-Mashi-run!

-Big Borb

-"Well, whatever, I still won because I wasted your time, haha, ratio!"

-Lots of really cute faces this episode.

-Holy hell, Natsumi.

-Gentle world...

-May I see the gentle world?

-Aw that's nice

-The entire zoo became friends

-No victory in anything but a valuable experience

-MELODYYYYYYY

-Hibiki what the fuck,

-Vegetables

-Vegetables

-Last episode for today, let's gooooo

-He cleaned the windows and swept the floor and polished up the handle on the big front door~!

-Well you might very well not be Cure Wing forever, son.

-Yeah, growing up sucks hard, lad.

-HE SQUEAKS

-Tea time, once more!

-I think it's okay if you don't have a dream yet. I lived that way for a long time.

-Outing time?

-Vegetables....

-Imagine being a bird and making a bird.

-...wait, what the fuck am I talking about, we make statues all the time.

-Tomat... Corn...

-Peper...

-Compost!

-Ah the Wikipedia rabbit hole.

-Connect and expand!

-Luncc Time

-Raw Vege...

-Dip...

-DEPP SOSS

-Sora, do they not have sauce up there.

-Raiiiiiiiin!

-"The boy's a weathercock!"

-Battamonda's having a Battaponder.

-Man, eating under a gazebo in the rain...

-Peppers are too much for Ageha-san.

-"I don't have granny wisdom! I just learned a lot about weather during my- Oh!"

-Genuinely good message for a kids' show to have.

-Has he been posing there in the rain the whole time

-The Bird! The Bird!! You've officially gone too far this time, Battamonda!

-"Wing's bird... he's too fast!"

-"Oh golly, Sky, I worked real hard on it~"

-White! Blue!

-Freeze Magic

-Damn, this thing's cool.

-Ascending current!

-Shoot the sky!

-Hail~!

-...speaking of which, I'm so mad Hail was nerfed in Scarlet and Violet into "snowstorm", that's some weak-ass shit right there.

-Battamonda has resorted to a rampage.

-Beyond the clouds! Tsubasa Yuunagi takes flight!

-Pretty Cure! Titanic Rainbow! Rule of Three!

-"Next time is serious... you get it?"

-Mirror Pad! Help us out!

-Curry time...

-Blossoooooom!

-Good job, Tsubomi.

-Not a lot of cameos left.

-Alright, what's up for us next?

-Oh! Shalala!

-...Ohhhhh, Battamonda's planning something bad.

-Whew... now I'm all caught up! Yippee! Hot time!

-Alright, I'm gonna go eat lunch. All them vegetables made me hungry. Huttah!

[mlobsters]

supernatural s1e17 hell house (w. trey callaway)

(this is a rewatch so spoilers abound)

having a hard time remembering what happens in this episode watching the teaser. remember the symbols. is this the one with the pranks? i recall that being the tulpa episode. interesting, this is the only episode this writer did

GUY 1 Ooh, look. It's the evil root cellar. You know, where Satan cans all his vegetables.

okay that made me chuckle

is putting a spoon in someone's mouth a common prank? LOL i've always wondered about that. seems so random

SAM Man, we're not kids anymore Dean. We're not going to start that crap up again. DEAN Start what up? SAM That prank stuff. It's stupid, and it always escalates.

man. personally, i loathe pranks. but i do love how sam pulls a smidge of whiny little brother moment there about not being kids anymore. and clearly sam doesn't really hate them either :p gotta get their kicks somehow. i also am very dubious about the logistics of nair in shampoo actually doing anything unless you let it sit on your head a long time ignoring the smell and texture difference :P

DEAN Yeah. Most of those websites wouldn't know a ghost if it bit 'em in the persqueeter.

had to go looking to see where the hell that word is from. so far the only thing i found was an episode of that's my bush! a very short lived tv show by trey parker and matt stone on comedy central and an episode called: the first lady's persqueeter

okay then

SAM Look. We let Dad take off. Which was a mistake, by the way. And now we don't know where the hell he is, so meantime we gotta find ourselves something to hunt. There's no harm checking this thing out.

i was gonna try to just get screenshots but i'm a little surprised dean doesn't seem more bothered by this, so might gif it so i can suss out his reaction more easily :p

made the gifs

somebody had fun making those cowboy themed food signs lol

was curious if this rodeo drive-in still existed, one of the very cool things people have made on supernaturalwiki are these google maps with known filming locations by episode

it's extra fun when it's somewhere that still exists, you can go streetview and see what it looks like these days (or you know, actually visit)

these kind of kooky distorted close ups cut quickly between the kids telling outlandish stories is very goofy-xfiles vibes

DEAN Well we're reporters with the Dallas Morning News. I'm Dean, this is Sam. CRAIG No way. Well I'm writer too. I write for my school's lit magazine. DEAN Well, good for you Morrissey.

netflix and my ears hear morrison, not morrissey. and jim morrison was (according to my reading of wikipedia this moment) very into reading literature and philosophy as well as studying it at college. anyway, this is an old school spn type reference that i think is gonna fly over most people's (mine included) heads. i'm the same age as them and some of the references they make in the kripke era are *so obscure*

SAM And after his time too. That reverse cross has been used by Satanists for centuries but this sigil of sulfur didn't show up in San Francisco until the '60s. DEAN That is exactly why you never get laid.

rude, dean :p apparently sam's little palm treo is really good at taking pictures in low lighting

right, the ghostfacers intro. not my favorite recurring characters :p stuff that's built on people making a fool of themselves (them, becky) is not my jam

DEAN What the hell is this symbol? It's buggin' the hell outta me. This whole damn job's buggin' me. I thought the legend said Mordechai only goes after chicks. SAM It does. DEAN All right. Well I mean that explains why he went after you, but why me? SAM Hilarious.

-_- going into the spn and masculinity tag for that one, dean

those horns seem like a hazard

huh, guess the boys play cribbage too

such a funny concept to me that sam left his clothes outside the bathroom while he's showering. obviously they needed to for the gag to work, and gives them an excuse to have sam waltz out shirtless and wet, but also leads us to consider they must not be too bothered about privacy and getting dressed in front of each other. which isn't terribly unreasonable, consider any professional sports locker room, those guys are naked around each other all the time. anyway, i digress. rookie move, sam. leaving your clothes out when in the middle of a prank war

editing to add: i thought it looked like the underwear were in the pants but i couldn't really tell if maybe they were just under the shirt.. i am considering making gifs of something here so i went ahead and scrubbed back and forth and i think a case could be made for the underwear being inside the pants. which generally that's only happening when you take them both off in one fell swoop. who showers and puts on the the same underwear? lol. i think they may also have just been under the pants entirely and there'd be no way to tell the difference. things that don't matter for 100, alex

to which my first reaction was jesus, i was not expecting him to be so built. must be all that grave digging, right. bums me out the expectation for jacked and no cushion for dudes. and i always appreciated that dean is fit but not cut like that

something about his weird little fake high pitched laugh and his hair being shaggy and styled down so much in his face, always think he looks extra young here

DEAN I barely have any skin left on my palm. SAM I'm not touching that line with a ten foot pole.

they've got jokes!

SAM Kinda makes you wonder. Of all the thing we hunted, how many existed just cuz people believed in them.

deep thoughts

SAM I have a confession to make. DEAN What's that. SAM I, uh...I was the one that called them and told them I was a producer. DEAN Yeah, well, I'm the one who put the dead fish in their back seat. SAM Truce? DEAN Yeah, truce. At least for the next 100 miles.

our sweet, innocent (cough) sammy pranking the comic relief in an actually kind of cruel way that we won't think too much about?? :P anyway, it's nice to see them having a good time because heaven knows, we don't get much of it