#why is this kid left unattended in a crowded party!

[stuckybarton]

Sucker For Pain i

SUMMARY: You were new to the team, but what everyone didn't know was you weren't so new to the God of Mischief. CHARACTERS: Loki Laufeyson x Ex!Reader [Ex to Lovers again?] WARNINGS: Profanities. Suggestive Themes. Slight Angst and horrible self-image. Grammar Mistakes. English not being my first language. [Not Beta’d tho] WORDS: 2,956 CHAPTERS: [1/3] A/N; Life happened and yeah, didn’t have much time to write. Not my best work for this mini-series, but I’m fighting through for this. Hope you guys enjoy~

PART TWO | PART THREE

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"Agent Y/N Y/L/N." You introduced yourself the first moment you were escorted into the compound by Director Nick Fury. Multiple sets of faces both new and old had come to greet you. For a moment you wouldn't even believe that this is was the new life you would find yourself to be a part of from now on.

Years in the job for SHIELD before disappearing off the grid to get as much information about HYDRA, everyone had thought you had betrayed them and you had accepted that they would think so lowly of you after all the near-deaths you had to endure on the job. Even with the mission becoming more of a death wish, you had accepted the role Nick had given you all those years ago and now you were rewarded, immensely. A spot on the Avengers as part of the Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

The familiar face of Nat was the first to greet you with a hug. A fiercely tight one, it had been so long since you've seen a friend. Then your eyes fell towards the rest of the team; Bucky Barnes, who you had a few close encounters with during your time with HYDRA. You had witness everything they had done to him and stood on trail to clean his name. Steve Rogers, who, with Sharon Carter, had assisted in guarding Steve while SHIELD was still under HYDRA's control. But among the familiar faces, one stood out the most.

Loki Laufeyson.

To many, the man was a snake, a God that had once brought death and destruction in New York. But to you, he was different, this was the man that you had spent your lonely nights with while under the guise of a traitor. It had once just been a physically thing between the two of you, neither wanting to know about each other's lives. You knew he was a God, a man that had wronged the world, but he had never known about you, the woman that had painted yourself as a traitor for the better of the world. The one that had been called every name on the book for the sake of making sure you did your part right.

Then it got serious between the two of you. Admission of love was told between both of your lips. But it was dangerous for you two to be together especially when you were already told by Fury that you can come back to the surface. You didn't know what side he was on, and you did not have the heart to make him choose if the time would come.

So you two parted. A month ago. The pain still throbbing you like an unattended bullet hole right through your heart. It was still so painful to look at him and not remember him crumbling on his knees begging you to stay. The first sob that escaped his lips and forever haunted your dreams. A never-ending loop in the back of your head as your demons screamed at you for breaking an already broken man.

"I for one am happy you're finally here. Another woman to add to an already Man's Man world in the compound." Nat teased glancing towards the other individuals that had come to know the new face. "With introductions out of the way, you've got a lot of explaining to do for the past few years."

You could only smile at your friend. You did have so much to explain to her, things had been murky between you and Clint, but after everything, Nat had refused to believe you would betray them, betray her, and it was finally a relief to be able to return back home, seeing the people that mean the most to you.

"Tell me about it." You muttered allowing Nat to quickly pull your away from the crowd, but it missed your eyes how he was still looking. Ice blue eyes a contract to the burning gaze he had towards you.

Forget about him. Forget about him. You were here for a new opportunity. No him. Never him.

For the next few weeks, everyone had grown to accept you in your new role as part of the Avengers. You kept up with Steve, Bucky, and Sam during their runs. Sam more than happy to finally have someone that had the same pace as him, but only for you to laugh and out run him just to get a reaction out of the high flier. Tony and Bruce had also found a kinship in you, having provided them enough information about HYDRA's experiments and location made most of their missions easier. Then there was Nat and Clint, your confidant in this new life. Every single moment that was not dedicated to a mission was spent with them; may it be movie night or a simple get together outside the compound, often times bringing Wanda and Vision along just to mess with you and call you a 5th wheel of the group.

But among number of members on the team, everyone had noticed you constantly avoided one Thor Odinson and one Loki Laufeyson. The only real time you would even dare talk to either of the brothers would be during training--other than that, you tried your best to avoid them, Loki most especially. Every single moment that would force the two of you to be in the same room, Loki had a glare while you tried your best to avoid his gaze.

Everyone noticed, everyone didn't seem to worry too much. It comes with having a former-villain part of the team. They thought you would eventually get used to the God's presence just as much as they did.

"You ever gonna tell me what's going on between you and Loki?" Nat inquired avoiding your punch.

What you hated the most about sparring with Nat was her capability of multitasking. Talking and snooping about someone else's business while also kicking their ass in the process--this was the predicament you were in right in this very moment.

"Nothing is going on." You muttered landing back first on the mat after being thrown like a rag doll by Nat. Eyes looking at the ceiling, you wondered if it was a good idea to actually come clean to her about her past with the God of Mischief. "I know what he's done to New York and I think you can't blame me for taking precaution when it comes to him."

Nat now comes hovering on top of you, the narrowed eyes and gentle smirk was all you needed to know--she knew it was bullshit. But when she had stopped pushing you for more information, it was enough for you to just change the subject.

"They found Dominic?" You inquired. One of the first big missions that everyone was focusing on was one of the leading Scientist for HYDRA. With the exposure of HYDRA to the world, some of them had moved away and found themselves in much shadier company, much to everyone's radar now spiking.

Dominic Wagner was, in part, partially responsible for the Winter Soldier program in the modern era. One of the pioneers in moving the project into a much younger sets of test subjects. You lost contact with the man as soon as your got back into the surface, but it had also meant a target was on your back when they found out you were a double agent.

"He's in Russia. Wasting away all the funding for the program with parties" Nat points out. "Still a better way to spend the money that abducting kids everywhere."

You nodded, memories of files upon files for the prospects still haunted you to this day.

"When are you taking him out?" You inquired. In your time with the SHIELD, the red in both of your ledger had made you two a hot commodity if the situation present itself as shoot to kill. Neither of you would hesitate. You knew you would now, after everything, but if it means one less bad people in this earth, you would swallow your new morals.

"Fury wants him alive." She pointed out finally standing back up to her own two feet, leaving you on your back, staring at the ceiling in deep thought. "I know as much as you do, we want him dead for everything he has done, but we need him alive so we can get the others."

You nodded, this was one of the few things you had to get used to as part of the team. Death was best solution in SHIELD--at least in your team, not here. As long as you were part of Steve's team, you would need to choose whether or not killing would be the best option. Hope that you weren't so blessed to be given in your time under.

"I get a first shot when we don''t have any use of him anymore." You muttered finally standing back up with Nat's help. Steps faltering at the sight of the God of Mischief, training with the likes of Peter Parker, Sam Wilson, and Bucky Barnes. A weird mix up, but wasn't hard to understand why.

"Why don't you shoot your shots with him for now." Nat teased, finally making you break from staring at the plain black shirt and green sweatshort-clad Loki Laufeyson. "If we try to ignore the death count during his attack, he is sort-of your type in men." Nat wiggled her brows. quick to avoid you as you attempted to swat her in the ass, eyes now turned away from God and his training partners.

"By type, you mean psychotic with possible Daddy-issue? Then you might just be right." You snort.

"I'm offended you think of me as such, Darling"

Jerking your head to the owner of the voice, how the hell did he sneak up behind you without you noticing. You glanced at Nat in panic and like the traitor that she was, made a terrible excuse of being needed in Bruce's lab. Now being left in the man's presence, you could all but remember the last time you had been this close to the man.

Heartbreaks.

Words that you didn't mean.

Words that he didn't mean.

It still hurt you, and you were sure it hurts him just as much, if not more now, finally realizing why there had been a need for a breakup between the two of them all those weeks ago.

"Here I thought I would have someone to trust. You mortals continue to disappoint me." He hissed.

Your eyes glanced at the other training trio, noticing all three of them were in their own little world to even noticed what was going on between the two of them.

"Tell me, Darling..." He whispered, head leaning towards the shell of your ears. The familiar shiver run through your skin as just his voice. Memories of the very things his silver tongue had whispered had you flustered and breathless, more than from your earlier training with Nat. "Was it satisfying to play with a God?"

Before you could even mutter a word, his constantly gentle hand now covered your jaw, emitting a squeak from your lips and stopping you from saying a word. He was never this forceful, nor did he do anything that would hurt you. Was this the true nature of the man you had finally thought you have been the best part of you. To have loved a man that everyone was right to stay away from?

"Or is it shame finally coming to you, to be ever involved with someone like me?"

You tried to pry his hand away from you, but he was too strong--stronger than you could ever think of being.

"Or is this you taking your opportunity to move from one bed to another? Who will it be this time, Y/N? My oaf of a brother or will it be Soldier out of time? Who will you whore this time?"

And you finally snapped. With a resounding slap, all three individuals had heard your attack on the man and Loki finally releasing his hold on your jaws. A chuckle escaped his lips and only brought the first line of tears to fall from your eyes. You never wanted to believe him to be a monster, but here he was, proving her wrong.

"I am in doubt of the foundation of our relationship for the past years, Y/N. I am the God of Mischief and Lies and the only mortal I had ever truly opened to had done this to me. Lied to me for such a long time, lied about the entirety of our relationship."

"You will never understand."

"Oh no," he chuckled darkly, eyes glaring straight into your own. "I understand well enough to know, you would never love someone like me and I deserve every lie and heartache I am enduring because of everything I have ever done in my past."

Before you could defend yourself and the genuinity of your relationship with the God, he had made his excuse. Leaving you to ponder of the true damage of your breakup with Loki, and the aftermath it had now held for the both of you. He was right, you had lied, and either way, their relationship will fall apart because of those lies.

He was the God of Mischief and Lies.

Yet, he did not expect for this biggest lie to break him the most. The separation had been painful, he had always hoped for a better life with you. Then a month passed since your breakup, he sees you, it hits him like a sharp knife to the chest all over again. He experience the pain of a stab to the chest, but it would never compare to the pain of seeing you in this very compound with the truth of your life that you refused to ever open to him.

This was karma coming to haunt him it seems.

It had been well over a week now since the first time he had actually confronted you about everything. It wasn't how he planned for things to go through. He never wanted to hurt you, but he was a monster after all. A monster that his own father had told his people to avoid. A bedtime story to scare mischievous kids into submission.

He had always thought after everything he had to endure, had to do, had to escape, he could finally live a peaceful life. A life to finally start anew. A life where he could finally change for the best. A mortal woman had made him make those ideas come into reality, you had always became the reason why he would never have his redemption in life.

A bitter idea with no possible resolution.

How could he have ever believed that anyone would ever love someone like him? After everything he had ever done, he was never allowed to be loved. You had proved that somehow.

'Mr. Laufeyson, you are needed for a meeting with the team'

Breaking from his little bubble. He sighed finally returning back to reality, into the little comforts the library could give him. The week had been gruelling for him, three individual witnessed the altercation between himself and you. It had spread like wildfire, but thanking the Gods that no one was able to listen to the conversation.

He had to endure most of the questioning. In everyone's eyes, he was, after all, still under everyone's constant scrutiny. A man that no one could trust. But he refused to say a single word knowing you did the same thing. It was better to keep your mouth shut instead of letting people know exactly what had happened. Somehow that brought a smile on his face. He might not share a future with you, but might as well make the most out of making your life a living hell, as much you did it to him.

Shutting the book he was barely even reading, he placed the book back into the shelf before walking his way towards the meeting room.

He could easily teleport, but he preferred to enjoy his moments of peace without his oaf of a brother breathing down his neck or Stark constantly testing his patience with his quips. It also gave him a moment to school his features, he knew well enough about the mission to know you would also be in attendance. Be more invested in this mission than anyone else.

It was a few things he was relearning about you now that you were out in the open as everyone claims you to be. You were a free spirited being that could meld with anyone you were in the area with. He had watched you throw relentless jabs at Tony during your first few days that had the man surprisingly raise a white flag. But the most dangerous thing he had to learn was the familial relationship you had with one Natasha Romanoff and Clint Burton, two people that he kept his distance with the most.

"Professor Snape has finally graced us with his presence."

Loki has learned since joining the team to choose his battle when it comes to Tony. This was one of those moment. Finding a vacant chair besides his brother, he had taken his seat. A big mistake on his part as he finds from across the table, you sat. In between a glaring Romanoff and Barton.

Wearing a smirk, just to get on the two super spies' nerve, he turned his attention right back into the meeting. He begins formulating a few little schemes to not only get on the two's nerved, but most especially yours.

[17caratssi]

Wonwoo! Will you stay

Jeon Wonwoo! A short series pt one | two | three | four

Lub-dub lub-dub lub-dub! It was so close AHHH! That was a bold move! I can't believe he didn't throw me off!!

You're over the moon for the rest of the day. You have been under the weather for some days, and your parents are worried about it. Seeing you like this, they feel at ease.

You begin to anticipate tomorrow. Will your relationship with Wonwoo turn for the better? This is what makes school exciting!

However, Wonwoo feigns ignorance whenever you try to have a conversation with him. It goes on for another two days, and he still has nothing to say to you.

Not to mention, Somi and Umji also avoid talking about him during the break. They never answer your questions regarding Wonwoo, and it put you into a dispiriting mood again.

In the aftermath, you lose concentration during the computer class. In fact, your head is full of him. Your two best friends give you hints about Wonwoo's matter, but they're just superficial.

My mind is a mess.

After the class, you block Wonwoo's seatmate's path and begin questioning- more like interrogating.

"Tell me, is there any problem Wonwoo is having these days?"

Kihyun averts from your scrutiny. He refuses to talk.

"Come on, tell me," you persuade him into confessing. As a seatmate, he must know a tiny bit about Wonwoo. "I won't tell him that it's you who said to me. Sounds good?"

"He's not stupid,"

That's very true. Hmm...

"I will bear the responsibility. Just spill it," you convince him. This time, you're sure you'll get to the matter.

Kihyun sighs.

"A few third-year students have been picking up fights with him. I think Wonwoo was triggered by something they said. By the way, I remind you of a thing,"

"You shouldn't be near to him. You know that he's a scholarship boy, right? There's an unspoken rule here in Sejong High..."

That's your wake-up call. No wonder Wonwoo calls you 'stuck-up rich kid', and now you realize that you might've looked down on him, unintentionally.

He was right. I'm a stuck-up rich kid with no shame.

Although Kihyun tells you all that, you're still on the surface. What has possibly put him off at that time? You want to know more.

As you walk to the cafeteria, Somi and Umji are busy talking about the former's boyfriend.

"My boyfriend's birthday is coming but I don't know what to give him," Somi sounds helpless as she snakes her arms around yours and Umji's.

You don't put your focus on her, so you don't reply.

Umji thinks for a while before sharing her idea. "Your boyfriend is rich enough to buy everything so what if you bake him something? That'd be rather special- at least for me,"

They never stop afterwards. It amuses you that the two has yet to have their topics exhausted. They keep going on!

After getting the snack, the three of you is about to return to class but is stopped by the crowd. They run toward the field.

"The new kid is fighting with a senior!"

"Damn, he's got gut!"

Somi and Umji simultaneously peek at your expression. "Wonwoo? Hey Y/N! Oh my god, don't tell me-"

"Wait for us, Y/N!"

Half of the first-year students watch the fray. Some are cheering for the guy senior, and you panic.

Your imagination runs wild. As much as you hate seeing a fight erupts, you hope Wonwoo isn't the one receiving the senior's blow!

Your small frame slips easily through the throng, and the situation shocks you.

Umji manages to catch you while Somi's being pulled away by her boyfriend. "We better go now!" she gives you a quick pull but you're not moving an inch. She frantically observes the situation and heaves a sigh at the sight of the security.

"WHAT ALL OF YOU DOING HERE?" The security runs faster to the crowd and breaks off the fight. Wonwoo huffs and puffs; showing his dissatisfaction toward the guy he had punched.

The senior has a gang; they help him up. Wonwoo is the one left unattended since he's alone. You watch him from the side and is on the horns of a dilemma.

You know it's no good if you go help Wonwoo now with all the attention directed to him.

Out of the blue, one of the seniors speaks up. "Apologize to Juwon and we'll act nothing happened just now," It's obvious he's intended to embarrass Wonwoo in front of many students.

He smirks when his words hit the target. Mutterings are loud in the air as the audiences express their opinions.

"Wonwoo, don't apologize!" you yell. Your voice was loud enough for the circle to pay heed to you. You cower as a response and Umji slaps your arm.

The senior snickers and voices out again."Boy, you better give in to him. His father is a person you couldn't afford to offend,"

Juwon slouches against his friend and finally says something at his friends. "If he doesn't want to admit defeat, we can take this matter to the teachers. Let's see if this parasite can win against me," he sneers.

The involved parties are eventually called to the office. You insist to accompany Wonwoo and he has nothing to say about it.

"I'm on your side, Wonwoo! Don't be scared of them. If anything happens, I'll protect you!" your fingers clench and you look up to Wonwoo who's quiet since the row had ended. Little did you know, he takes a quick glance right after you turn your head.

'Just what this meek creature can do...'

-

The time in the office feels tedious. Wonwoo hates the rich kids that are only good at blabbering and settle everything with their parent's standings.

"I won't call my parents just for this trivial matter but I have one condition,"

The teachers think the senior makes a great deal with Wonwoo, and since they don't want to be visited by the superior parents they push him to seize the offer.

You and Wonwoo leave the place as soon as they agreed with the deal. Wonwoo remains silent.

"They're so childish! That's more like punishment," you huff with your arms crossed. You can't believe the senior wants Wonwoo to be the ball boy for the basketball club.

"Why do you like to intervene?"

"Huh?" you stutter. This is the first time you get to hear his voice today.

"To be honest, I don't know,' you shrug. Your body and mind seem to be unallied when it comes to him. Even the latter warns you to not get entangled with other's business, the former just ignores and go with it.

"By the way, don't you think the senior is more stuck-up than me?" You ask excitedly as you lean to him and wait for his response. You want to change the impression he has about you.

Wonwoo takes in the view in front of him as he faces your question. Surprisingly, he feels less irritated by it.

He slows down his walking pace as he takes notice of yours. Wonwoo holds his hands at his back and fakes a thought.

After enjoying the hopefulness in your eyes, he gives the answer. "It seems like it," he says.

Due to the revelation from Wonwoo himself, you cover your mouth in excitement. Wonwoo watches as you turn tomato from his word and walks ahead.

In a hurry, you ask. "So you'll naturally sign up with the basketball club?" He raises his shoulder slightly and then nods.

Your heart soars louder and unintentionally, it echoes across the hallway. "Got it! I'm coming too!"

Since then, your life has revolved around Wonwoo. Occasionally, he would ask for personal spaces, and even though his changes are almost negligible, you don't mind.

Being around him the whole day is fun. You get to know his habits, his favourite food and drink, or basically all about him. Not, you do seem like an ordinary girl chasing after a guy.

Wonwoo, on the other hand, feels like he has a friend. He ghosts you daily, but your presence fills a spot next to him.

The two of you get accepted into the basketball club. Every Tuesday, Wonwoo will stay at school for two hours to be the ball boy. Not that everyone tries to be silent about it, but there's this girl who keeps waiting for the guy.

She's pretty, and her hair compliments her exquisite, doll-like features.

She never pays attention to other guys as if her eyes are glued to the ball boy. The green-eyed seniors want to embarrass Wonwoo even more because of that.

"Hey ball boy, the bottles are empty. Refill them!" the senior who took Wonwo's punches shouts. You quickly get up and help Wonwoo. "Let me help!"

Wonwoo lets you take 2 bottles as he carries the other 6. "Go home after we go back,"

"Why? I want to stay with you,"

Wonwoo has no idea whether you intended to flirt with him or casually announced that, but surely, he is flustered.

He regains composure and gives a response.

"What a dimwit," the seniors are gawking at you, and you overlook that?

He wishes he could deliver that very sentence, but he may sound jealous. Well, I'm not.

"I'm here to protect you, didn't I say that before? So, stop pushing me away cuz I won't leave you."

You don't realize that your attendance by Wonwoo's side just creates another problem for him. His workload increases by tenfold due to the green-eyed seniors.

Once the game is over, Wonwoo fulfils his duty and cleans the court. In the meantime, you listen to songs on the bench.

Wonwoo has done a lot of work and this is one nothing to him. He finishes just when everyone exits the place. He thinks that you might have returned home. You aren't there when he checks out the place you've been sitting at.

Only when he walks out the hall that he accidentally eavesdrops on the conversation between you and the seniors.

He could guess the topic and he looks at the corner. If he steps just a bit forward, they will see him. And he does that.

Shoving his hands into his pockets, he then presents himself.

"Just say no if you don't want to be his girlfriend. Don't waste your time,"

Enlightened, you turn the senior down and run to Wonwoo. You complain at how bad his proposal was and Wonwoo chuckles.

"What do you do at the weekend?" as you wait for your chauffeur, you build a conversation with him.

Wonwoo isn't a person to be so friendly with someone. He thinks for a while as he contemplates to answer the question.

"Study in the library,"

Wonwoo is a smart student, and his answer doesn't come off as a surprise to you. "I've never been to a library before. I meant in this area but which one do you frequent?"

There are only two libraries in the area, and Wonwoo has only been to the small one since it's closer.

"Ooh, OK then." swiftly, you take a note of it. Just right after that, you see your family car drifts into the parking lot. "Oh! My car's here. I have to go now." you wave at him in a distance and shout. "Don't stay too long under the sunlight! Bye-bye!" then you disappear into the car.

When you arrive at the library on Saturday, you quickly scan the area for him. Lucky you the place is just up to your energy to find him.

You stride from one isle to another. It's probably the physics section when you find a familiar back.

"Hey," you whisper from the back. Wonwoo is so immersed in his reading and you bet he wouldn't have noticed you if you hadn't appeared before him after that call.

With a cheeky smile, you say. "Let's go out,"

He examines the surroundings and realizes that you come alone. "What are you doing here?" his volume is practically below scolding to avoid making a fuss in the quiet place.

"You ask too much! Come on," You jog to his side and help him pack his stuff.

"I only ask once, and I did not agree to you,"

Not bringing too many necessities, you wind up less than a minute. "Shh... Just come with me, will you?"

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

If you like this story, you might as well check out the others here !

[fearfulkittenwrites]

Gala and “I’m allergic to bullshit.”

Word count: 2244

Link for it on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/26180371

Notes: Hey! This was beta'd by @3ambird​ , who is an amazing sweetheart and improves evertything they touch. Thank you for the help!

Galas were never fun. Bruce had hated them as a kid, and hated them as teen, and he hates them as an adult. Still, he has to maintain appearances, so he always attends. And as his family grew, his kids were forced to attend as well.

Dick Grayson was particularly good at socializing. After he moved past his teenage rage, of course. He used to get in passive aggressive arguments with the rich CEOs and company owners all the time. He still does, but at least now he was good at it to the point where it almost couldn’t be recognized as an argument, instead of jumping on the necks of greedy millionaires that bought land out of poor people.

That was an interesting headline.

Jason sucked at galas. Soon enough, he figured out that if he started enough awkward conversations, people wouldn’t want to talk to him anymore. Especially the creepy single older women, pinching his cheeks and squeezing his biceps.

“Say, Claire, what’s your opinion on the alarming rate at which the bees are disappearing? They say that’s because of all the chemicals we put in our food.” He’d smile, carefully holding his glass. Bruce would struggle to hide his gasp, because Jason, that’s the owner of the highest earning pesticides company in the country.

“Well, Roger, I’m certain that the legalization of abortions would be a great thing, considering that now your mistresses won’t have to be sent overseas to terminate the unwanted preganancies you give them, right?” He’d say, and Bruce would nearly have a heart attack, because Jason, that’s the president of Gotham’s conservative party.

“Oh, you see, Sandra, I think that gay marriage should not only be legalized, but encouraged. If straight couples were to cease existing, then no more children would be born, and honestly, no one needs any more of those snotty gremlins running around, ruining perfectly good tapestry.” And Bruce would faint, because Jason, for God’s sake, that is the leader of the Gotham’s Motherhood Association.

Tim wasn’t all that bad. He could be social with a little effort, and he was far more used to galas than any of the other family members, having grown up attending them. Of course, all of that was only valid when he wasn’t sleep deprived, which, considering all he had on his plate, was roughly 32% of the time. When he was running on three hours of sleep and seven cups of caffeine a day, trying to finish a project, run his share of the Wayne Enterprises, and manage school work, he became a bit more irritable and impatient. And extremely impulsive. Which is mainly why Bruce asked Dick to stand by his brother through most of the night.

“We both know you’re his impulse control, Dick.” He said, adjusting his oldest son’s tie “Remember what happened the last time he was left unattended for fifteen minutes?”

“He got into an argument with a young Creationist and dunked his own head in an ice bowl after screaming ‘Fuck God! I can hear colors and dinosaurs rule!’” Dick sighed, “Yeah, I’ll keep an eye on him.”

Cass despised them, but Bruce insisted she should attend anyway. More often than not, she’d just stay at the table, tasting as many appetizers as the waiters would bring her, and shooting murderous looks at anyone who sneered at her. Bruce was relieved that at least she wasn’t cracking any bones.

Damian was... Better than Jason and worse than Dick. He had an unamused expression through most of the event, and would unceremoniously swat away any hands that tried to pinch his cheeks. Other than that, he wasn’t much trouble. The real trouble were galas all Wayne kids attended. The five of them could cause enough trouble when they were apart, together they were the embodiment of chaos.

And this was supposed to be a calm, slightly boring family evening. It really was.

But Bruce just had to bring all five of them.

Everything had to go just right. As they walked in through the red carpet, the media was eating up the image of the six Waynes dressed formally; Each of them had a tie color matching their hero uniform (a cheeky thing they enjoyed doing to play with the theorists minds), Dick had a dark blue one, Tim and Jason slightly varying tones of red, Damian had a green one and Bruce had a black one. Cass wore a long black dress that sparkled when it was hit by the light in just the right way.

The first sign was the reporter, who, while aggressively pointing a microphone in their faces, asked pushy questions about relationships and the like, nothing out of the ordinary, until he shoved it in Cass’ face and asked her if she could even speak. Jason almost broke the man’s nose. Bruce silently thanked God for Dick, who stepped in front of the man before that happened.

“Try some shit like that again pal, you’ll hear from our lawyers.” He led his sister inside, a protective hand on her back.

They calmed down. And Bruce still had hopes that this would be a quiet evening.

Looking back at it, he doesn’t know why.

Because as Dick and Cass were at the bar, ordering drinks, a woman stood next to them, trying to make small talk. Neither of them seemed too interested in her; she is a hassle at every gala, making weird advances on all of the boys. Today, however, she was a little more tipsy, and Bruce couldn’t quite make out what exactly the conversation was about, but Dick was clearly uncomfortable and Cass was fuming. The woman kept grabbing at him, sliding her hands over his tie, squeezing his arms. And then she squeezed his ass, and it took Cass less than a second to break her nose.

If they were any other family, Cass would have been thrown out of the party, but they were the Waynes, and you do not throw a Wayne out of a party. If she punched a middle-aged woman, then she punched a middle-aged woman. Bring her a glass of water and some ice for her injured hand.

Of course, it didn’t end there.

Bruce was still surprised he didn’t have gray hairs yet.

Because Damian had discovered and made friends with a stray cat in the garden, and Jason had a laser pointer, because of course Jason had a laser pointer, and the cat ended up knocking down not one, not two, but three expensive pieces of pottery, shattering them on the gravel floor. And when the house owner saw the damage, he turned pale and had to hold back his tears. Jason laughed.

“-tt-.” Damian stated, adjusting his suit “You owe that cat a favour,those vases ruined the garden’s aesthetic. Regardless, I’m sure father will be more than happy to compensate you for the damages.”

He walked back to the party slowly, passing by the man who would need some time to make it back.

Once Jason broke him the news, Bruce thought (and hoped) that that would be it.

But no, the night was young, and there was so much time left and the batsibilings for sure wouldn’t waste it.

The previous statement about sleep deprived Tim?

Well.

Tonight, he had to pick a fight with an essential-oil-loving, antivax mother. Simply because he liked to torture himself. And because nobody realised he was alone until Bruce spotted him in the crowd, eye twitching as a woman rambled about all the heavy metals and chemicals that vaccines had in them. He thought about getting to him, but he knew it was too late. There was no going back now.

“Well, you see Karen,” He started.

“Uuum, my name’s Patricia.” She interrupted.

“I’m a billionaire’s heir, I don’t give a shit.” He said “Anyways. As I was saying, the thing is, I’d rather take the chance of being injecting myself with mercury than, oh, I don’t know, get meningitis and fucking die?”

The circle went quiet. Another woman, wanting to dissipate the tension, tried to restart the conversation.

“I-I mean, I don’t understand why can’t they make something safer, right? Like, when we used to throw those smallpox parties, why won’t they make something that works like that? So that we can build a natural immunity instead of all of those chemicals.” She laughed awkwardly.

Tim slapped his own face so hard that it attracted a lot of eyes.

“How. Do. You. Think. Vaccines. Work. Susan?”

“M-my name is Mary.”

“I don’t give a fuck.” He answered. And just in time, Dick swooped in.

“Hey, Timmy!” He greeted “Can I borrow this guy for a second?” He didn’t wait for an answer as he guided Tim out to the garden.

“Fucking idiots.” He muttered “I don’t know how they have so much money. They’re all fucking idiots, Dick. I’m surrounded by dumbasses.”

“There, there.” He said “Okay, we’re far enough.” He looked around “Go ahead.”

And Tim let out the most horrendous, rage filled scream any of those guests had ever heard. Because of course they heard it. Bruce sighed and shrunk on his chair.

“Better?” Dick asked as he finished, patting his back.

“So much.” Tim answered.

“You should’ve slept a little before this.”

“No way. I’m totally fine.” He answered “I had three cans of monster before we left, so I feel great.” Dick raised an eyebrow, worried.

“Whatever you say, buddy.” He led him back inside, tidying up his brother’s hair “Just... No more picking fights with moms tonight, okay?”

And Bruce thought that was enough. Bruce was certain that this would be the last incident.

But his kids just loved proving him wrong.

He thought that the best strategy would be to ask them to stick together, so that Dick’s responsibility and social skills would keep his feral siblings under control. He should’ve known it would backfire.

The last he checked, they were making small talk with some CEOs on the edge of the room, away from the dance floor. Jason, Cass and Damian seemed completely bored, Tim was clenching his jaw for some reason, and Dick tried his best to look polished and polite.

“So, I heard that Wayne Enterprises have a new project?” One of them asked, chest so projected forwards it looked like it was about to explode.

“Yes. Yes we do.” Dick said, smiling politely “We’re opening up a refugee housing program.”

“Oh, so that’s what those buildings are for?”

“Yes, exactly!” He exclaimed, opening his arms in a seemingly natural manner “We are building apartments to shelter them. It’s nothing fancy, but we can charge a cheaper rent than most, and not charge at all for the first six months, giving them a chance to properly establish themselves here.”

“Well, I must say,” Puffed up chest guy stated, “I can’t see why not to give them to good old Americans instead. There’s a lot of homeless people nowadays, you see.” He leaned forward as he talked.

Damian perked his head up, but didn’t say anything. Cass and Jason seemed to be listening. Tim’s left eye twitched.

“Actually,” Tim started “The company has very stable, successful projects to help the homeless.”

“I’m familiar with those, yes.” He arrogantly dismissed the teen “But, you see, I just can’t understand why not open the housing to tax paying Americans instead of some...”

“Potential terrorists?” Damian suggested, arms crossed, scowl on his face.

“...Foreigners.” He completed.

“Well, since you ask, we are currently planning on the possibility of eventually opening vague apartments to Americans too.” Dick answered, swirling the liquid in his glass around “But the priority now really are the refugees.”

“I don’t see why can’t we prioritize our own people.” He insisted “I’m simply concerned for the well being of our poorest patriots.”

Dick blinked.

And here’s why Bruce should have known it would backfire.

Because, yes, Dick was able to cool them down...

But they were able to fire him up.

And so, like the charismatic man he was, he covered his nose a little, rubbing at the end, and faked a loud sneeze.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” He started “You see, I have this strange condition.” Dick stared at the man in the eye, the guy who had bought an old building people were squatting at, just to demolish it and doom them to the streets with no care or compensation, and, knowing this and so much more, said “I’m allergic to bullshit.”

And his siblings went feral again.

Tim and Jason screamed an ‘Oooooooooh!’, Damian pointed at the man and laughed loudly, and Cass snorted, covering her mouth in surprise.

Dick didn’t break eye contact as he drank the last of his champagne.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” He said “I have to go look for better company.” Dick left the empty glass at the nearest table and adjusted his suit, smiling “Have a nice evening.”

As he walked away, the gang followed close behind, all of them very excited about how Dick, the composed, calm, cool, polite and polished Dick Grayson-Wayne, had just burned a millionaire in front of his economic allies. As the party reached Bruce, the man once again seemed to sink into his chair. Dick sat next to him, radiating confidence and charm.

“Do I wanna know?” The man asked.

“No,” Dick answered, grinning but not looking at the man “No you don’t.”

[bluefirewrites]

Sky High Mall!AU Part 2

Hey this is another excerpt from the Sky High Zach x Magenta WIP that I never finished (hence WIP). 

It’s a Mall!AU where the characters are kids with summer jobs at the mall. No powers and it’s set around the time the movie came out- 2005. 

Part 1: https://bluefirewrites.tumblr.com/post/636284063233327104/sky-high-mallau

Would be Rated T and there’s excessive use of language throughout. 

This excerpt would be Zach’s perspective working at the music store at the mall. Enjoy!

_____________

Zach booked it down the mall, zooming past the crowd gathered at Sonic Boom, the music store

The music store he worked at.

The one he was supposed to be at right about now.

He pushed through the crowd, getting to the front where his coworker was working the register, seeming to throw the albums at the customers because it was that busy.

Zach loved his job... on any other day. He was a total musichead and he thought it was a long shot to even snag the job, considering it was common knowledge that it was run by Boomer who was a total hardass and pretty unforgiving to those who he deemed had shitty music taste.

He had seemed to wow him enough during the interview, which had been merely them talking about the music he listened to. Thank god, he had just enough of an eclectic music taste that he was able to keep up with whatever soft rock ‘80s classic question that Boomer threw his way.

The Black Eyed Peas album just dropped today and everyone had been clamoring to get in to grab it, so it meant all hands on deck. But only the hands that Boomer could afford to pay right now, so it was only Speed there at the moment.

Zach leapt over the counter, shedding his jacket to reveal his shirt already sporting his name tag, “Yo, is Boom here yet?”

“Cutting it close, freshie,” The senior looked like he wanted to throttle him for leaving him hanging longer than he should have. But it was only like 5 minutes, and Zach had been rushing from summer school to make it home, get ready, then come straight to the mall. He did the best he could.

“You know you can stick a hat on it right?” Speed ruffled his hair while tapping his own cap, messing up the gel that he had put in there before he came to the store and greasing up his hands in the process.

“Hey!” Zach cursed him out for deflating his hair as well as making him pick up the slack while Speed wipes off the hair gel.

Speed always pulled shit like this on him. He hated having shifts with a guy who loved to pick on him, and not in the friendly-joking way that he was used to.

For the next couple of minutes, the two of them were able to go ring up the crowd quickly, even shrunk down the amount of people in the store to half of its capacity. It was still busy, but it was more manageable than before that it actually freed up Speed to do his laps around the store, trying to quell the crowd and mitigate whatever problem came up that would have resulted in calling in the manager.

20 minutes later, they both had a lid on the situation. Only because they were pretty much no more copies of Monkey Business. Zach was about to check if they had more when he realized that the store was eerily quiet. He had just noticed that the TVs around the place were turned off and no music was playing in the store.

Zach went for the sound system dial towards the back of the store but Speed came from behind and beat him to it, “You snooze, you lose, freshie.” His coworker sliding in a Snoop Dogg CD he had snagged from earlier.

He groaned. Zach didn’t mind Snoop, but Speed would play it almost nonstop every time Zach can’t reach the dial fast enough. Speed had almost no taste, always playing chart toppers and whatever cute girls would request (which usually would be chart toppers).

Speed waltzed over to the records, getting high-fives from a couple of customers on the way over, “It’s what the people love!”

“Not Boomer,” Zach pointed out, whilst walking over to the main displays up front. The crowd had kept bumping to the table so he had to make it look tidy.

“But Boomer ain’t here. He’s never here,”

Zach looked up and caught a glimpse of his hair on the main monitor that was supposed to feature the Black Eyed Peas music videos. Shit.  It was sticking out in weird places and looked deflated in others. He ran his hair through it and tried to zhuzh it up with his fingers but nothing seemed to be staying.

“Aww.You’re still pissy about your hair? Did you a favor, dorkwad,”

Zach rolled his eyes. Normally, he would try to steer clear of Speed and try not to notice him. But his co-worker seemed to be in such a talkative mood today, “It was fine the way it was, Speed.” He finished resetting the table cloth and arranging the display how it was supposed to look before turning around to help a customer find a Celine Dion CD.

“Stop being such a tryhard,” Speed said to him as he passed with the customer, “The ladies like it when you’re chill.”

“How would you know that?” A new voice added. Once Zach successfully helped the customer, he whirled around to find his buddy, Will. He took notice of the blue shirt and gray khakis and figured he had work today at Champs. He barely saw Will anymore due to Zach having summer school and their schedules never seemed to match up.

“Shut the fuck up, Stronghold,” Speed sneered at the newcomer.

Will paid him no mind while he shook Zach’s hand before bringing him in for a quick hug, “Zach-Attack!”

“Will, like it’s not great to see you, cuz it is. Great. To see you, that is,” Zach kept on the lookout for Boomer while walking towards the register because Speed had left it unattended, “Kinda not a good time right now, man.”

Will greet a few other people he knew around the store. He scanned the big displays and the cardboard cutouts on the front, “BEP?”

“BEP,” The blonde confirmed, “And I’m already on Boomer’s bad side for fucking up with the Mariah Carey launch.”

His friend clicked his tongue, recalling that certain incident. Zach remembered that Will had been working his shift downstairs when he heard Boomer let him have it. He had heard Boomer all the way from down there- that was how bad it was.

“How were you supposed to stop a bunch of nimrods from defacing her cut out?”

Zach shuddered at the thought of all the obscene Sharpie marks all over Mariah Carey’s cardboard figure, “I swear, Speed had something to do with it. That guy has got it out for me ever since I started working this joint,” he whispered.

“It’s because out of everyone here, you’re the customers’ favorite. You actually know your shit,”

Zach figured that it was somewhat true. They would get regulars pretty often and they always seemed to gravitate towards him. Zach did enjoy making connections with everyone no matter what their music taste was.

One time, this one guy came in, all in orange, who had been tentative in asking where the classical music selection was. Luckily, Zach got to him first before Speed could roast him. And good thing too, because that guy became one of his favorite regulars. He might be working at Radio Shack, the last he heard from him.

“Thanks, man,” Zach really appreciated it. Sometimes he couldn’t help but get all up in his head at his job. He wanted to do really well and hopefully one day he would have worked enough hours to save up for a car. He had been getting real tired of having to rush on his bike everywhere and being constantly late.

“But seriously, scatter. Don’t make me have to kick you out.” he joked to his smaller friend.  

“Yeah, Stronghold. Go back to dealing with smelly feet all day,” Speed yelled from his side of the store.

“You’re just jealous because I got the job and you didn’t,”

Zach had to hold back a laugh seeing Speed getting worked up so quickly. He had heard Speed bitching about being passed over the job at Foot Locker constantly. The guy had been a total sneakerhead so it had been a crushing blow to his ego that a freshman got the position while he was stuck working for cantankerous Boomer.

“Whatever, man. You probably got it because you’re a Stronghold,”

Will shook his head, the jabs of his dad being the Mayor never really fazing him much anymore, “Remind me again, how did you get the name, Speed, again?”

The rotund bully growled. Everyone knew that there were two stories that could have explained how Speed got his infamous moniker. One was because  all the joyrides in his Jeep that resulted in property damage. The other well… had to do with distributing contraband. Bringing up either, was cause for a beatdown.

Speed advanced towards Will, ready to punch him square in the face, no matter how many onlookers in the store gathered around to watch the debacle. Zach had to vault over the counter, to get in between the two when all of the sudden a resounding yell broke through the clatter that made all parties involved wince and cover their ears.

“Ladies, enough!”

Boom strolled in, aviators perched on his crooked nose, commanding the attention of the room- as if his voice didn’t do that already. He came up beside Zach, poking at Will to step backwards until he was out of the store,“Shouldn’t you be downstairs, Stronghold?”

“Yes, Boomer,” He shouldered his bag before throwing a passing glance at Zach. Good luck, he seemed to emote.

Rightfully so because all of the sudden Boomer marched over to him, “Why if it isn’t Superstar, here to grace us with your presence,” His eyes landed on the BEP display and noted the dwindling number of albums, “Restock those will ya? And Speed” he turned to the older boy, “you’re relieved of your post.”

Speed looked up to the heavens, “Thank fuck.”

“Language!”

He straightened up, “Sorry, sir,” Then he ducked for the back, switching off Snoop Dogg as he did so. Zach followed suit to where they did inventory and found another box of the albums and hauled ass back out to replace the albums on the display.

“Now, get to that, will you,” Boomer ordered while counting up the till to see if everything was where it should be, “And if I see a hint of Sharpie on either of those cardboard figures, your ass is mine, kid.”

Zach almost let out a laugh but remembered it was Boomer. He meant everything to be a threat, “O-okay,” he managed to get out without laughing. Then he saw Boomer closing up the register and heading for the door, “Wait? You’re leaving already?”

“Yeah. I’m the owner. I can do what I want,”

“I mean, since I’m like the only guy here and it’s a pretty busy day- I thought-”

“You thought what? That you need help?” he seemed to project the full force of his voice at him that Zach cowered against his better judgement.

“Listen, I started this shop to fill it with music,” His boss went off, “Real music. Not what passes off as music these days. Those hip grinding degenerates are showing up by the boatloads today and I don’t wanna be here when they do.”

A little boy approached the man, tugging against his cargo shorts, “Excuse me, where are the Eminem CDs?”

Boomer looked at the kid with disgust and shimmied him off, “That’s my cue,” He scrounged his pockets for the keys and tossed them Zach’s way, “Here, you’re closing up today.”

“What the-?” Zach nearly fumbled with the keys, “Again?” He had been closing every night this week, despite not actually being allowed to, with him being 15 and all. But Boomer had an arrangement with Ron Wilson, security guard who patrols at night.

“Don’t mess this up for me, Blondie!” His boss yelled just an influx of people arrived at the store, hungrily grabbing the CDs off the display he had just finished restocking.

“I’ll try,” he responded, knowing full well that Boomer could not hear him. Speed sped by, sticking his tongue at him on his way to freedom. The line of people had started forming and Zach cracked his knuckles- no choice but to face them on his own.

[tardisman14]

Enchanting: Chapter 1: Royal Announcement

A novelized version of Enchanting Grom Fright, told from Amity’s pov. A look into what was going through her mind in that episode, with snippets of happenings in-between scenes. Told in 4 parts (3 main chapters, plus the prologue), rated to be safe, and obviously Lumity.

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Hexside School of Magic and Demonics,

Mid-morning

The halls of Hexside were even more lively than usual as students and faculty alike helped set up decorations for that night’s festivities. There was also, of course, various students working in last-minute Grom-posals, ranging for simple to elaborate.

But right now, Amity’s mind was somewhere else. As she made her way towards Luz’s locker, note in hand, she went over the plan in her head again:

Step 1: Write a note to give to Luz asking her to Grom. Done. Step 2: Find the right place and time to give Luz the note. In progress. Step 3: If Luz agrees, go to Grom together. If she’s just happy to be around Luz, strong friendship. If she feels something more, ...she’ll work that out later. Step 4: If Luz turns her down, ...she’ll know based on how she takes it.

It was a simple plan. Not too complicated. She had her note in hand ready to deliver it. ...But that last part really gave her a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.

It didn’t make sense. Amity was the top student in her class. She had a clear path towards a future in the Emperor’s Coven. She was the envy of practically every student. So why did ONE hypothetical scenario have her this worried?

*BUMP* That worry, however, was soon replaced with irritation towards whoever had just collided with her.

“Watch it, nitwit!-”

But once Amity sees who she bumped into, she backtracks.

“Oh. Hi, Luz... and co.”

Wow, she REALLY needed to work on not snapping the moment she bumps into someone. Especially considering that this time Luz was just off to the side talking with Willow and Gus. It was her not paying attention.

“Sorry about that.”

“No problem, let me help you!”

At least Luz was kind enough to help pick up her books and-

“Here, your note.”

WAIT, WHAT?

Amity quickly snatches the note from Luz’s hand.

“Man, you got some quick grabbers.”

“It's just- it's private.” What was going on with her today? Part of the plan was making sure Luz got the note. And yet… she couldn’t let Luz see it. But why? Didn’t she WANT to know what Luz would say?

Just then, there’s a screeching sound coming from the speakers. All around Amity, the other students were muttering.

“Attention Hexside students. This is your principal speaking.”

This had to be it. Bump HAD to be announcing who has been selected to be Grom royalty. And knowing her luck that day, Amity had a bad feeling about what was coming next.

“This year, I have the privilege to bestow our highest Grom honor to... Amity Blight. Our Grom queen!”

With that, all the uneasiness she had felt not a minute before had just been made even worse.

“WHOOOO! Amity, get it, queen!” she had heard Luz shout just then.

She needed to get out of there. For some reason, she couldn’t be around anyone right now, especially not Luz. She quickly ran off towards her first class.

---

Amity was a wreck that morning. She did her best to pay attention during her first few classes, but her teachers and classmates had noticed that she hadn’t even volunteered to answer a single question. Although they weren’t too surprised given her current position.

Lunch time rolled around, but Amity wasn’t feeling all that hungry. She decided to go somewhere less crowded to think. She figured the gym would be her best bet. There weren’t any classes in there that day due to Grom being set up. She knew that Principal Bump as well as some student volunteers would be working on preparations, but she figured they would be too busy with that to notice her just sitting in the bleachers.

Amity knew what being chosen as Grim queen meant. She supposed it only made sense that she would be selected, given her status as top student. But still, based on what she had heard from her siblings about previous years, it was a challenge for even the BEST students. And given how tense she had already been that morning…

Amity wondered. She had already dreaded the thought about what would happen once she gave Luz the note. And for some reason, it felt stronger than anything else she could rationally think of. Even stronger than her chances of joining the Emperor’s Coven being put at risk or anything her parents threatened her with over the years. She was still trying to figure out exactly how she felt about the human. But could the idea of Luz not reciprocating any potential feelings really be her worst fear? And if so, would that mean that those feelings would be confirmed?

Amity was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard a rumbling and looked towards the source. She saw that Luz had apparently stumbled across the arena.

“Medieval torture seems like a strange theme for Grom, but hey-”

With that, Amity recalled Luz’s reaction from earlier. She supposed it would only make sense that Luz didn’t know about Grom tradition. Any dances in the human realm would likely be different than those in the demon realm. Deciding that Luz should know the truth about what would be happening that night, she spoke up.

“They're not for decoration. This arena is where I'll make my debut as Grom queen.”

“Right. Why don't you seem excited?”

“Because this isn't just some dance party.”

As if on cue, that black gloop that would be Amity’s opponent for the evening decided to make itself known.

“That's Grom. Short for Grometheus, the fear-bringer. It's a monster that lives under the school. Every year it tries to break out, and a student has to defeat it before it invades the town. Ever the optimist, Bump holds a party and calls it tradition. The worst thing is that Grom can read minds and shape-shift into your worst fear.”

Amity then looks back on her thoughts from a few minutes ago.

“And mine is... very embarrassing.”

“If it worries you so much, then why don't you tell Principal Bump you want out of this death match biz? *GASP* Unless talking to Bump is your greatest fear.”

Amity let out a small chuckle at Luz thinking THAT would be what she fears the most.

“No, but that's a good idea. Thanks, Luz.”

Maybe Luz was right. Maybe if Bump knew about how stressed she felt, he could find a way to get her out of it. With that, she left the gym to go find him.

---

Amity took a deep breath as she approached Principal Bump’s office. If talking with him really was her best chance of getting out of being Grom queen, she could not afford to mess this up. She knocked on the door and waited.

“Come in”

Amity entered the office, hopeful that Bump would hear her out.

“Ah, Miss Blight. What can I do for you?”

Amity hesitated for a few seconds. But she knew what she needed to say right then and there.

“Principal Bump, I’m aware what a huge responsibility it is to be selected as Grom Royalty. But the thing is… I don’t know if I’m entirely up to the challenge. If there’s any way you can get me out of it, I’d be willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen.

Bump was silent for a few moments. Amity knew that couldn’t be good.

“*SIGH* I can’t say that I’m entirely surprised. In my time as principal, there have been many students chosen, even those who have been considered the best, who have been unsure about their chances. Unfortunately, you know as well as I that if Grometheus isn’t kept in check each year, it WILL cause havoc throughout Bonesborough. I get that the prospect can be terrifying. But as Top Student, you statistically have the highest chances among the student body of being able to keep Grom at bay.”

As much as Amity dreaded to hear it, she knew Bump had a point. The risk of Grom escaping was too great to be left to chance. She was about to leave when Bump spoke up once more.

“Look, I understand your worries, so I am willing to make a deal. If you can find anyone else willing to take your place before tonight, you’ll be relieved of your duties as Grom queen. Otherwise, I wish you the best of luck tonight.”

With that, Amity left Bump’s office and decided to get ready for her afternoon classes. Although for the rest of the day, there was only one thing going through her mind. She was doomed.

---

The moment the final bell screeched, Amity couldn’t get out of the school fast enough. She didn’t care where she was going, just that she needed to get out of there as fast as she could. She saw a set of woods not too far by. At least she knew no one would go looking for her there.

It seemed like a good idea from Luz at the time. But who was Amity kidding? Grom was too dangerous to be left unattended. Of course there was now way that Bump would allow the top student to get out of this. Sure there was one solution brought up, but that required someone to WILLINGLY agree to go up against a monster that can bring your fears to life. What was she going to do?!

*BUZZ* She pulls out her scroll to see a new group message from Ed and Em. Great. Just who she wanted to hear from right now.

Ed: ‘Hey Mittens. We saw you bolting out of the school earlier.’

Em: ‘Listen. We may mess with you from time to time, but we get what you’re going through right now.’

Ed: ‘We remember how our J felt when they were chosen as Grom royalty 2 years ago. We can’t imagine you feel any better about it.’

Em: ‘So, we figured that the least we could do is help you prepare a little. Ed and I can use our illusion magic to help you practice facing your fears. Let us know once you get home.’

Oh yeah. How could she forget? At this point, she wasn’t sure what made her feel worse. The idea of the entire school seeing what she feared the most, the prospect of what she felt that fear might be, or the fact that because of all of this, she likely wouldn’t have a chance to give her invitation to-

“LUZ CHOP! AAAAAAHHHHHH!”

*WHACK*

“Ow!”

Great. What now?

“Oh my gosh, Amity! I'm so sorry!”

Wait. Luz?

Amity then saw her clear as day thanks to that light spell the human had become known for. And just like earlier Luz helped her up.

“And here I thought this day couldn't get any worse.”

“Did you talk to Bump yet? Was it as terrifying as you imagined?”

“*SIGH* He said no. I'm Grom queen, unless I can find a replacement. And who'd want to switch with me?”

There was nothing Amity could do at this point. Why bother to hide it?

“I would.”

“What?”

Did she hear that right? Could Luz be serious about this?

“Amity Blight, I'll do it. I'll take your place and face Grom in the arena. I'll be your fearless champion!”

Was that a large spider on Luz’s face?

“GAAAHHH!!!”

Aaaaaaaaand Luz was face down in the mud.

“fearless... champion…”

Amity wasn’t sure this was the best idea.

“Luz, are you sure about this? I mean, I told you earlier what this means.”

Just then, Luz gets up and places a hand on Amity’s shoulder.

“Listen. I know how much this has been bothering you. I can’t just stand by and watch my friend go through something that makes them feel that uneasy knowing that there’s something I can do. I WANT to help.”

Amity knew that determined look in Luz’s eyes. She had seen it plenty of times before. When Luz first challenged her to that duel, when Luz tried to save her from Otabin, when they were going up against the Slitherbeast, and when they were fixing the damage she had done to Willow’s memories. Knowing that look, Luz wasn’t going to back down anytime soon, no matter what anyone would say.

...plus, if it meant that she wouldn’t have to face Grom, it couldn’t hurt to try.

“Well, if you really are going to take my place, you’ll at least need to be prepared.”

“Great! I’ll go tell Bump that I’ve volunteered. We can meet at the Owl House in an hour to start training. See you then!”

As Luz ran off to see Principal Bump, Amity was still unsure about letting Luz do this. But for now, she needed to help her friend get ready. And she knew just the annoying siblings to help her.

---

Upon making it back home, Amity opened the door to get inside, only to find Ed and Em waiting for her. ...well at least they could be convenient when the situation called for it.

“So Mittens, ready to train to go up against your worst fears?

“Slight change of plan. I’m not the one who’s gonna need your help preparing.”

[occasionalfics]

worth my while // p. 2

main masterlist | thor masterlist | ko-fi | p. 1 | p. 3

Summary: After being banished from his home, Thor Odinson has stopped at nothing to prove himself worthy of his throne, title, and power.

After losing the love of your life, you turned to a power you didn’t understand.You know you shouldn’t get involved.

But how could you not?

Pairing: Thor x Reader (Hercules au…kind of…)

A/N: Me: *uses the same gif two chapters in a row*

also me: *sees a new pretty one* OOH YES LET’S CHANGE THINGS UP A BIT

Aaaaand here I go, stealing whole ideas straight outta Hercules. Oops ;) Let me know what y’all think, as usual 💖💖💖

Warnings: Violence, lots of angst, borderline abuse and definite manipulation, eventual smut, way too many feels, major character death (eventually). A little more harassment on Hades’ part this time around.

Words: 3,641

“You do understand how powerful Von Doom is, don’t you?” Hades asks the next day.

Just like you had at Captain America, you roll your eyes. “Listen, it’s not my fault, okay?” You watch as he paces the room, and think about the night before. “The Avengers showed up to bust the place for...God only knows what. Captain America gave me an ultimatum, I couldn’t refuse, so I walked out.”

Hades sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Babe,” he says, using the nickname you absolutely hate, “our hostile takeover isn’t proving to be very...ya know, hostile.” When he looks at you, you can see the flames behind his navy irises.

You’re in trouble.

You sit back against the couch and cross your arms. “We can use this,” you offer. You try not to imagine the lighting-laced eyes of the other Avenger as you go over your exact process from the night before. “You want to take out the Avengers. The Avengers attack Victor Von Doom, who you want to help take out the Avengers. Now he has a personal reason to do it.”

Hades pauses. He faces you, fingers on his chin as he scratches his stubble. And he stares long enough that you know you’re not totally off the hook - Hades isn’t known for his patience, after all - but he’s at least considering what you’ve said.

Then he chuckles once and shakes his head. “Oh, you sweet summer child,” he mutters, giving off gruff and insulting sounds as his brows raise. “You’ve got so much to learn. But you’re not wrong - we can use this.”

Just as Cerberus - one of them, anyway - comes marching into the room, straight to your lap, Hades picks up a remote from the table that serves as the only thing separating your bodies. He turns around and powers up the mounted television, and just like magic, there’s a news segment on discussing an upcoming Avengers celebration.

Celebration? You think. They destroy everything they touch. What are we supposed to be celebrating, exactly?

You’re one of those who had once sided with the U.N. and Tony Stark. You didn’t care for the billionaire - after working for Hades, you more or less hated every billionaire - but you did think that the so-called heroes needed to be held accountable for the destruction they left wherever they went.

This party, though, seems to be a celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Battle in Manhattan, which seems...so ridiculous to you. Why would you - or anyone - want to celebrate that? So what if six people saved the world from imminent danger? They’d still nearly let millions of people die or be injured in their messy attempt to kick alien ass.

Also, wasn’t the man behind that plan that Thunder Guy’s cousin or something?

More personally, however, the drunk driver that had killed Rick was drunk because his wife had perished in that battle. He’d been drunk every night since her funeral. The jury had taken his grief into account when they sentenced him to prison, giving him a light sentence instead of life behind bars.

You’re so busy letting your cold heart grow colder that you miss the point of the segment. Stark is interviewed, but you don’t listen. You almost know what’s going to happen anyway, so why bother giving it your attention now?

Hades waits until the segment ends, then puts the television on mute. He turns to you, puts the remote down, and actually comes around to sit on the table.

You lean even further back against the couch. Hades never gets this close unless he’s got a mission for you. Cerberus watches you both, head lifted from your lap as he whines.

A second Cerberus pads into the room, sitting politely on the floor between you.

“Sending me to that thing isn’t gonna get us Von Doom,” you tell Hades. You’ve gotten quite good at reading him since he’d cashed in his price for Rick’s life. You had to - the only other alternative was to let the formidable Lord of the Dead control your every move. Which he kind of did anyway, but at least you could keep up with him this way.

He shrugs, like that’s part of his plan. “Maybe not. But we can stir up some trouble.” His smirk is undeniably mischievous. But you know that’s the only way he operates.

You stare at him like a frustrated parent might at an indignant child. “And what good will that do us?”

Us you think, like I have any say in the matter. Like he’ll actually listen to me.

“If we can scatter them, cause a real scene at their own event, we might be able to attract more than just Von Doom. Better than Von Doom.” Hades nods at his own assumption, but you don’t like where this is going. Not one bit.

“Like who?” you counter. Von Doom is another billionaire. He has money, technology, and apparently, superhuman abilities of his own.

“Norman Osborn,” he replies without hesitation. “Otto Octavius. Wilson Fisk. The list goes on.”

You don’t even know who the last guy is. Still, you groan. “Osborn is an actual goblin, and Octavius is just a scientist. Plus, they can’t even handle themselves against that Spider-kid. You think they’ll be a match for the Avengers?”

You know you’re right, but either Hades doesn’t care or has deluded himself beyond the point of return.

Or, you dare think, that he can see beyond what you can. He is immortal, after all. He has to be right at least some of the time, you figure.

Maybe he sees this as a calculated risk he’s willing to take for the endgame.

Hades stands and starts to leave the room. He only stops to tell you, “United we stand…”

--

The event is really lovely, actually. Central Park is full of festivities from one corner to the next. There’s no way to do all of this in a day, you think, but as you watch people actually enjoy their existences again, you know no one cares.

So you stop caring about that, too.

You hear, about midday, that the Avengers will make an appearance in Sheep Meadow at some point later, so you decide to stick around that area for the day.

There are food vendors everywhere. All kinds of different food, too. Smells and sounds rule over the lawn, and for once, New York doesn’t feel like a death sentence. It feels like a place where people live - real people, civilians that have normal, superhero-free lives. It’s not really a place where aliens fall out of portals in the sky and threaten the status quo.

But sometime around 3, the Avengers show up, and suddenly New York is that place. Lightning Guy is living proof of that.

Your eyes find him just as easily as if you actually knew his name. You remember hearing...something about him, a few years back. Before the Manhattan attack.

He’d shown up somewhere West, claiming to be a Space Prince while he paraded around after an astrophysicist and her little team. Something had attacked there, too, but he’d defeated it. He had to, otherwise, he wouldn’t be standing across the lawn from you with his dangerous friends surrounding him.

Why he hadn’t gone home then, you couldn’t say. But he’s still here, on Earth, causing more and more damage to buildings and people and a way of life he only just acquainted himself with.

Tony Stark signs autographs. You only notice because you force yourself to stop looking at Lightning Guy. You watch Captain America, now without his stupid winged helmet, pose for a Charlie’s Angels picture with two women he probably doesn’t know. But they fawn over him once the picture is taken, and you roll your eyes.

Falcon and...the other birdman stand off behind the more well-known members of the team. You decide to go in for them, first.

“Some crowd,” you say as you sidle up next to Falcon.

He smiles down at you - a playful look, clearly intrigued by your approach - and nods. The other birdman doesn’t seem to care much, which works just as well for you.

“One of the bigger ones, believe it or not,” Falcon says to you, shrugging like it’s no big deal.

“And yet, you’re unattended to,” you say, attempting polite banter like you know Hades is expecting out of you. “‘S a shame. You’re one of my favorites.”

To be fair, he kind of is. He wasn’t around for the Battle of Manhattan. He did help take out that government facility in D.C. a while back, but you’d heard it’d been infiltrated by Nazis. So, for that, you forgive him.

Generally, he’s one of the lesser-known, newer members of the team. He seems much more approachable, much more amenable. And when he asks, his smirk growing by the second, “Oh, am I, now?” you can’t help but laugh a little at his enthusiasm.

It’s genuine laughter you’re feeling, for the first time since...everything. You know it because your stomach already hurts from just this little muscle contraction. The feeling is foreign and that is...somehow unfair.

But you manage to nod. “Those other guys are overstated,” you say with a shrug. “I like the ones that feel more like...us, you know?”

And he nods, too. “I do,” he says, and you believe him. You appreciate the gap in between his front teeth - it’s kind of adorable, truthfully - as he holds his hand out to you. “Sam Wilson.”

You place your hand in his, and he lifts it to his lips to place a chaste kiss on your knuckles. He’s quite the charmer.

“(Y/N),” you say back, forgoing the your surname because, really, does an Avenger need to know that? Even if he is one of the only ones you like? “And thank you for your service.” You’d read somewhere that he used to be in some branch of the military, so you let him take the compliment however he wants.

“‘Course,” he says. And then, after a beat, “I hope you’re enjoying such a lovely day.”

You know Hades would say to lay it on thick, here, to distract at least some part of the team. You try not to be too thick as you respond, “It’s much better now.”

But, of course, that’s when another person joins your group. You might be okay if it was just another fan asking Sam for an autograph or a picture or something, but no. You don’t have that kind of luck.

Lightning Guy steps up, clad in a plain shirt beneath an open plaid button-down and a pair of light jeans. Sans-armor, the guy is still huge and still looks like he’d be an absolute boulder in a fight. Formidable - that’s the best word you can come up with.

But there is something...a little more personable about his smile. You don’t let yourself fall for it, but you at least acknowledge it.

“Ah, (Y/N),” Sam says, “you know Thor, of course.”

Right you think. He’s the Norse God. You used to think he just borrowed the name, but then you’d seen an interview on the Today show one morning where he’d confirmed that he and the legend are one and the same. Now you remember.

“We’ve met, haven’t we?” Thor says, giving you a curious glance.

You wonder if you should tell him. You don’t really blame him for not recognizing you immediately - you’d only met the once, only for a few minutes, and under very different circumstances. You are now sans golden dress, sans glowing skin, and sans uncomfortable sandals.

But he is unforgettable. For more than one reason, more than just the fact that he’s an Avenger and a Space Prince.

It’s those eyes. Lightning Eyes, to match his power.

Working with Hades for so long has left the impression that you can tell a lot about people by their eyes. And Thor’s are...a dreamy, warm shade of blue that reminds of you storms.

“We have,” is all you say. You think giving too much away right now might cause problems down the line, and you have a distraction to be the cause of.

He holds his hand out, just like Sam did. You shake it, but he doesn’t kiss your knuckles like Sam did. His kind of charm is different - not showy in the same way, but still a little over the top. Everything about him is over the top, though.

Thor sizes you up as you pull your hand back. You ignore the pang of something that crawls up your fingers, passes your elbow, and stings your shoulder at the lack of contact.

“Oh, you have?” Sam asks, his smirk turning cocky as he raises a brow and turns to Thor.

It takes him a moment, but he must find something remarkably memorable in your face. His eyes widen and he almost takes a step closer before stopping himself. Then his brows drop and his expression turns colder, clouds filling his blue eyes with gray.

“You were the woman with Doom the other night,” he says.

Sam turns back to you, the glee on his face slowly fading. He was there that night - you saw him, briefly, on your way out, but he hadn’t thought to look in your direction then.

“I was.” You cross your arms and lean back a bit. “And I’ve been wondering why you and your friends burst in on my business.” You say it seriously, but not without tipping your head a little flirtatiously. You’re not angry - just curious, and, again, a distraction.

Briefly, you wonder when Hades is gonna put whatever his plan is into action.

“Saving the city, as we do,” Thor answers. He’s still a little put off, but now he’s just as coy as you are. You ignore the fact that you kind of like going toe-to-toe with someone that looks as intimidating as he does. “We were wondering what a lady, such as yourself, was doing with him.”

“I’m sure you were,” you say.

And now neither of you have given anything away. You almost know what the Avengers were called in for - it’s not like Victor Von Doom is known for being a safe man. But you’ve been trying to figure out exactly what was going on at that party that would require Captain America’s presence.

You’ve almost forgotten Sam is still beside you. Sam Wilson, Falcon, an actual hero and celebrity, and you’ve more or less pushed his existence into the back of your mind.

That is, until he clears his throat and steps between you and Thor, muttering, “I’m gonna let y’all have your moment I guess,” before moving on to stand with the rest of the team.

Thor won’t take his eyes off you, and you won’t take yours off him. You can feel your chest and neck heat up, but you don’t do anything to signify it’s happening to Thor. He can’t know. You won’t even admit to yourself that he’s the cause of the flush.

“You could’ve been hurt,” he says, unaffected. Not like someone that would actually care if you had been hurt, but just as a matter of fact.

You shrug. “I wasn’t. Like I said, I knew what I was doing.”

You can see in his eyes that he doesn’t believe you. They never do you think. But that’s why you’ve sworn off men.

Well, that and the whole Rick situation. But now’s not the time to dig that mess out of its grave.

Thor gives you a not-at-all-inconspicuous once-over, but his eyes settle on yours again. That’s new you think.

“You’re not quite like many Midgardian women I’ve met, I must admit.”

You lean on one hip, absolutely hating that kind of line. But because he’s still looking you in the eyes, and because you’re now too enthralled in this tête-à-tête, you let him explain himself.

One more thought for you to ignore: you’re breaking every single rule you’ve given yourself over the last few years in regards to attractive men.

“Most are far more forthcoming.”

At that, you laugh. Not because Thor’s wrong, but because he’s probably right. You can’t speak for everyone, but you know you’ve become a secretive, manipulative person. It’s not like you’ve had much of a choice, post-Rick’s Resurrection.

“Good for them,” you respond.

Something in his face changes - his expression flattens into confusion, but it doesn’t seem to be pointed at you anymore. It’s like he can hear something far off, that he knows something isn’t right.

You know it, too. And, truth be told, you’re glad Hades is finally barging in.

But just like your body craved Thor’s touch after he shook your hand, you need him to look at you again. The second his lightning eyes are focused on the shaking ground, on the direction from which the vibrations are coming from, you want to pull him back to you. Not as a distraction, but for you.

Instead, he lifts an arm and holds his palm outstretched, as if he’s waiting for something. The sky darkens, and the distant vibrations get closer as screams are heard from blocks away.

A blast of air shoots past you, cut off only when Thor’s meaty fist wraps around the handle of a large, heavy-looking hammer. It’s edges are slanted and the markings look Scandinavian if you have to guess.

A flash of lightning, and Thor is no longer in civilian clothes. Scaled armor shines down his arms. His chest is covered in a dark chestplate that match dark pants that do nothing to hide the curves of his calves. Not that you’re looking or anything. A long red cape billows as the wind picks up around the park and the skies fill with heavy, burdened clouds.

You don’t even have time to move. Thor is off, flying through the air toward whatever Monster Hades has conjured. You don’t want to see the fight - not really - but you can’t force yourself to turn away.

Sam shoots you a look as you stand, stoic and observant, but ultimately chooses his team over some weird chick he only met moments ago.

People all around you are running. A huge purple beast peaks through the park, shaking everything in its wake that it does not automatically destroy. It’s claws are as long as your body, it’s teeth as sharp as broken glass. It yells in a terrible, metallic noise that rings in your ears.

The Avengers go after it. Most of them do, anyway. War Machine, to your surprise, stays on the ground and helps corral people away. Black Widow does, too, especially when she gets a look at War Machine falling behind.

You take in the running, the screaming, the looks of utter terror. For a second only, you let yourself feel guilt.

Because in the next second, you back up. You turn around and walk right into a black suit with a silk navy pocket square sticking out of the blazer. Your thoughts automatically shut off as Hades put his arm around your shoulders, despite you having told him time and time again how much you hate him touching you.

He steps lightly but quickly, zooming past the crowd, around screaming people that you have to block out. You need to.

Hades lives for the Dead. He loves the sound of screaming humans. Loves the idea of disaster, because disaster almost always means more bodies to fill up his dark, twisted world.

But you are not a God of the Underworld. You are not a being of the Underworld at all - not in theory or practice. Even if the God of the Underworld owns your soul, even if he’s tethered you to his kingdom, you are still a human, and you cannot live with yourself if you idly watch people die, knowing it’s your fault.

You’re just about to head into another section of the park when Hades stops. He looks over his shoulder as you try to regain your footing - transporting via God isn’t always the easiest thing to put a human body through.

A crash of thunder. A roar louder than the rest - much more easily recognizable as a person, rather than a monster. Raindrops pelt at you, slowly but heavily.

Then, silence.

It lasts a beat before the murmuring. You turn around, too, and realize that Thor is no longer around. Every human being has stopped moving - even the purple Monster has stopped moving, though it looks much more satisfied than anyone else around you.

A woman screams. A child cries. Hades chuckles.

His favorite kind of soul is the immortal kind. You still have trouble grappling with that idea.

Lightning breaks out across the sky. The storm is suddenly furious, the wind coming so fast it could knock you down if you weren’t being held up by Hades.

And then the lightning springs from inside the Monster. Its yelling is cut off, as is its elongated neck from its head.

You step away from Hades to get a better look.

Thor stands on the decapitated corpse, hammer raised, innards hanging off of his limbs and armor. Even from your distance, you can see he’s breathing is labored.

The crowd cheers. You take another step forward, unable to help the smile that comes over you. There’s a warmth in your chest that you can only deny because you’re wearing a jacket over your t-shirt.

But before you can rush over to the Avengers, before you can celebrate with the other humans around you, Hades catches up to you. His hot hand rests on your shoulder, and just as quickly, he brings you back to the Underworld.

[windup-dragoon]

Tonight I tried something different! I created a more modern AU. Everything is about the same, the Scions and Warriors of Light are working to uncover Ascians, to stop the threat of Primals, and put an end to the Garleans reign. Kugane and Doma have been completely under the Garlean rule when Hien’s father is killed and the prince is assumed dead. The magitek soldiers are more machine than man and act as security throughout Kugane. 

Thank you @ishgard​ for the prompt! Probably not what you were expecting but I wanted to change it up a bit after writing last nights piece. 

【Ｈｉｔ　ｏｒ　Ｍｉｓｓ】

Hien x Kirishimi 

Word Count: 2,189

It had definitely been a day. Her body felt sluggish as she weaved her way through the bobbing crowd of hopelessly lost youths. To music with bass that could mimic a heart attack and ear splitting electronic tones they swayed and danced, as if kelp in the tide. Beneath a cloud of glittering smoke and lights that made her eyes hurt. Just how she wanted to spend the remainder of this dismal day. 

Heels clicked as she marched through the throngs, all but stomping along illuminated tiles on the floor to reach her destination. A large bar with an endless expanse of colored drinks lining the wall. Beneath the dance floor lights each bottle seemed a vibrant neon, poisons with fruity names. One day she would know the taste bottled inside each one that lined these shelves, surely she was already half way there with how often she frequented the club. 

Kirishimi leaned against the glass top bar, drumming agitated fingers against the rhythm of music. “Mix me somethin’ strong tonight, Isho. I’ve had a rough one.” Miscolored eyes shut as the music shifted and sent the crowd into a delighted frenzy. 

“My apologies,” A soft voice spoke out to Kiri amid the chaotic drumming. Kiri immediately shot the bartender a look of bewilderment. Instead of her typical contact, a hyur male with raven hair stood in the Au Ra’s spot, cleaning a glass as if it were business as usual. “Isho isn’t here tonight. What can I get you instead, my friend?” 

She squinted against the dizzying lights. Many of her months now had belonged to this club and its patrons. Although ultimately under Garlean control and influence, Kirishimi found it a prime location to gather information. Occasionally, when wayward guests would find themselves enticed by silken words and gilded visions of a grand future she would intervene. The Garleans and their ilk had found new ways to replenish their ranks in a diminishing army. All it took was empty promises and a single dose of Black Rose, the latest ‘medical’ advancement magitek corporations could offer. Those charmed by such beautiful words would be rallied into their army of mechanical soldiers, no longer themselves and replaced with metal. 

But of all her time frequenting this location, never had she encountered this particular bartender. Her contact had always been Isho. No matter the time, no matter the date. He had always been her safety net when things went south. So then, who was this fresh face? 

Despite the lack of fair lighting she could visibly see various patterns of ink scribbled across both his arms, tucking neatly beneath the rolled cuffs that came to his elbows. Thick ebony hair, longer than her own, and a clean cut beard trimmed close to his jawline. Certainly not a difficult sight on the eyes, if she were being honest. Even the scar over his left eye, splitting his eyebrow at a slant, seemed rather charming. Or perhaps this was just her type? 

Kirishimi blew out a sigh after taking in the mans features, two fingers rubbing her temples to shoo away a rapidly approaching migraine. “I’m not your friend. Where’s Isho?” 

The man chuckled. “Actually, I believe he put in his resignation and quit this place.” The cup in his hands squeaked as he continued to clean it. Kirishimi quietly wondered if he knew that only scratched the glass. “As should you. It isn’t safe for a pretty face.” 

The woman blinked but kept her attention to the various bottles of liquor displayed just out of reach. “...Is that a threat?” 

“Ah,” Another laugh slipped. “No, you’re misunderstanding my attentions. And normally when someone calls another ‘pretty’, it’s a compliment.” 

“Get to the point, kid.” 

The tone shifted, as did the music as if on cue. All bass with the tiles of the dance floor beating in rhythm. Almost matching a heartbeat. The bartender at last set aside his glass and splayed his hands across the bars pristine surface, leaning close to her. An air of rosewood and sake tickled her senses. 

“You’re one of the Warriors, aren’t you? Well, word on the street has it that some big wigs are here tonight. They’ve got hounds that want your head.” 

Kirishimi tilted her head to better gauge the mans expression, noticing much too late just how close he had gotten in order to whisper over the music. “And why are you tellin’ me this and not Isho?” The whole situation seemed off. A set up perhaps? Not even Alphinaud had mentioned hunters on the prowl. His information was often straight from the source. There was no way he wouldn’t have heard about it. Unless...? 

Her eyes widened as a sudden urgency stirred in her breast. They had found him out. Not just Isho, but traced the roots all the way back to Alphinaud and his ragtag crew of information suppliers. The gods were determined to make the day even worse for Kirishimi it seemed. Fools. 

The man offered a small smile before drawing himself away. “Don’t worry, your secret identity is safe with me. If you don’t mind working for me.” 

Kiri huffed and spun on her heel, her back leaning against the bar now. Over the vast and endless sea of the dancing crowd she could see them. Crimson eyes that pierced through the strobe lights and mechanical bits that sparked with reflected light. Magitek soldiers. Often they were disguised as everyday bouncers but not these particular models. If she had to bet, they were fresh off the assembly line. No doubt armed to the teeth with fun toys that would shred flesh like tissue paper. 

“Work for you, huh? I dunno ‘bout that.” Brushing aside stray locks of white hair, Kiri contemplated her options. For all she could tell this man was playing her like a fiddle. A Garlean spy who knew the right words. If that were the case, the situation seemed grim. No escape. The magitek soldiers would have her surrounded and he would have the emergency exit covered. 

“What do you have to lose? You said it yourself, you were having a rough day already, right?” Without granting the man even a curious glance she could hear the smile in his voice. A fool trying to play at chess. When she failed to answer, she heard the gate of the counter click and lift from its lock. “Time’s ticking, Warrior. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. Deal?” He moved beside her, an idiots grin tugging at his lips. 

But it was his movement away from the counter that now drew the attention of the very guards they so despised. A whirling of clicks leaked into the speakers, static that disrupted the music. None of the party goers seemed to take notice however, and simply adjusted to the new diluted sound. 

“Get us out and I’ll consider it.” Kirishimi shot the man a dangerous look. If it were all but a trap, she wouldn’t go down without a fight. A cornered animal is often worse than one found in the wild. 

“Perfect! You really have that ‘I’ll kill you’ look down to a science, huh? Or am I special?” The man teased. But before she could grant him a response, his hand latched around her wrist. Warm and worked, his palm calloused. Just who was this man? 

His right hand raised in the air just as the automatons flooded the floor, guns and various blades drawn. A spark of light ruptured from his outward facing palm and extended in an almost straight line, just a touch longer than his arm. His fingers clutched the burst of light and it shattered, materializing a katana in its wake. 

Alerted buzzings and panicked alarms rang out now from the soldiers at the sight of a drawn weapon. Chaos unleashed itself upon the couple in a hail of bullets. Bottles with intoxicating contents broke apart in tiny explosions of liquor and shards of glass. The man brandished his blade with ease, despite the lack of a second free hand, repelling the advancing forces while breaking out into a run for the exit. Kirishimi, close at his heels, kept close and ducked accordingly when swords swung out to stop them. 

The impostor bartender keenly delivered them to the front doors. Bullets ricocheted on either side of them, shattering the glass of a floor to ceiling window that held the clubs logo and Garlean symbol. Like rain in a storm shards of glass poured at her feet, clattering and crunching beneath her heels. The raven haired man knocked aside a bit of remaining glass with the hilt of his katana before dragging her through to the cool night air. 

Silence greeted them. The city of Kugane had grown empty under Garlean control, or perhaps compliant was the better word. Except for a number of night clubs like this, civilians rarely ventured out at night. Magitek soldiers littered the streets, roaches ever scouring. 

“Here!” The man shouted, already aware of more soldiers shambling out of alleyways and opening fire upon them. With a tug of her wrist he encouraged her to follow, leading her to the street where a black motorcycle was left unattended. He released his grasp only to throw one leg over the machinery. A twist of the key left in its ignition and it roared to life. A tiger growl in the empty night. “Get on and hold on tight.” 

Sure, she could have run opposite of him now and down an alley to escape her pursuers. It would have been easy enough. But the man cocked his head over his shoulder, green eyes alight with an unfamiliar glow. His jaw tensed. No. She wouldn’t break their deal off just yet. Not until she found out what happened to Isho and if the Warriors and Scions were in jeopardy. He was her only clue to the answers. 

A bullet skimmed by. She felt the wind tear several strands of her hair before she made her decision. Kirishimi lurched forward to the bike, throwing her leg over as he had done and coiled her arms around his waist. Beneath the vest he wore and white button down, she noticed this man was no ordinary bartender. His stomach felt as hard as rock itself. Or perhaps he truly enjoyed lifting weights? 

Her thoughts abandoned her as the bike jostled forward. A feral rumble of the engine and they were off, a blur in the night that faded down the street. Magitek soldiers tried to hold pursuit and give chase. But before long Kirishimi could no longer make out their blinding red eyes in the distance. Or the flashing neon light of the club dubbed ‘Seventh Heaven’. 

-- 

“Here. Lemme get you something for that pain. It’s got to be killing your shoulder.” 

“I’m fine.” 

Over an hour they spent driving around that evening. The wind had blasted her face, leaving her cheeks red and icy to the touch. But it was in efforts to throw off their enemy, a price she would willing pay considering it seemed to work. The magitek outside the small complex staggered down the road, oblivious to their hiding spot. 

He threw open a cupboard over the sink and rattled a bottle of pills. “At least let me get the bullet out. It could be a tracker. Or worse, you’ll bleed all over my sofa.” 

Kirishimi sighed and leaned herself forward so she sat on the edge of the couch. He was partially right. Since the soldiers outside seemed unaware of their presence, she had her doubts that the bullet lodged in her shoulder was a tracking device. But the old couch would definitely be stained if she remained untreated. 

“... Hurry up then, chief.” 

“The least you could do is ask for my name. You know, like a civilized person. It’s Hien.” Footfalls approached behind her and stopped at the back of the couch. The wood of the furniture squeaked while cushions beneath her caved beneath his weight. Like a bird he had perched himself on the back, legs on either of her sides. 

“Hien...? Why does that sound familiar?” She leaned further away from Hien, lost in thought. 

“You probably know me as Hien Rijin. My father was the lord of Doma before it was taken over.” 

This news had her mismatched eyes grow wide in surprise. The prince of Doma was alive?! Kirishimi twisted at the hip to look up at her rescuer but screeched at the sight of a knife in his hand. 

“What are you doing?! Don’t point that at me!!” She wailed, snatching up a throw pillow to defend herself. 

Hien puffed his cheeks and strained against his desire to laugh at her. “I’m going to preform an operation. If the scary lady will tell me her name, there may be some pain killers to be had first.” 

Pouting, Kirishimi reluctantly gave in, even sitting up straighter to give him better access to her bloodied shoulder. “Kirishimi Yasuragi.” 

“Ah. Cute name for a pretty and terrifying lady. Now, take your shirt off.” 

Smack. 

[caroline18mars]

A Man On Fire - Chapter 49

“VAL!! get OUT of my bed right now” he jumped up from the bed and switched on the light, how the hell did she get naked so fast? “how did you even get in here?” he shouted at the top of his lungs. ”Come on Jay, don't be so naïve! You can try and hide things for her, but you can't hide from me, I know you want this as much as I do, you and I have unfinished business mister!” she sat up on her knees on the edge of the bed and started untying the knot of his pajama bottoms, licking her lips. He swatted at her hands “stop it! I don't want this, when will you get that through that thick skull of yours? I'll ask you one last time, how did you get into my room?” he was absolutely livid. “You and I have been doing this a long time , remember? I know how to get into your hotelroom, I know all the cover-up names you use, I know YOU, Jared..like nobody else does” her arms wrapped around his neck. How many more times did he have to push her away, was she waiting until temptation would get unbearable and he just had to give in? Was there some #hetoo hashtag that he could use? “nonono Val, how many more times do I have to tell you? We're NOT an item anymore” he grabbed her wrists and untangled them from around his neck. “Oh come on, Jared, just one night, I need it and so do you..if my memory serves me right, you're not the man to live like a monk, you're addicted to sex” she licked her lips as he sternly held her hands behind her back “one night of harmless fun?”. Feeling her push her chest against his, had him step back “one night? You kiddin' me? That's just one night too many..what do you think is gonna come from all that? I'll tell you: a whole lot of trouble and for what? Just a quick shag?” he breathed “and I don't even want to! There's too much at stake now, I refuse to lose her over something as trivial as you being horny; so will you just keep those damn hormones of yours in check?”. There was a knock before the door opened and Shannon and Stevie walked in only to stop in their tracks when they saw the position Jared and Val were in “We heard voices so we decided to stop by with this” Shannon held up a bottle “but I can see you're really busy, so..” he grabbed Stevie's arm who stood there watching them dumbfounded “we'll be leaving, we'll be seeing you in the morning, keep it safe kids” he had to suppress his laughter as they turned around and left again.

”Argghh” she sat up straight in bed with a loud scream, her heart thumping in her chest as she tried to regain consciousness and figure out where she was, ok her loft, she was here in the safety of her own loft, but her stomach was cramping up like she was gonna be sick, something was wrong, she felt it. instinctively she grabbed her phone but when she wanted to press the call button, she hesitated. Wait, he's probably still sleeping, come on, breathe, no need to worry him with a stupid nightmare, you're not a baby, she calmed herself down and opened the mail app, she didn't have to think long about what she wanted to say, her fingers whizzed over the keys.

From: HCDeRobiano

To: BJLCubbins

Subject: Definition of a nightmare

nightmare

noun

noun: nightmare; plural noun: nightmares

a frightening or unpleasant dream.

"I had nightmares after watching the horror movie"

and I definitely didn't watch any horror movies (I hate those, they're a waste of time), but I did have a nightmare, I'm still shaking..Remember that I said Iwould dream about you? Well I did, but not in a good way, I dreamt about you being locked in a very hot sandwich with a few of your former girlfriends (mind you, I've never met or seen any of them, but in this dream they were all your typical size 0 skeleton models that I'm sure you dated by the truckload). The weird part was that I just stood there watching you (and I really don't have a voyeuristic bone in my body) and all those girls kept yelling and shouting at me that I was way out of your league and all you did was laugh and ridicule me. So I guess you could say it was pretty horrible!

The thing that's keeping me sane is knowing that you would never do that to me in real life, because you're the sweetest, most considerate boyfriend I've ever had, and I'm lucky to have you, right? RIGHT!

OK, now that it's out of my system, and I'm a lot calmer already, all I need to know is how you are, did you survive party night after all?

Anyway, hope you're dreaming better dreams about me, I'm about to go and run all this stress out of my system.

Bye man of my dreams (except for the nightmares)

Harper

The familiar and beloved beep roused him from his coma, hmmm, instinctively his hand ventured to his crotch to give himself a good squeeze, he was extra hard already thinking about his lover. A nightmare? What? Ex girlfriends? A hand that landed on his side startled him, whatwhatwhat? Why was she still here? Think, Leto, what the hell happened last night for her to be in bed with you?. “The fuck you're doing in my bed?” he quickly turned to face her, a storm brewing in his eyes, “what do you mean? You know I'm not the girl to leave after an orgasm, and definitely not after a couple of orgasms” she purred as her finger seductively trailed down his chest. Huh? “oh will you just stop, we did NOT have sex, Val” he spat back, but doubt already crept in, wait, god no, you weren't that drunk that you don't even remember what you were doing, “you're hurting my feelings here, Jared, it was great, you resisted for a while but I always know how to break down your wall with your own sledgehammer” she giggled and kissed his collarbone. NO way, they didn't, he did not, come on just try to remember, “look, I don't know why you're doing this, but there was nothing going on between us, alright? And that's exactly how I want to keep it! So, the only thing you're gonna do is get the fuck out of my room and you're not gonna stir up some shitstorm about nothing at all, is that understood?” groaning he got up from the bed, god he was naked..wait..how the hell..?, he didn't remember getting in bed naked. “I'm gonna get in that shower and you're gone when I get back” he stomped over to the bathroom and locked it behind him, seconds later she heard the water run, you're still the same old silly dumbass, Jared, leaving your phone all unattended, let's see what your so-called girlfriend's number is. “Had a wonderful night with your man, still as hot and roaring to go as ever, he's a fuckin' stick of dynamite” she stopped painting to check her phone thinking it was him..what? “I'm sorry but I think you've got the wrong number” she texted back, there was no name, not hers and not from the other person mentioned in the text and an unknown number. Ok, focus, green is a ridiculous colour, it's so frikkin stripy, there should be special courses to teach people how to paint with green, 'beep-beep' what now? Can't a girl just paint in peace? Still that same number, I don't know you and I don't want to know you! Still she picked up her phone and read the new text. “Oh, I'm pretty sure I've got the right number, Harper Coco, right? Jay's girlfriend? Jay who can't keep his dick in his pants when I'm around! Thanks Harper for lending him to me, it was an amazing night”.

From: BJLCubbins

To: HCDeRobiano

Subject: Re: Definition of a nightmare

Gorgeous woman of my dreams,

You're anything but a nightmare, so please don't ever stop strutting (that sexy strut of yours) around my dreams because they are the best dreams I've ever had. I know I'm repeating myself, and I know you're probably sitting there right now facepalming so hard, but I need you with me..so bad..so when are you coming over? If you don't soon, I swear I'm flying back to New York, fuck this tour, you're more important than this tour or anything on it.

Ok, I'll try to collect my thoughts before this missing you and longing spirals out of control, tour is going well so far, had a good couple of shows, the crowd is so 'in it', they know every word to the new songs already, the internet is a curious thing isn't it? When I was young (and I don't want to hear the 'old' word, I don't even want to hear you think it, ok?) we had to make the effort to go out there (mostly bother our mother to drive us to the record store, the other option was to get on your bicycle) get home, get a new needle on our recordplayer and then learn the lyrics by heart..ok fuck it, I AM old :-)

Oh who am I kidding? I can't collect my thoughts, I can't talk or think about anything or anyone else but you.

Maybe I should get on that plane after all? To keep you safe from all those stupid nightmares, there's absolutely no need for you to have them, I promise!

Love you to the moon and back!

Your Jay, forever and ever and ever! (we should be in that book you used to read about those famous men and their loveletters)

Harper's heart was beating out of control when she read his mail, what the hell was going on there? First those texts and now this e-mail from him, sent almost simultaneously, a little too convenient..enough to raise suspicion, wait, hang on, try and think rational about this..don't give in to that Italian temperament, you knew from the start that there's always a lot of girls hanging around him..don't give into temptation of locking yourself up and shutting him out again, don't let yourself go through that heartache again, on the other hand maybe this is all a set-up of some scorned ex or wannabe lover..hmm, you know what? Go and ask him yourself, you know exactly when he's lying don't you?

From: HCDeRobiano

To: BJLCubbins

Subject: Truth or Dare

Dear Mr. Leto,

It seems I'm getting mixed messages, can you tell all those little trollups you're fucking over there to give it a rest? That would be ever so kind of you and much appreciated by myself, because I don't know if my heart can take this nonsense all over again. You really didn't have to follow up on my nightmare and turn it into reality!

Harper Coco De Robiano

her fingers whizzed over the keyboard, all her good intentions of not shutting him out went out the door when the first tear fell, should she send this? Oops, too late! just go and see him..checking her bankaccount she sighed, paying off a few debts certainly hadn't done her finances much good, oh fuck it, just book yourself a planeticket and go see for yourself what really is going on there, do I want to know the truth? Or better Jay's version of the truth, at times like these she hated being on different continents..it would give him time enough to get rid of the evidence if that text was true..and he was a good actor, an Oscar-winning actor even, this was a fight she just couldn't win.

[hereiamhereigo]

The Nanny Chapter 6

Chapter 6 [Harrison Osterfield X Reader]

The Nanny

Pairing: Harrison O x reader (Tom in a starring role)

Warnings: Cuss words (sorry, I ain’t no lady)

Plot: Y/N is the nanny for the Downey family. She loves her job and can’t wait to see what the future holds for her. Maybe a boy with breathtaking blue eyes?

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4| Chapter 5 

Chapter 6

Y/N helped get Exton’s homework finished and helped make sure everything was cleaned to help take care of everyone’s kids. Y/N was not sure if everyone’s nannies were coming or not, but most of the time they did not. Only a handful of the cast had young children, so Y/N never minded.

Robert and Susan had an entertainment room that was attached to a movie theater. Y/N had stocked the room full of movies, snacks, drinks, toys, anything that could be needed.

Once everything was ready, she got both Exton and Avri fed and ready for a night of fun. There was no filming the next day and no school the next day. Most likely, this would be a full night of fun, with the adults staying up until the late hours of the nights, early hours of the morning. Once fed, Y/N took both Exton and Avri into the room where they would be hanging out for the night.

“What game do we want to play first? Hungry hungry hippo? Go fish?” Y/N asked.

“Hungry hungry hippo” Avri suggested, her usual preference. Y/N looked at Exton and he shrugged, not having much of a preference.

Y/N and both of them started playing, waiting for the other kids to show up. It took about an hour before the Hemsworth kids came in. They loved playing video games, so Y/N got them all set up while continuing to keep an eye on both Avri and Exton. Soon everyone had shown up and Y/N was busy keeping an eye on everyone. Luckily, there were several older kids were were able to assist her, although she tried hard not to rely on them.

Y/N looked at the clock, seeing it was nearing midnight and the kids were still going strong, although some were starting to get tired. Y/N had set up some of the guest rooms to accommodate kids that might fall asleep and she started to place them in there, letting their parents know as she did so.

While she was looking for Chris H or Elsa, she catch sight of both Tom and Harrison, they tried to wave her over, but she quickly walked away like she had not seen them. She needed to keep an eye on the kids. This was definitely not the time nor place to slip up.

The fourth time she wandered into the party looking for a parent, Harrison blocked her path.

“Hi, I know I’m not from around here, but I’m pretty sure its poor manners to ignore someone trying to talk to you” He said.

“I know, I am really sorry, but I am working tonight, not a guest. I have to go and find Chris Pratt. His little one fell asleep and I am the only Nanny tonight” Y/N said, craning her neck to try and find Chris.

“How about I accompany you as you try and find him?”

“That's fine, just please help me. There are like nineteen kids unattended in that room with one poor teenager watching them” The pair started to walk around the property, looking for anywhere that Chris may have gone. People were scattered everywhere, making it hard to find anyone.

“Why are you watching so many kids alone?”

“It's usually not this many kids at once, usually just like ten at a time plus I usually get a helper.”

“Please tell them they are paying you more for this.”

“I kinda feel like I owe them this, at the bare minimum.”

“Listen, I am sorr-”

“You don't have to keep apologizing. You and Tom are both off the hook, but I have to be really careful. Susan and Robert are watching everything I do. I have to be on my A game.”

“Well let’s help keep you on your A game right? I see Chris over there” Harrison said, pointing to where Chris was off talking to Robert. Y/N walked up, waiting for a pause in their conversation.

“Hi Chris, I’m Y/N the Downey’s nanny. Your little one passed out, and he’s asleep in one of the guest rooms.”

“Oh thank you, I’ll get him on the way out.”

“Of course, have a good night” Y/N turned and headed back towards Harrison.

“Thank you for helping me with that, but you can get back to your night. You don’t have to hang out with me” Y/N said, trying to get back to her work.

“Of course and I know I can, but I want to hang out with you. You seem like you could use the help. Could Tom and I maybe help you?”

“You don’t have to. The kids can be a handful and I want you to enjoy your night. You are here as a guest, not an employee.”

“I really don’t think it’s fair that you are so understaffed and I would like to assist you. At least until the odds are in your favor” Harrison insisted.

“Okay fine, but you are just there to have fun with the kids. No working like I’m doing, deal? I better not catch you cleaning anything.”

“I barely do the dishes at home, why would I do them here?” Harrison said as they weaved through the crowds.

They eventually ran into Tom- he was with Mark Ruffalo and Benedict. Y/N knew she had been away for too long and needed to hear back in case there were kids that needed to be laid down. She turned to let Harrison know where she was headed.

“Well let’s grab Tom and go inside” he said.

“I need to go back in now, I’ve been gone long enough as it is. One of the older kids is watching the younger ones for me, so you just come in when you feel like it. I don’t want to interrupt. Can you let Mark know this youngest is sleeping in one of the guest rooms? I have a feeling his other ones are about to crash soon too.”

“Uh, Okay. Will do but I think you should tell himself yourself” Harrison said, trying to keep her by him for just a few moments longer. Y/N quickly walked up to the trio.

“Hi Mark, your littlest one is sleeping in one of the guest rooms. I suspect the others will be joining in soon. Just wanted to let you know.”

“Oh thanks Y/N and thanks for watching all of the kids so our nanny could take the night off. It was nice of your to volunteer.”

“Oh of course. Anything to help everyone else relax” Y/N said, quickly disappearing into the crowd before the confusion could take over her face. Volunteered? More like volun-told.

Y/N headed straight back inside, putting all the kids that had fallen asleep into a guest room with their siblings and started cleaning. The room was a bit of a disaster, and Y/N would definitely be cleaning tomorrow as well, but she picked up as much as she could. She put away anything that wasn't being used, trying to get all the kids to go into the theater to watch a movie. There they were all together and doing one activity.

She had put away all the video games and was trying to clean up the game room when Harrison came in.

“Hey, how can I help?” Harrison said, reaching towards some games.

“I said no helping, but you can go sit with the kids and watch the movie with them while I pick up. I’m gonna clean tomorrow.”

“I mean, give me the hard job huh? Alright I can do that, but let me help a little.”

“No Harrison, please just go sit with them. That helps so much.”

“Alright, you got it.” Harrison walked in where the kids were, getting himself comfortable. He kept an eye, making sure to take the kids to bed as they fell asleep or getting them snacks and drinks as needed. He did a little work, but he didn’t need to let Y/N know. He knows she was overworking herself and she did not need to.

Y/N picked up everything, putting the room back in the way it was. She was actually able to clean everything except for vacuum. She figured that would be quick enough to do tomorrow. The cleaners did come down here, but she liked to clean it more frequently since she and the kids used it a lot. She thought it was strange no one came in needing anything, but she just figured they all fell asleep.

She walked into the theatre, expecting to need to take all the remaining kids to bed. Instead, all the kids were gone, the lights were on and the theatre was clean. Like spotless. In one of the seats on his phone, sat Harrison.

“Oh hey love, you need any help?” Harrison asked.

“Harrison, you didn’t need to. I could have done this.”

“I know, but I wanted to, so I did so. Plus, I think it’s unfair that you were expected to do this all by yourself. You would have been up all night doing this.”

“I would have gotten it done, but thank you.”

“I’m sorry, what was that?” Y/N rolled her eyes at Harrison who was smirking.

“Thank you.”

“You are more than welcome. Now what time are you done?”

“When all the kids are picked up. So probably a few more hours. I usually just stay here with a book so they know where to find me if they need me.”

“Can I stay with you? Or are you invested in a good book?”

“Of course you may stay. We can put another movie on or play a game, whatever you would like.” Y/N said, standing up to pick whatever Harrison wanted.

“Can we just talk? I feel like I haven’t really gotten to know you all that well darling. I would like the opportunity to get to know you.”

“Uh yeah, that’s fine. Whatever you would prefer. What do you want to know?”

“Well tell me about you. Where are you from, your family, how you got the job?”

“Uh, I am from (hometown). I have a mom and a sister. I got the job through a nanny service since the family I had been nannying for before didn’t need a nanny anymore.”

“How come they didn’t need one anymore?”

“Mom had another one and decided to stay home with the two little ones and they couldn’t afford me. It happens often when someone stays home and I kinda figured it was going to happen. Still sucked, but I was not blindsided. Tell me about you, Mr. Osterfield.”

The conversation went back and forth, with limited interruption from the families coming to pick up their kids. Once everyone had picked up their little ones, it was just a handful of guests left. The Downey’s had no problem with anyone needing to spend the night doing so, or staying later to sober up.

Y/N did get up to check on both of the Downey children several times throughout the night. Harrison never once complained or said made any comment about it, knowing this was her job. Eventually Tom popped in to collect Harrison.

“Hey Harrison, you ready to go? I’m pretty exhausted and we have a night shoot tomorrow.”

“Yeah, definitely. Let’s go.” Harrison got up, along with Y/N before everyone headed to the door. Y/N turned everything off and turned off the lights as they left the room. She walked them to the front door.

“Bye guys, have a good night/morning and I will see you both later.” She said as they headed out the door.

Both boys said their goodbyes and headed out to Toms rental car, getting in to head back to the car.

“Spill.” Tom instructed as soon as they were in the car.

“Mate, she really opened up to me, I think I really got somewhere.”

“Good, we just need to make sure you stay there.”

“Yeah we do and I have a feeling we gotta keep this under wrap. She was stressed tonight, did you know she was the only nanny for all those kids?”

“Are you serious? Jesus, that’s a lot of fucking kids. She got through it alright with the help of her hero.” Tom said, sending Harrison a smirk.

“Listen you little div, I think I really like her, but I’m not sure. We will see”

End of Chapter 6

Tag List: OPEN: 

Means I can’t tag you 

@spider-mendes @rsublett @multifandomlove2002 @the-claire-bitch-project @hazismyboo @frankhaleesi @maggiepalma @erynachoenthusiast @minibog @blingyellow  @lyssilinn-marvel @imyourdadssideblog @highladyjel @cloverrover

[sunsetinmyvein]

Bandom One Shot POV... Things - Grand Theft Autumn - Patrick Stump

A/N - Trying something a little different from what I normally do while Key of Reason is kind of at its midway point, something less sarcastic humour and romance and more serious/angsty. I felt like exploring various character traits I found interesting, and thought a good way to do that would be to write a random one-shot sorta thing about various band members, from their point of view. Also I felt like using various lyrics as dialogue puns/story points... I possibly used too many.

As of yet I've only written about a couple of members of Fall Out Boy but I also have intentions of writing about Panic! At the Disco and potentially maybe others. But there are definitely 2-3 more Panic! ones on the cards, one day in the distant future. 

Want some totally irrelevant songs to listen to while reading this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZb_mqH2zJY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbrUzJlTffs

“Pete, that’s the third time this week you’ve missed practice.” Patrick grumbled into his phone as the bassist apologised.

“I know, I know, but I really can’t make it. On an unrelated note: are you doing anything tonight?” Pete’s voice crackled through the phone.

“What? You know I’m not, you literally just cancelled on us.” He answered with frustration.

“Awesome, there’s a party tonight down the road from me and I want you to come.”

Patrick took a long pause, trying to compose himself before outright throwing his phone at the wall. “Pete… are you telling me… that you cancelled on band practice tonight so that you could go to a party?”

“So that we could go to a party.” He clarified.

“PETE!”

“’Trick, you’ve done nothing but work since we got signed; you can’t stay holed up in that studio forever. I think it would do you good to get out.”

“WELL I’VE GOT NOTHING BETTER TO DO NOW, DO I?” He shouted back.

“Good. Then I’ll meet you at mine at 8.” Pete answered calmly as the line went dead.

Patrick knew being angry would get him nowhere, and to be honest he didn’t mind the idea of going to a party. Truth be told, the reason he had busied himself with work was so that he didn’t have to be left alone in his own head for too long, so he’d rather go to a party than be left alone in his empty apartment. Ever since they got back to Chicago after their first tour things hadn’t felt right, and he was pretty sure he knew why. He just wasn’t ready to have to face the facts yet. So, he didn’t.

He cleaned himself up, neatened his sideburns, and tried to look his best for this party. Everyone in town knew who they were now, and this was the first time he’d be seen since they returned. They weren’t just those annoying kids who hand out fliers for their 3am, dingy bar gigs on street corners anymore, now they were signed. They were attached to a big-name label now, and even if the four of them didn’t feel like anything had changed, it seemed to everyone else that it had. He adjusted the cap on his head, taking one last look in the mirror before starting the walk to Pete’s house. It wasn’t a short walk, but the Autumn air didn’t quite have that Winter-y bite to it yet.

When he arrived, the bassist was impatiently waiting on his front porch, car keys in hand.

“Where have you been?”

Patrick checked his watch in confusion. “It’s only 7:30?” He asked as Pete grabbed his shoulder and all but shoved him into the car. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. What’s the rush?” He asked as his friend climbed into the driver’s seat.

“They cracked the keg over an hour ago.” The older man grumbled as he fumbled with his keys.

“Okay? We don’t drink?” Patrick questioned as the car struggled to bring itself to life.

“You three might not, but I do.” He answered with a roll of his eyes. The party wasn’t far from Pete’s house and Patrick was not entirely sure why he had wanted to drive. With how much time Pete spent trying to get the car working, they probably could’ve walked and gotten here in much the same time. They exited the car and stood on the front lawn, taking in the scene before them. According to Pete the party had already been going for over an hour, but it looked like maybe it had been longer than that. The heavy sound of the bass on a stereo turned up way too loud could be heard coming from the front of the house, various screams and loud laughter could be heard from the backyard, and a kid was already passed out next to the front door next to what Patrick hoped was their own vomit.

“All right, so should we-” Patrick turned to ask, only to see that Pete was gone. He let out a frustrated sigh. “Typical.”

He pushed his way through the crowd of people until he found the kitchen, the hub of every party that was ever held. Searching through fridges and pantries, he aimed to find something non-alcoholic that he could drink. After shoving a couple who were making out on the bench top out of his way, he was finally able to retrieve a mixer that someone had left unattended and claim it as his own. He made his way into the backyard, seeing Pete standing next to the keg on the back porch, talking to some girl. She seemed his type. Patrick figured he probably wasn’t getting a lift home. There was an above ground pool at the back of the grass, and too many people were already crammed into it. Probably more than what they advised was maximum capacity on the warning labels. But as the guitarist had learned from his career in music, alcohol can make people do some impressive things. Like fit thirty people into a pool that should hold ten. Nobody had recognised him yet. Which he was perfectly fine with, if it stayed that way it was his excuse to begin the walk home early before he had to watch his bassist drunkenly make out with yet another fan. As he began making his way back into the house a hand landed on his shoulder.

“Patrick!” Andy grinned at him.

“Hey, man! What are you doing here?” He asked as he spun around to face him.

“Got dragged here by a friend.” He shrugged casually. “You?”

“Same. Except that friend was Pete.” He huffed.

“He gave up band practice for this?” Andy asked as he looked around, feeling incredibly out of place.

“More specifically for that.” Patrick replied as he gestured to the girl standing next to Pete.

“Ah, yes… Our Pete was never one to shy away from a good time.” He noted. “C’mon, we don’t have to watch that.” He said he led Patrick back through the house.

They weaved through the party-goers until they found a quiet corner in the house to sit down.

“So how have you been? I haven’t seen you outside of practice.” Andy noted as he took a swig from the cup in his hand. Patrick had offered to share his secret stash of unattended soda that he’d found in the kitchen after noticing that the drummer didn’t have anything to drink either.

“Yeah, fine.” He said instinctively. Andy waited for him to continue. “What?” Patrick asked with a frown.

“Are you sure? You’ve never been quite this invested in your work. Someone might think you were… avoiding something.” He shrugged, trying to not come off as prying for information.

“I…” Patrick sighed deeply before glancing around the room, seeing nobody he recognised. “I haven’t been keen on coming home.” He admitted as he started into the contents of his cup.

“Why? You’re no Pete, you love Chicago.”

“Chicago, maybe, certain people though…” He trailed off. As if on cue, a familiar voice suddenly ran through the air, dragging his eyes to the top of the staircase. All his efforts came crashing down around him, all his time avoiding people in his room, all the hours poured into the studio in the week they’d been back. Because there she stood, her hair falling around her shoulders, her bright eyes sparkling in that same way he’d never shake from his memory, and just as he had feared, with some strangers’ arm wrapped protectively around her waist. “Fuck.” He muttered under his breath as his eyes shot back to the floor, hoping she hadn’t noticed him. Andy had pieced together what was wrong at this point, but he knew there wasn’t much he could do.

“’Trick, you’re better than that shit. You deserve better.” The drummer tried to reassure, but he didn’t hear anything over the racing of his pulse in his ears.

“Patrick!” He heard her voice call, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He couldn’t deal with this, not now. He wasn’t ready. He didn’t want to come home to this. He pushed past Andy and deliberately made himself lost in the crowd, shoving his way past people. The air in the house suddenly felt suffocating, and he needed much more distance than what this room allowed. He finally made it outside, looking around in a panic for his friend.

“Pete.” He said as he approached the half-drunk bassist.

“Mm?” He mumbled without tearing his attention away from the girl batting her eyelashes at him.

“PETE.” He repeated louder, finally getting him to turn around.

“What?” He asked in frustration.

“I need your car keys.” He said as he reached into his friend’s jacket pocket.

“What? Why? I need them!” He answered as he pushed Patrick back from him.

“No, you don’t; you can walk home. I need to leave.”

“Why?”

“I just do, okay? Just give me your damn keys.” He answered through gritted teeth, holding his hand out expectantly. Pete didn’t budge, he only stared back, eyelids drooping slightly under the influence of the alcohol. “Argh! You drag me to this party and now you’re gonna make me suffer because of it? Fine!” He trudged off into the night, wrapping his jacket tightly around himself and making his way home.

Unfortunately for him, his plan was not as clever as he had hoped it might be. As he came around the side of the house into the front yard he stopped a few inches short of slamming into someone, only to find it was exactly who he didn’t want it to be. His face fell as their eyes met and his stomach fell to the floor. He wanted to disappear.

“Patrick, I thought you might be here tonight! I missed you!” She said happily as she pulled him into a tight hug. He didn’t hug back, but that didn’t stop the scent of her familiar brand of shampoo washing over him, making him feel sick.

“I was just-” He started as he tried to look anywhere but at her.

“How was the tour? Your new album sounds great!” She questioned, standing far too close for comfort.

“It was… fine.” He swallowed hard, finally daring to look at her properly. He hadn’t seen her in months now, but that hadn’t changed a thing. She still looked the same, still looked at him with that same smile on her lips, and still made the butterflies in his stomach do somersaults. He hated it. At the start things had been great, hell, at the start he was pretty sure his feelings were reciprocated. But gradually it became apparent that her affection was just empty words said to make him feel better. All she offered him was pity while she went off and dated other guys, told him about how she worried for her future with them. Why wasn’t he worth that? When was he going to appreciate in value enough to be considered an option? If that’s what she needed, he could be that. If she’d give him the chance. “Where is your boy?” He asked, waiting anxiously for the guy to round the corner and punch him in the face.

“Ryan? He was here a minute ago.” She said as she turned to look behind her. As soon as she took her eyes off of him he was able to compose his thoughts, and took the opportunity to escape.

“I hope he is a gentleman.” He grumbled bitterly under his breath as he walked away quickly, hoping she wouldn’t notice.

“Wait! ‘Trick!” She shouted as she tried to catch up to him. He shuddered at the use of the nickname only she called him, it forced him to slow his pace. “What’s wrong?” She asked from behind him.

“You! You are what’s wrong!” He spat back, venom lacing his tone. He stood there in the cold, waiting for her to catch up, but she had stopped a few feet behind him. He spun to face her, seeing the look of confusion on her face. “You were all I wanted in this damn town, you know that? The record deal, the album, the fans, it meant nothing compared to what that would’ve. What we would’ve. And I feel like I’m the only person here who knows that.” He explained, taking a few angry steps towards her.

“Patrick, I-”

“No! I’m not done talking. Do you realise how many nights I’ve spent awake mulling over crap you’ve said to me? Over the ‘I miss you’s? Bullshit you fucking miss me. You never try to call when I’m on tour. Remember all those nights when I told you I loved you? And you’d ‘never forget it’? Well… forget it.” He let the words hang in the air, staring down at the concrete between them. It took a long time before she decided to speak.

“I’m sorry, ‘Trick. I didn’t realise.” He stood there looking at her like she’d just said pigs could fly. She didn’t realise?

“Well at least I’m still fucking trying! That’s more than I can say for the majority of the notches in your bedpost. Or… I was trying.” She looked back at him, looking hurt in the cold. “I’m done.” He said, watching her face fall. She tried to reach for his shoulder but he quickly shrugged it off, turning to walk home. Andy was right; he was better than this. He never thought he’d see the day that he finally walked away. But tonight, he appreciated in value.

[intrepidolivia]

Alexandria Country Club

Pairing: NeganXOlivia (OC)

Warnings: cursing, threatening behavior, sexual discussion

Summary: AU! Negan is security at a country club. Ordinarily it’s a boring job. Working a wedding reception one evening proves to be more interesting though, when one of the bridesmaids strikes up a conversation...

A/N: No idea where the Negan as Country Club security thing came from. But it came to me and I ran with it. May do more, since there’s only flirting in this bit...

    Negan hated weddings.

    Well, not weddings themselves so much as he hated the receptions. Usually, he could avoid the guests. After all, who spoke much to the roaming security guard at the Country Club? Most days his rounds were undisturbed as rich old people went out for a round of golf, visited the pro-shop, maybe had dinner. It wasn’t the type of crowd that got drunk and caused a problem. Most days if there were younger people, they were there with family. Trust fund kids trying to impress grandad, or trying to get contacts for later business. All of that was no trouble. The worst thing that happened on a day like that was someone locking their keys in their car.

    Weddings were different. People from out of town, guests of the club members, people who knew they were never coming back again… that type came in with weddings. And they caused trouble. Once the booze started flowing, some people lost any sense of propriety.

    Even worse, he had to dress up in a goddamn monkey suit.

    He sighed, standing behind the bar and watching the party swirl around him. The bartender had been run ragged, so Negan had little doubt more than a few of the partygoers were drunk as hell. He was keeping a particular eye on one knot of young men. He knew the type; used to getting things their way, used to being cock-of-the-walk. The type that didn’t like being told ‘no’ about anything. Alcohol only loosened up their inhibitions, and tended to lead to trouble. That was the type who decided to trash a rival’s car, or take a golf club to windows. Maybe steal a golf cart and tear up the lawns. It would make him very happy if they behaved that night, but he wasn’t sure they would.

    He was so busy watching the room he didn’t even see her come up.

    “Hey, excuse me? Could I get a glass of pinot?”

    Negan turned, about to tell her he wasn’t the bartender, and paused.

    She was one of the bridesmaids. It was hard to keep them straight with everyone moving around so much, but he’d seen a couple copies of that teal dress, gathered in little knots and moving around in herds. He didn’t think he’d really seen this one, though. He’d have remembered a lady filling that dress out so nicely.

    She wasn’t tall, and she was softly curved, the plunging neckline of the dress looking like it was made to make her look hot. Her red hair was up, tendrils falling in waves around a cute face with big green eyes. She had a chocolate brown shawl around her shoulders, and delicate jewelry. He might have appreciated the view and dismissed her as another society girl so far out of his league they weren’t even playing the same sport, but his eyes caught on her nails, painted in alternating teal and chocolate. It was a small, but unusual touch that made him pay attention.

    “Well, darlin’ I’m not the bartender, but I’ll do my best.” He grinned wolfishly at her.

    It was a little gratifying when her cheeks tinged a little pink. She leaned her chin in her hand as she watched him rattle through the wine bottles. “Sorry. You were behind the bar, so certain conclusions were inescapable.” Her voice was light and teasing.

    “Well, guess that’ll teach you to make assumptions.” He winked. Ordinarily he would not have been flirting with a guest, but, well… He held up a bottle. “That look about right?”

    She leaned forward to read the label, entirely unselfconscious about the view of her cleavage it afforded him. She grinned. “Looks like it,” she said. “That a good one?”

    Negan retrieved a glass, pouring a generous portion and setting it on the bar. “Beats me. I’m more of a whiskey man myself. I don’t know much about wine.”

    “I’ll say, this is a white wine glass.” She gave him a teasing smile, her tongue caught between her teeth as she picked up the glass. He had a sudden and very graphic fantasy about what he’d like that tongue to be doing just then.

    He chuckled. “Well, excuse the hell out of me, princess. Like I said, not the bartender.”

    The woman took a sip of the wine and giggled. “Hell, half the time at home I use a juice glass. I’m not nearly this fancy.” She tossed her head, indicating the lounge around them. She offered her hand. “Olivia.”

    He took it. She was small-boned, her skin soft. It was like holding a bird in his large hand; he was almost afraid he’d break her. “Negan.”

    Olivia arched an eyebrow at him, sipping the wine. “So, why are you behind the bar if you’re not a bartender, Negan?”

    “It’s the best place to keep an eye on things. And I didn’t want anyone crawling back here while the booze was unattended. You know, security type things.”

    She chuckled. “Security at a country club, huh? That must be thrilling.”

    “You’d be surprised. Sometimes not one but two people misplace their keys. And if I’m really lucky I’ll catch some kids cutting through the golf course.”

    Olivia laughed. It was a nice sound. “So you go put the fear of god in them?”

    “Something like that,” he chuckled. “So, why are you hanging out with me instead of your friends, Olivia?”

    “Well, for one thing you’re better looking,” she smiled, sipping her wine. “For another I’m trying to keep a low profile so I don’t scandalize the ancient families. Should my shawl slip an inch and show a glimpse of tattoo apparently it could mean the death by mortification of some great aunt or another.”

    Oh yes, he liked her. He eyed the shawl. “How many tattoos are you hiding under that thing?”

    She leaned closer, conspiratorially. “Two. Three if you count each wing separately. The more interesting question is how many the dress is hiding.”

    She was deliberately tormenting him. She had to be. He felt his body respond to her. Between her tease, and the soft scent of her perfume as she leaned closer… He wanted to drag her onto the bar and fuck her then and there. Wouldn’t that mortify the aunts something awful?

    “I gotta admit you have my curiosity, darlin’.”

    Her grin was wicked. Oh, she knew what she was doing, the little tease. “Excellent. It’s always nice to be intriguing.”

    “You know, I’m supposed to maintain a certain decorum when I’m working. You’re making it--” he stopped himself before he said hard. “...difficult.”

    She ducked her head. “I’m sorry,” she said. She sounded so sincere.

    “Don’t be.”

    She was about to say something more when a couple of the teal-clad bridesmaids wobbled up, unsteady on high heels and full of alcohol. Babbling about the bouquet toss. Olivia gave him an apologetic look.

    “I’ll find you again before I go,” she promised as she was dragged off.

    Negan doubted she would. He knew he was a good looking man, but he was also aware that a security guard rather a lot older than her probably wouldn’t hold the attention of a woman like Olivia for long. She’d tease and flirt, and give him nice thoughts to jerk off to later, but that was about it.

    As the night wore on, the older relatives drifted away and left the younger set. This was the most dangerous time in Negan’s experience. No one to behave in front of, an audience to show off for, and an entire evening of drinking behind them.

    He’d seen Olivia here and there, usually accompanied by one or more of her dress-clones. She’d caught his eye and grinned once or twice, and he’d winked back. It was nice, breaking up the monotony by flirting with a pretty girl.

    The dance floor would be the most likely to take care of itself. With the bartender and waiters around, he’d be alerted to any potential problems. The danger was the roamers; the young men who prowled around looking for trouble. So, he took a patrol through the rest of the building.

    He hadn’t seen Olivia in a little while, and he had to admit to a little disappointment. He doubted he’d see her again, unless the bride invited her out. It was too bad, but such was life. It was fun while it lasted.

    Negan was near the cloakroom when he heard voices. He almost dismissed it as some young couple finding a private area, but the sound was sharp and angry. He quickened his pace.

    “Get your fucking hands off me!” A woman’s voice. Strained with anger and perhaps fear. A voice he liked better laughing and teasing.

    A man’s laugh, drunk and entitled. “Oh, come on, baby. Don’t be such a bitch. I know bridesmaids are always looking to get laid at weddings.”

    One of the young men, one of the ones in a thousand-dollar suit and a tie that cost more than Negan’s tv, had Olivia cornered in the cloakroom. She’d drawn her shawl around her protectively. Her hair had come loose, spilling red waves around her shoulders. When Negan opened the door, she looked up at him like he was Captain fucking America.

    “What the fuck, this is a private conversation,” the young man said. His tone was arrogant and petulant. Oh he did not like being interrupted by the help. Negan wanted to pound the little shit into the ground. With an effort, he ignored him.

    “Ah, there you are. You left your credit card at the bar,” he said to her. He kept his voice pleasant and even, his smile wide. “I’ll walk you back.” He held out a hand to her.

    When she reached to take it, the man stepped between them. He was shorter than Negan. Much younger. There was vodka on his breath and anger in his eyes. “Hey, fuck off, old man. She wants to stay here.”

    Negan felt the smile melt off his face as he looked down at the young man. His dark eyes hardened, meeting the boy’s eyes. He wanted to hurt him. For a moment, he almost hoped the little shit threw a punch. Because then he’d have an excuse. His nostrils flared, and his voice, when it came, was low and dangerous. “Step aside for the lady.”

    For a moment, he thought vodka had robbed the kid of all good sense. Then he wilted under Negan’s gaze.

    The moment the young man stepped aside, Olivia’s hand was in his, holding tight like he was a lifeline. He pulled her out of the cloak room, perhaps a bit too roughly, still angry. She almost had to jog to keep up with his long stride as he led her away.

    “You all right?” he asked. He didn’t mean to sound gruff, but did.

    She nodded, looking up at him, all wide eyes and flushed cheeks. “Thank you. He wouldn’t take a hint.”

    He slowed, stopping before they came back to the ballroom. He looked down at her. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

    Olivia shook her head. She seemed a little shell-shocked. “N-no.” She fidgeted with the coat she had draped over one arm. “I went to grab my coat, then I was going to come say goodbye. Chet followed me. He’s been a slime all night.”

    Negan’s anger was slowly dissipating. He snorted. “Chet. Of course his name is fucking Chet.”

    She gave a small, giddy laugh. “I know. He might as well be wearing a sweater tied around his neck and carrying a tennis racket. Make the complete 80’s rich asshole picture.”

    He smiled, laying a hand on her shoulder. “You want me to walk you out to your car?”

    “Yes, please,” Olivia said, giving him a soft little smile.

    He helped her into her coat, and was pleasantly surprised when she took his arm as he walked her out. He felt eyes on them as they exited, and he wondered if he’d have more problems with Chet later on.

    He hoped so.

    Olivia directed him to a little green mini-cooper, which made him chuckle. She was cute, there was no denying that. And as far out of Negan’s league as she probably was, Chet wasn’t fit to breathe the same air.

    She paused, looking up at him. “Thank you again. For everything.”

    He gave her a grin. “Just doing my job, ma’am.”

    She smiled, giving a soft laugh. “I think you went above and beyond. So thank you. I’ll see you around, Negan.”

    He didn’t think so, but it was nice to think about. “See you, Olivia.”

    Before he could react, she went on her toes and kissed his cheek, pressing something into his hand. As she pulled back, she looked into his eyes, and got in the car.

    He watched her drive away, still feeling a bit bemused about the night’s events, and finally remembered to open his hand. He unfolded the paper he found there.

    Negan--the answer is the dress is hiding three more tattoos. --Liv

    Under the message was her phone number.

    He grinned, chuckling. Damn, that woman was certainly something. Carefully, he put the note in his wallet, and started to head back.

    Negan wasn’t even surprised that Chet was outside. Nor was he surprised he’d brought two friends. They’d managed to gather enough courage to meet him in the parking lot, jackets off, sleeves rolled up.

    “You shouldn’t have fucked with me, old man,” said Chet. Clearly he felt a bit more brave with backup.

    Negan sighed, looking between the three of them. Full of booze and confidence. Spoiling for a fight. He didn’t think they were going to back down.

    “Kid, you need to walk away right now,” he told the boy. He had to give him a chance. Calmly, Negan took off his jacket, laying it on the hood of the car next to him.

    The three laughed. “Think you’re tough, old man?” one of them jeered.

    “Shit, man. Let’s kick his ass,” said the other.

    Negan took off his tie, leaving it with the jacket. He felt a vicious grin pulling at his lips as he turned to face them. “I gotta tell ya. You boys have done fucked up,” he told them.

    He went to work.

[emulateharry]

story of my life

Chapter 6

Kacey walked up the jetway into Louisville International Airport and into the terminal.  It was a local joke that the only international flights that departed from there were UPS planes.  Nearly all the locals still called it Standiford Field.  Still, she loved her little airport that strived to be more.  Heading out of the secured area pulling her bag behind her, she saw Laura standing in the small crowd of friends and families meeting loved ones.  She was holding a fluorescent pink sign with ‘BITCHFACE’ written in black Sharpie.  Kacey laughed and practically ran to hug her.  Their embrace was fierce and attracted the attention of several young men in the crowd.  They tended to have that effect when they were together. 

They headed to the car that Laura had somehow managed to park just outside the door and leave unattended and un-towed.  She was charmed like that.  Once in the SUV and on the 20 minute ride home, Laura glanced at Kacey and demanded “Spill it.”

“Oh my god, Laura.  Harry Styles! I mean, he’s just…Harry Styles.  But he’s sweet and so hot. I mean so, so hot.  But funny and clever and smart.  And his voice is just…so smooth…except when he laughs like a hyena.  And he sang to me!  Just me.  And he was nervous to meet me.  Me!” Kacey gushed.

“So, is he packing?  From all those videos you made me watch he looks like it.  And does he know how to use it?  Spill it Day,” Laura insisted.

Kacey flushed pink and Laura, seeing that, almost wrecked the car in her shock.  “You’re blushing! YOU!  Little miss ‘I’ll teach you to bark like a dog.’  Oh, he must be something to make you blush just thinking about it.”

“What can I say? He’s just amazing,” Kacey admitted dreamily.

“So, when do I get to meet this paragon of fabulosity? Is he going to the premiere?” Laura asked, eyes narrowed a bit.

A tiny frown creased Kacey’s forehead as she answered “I’m not sure.  I want to visit him for one of his concerts.  We’ll figure it out.  But you will meet him.”

Laura turned up the wooded driveway and Kacey strained to look out the tinted window eager to see her house.  She had bought the lot and worked closely with the architect to create the home of her dreams.  It was a gorgeous conglomeration of wood and brick and stone with screened porches and balconies and huge windows. Her house was enormous with 5 bedrooms, 6 baths, large kitchen and dining room, exercise room, theater, den and more.  It sat on five wooded acres just east of the city and Kacey loved it.  She often wished that she could pick it up and transport it to England.  Stepping out of the car into the thick, humid air Kacey was currently the most grateful that it was air conditioned. 

Walking through the large oak and leaded glass front door, she paused to smile and appreciate that she was home.  Grabbing her small suitcase, she headed for one side of the enormous staircase and climbed up to the second floor and the master bedroom.  It was more of a master suite in actuality with a huge bedroom, sitting room, closet and bath.  Kacey had had the sitting room designed as a library and filled it with her favorite books.  There was a large, old fashioned four poster bed complete with canopy, and an enormous hearth reminiscent of 17th century homes.  The hearth was two sided with the other side open to the library.   In the back wall there were french doors leading to a screened balcony overlooking the pool and the land in the back of the house. 

Plopping her bag onto the bed, she walked into the bath.  A large Jacuzzi tub, fit for two, dominated the room.  At one end of the bath was a small fireplace over which was embedded a TV.  To the side of the tub was a full bowed window with a view of the side of the property and, in the distance, the neighbor’s house.  There was a shower enclosure in the corner with state of the art pulsating heads and a rain jet in the ceiling.  The walls were covered in a sealed, rough stone in rustic shades of brown with the cabinets in complementing shades of stained hardwood.  A door next to the sinks led to the closet.

 Kacey placed her toiletries in the counter and contemplated a bath.  She had been in airports and on planes all day and felt absolutely grimy.  Pulling two bath bombs from the basket next to the tub, she unwrapped them and dropped them into the tub then turned on the faucet, adjusting the temperature to hot. While it filled, she walked back to the bedroom to grab her phone.  After sending a quick text to Laura about her plans she undressed, pulled her hair into a messy bun on top of her head, and eased into the blissfully hot, scented water.  Her phone pinged from it’s spot on the ledge next to her.  It was a message from ‘Your Harry’ making sure she had arrived safely. 

She and Harry had been texting and talking and Facetiming several times a day since he left her flat on Monday morning.  He had already played two shows this week and was preparing for another tomorrow night so he was really pressed for time, but he made the time for her.   She was inordinately pleased about that.  She responded to him and they texted back and forth until she started to prune in the water.  They signed off and he promised to contact her the next morning.  She showered and pulled on a t-shirt and yoga pants then went down to the kitchen to rummage for some food. 

*

Kacey was only going to be home for a few days before leaving again for Los Angeles.  In that time she made the rounds visiting family she hadn’t seen in months.  She promised to come back the following week after she returned from California but before leaving for England again.  She felt guilty for not coming to see her dad more often and she missed him terribly but her stepmother made it uncomfortable.  Kacey had tried, she really had.  She had built the house for her dad and stepmom and three half siblings, not for herself.  But the woman did not drive and did not want to live so far away from her friends.  So instead, Kacey paid off their mortgage and kept the new house, changing the plans and making it her own.  She understood the situation;  Kacey was a clear reminder of her mom and the stepmother was a jealous, controlling woman.  Kacey did her best to avoid confrontation with her, not because she was afraid of her.  No, quite the contrary; because she was afraid she would unload on her.  She kept her tongue out of respect for her father and to not make things difficult for him.  But heaven forbid that Kacey ever discover that her dad was not being treated well or taken care of properly; nothing would save the stepmonster then.

Kacey called some friends to arrange for a lunch or dinner date but they were all busy with their husbands or kids.  Her oldest friend, Beth Piccolo, invited her to a cookout the first weekend in August and Kacey promised to come. 

“Probably wants to tell you how great it is to be married to Lawrence and to be a mom and to look down her short little nose at your life,” Laura snarked when Kacey told her.

“You are invited as well, Laur.  I wonder if they still think we are a couple. I still can’t figure out where they got that idea,”  she wondered.

“Oh, I know where they got it.  We were at that new year’s party before you left for England and their sleazy friend Ronald was hammered and kept hitting on you.  He wouldn’t take no for an answer so I told him we were together and I would cut his balls off if he touched you again,” Laura replied matter-of-factly.

Kacey stood with mouth agape looking at Laura for a long moment before bursting into laughter. 

“I had forgotten about that night!  That’s hysterical.  Oh, I love you Laura.”

“Yeah, he eventually married one of their other friends, Louann, I think,” Laura said absentmindedly as she put groceries away. 

“Why do you keep up with them?” Kacey asked, handing her the veggies for the fridge.

“Oh, I don’t.  My mom spills all the neighborhood gossip when I go to dinner on Sundays.  There is nothing quite like the parish grapevine.”   Kacey laughed in response.  It was good to be home.

*

Thursday morning Kacey and Laura drove to the airport before dawn to catch the first flight to Los Angeles.  The premiere was on Sunday and they wanted a couple of days to acclimate to the time change.   Kacey texted Harry a good morning and promised to call when they arrived at their hotel.  It was a good flight, they had a non-stop, and they chatted and slept for the four and a half hours.  Landing at LAX just after sun up, they hustled to the baggage claim and then looked for the car and driver Kacey had hired.  They made it to the hotel easily and checked in then ordered breakfast.  They planned to spend the next two days swimming and sunning, carefully on Kacey’s part—she didn’t want to be sunburnt for the premiere—and getting full spa treatments.  If Harry had been there it would have been perfect.

*

The premiere was going to be amazing; amazingly scary.  Kacey had never been on a red carpet before and was nervous.  She was worried about being the focus of so many cameras and gawkers.  What if she fell?  She reminded herself to ask Jennifer what that was like.  How would she handle the questions?  All the microphones and the people screaming at the red carpet?  All the celebrities?  What in the world would she say to them? 

“I think you’ll mostly be saying thank you after they compliment you on your performance,” Harry said calmly. 

“But what if they want to talk?  I hate small talk!”

“Just imagine that you are on a chat show,” he said, the grin evident in his voice.

“I get nervous on those too!”

“Kassidy, you will be charming and beautiful and you will probably need security to keep away all the men, and women, who will be trying to seduce you.”

“Laura is here with me.”

“Ahh, from what you’ve told me about her, you’ll be fine then.”

“I wish you were going with me,” she said in a voice so small she practically whispered.

“I do too.  I miss you.  But I’ll be back in England in about six weeks.  I’ll see you then?”

“You’d better.  The to do list has grown so large, we’ll have to work extra hard to get through it.”

“Large and extra hard, eh?  Why Miss Day, I believe you are teasing me.”

“Did it work?”

“Hearing your voice was enough.”  There was a noise in the background and then, “Oh, bloody hell. I have to go, sound check.  I’ll talk to you tomorrow?  Call me when you wake up?”

“Yes.  Have a great show tonight.”

“Have fun, love.”

*

The stylists had picked out a dozen dresses for her to try but they were all so revealing that she felt uncomfortable.  Being naked for Harry was one thing, being practically naked on television when her dad was watching was another.  Scouring the internet, she found a dress that she liked.  It was a House of Worth gown from 1928 and it was stunning.  She had spent weeks trying to find one that was for sale and not in a collection.  She finally found one in New York where a family had been clearing out their attic and discovered a trunk of great-grandma’s gowns. Her bank account had squealed in protest but she didn’t care; you only got one first premiere.  Plus, she would get a tax write off when she donated it to the London Fashion and Textile Museum.  

The studio had arranged for her to borrow jewelry from Harry Winston which was both wonderful and terrifying.  The diamonds were beautiful yet it gave her serious palpitations to think of wearing a necklace that cost twice as much as her house.  Kacey wasn’t usually a fan of big, flashy pieces but she chose the Winston Cluster necklace and matching drop earrings and ring because they reminded her of Harry’s laurel tattoos. The security guard transporting them would be at her hotel room soon, and would accompany her all night to keep it all safe.  The thought gave her some comfort.

“Are you about ready, Kase?”  Laura asked as she walked into the room.  Kacey was glad to have her best friend here with her to share the fun. 

“Just waiting for the ‘baubles’ to arrive,“ Kacey grinned.  Laura walked over and stood next to her in front of the mirror, her deep teal dress a complement to Kacey’s sea-foam green overlaid with gold.

“Not too shabby for two girls from Cherokee Park, eh?” she mused, giving her a hug.

“Not too shabby at all.”

A knock on the door to the suite announced the arrival of the security guard.  Laura went to open the door and Kacey turned back to the mirror.   A minute later Laura returned with a very handsome, tall, dark haired man in an impeccable black tux.   He introduced himself as Mark and proceeded to unpack the jewelry.  He helped Kacey fasten the necklace and then watched as she donned the earrings and ring.  The sparkle was incredible. 

“Wow.  You really look like a princess,” Laur whispered.

“I almost feel like one.”

“Ladies, the car is waiting downstairs.  Ms. O’Hara, if you would go first, then you Ms. Day.  I will be right behind you.”

They filed out in that order and  got in the elevator.  The ride to the first floor was mercifully short, probably because Mark bypassed all the other stops with the code he had obtained from hotel management.  They walked straight out through the lobby to the waiting limo and climbed in.  Though the hotel was close to the theater, the trip took almost 45 minutes.  Mark entertained them with stories about his previous times on the red carpet with celebrities.  Kacey laughed so hard, she forgot to be nervous as they inched their way up the limo queue line. Finally arriving, she took a deep breath and plastered a small smile onto her face.  The door was opened by attendants and Mark got out first, turning to assist Kacey.  A shout went up as she stepped out of the car.  She looked around her to see who had arrived, expecting to see her better known co-stars, and then she realized—they were shouting for her.  She looked back at Laura, wide-eyed.  Laura shooed her to begin her walk to the entrance. 

Kacey walked sedately, waving and smiling to the crowd.  The camera flashes were almost blinding in the late afternoon sun; she could only imagine how bad it would be in the dark.  She stopped at the first interviewer, envying Laura who was walking directly into the theater.  E!News, Extra, MTV, Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight; they were all there.  She stopped and spoke to each one and managed to make coherent conversation without embarrassing herself.  Near the entrance she stopped to sign a few autographs and then she was inside, Mark discreetly right behind her.  Laura was waiting for her and Kacey smiled and said “Right, then.  Let’s get a drink.” 

She spent the next half an hour posing with her co-stars and greeting guests.  Mark and Laura were never far away.  Laura managed to entertain herself chatting up several eligible bachelors.  At last it was time to find their seats.  The lights dimmed and the movie started.  Kacey hated watching herself on screen and allowed her mind to wander to Harry instead.  She missed him.  It had been over a week since she had seen him, though they talked every day.  He and the boys were in Canada playing shows every other day until they played in Indianapolis in two weeks.   After that they had 5 days off before the next concert.  Sitting in the dark theater, ignoring the movie on the screen, she got an idea.  She would go home and visit for a bit then she would drive to Indy and surprise him at the concert.  Maybe he could even return with her to stay at her house in Kentucky for a few days before rejoining the tour. Maybe her assistant could get her meet and greet tickets for the sold out show.  That would be perfect!  She would pull every string she could find to make that happen.  Harry would be gobsmacked. 

The sound of applause startled her out of her reverie.  The credits were ending and the lights were coming up.  The director walked to the stage and made a little speech thanking everyone.  People began filing out and heading to after parties.  Mark accompanied Kacey to a private room in the theater and collected the jewelry.  Kacey thanked him for all his help, relieved to take off the beautiful pieces.  She corralled Laura and they headed to the first party to celebrate.

*

Harry was in the hotel after a late dinner.  He had showered and ordered a room service dessert and was now sat on the bed firing up his laptop to find video of Kacey’s red carpet. He googled her name and dozens of images popped up.  Clicking on a video, he watched her exit the limo and begin the walk.  He was so proud.  She was graceful and self-assured.  In the interview she answered the insipid questions smoothly and managed to make the on air personality laugh.  He watched every video and scrolled through the still photos.  There was one that he paused and stared at. 

She was standing still, the sun behind her.  Her blonde hair was swept up on her head with little tendrils escaping artfully and it shone like spun gold.  The smile on her face was serene and she was looking directly into the camera.  The diamonds at her ears and throat were almost glowing.  Her dress was from another age and, next to the more revealing modern fashions, set her apart.  She looked utterly regal, lacking only a tiara and a title.  She had told him that she could trace her family tree to the Tudors and Stewarts and Plantagenets.  Tonight he could see it, he only wished he could see it in person.

He had been talking to Kacey daily over the last week or so since their ‘sleepover’ weekend but it wasn’t enough.  What was that song lyric? ‘A taste of honey is worse than none at all’? Completely accurate.  He wasn’t sure what had happened to him.  Since he saw her interview six months ago, she had been a fixture in his mind.  After he had actually met her, he had a hard time concentrating on anything else.  But since he made love to her, he felt like he was drowning and she was his only lifeline.  Oh my god Styles, get a grip.  She was just another woman.  He frowned at his own blasphemy yet was not willing to admit, even to himself, that he was falling for someone he had just met.  Shit.

*

Kacey and Laura walked into the party and all heads turned to them.  They were a stunning pair, both blonde, both petite, both with intense blue eyes.  As they moved across the room, people gravitated to them.  Their laughter was infectious and they received a lot of attention, just as Harry predicted, from both men and women.  Kacey tried very hard to be gracious and kind to each person and succeeded, for the most part. 

Kacey had just met Zendaya and chatted pleasantly with her for several minutes while not having any idea who she was.  A voice she had heard before came from behind her: “Well look who it is!  Kacey Day.”

She turned to see a tall, dark haired man smiling big and reaching his hand out.  Kacey took it and gave him a firm handshake.  “Jimmy Fallon, I presume,” she grinned.  “It’s nice to meet you. I love your show.”

“Well thank you.  You did a great job in this movie.  You stole the show.”

“Oh, I hardly think that, but thank you just the same.”

“Trust me, you did.”

Kacey blushed and mentioned what a wonderful job the stars did, and how lucky she was to work with them. Jimmy was not to be diverted.

“Now, Miss Day, you just wait.  When the nominations come out this fall, yours will be the name they call.”

At that Kacey actually snorted  and then, mortified, apologized while he laughed delightedly.    

“I’ll make you a bet.  I’ll bet that you will get at least two nominations for awards season.  If I win , you have to come on my show as the musical guest.” 

“But I don’t sing or play any instruments.”

“Come on Kacey, stop being modest.  Your voice is lovely and you know it.”

“Hmmm.  I don’t know that and it might just be a punishment for you if I were to sing on your show.  What about if I win, which is much more likely you’ve got to admit.”

“I’ll admit no such thing.  If I lose, I’ll donate $5000 to the charity of your choice and promote it on my show.  Do we have a deal?”

Kacey gave him an appraising look, then reached out her hand.  “Deal.”

“Excellent! I’ll have my booking secretary call to schedule an appearance…just in case.”

“But if you lose…” she trailed off.

“ I would still love to have you as a guest.  So it’s a win-win,”  he shrugged with a smile.

“For me as well.  Thank you.”

“Well, it was nice to meet you , I’ll stop hogging  your attention now.”

As he walked away, Kacey remarked to Laura “I just made a bet with Jimmy Fallon.  Pinch me. OUCH! Not so hard, Laur!  That’s gonna leave a mark!”

*

Laura had just snagged a drink for the two of them from a passing waiter when two women swaggered up.  They were both tall and thin and wearing amused expressions and little else.  Their skintight dresses had large cut-outs and strategically placed bands of fabric.  One was fair while the other was dark.  In what Kacey could only describe as a mean girl tone, the fair one said “I just have to ask who you’re wearing tonight” as her friend snickered. 

Kacey smiled calmly and said “This is a vintage House of Worth.”  The dark haired one, obviously over-served, muttered something sarcastically and the fair one smirked. 

“I don’t believe we’ve met.  I’m Kacey Day,” she said extending her hand.

Somewhat offended, the fair one said “I’m Gigi Hadid,” annoyance in her tone as she ignored Kacey’s gesture.

 Laura was gripping her glass tightly, smile on her lips but eyes slitted.  Kacey leaned to her and whispered in her ear “Back away from the bimbo, Laura.”

“Are you an actor, Gigi?” Kacey asked, turning back, keeping her tone affable.

“Nooo, I’m a model.”

“Oh, of course you are.  You seem familiar.”

Gigi’s companion rolled her eyes and said, with a slight slur “We should.  We’re Victoria’s Secret Angels.”

“Ah, that would explain it,” Kacey shrugged apologetically.  “I don’t shop there.”

Tittering, the models gave her the once over.  “We can see that,” Gigi purred. The dark haired one mumbled something about granny panties to go with granny’s dress and they burst into laughter.  Kacey, smile still plastered to her face, glanced around her and noticed a short older man watching the exchange intently.

A dark haired, bearded man walked up and handed Gigi a drink. As she took a sip, he checked Kacey out, eyes lingering on her curves.  Kacey recognized him as Zayn and introduced herself politely.  He congratulated her on the movie and they exchanged pleasantries for a few moments before he excused himself and guided the women away.  Laura looked like she wanted to go after them but Kacey stayed her with a hand on her arm. 

“Not worth the jail time, Laur.”

“The little bitches!  Kacey, they both need to have their asses kicked.”

“ Ahh, Laur, you know that she who stirs the shit pot must soon lick the spoon.  Bless their hearts.”

The older gentleman burst out laughing and approached them.

“I’m sorry to eavesdrop my dears.  Young lady, you handled that well.  They aren’t usually that bad but I think they are a tad jealous and quite a bit drunk.”

Smiling genuinely now, Kacey replied “Thank you Mr….?”

“Azoff, Irving Azoff.  And you are Kacey Day.”

“Yes sir.  This is my friend Laura O’Hara.”

“Laura, nice to meet you.  Call me Irving, please.  Kacey, I enjoyed your performance, you have good comedic timing.”

Realization of who she was talking to hit Kacey suddenly.  Her eyes widened and she stammered “Th-thank you!  That means a lot coming from you Mr.Az–, er, Irving.” 

“Aw, now Kacey, I’m just a little old Jewish guy with some famous friends.”

With a slight glint in her eyes, Kacey replied “ma shlomkha?”

Irving smiled widely in surprise and responded “at medaberet ivrit?”

Grinning now, Kacey said “ken. anee medaberet ktzat ivrit.”

Laura watched, confused, as they started laughing. 

“How did you come to speak Hebrew?” Irving asked.

“I took it in high school.  I loved it, it was so different from the other language classes I took. I really don’t remember much now, just a few phrases.”

“Intelligent as well as beautiful and charming.  Do you have any other hidden talents?” he asked knowingly. 

“Such as?” she asked, a tiny frown on her forehead.

“You seem to have, shall we say, a flair for turning a phrase,” he said, eyes twinkling.

“How did you know?” she inquired surprised.

“It’s my business to know who and what is popular Kacey, or do you prefer Peg Hughes?”

She regarded him for a moment then pursed her lips before saying “You know, Irving, I think you could be quite an intimidating little man if you weren’t so darn cute.”

Heads all over the room turned to look at them as Irving whooped with laughter.  They talked for a while longer and then Irving excused himself saying that he didn’t want to dominate her time.

“You are a joy, Kacey.  If you are ready for different representation, call me.”

She kissed him on the cheek and promised that she would. 

The rest of the night went by in a blur.  They went to another party and repeated the same conversations with similiar people.  At midnight Kacey turned to Laura and asked if she was ready to go back to the hotel, her fatigue beginning to show.  Laura was eager to get out of the dress and heels and take a shower.  They made their goodbyes, blaming jet lag for the early departure, and escaped into the limo.

“Excellent idea, as usual Kacey.  If I’d had to talk to one more self absorbed jackass I think I would have cracked.”

“Some of these people do seem to think very highly of themselves don’t they?”

“Are you serious?  Those egos are so big I’m surprised they could all fit in one room.”

“Well, they are some very talented people.  Maybe they’re just insecure deep down and over compensate.”

“Oh, some of them were definitely compensating for something.  Tiny little packages, I suspect.“

Kacey giggled.  “You kill me Laura.”

*

“Good morning, Hersh”  Jeff’s voice sounded in Harry’s ear.

“Morning, Jerome.  Whatever are you doing up so early?”

“Got a breakfast meeting.  Thought I’d see how you were and tell you a little story.”

Harry was suspicious; Jeff sounded far too chipper.  “I’m well.  What story?”

“It seems that Dad met a, and I quote, ‘lovely young woman’ at a party last night.  He said that she was beautiful and delightful.  He said she reminds him of you.”

“Kassidy?” Harry grinned, pride blooming in his chest. 

"One and the same. He introduced himself at a party after Gigi and Kendall, drunk as usual, gave her some shit.  Said she handled it graciously.”

The flare of anger startled Harry, but he ignored it. “What were they saying to her?”

“Oh just catty bullshit about her dress  or something.”

“What the hell? She was gorgeous in that dress.  She looked like an actual princess.”

“I know.  I saw the pictures.  You know those two when they get together.  Zayn escorted them away a few minutes later.”

“Zayn was there too?  Tell me he didn’t—“

“No, no, no.  Dad said he seemed a little embarrassed.  She made some comment to the friend she was with after they walked away and it made dad laugh.  He was going to come to her defense but she didn’t need it.  Did you know she speaks Hebrew?”

“No! Does she?”

“A little bit, apparently.  Your girl has thoroughly charmed Irving and you know how often that happens.   Last person to pull that off was you.”

“My girl,” Harry echoed, the pride welling up again.

*

Kacey’s alarm went off at 6 and she groaned as she pressed snooze.  Her internal clock was all befuddled, the 8 hour time difference between London and LA was killer.  Knowing she wouldn’t be in California long enough to fully acclimate, she was trying to stick to a schedule similar to the one she kept at home.  Reluctantly, she rolled out of bed and went into the bathroom.  5 minutes later she emerged in a sports bra and yoga pants ready to head down to the hotel gym.  An hour and a half later, after walking 4 miles on the treadmill and doing some curls, lifts and crunches, she let herself quietly back into the room.  Laura was still dead to the world as she hopped in the shower. 

Wrapping herself in a towel, Kacey walked back into her room and checked out the room service menu.  She placed an order for both herself and Laura and walked to the minibar to make a cup of coffee.  Creamed to her satisfaction, she carried the cup over to sit on the bed to call Harry. 

The phone barely rang before she heard his deep, dulcet voice “Good morning, beautiful.”

“Good morning, handsome.  How was your day?” she asked with a yawn.

“It was good.  Travel on the bus is long, as usual. How was the premiere?”

“It was scary and exciting and fun.  The parties were a bit tedious, but I met some lovely people.”

“I saw your pictures from last night.  You were stunning baby.  I’m sorry I couldn’t be there,” Harry’s voice was soft.

Kacey blushed, “Me too.  Laura was in rare form.  Her running commentary about people kept me laughing all night.  I did meet Mr. Azoff last night.”

“Irving? What did you think?”

"I think he can be delightful when he wants to be but he is a shrewd man,” Kacey said thoughtfully

“Yes, exactly. He is a powerhouse and his son is a carbon copy.  Jeff and I have been friends for years.”

“Laura and I are going to veg until it’s time to leave for the airport.  We fly out at 3 and we’ll get home about 1130.”

“Call me when you get home tonight?  So I know you’re safe?”

“I promise.  Oh! There’s room service.  I’ll talk to you tonight.”

"Safe travels, baby.”

[vacationsoup]

New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/ten-top-secret-beaches-in-thailand/

10 Top Secret Beaches in Thailand to Enjoy Picturesque Landscapes and Pristine Nature

There’s no doubt about it – South East Asia is home to some stunning coastlines. Despite becoming increasingly popular, it is still possible to escape to the road less traveled. Here’s your personal guide to finding top secret beaches in Thailand, many of which are almost unknown to the world of tourism.

Whether you prefer romantic strolls through soft white sand, peaceful evenings watching the sun dip below the horizon or snorkelling among the diverse species which inhabit Thailand’s coral reefs, you can rest assured that there is an idyllic hidden beach waiting for you.

Koh Mai Phai

That’d look good in any scrapbook! Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fischerfotos/7448007178

Also known as Bamboo Island, the clear waters of Koh Mai Phai are home to one of the many hidden beaches in Thailand which remain relatively secret from the tourist industry. Unlike some of it’s more popular neighbours, you can be sure to find privacy in this stunning coastal paradise.

A superb spot to take a dip, the shallow waters are home to an abundance of peaceful marine life. As of yet, there are no resorts on the island, however, for a truly unique experience visitors are permitted to pitch a tent and enjoy a night of stargazing in complete isolation.

Location: Kok Mai Pai Island, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand

Sunrise Beach, Koh Lipe

It’s not called Sunrise Beach for nothing! Image Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/202521314472324125/

Towards the Malaysian border lies the island of Koh Lipe, a picturesque and blissful retreat which will have you believe you have stepped into a postcard. It will come as no surprise that the location has become known among tourists as the ‘Maldives of Thailand,’ due to the pristine waters and white sands.

With some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, Sunrise Beach, in particular, is an unmissable place to catch some early morning rays. The stunning hues of red and orange glancing across the sky make for a fairy-tale start to the day.

Location: Sunrise Beach, Koh Lipe, Satun, 91000 Ko Lipe, Thailand

Shark Bay Beach, Koh Tao

Not for the faint-of-heart! Image Source: http://www.thediversboat.com/try-scuba-diving/

Although popular amongst snorkelers and divers for obvious reasons, Shark Bay Beach remains one of the top secret beaches in Thailand. A hive of beautiful marine life, this spot in Koh Tao also boasts an exceptionally clean and tranquil beach, sparsely dotted with palm-trees and jungle plants.

A perfect day trip, there are plenty of eateries nearby, although the unparalleled scenic view makes for a great picnic spot. Even the less brave should take full advantage of the opportunity to snorkel here; locals guarantee that the blacktip sharks which frequent the area are harmless!

Location: South East Koh Tao, Koh Tao, Thailand

Monkey Beach, Koh Phi Phi

We wouldn’t recommend getting this close! Image Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYa8L9eM5EM

Inaccessible by land, visitors can rent a kayak from the northern bay of Koh Phi Phi for a few hundred Baht before making the twenty-minute paddle to Monkey Beach – one of the many hidden beaches in Thailand. Take the trip towards the evening –you’ll have the place to yourself and can watch the sunset between awe-inspiring rocks on your return journey.

As the name suggests, a group of wild monkeys still frequent the soft white sands of this bay and will pinch anything that is left unattended for too long! Rest assured that they won’t bother you so long as you watch from a respectful distance.

Location: Monkey Beach, Koh Phi Phi Don, Thailand

Thong Nai Pan, Koh Pha Ngan

Perfect light relief from the full moon parties. Image Source: http://www.kosamui.com/ko-phangan/thong-nai-pan/

Koh Pha Ngan is famed among backpackers for the booze-fueled half and full-moon parties which take place in the south of the island. Perhaps why the beautiful northern coast remains home to some of the most top-secret beaches in Thailand, which are often overlooked.

Thong Nai Pan lies on the north-easterly tip of the island and boasts stretches of unblemished golden sand so wide that it is unlikely to ever feel over-crowded. It’s also a great spot to watch the sunset!

Location: Thong Nai Pan Beach, Ban Tai, Ko Pha Ngan District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Pristine nature of Koh Kradan

Another spot of postcard-perfect bliss, Koh Kradan is certainly among the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. It is known for pristine white sands and sparkling clear waters which are sure to steal the show in any family photo album.

Located close to the Trang mainland, this beach is perfect for a lazy seaside stroll in peace as there are no roads nearby. As most of the island is under the protection of the Hat Chao Mai National Park, it is still a haven of unspoiled nature and seclusion.

Location: Island Road, Koh Kradan, Thailand

Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi

Get there early for the best chance of a peaceful visit. Image Source: http://www.activityfan.com/activity/early-bird-maya-bay-tour-a1204/

Despite its high popularity, Maya Bay still deserves its place on any list of the most beautiful secret beaches in Thailand – so long as you know when to visit! After the 2000 film The Beach, the bay has become increasingly popular, however visiting as early as possible will allow you to enjoy the scenery in relative peace.

You won’t regret the early morning trip – the awe-inspiring jagged cliffs make for a breathtaking experience which will make you feel like you’re in a movie yourself. Although not one of the top secret beaches in Thailand, Maya Bay deserves its place on this list. Truly a once in a lifetime experience!

Location: Maia Bay, Phi Phi Ley, Koh Phi Phi Don, Thailand

Koh Rok

A well-kept secret! Image Source: http://www.thaiphuketours.com/travel/tour-koh-rok/

Nestled to the south of Koh Lanta are the twin islands of Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Noi, both of which remain practically undiscovered by tourists. On these islands, you will find some of the most gorgeous hidden beaches in Thailand that you’ve never heard of.

Particularly excellent for snorkelling, expect to see angelfish, turtles and sea snakes among the underwater corals – if you look hard enough! Featuring some of the finest, whitest sand you are likely to come across, these beaches are a genuine hidden gem.

Ko Rok Noi / Koh Rok Nok, Ko Libong, Kantang District, Trang, Thailand

Tubkaak Beach, Krabi

The perfect spot for watching the sun go down. Image Source: https://www.audleytravel.com/thailand/places-to-go/krabi

Tubkaak Beach is the perfect spot for families, as despite being situated near the popular town of Krabi it remains refreshingly isolated from tourists. This long, sandy beach is perfect for anyone in the area looking to get an exclusively peaceful glimpse of the sunset.

With very little nearby, be sure to pack everything you will need for your relaxing evening on the beach before you arrive – the beach is a half-an-hour taxi drive from Krabi, and you are unlikely to find much in the way of commercial operation in between.

Location: Tubkaak Beach, Nong Thale Subdistrict, Krabi Town 81000, Thailand

Koh Nang Yuan, Surat Thani Province

View of Koh Nang Yuan

Often, tourists breeze through the port of Surat Thani on their way to the larger islands of Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan without stopping to think – which is why Koh Nang Yuan (near Koh Tao) remains home to one of the top secret beaches in Thailand.

For those willing to explore the island of Koh Nang Yuan, the pristine and unspoiled natural landscapes will be a well-deserved reward. A short walk up to the nearby viewpoint will provide an almost birds-eye panoramic view of the whole beach, which is stunningly picturesque. A relatively sheltered bay with shallow waters, this beach is ideal for kids.

Location: Koh Nang Yuan, Koh Tao, Thailand

Ready to feel the soft sand between your toes? Check out those marvellous Thailand holiday rentals and start planning your getaway now!

[angelinteractivestories]

Lauren and Anon - 5

Lauren took you to a ramen shop to show you some gratitude for the necklace. She was being oddly attentive to you the entire time. Considering how she had been acting toward you at the party it was an odd experience. Not an unwelcome one, but odd nonetheless.

You had finished eating and were both walking to nowhere specifically. She was silent again, looking around the city as you went. Everything was oddly grey today. The pavement was lighter than normal, buildings darker than you remember, her hair wasn't the same shade of brown either. Nor her eyes. Everything had a much more dull tone to it. It was an unsettling realization.

Try to talk.

"Thanks for the ramen." She nods, continuing to walk. Her eyes and glancing around, back and forth from the street to the buildings. "Was your Christmas good?"

"Yeah, yours?" This time you nod. She was so talkative before the meal, what was going on? She smiles at the response continuing to walk. "Glad it was!"

Why isn’t she talking anymore.

"You were so talkative before, what's up?" She makes a small hum, turning her head to look at you as you two talk. "You take me to a surprise meal, you're all excited before and then just. You start blanking. Something has to be wrong." She makes a sheepish grin, shrugging her shoulders.

"Sorry, just thinking is all. There really isn't anything wrong. Am I allowed to have a dip of energy?" The last remark feels mighty annoyed. And it sounds oddly familiar.

Just worried about you. "Just worried is all." She makes a small grunt before turning her face to the street in front of her. You're both bathed in silence for quite a few moments. She glances at her phone when she pulls it out of her pocket before walking faster.

"Gotta go, I'll text you later!" A small wave over her shoulder is the goodbye she offers before disappearing into the crowds of the street, leaving you alone.

go to coffee of doom

With a sigh you make your way to Coffee of Doom. Stepping inside you notice everything is oddly silent. No one is at the counter, and a few people are sitting at the tables. A small sign is laid on the counter reading 'Please wait a moment, we'll be right back!' Wasn't it unsafe to just leave it entirely unattended?

Wait

You lean back against the counter to wait, gently humming to yourself. The customers at the tables are quietly conversing amongst themselves. Occasionally one of them shoots you a glance. You raise an eyebrow in their direction which causes the one glancing at you to put a face to his hand, whispering something to his friend who chuckles.

Ignore it. You roll your eyes and decide to ignore whatever it is they may be trying to do. Another few moments pass and the black haired girl from the other day walks out. Shortly after, the speakers begin to emit sound again. "Welcome to Coffee of Doom, how may I help you?" You offer her a smile and turn back around to look at the board. You can't necessarily find anything that is inherently appealing.

"How about a.. Uh, 'Melt Your Face' Latte?" She nods and goes to making the drink.

Ask about Hanni?

A pause while she works. "Is Hanni-- Er, Hannelore. Working today?" The girl pauses for a moment and nods while she continues to work. "Already left?" She shakes her head this time. You nod appreciatively. The drink is quickly laid down in front of you. You reach in your pocket to get your wallet when a small amount of cash is laid down on the counter in front of your by a pale hand.

"I'll cover his drink!" It's the boy who was whispering before. He can't be much older than sixteen. The girl shrugs and takes his money. The way she slaps it into the register makes you assume it was exact.

Who might you be? "And who might you be?" A small pink blush invades his cheeks when you ask. You take a sip from your drink as he stammers out that his name is Will, short for William obviously. Then he remarks about how obviously you knew that and started apologizing if he insinuated that you were dumb. "I didn't take it as that, don't worry." He nods for a moment, looking over his shoulder to his friend who's sitting at the table staring out the window.

Well thanks for the drink. You take your own sip from the drink, glancing to his friend yourself, "Well thanks for the drink, Will. I appreciate it." He nods and starts slinking back to his table. You move down to the end of the counter, continuing to sip at your drink. You can't help but wonder what that was about.

Wait for Hanni

You decide to wait for Hanni, listening to the music as it plays. You can't help but feel the gaze of Will and his friend occasionally land on you but you choose to ignore it, letting them think you don't notice. Both of them seem to just be in high school so why were they hanging out in some strange cafe? Weirdos.

You catch yourself and shake your head. In all honesty you can't criticize them. Back home all you done after school was sit in your friend's truck and drink beer outside of the town's gas station.

Check for Hanni

You look over the counter to see Hanni walking from the back. She notices you and gives you a wave. You wave back while she takes her normal spot, conversing with her fellow employee. You notice Will's friend has stood now and is approaching both of them. He has that same jackass grin as Remus.

Watch carefully You watch him carefully as he approaches. You're just out earshot due to how low he's keeping his voice but you do know he says something. Both of the girls look shocked. The black haired one reaches over the counter and slaps him across the face. Instead of being taken aback or even acting offended he just laughs it off even though it left a red hand print across his cheek. He goes over to the table Will is sat it, says something and is gone leaving the boy alone. What just happened?

Wave Hanni.

You wave to catch Hanni's attention, motioning her over. She pats her co-worker's shoulder before coming to you. "What happened?" She glances over her should before leaning close to you.

"He walked up to Katie and said 'How much does it cost for me to fuck you silly over this counter? Trust me, I won't take no for an answer.' And I guess you saw the rest." You chalk it up to being a dumb teenager and tell Hanni to let Katie know you're sorry it happened. She nods and breaks away from you back to her station. Your legs are starting to get tired and your drink is empty.

Talk to Will

Without any external warning you walk over and sit down at the table across from Will. His face is perturbed, hands in his lap as he stares down at his drink. "Alright Will, let me hear it." He looks up from his drink to you. "He's your friend right?"

"Something like that," he mutters. You nod appreciativley, grasping your hands together on the table.

"Do you know what he said to my friend?" Will stays silent, refusing to look at you. The shamed visage says it all.

No it was him. "I know it was him, not you." Will glances at you, your eyes meeting momentarily. "His decisions don't reflect on you, remember that." The boy draws in a deep breath, holding it in his thin frame.

"He said he had to go but he wanted to tell the girl something before he left. I asked him what, and he just told me.. He said 'She needs to know what I'm going to do to her later.' Then, came back and told me he'd see me later." You nod, keeping a nonplussed expression on your face. Will seems uncomfortable just uttering the response but appears consoled somewhat from the little reassurance you offer.

Sounds like a guy you shouldn't hang with "Sounds like someone you don't need to associate yourself with." Will gives a small shrug.

"You do what you can to fit in." You could appreciate that. Not necessarily something you agree with, but you can appreciate it nonetheless. "Did you like the coffee..?"

"Of course. Everything tastes better free." You flash him a playful grin, turning in the chair so your body is now facing the counter with your face. He chuckles and you feel like you notice him blushing again. He was extremely pale, that may just be his body temperature all things considered.

Watch Hannie & Katie You watch Hanni and Katie as they continue to work. Some time later Will dismisses himself with a small goodbye to you before disappearing out the door. Good kid, heart in the right place at least. Some time has passed and you notice Samantha come in. She slips behind the counter just as Hanni slips out. She's working here now? Hanni comes over and sits down across from you. "Hanging out here a lot now, arent't you?" It's just about six and you got here at four.

I like the atmosphere "I like the atmosphere. Unique." She agrees and sighs, resting her head on the table. "Tired?"

"Mmmhmmm." It's about time for dinner, you could invite her out. Or you could offer to cook her a meal. That does involve going to the grocery store, which you need to do. But both of those options require social interaction and effort. Was it really worth it..?

Ask her to dinner "If you're so tired," you begin. "How about I take you out to dinner?" She looks up from the table, smiling. "Obviously this is just my way of worming my way to spending more time with you," you joke. She laughs and stands, waiting for you to do the same.

"Where do you want to go?" That's a first. You'd been having to ask that question lately. It was a nice change of pace.

Steak "Is a steakhouse good?" She looks down at herself in casual wear, and at you still in your uniform. "...After we change, of course."

"I'd love to." She walks with you to the apartment building. She says she'll be right back and slips into her apartment.

Formal casual You decide on formal casual. The last time you wore this was for job interviews. In all honesty you aren't sure why you bought it specifically for that occasion. You never wore it outside of that. Except for today. White dress shirt, black dress pants, and a navy blue blazer. Walking out, Hanni is nowhere to be seen.

Wait You decide to wait. And wait. Then wait some more. Right as you decide it's enough waiting and go to knock the door opens in front of you. Her normal mess of hair appears to have been straightened a bit and brushed down. She's wearing a pair of what appears to be black denim jeans, a white button blouse, and a small bracelet on her left hand you haven't seen before. Now would be the time to stop gaping, you think to yourself.

Compliment her "You're absolutely stunning, Hanni." She smiles, a tiny blush springing onto her cheeks.

"You clean up well yourself."

You grin and offer your arm to her. "Shall we go to dinner?" She takes it, practically hanging off of you considering the height difference. As per usual the brain decides to remember the last time this happened. With Samantha.

The elevator shuts behind you as your mind drifts. It was back in your home town before you both moved out here. It was your first official date. She was gorgeous, in a red dress that complimented every inch and feature of her. You... You were just some dope who wasn't mature enough for her yet but still trying none the less, dressed in a white button down and black dress pants and a tie borrowed from your father.

CAll a cab You call a cab, an Uber, a Lyft, whatever term the kids are using this day. Ever the gentleman you open the door for her, sliding into the seat after her. She whispers a thank you as the car takes off down the street. You smile and nod a welcome, feeling her gently lean her shoulder against your arm.

Back then Samantha was much more carefree. She didn't care you weren't as mature as she was yet. It was odd that you were the same age but somehow leagues away from each other. You remember being stiff as a poker the entire date. Sit up straight, slowly and carefully eat the soup. Cut the steak into small pieces, chew thoroughly. Buy her a nice dessert after the dinner... What happened between you two? The taxi has stopped.

You step out, offering your hand to help Hanni out. She graciously takes it and steps out with a dazzling flourish. What a graceful specimen she was.

Offer your arm You offer your arm to her again. She takes it and allows you to lead her to the door. You open and step in simultaneously with her. The hostess waiting at the front greets you with a bright smile. The lights are dim, candles lit on every table, and the air is filled with scents of meat and vegetables. "Table for two," you inform her. She nods and grabs two menus.

"Right this way." She leads you to a small couple's table, allowing you to situate yourselves. "Your waiter will be right with you.

She can order anything she wants

"You can order anything you want," you nod to her. She smiles and shakes her head.

"Oh that's fine, thank you though." Your waiter comes over. A guy around your age who looks like he couldn't hate his life anymore but is putting on a smile.

"What can I get you to drink?" She orders a coke, you order a strawberry daiquiri. Nothing too hard, but just enough to loosen you up. "I'll be right back with those."

"I didn't take you for one to drink," Hanni remarks.

I'm full of surprises "I'm full of surprises." She grins at you, nodding.

"So I've seen." What does that mean? You let it go when the waiter approaches with your drinks. He asks if you're both ready to order and you nod. "I'll have lamb chops, garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus as the sides." He nods and scribbles it down. "No soup."

"What about you, sir?"

Tbone "T-Bone, medium rare. Fries, and a cup of chicken tortilla soup as my second side." He scribbles down your order as well and is off to place it. This leaves you two alone again. Hannelore is smiling at you, you're smiling back. A thought crosses your mind and before you can reflect on it your mouth blurts it out: "I can't thank you enough for these last few days." She raises an eyebrow, her hand coming to rest on the table near yours.

Bright spot "I've been having a rough few days, and you've been a bright spot in all of them." She seems touched, putting her hand on yours. "I really can't thank you enough, Hannelore."

"No need to. You're a great person, I enjoy your company." She smiles at you. You smile back, your mind briefly flashing to Lauren. What would she say if she found out? "May I ask why you've been having bad days...?"

Truth "I broke up with my girlfriend of three years the other day. It's been about a week now. It's still hurting me hard, and I've trying my best to avoid her. I done something stupid the other day, and I don't know if I'm starting to regret it or not. But through it all, you've been a constant shining light. Even Coffee of Doom has been now. It's... Odd." Hannelore nods as she listens.

"Samantha told me she broke up with you. But why did you two separate?"

"We grew apart and decided to end it before things got any worse." Hannelore's face seems to fall when you say this. "What is it?" She shakes her head, saying she'd rather wait until later to tell you."Is it that bad..?" Maybe that's why she had been acting so weird to you lately…

[aveyondwinterexchange]

My fanfic for callmedan from the Aveyond Kingdom forum!

Happy new year callmedan! I heard you thought Uma and Nox were adorable, so I tried to run with that idea in my fic. I hope you enjoy. Also, props to anyone who catches the Star Wars reference that somehow ended up in my Aveyond story...yeah, I really don’t know how that happened.

Summary: While their mother and father are away, little Uma and Nox get up to some Mischief™ ft. Yemite.

Outside their mother’s bedroom, two twin girls peered through the crack of an open door. One had hair as black as the sky of the Demon Realm and a troublemaking spirit to match. The other had a complexion befitting an angel, complete with a halo of cloudy white hair. Both had luminous blue eyes sparkling with all the mischief and intelligence of their mother, who happened to be the current subject of the twins’ attention.

“Uma, move your fat head, I can't see!” Nox, the dark-haired twin, grumbled as she shoved her sister out of the way to get a better view.

“Shh! Do you want Mother to hear us?” Uma wrestled with Nox until they finally settled on the uncomfortable position of Nox crouching on Uma’s shoulders, both of their heads peeking into the room.

"Lars and I are traveling to Shaelnir to visit his ill mother, but it’s too dangerous to take the girls. The northern kingdom is harsh any time of year, but it's even worse now that it's winter,” Mel explained. “We’ll only be gone a week at most. Promise me you won't let them get into trouble this time.”

“Who’s Mother talking to?” Uma whispered.

“I don't know,” Nox replied. “She's standing in front of the door, I can't see.”

“I won't let you down, Mistress! I promise!” answered a cheerful voice that causes both girls to break out in grins.

“It's Auntie Yemite!” a surprised Nox exclaimed, slipping off Uma’s shoulders. They both tumbled into the room and landed in a jumble of black and white at their mother’s feet.

“Girls! What are you doing?” Mel glared at her daughters with the obligatory annoyance of a scornful mother, although her smile betrayed her amusement at their antics.

Nox grinned guiltily from the floor. “Nothing, Mother.” Uma hastily fixed the disheveled bow that Nox pulled off. “We were just, um, about to knock.”

Before their mother could reprimand the girls, their “aunt” rushed forward and scooped them into her arms. They had admittedly grown too big for the average person to be casually lifting them, but Yemite’s arms were still strong from her days of battle beside Mel. “Uma, Nox! How are my favorite children of darkness...er, I mean nieces?”

Mel eyes the three of them suspiciously. Yes, she knew perfectly well that leaving the three of them alone was a possible - no, probable - recipe for disaster. But what choice did she have? Edward and Stella were too busy ruling their kingdom in Thais to babysit. Ulf would’ve been an ideal choice, but he lived on another continent. And she certainly wasn’t about to ask Te’ijal and Galahad. But still …

“Maybe this isn't such a good idea.”

“No!” Uma and Nox protested in unison. They each grabbed one of Yemite’s horns, while Yemite protectively tightened her arms around them.

“Let them stay, Mistress, it's only for a few days. I'll take care of them, I promise.”

“Yeah, let us stay with Yemite!”

“We’ll be good. Please?”

Mel knew when she was  fighting a losing battle. Saving the world was no problem, but winning an argument against both of her daughters was an impossible task. With a long suffering sigh, she accepted defeat. “Fine, you can stay. But you're to be in bed by nightfall; no going into the weapons chest in the basement, and absolutely NO chocolate covered eyeballs for them, Yemite.”

Nox gasped. “But Auntie Yemite makes the best chocolate eyeballs!”

“I said none! Or you'll have me and your father to deal with.” As petulant as they were, even the twins recognized that Mel Darkthrop and Lars Tenobor VIII are a force to be reckoned with.

“Fine,” Nox grumbled, privately resolving to settle for caramel lizard tails instead.

“Be safe, okay? Father and I will be back soon.” Mel kissed each of her daughters on the cheek and playfully mussed their hair. “I love you both.” Mel donned her traveling cloak as she exited the room, sending Yemite one last meaningful glance.

“Well,” Yemite said with a grin as soon as Mel and Lars had left the premises, “Who wants chocolate covered eyeballs?”

~

“Auntie Yemite, we’re bored,” a disgruntled Nox whined as she tugged on Yemite’s tail. It had been three days, and she couldn’t stand to be cooped up in this house for one more hour. Even Uma, by far the more laid-back of the two, had begun to thrum with restless energy.

Yemite, as much as she’d like to oblige the little ones and have a little fun, was trying in earnest to be a responsible babysitter. Aside from the “forbidden” darkling delicacies and that one accident with the fire in the kitchen, she thought she'd done a fair job of it. Mel trusted her with the task of caring for her daughters, and Yemite didn’t want to let her Mistress down. But she had been quashing her own boredom for the past few days. Surely little excursion wouldn't hurt.

“How would you like to go to a party?” Yemite asked. Uma and Nox nodded fervently.

“That would be so much fun!” Uma gasped, and ran upstairs to get changed. Mel didn't host parties very often, as she found them tiring and boring. But Uma loved the enchantment of it all; she couldn't wait to dig up the party dress that had been collecting dust in her closet since last year. Nox was less excited to get dressed up, but she nevertheless enjoyed the excitement of the few parties she’d been to.

A few moments later, the twins emerged from their rooms in their partygoing outfits. Uma was a miniature snow princess in her white dress trimmed in sky blue. By contrast, Nox wore a knee-length black dress that looked more like an oversized shirt than anything. Still, Yemite fawned over both of them. “You look so adorable!” she squealed. “If only Mistress could see you. Oh, my friends don't usually like humans, but how could they not love you two?”

The twins gave each other quizzical looks. “Yemite, where exactly is this party?” Nox questioned.

Yemite’s only reply was an enigmatic “You’ll see”.

~

“Welcome to Underfall,” Yemite announced as she, Uma, and Nox stepped out of the mirror express.

Uma and Nox gaped at the exotic sight of the dark city. A sprinkling of white dusted the walkways and surrounding fields. On some of the buildings hung green garlands adorned with multicolored translucent baubles. Slate gray clouds hung above and below them, heavy with the promise of more snow.

“We darklings and other demonfolk have a tradition of celebrating the winter solstice with a week of celebration,” Yemite explained as they walked to their destination. “There are decorations, and feasts, and parties that can last until sunrise. And on the last day of festivities, friends and family give exchange gifts to give each other joy through the cold and dark winter.”

Darklings certainly are strange. But it would be nice to celebrate a holiday like that, Uma mused. She trailed behind Yemite slightly, scanning the area for something she could turn into a gift for Aunt Yemite.

I wish we had a holiday like that, I would so love to get free stuff in the wintertime, thought Nox, in total contrast to her sister’s thinking.

“We’re here,” Yemite announced in a singsong voice. They had arrived at a building called Darkling Hall, as indicated by the moss-covered sign. “They’re with me,” she added when the zombie guarding the door gave them a funny look. He stepped aside and the trio entered.

They were immediately greeted by a wall of overwhelming sights and sounds. A quartet played in the center of the hall, the music just a bit too gurgly to be coming from human instruments. Multicolored light bathed the room, emanating from a blob on the ceiling that looked suspiciously like it had eyes. “Yo, Yemite!” shouted a stout blue darkling, who rushed forth out of the crowd and embraced his friend. “Rotwart! It's been years! I haven't seen you since the slug-eating contest for who would get to be the chosen one’s servant.” Rotwart handed Yemite a glass of some slimy drink and they disappeared into the din to reminisce about the good ol’ days, leaving Uma and Nox unattended.

“Well, where do we go now?” asked Nox.

“I was thinking we could get gifts for Auntie Yemite and Mother. She did say presents were part of the tradition.”

“Yeah, a darkling tradition. And why should we, when she didn't get us gifts?”

Uma huffed at her sister’s selfishness. “Nox, do you only ever think of yourself? Besides, Yemite said the gifts were given on the last day of celebration. She’s probably waiting to give us our gifts.”

Nox considered for a moment. It could be fun to look around for a gift. “Okay,” she conceded, “But we should each only look for one present. One for Auntie Yemite, one for Mother; each from both of us.”

Uma smiled, alight with the energy the two of them shared when they were on a mission. “I'll go outside to find a present for Mother.”

“And I'll stay in here and get something for Yemite.”

“Meet back here in twenty minutes?”

“You got it, sis.”

Nox ventured into the crowd of monsters, careful to avoid anything with tentacles or large feet. She wandered around the edge of the room, scouting for anything that Yemite would like. Unfortunately, the only remotely giftable objects were dust bunnies.

She came to a stairwell that appeared to lead into a basement. Feeling adventurous, she crept down. A trio of monsters sat around a table playing a game of cards.

“I raise you 500 gold pennies,” said a small green demon.

“I’m out,” huffed a hooded figure.

“Are you kidding me? You know I can't cover that!” shouted a brutish orc as he slammed his drink on the table in anger.

The green guy shrugged. “That stone in your pocket is worth 500.”

The orc pulled out the stone and held it in defensively in his hand. The air around it shimmered with intangible dark energy. Somehow, Nox intuitively sensed that it was cursed. This was perfect - Yemite loved curses! She didn't understand how, but apparently they were delicious to darklings. “I ain't betting this!” The orc demonstratively slammed his fist again, shoving the stone back in his pocket. This orc sure was quick to anger. Wheels began to turn in Nox’s head, and a wicked smile spread across her face as she formulated a wonderfully awful idea.

She meandered into the room. “Excuse me, gentleman. Sorry to interrupt your game, but I’m looking for a suspect - green, a little bit slimy, about yea tall,” Nox gestured a few inches above her head. “Wanted for accounts of thievery, and uh, cheating at cards.”

The orc glared daggers at the demon across from him. “Eh Greedo, that sounds like you. And ya know something? I always knew you were a cheater.”

“It ain't me, I swear it!”  the monster apparently called Greedo protested.

“Hey kid, aren't you a little young to be playing detective?” The hooded figure raised a spindly finger at her.

“For your information, I'm actually, er, a gnome. We retain our youthful faces even at hundred of years of age.” Nox didn't know if that was true, but she figured these dumb brutes would believe it. “And yes, Greedo. That was his name. I’ll be back with my friends, and they won't let you get away this time!”

“You'll never catch me alive, kid!” Greedo made a mad dash for the exit, but the orc caught him by the collar of his jacket.

“Trying to cheat me out of my money?! You're not going anywhere, punk, until I introduce you to my fist!” he bellowed. Nox wrinkled her nose in disgust at the visible spray of spit.

While Greedo pleaded for mercy, Nox nonchalantly strolled past and lifted the stone from his pocket. The orc was too absorbed in making violent threats to notice. Nox emerged from the basement, smugly tossing the cursed stone up in the air and catching it. Her pickpocketing skills were truly a thing to be admired. She was, after all, her mother’s daughter.

~

Meanwhile, Uma skipped out the door into the crisp winter air. The hulking zombie was still looming in front of the entrance, but he didn't notice Uma as she crawled away, blending in with the snow. Now, where would she find a present for Mel? She wandered up and down the streets, but they were empty of everything except snow. Maybe she could get a flower from the fields, but that was so far away, she’d never make it back in time.

Suddenly, Uma’s thoughts were interrupted by the clamor of a couple on the midst of a heated argument. They emerged from the mirror express in the center of town and immediately started walking in her direction. The woman, a pale redhead in a slinky dress, was pulling her companion along, who seemed intent on refusing to move.

“Come on, husband, it's only a party. You need to go out more - the only time you leave the house is when you're trying to escape.”

“I will not socialize with creatures of the night!”

“Galahad, you're being ridiculous! I already promised them I’d bring a bottle of blood, it would be rude not to-”

Wait… Galahad? Uma recognized these two, although it'd been years since she'd seen them. “Te’ijal!”

The couple paused their bickering at the sight of Uma waving. Te’ijal ran toward her, and even the typically stoic Galahad’s face lit up upon seeing one of his best friend’s daughters.

“How’s Mel’s little crumpet? The last time I saw you, you were no bigger than a dragon’s egg!”

“Uma, what are you doing here?” Galahad asked. Leave it to him to ask the rational questions.

“Mother and Father are away, so Auntie Yemite brought us here for the celebration. But guys, I have a big problem. I need to find a gift for Mother, but I don't know what to get.” Uma looked up at them with wide, helpless eyes she knew grown-ups were unable to resist.

“That's quite the dilemma, young one.” Te’ijal surveyed the area, her catlike eyes eventually landing on a perfect gift. “Over there, in the greenery on the edge of that building, you see those orbs? I think your mother would appreciate one of those. Mel has … a thing for orbs.” The vampress giggled at how fitting the present really was.

Galahad reached to retrieve one for her. “What color?”

“Ooh, get the dark blue one! It’s the exact same shade as Mother’s eyes.”

The precious trinket was placed in Uma’s hands. She’d found a gift after all! Now all she had to do was meet up with Nox. She accompanied the two vampires back to the party, idly wondering what her sister had found for Yemite.

~

The party lasted until sundown. They danced to the strange darkling music, which Nox found thrilling and Uma, in spite of herself, eventually got around to enjoying. Te’ijal’s bottle of blood was a big hit, and she even let Uma and Nox try some, although they didn't find the taste very pleasant. When it was time for singing, Yemite and Te’ijal sang an old Underworld folk song together, and even Galahad couldn't resist a laugh.

As soon as they got home, all three of them collapsed in a heap back on their sofa. Their eyes were already drooping with the thorough exhaustion of a day of festivities.

“Auntie Yemite, can we just sleep here?” mumbled Nox.

“I suppose it won't hurt.” In truth, Yemite didn't want to get up herself. She used her tail to snag the blanket that was draped over the side and spread it over them. Curling her legs up onto the couch, she lazily wrapped a wing around each of the girls as they drifted off into the Dreamworld.

~

“Girls, we’re home!” Mel announced.

Uma and Nox pried open their eyes to the morning light filtering in through the windows and the sight of Mel and Lars standing in the doorway. They tore off the blanket and stumbled to hug their parents, who enveloped them in a crushing group hug. Yemite snuck up behind Mel and threw her arms around her neck. She wanted to hug Mel too, of course. “Did you miss us, Mistress?” she asked. Mel laughed in agreement and let go of Uma and Nox to show them the bag in her hands. “Grandma recovered quickly, so we were able to to come home early. And we brought special treats.” Mel opened the bag, revealing a dozen fragrant pastries with assorted fillings.

“I almost forgot! We got you presents too,” said Uma. She pulled out the ornament from the pocket of her dress. “It's an orb, for you and Father. Tei- I mean, Yemite said you liked them.”

Mel took the orb in hand, marveling at the glasswork and rich blue hue. “It's lovely, but why the gifts all of the sudden?”

“It's a darkling tradition,” Yemite interjected. “We exchange gifts in the wintertime. I … er, educated the girls about it while you were away.”

Nox held out her gift next. “This one is for you, Auntie Yemite.”

Yemite let out an involuntary eep of excitement. “A curse? For me? Where did you find it? Oh, you shouldn’t have! So many delicious treats to eat, I can't wait until dessert!”

Lars quirked his eyebrow at his daughters. “Yes, where did you get them?”

Uma and Nox exchanged a glance, the sort that scheming partners gave each other when they were knew someone was onto them. “Nevermind, I don't want to know,” said Mel before either one of them came up with something satisfactory to tell their parents. One day, Mel would get the full story, but right now she didn't want to spoil this moment with her family.

“I’ll admit, I didn't get gifts for all of you yet, but I think I can improvise.” Yemite motioned for them to follow her outside. She flew up into the air and perched on the roof of their house. “Everyone watch closely! And you might want to stand back a little.” The darkling raised a hand into the sky, drawing on magic she hadn't used in years but that still thrummed solidly through her veins. Suddenly, the sky was alight with dazzling firebursts and explosions of all colors.

The twins and even their parents were mesmerized by the display. “I've always wanted to see fireworks,” whispered Nox to her equally awestruck sister.

Mel’s heart swelled with love as she watched her daughters’ awestruck expressions. It turns out Yemite wasn't such a bad babysitter after all. Maybe they should celebrate darkling holidays more often.

FIN