#will not be going back so sorry to my suitemate

[giyuulatte]

one thing i hate is being the only black person at a function and having to because of how uncomfortable i feel

[sylv-tf]

Just ReLAX

"Shit, not the fucking door too man!" cussed Connor as the door to his dorm's shared bathroom laid sideways in the frame, having just fallen off its hinges. College was supposed to be his big new start, but everything in this first day had been shit. He missed his first class going to the wrong building, had the tires on his bike stolen, and at the end of it all he had to walk back to his run-down dorm building where the hot water still wasn't working... and now the door.

"Fuck it, I'll just play some WoW or something," he said, walking over to his computer setup. Within five minutes though, he was up again, having discovered the internet connection was so bad he couldn't even log in. It was still early afternoon outside, the sunlight filtering in through the dusty window of his dorm. At the very least he could make sure he knew where his next class was, so he didn't miss it like the first one. Throwing his ratty shoes and loose-fitting knitted sweater on, he headed out the door. Thankfully this one didn't fall off like the last one, but he still just felt tense as he walked out the building's lobby and into the afternoon sun.

His dorm building sat just off the campus quad, which at this point in the day was filled with both students rushing to class and those doing anything to avoid it. As Connor walked across the cracked sidewalks that crisscrossed the green lawn he couldn't help but notice the number of guys just relaxing in the sun. It was hard not to feel outclassed, comparing his greasy brown hair, sweater, and loose jeans to their clean cuts and perms and athletic clothes that draped ever so perfectly against well-defined muscles.

Whatever, he knew he was a nerd. It was fine. Why should he care about fitting in - he didn't in high school anyways. He'd just keep on with his online friends... unless they got busy. That could be a problem. Well, he couldn't even worry about that now since the internet sucked. Maybe his suitemate would know how to fix it? No, they hadn't even moved in yet. And what are the chances they'd even speak to him after he already broke the bathroom door! Fuck, he'd have to get that fixed soon. Where was the maintenance office? Wait, no he was supposed be looking for his next cla-

WHAM

Connor felt a sharp pain on the back right of his skull and the world seemed to spin and flash white for a bit. When he finally got a hold of himself he was looking up at the sky... and there was some guy in orange and white on top of him. Was he... talking? His mouth was moving at least...

"...ro. ...ey, bro ar... ... Bro? Bro, are you okay?"

"Ugh... yeah, I guess, what happened?" replied Connor. The guy above him seemed to lean back a bit after hearing him speak. His bright ginger curls looked fiery in the sun, and dang, he was kinda built too. Was he an athlete? "Yo, I'm so sorry man. I was laxing out with my bro, Casey, and you looked like you zoned out right in the middle of our pass. Freaked me out when you just stopped moving like that, can't like."

"Oh... uh, sorry? I didn't notice I guess. Was kinda wrapped up in my own thoughts or something." Connor couldn't help but mumble. The day just couldn't get any worse could it.

Meanwhile, the ginger hunk squatting over him just turned slightly and yelled back over his shoulder, "Yo, Casey, hurry up with the ice would ya'? And grab a drink too, this guy looks like he could use it!"

He turned back to Connor now, "Nah bro, you're all good. It just happens sometimes. You seemed super stressed out so, I get it bro. Casey and I are like that too right before a big game, but then you like, lock in super hard when the whistle blows and it all washes away and shit."

Connor just stared blankly at this mystery man, clearly from a different world than his own. "Uh... right." As he sat up straight, he felt the burly hand of this ginger "bro" hold his shoulder steady, directing his gaze towards another guy, presumably Casey, jogging over with a wet-looking blue bag and a sports bottle.

"Zach, I got the stuff. How's he doing?" Casey was similarly built to the ginger guy, who Connor assumed to be Zach, but with straight brown hair, squatted down on his left and handed him the drink.

"Where does it hurt bro? We got an ice pack for you."

Sheepishly, Connor accepted the drink and started to look around. There were a few stray glances from passerby, but thankfully it didn't look like he caused a scene... "Just the back right of my head, I can get it," he replied, taking the ice pack with his free hand and holding it to his head.

The cold was sharp but quickly became soothing as it spread from the base of his neck to the rest of his head. As he took a sip of the drink too, he found it tasted oddly good. There was a distinctive metallic note to it, but mostly it was a fruit punch flavor with lots of pineapple and orange. Before he knew it, Connor had downed the whole bottle.

"Fuck, that tasted really good? What is that anyways?"

Casey spoke up, "It's Coach's recipe for the lax team. Gatorade but with his special blend of electrolytes and shit, more or less."

"Huh, so you guys play... lax? Is that a sport, I guess?"

Zach and Casey laughed. "Lacrosse bro. It's sick, you ever played?"

"Nah, look at me man. I haven't played anything in my life." Zach seemed to give the faintest smirk to Casey. "You sure bro?" At this point he began to stand up, and with Casey lifted Connor up by his arms. "I've got a hard time believing someone with these arms doesn't at least work out."

Connor glanced down at his arms. They didn't look particularly built. Well, were they always that tan? He moved them up and down, flexing them a bit. They weren't as twiggy as he thought they were... huh.

"Nah, I really didn't play anything. Guess it's just natural?"

Casey responded, "Fuck bro, if that's natural you've definitely gotta lax out. Come over here."

The two athletes practically pulled Connor along towards their bags, which had been sitting out on the ground a ways away. Connor could see sticks with nets on the ends sticking out, a number of pieces of what looked like chest pads, white rubber balls (presumably what he just got hit with) and a number of other things he didn't quite recognize.

Zach, meanwhile, had already grabbed a set of pads and a stick and was heading back to Connor. "Here bro, throw this over your head," he said, tossing him the pads.

"What?"

"Just do it bro, you don't wanna get beamed with the rock again, right? Casey's got a lid for you too."

Connor looked uncertain but seeing both guys smiling was enough to win him over. "Hey," he thought, "may as well see what it's like to be an athlete for a bit." He struggled briefly with the pads before Zach helped to slide them into place over his shoulders. They felt a bit heavy, but it felt kinda nice too. He was still chilly from the ice pack and the heaviness just made him feel... calm. Or maybe just chilled out?

Casey came in quick with the helmet from the left. Connor had only caught a glimpse of it before. It looked wild, being mostly white but with burgundy and gold decals all along it. Wait... those were the university colors. Was this a helmet from the lacrosse team?

Connor took a step back from Casey. "Wait, guys, is this university property? That's a bit too much for me, I mean I'm just-"

Casey was already at his side and the helmet came down. The inside was soft, not at all what he expected from how jagged the outside looked. It was kind of dark as well, though he could see through the first gap between the bars on the front. Was he actually wearing the school helmet? Was he wearing sports gear right now? In public? What would people think?

Connor could feel and hear the two athletes still strapping on elbow pads but at the same time he felt that calm from before. Did it really matter? He was just trying it out. And the two players with him would clear up any confusion, since they seemed like bros. Yeah... this was fine actually.

He reached up to adjust his helmet a bit as Casey approached with a stick. "Here bro, just follow along with Zach and I and we'll teach you the basics. Just relax."

Connor's mind was blank. Whatever Casey and Zach said was what he did. Learning how to hold his spoon, passing around the rock, stationary at first and then while running. Somehow, no matter what he did he never felt tired. And when the group got thirsty, Coach's drink was always close at hand. As the sun began to set, Zach and Casey called it in.

Connor, like the other two, was drenched in sweat. He didn't even really remember taking his sweater and shirt off, but he must have at some point, because he was bare torso in the setting sun. But man, his body really was better than he gave it credit for. Zach had even said his genetics were crazy to have abs without working out. And Connor felt great. Amazing even! What was he even worried about earlier today? Nothing important, he was sure.

"Zach, Casey, bros. Lax is like, crazy dope dudes."

Zach was the first to reply. "Bro, it's insane you've never laxed before, you picked it up crazy fast. You should honestly talk to Coach. He's got walk-ons next week and if you work with him and us a bit more, I bet you could clinch a spot."

"No way bro, that's crazy. Play for the school? I'm not as good as you two."

Casey butted in. "Bro, you're insane for a newbie. Trust the process, bro. You'd be on in no time. In fact, we should head over now so you can meet him. Help us pack and shit, and we'll jog over. You down?" "Damn bro, really? Fuck yeah, let's do it."

----------

Needless to say, the walk-on tryouts were a bit of a blowout. With Coach's guidance, Connor was a standout performer, ready to take the field for the team and crush their opponents every time. His new shorter haircut that Coach recommended suited him, just like his new number, #17, and his new carefree, cocky attitude. And like the loyal bros they are, Zach and Casey made sure to grab a picture with their new recruit at media day.

[xprojectrpg]

Moment of Awesome - Kyle Gibney/Wildchild: In the aftermath of Behold A Pale Horse, two old friends have a serious talk.

“It won’t happen again." Finally, Marius dragged his amber eyes down to look at Kyle. "What would I end up as, that third time?"

"How about next time you just fucking tell someone, okay?" Kyle made deliberate eye contact. "Like, please, man, do I need to be in my feelings here? I will go get some more feelings if I have to. I don't get it, I don't get the relapse thing I don't get the medical stuff, I know, okay but I do get that, like, you can just say 'I think the hunger is back, please tell someone' and I'll tell someone else and never bring it up to you again if that's what it takes, as long as you tell me one time so I can make sure you're not doing this dumbfuck shit again, because I can't lose any more fucking friends. We've got a new Forge, and he's a complete asshole, we've got a new Julio and he's a kid and we've got a new Catseye and she's so fucking weird, and I can't go find a new Marius because there won't be one!"

Even through the fog Kyle's vehemence struck something in him. Marius' eyes widened, just a little, before he slid his gaze away again.

He knew Kyle considered him to be someone worth keeping in his life, and always had. They wouldn't have kept in contact for all these years if not for that. But now, in this moment, Marius couldn't understand why. He looked at the determination on Kyle's face and felt only a great emptiness.

Mate, you think I'm so much more than I am. You all did. But I've never been like the rest of you, however much I wanted to be.

But he could pretend. He owed Kyle that, at least.

"Right," Marius said aloud. "Well, no worries. I feel as if I've caused everyone enough trouble, eh? Consider this a lesson learned."

Kyle shut his eyes very slowly, in defiance of Marius' false even-handed tone. "Uh huh. Yeah, this isn't gonna be that. I had to take classes on this shit, I teach teenagers." He pulled a phone out from the depths of the terrible lime basketball shorts. "This is me texting Terry, and god I hope you like bread because expect she'll be showing up a lot to make it. The catering kitchen's still fucked. Whatever room they put you in, you get a roommate until, I dunno, I decide you're not gonna go toss yourself into a volcano." His voice finally had expression, firm stubbornness and a break as he said aloud the fear he had, that Marius would consider suicide. "We don't have any volcano kinetics here right now, don't get any ideas. You get me, my grading papers at 5am and Shamu sleeping on your butt."

"Eh, sorry?" Marius said, unsure whether he'd parsed the rush of words correctly. "I'm going to . . ?"

"You're going to be living with me until such a time that someone decides you're not actively fucking suicidal." Kyle said, eyes still closed, voice on the verge of a growl. "Which means my girlfriend is going to show up at all hours to make food, because that's what she does, and you're going to tolerate my cat who probably is going to sleep on you because he loves everyone more than me."

"I wouldn’t hurt myself," Marius protested, although even he could perceive the frisson at the end of the sentence that implied an unspoken 'here'. He shook his head dismissively. "Look, I appreciate the concern, but this isn't necessary. It's just . . . it's hitting me all at once right now, all right? Once my head's straight again she’ll be right. I'm adaptable. It's one of my few redeeming features."

"I don't believe you." Kyle said. "My ears still work, you were all 'what would I end up as the third time', and you're assuming it'll happen and assuming the platelets are fucked, and man, of everyone I'd think you know I'm not as dumb as I pretend. I'm the... " He cut himself off. "It doesn't matter, you get a suitemate for a while. If nothing else, it means if your platelets are fucked, you're safe. Consider me the emergency parachute."

Marius opened his mouth, then shut it. Finally he met Kyle's gaze, and held it.

"Never in my life have I thought of you as dumb," he said.

[problematicfanfics]

hey i got groped on friday night at the club in a “business casual” fit, sexually assaulted on a date tuesday wearing jorts and a loose t shirt, and then had to evacuate campus for hurricane helene bc we’re in flood zone A. now im staying with my uncle aunt and 12/11 year old cousins. i literally got no complete alone time to process what the fuck happened

the night i got sexually assaulted i basically just called up my friends and was like “hey date went like shit let’s go drink together!” but i genuinely just needed to get violently drunk and high. so i did very successfully. 12 heads in a singles dorm room space after downing copious amounts of wine, liquor, and weed while playing beer pong one floor above us. i took a ten minute nap before we went to mcdonald’s and when i woke up, i asked everyone if we were still going (it was 5 am and we said we were going for the breakfast menu), and they all said “bro none of us can fuckin walk” so i went back to bed.

tell me why i wake up at 7 am sharp, in the same clothes i was SAd in the day before, sleeping in my suitemate’s bed with her? i woke up to her face and i was like “yo why we sleepin together?? wait why am i in her bed???” so i got up to piss then walked into my room to get in my own bed.

i walk in to see my mattress topper halfway off my bed. i tried to push it back on but it wouldn’t budge. i’m like “damn i’m mad hungover if i can’t move a piece of foam.” i reach onto my bed to move my ikea bear (the really big one, i love him) and i fucking find my friend sleeping under it??

i start dying. like actually crying laughing. he gets up and he’s completely coherent he’s like “bro why you laughing?” i’m like “dude i didn’t know you slept in my bed what the fuck happened?” bc he’s literally one floor above us?? why didn’t u walk up one flight of stairs and walk ten steps to ur room? he’s like “well u went to bed in suitemate’s bed so i took yours” WHAT?? so i was like “go back to bed bro” and went back to sleep in my suitemate’s bed.

i wake up again at 9 am and go back into my bedroom to see how my bro’s doing.

tell me how my entire mattress topper was on the floor. the entirety of it. and he was still under seven blankets, my five throw pillows and the stupid bear.

he wakes up and my suitemate’s tells me ANOTHER MF was asleep in my room ON MY RUG. he left at like 6:50 am to walk back to the other side of campus to his room. i felt so bad like he could’ve stayed and i would’ve made him a comfier lil bed :(

at 10 am we all get a notif that we need to be off campus out of our rooms by 1. i’m tweaking, bc my uncle is the one who was picking me up and he didn’t get out of work until 5:30, plus 15-20 min to drive and pick me up, plus the hurricane weather, i wasn’t scooped until 6.

the friend who slept in my bed and i sat in the lobby and waited for his friend w a car to show up so we could at least get out of the school area for now. we went to get sushi, shit was buss. i explained to bro wit da car that i wasn’t getting scooped until at least 5:40 and he was like “nah it’s chill dawg we ain’t in a rush to get to the house we’ll chill w u” so i hung w them until 3pm when his aunt called him and told him he needed to go to the house bc of the storm.

so they dropped me BACK OFF AT THE SCHOOL. WITH MY STUPID SUITCASE. WITH MY SUSHI AND A HAT I STOLE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. i was tweaking. freaking out, even. i still had 2 hours

they left and bc florida is florida, it was super fucking sunny and warm out. so i sat at one of the many outdoor tables we have.

and of course about 30 min later it starts pouring something fierce. i get soaked. i call up my friend and was like “fuck yall for leaving me in the rain” he’s like “bro i’m sorry i didn’t know it would start raining” YEAH ME NEITHER BUT BRO CMONNNN U COULDVE SAVED ME.

i find a small little indent in my dorm building to hide in w no cameras and i change my shirt. i was still wearing the exact same fit from the entire school day prior. i didn’t even have time to change my clothes by the time i cleaned up all the alcohol left out (which was essential, because they did room checks to make sure everyone was evacuated) and packed my bag properly to go stay w my fam.

same pants, unwashed hair body or face, sunglasses bc of how violently high i got in the morning to forget my week, and sopping wet socks. eating hours old sushi in the outdoor mechanics closet of my dorm.

BUT I STILL LOOKED FLY AS FUCK BC THE SECURITY GUARD COMPLIMENTED MY FIT WHEN HE CAME TO ASK IF I WAS OK 🗣️🗣️🗣️😤😤😤

anyways i’m still tweaking. i’m like actually just not ok rn. and the worst part is i enjoyed my weekend so fucking much. it was amazing and i was so happy how my life was turning around for the better, with a nice normal man (unheard of in my life), a good friend group, and doing decent in my classes. i hung out w a bunch of new people, met some old friends from the beginning of the year, never did too much drugs (even tho it takes a lot for anything to hit me anymore so it’s not hard to avoid, and i don’t enjoy that feeling)

i had so much fun, my friends were pulling cute people, i pulled a decent guy. and im just so mad because i pride myself in how good i am at reading people. and im always so cautious. it just makes me spiral because like i’ve spent my entire life making sure it doesn’t happen again and it DOES. like i do so much to protect myself. i literally don’t even have romantic attractions so every date i go on is like a “ok you’re a good person maybe we can make something work” thing, never like a love at first sight/i actively want to be with you thing, AND I LITERALLY TELL THEM THAT. AND I TELL THEM I DONT FUCK. SO HOW DO I WIN?

i’ll never win 🥲

[switchbladedreamz]

Yes Ma'am (sneak peak)

Somethin about young Tom Cruise/Ethan Hunt in these thin wireframe glasses gives me innocent nerdy vibes. I just watched the first Mission Impossible and now I'm thirsty for 90s Tom.

Summary: Ethan Hunt was new to East Central University. He had been transferred from New York University on assignment. The freshest meat the IMF market had to offer, knowing he and other recruits would fit in with their youthful looks. A local drug dealer had recently gone global with the war on drugs, guess which side he was rooting for. Ethan had no idea who or what he would be getting into exactly.

Requested? Nah

Ship? Ethan Hunt x Fem!Goth Reader

Warnings? nah, just some background to the story

~~~~~~~~

"No, I told you already a hundred times, I'm a transfer student. From New York, ever heard of it?" a voice spoke harshly from the other side of the door. My colleague was clearly taking the transfer badly. I walk in and intervene, apologizing for my friend's short temper. "Just go sit down, I'll handle it from here Jake." I smile at the exhausted clerk sitting behind the desk, her shoulders relaxing in relief as she explains to me that a lot of the files from a lot of transfer students had been harder to find than usual. The issue is finally resolved thirty minutes later. Jake, myself and a couple others from IMF are gathered at the edge of the "Howdy Fair", watching the bustling crowds of freshmen. "Why do you think they call it that?" Samantha asked, "Well y'all're in the south now, people say 'howdy' as a greeting unironically here." I hadn't heard her coming up over the loud music and commotion. "Oh. Well, cool. Hi, I'm Samantha" she introduced herself to the stranger. What I saw when I turned around, I hadn't expected for the buckle of the Bible Belt state. An actual goth person. And she was beautiful in her darkness. "Do I got shit on my face or somethin'?" she asked at me, her voice was so sweet. "Oh God sorry, what a bad first impression. I'm Ethan, I just hadn't expected to see a goth here. Where are you from?" The look of bewilderment she gave me made my heart smile, people don't express human emotion like this where I'm from, it's like being surrounded and suffocated by suit wearing robots. It's very refreshing. "You're standing on it. Well, I've moved around a lot but I'm from Oklahoma- born and raised. I mean hey, goths gotta come from somewhere. Not all of us are born out of a summoning pentagram of Black Sabbath CDs." She jokes, then laughs at her own joke. Sam, Greg and I laugh with her, Jake stands by stoic and unenthused.

(Y/n) spent the rest of the day showing us the campus while sharing any tidbits about the locations. Jake and Sam are staying in a separate Residence Hall than Greg, (Y/n), and myself. "I swear if I even had to share the same building with Jake's grumpy ass I'd jump off the roof" Greg joked as the RA showed us to our shared dorm room and explained the suitemate situation. IMF had sent our whole fake lives to the dorms already and all that was left was to unpack. We had all gathered back at the cafeteria, half the food was tasteless. Apparently Jake didn't get a roommate so there's some good news for him, I swore he almost cracked a smile when telling us he was going to be without.

[jovalencia]

sorry I’m done being vague and I took a shower and am listening to addison rae’s ep to calm myself down so I can actually s at what happened now because I’m legit sick because I’m so upset. and I realized after typing all this out it’s Really embarrassing and super mega oversharing so I’m putting it under a cut

so like my sister bi guy 2 sarah suitemate and I were all sitting around and bi guy was explaining the plot of nope to my sister and my sister was taking notes in my notebook because she’s weird and takes notes when somebody is explaining a movie to her. love that girl. so when she was done I was flipping through the notebook and I found the pros and cons list her and I made the first day that her and her boyfriend started dating. and we were joking about the pros and cons list earlier so I was like “lol look it’s the pros and cons list” and sarah was like “can I see that” so I gave it to her and I handed her the notebook and she made to rip out the page and I was like “come on man that’s my notebook” and she’s like “no it’s my writing it’s mine” and we went back and forth and I was having a shitty day and a shitty couple of days a shitty week like I’m so fucking stressed so I just snapped. like I’ve never snapped like this before in my life and I said “sarah you’re boyfriend is a fucking asshole that nobody likes!” which was really uncalled for yes but if you’ve been here since last year you know this tension has been building literally ever since we met. anyways she didn’t respond she just ripped the page out and walked to her room so I followed her and was like “sarah.” and she closed the door in my face then I told her everything that I’ve been feeling for the past two days I’ve been here. which is essentially i was so stressed about moving in and starting classes and coming back to [city] but I thought all of that would get better once I actually got here and settled in but ever since I got here she hasn’t barely even talked to me. like I moved to this place I’m not familiar with and the only person that could make this place feel like a home is barely even talking to me and is acting like she doesn’t care about anything I say when we do talk and I just don’t understand why she’s treating me like this and ignoring me. like I’ve been alone ever since I got here and she’s not putting in any effort to make me feel welcome so I don’t even feel comfortable in my own fucking apartment. etc. and at some point I said I was sorry for snapping at her but I’m just so stressed and frustrated and I wish she would just fucking talk to me. and the crazy thing is the entire time after I snapped initially she didn’t say a fucking word to me. not after I said all that and not after I asked if we were going to talk when she was leaving the apartment. not when I apologized to her again and she gave me the only response she gave me from the beginning which was a nod.

and in between me saying all that to her through a closed door like some shitty movie scene I Did cry and my sister and bi guy were there and it was super embarrassing and I haven’t cried in front of anybody in like five years or more I’m not joking. actually I cried at the airport with dani but that doesn’t count. anyways yeah it was bad but my sister and bi guy said I was justified. which they wouldn’t just say. but I’m Not a person to do anything like this ever but as previously stated I’ve always had problems with sarah but these last two days it’s been unbearable. like your alleged best friend finally moves into the apartment and instead of hanging out with her all you do is hang out with your boyfriend. who she hates. and I don’t even hate him as a boyfriend I hate him as a person and I’m genuinely uncomfortable around him and whenever he’s here I feel like I’m paralyzed in my own apartment like whenever he’s here I only leave my room when it’s direly necessary. like it just sucks. and this is a small thing my sister said but I didn’t see sarah barely at all yesterday and last night she stayed over at the boyfriend’s place but she didn’t Tell me she was going to stay over at her boyfriend’s place so I left her a note for when she got home that said “I went to bed and I hope you had fun at the show and I hope I get to see you more tomorrow I love you!” and every time we talked today she never even Acknowledged the note that’s still on her door. anyways even before this whole incident my sister was like “that’s so sad. all you said was that you wanna see her more and she still didn’t hang out with you. like yeah it’s fucked up. AND we’ve had these plans that the hi guys and my sister were all gonna come over today and they would Finally meet for WEEKS now. and she still prioritized hanging out with her boyfriend over us. and when she finally came back she was being an asshole and immediately suggested that they all (bi guy jason had left to hang out with his gf at this point which was Also an asa home move since my sister and I weren’t even done making dinner yet) take edibles when she knows I don’t do that and I don’t really like being around people when they’re high. but just so you know the edibles has basically entirely worn off by the time the argument happened. but yeah that’s my shitty night. in my apartment that still doesn’t feel like home. and idk if this is gonna be a friendship ruiner and I’m still gonna have to live with her or if she can forgive me or what and all I wanna do is hug my mom but she’s not here. anyways I need to sleep but idk if I can.

ALSO my sister is calling this s “disneyXD incident which I think is funny and I’m inclined to agree. like it’s giving bottoms. you know.

[johannstutt413]

(requested by calligomiles; prequel to this) Mayer and Magallan’s Meeting

Moving is always stressful. It’s especially stressful when your office won’t give you a day off to do it, and it’s doubly stressful when things go wrong in the process.

Mayer, at her desk, reading the email from her apartment’s landlord, desperately needed some stress relief.

“Dear Sir/Madam, (‘Must be a form letter…’)

“Due to the apartment you requested having two bedrooms, another tenant has been assigned to it. As compensation, your monthly rent will be reduced by 30%. Thank you for your understanding. - Rhine Labs Campus Housing”

“...So much for having a home workshop.” The Anaty closed the message with a sigh as she turned back to her workbench. “Oh well. As long as they’re not too annoying, we should be able to make it work.”

Admittedly, the one-woman workshop was probably the one the other tenant should be worried about; between her extensive hours in the office and middling-at-best self-care habits, Mayer only kept her old apartment as clean as she did by having the bare minimum of stuff in it. She usually came home with some combination of bite marks, coffee stains, and engineering effluvia on her clothes and face, and even on a good day, if someone wasn’t talking to her about work, it was probably some kinda bullshit that’d sour her mood in an instant. In other words? A roommate straight outta Kazdel, no question about it.

…At least, that’s how she figured her roommate would think of her. As she and her prototype ‘Otterbot’ (workshopping the name still) were carrying her two boxes worth of stuff to her new place, the engineer wondered if she’d have to move her hours around. It’d be rude to avoid this roommate person completely, but if she could give the excuse that she had to be at the shop, then- “Oh. Hi.”

“Oh! Sorry, I didn’t realize you were on your way home.” A Liberi was using the long kitchen countertop to pack a toolkit, it seemed. “Don’t worry, I’ll be out of your hair in a minute! Just gotta finish packing.”

“Are you the old tenant of this apartment?” The Anaty could’ve sworn Housing said they’d moved out already-

The other woman shook her head. “I just moved her yesterday, but I’m heading out on an expedition tomorrow. I’m Magallan - my friends call me Maggie.”

“Hi, Maggie.” Better to be friends than not if they were living together, right? “You’re a field specialist? Which department do you work with?”

“Department? You mean like Construction, Security, those groups? I don’t think I’m part of one?”

Mayer blinked. “You don’t report to anyone?”

“Not really! I go on my expeditions, I write about my findings, I stay to answer some questions, and then I do it all again.” The Liberi scratched her neck. “I’m sorry I won’t be much help as a suitemate four months out of the year, but I promise I’ll make up for it when I am!”

“This is actually gonna work out just fine.” Was that out loud? Judging by Magallan’s expression, she might’ve said that part out loud.

Something clicked in that moment; the explorer glanced at the Otterbot, then at her own gear, and her face lit up. “Wait, you’re THE Mayer, aren’t you!”

“Did someone tell you about me?” The Anaty groaned. “Fuckin’ Mark in Hydraulics-”

“No, it’s not that! You work at Lutra, right?”

Mayer scoffed. “Work at Lutra? Maggie, I AM Lutra - it’s all me.”

“REALLY?! So you made my exploration suit!” Without warning, the engineer was wrapped in warmth as Magallan closed the distance between them. “Oh, it’s so good to be able to thank you in person. I couldn’t go near the Pole without the stuff I ordered from you! This is so cool!”

“Y-yeah…” Actually, it was really warm. What did her new roommate set the thermostat to?

Maggie let her go when the Anaty didn’t hug her back as enthusiastically. “Did I get too excited? Sorry, I just- you literally made my dream a reality for me. It’s hard to condense how much that means to me into words, but if you’re not a hugger, I-”

“N-n-no, it’s fine, it’s fine.” Mayer was lucky she had her mechanical arms with her; without them, the box she’d been holding would’ve been smashed, and she really needed her coffee maker functional. “What a small world, huh?”

“I know, right? Okay, I’ll stop bothering you - I know you want to get settled in, and I still have some packing to do. I, um… I look forward to living with you.” As she said it, the Liberi looked away with a blush.

The Anaty made a note to turn down the thermostat.

---

Magallan left the next morning, before Mayer had woken up; she left a polite note saying when she’d be back, along with some more thank-yous. Four months of working on various commissions and her Meaboos - the name she finally decided on for her robot helpers - definitely helped bury the existence of the explorer in the back of Mayer’s mind. After all, “idle” wasn’t a word in her dictionary; if she wasn’t busy, what was she doing with her life?

The night before Magallan was due back, however, the Anaty glanced at the fridge door, saw the now-curled sticky note, and took stock of the apartment. With a groan, she and her Meaboos set to work cleaning the place, and after a draining few hours’ work, it was cleaner than when she’d first moved in. “There… This is the last time I’m gonna do this, but I don’t want her to think I’m lazy. Alright, Meaboos, power down; let’s get some sleep.”

“Mayer! I’m home!” As the robotters were initiating their shutdown sequence, however, the Liberi arrived with some new bags in tow. “Oh, wow, it’s spotless! Did you do this for me?”

“...Yes,” she admitted instantly.

Maggie smiled at her, and the engineer melted like an iceberg stranded in Acahualla. “You’re so sweet~ I got you some souvenirs while I was out, but that can wait until tomorrow. Have you had dinner yet?”

“...Have I?” It wasn’t just the girl in front of her frying her brain cells, as it turned out. Her stomach rumbled. “Maybe not.”

“I’ll make us something, then - I got some groceries while I was out. Didn’t want to be a moocher, you know?” She opened her refrigerated bags and pulled out the usual stuff: eggs, milk, rice, freshwater mussels, su- wait, were those pearly mussels?

The Anaty’s stomach roared as she wiped her mouth. “Oh, those look so good.”

“Hmm? Oh, yeah, I eat a lot of fish, but I haven’t tried cooking shellfish before.” The explorer gestured to the mussels. “Any recommendations?”

“I usually just eat them raw.”

Magallan blinked. “Do you wash them first?”

“It’s not like I’m eating the shell.” Wait a minute. “Is that why they sometimes make me sick?”

“In that case, let’s stick with my plan for chowder.” The Liberi chirped, shaking her head as she started dinner.

By the time soup was on, Mayer had managed to sneak three of the mussels out of the package, though ‘sneak’ was probably the wrong word for it. More accurately, at least in the engineer’s mind, her roommate had simply let her nick a few of them to satiate her dark passenger while she played mama bird at the stove, and she had absolutely no problem with that. As Mayer devoured her third bowl with gusto, she managed to say, “Thanks for dinner.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it, Mayer.” Maggie finished her first bowl and set it aside. “Um, can I ask you something?”

“Sure.” Om-nom-nom-nom-nom.

The explorer giggled. “I, um… How often do you miss meals like this?”

“Eh? Like, forget to eat?” The Anaty, finally satisfied for the time being, let her spoon clink against the bowl. “Pretty often, I guess. You know how it is - you get an idea, you can’t let it get away, by the time you’ve followed it through it’s past midnight and all that‘s open are vending machines that sell food you barely taste and probably don’t want to anyway.”

“I see.”

Mayer frowned. “Is that not how it is for you?”

“I mean, sometimes,” she agreed, “but it’s dangerous if it keeps happening… Would it help if I made dinner for us every night while I’m home?”

“You’d really do that for me? Shit, I mean, if you can consistently cook food half as good as this chowder was, I’d be a blessed woman, but you’ve got your own stuff to do, right? Research papers and whatnot?”

The Liberi shook her head. “I do, but I need to eat, too, so cooking dinner’s no problem. If you could come home to eat it with me, too, I-” She cut herself off.

“Yeah, sure.” The engineer shrugged. “Food’s always better fresh.”

“Th-thank you, Mayer. Really.” Maggie wiped something off her face.

The Anaty smiled back with a thumbs-up. “Hey, it’s not everyday someone offers to make my life easier. Wow, alright, I’m gonna have to head to bed; dunno if it’s having food in my belly or ordering my Meaboos around all day, but I’m beat. Uh, Wash, boot-up!”

“Meeeee-boo!” The Meaboo woke up and approached the table. “Wash standing by.”

“Help Maggie clean up, would you? Don’t make her do the dishes by herself.”

The robot set to work grabbing plates as Magallan gave her roommate a thankful smile. “Have a good night,” she softly said, barely audible over the clamor of their convenient cleaning contraption.

Mayer heard her just fine, if her heartbeat was anything to go by.

---

“Maggie, I’m home!” The Anaty sniffed her coat and winced. “Gonna take a shower!”

“Welcome home!” Magallan’s door remained closed; as Mayer learned later, she was deep in a paragraph about the temperature readings she’d collected during her last expedition.

This would be relevant shortly.

The engineer slipped out of her portable workshop with a Meaboo’s help, then out of her clothes without, sent another Meaboo to start her laundry, and turned on the shower… only to see she had no towel and no Meaboos to ask to get one. Well, shit. ‘I mean, she’s probably in the kitchen cooking dinner by now. This should be fine.’

The apartment’s layout, unfortunately, was actively against her on this. The bathroom and Magallan’s rooms were perpendicular to each other, there was no furniture to use for cover - not that the Anaty expected to need any - and, because she’d been working on her paper, the Liberi hadn’t started on dinner. She chose exactly this moment to leave her room to do so.

“Hey, Mayer, do-” Five steps past the bathroom door, and the explorer’s opened. Her eyes dropped to Mayer’s chest and dilated before she could catch herself. “...Need a… towel?”

“Yeah.”

Neither of them moved. It was a good thing the Anaty hadn’t stepped under the showerhead before going to get her towel. A Meaboo arrived with a towel from Mayer’s room, and that broke the spell. As the engineer took it, Magallan cleared her throat. “So, um, dinner-”

“I’ve never gone on a date in my life, but I know you were checking me out.” Mayer raised her arms and let them fall. She didn’t intend for anything to jiggle, but it was unavoidable. “What’s the verdict?”

“...I need to lay down.” Based on the color of her face, she was absolutely burning up.

The Anaty walked back towards the bathroom. “Give me a few minutes, and I’ll join you, if you want.”

“What?” The Liberi’s usual energy returned. “I- you- we- Get it together, Maggie! Are you propositioning me?”

“I abso-fucking-lutely am. I’ve gotta clean all the gunk off me still, but-” She cut herself off as Magallan threw off her shirt. 

The explorer kept going. “I’ll shower with you, then.”

“Fantastic.” Free of shame entirely, Mayer watched her strip. “So that’s why you didn’t ask the suit to cover your chest. Do you sleep with it on while you’re out there, though, because that can’t be comfo-”

“I am horny enough as it is, Mayer, please don’t add more fuel to the fire.”

As if that would stop the engineer. “The material your jacket’s made out of could circulate heat better-”

“Mayer!” Fortunately, Maggie could unhook a bra in her sleep; otherwise, they might not have made it to the shower. “Alright, let’s go!”

“Gladly… Oh wow, I just realized I’m losing my virginity tonight, aren’t I?” Steam filled the bathroom as the Liberi shut the door behind them.

Yes, Mayer. Yes, you certainly did.

[druidgroves]

a mistake told in four parts

Summary: Your name is Ramona McBride and you’re not sure why you ever dated Bobby Marks.

Notes: another 2nd person wayhaven fic because that’s what i’m doing right now? anyways have fun reading ramona’s shame lol

Your name is Ramona McBride and you are currently looking into your bathroom mirror, applying lipstick for a boy that gives you butterflies.

The lighting in the bathroom of your dorm could be better, making your skin appear a little bit more wan that it actually is, but so far no one’s told you if your foundation is too cakey or your eyeliner too much. Your usually dark brown hair is a bit crispy from the at-home balayage and the way you obsessively straighten it every day, but right now it’s done in slight curls that frame your face. You’ve got on a cute dress borrowed from one of your suitemates and it’s a little too tight but it makes your tits look fantastic, which is really the only thing you were thinking about when she pulled it out from her closet for you. You managed to miss the look she gave you when you told her it was for a date with Robert Marks.

You’ve known of the guy for years, went to school together, and somehow ended up at the same college in the same degree program. You were partnered up for an assignment in your Intro to Journalism class and managed to hit it off. It didn’t take much for him to convince you to go on a date with him.

You look in the mirror, swiping the deep red lipstick across your lips one last time before rubbing them together and winking at your reflection. A knock on the bathroom door pulls you away, your suitemate standing in the doorway.

“Damn, Mona, you look good,” she says, giving you a once over.

You twirl in a playful spin, the hem of her dress flaring out a little, “Thank you, thank you, I always try to dress to impress.”

“Just make sure you wash it before you return it,” she says with a laugh. “When’s he supposed to be here?”

“Any minute now,” you say, checking the time on your phone. “He said six.”

Doubt casts over her features for a moment before quickly disappearing.

“Well…let me know how it goes. Good luck,” she nods, then disappears back into her dorm room.

With one last look in the mirror, satisfied with your appearance, you walk over to your desk and take a seat, checking the time every few minutes.

Six o’clock comes and goes rather quickly.

He’s probably just held up somewhere, you think, happy to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Ten after six, you start to wonder if he had actually said he’d be here at six.

Twenty minutes after, you refrain from texting him, not wanting to be a bother. You’ve never been a clingy girl and you’re not about to start now. Your suitemate comes over to check on you, but you tell her he’s just a little late, you’ll be alright.

Half an hour and some change has passed by the time you get a knock on your dorm room door and you launch yourself across the room to answer it.

It’s Bobby, dressed in a dark button up and his caramel colored hair swept back out of his eyes, leaning casually against the door frame. You let go of a breath you hadn’t realized you were holding.

“You’re here,” is all you can say.

“Sorry for being late, it takes time to look this good,” he replies with a lazy smile, then he tacks on, “Angel.”

Despite yourself, the butterflies start again in your stomach with the way he purrs the nickname.

“You ready?”

You nod, “Let me just grab my purse.”

The date ends with the two of you in the backseat of your car, his hands under your dress and his lips on your neck, a soft chorus of angel, angel, angel…

---

Your name is Ramona McBride, and you’re out with your boyfriend Bobby.

You’re also a tiny bit annoyed with him right now.

Before you left your dorm to go grab lunch together, he had looked you up and down and asked, “Is that what you’re wearing out?”

Your ripped jeans and muddy sneakers paled in comparison to the ironed button ups and suede shoes he wore all the time. You know he didn’t mean it in a rude way–probably. He was always telling you that he just wanted you to look your best beside him and you could understand that, you just didn’t think a trip to the nearby burger place necessitated his level of dress. Still, you could appreciate a man with an eye for fashion you supposed.

The looks people give the two of you as you stand in line, you now dressed in a black skirt and flats, makes you a little self conscious, but you do your best to ignore them.

Once you’ve ordered and received your food, you both grab a table by the window. You’ve had classes all morning and are absolutely starving, so you waste no time digging in.

Across the table, Bobby gives you an unimpressed look.

“Try not to bite through the wrapper,” he says, biting off half of a single fry.

“Seriously? I haven’t had anything to eat all day. I had class,” you scoff, but you put down your burger anyways, feeling judged. “Where were you anyways?”

Bobby hadn’t been in the two morning classes you shared, his seat next to yours empty.

“I had a meeting,” he replies simply, hooking your leg with his under the table.

“A meeting?” You raise an eyebrow. “With who? About what?”

“So full of questions today,” he sighs. “It was with the editor of the student paper.”

Your eyes narrow.

The two of you were the top of your journalism classes, a somewhat playful-but-lowkey-serious rivalry between the two of you. You had a conversation last week about applying for your university’s student newspaper, only to find out there was only one spot left on the team. Both of you had resolved to leave it be, not wanting to upset the other if only one of you was offered the position. Or, you thought that’s what the two of you had agreed on.

“I’m on staff now,” Bobby continues, a slight smirk pulling at the corner of his lips as he looks you right in the eye.

“Are you fucking serious, Robert?”

Bobby looks at you, his smirk now replaced with pursed lips.

“Not even a ‘congratulations’? Don’t be like that, angel,” he starts, putting his hand over your clenched fist. A brief flash of anger makes you consider throwing it off but you refrain. You don’t want to cause a scene. Instead, you sink into the seat opposite of him.

“I just…I just thought we agreed to leave it,” you say quietly.

“I know, I know, but the editor reached out to me, I couldn’t say no,” he replies. “You know how good this will look on my resume.”

Would have looked good on mine, too, you think, but keep that thought to yourself. He’s right–you should be happy for him, so you do your best to conjure up a smile, however weak it may be.

“I…I’m proud of you, then,” you say. “Congratulations.”

“You know,” he says, brown eyes taking on a dark look, “We could always celebrate later in…other ways.”

His eyes flick over to you, boring into your own light green ones. The way he licks his lips, hungry for more than just food, and how he uses his foot to pull your chair closer to his is almost enough to distract you from how he betrayed you.

A fluttery feeling begins in your stomach, but you’re not sure if it’s butterflies this time.

---

Your name is Ramona McBride and you couldn’t be more angry right now.

There’s a dent in the wall of your dorm room from the way you had burst in not even twenty minutes ago, a crumpled up paper on your desk with a bright red F on it, and the taste of vomit on your tongue. Despite the rage funneling through you, the underlying panic and worry in relation to your educational future was enough to make you sick.

You can’t believe Bobby would do that to you.

Well, actually, you kind of can. You honestly should have seen it coming.

His sliminess had been evident from the start, everyone told you so when you had first begun dating, you were just too blind to see. He was cute and frankly, you were lonely. Probably not the best match.

Still…it hurts. A lot.

You pick yourself off the bathroom floor, walking back into your dorm to collapse on your bed. It isn’t until your head hits the pillow that you realize you’re crying. Ramona McBride doesn’t cry, so you have no idea who the fuck is laying in your bed right now, but it certainly isn’t you. You learned at a young age that tears don’t get much other than an annoyed look from one of the several nannies who raised you in place of your absent mother. As a child, you also learned that tears don’t bring back people or comfort.

So yeah, Ramona McBride doesn’t cry.

Angrier now, but softer now that you’ve had a bit of time to yourself, you wipe at your eyes and stare at the ceiling.

“We’ll discuss this when you eventually become reasonable,” he had said after you had yelled at him to get out of your dorm. Of course he would make you out to be the unreasonable one in this situation, of course. Whenever you tried bringing up problems between the two of you, he’d always push them back down with charismatic denials and that stupid fucking pet name you’d begun to hate. You don’t even remember the last time he used your real name.

A notification on your phone is enough to pull you out of your anger for a moment, your finger sliding to unlock it. An email from the university.

Dear Ramona McBride,

You are requested to meet with the Dean to discuss your recent alleged act of plagiarism against Robert Marks as reported by Professor…

You don’t have it in you to continue reading the rest of the email as your anger comes surging back. Your hands are shaking and your vision is tunneling. You want to scream, you want to punch something, but all you can do is squeeze your phone so hard your hand cramps.

And then you start crying. Again.

Turns out, Ramona McBride does cry. And it doesn’t feel good.

Loud, shuddering sobs echo through your dorm room, and you're thankful your suitemates have already left for the weekend. You don’t want anyone seeing you like this.

You feel stupid and angry and sad and mixed in was a part of you, rather recently, that had become homesick. Strangely enough, you miss Wayhaven. You miss the back garden you had spent hours playing in and making your own space. You miss the Square and how perfect it looked during autumn. You miss its familiar streets and walking trails. Hell, you even miss some of your old friends, even if they weren’t always good ones.

You miss Wayhaven and its people more than anything.

Maybe the reason you had hung onto Bobby as long as you did was because he had that little piece of home in him, a familiar face in a city full of strangers. Moving off to the big city for university had once been the goal, but now that you’ve attained it, it seems like it might just be all downhill from here.

---

Your name is Ramona McBride and you’re finally back home.

Somehow, you managed to graduate despite the whole fake plagiarism incident, even if it meant failing the class and having to retake it. It’s been over a year since then and you came out on the other side brighter with a new sense of optimism. You hadn’t talked to Bobby at all since then and he had surprisingly made himself pretty scarce afterwards.

Of course there had been a few bumps, but you didn’t want to dwell on them anymore. Being back in Wayhaven with your own apartment and a job at the local library until you had time to talk to the people at the Wayhaven Press meant starting over instead of going back. Being here on your own terms felt good, even if moving all your belongings up a flight of stairs by yourself to said apartment didn’t. Once everything is unpacked, you and your aching muscles will be grateful.

You’re hauling the rented dolly up the outside stairs of the building, the summer heat making your hands sweaty enough that you’re afraid it might slip out of your grasp, and when you hear a voice from a body you can’t see over the boxes, it almost does.

“My, my, my, is that Ramona McBride?”

Gripping tighter now, you peer around your belongings and dread with a hint of annoyance shoots through your veins.

Bobby Marks looks at you over his sunglasses, a familiar smirk sitting on his lips. Not much has changed since you last saw him, other than the fact that you can feel he’s become more of a dick, but that seemed like a given.

“What the hell are you doing back in Wayhaven?” The question comes out before you can stop yourself.

“I could ask you the same question, angel,” he purrs, pushing his sunglasses into his hair as he starts to walk up the stairs. You’re thankful that with the dolly in the way, he can’t get as close as you know he wants to. “You look like you could use some help. Maybe you can show me your new place while you’re at it.”

You scowl, “As if I’d let you into my apartment after what you did to me.”

A derisive laugh falls from his lips, “You made it out alright, didn’t you? And hey, so did I. Looks like it wasn’t that bad afterall.”

“I almost got expelled, Bobby,” you seethe. You shake your head, taking a deep breath. “What are you even doing here?”

You pray that he doesn’t happen to live in the same building, but the answer he gives is far worse.

“Oh, just visiting a…friend,” he replies, and the way he says the last word makes your skin crawl. Whoever they are, you have to wonder if they’re new to town or just as stupid as you were.

“Gross,” you say flatly, and continue trying to haul your boxes up the stairs.

“Aren’t you curious about what I’ve been up to? What I’ve achieved?” he asks, trying to goad you into more conversation.

“Not really, no.”

“Not even the fact that I’m now the star reporter for the Wayhaven Press?”

Ah.

You look around the boxes again with a glare, “You have three seconds to leave me alone before I let this go down the stairs and crush you.”

“I don’t remember you being so touchy, angel,” Bobby muses.

“One.”

“Come on now–”

“Two.”

You let the dolly tilt forward enough to make him flinch and it seems to do the job, making him step back to the ground floor.

“You’ve changed since I last saw you,” he says, pushing his sunglasses back over his eyes.

“Good,” is all you say and leave it at that, going back to hauling your stuff up the stairs once more as he retreats.

Later that day, once all your boxes are stacked in your living room and you’re laid out on your thrifted couch, your phone buzzes. It takes a second for your sweaty hand to unlock it, but when you do, your eyebrows raise.

Heard you were back in town. Wanna hang? You won’t even have to bring the booze this time lol

Given how gossip travels in this town–and the fact that its biggest proponent had been the first person to see you back–you shouldn’t be too surprised that your old friends know you’re back. It was only a matter of time before they knew, you suppose, and right about now, you’re in the mood to make a few bad decisions. Besides, it might be nice to catch up with some familiar faces.

Your phone buzzes again.

Gonna have to see if you’re still cool though. You in?

You sigh, sitting up from the couch and deciding that you can unpack more tomorrow.

You’re in.

[shy-little-gigglee-bun]

I'm sorry everyone.

It's a post I really don't want to have to make, but it has to be made.

Starting today and going until who knows how long, my dms will be closed on weekdays.

This is in an attempt to appease my suitemates in my college dorm who are annoyed by my reactions to some of the dms I receive. So much for trying to take care of a noise complaint on my own without being retaliated against and a new insecurity being developed.

I don't know when I'll be opening dms back up altogether, but for now the only way to get in touch with me on a weekday will be through asks, which I will keep open.

I'm really sorry I have to do this, but it's the only way I know that might help me become less of a shitty person than I clearly already am now.

- Bun

[simonsrosebud]

what if kevin & dalton had been set up instead of meeting on their own?

(pls accept this as apology for not posting any kalton for MONTHS)

kevin doesn’t have a date to the banquet.

normally, it’s fine.  he’s taken allison or renee to the last few, as friends.  but this year, renee has something going on with gwen, their freshman dealer who is somehow only a year younger than himself.  and allison got scooped up by ricky, the other freshman dealer. 

“what happened to us being dates?  i thought it was unspoken?”

allison shrugs and pushes her hair behind her shoulder.  she has her arms crossed as she leans against the doorframe to kevin’s bedroom.  “sure, but ricky has a crush on me and it’s fun playing around with it.”

kevin sends her a look.  “ew, don’t look at me like that.  as if, he’s like a baby to me.”  kevin opens his mouth, but gets cut off.  “you could get a date easily, it’s fine, we’ll help.”

and she’s right.  later that afternoon she shoots a text to the team groupchat.

allison:  kevin needs a date, any and all genders welcome.  must be hot, good at socializing, and able to withstand his complete lack of care for them esp once he starts talking exy. 

allison:  i expect a nominee from each of you.  good luck soldiers.

and kevin’s going to kill that girl.

the freshmen don’t answer, of course.  all of their friends are freshmen, and they’re also just too scared to respond to the foxes sometimes.

aaron responds first, suggesting he just take one of the vixens.  neil chimes in by saying that marissa girl is fucking social alright.

kevin doesn’t get why allison can’t just set him up with one of her friends.  she has a strict rule against any of the foxes dating her non-exy friends, but it’s just an banquet. 

matt comes in last, but instead of the groupchat it’s just to kevin.

matt:  i have a friend named dalton.  he’s in his masters to become a professor but he’s chill. he’s nice and fun too, the best guy i know

kevin knows he shouldn’t be shallow, but...

kevin:  picture?

matt responds almost instantly.  a picture of his friend sitting across from him at starbucks on his laptop.  he looks caught off guard, like matt took the picture without warning.

is he with him right now?

kevin:  maybe.

he drops his head back and rubs his eyes.

an hour later, the door opens.  neil comes in first.  matt is on his heels, and someone else trails in behind him.  kevin sits up.

neil looks at him.  in french, he says, “i wasn’t a part of this.”

kevin stands, and responds back in french.  “you let him in.”  neil shrugs at that, and continues down to the bedroom.

matt nods at him with a smug smile.  “do you still have your psych 101 workbook?  i have to take it next semester and i don’t wanna buy it.”

kevin frowns.  is he not going to introduce his friend?  “uh, yeah.”  he turns to his desk and rummages through the drawers to pull it out.

“oh, this is dalton, by the way.  he’s a friend from sophomore year.”

there it is.  kevin turns back, book in hand, and nods at dalton.

dalton smiles, calm and charming, and tilts his head a bit.  “he’s lying.  i was his TA.”

kevin gives a smile.  it’s small and faint, and mostly fake.  he can’t help it.  he doesn’t care for small talk like this.  how old does that make dalton?

also, how did matt befriend his TA?  kevin’s never spoken a word to the majority of his own.

“can’t imagine having to deal with him in class,” he says, jokingly.

matt doesn’t defend it, just shrugs and moves on.  “hey, did you find a date to the banquet yet?”  he wiggles his eyebrows.  

kevin’s gonna kill him.  he stuffs his hands into his hoodie pocket so he can ball his fists.  “not yet, no.”

he nods, nudges dalton.  “kevin’s on the exy team, too.  he’s the only one without a date to the winter banquet this year,” he says.  “allison, remember allison?  she’s on a manhunt to find someone she approves of for him.”

dalton considers it.  “that sounds like allison.”

kevin refrains from frowning.  “have you met her?”

dalton has, just one time when he and matt went to a football game this fall and made a pit stop to matt’s room.  it’s also when he met neil, albeit very briefly.  neil had too much going on to give him the time of day.

“once, a month or so ago.”

when matt and dalton get into the car, dalton turns halfway in his seat to fully face matt.  “he doesn’t have a date?”  matt shakes his head.  “is he into guys at all?”

matt glances at him.  “yeah, he’s bisexual.”

dalton raises his eyebrows.  “um, hello?!  why didn’t you set him up with me?!”

matt frowns and shoots his friend a look.  “why do you think we just went over?!  i took psychology freshman year!”

dalton’s gonna kill him.  “but you didn’t say anything about me to him.”  matt rolls his eyes and waves him off, and dalton sits back in his seat.

“i know kevin, i know what i’m doing.”

he crosses his arms.  “you’re the worst wingman i’ve ever met.”

but low and behold, kevin texts matt a few hours after his visit.

kevin:  how do u know dalton would want to be my date to the banquet?

matt:  bc he literally told me so

kevin:  fine, ask him if he wants to go and i’ll take him.

when dalton climbs on the bus behind matt, it takes him only a moment to spot kevin and make his way over.

the banquet is five hours away, so the foxes and their dates are changing into their formalwear once they arrive.

dalton has joggers on, and a long sleeve henley that’s a size too big.  his collarbone hangs out as the collar hangs low.  he wears a soft smile, and pushes a hand back through his hair. 

he looks hot.

dalton looks even more hot dressed up in his suit.  he keeps at kevin’s side at first, and talks to both matt and dan from time to time.  allison even pops up once to inquire about him, since he wasn’t one of her picks.

dalton and matt seem to joke around like they’re best friends.  but he doesn’t ever remember matt mentioning him.

then again, if kevin had friends outside of exy, he may not introduce them to the foxes, either.

he finds his way back to kevin’s side at their table, where he’s talking to a trojan player.  after a while, kevin turns to him.  “you don’t have to stick by my side, if you don’t want.”  he almost feels bad.

dalton shrugs and smiles.  “what if i want to stick by your side?”  the way that kevin reacts shows that he wasn’t expecting that, and dalton’s smile turns shy.  “um, i don’t mind, really.  i’d feel bad leaving you alone.  i’m your date.”  he takes a sip of his drink.

“okay.”  it barely leaves kevin’s lips, but it’s enough to make dalton happy.

“you can even talk exy to me, if you want.  i can pretend i know how it works.”

kevin’s heart seizes.  “you don’t know exy?”

dalton grins.  “i’ve never even seen a game.”  he leans closer.  “teach me?”

so he does.  for the next half hour, they sit and kevin blabbers on, and dalton listens and asks questions.  and then they sidetrack somehow to talking about marvel movies and what they suspect will happen in the next spiderman movie.

dalton swears to die on the grave that peter parker is a bisexual icon.

“you can take that title, instead, though.”  his grin is cheeky.  kevin lightly kicks his ankle and rolls his eyes, but he’s heavily amused.

“what about you?  what are you?”

“gay,” he shrugs.  “not much to it.”

“did you… when you told people, how did they react?”

dalton’s head tilts just a bit, and his smile starts to fade.  “some people don’t like it, but it was fine for the most part.”  and after a moment.  “why, are you okay?”

kevin nods.  

dalton doesn’t believe it.  and he supposes he doesn’t know kevin enough to say that, but there’s something about the way kevin doesn’t verbally respond to it that sits weird in his head.

he props his chin in his hand.  “i told my roommates i was gay the first week of freshman year.  my roommate knew, but we had two suitemates, and one of them kinda stopped talking to me after that if he could help it.”  he flicks his eyes up to meet kevin’s.  “my uncle asks me at every family function if i’ve got a girl yet.  he’s known for seven years, now,” he says.  “and thanksgiving is now hosted at my house because my grandmother told my mother that i was unwelcome in hers.”

harsh.  

“i’m sorry.”

he doesn’t know what else he’s supposed to say, really.  he barely has family as it is, but he can’t imagine losing them now because of something so small.

but dalton just shrugs a shoulder.  “it’s okay.  think about it this way, if i was still in the closet i wouldn’t be your date right now.”  he cracks a smile.  always smiling.

that’s when kevin notices just how close their faces are.  and how he keeps glancing at dalton’s mouth.  he sits back.  not here.

dalton goes to the bathroom, and matt takes his seat.  “how’s it going with dalton?”

kevin frowns.  “fine, why?  did he say something?”

matt’s face is indescribable.  “no, but i see you guys getting all close and stuff.  just flirt with him, dude!  he obviously likes you.”

yeah right.  “i-i don’t think so.  he’s just here because i didn’t have a date.”

matt drops his head for a second.  “kevin, after you first met him he scolded me for not setting you two up.  he doesn’t watch exy, and he’s not here for the famous kevin day, just give him a chance.”  kevin looks to the side, where dalton’s on his way back talking with dan at his side.  they’re getting closer, so he talks fast and quiet.  he stands.  “don’t fuck this up, he’s hot and nice,” he whispers, and grins when dan slides into his side.

“we wanna dance.  boys?”  she looks expectantly at both kevin and matt.  matt doesn’t have a choice, but he’d never say no anyway.

dan pulls kevin up and shoves him lightly into dalton, who catches a hand on his waist.  kevin wants to squirm out of it, but not because he doesn’t like dalton, or dalton’s touch.  just because the idea of liking dalton scares him a bit.

but dalton lets go when he finds his balance.

“i don’t- i can’t dance.”

“yeah right, i’ve seen you at eden’s before.”

when he was belligerently drunk.

“you don’t have to.” dalton’s voice is soft behind him.

matt slides his gaze to kevin.  don’t fuck this up.

he turns.  how has his life come to this?  “no.  i will, if you want to.”

dalton grins, lopsided and happy.  “yeah?”

he hopes he doesn’t regret it.  “yeah.” 

so dalton takes him by the hand and leads him after matt and dan.  the majority of the foxes are in the midst of the crowd as well, but they don’t pay them any mind.  there’s enough people that kevin can pretend he’s at eden’s.

kevin is a terrible dancer.  dalton notices it right away and laughs.  when kevin gives him a look he says, “follow my lead.  just sway a little.  nod your head to the music,” kevin looks up at him while he dances, but catches dalton’s eyes instead.

he looks away and falls out of rhythm.  “sorry,” he mumbles.

“it’s okay.”  dalton gently takes kevin’s hands and puts them on his waist.  it feels illegal.  his hands feel like dead weights, he doesn’t know what to do.

is he blacking out right now?

but then dalton’s moving his hips and dancing, and laughing.  he’s having fun and kevin wants to have fun too.

he moves his hands from dalton’s waist to around his neck, and dalton hesitates with his hands near kevin’s hips until kevin nods.

dalton’s fingers dip into his hips.  his one finger taps along the beat of whatever song is playing, while he lightly sings along and bounces back and forth.

it’s dark on this side of the court with the exception of some colored lights darting around.  the designated dancing spot.

kenna is kissing jack in the crowd.

kevin looks back to dalton, singing with a smile plastered on his face.

no one would notice.

kevin’s fingers twitch against dalton’s neck.  but someone could.

he’s already out, but that doesn’t mean he’s kissed a boy in public yet.

he drops his arms.  “i need some air.”

dalton let’s go, “are you okay?”  but he just nods and takes off, off of the court and down the hall to the locker rooms.  the foxes have their things in the away men’s locker room.

kevin sinks down on the bench.  he plays with the bracelet around his wrist, courtesy of betsy in case he needs something to fidget with.  opposed to panicking, that is.

that woman is never wrong.

kevin likes dalton, that’s not in question nor is it really the problem.  the problem is that he doesn’t know what his problem is.  if it’s what people will say when they see that he truly is into men.

being told something versus seeing proof that it’s real are two different things.  he’s learned that, dealt with it more than once.  the last time it was the proof of the raven’s bullying and abuse.  being told that kevin and riko’s relationship isn’t what the fans fantasize it is versus then seeing proof that it isn’t anything that they thought, for example.

kevin had to deal with backlash like that for months after the raven’s investigation post championship game.  him being bi isn’t the same, of course, but he doesn’t know how to predict the behaviors of his fans.  he doesn’t know what they’ll support or not.

but he likes dalton.

“hey.”

one of the freshmen, eva, stands in the doorway.  “stop running 

you don’t have to be scared of people seeing you dance, you know.”

kevin frowns.  “i don’t care about dancing.”

“yeah, but you care about dancing with your date.”  they cross their arms and lean against the doorframe.  “no one cares.  half this team is a little gay, anyway.”

once they’ve changed for the night in the hotel room, dalton hesitates from where he stands by the bed.  “are you okay?  you seemed a little jittery all night, i just... i wanna make sure everything’s fine, i guess.”

kevin looks up, but doesn’t answer. 

stop being so afraid of everything.

he opens his mouth to say something, but he doesn’t know what he can say.

he sighs.

dalton’s standing there, arms crossed, concerned.  kevin swallows his fears as he makes his way across the room until he’s standing right in front of dalton, and slides a hand behind his neck to kiss him.

dalton hums, surprised.  after a moment he brings a hand to kevin’s chest, and there’s a second where kevin thinks hes going to be pushed away.  instead his fingers dig into his hoodie and he pulls kevin closer.

dalton’s smiling as kevin pulls away.  “about time,” he mumbles, and kisses him again.

the back of dalton’s knees hit the bed by accident, but he drops down to sit and gently pulls kevin by the strings of his hoodie.

kevin isn’t new to sex, so to speak.  he’s not the most experienced, but he’s had his fun.  it’s the only reason he’s confident enough to scoot dalton further back and kiss him into the mattress.

dalton wraps an ankle around the back of kevin’s knee.  he curls his fingers into his hair and leans his head back when kevin kisses down his neck.

they wake up to kevin’s phone blaring.  matt’s calling.

kevin only acknowledges the fact that he has his arm around dalton for a second before he checks the time.

they’re late.

wymack’s gonna kill him.

kevin sits up and shakes dalton as he answers his phone.  “hey you guys are awake right?  coach is pulling the bus around then we’re loading up.”

kevin’s out of the bed and throwing his shirt on, tossing dalton’s hoodie to him.  “yeah, we’re coming.”  dalton’s eyes go wide and that kicks him into gear as he realizes the situation.

they look a mess as they run around.  they’ve really only got one pair of clothes and their suits to frantically shove into their bags.  kevin pulls his sneakers on without socks and dalton’s got his on with the laces all undone as they jog down the hall.

at least they brushed their teeth.

dalton drops down to tie his shoes in the elevator, and when he stands kevin takes the liberty of carding his fingers through his hair.

he shrugs.  “bed head.”

dalton can’t help but smile.  “might wanna pull this up a little,” he mumbles, and that’s when kevin realizes that he’d accidentally put on dalton’s long sleeve henley.  the shirt he’d been wearing last night before it got dropped to the floor.

dalton pushes the shirt up so it’s not hanging lower on kevin’s collarbone.  he’s got a nice hickey that needs hiding.

“they’re never going to let this go,” kevin says.

dalton leans back against the elevator wall.  “i’ve got some juice on matt if you ever need.”

kevin smiles, just a little.  despite him worrying all during the banquet, last night was so good.  he doesn’t want it to end as soon as they step off of the bus.  he doesn’t want dalton to be a one night stand, he doesn’t think.

he takes a step forward and kisses dalton against the wall once more.  he pulls away when the elevator dings.

matt smiles to himself as he watches them come around the corner.  he tries to tame it, at least.

kevin and dalton are the last on the bus.  kevin’s spot in the back is open, so they go back there.  dalton toes off his shoes as soon as he sits down.

kevin is on the aisle side.  his chest skips when dalton’s hand lands gently on his thigh.  he doesn’t hate it.

it’s dinner time when they get back to a rainy palmetto.  dalton had fallen asleep on kevin’s shoulder a half hour ago, and jolts awake when matt whoops and shouts to get out of his way so he can run off the bus for the bathroom.

“sorry,” dalton says quietly, scratching his head and yawning into the back of his hand.

“i didn’t mind.” kevin stretches his legs and pulls his shoes on.

dalton’s car is in the gated stadium parking lot.  kevin walks him to it, head ducked because all he’s got on is dalton’s henley.  no one anticipated rain.

dalton turns after unlocking his car, and sticks a ripped off folded note into kevin’s palm.  kevin puts it right into his pocket for safe keeping.  “so are you gonna call me after this?”  dalton’s hair is falling wet over his  forehead.

he nods, mouths the word yeah but nothing comes out.  and dalton can’t help himself, so he takes a step forward and kisses kevin one last time, gentle as he hesitates with his fingers hovering over his cheek.

kevin’s  got nothing to lose at this point, so he curls his hand alone dalton’s neck and steps closer.

he only pulls away because the team is most likely watching, and someone whistles.  “i’ll call you,” he nods.  he shoves his hands into his pockets and ignores the rain as he watches dalton drive out of the parking lot.

he turns towards the maserati and sees andrew shakes his head.  kevin looks down at himself.  he’s halfway to soaked.  not ideal for such an expensive car. which leaves one option.

kevin slides into the front seat of his father’s car.

wymack can’t wipe the smug look from his face.  “so-“

“no.”

[bellylivesthepoguelife]

you have to. - John B x Sarah

Request: 139 promise me you’ll take better care of yourself. Sarah is stressed about college and has been skipping meals, her roommate calls John B

Request From: @georgieeeeee7799​

Word Count: 1,271

This was in my ask box at one point, but I’m not able to find the original ask now. :(

Gif Credit to: @drewstarkeys​

When the door to Sarah's dorm room cracked open, her head instantly snapped to see who was turning the knob. She was more than a little shocked to see her boyfriend walking into the room when he was supposed to be over two hours away, and hadn't given a heads up that he was coming.

"John B." Immediately, she stood up, and studied his face to see if there was any terror, shock, or fear there that may signify that this visit was under dire circumstances. She didn't sense that anything detrimental was happening back home, if anything he looked cautious, hesitant even.

They met in the middle of the room, and quickly embraced.

"Are you okay, love?" Sarah's hand wrapped around to the back of his head, holding her to him. Even though she didn't think anyone was dying, he hadn't said it in as many words yet. The potential was still there.

He nodded against her shoulder, though his arms tightened their hold. This was always how Sarah knew something was up with her boyfriend. Physical touch was always John B's love language, and whenever he was nervous, or scared about something, he always found holding her body to him was a wonderful grounding technique.

"What's happened. You're here so late- why didn't you tell me you were coming? Is JJ okay? Is it Wheezie?" The questions flew from her mouth as her hands ran along every part of his body she could reach. She could feel him shake his head against her shoulder as he pulled back. But as soon as she saw the tears pooling in his eyes, one blink away from falling, she pulled his head down so their foreheads touched.

"Everyone's fine." The whisper coincided with his arms holding onto her waist gently rubbing so he could feel her, yet another way to ground himself.

"Baby what's going on." She separated their heads in an attempt to meet his eyes, but he was still looking down.

There was a beat of a pause before he looked at her, and when she saw a single tear slowly roll down his cheek, she felt her throat tighten.

He cleared the emotion from his throat. "Kristen called me," was all he started with.

Sarah's eyes darted to her door that led to the rest of her dorm (where her roommate and suitemates were no doubt watching television) before her clearly confused face focused on him again.

"I don't..." she trailed off, not even knowing how to process why her roommate would have called her boyfriend behind her back, and why the phone call had prompted said boyfriend to feel the need to drive two and a half hours to make a physical visit.

"I'm sorry." He said as he cleared his throat, though she couldn't even make a guess as to what the apology was for.

"You're going to have to give me something, JB." She joked, giving a short chuckle. She knew that whatever warranted the visit couldn't be that serious, and further, that John B had been known to be emotional at times. She tried to come up with something, anything, that this could be about, but as she wracked her brain there was just... nothing.

"I told myself I wasn't going to get emotional on you." They both laughed lightly, breaking any leftover tension.

She rubbed her thumb across his cheek. "Yeah, well we both knew that wasn't very likely."

He smirked because he knew she was right, yet it all but instantly dropped as he was reminded of his intention in coming. He grabbed her left hand in his, and thumbed over the promise ring he had given her the night she left for UNC. "Kristen called this afternoon."

Sarah nodded. "Okay, and?" She couldn't help but laugh, knowing that there surely would be some dumb correlation between what she wanted and why John B was currently crying in the middle of her room.

"She told me you haven't been eating."

The processing speed in her brain was delayed because it was so far away from anything she would have potentially thought of. After a few moments of furrowed brows, Sarah's jaw dropped like a fish. She instantly pulled her hand away so she was no longer touching any part of John B's body, rotating hers 90 degrees, unsure if she wanted to turn away from him to process, or march into Kristen's room and demand some answers. It didn't take long before she decided on the latter.

As soon as she made a move for the door, John B was intercepting. Not just blocking her path, but pulling her into a hug, and holding on so tight that even as she thrashed and pulled away, his arms stayed locked around her.

"John B." she started, as she tried to pull away. "No! John B!" Her attempt to pull her arms into her body to force his arms from her was quickly abandoned when she realized there was no way she would be able to overpower him.

The anger started to fade, when she realized the more dominant feeling was hurt. Sure, she may have skipped a couple meals here and there so she could have more time to study, or even sleep, but she didn't think it had been anything worth noticing. Let alone calling her boyfriend behind her back.

The tension in her limbs faded, and she relaxed into his arms. "John B. Let me go."

He hesitated. She wasn't sure if it was because he was afraid she'd break for the door, or if he just did not want to let her go. In the end he loosened his hold around her, and pulled back.

"She's overreacting." Sarah looked directly in his eyes, making sure she showed that she was being honest by making eye contact.

John B looked skeptical.

"I'm serious, John B." she turned and walked back to sit on her bed. "Do I get so busy that I skip meals sometimes? Sure. But it's never been an intentional thing."

Her boyfriend still stood in the middle of her room, looking at her warily, trying to decide if she was downplaying or not.

Sarah continued, "I just get so caught up in studying, and... sometimes I'm just so tired, that I just... forget."

John B took a few tentative steps toward her bed. "How do I know you're telling the truth?" Sarah made to answer, but he cut her off. "Because this is serious, Sarah." His voice broke, and one of his hands made to trace her upper arm. "I- I need you to be honest with me. If this is anything on a more serious level, besides just being busy... I need to know."

"I know, JB." she whispered, repeating the movements his hand was making on her arm with his. "And I promise. I pinky promise to you, that is all that it is." She held out a pinky to him that he took. "Which, Kristen would know too if she would have just asked me." She couldn't help rolling her eyes.

"Hey, don't be too hard on her. She was just worried."

Sarah nodded. "I know."

"Sarah," his voice turned serious again, "I need you to promise me that you'll take better care of yourself. Especially since I can't be here all the time."

She nodded again, offering her pinky finger back to him. "I promise."

"And you best believe that I'm going to be sending you reminders to eat."

Sarah rolled her eyes again, this time in amusement. "Oh, I don't doubt that you will."

[appleteez]

Forehead Kisses

Pairing: Hyungwon x reader

Genre: fluff

Word count: 732

𝚂𝚘𝚏𝚝 𝙼𝚘𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚂𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢

I slowly feel myself coming back from a really deep sleep. Without opening my eyes, I can feel that it’s early in the morning, maybe around 6:30AM. My body feels limp and as if it was melting on my mattress. The temperature under the big blanket was just perfect, and I could feel the thin rays of sunshine forming on my skin due to the slight temperature increase. I shuffle around slowly, and my arm bumps into something. He was still here. At the contact, he starts moving under the blanket and one of his arms comes to wrap it self over my stomach.

This is the first time Hyungwon stayed overnight. Even though he had a class this morning, he did not hesitate twice to stay the night when I offered after we stayed too late watching dumb shows and eating snacks. I suddenly feel him turn lightly and he starts to nuzzle his face into the crook of my neck. I finally flutter my eyes open and look around my room. I had never woken up that early. The light coming through the window felt so warm. The way it gave my room a golden accent. Everything seemed more soft and cozy. I turn my head just a bit and I can now see Hyungwon’s face. It was slightly puffy, his cheeks were faintly pink and the light from the shades were decorating his face perfectly.

*BEEEP BEEEP BEE—*

Hyungwon’s arm swings suddenly to stop his phone from ringing more. His upper body now up and raising the cover. I turn the other way and close my eyes again. I really didn’t want to interact that early in the morning. He had set his alarm for 6:30 so he could go back to his dorm and do whatever he had to do before his class at 7:45AM. He gets out of bed, leaving a huge empty void behind him, but making sure the cover is still neatly over me, not knowing I was awake. I hear him shuffle around, getting his pants and shirt back on. I hear him put things back in his backpack as we also studied together last night. A little thud, however, tells me that he puts his backpack down, and then opens the door. Silence.

I turn around, he left the room, the door slightly open. His footsteps leads me to believe that he’s going to the bathroom. I smile lightly, then lay back down trying to close my heavy eyes again. After a few minutes, I’m almost back asleep when I hear his lightly footsteps back in the room. He comes near the bed and I can feel his fists sink the mattress as he rests on it for a bit. Then suddenly, the weight shifts a bit, until his breathing fans over my face before he drops a very light kiss on my forehead. One of his hands come up to my forehead to carefully and gently push away some strands of hair, and he kisses my forehead again, this time a little longer.

“You look dumb when you sleep~” He whispers, and I could hear a faint smile in his voice.

“Get lost.”

“I knew you were awake.” He laughs a bit, still whispering. I open my eyes, and he’s over me smiling like a gummy bear. “How about, I go to class, then I come back and we go get breakfast?”

“Sure~” I start stretching and sit up on my bed. He backs away still smiling. He takes his bag over his shoulder and waves me goodbye before leaving and closing my door behind him. I wait a few seconds, then I hear the main door open and close. “He kissed me.. Oh my GOD !!!!” I storm out of my room and run into my suitemate’s room next to me. “ OH MY GOD !!! WAKE UP !!!”

“Y/N? What the fuck?” She says half asleep, her eyes having trouble opening due to how early it is.

“Hyungwon slept over and he just kissed my forehead !!! TWICE !!!” I squeal and she just sighs.

“Amazing, you guys are officially the softest and most innocent couple of this apartment. Now leave me alone.”

“Sorry~” I giggle. “Oh.. Hey Jooheon.”

“Hey..” He says his face buried in one of the pillows not even bothering to open his eyes.

[kamilah-the-bloodqueen]

The Cafe Pt.I (Rewritten Barista)

As promised, I’m working through finishing my unfinished series - and that includes the Barista AU I had written long ago. I decided it was best to rewrite it considering the first part was originally published 200+ days ago. I’m aiming for 3 parts for this “one-shot AU” but we’ll see where it goes. Please be patient with me - my academic course load is extremely heavy and finding time to write is difficult but I will finish everything I said I would. I’m actually pretty proud of this but if it flops I never wrote it :) 

Pairing: Kamilah x MC (Amy)

Word Count: 4505 words I’m shocked (I usually get to about 1600-2000 words) 

Taglist: I’m not tagging anyone until I know people want to be tagged for this because I’m nervous and I hate being annoying!!!! If you want to be tagged for a specific pairing please let me know - I’ll try to keep track and remember to actually tag because I’m a forgetful dumbass!

Amy groggily rolled over in her bed, the amount of sleep she was getting had become oddly suspicious because she would never be able to get up before 7 on her own. She rubbed her face gently, her sheets warm and smooth against her skin. She grabbed her phone from the nightstand, her eyes widening in shock as she read the time on the screen.  

Monday March 30 5:40 am

“Fucking hell I thought I set an alarm!” Amy groaned as she threw the sheets to the side, huffing as she opened the clock app to see, she in fact, did not set an alarm. She sighed, shaking her head as she rushed to the bathroom. 

“Damn it Amy...you need this job…” 

She texted Zig, a mutual friend of Emily Day who introduced them their freshman year of college at Hartfeld before Amy had transferred to Belviore University in New York. Zig graduated and moved to New York and opened a small cafe, only a few years later. 

Zig, I’m going to be late. I missed my alarm this morning. I swear I’ll stay for closing and I won’t be late tomorrow. 

LMAO, Amy if you didn’t set an alarm just say that, I had a feeling this would happen so I told you we opened an hour before we actually do. We don’t open until 7 on Mondays, just Tuesdays-Fridays. 

I am literally going to murder you 0_0. You should prepare to be launched into outer space for this crime. 

Lol I look forward to it - see you at 7. 

Amy turned on the shower, as she grabbed a towel and her shower products from the cabinet, placing them beside the shower door. She discarded her clothes, put her shower playlist on, hopped into the shower and felt a wave of relief that she didn’t blow her first day. After Amy had performed her world tour, she stepped out of the shower with a shiver, the cool air a contrast to her very hot skin. She wrapped herself in the fuzzy towel, briefly glancing at the time, 6:02. She walked out of the bathroom, dropping the towel onto the floor as she opened her closet while she scanned her options for a “casual” outfit that would suffice. She put on her favorite bra and underwear, something about the red lingerie made her feel confident, before she slipped into a pair of dark blue denim skinny jeans. She paired the pants with a black t-shirt as she smiled at herself in the mirror. 

“Not bad Amy, not bad at all.” 

She walked over to her small vanity, one she had built with her father as a teenager over the summer before she left for college. It was one of her most prized possessions, one of the only things she had to remind her of him before he disappeared without a trace. She closed her eyes, recalling the memory fondly before she began to apply a small amount of makeup, just enough to hide her tiredness from the public. She stood from the desk, pleased with her appearance as she made her way to the small apartment kitchen. The empty beer bottles and ps4 controllers cluttered the kitchen as Amy smiled, having remembered celebrating the job with her suitemate Lily. She threw the bottles away and plugged the remotes in for a charge, Lily would thank her for that later. She opened the freezer, making herself two premade waffles as she checked her social media. It might have partially been the exhaustion but those waffles were the best Amy ever had, she wiped her mouth clean and grabbed her bag from the nearby chair. She shot a brief text to Lily, to let her know she hadn’t been kidnapped.

Morning Lily! I went to the cafe for work, just so you don’t end up thinking I got myself kidnapped. Love you, see you tonight! Try not to drink all of the alcohol. 

Amy followed Zig’s text directions through the streets of the city, the bustle of traffic, the mass of pedestrians and the loud construction noises distracting Amy from her path. Amy had never really been in New York’s financial district before, the other civilians' appearances shifting from “Naked Cowboy of Times Square” to “Businessman” only a few streets apart. She glanced at her phone as it instructed her to take a right.

“Oof-” 

Amy jolted at the scalding hot coffee that was hot on her skin, her head turning to meet a woman’s irritated gaze, taking note of the coffee cup that was in her hands. She was dressed like all the other businessmen and women who passed by - her maroon suit now covered in coffee as she huffed in annoyance. Amy met her deep brown eyes that burned right through her, her whole body freezing up as she watched the woman’s lips move. Amy stood in a daze, only coming back to herself when the woman waved her hand in front of her, her face filled with exasperation. 

“I’m so sorry. It’s my first day and I’m kind of lost-”

“Watch where you’re going, this suit is probably worth more than you.” Her voice was silky and satisfying, and oddly soothing given the fact she had probably just stained a $2,000 suit. Amy rushed to open her wallet, holding out a wet 50$ to the woman. The business woman scoffed as she walked away, leaving Amy in a confused state outside of the cafe. 

“Fuck.” Amy sighed, moving to collect her bag as she walked through the cafe door, Zig raised his eyebrows at her as she made her way behind the counter. 

“Well that’s a look.” He jested, Amy turning her head and giving him a death glare as he tossed an apron to her. “Nobody will notice, you can cover it with this. There’s paper towels in the back.” Amy dropped her bag in the break room, gently wiping the coffee away and putting the surprisingly fashionable apron on. When she walked out from the back her jaw dropped as she spotted the woman from earlier standing on the other side of the counter. Their eyes met and the woman’s gaze quickly changed from annoyed to very annoyed at the sight of Amy. 

“Kamilah, you’re back. Wanted to pick up some date-nut pinwheels?” 

“No, I need another black coffee.” She turned back to Zig with a smile, he gave a small nod as Amy began to brew the coffee for her. She placed the lid carefully onto the fresh cup and handed it out to the woman, their fingers brushing for a moment, a blush creeping onto Amy’s cheeks. 

“Thank you.” Her tone was less aggressive than it had been in their first encounter, Amy finally calm enough to take note of the woman’s features. Her brown silky hair that looked like it belonged in a conditioner commercial, her defined jawline and subtle eyeshadow that accentuated her eyes. She watched the way her lips moved as she talked to Zig, Amy feeling her heart jump at the sound of her laugh - light and golden. Amy watched her leave, every step she took she took with such confidence that Amy found herself wanting to follow her out the door. 

“You could be less obvious, you know?” Zig playfully nudged Amy, nearly knocking her over as she shook her head in denial.

“No! I wasn’t!” Amy sighed as she rubbed her temples, Zig’s infectious laugh filling the empty cafe. Amy playfully punched his shoulder as a group of well dressed men stepped through the threshold, Amy moving behind the register to take their orders. The day passed, Amy learning how oddly specific some people like their coffee, and learning all of Zig’s secrets to the perfect iced coffee. Amy looked at the clock as Zig walked to lock the front door - finally closing time. 

“Some of these orders...like ‘I’ll have the grande iced mocha no foam soy hexagon vortex hypotenuse’” Amy waved her hands around as Zig tried to contain a laugh, wiping down the counter as Amy hung her apron up.

“Amy you’re horrible.” Zig made a good attempt at seriousness, their eyes meeting before they continued to laugh which made closing pass by much faster. Zig grabbed the mass of leftover desserts from their respective containers, hovering them over the garbage before Amy stopped him.

“Oh, did you want these?” 

“No, but I can find a better place for them than the trash.” 

“Where? Your stomach?”

“No, the food bank is on the route back to my apartment. We shouldn’t be wasteful, and besides - who wouldn’t love a raspberry crown?” 

“You’ve got a point. I’ll bag these for you then, if you could sweep the floor and put the chairs on the tables that’d be great.” 

When all the cleaning and closing procedures were done Amy headed for the door with her bag in hand, Zig gently tapping her shoulder and holding out an envelope, a key to the cafe and the bag of desserts.

“Okay so I know what’s in here but what is this? A resignation letter?” Amy pouted her bottom lip as Zig rolled his eyes so far back Amy wasn’t sure if they’d come back.

“It’s your share of the tips from today, and the wrapped pastries. Thanks for that suggestion by the way, I can’t believe I didn’t think of that myself.” Zig rubbed the back of his neck as he looked around the pristine cafe, the windows reflecting the moonlight and the tile shimmering as if it were just installed. “Bloody hell, the place looks good...no great. Thank you Amy. Come on let's get outta here, go home - I’ll see you tomorrow at 6. Actually, let me make sure you set 3 different alarms, give me your phone.” Zig held out his hand after he locked the front door, Amy reluctantly handing her iphone over as he set 3 different alarms, all 5 minutes apart. He looked up at her for a moment, smirking before handing her phone back to her and walking off into the city. Amy rolled her eyes, he probably took a selfie on her camera but when she went to check, there was nothing but memes and occasional group photos -what did Zig smirk at then? Amy was too tired to think of it, she made a swift beeline to the food bank, opening the doors and dropping the brown bag of desserts off before making her trip back to the apartment. 

The door opened with a creak, all of the lights turned off as Amy carefully navigated to her room. She switched her lamp on, letting it provide a dim light that didn’t blind Amy because of its intensity. She tossed her bag onto the bed, as she pulled her shirt over her head in one rapid motion. She desperately stripped, throwing her dirty clothes into the laundry basket as she changed into clean lingerie. She slipped into her favorite pair of pajama shorts and pulling her favorite hoodie over her bra - shirts were overrated anyways. Amy crawled onto her bed, crossing her legs while she put her headphones on, pulling up her favorite late-night playlist and letting the slowed music soothe her. She caught a glance at the envelope Zig had given her, she reached over for it and opened it carefully - baffled at the amount of cash laying inside. She slowly laid each bill out, counting the total twice to make sure she hadn’t miscalculated. Working at a cafe in New York’s financial district was definitely going to help her and Lily catch up on their rent and not get evicted. She smiled, tucking away 25% for herself, taking enough for her share of the rent and putting the rest into her locked safe - she’d been saving for a trip to Hawaii since she graduated. She stifled a yawn, closing the safe and tucking herself back into her warm sheets, taking her headphones off and closing her eyes for the night. 

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The alarm woke Amy up with it’s loud and very obnoxious beeping, Amy wanting nothing more than to throw the phone into the thermosphere. She drowsily stood from her bed, gently tucking the sheets neatly back into place as she turned off the following alarms. She sighed, rubbing her head as she changed into a simple outfit and left out the door to the cafe.

Amy arrived at the cafe, unlocked the front door and turned the lights on, relocking the door behind her because she didn’t need anyone startling her. She moved behind the counter, dropping her bag in the lounge and putting an apron on. She checked the coffee filters, gave the blenders a good washing, set out creamer, sugar and other coffee essentials on the counter and filled supplies back up. Zig suddenly walked through the door, a smile on his face as Amy finished supplying the countertop and putting the pastries out on display, letting Zig prepare himself for opening. 

“You’re early. I’m shocked. College Amy is having a stroke right now.” Amy knocked him in the side, Zig falling back a few steps as he shook his head and put his hands in the air in surrender. “Alright alright no need for violence, come on, let’s open.” Zig turned the “open” sign on and only a minute later did Kamilah appear in the cafe, her suit perfectly fitted, her hair smoothly cascading around her head and down her shoulders and her face relaxed and composed. 

“Good morning Kamilah, what can I get for you?” Zig gestured to the display of desserts and the variety of coffee combinations on the menu above their heads. Kamilah smiling as Zig waved his hands back and forth, Kamilah letting out a soft chuckle. 

“Just a large black coffee and maybe a date-nut pinwheel.” Kamilah spoke to Zig in almost a tender way, as if they were siblings or long-term friends. Amy selected a pinwheel, gently placing it into a small bag and sliding it over the counter towards Kamilah as she began to brew the coffee. 

“How’s Ahmanet Financial?” Zig leaned over the counter, his defined arms nearly breaking through the sleeves of his white shirt. Kamilah tucked the pinwheel bag into a hidden pocket on the inside of her blazer before she turned back to face Zig.

“It’s very successful, our stocks are soaring and we just secured a new business partner.” Kamilah looked proud and for good reason - Ahmanet financial was one of the most powerful corporations out there. Amy topped her coffee off with a lid and handed it to her, their eyes meeting for a moment before Amy turned away, feeling her cheeks turning hot. Kamilah checked her watch, a movado 47 rose gold watch that cost way more than anything Amy had ever come close to owning. “Zig I’d love to chat some other day but I’m afraid I’ll be late if I don’t leave now.”

She quickly made her way out the door, the bell ringing softly as Kamilah strided away. Amy leaned over the counter with a sigh, Zig nudging her softly. 

“You could be less obvious Amy,” his annoying face smirking at Amy as she rolled her eyes, “you used to be so slick back in college.”

“Shut the fuck up.” Amy threw an empty coffee cup at him as a blonde girl walked into the cafe, her eyes glued to her phone as she recited her order at a rate that nobody could understand. Amy sighed, Zig giving her a pained glance as she went to mix the complicated coffee order. Amy fought back a laugh as Zig found a way to run away to the back when the girl asked for his phone number. Once Amy finished mixing her coffee and sent her out the cafe doors Zig poked his head out of the lounge - his eyes scanning for her.

“Is she gone?” Amy snorted as Zig stepped out from the doorway, his hands running through his hair as he let his shoulders relax. “My god I hate teenagers - they turn eighteen and all of a sudden think they can fuck anyone. I’m like 5 years older than her at least!” 

“Relax buddy, let’s just get through the rest of the day. I’ll handle all the teenage brats and you can handle all the nasty men.” Amy gave him a cheeky grin as they teamwork-ed their way through the rest of the day.

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“Finally.” Amy rested the broom on the wall, taking in the pristine cafe as Zig finished wiping down the counters. “What a day.” 

“Thank god it’s over.” 

“Zig?”

“Yeah?”

“Does Kamilah always come by the cafe right when we open?”

Zig perked his head up, his brows raised to the top of his head as Amy felt a blush creep up her cheeks, her hands growing sweaty as Zig remained silent. 

“She always comes as soon as we open, she has to be at work early since she is the CEO. Although she never rests, despite everything I’ve told her.” Zig’s head shot to his phone as it buzzed, a text from Emily appearing on the screen and Zig hastily typed away.

“Everything okay Zig?” Amy had a worried expression on her face as Zig let out a long sigh. 

“There’s a road trip for Kaitlyn’s band that leaves in two days that lasts for a week that our group is going on and I can’t go because I need to run the cafe-”

“I can handle it for a week.” Amy spoke firmly, Zig’s eyes widening before he let out a chuckle.

“What if you burn it down?”

“I won’t but then I guess you just have to trust me. Come on Zig - you need a break and you damn well know it. Get out of here for a week.”

“I hate that you’re right. Fine, but if the cafe isn’t standing when I get back, you’re toast.” They both laughed and finished up closing. 

Amy walked towards the food bank, a brisk breeze prompting her to make it one speedy trip so she could bask in her heated apartment. A shriek came from the alley as Amy turned her gaze to see where the yell had come from, a red pair of eyes looking right at her in the darkness. She felt her heart beating out of her chest as she forced her feet to a run, her heart pounding like a drum and ringing in her ears as she huffed through the front doors of the bank - placing the bag on the counter and racing back to her apartment without turning back. 

“Hey girl how was-” Lily sat on the couch with a coke in her hand and the television remote in the other, her smile fading as she met Amy’s eyes. “Amy, what’s wrong? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost…”

“I think I’m just hallucinating from exhaustion,” Amy dropped her bag on the floor and took a seat on the couch beside Lily, “anyways tell me about you. We haven’t really had time since we both started working more.”

“Well you should sleep soon but I think we’ll be able to hold the rent for the next few months - with all the money you’re bringing in now in addition to the money my app has started to bring in - I think we’ll be more than fine.” Lily nudged her shoulder, offering Amy a can of coke with a smile as The Vampire Diaries played on the TV. 

“Vampires are so overrated.” Amy groaned as she watched Lily’s eyes become glued to the screen.

“Some of us have taste you know.”

“No, it’s because they’re not real Lily, and the fact that no vampire would ever be attracted to me.” 

Lily rolled her eyes as Amy sipped on her coke, both of them laughing late into the night and being good friends in what had felt like a long time. 

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

Amy unlocked the cafe doors and shuffled inside, locking the door behind her and leaving her bag on the counter. She hit the light switch as the lights slowly came flickering on as she tied the apron around the back of her neck. She quickly started and finished the morning set-up, the routine becoming second nature since Amy had always been a fast learner. She checked her phone, 6:49 am April 1, 2020. 

“April fools day.” Amy smiled as she contemplated setting up a whipped cream prank on Zig, but decided not to against her deepest desire to see his shocked face. While thinking of ways to mess with Zig through the day, her mind came to test a theory - she began preparing two black coffees - before adding her own twists to one of them. Amy finished and admired her handiwork - the cups looked identical and Kamilah wouldn’t notice until she tasted it. 

Kamilah walked in, her eyes scanning the cafe for Zig as she took a cautious step towards Amy who had a cute little grin on her face.

“Good morning Kamilah, here’s your coffee.” Amy handed her a black coffee, the one she had adjusted ever so slightly. She watched as Kamilah brought the cup to her lips, almost taking a sip, before she lowered the cup and leaned her face closer to Amy. 

“What did you do to it? It smells different, and where’s Zig?” Kamilah arched a brow as Amy silently wondered how Kamilah could smell the difference.

“I took a twist with it, I made you your regular too in case you hate it...I just thought you should broaden your horizons…and Zig is coming. He just needs to pack, he’ll be gone after today for a week and I’ll be running the cafe.” Amy smiled softly at the woman who was now leaning dangerously close. 

“I see. And if I hate it?”

“Then I’ll pay for both and I’ll never try to broaden your horizons again…” Amy frowned slightly as Kamilah finally sipped on the drink - her brown eyes widening as she took another, and another.

“It’s...actually pretty good...what did you do to it?” Kamilah took another sip as Amy bounced on her heels, a wide childish grin written across her face. 

“I added a bit of cream and sugar and a bit of caramel! It’s how I like mine!” Amy took her hands behind her back and fiddled with them nervously as Kamilah smiled. Zig walked in just as the clock read 8:05 am and Kamilah left, turning at the door to smile at Amy one last time, lifting the cup up with a smile before entering her car. 

“What’s that smile about Amy?” Zig wagged his fingers at Amy with a classic smirk as he prepared for the shift, Amy resting her head on both of her hands while she leaned over the counter - her legs kicking out behind her. 

“Nothing.” Amy sighed and went back to brewing coffee, her hands aimlessly performing while her mind sat on nothing but the thought of Kamilah - and her damned perfect smile. 

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

Amy tossed her shoes off as she made her way through the apartment door, one shoe nearly knocking Lily’s head off as she pulled freshly fried chicken from the air fryer. 

“Lily that smells AMAZING!” Amy squealed and made her way over to her, Lily slapping her hand away as she finished the two plates of waffles off with a chicken breast and syrup. “I swear I’ve got the best best friend…” Lily smiled as they both dug into the food, chatting away about their day until Amy let it slip out.

“And there’s this really hot customer-”

“Oh! Spill!” Lily wiggled in her seat like a child, eagerly waiting for Amy to elaborate as Amy stuffed her face with the rest of her waffles. “I’ll wait for you to finish.” Lily smirked and held Amy in an uncomfortable eye contact until Amy finally caved in. 

“She comes in at opening time every single day, and always orders a black coffee. Although I got her to try something new today which I’m really proud of.” The subtle smile that crept up Amy’s face gave it all away to Lily as she let her ramble on, whilst she gave Amy the smirk she hated. “I’m simping aren’t I?”

“There’s nothing wrong with simping. But you have a chance here because Zig won’t be there so you can actually like...take your shot without him ever having to know,” Lily winked and whispered, “and you could totally fuck her in the back-”

“NOPE!” Amy stood up frantically, Lily holding her sides for support and nearly falling out of her chair as Amy rushed to clear her plate. “I hate you! Ohmygoddddddd.” Amy groaned as Lily fell to the floor, her eyes wet with tears at Amy’s reaction more than anything else.

“I’m going to bed!!” 

“Goodnight! Love you Ames!!!”

“Love you too….annoying ass!” 

Amy snorted as she changed into her sleepwear, her body becoming exhausted as she hit the mattress, falling asleep ridiculously fast. 

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Kamilah came through the door, right on time as Amy had come to expect. Amy gazed up from her phone, those dark brown eyes looking right at her as she handed Kamilah her usual black coffee, Kamilah holding it closely before clearing her throat. 

“Can I have the one from yesterday as well?” Amy smiled at her as she began to mix her favorite coffee - Kamilah leaning over the counter to observe. 

“I didn’t think you’d want it again.” Amy said as she added creamer to the mix, the coffee turning golden as she mixed it. 

“A woman can’t appreciate a little variety in her life?” Kamilah leaned against the counter, her hair smoothly gliding over her maroon blazer as she tossed it back - taking a sip from her cup.

“No I just-” Amy topped the cup off with a bit of caramel before enclosing it with the lid, her hands sweaty as she handed it to Kamilah. 

“You just?”

“Thought you’d always like your coffee like your personality.” 

“Whatever do you mean by that?”

The way Kamilah was looking at Amy, she knew she had to choose her next words carefully. 

“Dark, intimidating, a bit bitter at first sip,” Amy hesitated as Kamilah raised a brow, “an...acquired taste.”

“You’re intimidated by me?” 

“Just a little…”

“Hmm, I suppose your coffee is like you if you want to expand your little analogy.” Kamilah glanced at her watch, her expression shifting from playful to work-oriented. Amy felt her heart drop a little as she recomposed herself - back to her refined and disciplined self. Kamilah made her way to the door, the two cups of coffee in her hands as she paused, turning back and looking at Amy - something different about it.

“It’s...sweet and comforting,” her voice was soft as she spoke, Amy’s cheeks turning very red, “like you.” 

[cardinalnuggets]

7 & 11 together from this for Ayna x f!mc

Safe in your arms

Word count: 1545 Rating: T Summary: Kennedy has a hard day and Ayna shows up to cheer her up. Prompts: "I’m in love with your voice" and "I don’t think I have ever felt safer than in your arms" Tagging: @robintora if anyone else wants to be tagged in the future, let me know!

Lost in a daydream of a life where she didn’t have to watch her back every time she left home, Kennedy didn’t hear the first sharp knock against the door to her suite. Weeks had passed since her “scandal” had first broken and the paparazzi weren’t showing any sign of getting bored with her, even though nothing exciting enough for them to report on had happened since the incident at the lake. They just kept waiting for her to slip-up, which she was sure was inevitable at this point.

She was exhausted having to put on her smile and “perfect first daughter” mask all day every day. This suite was the only place she truly felt like she could be herself and she hated it. Hated staring at the same four walls and feeling like this was the only place she was safe. If only she could have just one day where she was free to be herself.

A second knock sounded against the door, finally pulling her out of her spiralling inner monologue.

“Dionne?” She yelled towards Dionne’s room. Her suitemate had been hiding in there for the past 15 minutes to escape the negativity surrounding Kennedy like a dark, angry cloud.

When there was no response, Kennedy shouted for her again. Still nothing. Sighing in annoyance, she dragged herself off the sofa and towards the door.

“Ayna?” She squeaked when the door swung open to reveal her girlfriend on the other side.

Ayna opened her mouth to reply, but before she could, Kennedy reached out and grasped her hand, dragging her inside. After how today had gone, she couldn’t trust that there wasn’t a stray photographer hiding out in the bushes.

“What’re you doing here?” Her voice was sharper than she meant it to be, but she was just so worried about getting caught in another scandal. Given the way the press acted with the first one, she was sure someone even knocking on her door would be enough for them to create another whole scandal. She couldn’t cope with them realising Ayna was the other half of the story. Ayna deserved better than being dragged through the mud like Kennedy was.

Raising an eyebrow at Kennedy’s snappy tone, Ayna moved passed her to sit on the sofa. “Nice to see you too, Kennedy,” she responded, patting the space next to her. “Now why don’t you come and tell me what’s put you in such a foul mood?”

Visibly deflating, Kennedy threw herself down next to Ayna. Wordlessly, Ayna wrapped her up in her arms and tugged her close until Kennedy’s head was resting on her shoulder.

“Sorry,” Kennedy mumbled into the soft skin of Ayna’s neck. The floral scent of her perfume, and the feeling of her arms wrapped around her slowly chased away the tension from the day until she had melted against Ayna’s side.

Several minutes of silence passed between them as Kennedy just revelled in the feeling of being in her girlfriend’s arms. Although Dionne had already told her what had happened when she had told her to come and cheer Kennedy up, Ayna wanted her to get everything off her chest so it would stop feeling like such a burden to her. So, gently she nudged her in the ribs before repeating her question to her.

“Just another day in the life of the first daughter of Rutherland,” Kennedy muttered with a humourless chuckle.

After letting out a long breath, she fell back into silence. Ayna had more than enough on her plate what with her father, her job and trying to avoid being discovered as Kennedy’s secret lover that Kennedy didn’t want to burden her with all her problems too.

“I don’t think I have ever felt safer than in your arms,” she murmured instead of elaborating on what had made this particular day worse than most.

“Lucky for you, they’re always here when you need them. I’m always here when you need me.” Her voice was soft as she said this, but Kennedy could tell that she was far from letting her wriggle her way out of this conversation.

She let Kennedy stew in silence for another minute or two before speaking up again.

“Remember when you told me that I can lean on you and I don’t need to go through things alone?” Ayna curled her fingers under Kennedy’s chin and coaxed her head up so she could see her face. “That goes both ways, okay? If something is bothering you, no matter small or silly you think it is, I want to know about it. I want to know everything about you.”

Seeing the sincerity on Ayna’s face squeezed Kennedy’s heart. Despite not knowing her long, somehow Ayna always knew just what to say. Any lingering reservations she had about confiding in Ayna vanished, but she found now that there was nothing really to say because her bad mood was long gone.

“I want to know everything about you too,” Kennedy replied before she leant in to press a tender kiss to Ayna’s lips. Sighing, she settled herself back against Ayna, nuzzling her face against her neck again. “It’s not that I don’t want to tell you, it’s just that there isn’t much to tell. The paparazzi were everywhere I turned today, but that’s not new.” She shrugged, taking a moment to just breathe Ayna in. “It just got to me today. More than usual. I don’t know why. But you being here is enough to make me forget all of it.”

The smile that curled at Ayna’s lips was breath-taking, and Kennedy could feel it when she leant down to press a kiss to her forehead. “Well next time you feel like this, call me, so Dionne doesn’t have to.”

“Dionne called you?” She groaned, burying her head further against Ayna’s skin. God, she must have been insufferable if Di had had to call in reinforcements.

“Why else did you think I came?”

Kennedy could hear the amusement in Ayna’s voice and it was enough to coax a smile onto her face.

“I don’t know. I thought maybe you were just psychic and knew I needed you?”

Ayna laughed. “I’m good, but I’ve not quite mastered psychic abilities yet.”

“Damn,” Kennedy replied, and after both of their laughs trailed off, they fell into a comfortable silence. It was nice to just be able to be together, especially since they hardly ever got to spend time alone together.

“Can you just…talk?” Kennedy asked quietly after some time. “Tell me about your day or something? I’m in love with your voice.”

“If that’s what you want,” Ayna replied. She adjusted herself so she was sitting more comfortably against the sofa, and Kennedy found herself practically draped across her body like a blanket.

“I went to visit my father today. He was especially cheery and just for a short time I forgot that we were in a hospital and that he was sick. It was bittersweet, but they’re scheduling his surgery for two weeks’ time so hopefully him not being in hospital will be a reality soon.” The hope in her voice had Kennedy squeezing her arms tight around her waist. She hoped more than pretty much anything in the world that Arjun would make a full recovery. He truly was a wonderful person, just like his daughter.

“He kept asking about you,” she laughed, burying her face in Kennedy’s hair. “He wants to know if you’ll visit again because he has so many more embarrassing stories to share with you.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I think he’s figured out you’re not just a student to me.”

Ayna’s voice sounded unperturbed but Kennedy wanted to be sure. “Really? And that’s…okay?”

“Of course. Well it is with me, at least. I was thinking next time you come with me to visit, we could confirm his suspicions. If that’s okay with you?”

“You want to tell your father about us?” Kennedy pulled back enough that she could look Ayna in the eye. She was wearing a look of amazement on her face at the thought that Ayna was just as serious about her as she was about Ayna.

“Yes.” She cupped Kennedy’s cheek with one of her hands, stroking the skin with her thumb. “If my father being ill has taught me one thing, it’s that you shouldn’t take anything for granted. So, I want to share my happiness with him. Is that okay?”

“It’s more than okay,” Kennedy replied. Her eyes flickered down to look at Ayna’s lips before she closed the distance between them. They clung to one another as their lips met, their tongues tangling together languidly. Although it didn’t last long, it was the most reaffirming kiss Kennedy had ever had.

“Would you like me to keep talking?” Ayna asked as Kennedy settled herself back against her.

“Please.”

The rest of the night passed with Ayna telling story after story until Kennedy had fallen asleep against her shoulder. Waking her was unbearable to Ayna, so she resigned herself to a night of sleeping right where she was. Despite how uncomfortable she was sure to be come morning, Ayna had never felt more at peace.

[everybodyscupoftea]

i’ll be there

frat jj x reader

words: 2020

warnings: underage drinking, cursing

synopsis: in which boys will be boys and forget important dates

You and JJ had only been dating around seven months when your birthday came around. The birthday talk had come up because his was about four months before yours and you planned a whole day for the two of you to go fishing because you could tell how much he missed it with how busy school was keeping him.

JJ was ecstatic and the two of you drank all afternoon. You had a reservation at one of his favorite restaurants and a cake you’d made waiting in your room. He swore up and down to you that it was his favorite birthday ever and that he’d definitely one up you for yours.

As the date got closer, you began to doubt it. To clarify, it was fine, your birthday wasn’t a huge deal to you, just another day really. You never really announced it or had a party for it growing up, normally just movie marathon, dinner, and cake with your parents, sister, and some of your closest friends. But this year, it was your first birthday away from your family and home friends.

You thought maybe JJ was just planning something as a surprise until he started talking about a mixer he was helping plan that was supposed to take place on your birthday. While he was talking, you must’ve gotten a weird look on your face because he trailed off and asked, “Babe, everything okay? Do you think the theme is stupid?”

“No, the theme isn’t stupid, it sounds fun. What day is it again?”

He repeated the date and sure enough, you’d heard him right the first time. Nodding, you took a deep breath, “Well what if you moved it to that Friday instead of Saturday?”

“It’s like tradition or something to have Spring mixers on Saturday nights.”

This time you were absolutely sure that you were making a face. Your mouth fell open as you searched for the right words, “Wait, that’s one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard.”

JJ laughed and ruffled your hair, much to your annoyance, “Yeah, well, we don’t fuck with tradition.”

“Right,” you didn’t really feel like finishing the conversation, so you decided to just head out, “well, I have study group tonight, so I’m going to get something to eat before having to head over.”

“Oh, you want company?” JJ asked reaching for his wallet.

You shrugged, “I’m good. Have to call my sister anyway, so I’ll do that while I’m eating.”

JJ looked confused and a little hurt, you rarely ate dinner without him, but he quickly smoothed his face over, “Yeah, sure. Text me when you get out of study group, we can hang out later.”

With a weak smile, you nodded, “Sure, I’ll talk to you later.”

You left his room before he could lean in to kiss you goodbye and speed walked to the elevator before he could chase you down. The feeling in your chest was hard to pin down, maybe disappointment, maybe insecurity of not being important enough to JJ, but as soon as you had that thought, you pushed it away. That was absurd.

Pulling your phone out on the walk to the cafeteria on campus, you called your sister. She picked up on the second ring with an excited, “Hey!”

“Hey, loser, I miss you.”

She laughed, “Yeah, miss seeing your dumb face around the house.”

“I don’t know how, it’s like I’m still there with all the outfits of mine I keep seeing on Instagram.”

“Hey, if you didn’t want me to wear your clothes, you should’ve brought them with you.”

“Oh whatever,” you told her, not really in the mood to argue back.

She was quiet for a few seconds before gently asking, “Everything okay? Did you and JJ fight?”

You sighed, “No, I just, I think he forgot my birthday because he’s planning something with his frat and I asked if they could move the day and he was all like ‘no we don’t fuck with tradition’ and like I guess I get it, but I just wanted to do the whole movie thing with him this year since I won’t be with you guys.”

“Did you, I don’t know, tell him it was on your birthday or did you happen to leave that little detail out?”

With a soft laugh and slight blush, you responded, “What do you think?”

“I think you left that important bit out because you know how much the frat means to him and you’re willing to just get your feelings hurt for his sake.”

“Shut up,” you mumbled, hating how well she knew you.

“Well, Sis, unfortunately he’s probably going to be a typical boy about this and he’s not going to remember until after the fact and then he’s going to feel like shit and you’re going to feel like shit with him. Really this could all be avoided if you just tell him.”

“He doesn’t have to know.”

“Oh my god, you do realize he’s going to be thinking to himself in a few months, huh, I wonder when her birthday is and he’s going to find out.”

“Well, I’ll tell him I don’t celebrate it.”

She made an exasperated noise, “Okay, clearly nothing I say is going to change your mind, so I’ll just drop it for now. How are your classes going?”

And with that the two of you started catching up. You told her about your classes and your study group, and she told you about all the gossip going on with people at home and about how bullshit senior year of high school was.

“I’m just ready to be in college and doing whatever I want, like you,” she whined at the end of her rant.

You laughed, “The grass always seems greener, my friend, but I can promise you it is not.”

She complained a little bit more before the two of you exchanged goodbyes and you started walking to the library to meet with your group. By the time you finished there, it wasn’t too late, so you texted JJ that you were finished. He replied pretty quick, telling you to wait there, and he’d come walk you back since it was dark and your dorm was pretty far away from the library.

Everything was going to be totally fine, he still cared for you, it was going to be okay.

In the weeks leading up to the party, JJ got busier and busier, focused on making sure the details were exactly right. He was put in charge of coordinating the alcohol, which you didn’t really get because he was only 20, but he told you it was a real privilege, so you let it go.

The night before, he crashed in your room and by the time you woke up at 10, he was gone and you had a text from him that he had to go help set up and that he’d be back to pick you up at 5:30.

You stretched and decided to go for a run before getting some expensive coffee you normally didn’t spend money on as a treat for your birthday. It was nice outside, and you enjoyed the fresh air. While you were drinking your coffee, you parents FaceTimed you, so you moved to the outdoor patio and talked with them and your sister for a good 30 minutes.

After picking up lunch at your favorite sushi place, you went back to your room to eat and start getting ready for the Mardi Gras themed party. You scrolled through Instagram, smiling at your friends’ posts for you. It felt nice, especially since JJ hadn’t said anything about it yet.

Your suitemate let herself into your bedroom around 4 with a cupcake from the bakery downtown and a huge smile. It almost brought you to tears. She gave you a huge hug and sang to you before asking, “What do you and JJ have planned?”

“Oh, uh, we’re going to a party his frat is throwing. He helped plan it, so he’s pretty excited.”

She looked disappointed, “He planned a frat party on your birthday.”

“Yeah, but it’s okay. It means a lot to him, so, I don’t mind.”

“Right…” she trailed off before straightening back up, “want me to do your makeup?”

“Oh yes, please!”

JJ knocked at your door at exactly 5:30 and you greeted him with a smile and a kiss. He yelled out a greeting to your suitemate and she got off her bed to lean against the doorframe and glare at him, not returning his hello.

With a weird look in her direction, he grabbed your hand and pulled you out after him, rambling about how sick the house looked with all the decorations, still not bringing up your birthday at all. With that, you resigned yourself to just having to get over it.

You got a drink almost immediately and stayed pretty close to JJ’s side as he walked around socializing. A few people from your study group found you and started talking to you, which you were grateful for. And then it happened, before you could stop it, one of the boys in you group blurted, “Oh, by the way, happy birthday! The big 20, huh?”

JJ laughed, looking down at you, clearly thinking the guy was confused, and you blushed, “Oh, uh, thanks. Yeah, 20.”

“One more year till you’re legal!” he cheered before catching someone across the room’s eye and excused himself.

JJ had gone totally rigid next to you and you cautiously glanced up at his face. You held your hands up, and quietly told him, “J, it’s not a big deal.”

His face was incredibly pale as he whispered back, “It’s your fucking birthday?”

“Um, yep,” you responded with an awkward half smile.

“And you didn’t tell me why?”

You shrugged, “I don’t know, you were just really excited for the party, I didn’t want to ruin it for you or anything.”

“Ruin it for-“ he cut himself off and started pulling you through the crowd and out the back door. JJ ran his hands through his hair, “So that’s why your roommate gave me such a dirty look then.”

You nodded, playing with your fingers as he paced back and forth. Clearing your throat, you said, “It’s really not like a huge thing. I mean we get to spend time together tonight.”

JJ stopped, “No, it’s actually a huge fucking thing. What kind of boyfriend forgets that shit?”

“A busy one,” you joke.

His jaw tensed and he sighed heavily before speaking again, “Babe, I am so sorry. I promise I’ll make it up to you. I don’t know how this happened; I mean it’s in my phone calendar.” JJ pulled out his phone to show you and then sighed again, “I put it in April.”

“JJ, I promise it’s okay. I mean I was a little hurt, sure, but at least it wasn’t intentional.”

“It’s just, I love you, and I want to be there for you and I knew you had a problem with the party but I figured it must not be huge since you never said anything but I should’ve fucking asked.”

You had frozen at his words; he’d never said them to you before. JJ gave you a weird look when you didn’t react and it unfroze you. You surged forward, kissing him, before pulling away to look him in the eyes, “I love you, too.”

His eyes went wide, suddenly realizing what he said and he kissed you again, holding your face gently in his hands. When he pulled away, he pressed a final kiss on your forehead before taking your hand, “Let’s go.”

“No, you worked hard on this, we can stay.”

JJ gave you a look, “No, we’re going. I’m going to buy you some ice cream and then we’ll go for a walk and spend some time together. I know I’ve been really wrapped up in this and I haven’t seen you as much.”

You smiled and squeezed his hand a few times, “I’d love that.”

[jovalencia]

OMG!! i never sent u an ask 4 9 11 17 23 🫶🫶🫶

lmfaooo yeah you were fake as hell for that🙄

4. movie of the year?

well quite simply it's bottoms. I've watched it like seven times and it never disappointed it's the funniest movie I've ever seen in my life I recommend it to everybody. frankly it's the movie of the century.

9. best month for you this year?

see I could say may but I would be lying and all three friendships that I solidified that month have imploded and also the um. everything that was going on that month. you were there. so I have to say july. which is honestly one of the reasons I'm so upset about the ten days of diary. like first of all dani was here that's the most obvious. but low key that mountain trip with my dad was fun af and that was also my most recent near death experience so it was memorable. I was kind of like. miserable in hindsight. I won't get into it but the stomach issues were not quite as resolved as they are now. BUT that was the month I went on that super epic amazing walk and ate an apple and sat on a bench outside of a church as the sun went down and it was beautiful. runner up honorable mention for january I was just listening to new clear days and reading the secret history and rewatching infinity train and doing jack and shit with the absolutely zero friends I had that month. which sounds like it sucks but I was fr having the time of my life. AND I discovered the science building that month so I spent all my time in there. woah that was a lot sorry

11. something you want to do again next year?

this is such a lame answer but go to concerts. the last time I went to one before this year was panic in 7th grade but I went to taylor (😐) and chappell this year and I was like wait that wasn't as miserable as I thought. and I'm already going to fall out boy and eliza mclamb (my sister loves her) next year but hopefully I can go to more random shows in my city with my radio friend

17. picture from the end of the year

I already post so many pictures on here it was hard to find some I hadn't😭 here's wendi a misty walmart parking lot and me and frankie grande

23. if you could send a message to yourself back on the first day of the year, what would it be?

oh god aside from the obvious "do not under any circumstances become friends with sarah suitemate god forbid get an apartment with her" probably um like. it's not that serious. "nothing is that serious" has really become my catchphrase since august and i think I could have really benefited from taking that to heart earlier on. because truly nothing is that serious fucking Relax. you do not need to worry yourself sick for a full month girl🫶