#would bet a pretty penny on it so yeah I just

[chevelleneech]

Tweets like this

always sound so over the top, but Chan really has spoken about Felix being his other half, his second-self, and his soulmate. So being reminded that Felix felt not a single bit of caution around him when they met, is the sweetest thing.

He saw Chan as someone worth learning from. Someone he could befriend and debut with, and that’s what they ultimately got, and that’s wonderful, but I always find it kind of crazy that Chan seems well aware that Felix was his person the moment they met.

[passivenovember]

Harringrove Relay Race -- passing the torch to @raven-cl ! Run babe RUN!

--

blooming forth, it's every color in the moments it has left.

--

Turns out, shit hits the fan in the dark. 

Steve’s known that. It’s still a surprise when Billy takes Max and hits the ground hot with his feet aching after a long shift at the pool, even though his sandals are covered in blood. His. Neil's.

Doesn't actually matter, because when Steve wakes up to a phone call so late in the night he thinks someone's gotta be dead or dying, or they need to get sucked off like they need air and water and Steve's gotten himself penciled in as the number-one, go-to asshat for both types of situations--

Point is, the phone goddamn rings. Sounds like pennies being thrown against the walls of Steve’s two-bedroom apartment. And it's the middle of the night. All that matters is that when Steve rolls over and yanks the receiver from its cradle, all, "Someone better be dying–”

Billy's trying his best not to cry. "I hit him," Billy says, an earthquake that shakes the foundation of the city. That gets Steve wide-eyed and fearful and awake. "Fuck, Steve, I hit him--"

“What?” Steve sits ramrod in bed, covers a limp and useless pool around him. "Are you alright?"

"I'm. There's, like. Blood," Billy says, "I guess."

"You guess?"

"I'm okay. Nothing’s broken," Billy pulls away from the phone to say something to someone. To Max, Steve would bet money on it. And then he says, "I have blood on my feet. And. Max has blood in her hair so it looks black, almost, and. Shit, Steve, I hit him--"

"Where are you?”

"--It might be Neil's blood," Billy tells him. Like Steve's lost in the weeds, here. Like he needs a compass pointing him toward the huge, terrible obvious truth. "I--"

"Fuck who's blood it is," Steve tells him, already upright struggling into a pair of week-old jeans. He tries not to focus on that, swallows against the urge to be harsh with himself, because he was knocked out two minutes ago, dreaming of the pretty pink pucker of Billy's cunt when the phone rang. "That's not important. Where are you," Steve asks, cock still hard because he's human, getting tangled in the phone cord, "You said. Is Max--"

"She's okay. We're at a gas station about twenty miles outside of town."

Steve's hard-on dies. "Twenty miles outside of town?"

"Yeah."

"What are you talking about?" Steve doesn't put a shirt on. He throws a jacket over his chest. Billy's jacket. Doesn't even zip the thing. "Never mind. I'm coming to get you."

"The car works, you don't need to get out of bed."

"I'm dressed, I'm out of bed," Steve says, teasing, "Stay put. Are you, like. East or west, twenty miles out of town?"

"Steve," Billy says, and it casts an unflattering spotlight on everything.

Steve ducks to hide from it, searching under his bed for a pair of shoes. "Okay, yeah. Stupid fucking question to ask, but I was asleep--"

"We have to go," Billy tells him.

"Okay," Steve says quickly. Doesn't like the tone of Billy's voice. "Let's go, blue. Where are we going?"

“Max and I–”

“--And you and me,” Steve finishes for him.

“Steve,” Billy says. “You know Max and I can't stay here."

Steve shoves his bare feet into a pair of shoes. Rain boots. "So, you're just gonna leave? Without saying goodbye? There’s no other option, here?”

"This isn't about you."

"Fine," Steve says, stalking over to his dresser mirror. The phone cord tugs on him, not nearly long enough, and he fights the urge to rip it out of the wall. Doesn’t. 'Cause. He'd lose Billy.

Steve fiddles with it, anyway, trying to keep calm. “How’re you gonna get there?” 

“We’ll drive.”

“Okay, and what happens when you get to where you’re going?”

“Wow, aren’t you the bearer of bad fuckin’ news–”

“--Billy, you don't have money.”

“So?”

“So, I have money,” Steve concludes, “A shit load of it.”

"Fuck you, I have a shitload of money."

"No, you don't."

"Yeah huh, I've been saving up."

Steve snorts, grasping at straws because. It’s true. The exact opposite of everything Steve’s been hoping would never happen, the same thing as a knife slicing through his heart. Billy’s been saving. Steve knows he’s been saving because Steve pays for every date because Steve’s a dead fuckin’ end and has nothing to goddamn lose by treating his boy right. He’s not going anywhere from here, but Billy–

"You're not leaving,” Steve says. 

“You don’t get to tell me what to do.”

“Fine, then,” Steve backtracks expertly, a perk of what he learned dating girls for nineteen years before this. “You can’t go without saying goodbye.”

“Sap.”

“Let me kiss you, man. I fuckin’. I love--"

"--Steve--"

"--No, it's alright. I gotta say this, 'cause. Every fucking thing in my life is about you, right?"

Billy groans. When he speaks again, his voice is muffled by the wall of whatever payphone booth he's standing in. "You're so annoying."

"So are you. I'm being honest," Steve says. He ducks, a little, peering at his reflection from across the room so he can run a hand through his hair, at least, 'cause.

He's still got a crush on Billy, after all this time. Sue him.

"You're, like," Steve says intelligently, choking to death. "You're everything. You chopped everything up with just bein' yourself and slid into its place and I fuckin' care about you more than. Everything. And if you're going to run away to California--"

"--Who said I was--"

"--Twenty miles west outside of Hawkins?" Steve points out.

Billy doesn't say anything.

Through the static of the phone line, Steve imagines him cast in the grimy street glow of payphone booth glass, tempered but breaking. Twenty miles away but already gone.

Makes Steve crazy. Makes him want to hold on tighter, hard enough to break his own fingers. "I just," He starts, turning from the mirror, "I always thought, or. Maybe I've been thinking lately that if you're going to California, I'd be there to help."

To see you off. To hold your hand. To beg you to make room enough in your suitcase for me to come along–

"Oh yeah? You've been thinking that always?" Billy teases, and. It's gotta be a good thing. That even though he has blood on his feet, he's feeling okay enough to crack-wise.

"Please," Steve says. Tells him. Begs. Has nothing left to do but make it through this phone call even though he's about to shake loose from his own skin.

Steve is very cool these days.

Billy pulls away from the phone and says something, to Max, in a soft, pillow-top rumble that does shit, like. To Steve's belly. His heart. The very rotten, love-sick matter of who he is. Who Billy has turned him into.

Steve bites his tongue hard enough to taste blood, swallowing every single please please please that shifts like the fabric of a sourdough starter in the back of his throat. Steve paces. Taps his foot. Digs his nails into the palm of his free hand while Billy and Max argue in hushed voices for what feels like hours and years.

Finally, Billy says, "Okay, fuckin'. What happens if Neil hears that we haven't left town?"

Steve has to focus so his knees don't give out, full of relief. "That won’t happen. No one pays attention to me. This is an apartment complex."

"Yeah, but what if he drives by and sees the car?"

"I'll kill him," Steve says. Simple, because it is.

Billy snorts. It almost, almost, sounds like a laugh. "'Kay, well. Say he doesn't go looking for the Camaro. What if he calls Hawkins High to try and find out about Max?”

“He won’t.”

“You’re fuckin’ stupid for saying that,” Billy snaps, “Neil doesn’t give a shit about me but her? He won’t let her–”

“--I won’t let him–”

“Shut up; just. What if he shows up during fifth period and--"

"--We're both over eighteen. We’re old as shit, old enough to drink, almost, We'll. I dunno. We’ll change her emergency contact first thing tomorrow so they'll call me at the video store when he breaks into the building," Steve says, "And then I can take my fifteen-minute break to drive over there and kill him."

Billy does laugh that time. Sounds like it hurts. He pulls away from the phone to repeat Steve's evil plan to Max, who starts laughing, too, and Steve would do anything for them. He would be anything for them.

"Come over," Steve says, coiling the phone line around his hand, "Just until we can figure something else out. We can park your car ‘round back by the slop sinks. No one ever goes over there, we can hide you."

"Steve--"

"I can't watch you walk away from me, Billy," Steve says, and. His voice. Fuckin’. Cracks. Like glass and barren earth. A fist to the back of his own head, still. Desperately, pathetically in love with Billy even after all this time. Still drowning in the intensity of it. Sue him.

"Fuck, this is so fucking dumb," Billy says, aching. But he tells Max to sit in the car.

Steve considers it a win.

--

He decides not to waste the get-up.

Twenty miles'll go by in a heartbeat, and Billy has a tendency to sugarcoat shit when it comes to the marks Neil Hargrove leaves behind. Tends to get jumpy, ready to go pedal-to-the-metal.

Steve prepares for the worst. Makes three cups of coffee, to fight the dregs of the worst, and then dumps them into the sink when he remembers that Max is sixteen years old and it's a Wednesday. Thursday, now.

Whatever.

He makes tea, instead, and sits in the shitty lawn chair on his porch, sipping a mug of the very same chamomile bullshit that Robin keeps buying him.

Steve tries to cobble together a plan in under 30 minutes.

He imagines Billy, shaking and scared and covered in blood, on the canvas chair next to him. Asking how. How are you going to do this? How are you going to prove yourself a safe house for me and my kid sister?

Steve tries not to swallow his tongue, choking to death on the absolute weight of such a responsibility. He focuses on not dying. Hones in on how pissed Robin would be to discover such a close call, and how she would remind him to list the facts.

Truth is, a two-bedroom apartment is more than enough room, Steve tells her. Tells Billy, who looks easier to convince than the one who's on his way in from the edge of town. Everything will be alright. He'll fix up the couch for Max until he can get down to Red Oak Furniture after work tomorrow for a bed frame. He'll need to dip into his savings, but a sixteen year old girl needs her own space, she needs a bed.

Tears slide down Billy's cheeks and Robin disappears. When Billy cries he has a way of wounding everything around him.

His eyes say we need groceries. Steve needs to shop for groceries. Max won't eat a vegetable, but she's still growing, Harrington, and Steve doesn't make enough dough to afford fresh ingredients every week, just when he's putting on his a-game to get into Billy's pants, but.

He's always trying to get into Billy's pants.

Everything boils down to money. Steve needs a new job.

He sips Robin's shitty fuckin' chamomile and tries to focus on the immediate, too piss-poor to list the facts. He'll make tea when they arrive. Dinner, if they're hungry. The couch made up. The tea, drank, and tomorrow when the blood is gone from Billy's feet and his tears have dried, Steve'll call his father and beg for an assistant gig at the office downtown. He's got mouths to feed, now, he's got--

Billy's Camaro swings into view.

Steve jumps to his feet, rain boots squeaking, and holds his breath when the car disappears around the corner, parking where Steve said it would be safe.

--

"We're only staying for the night," Billy tells him, instead of hello, voice hard as marble the second Steve is close enough to really hear it.

Max throws the passenger door open.

Her backpack is stuffed. Soft. “What the fuck are you wearing?” Max demands. 

Steve shifts under the intensity of her stare, embarrassed. “Billy said. I was gonna come and–”

“--You look stupid,” Max tells him helpfully. 

Before Steve can move or breathe or think, Max storms past him in a fury of wild red hair and red, wet cheeks. "Thanks," Steve says, but the door slams shut before she hears him.

The entire apartment complex shakes. Hawkins, too, and the world, beyond that. Steve can't take his eyes off it, for a second. For a lifetime. It's a black hole, eating and eating and eating--

"Sorry about that," Billy says. When Steve looks at him, Billy's still half-hanging out of the car. One foot on the ground. Leaning against the gaping wound of the driver's seat with his arm on the lip of the door, like. Steve's going to take Max and tell Billy to fuck off forever.

His head is bald.

The cut is uneven, vicious. Almost like--

"Hey, pretty thing," Steve says. Everything's yellow from the Camaro's headlights, everything lies shattered in the grass around them. "Don't worry about it, she's upset."

Billy nods, the rest of him terrible and still.

Steve aches. He moves closer. "Baby. Do you want to come inside?"

"I didn't get to pack a bag," Billy says, like it matters, somehow.

It doesn't. "I have clothes you can wear," Steve tells him, padding closer, hands splayed as if approaching some sweet, terrified, rabid animal. “You know that you can have whatever you want, right? With me?”

Billy nods again, still unmoving. Still unseeing. "We're just staying until sunrise," Billy tells him, trained on the soft, fleshy landing of Steve's throat as it swings into view. "Just until it's light enough."

Billy's ear bleeds. Or. It did, at one point. Like someone came at him with a butcher's knife, swinging blindly but only getting his hair.

Steve has trouble remembering that the world isn’t burning around them

"It's just,” Billy tries, “It's not safe to drive when it's dark like this, y'know?"

"I know," Steve says. Billy's chest heaves like he's being chased, so. Steve nods. "Max is lucky to have someone like you. Someone who knows what they're doing."

"Right. So fucking lucky," Billy shakes his head, snorting bitterly. "Doesn't matter. Couple hours and we're gone, Harrington. I swear."

Steve reaches the car door, fiddling with its handle. Touching Billy without. Touching him. Testing the waters. "I'm not worried about it."

"You've probably never had to run from your fuckin’ house in the middle of the night," Billy tells him, finally looking at Steve but not. Seeing him. "This is the third time for me. First for Max."

Steve notices a black eye. A split lip.

Billy's still the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. "I've never had to run," Steve tells him, because it's easiest to get the hard shit out of the way, first.

He wants to know about the other two times.

He wants to ask about California. If things were the same with his father there. If Billy's really going as soon as it's light out. If the blood in Max’s hair is her own, and how Billy would feel about Steve pressing his thumbs into Neil's eye sockets before the sun rises and Billy has the chance to run away.

Maybe. The proven death of this monster will change things.

Steve inches closer, instead, past the lip of the car door. He slips into Billy's space, grateful when Billy lets Steve touch his chest, checking for injuries.

"I could always go home, before," Billy says, eyes unfocused over Steve's shoulder when fingers prod at his ribcage, "But. I never had Max. I always had to go home to make sure she was gonna be okay without me, and then I'd be too scared to leave her behind so I’d just stay put until–"

"Does it hurt when I press down like this?"

Billy shakes his head, "Steve. She's sixteen--"

"What about here? Does this hurt?"

"She wouldn't stay," Billy looks at him, then, tracking whatever emotion breaks like a wave between them, "Neil started, and. It got bad, Steve. And she wouldn't fuckin' stay put like I told her to, and now. We have no place to--"

"--Is she hurt?"

"She's homeless," Billy says. Steve exhales through his nose, trying to keep up. "We're homeless. I made her homeless," Billy tells him, with rising panic.

Steve takes his hand. "Let's get you cleaned up."

"We don't have anywhere to live, Steve."

"Billy, look at me," Steve grabs his face gingerly, staring into his beautiful, shattered, empty eyes. "You live here with me, baby. We're here together and I'm not going to let anything happen to you, right? Yes?"

Billy blinks at him, coming back to himself. He nods. "Just until tomorrow, right? Until I can--"

“Sure, whatever,” Steve says, playing along if that's what will get him into the house.

--

The shower's running.

Billy won't let go of Steve's hand so they shuffle through the cramped living room together on plan b, stuck like paper dolls. Max has made up the couch, and already has the T.V. on, so Steve leads Billy to the bedroom, depositing him gingerly onto the unmade mattress.

“Sit still,” Steve tells him.

“I know,” Billy says, far away even as he strangles the blood from Steve’s wrist. “Max was right, you look like a dork.”

“I was asleep when you called,” Steve says thinly. “I thought you were running away.”

“I was.”

“Ah, truth comes out,” Steve ducks to retrieve a battered first aid kit from under the nightstand, because. This isn't the first time Billy's shown up in the middle of the night but it’s the worst shape Steve’s seen.

Steve swallows that, too, and struggles to get the fuckin' thing open with only one hand. He can't feel the other, Billy's holding on so tight, but Steve's not complaining.

He holds on just as tight. Just as hard. Wonders what counts as running off, in Billy's mind. If there are certain boxes Neil has to check to push Billy to that point, the 'running away and never coming back,' point, and Steve can't sift through his rampant emotions quick enough to discover what it means that all those times Billy stumbled through the dark and Steve found him, bruised and bleeding all over Mrs. Harrington’s imported Oak flooring, that wasn't the worst of it.

“You don’t need stitches,” Steve says. 

“You’re a good nurse,” Billy says, wincing at the forward burn of isopropyl against his ear lobe, “You’re hot. Anyone ever tell you that, Harrington.”

Steve grins, “Once or twice, maybe.”

“Real dime,” Billy says, working to meld their pulses together until they’re one. 

Steve swallows a lump in his throat, everything he feels for this boy rushing to sit like water in his lungs. “Almost done,” Steve says. Wondering how someone could hurt this boy, this spot of gold. This vial of sunlight.

Billy winks at him, even though it’s starting to swell shut. “Thanks, doc,” He says.

“Don’t mention it,” Steve tells him, instead of run. 

Instead you should’ve been a thousand miles away, by now. 

Instead of drag me along.

--

It's ten minutes after Billy disappears into the bathroom before Steve ventures out with his first aid kit clutched in the hand Billy wouldn't let go of. 

His fingers are still numb.

Max sees him and the aid box and immediately snorts at, incredulous. "I'm fine, Harrington, you can put your Barbie band-aids away."

Landmine. "Sure.”

“And your rain boots. You look–”

“Stupid, I know,” Steve shuffles, put on edge by the soft click of the T.V. remote in Max’s hand. “I just. Billy said that you had blood in your hair, and I just wanted to--"

"--It was Billy's," Max tells him, eyes trained carefully on the flickering screen in front of her.

Steve knows Max well enough now to get that she needs to be comforted, probably. She's still a kid, she's sixteen, but he also knows that the truth needs to be coaxed out of her, dripping like saliva past her rows and rows of sharp, vicious teeth. Just like Bill--

"Stop fidgeting like that. You look fucking stupid," Max tells him.

Like Steve said. A piranha. A sixteen-year-old hammerhead shark. The shower's still going so Steve frowns, tucking his first aid kit onto the coffee table. "It’s not just the rain boots?”

“No,” Max says, “It’s the whole outfit. And your big, dumb, worried eyes.”

“I’m sorry. I give a shit about you, and he said you were running away because he hit--"

"Yeah, I know what he said, and he didn't hit him. Not hard enough to do anything," Max snorts, again, mean. "Jesus Christ, he's so dramatic."

Steve nods, and the movement pulls her in. Brings her claws out.

"You’re dramatic, too. You were made for each other.”

“Okay.”

“Dumb and soft and earnest,” Max shakes her head, disappointed in them both. “Billy isn't dad. He thinks it's his fault. It isn't."

She says, like. Steve's going to lose his fuckin' mind and argue. "I know."

"He always thinks everything's his fault, but it's not. That's the Drama Bitch in him. He's a prima donna grade-a loser asshole but he's a good guy and he's my brother--"

"--Max, maybe we should--"

"I'm not moving back to California without any money," Max tells him, eyes on fire. "I'm not. I have a life here, I won’t starve to death here, so you can run in there and tell your stupid boyfriend that I'm not going until–"

"Right. Yeah, I," Steve swallows against the lump in his throat, "Max, you've gotta know that I'm not trying to make you leave."

Max snorts.

"I'm serious," Steve tells her, shuffling forward, "Why the fuck would I want that?”

“Won’t have to pay for all your dates, anymore,” Max tells him, and. 

Steve. Didn’t know she knew about that. Didn’t know they were close enough to talk about boys, but he guesses. That’s probably a stupid thing to believe when Max ran away to be with her brother. 

She sneers at him, "You're such a loser,” She says, disgusted by his presence.

Lights Steve on fire. "Why?”

"Because,” Max takes a deep, steadying breath, her grip so vice-like on the remote that Steve worries it will shatter. “Because you’re gonna let us stay here.”

“I thought you weren’t on board for California,” Steve demands, embarrassed that he’s angry at a sixteen year old girl for running away from home. 

“God, you think you’re the only one who’s holding on to someone?” Max chuckles but it’s not a laugh. It’s mean and raw and bleeding.

Steve nods, reeling, drowning, sinking, flying, swimming, sailing--

"I'm hungry," Max says, and turns back to the T.V.

--

Steve loves Billy so he makes him something to eat, something heavy and full of starch to sop up all the bad shit inside of him. It works, for the time.

Max has three bowls, even though potatoes count as a vegetable.

They cram together afterward, three sardines on the couch clear of blood. Patched. They watch some stupid fucking cartoon thing until Max falls asleep and Billy can hardly keep his eyes open.

Steve tugs him close, says, "Let's go to bed, honey," And Billy comes, too tired to be irritating and awful. ‘S almost too bad.

When they fold onto the mattress Billy slots into all of Steve's empty spaces, a perfect fit of expanding ribs and tickling eyelashes. Steve pets over the knobs of Billy's spine. He focuses on the warm landing of Billy's forehead where it holds steady against his jaw, burning because of blood and split skin. 

Steve tacks lips to Billy’s shorn skull, his forehead, his left ear, and tries to imagine death dropping his scythe on Neil Hargrove's cranium somewhere across this sleepy town. Wonders when everything became an eye for an eye.

"We'll be out of your hair tomorrow," Billy's lashes flutter against Steve's pulse, body tense and coiled and waiting.

Steve pets over his ribcage, says, "Don't be stupid," because. Might as well call it what it is. Billy tries to pull back, to tuck away, but Steve holds on tighter. Stubborn. "Why do you want to run from me so bad?"

"Not you," Billy says. Cramped and muffled against Steve's collarbone, "Hawkins."

"It'll miss you. So will Max," Steve says, petting over Billy's thigh, now, relishing the rough drag of boxer briefs against his fingertips, "Said she's not leaving."

"When?"

"Told me while you were cleaning up."

"What a surprise," Billy reports flatly, "Who gives a shit. She doesn't have a choice."

"Tell her that.”

"She's going. No matter what I’ve gotta do.”

“What if she fights you on it?”

“Then one of us will have blood on our feet, again."

Steve hums, fiddling with the hem of Billy's boxer briefs. Slipping his fingers under the lip. "You try and put her in that car and it won’t even be a fight. You'll be dead before sunset."

Billy snorts, rocking both of them. “She’s scrappy but I’ve got fifty pounds on her.”

“Sure, just muscle and good intentions.” Steve’s fingers tangle in the thatch of hair at Billy’s pelvis. It’s soft and curly, little blonde ringlets that smell like rain water.

Billy sighs, tilting back when Steve inches upupup his shaft. "Stop trying to get in my pants, Harrington."

"You have something I want," Steve tells him. It's easy to find Billy's cockhead, blooming with springtime mist. Steve smooths it with his thumb. He grins at the noise Billy makes, ducks to nibble at that cut jawbone. “You won’t be able to sleep if you don’t relax.”

"Shit," Billy says intelligently.

"Want you inside me. Want your fingers."

"Fuck you, I'm grieving,” Billy grumbles, but he cranes his neck. Makes room between his legs.

"I could take your mind off it for a little while,” Steve says. He untangles himself, shucking the covers and laying on his stomach next to Billy’s thighs. He smells like the earth, fresh and moist. Steve tugs at his boxers, mouth-watering when Billy’s cock nods and the popcorn ceiling.

“Steve,” Billy protests, choking on a moan when Steve swallows him down, teeth knotted in the feather down at Billy’s pelvis. "Baby, Max is in the next room."

Steve comes up for air, kissing the freckle at Billy’s tip. "She's asleep."

"You're such a whore,” Billy glares sharply, “Is this how it's gonna be every goddamn night?"

And.

Suddenly Steve's heart swells, pushing against the cavern of his ribcage. He must smile, must press love and lightning into Billy's forehead when Steve clamors to his knees and pets over the bruise there, so happy the bed's about to blast out from under them.

"Stop making that stupid face," Billy snorts, dabbing the saliva on Steve’s chin, "Lookin' at me like I'm gonna--"

"I love you," Steve says. 

Billy shifts, his cheeks blooming pink, “Just sayin’ that because my cock is out.” 

“Maybe,” Steve teases. Can't help it; every goddamn thing about himself. He's stupid, and happy, and so, so heartbroken. He licks at Billy’s cockhead, heart thumping elation through his limbs. "You're really gonna stay with me?"

Billy shrugs, fiddling with the stretched-out neckline of Steve's t-shirt. "I don't know where else we could go."

"California."

"Max said she's not going, right?" Billy mumbles, "And. You've made it pretty clear that you wouldn't either."

“I never said that.”

“Don’t have to say it, it’s in your voice?”

Billy’s talking in circles, feeding his insecurities because that’s what he does when he’s on the verge of something else.

“Oh yeah? What’s in my actions?” Steve slips down the mattress again and sucks Billy to the root, bobbing his head and opening his throat in earnest, licking and swallowing until Billy soft little noises splat against the walls like wads of bubblegum. 

Billy groans, knotting his fingers in Steve’s hair.

His roots sing. “I’d go anywhere you asked me to,” Steve points out before Billy can speak. Sounds. Like swallowing rocks is his favorite thing. “The problem is you never ask me to.”

Billy shrugs.

“Ask me.”

“Steve–”

Steve pulls himself out of Billy’s hold and sucks him down again, swallowing. Only comes up for air when Billy starts writhing beneath him. “Say it.”

“I–” 

“Say, ‘Steve, come home with me to California, I’ll teach you how to surf, we can live on the ocean–’”

“Costs a fuckin’ fortune to live on the waterline,” Billy stutters, mouth falling open with a groan when Steve spits on his cock. Works up a rhythm with the palm of his hand just so he can watch the way Billy’s stomach tugs at the waistband of Steve’s lended boxers. 

He’s only a little worried that Max might hear them. 

Not enough to stop, not when Billy’s throat opens bit by bit, little wrecked noises barely reaching Steve across the valley of air between them. Through the shutter of the blinds, Billy’s skin glows. Stardust and bushels of flowering lilac in the shape of fingers and fists, sprouting and withering along his neck and cheek and jawline, breathing and dying over and over and over again.

Billy cranes to watch him, lips raw and red and open, tongue lulling. 

Steve cracks and splinters at the sight, at his wits end, at the height of all he’s ever felt–

“What?” Billy asks, chest heaving. 

Steve climbs on top of him, swallowing the shock that flutters from between Billy’s lips. His cock presses into Steve’s ass, slick head trapped by Steve’s layer of encasing, rough cotton. It fits perfectly, just like the rest of him, like they were made for this. Each other. Finding solace and rhythm in the tattered edges of the night. 

Steve sucks on Billy’s tongue, deepening the kiss. His thighs shake, his hips roll down, startling the air from Steve’s lungs. Or Billy’s. Both. 

“Baby,” He says. Or Billy does, “Baby, I–”

Steve pulls back enough to see the tears clinging stubbornly to Billy’s lashes, drops of stardust stranded in bright blue skies. He wipes them away with his thumb, pressing their lips together in a chaste, sweet kiss. 

Chokes on a thousand things. What he could’ve said, on all those other nights. What he isn’t saying now. What he’ll have to stumble over tomorrow so that things can get started on a solid foundation–

It all, just. Dies. 

Steve rolls his hips, “I love you,” He says, breaking like waves where Billy’s skin is the shore. “Let me make love to you.”

Because it’s all that matters.

Uncertainty flashes, bright as lightning, across Billy’s face, and then it’s gone. “Okay,” He says, “Alright.”

–

“I lied,” Steve tells him, to distract from the places they’re stuck together, the swatches where they’re bruised and cut and bleeding, “I tried to run away, once. When I was seven.”

Billy hums, his cheek warm and sticky over Steve’s rib cage. “Did you hear what I said?” Steve asks, chuckling, “Not gonna fall asleep, are you?”

“Thought you wanted me to relax.”

“I do.”

“Well, I am,” Billy tells him, “Your pussy’s magic–”

“Don’t say pussy when I’m talking about running away from home, that’s gross.” Steve yelps, wiggling when Billy’s teeth close around his nipple and tug. “Ow, shithead, this is important–”

“What, mommy and daddy didn’t get you the yacht you asked for for christmas so you ran away from home for twenty minutes?” Billy snaps, but there’s no heat. No fire. 

“Not exactly,” Steve shrugs, rustling Billy’s head back onto his chest. “My grandma had come to stay with us for a while. She was sick. Dying, actually, but I was too young to notice. She never looked sick, she was constant. Still cooked dinner for us. Still holy-rolled until I cleaned my room. She took care of me.”

Billy’s arm tightens around Steve’s waist. Subtle and constant, too.

“When she finally passed on, I just. Didn’t want to be with my parents anymore,” Steve swallows, nearly strangling himself on the lump in his throat, “Look. They never hurt me, Billy, not like–”

“--We don’t have to talk about this–”

“--I know I could never understand, but. When my grandma stayed with us I felt love. I wasn’t alone, anymore, she was my family. And after she was gone I couldn’t go back to the way shit had been before she came to us, you know? I couldn’t be alone in that empty fucking house anymore, I had to leave.”

“But you didn’t?” Bill asks.

Steve holds him tighter. “I didn’t.”

Billy twists, chin poking Steve in the ribs but it doesn’t matter, when their eyes meet. Steve pets over his forehead, his eyelashes, savoring the plush of his cupid's bow. Vibrant and alive. Free.

“Beautiful,” Steve says. A fact. A name, “I understand why you have to go.”

“I’m sorry,” Billy leans into Steve’s touch, seeking his warmth. “We all need to run away, sometimes.”

“I could come with you.”

“I can’t ask you to do that,” Billy says. He starts crying, soft as summer rain. Maybe he already was. Steve rubs at his cheeks, trying to catch them before they fall. “You’ve become the thing I run to, but–”

“--You don’t have to ask. It’s not some fuckin’ sacrifice, if you leave there’s nothing left. I don’t want to go home if you’re not there.” Steve says, and then waits, patiently re-counting the 297 freckles he knows form a village on Billy’s nose. 

Billy thinks it over. Finally, he frowns. “So in this situation I’m like your grandma?”

Steve blinks, a laugh startled out of him, “What?”

“You said,” BIlly grumbles, brow furrowing, “You said that when she–”

“--I don’t want to fuck my grandma, that’s–”

“--God, you’re so annoying,” Billy rolls onto his back, jostling the mattress until all their blankets slither, ending tucked around him so Steve will freeze to death.

It’s so achingly usual. So soft. 

“Baby,” Steve props himself on one below, chuckling when Billy rolls onto his side. Away. Steve pokes Billy’s shoulder, rocking him, “Hey, you goddamn brat, I was just—”

“--I didn’t mean that you want to fuck your grandma, you psycho, I meant. Like. You said that when she wasn’t home you couldn’t go back.”

Steve’s hand rests on the blanket between them. He feels like a naked, sparking bunch of wire. Thinks maybe he said too much, or didn’t say enough, and now Billy’s imagining himself as a stout Italian woman in a clementine shrug. 

“She would’ve liked you,” Steve says finally. Billy peeks over his shoulder, scowling. Steve giggles at him, “It’s true!”

“She wouldn’t be disgusted that I’m a cocksucker?”

“No. She was a muff eater, when she was in her twenties,” Steve says casually, laughing when Billy spins and sits bolt upright next to him. 

“Are you serious?”

“As the heart attack that killed my papa, who she never really loved,” Steve rights himself, shuffling until their legs are nestled together, until he can kiss and suck on Billy’s pulse.

“Stop that,” Billy says thinly.

“No.”

“You can’t just say that your dead lesbian grandma would like me.”

Steve licks at Billy’s earlobe, tasting blood and isopropyl, and the hiss of metal shears. “Why not?”

“Because,” Billy sighs, fingernails digging into Steve’s right and left kneecaps, “Because then I’ll want to stay with you forever.”

Steve pulls back, confused, “You don’t want to stay with me forever now?”

“You’re an idiot–”

“--Who loves you.”

“Such a dumbass–”

“--Who’s gonna work two extra jobs to get you and your sister to California,” Steve says. Hands topping Billy’s like stubborn barley thistle. Rooting him in place. “I’m gonna do it and you don’t even have to ask.”

Billy shakes his head. 

Steve holds on tighter. “I’m serious. I’m gonna give you the world, even if it means we stay here for a while, until we can save up the money. Until it’s not dark out anymore, right?”

A hundred emotions struggle on Billy’s face, each one fighting for dominance. Finally, “Until daybreak?”

Steve nods. “Daylight.”

[loonymooony]

JWCT PROMO IMAGES BREAKDOWN WHAT WHAT

WARNING POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!!

also please only take me semi-seriously because I am not mentally ok and will not be until season 2 drops or at least until I can walk again

First order of business, these signs, it’s so random they would just drop random signs on us like like this so here’s my prediction/breakdown:

oke so it looks like these are all on the ship, so everything in the first episode

• Hmm lettuce not for crew use? THE CAMPERS ARE GONNA USE IT BCS THEY ARE THE EMBODIMENT OF “This sign cannot stop be because I can’t read!” • Oh? A live dino? Wrong. That dinosaur is gonna be dead af

• Do not feed the dinosaurs? Oops. Also this insinuates that there are professionals on board BUT I AM WILLING TO BET ALL MY LIFE SAVINGS (1/3 of a penny) THAT THERE ARE NO PROFESSIONALS ON BOARD AND THE WHOLE CREW FREAKS OUT WHEN THE DINOS ESCAPE

• Hmm it seems that this sign reads “Power must remain on at all times” yeah I don’t think that’s happening, idk why just have this gut feeling that some dinos might escape

• I’ve already yapped about this one but in summary: THAT LOOKS LIKE A VERY SUSPICIOUS KENJI, SHOULD WE REPORT IT? (I feel like Dora saying that)

My beloved waifu pookie cutie patootie Brooklynn throwback 🥰🥰 good to see that after everything, it’s still you. Also her hand? arm? is tied to to the control so either someone helped her or is forcing her to work or she can do that herself while Imm over here struggling to put a bracelet on myself 😭😭

GIRL BOSS BROOKLYNN THIS IS LITERALLY WHAT I WANT TO BE LIKE I ASPIRE TO BE LIKE HER GIRLBOSS BADDY QUEEN SLAY GIRL 🥰🥰🥰 (i love her sm guys)

Trying to piece the timeline for this: looks like it’s from after the atrociraptor attack but I could be VERY wrong since there doesn’t look like much doom and gloom happened in what I presume to be Darius’ cabin. Also she has *proper* lock picks in her mouth (look for once she’s well prepared and not using a bobby pin even though bobby pins r great no hate to them) It looks to me as if she’s in his cabin stealing some DPW documents that she either left in his cabin (doubt it) or that Darius already had due to his previous job. It doesn’t really look like a friendly visit or an “I miss you visit” it just seams pretty sketchy (sorry Dinostar nation)

DLN probably stands for “Dinosaur Liberation Now” AND OMG GUYS REMEMBER WHEN RAPTOR MASK WAS LIGHTING A FIRE (basically doing arson) in the trailer? COULD THIS HAVE BEEN IT? who am I kidding it was obviously him during that moment

These two shots have the same lighting and are probably together, HOW TF IS BROOKLYNN SUPPOSED TO SURVIVE THIS, IK DREAMWORKS SAID TWO MAIN CHARACTERS WOULD DIE BY THE ENF OF THE SEASON BUT THEY CANT KILL MY POOKIE OFF TWICE!! right?

All these scenes look like their from the same episode, maybe Brooklynn was trying to do something and got caught or she was being escorted to do something by her pet Red and whoever else is there

ALSO CAN WE TALK ABOUT THIS POSSIBLE DINOSTAR REJECTION SCENE 💔💔💔 DARIUS LOOKS SO SHOCKED AND SAD I ACTUALLY CANT I FEEL BALD FOR THE GREEN BEAN 😔😔 (im so sorry to the dinostar nation and it’s leader @livsmessydoodles)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ anygays I have reached the image limit so expect part 2 soon!!!

(@lezabeththetheodoraimposter)

[scarasimplysimping]

All In

Part 1 (might be two parts idk)

(⁠人⁠ ⁠•͈⁠ᴗ⁠•͈⁠)

Summary: A bet is placed to see if you can get the Summa Cum Laude to fall in love with you. (Scaramouche x Reader) (College au)

Contains: Idk. So it's one of those love stories where there's a bet. Hu Tao and Childe are kind of assholes for the sake of this fic, I am SORRY. Reader is also kind of an ass. Ooc. Some plot holes because I don't go to college or drink or smoke. Just roll with it.

(⁠人⁠ ⁠•͈⁠ᴗ⁠•͈⁠)

2,822 words 15,518 characters

What a stuck-up prick.

That's what you thought of him anyway. He was *the* Summa Cum Laude of your year. He was snobby, self-centered, friendless, and to top it all off, he just so happened to be your partner for your big thesis.

It was not by choice but he had no partner because people were afraid of him and you had no partner because well... people hated you. It wasn't a project that could be done individually either, lest you wanted to die before you graduate.

"He's such a bore." You complain to your friends on the lunch table, Hu Tao, Childe, and Xiao. "I tried to make plans with him, really. I asked if he was free, and you know what he said?" You slammed your hands on the table for dramatic effect.

Hu Tao leaned in closer, strands of her hair falling onto the table, and alarmingly close to Xiao's food, making him scowl as he moved his tray.

"He said," you began, putting up a silly impression of him with a snobby expression. "I don't need bottom feeders like you dragging down my work. I'll handle everything. Pay me if you want."

Childe snorted. Hu Tao doubled over in laughter, mainly because you're impression was so on point.

"God, what a freak." Hu Tao mused as she wiped her tears from her face, she never passed on the opportunity to talk shit about someone she didn't like. Childe agreed with her but he was partly not paying attention. He jabbed his fork into Xiao's food.

"Fucker." Xiao muttered under his breath.

Your silly clique was a ragtag bunch of misfits in their own ways. Hu Tao was your childhood friend who always had something vindictive to say or some storm to stir up. She lived for the drama.

Childe started tagging along around highschool. He was a charming, silver-tongued ginger ball of sunshine, he started developing a negative reputation over time as as somewhat of a satyr, though.

Xiao was above all the petty and immature antics whichever one of you had the gall to cook up. In all honesty, he was only there because his older brother, Zhongli had asked Childe to help him settle in to the college life. Childe owed the man a favor so he dragged the poor emo wherever you guys went and you kind of just got used to his company.

Then there was you, there was one thing that set you far apart from them all.

Money.

They were filthy rich and you, an independent college student, had not a penny to your name after you decided to up and leave your family to follow Hu Tao to college. You didn't really have to work though, your friends pretty much covered most of your college expense as casually as a friend would by you lunch.

"I know I can't really help him, I mean, my grades are dogshit right now but like I don't know how to pay him either," You said, burying your face into your palms.

Childe scoffed. "I don't even think he means it. Plus, it's nothing to worry about. We've got you covered if that greedy little nerd actually demands shit from you."

"Yeah, just let him do everything by himself," He continued "Watch him or something, in case your professor wants updates.."

A small smirk formed upon his lips. "I bet he's not that hard to watch anyway."

You playfully punched him on the shoulder "Gross!"

"You gotta admit he is kinda cute," Hu Tao chided in. "Right, Xiao?"

Xiao shrugged, far too focused on actually having lunch.

Childe snaked an arm over you. "Tell you what, (Y/N). If you can somehow bed the prudish bastard before the end of this semester, I'll fork over some money for this month's rent."

"Hu Tao pays rent."

"I'll fork over some money for anything you want."

"Hmm... I want VIP tickets to La Signora's concert."

"Done~"

"Oh my archons! Like actually?" Hu Tao couldn't tell if you both were serious. "(Y/N), your charm is above average but I don't even know if you can pull this one off."

You roll your eyes." Have faith in me. I bet he's easy."

Hu Tao leans back thoughtfully, a mischievous smirk playing on her face. "Alright, (Y/N). If you manage to pull this off I'll give you a grand.

You gape at her. "Seriously?

"Absolutely."

You know were only entertaining the idea because they had no actual faith you'd pull it off, but to you. This was easy money.

You slowly turn to the brooding emo on the table. "What about you, Xiao?"

His eyes narrowed at you. "What about me?"

"You gonna offer anything?"

He scoffs, groaning internally and being the only one with a moral compass. "Only an asshole would find bets such as these any type of fun."

Childe flicks his wrist dismissevly. "We are assholes."

(⁠人⁠ ⁠•͈⁠ᴗ⁠•͈⁠)

It was hard enough convincing Scaramouche to work on the project and your (and Hu Tao's) place but now you had to deal with the emanating silence from you both. You've barely ever talked to him but the tension in your room could be cut with a knife, or maybe that was just your imagination.

He was sitting cross legged on your bed, typing away at his laptop with several papers surrounding him. You were sat across from him in the same position, nursing a cigarette in between your fingers.

"Do you want something to eat?" You finally break the silence.

He doesn't look up from the screen as he responds. "What do you have?"

You look to the ceiling, trying to recall what you and Hu Tao had last shoved into the fridge. "Uh... Pesto... Pizza... Dumplings. Probably some leftover vegetables."

"Bring me them all." Talk about shame.

"Alright." You say, putting out the cigarette on your nightstand. You couldn't help but notice the tiny scowl on Scaramouche's face as he glanced at the ashtray.

You come back balancing a bowl of pesto, a bowl of dumplings, and a bowl of salad on a box of pizza. Scaramouche pats on the side of your bed, indicating for you to drop the offerings there.

You light another cigarette as you take your previous seat in front of him.

"The weather is pretty nice today.." A sad attempt at conversation on your end.

Silence

"So... Childe's hosting a party tomorrow night, would you like to come?" You try once more.

Scaramouche still doesn't say anything, he doesn't even look up from the screen.

You blow a puff of smoke on his face. He coughs a bit before glaring at you with cold judging eyes. At least he was actually looking at you now. "I have no time to indulge in that crap."

"You have plenty of time. That thesis isn't due for another month."

"Well not exactly, since I'll be doing the work for both of us."

"Do you have a problem with me?"

"I have a problem with people like you." He glowers.

"People like me?" You raise your eyebrows.

"People who just have everything spoon fed to them by luck or by birthright and take that as a reason to slack off for the rest of their life since everything just magically works out for them." Scaramouche wasn't wrong, you really fucked around and never found out but still, what right did he have to judge you?

"Didn't know you knew me so well." You say, blowing out another puff of smoke but this time it's to the side.

Scaramouche opens his mouth to respond, then closes it once more. You had a point. It was hypocritical of him to listen to judge you based on gossip.

Finally, he speaks after a few minutes of silence.

"I was out of line." It's an apology although he doesn't outright apologize.

"Yeah." You decide to take advantage of his momentary guilt as you inquire about what he's working on. "So, do you mind telling me what you're doing?"

"Well, I'm looking online for research papers related to the topic were studying. I'm taking snippets I find interesting and I'll save them for later to expand on them in our thesis."

Scaramouche speaks a bit more but you're hardly listening. You take this time to really observe his physical appearance. Hu Tao was right; the man was cute. His eyes, his mouth, his lips. If you took a meat cleaver to the center of his skull, you'd have matching halves.

Even his hair looked softer than unicorn fur.

"(Y/N)?" He snaps you out, a displeased expression creeps upon his face upon noticing that you aren't even paying attention.

"Your hair looks softer than unicorn fur," you blurt out.

His eyes widen slightly, and you could've sworn he turned a shade pink before he feigned a disgusted look to save his dignity. "What the hell?"

You caught on immediately. There it was. Scaramouche had a weakness. The Summa Cum Laude, the bridge troll with a big brain and purple hair (as Hu Tao once described him) is someone who gets easily flustered .

"You're kind of cute." You push on.

"Shut the fuck up." His head lowers, he dares not look into your eyes.

"Come to Childe's party with me?" You ask once more.

(⁠人⁠ ⁠•͈⁠ᴗ⁠•͈⁠)

Scaramouche hated you. He hated your face and your voice and your personality. He hated every single atom you were made up of, but most of all he hated the way you were able to persuade him to come to this stupid party. And for what? Just because you were the first person to ever call him cute? He'd curse you and all your descendants to come.

Childe's party was just a gathering of drunks and trouble makers. His house was practically a mansion that could fit 60% of the university's student population.

He hated the blaring lights and unbelievably loud, repetitive, and distasteful music.

"I hate this!" He has to shout for you to hear.

"I know!"

"I'm going home!"

"You can't! You're my ride home!"

"We walked here, dumbass!" Scaramouche wanted to leave you truly he did but something, wasn't letting him. His moral compass or his growing fondness of you?

Childe finds you, placing an arm around your shoulder. "Hey!" He hands you a shot glass which you graciously accept and down in a couple of seconds, much to Scaramouche's dismay.

Childe pays no attention to your companion until he does a double take and realize it's Scaramouche.

"Holy shit! Is that Scara!?" Childe grins hazily. He was drunk drunk.

Scaramouche does not respond. He is frowning while Childe handed you half a bottle of gin.

You drink it within a couple minutes as you chat with Childe.

Scaramouche stands there, awkward, cranky, and out of place as the only person he's aquatinted with in this party is getting absolutely inebriated.

At some point you don't know when or from where but you get your hands on another shot glass.

"You're not drinking that," Scaramouche states firmly.

"I am." You bring the cup to your lips but Scaramouche is faster, he snatches it from you and lets it fall to the ground.

"What gives!?"

"I'm not carrying your drunk ass home just because you drank away the capability to walk!" He shouts at you.

People are staring now. Is it because of the commotion or because Scaramouche was the last person anyone would expect to see at a party?

Scaramouche didn't like the staring or the attention. "I'm going fucking home." He says, grabbing your wrist and pulling you past the crowd. "So are you."

Childe is left there, impressed. He takes out his cellphone.

To: Hu Tao

She's actually gonna pull it off. Wtf

From: Childe

You stumble and trip as Scaramouche drags you through the night. It was a miracle you could keep up. (It wasn't, he slowed his pace on purpose to match yours but it still wasn't slow enough for your drunken ass.)

"Scara, slow dooown~"

He ignores you until he feels you slip from his grasp, landing with a thud. "What the fuck is wrong with you!? Do you not have the smarts to walk!?" The boy scolds.

You decide to rest your knees a bit as you stay on the ground.

You hear him sigh sharply before crouching in front of you. "Get on."

"What? Like piggyback style?"

"Yes, damnit just get on." His face wasn't facing you and it was dark. Scaramouche was eternally grateful to the archons that you couldn't see the way his ears reddened.

He carries you like that until you're at the front door of your place. Scaramouche gently drops you off. Miraculously not panting. (He wasn't that athletic.)

"Can I trust you enough to tuck yourself in?" The boy asks, his tone was calm this time.

You nod in response.

"Alright." Scaramouche turns his heel to leave.

"Scaramouche." You call out.

He turns back to you, a little too quickly.

You try to take a step towards him except you "accidentally" trip on air and crash onto his chest. He barely moves an inch but his hands instinctively wrap around you. You can see the exact moment he scrunches his nose as well as the moment before that where his cheeks flush.

You'll blame this on alcohol later. You'll also blame alcohol for when you pulled his collar to place a quick peck on his lips.

This was the night Scaramouche nearly passed away.

(⁠人⁠ ⁠•͈⁠ᴗ⁠•͈⁠)

Scara paced around his room. What the fuck was that? Why the fuck would you do that? His heart still raced as fast as it did when you kissed him.

He replayed the kiss over and over in his mind. Why? Just why? He mussed his hair in frustration as he plopped himself on the bed. If Scaramouche focused enough, he could still feel their lips on his, even if it was just for a fleeting moment.

Why had a drunken asshole decided to take his first kiss? Why was he reacting so weirdly?

And why did he just tuck tail speed walk away right after it happened without saying shit about it?

(Y/N) will probably tell their friends. They'll gossip and laugh at how the smartest person in their program was turned into a blushing, sputtering mess at the mere kiss of some drunk. Some overly confident, obnoxious, attractive drunk who's lips were soft as velvet.

The thought has him reeling. Rolling to the side, Scaramouche pulled a pillow over his head and groaned into it.

"I'm done guessing. What's wrong with you?" His inner monologue was broken by his cyan haired roommate.

"Nothing. Fuck off, Dottore." His words still muffled by the pillow.

"All your ceaseless brooding is keeping me distracted. I suggest you stop whining if you don't want me to give you more reasons to whine."

Silence.

That came out wrong, but it got Scaramouche to shut up so who would complain?

(⁠人⁠ ⁠•͈⁠ᴗ⁠•͈⁠)

It was a crush. That's what Dottore had said to him. It made jackshit sense though. Why would he like you? You were just someone he perceived as a slacker. It's possibly because you were the only one who ever showed interest in him. He'll probably get over it when he finds someone else to adore, but he couldn't.

Scaramouche was once again working on the thesis, on your bed. He didn't bring up the kiss. Maybe you'd forgotten about it? A small part of him hoped that you didn't though.

Finally, he decides to speak up. "I demand compensation."

You shoot him a confused look.

"What? Don't you remember?" Scaramouche scowls.

"You kissed me..."

"Did I?" You feign innocence.

"Do not make me repeat myself." He orders. "That was my first kiss. I demand some kind of compensation." His cheeks were heating up as it became harder and harder for him to look you in the eyes.

"Oh?" You bring your index finger below your lips in an expression of mock thoughtfulness.

Scaramouche's scowl deepens at your mocking finger below your lips. "Do not toy with me," he warns. "You took something and I want fair repayment."

You chuckle, enjoying his ruffled feathers. " And what is a first kiss worth these days?" Leaning back on your hands, you look him over appraisingly. "I'm not convinced it was really your first. You seemed to know what you were doing..."

His cheeks redden as he scrunches his nose at your audacity. "You're insufferable."

"And yet you enjoyed kissing me." You smirk. "Perhaps you even want more?"

Scaramouche's embarrassment only grows at your bold insinuation. "You presume too much, fool," he bites back, though his resolve seems weakened.

You shrug. "Suit yourself. I was just about to offer a date."

He narrows his eyes at you, as if trying to ascertain if this is some sort of trick. "A date?"

[fangirlingfromdownunder]

A Sweet Mishap - Chapter 7

Pairing - Jensen Ackles x Reader 

A/N: I just want to start by thanking everyone for all the love on this story so far. Here's the next chapter, I hope you enjoy. Let me know if you want to be added to the taglist.

A Sweet Mishap Masterlist | Main Masterlist

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The days leading up to Christmas pass in a blur. I work almost constantly either in the cafe or at home helping Stella with Wedding plans. My contact with Jensen falls back to sporadic texts during lunch breaks. It feels impossible to build any connection with so little contact, but he’s been so understanding, claiming he’s also busy now that he’s home.

When I finally flip the sign on the door to ‘closed’ at six o’clock on Christmas Eve I’m utterly exhausted. I check my phone on the walk back to my apartment.

Hey Darlin’, About to get on the road. It’s a long trip, if you’re not too tired after work, I’d love to chat

I pass a packed restaurant and glance through the large windows at the couples and families sharing a lovely pre-Christmas meal. Knowing I’m going back to an empty apartment, the loneliness wins out and I decide to call him. 

“Hey, Darlin’.”

“I knew that would sound so much better in your Texan drawl.”

“Sorry ‘bout that. It tends to come out more when I’m at home.”

“Don’t apologise. How’s the drive?”

“Been on the road ‘bout an hour and a half, still got two to go. Been a little lonely so far, but it just got a little better. How long you free for?”

“Three and a half hours? That’s not really a long trip…But I’m almost home now so I guess I can keep you company for a while.”

“In a car by myself on my way to see my family…yeah, it’s a long trip.”

“I guess I can understand that. I bet there are a few thoughts going around your head at the moment. I know I’d be spiraling…”

“I don’t know about spiraling…But yeah…My sister’s bringing her husband, as expected and my brother’s bringing his latest flame, so I’ll be the awkward seventh wheel turning up alone. Can’t wait for Mom’s twenty questions about when I’m finally gonna settle down. It’s not enough to just be famous, she wants grandkids…”

“That actually makes me feel better about spending Christmas alone.”

“Sorry…My family’s great and I’m glad I won’t be alone. I shouldn’t complain.”

“No, it’s okay. I get it. Vent away. Plus, we haven’t really had a chance to get to know each other, and I’ve already learnt a few more things about you. Tell me more.”

“Well, it might give you a little more context if I tell you I’m the middle child. Wait. You’re not taking notes, are you? Gonna sell my sad story to some journalist for a pretty penny?”

As I listen, I put a tray of frozen butter chicken and rice in the microwave to cook before kicking off my shoes and collapsing on the couch. “They’d pay for that? Maybe I should. Pay off some student debt while I’m at it, or maybe just something that’s not ramen and frozen dinners.” 

“Don’t tell me that’s gonna be your Christmas dinner.”

“You get used to it. The frozen meals are getting better. Roast beef, shepherd's pie, al la Chef Ramsay.”

“Gordon Ramsay sells frozen meals?”

“Yep.”

“I’m still taking you out for a proper meal sometime. No, you know what. I’m gonna send you some money. Go out for a proper Christmas dinner, on me. Please.”

“And sit amongst all the happy couples and families like the loner I am. No thanks.”

“At least buy yourself something nicer to eat alone then?”

“Don’t worry, Nick’ll cook something. Stella won’t let me wallow here alone.”

“Good. Buy yourself something nice then. Treat yourself to a new dress or jewelry or…”

“Jensen, stop. I’m not taking your money, okay? I’m not a gold digger. I’ll stumble through on my own. I always have. Plus, I’m the one that owes you a shirt.”

“You’re eating ramen and frozen meals and you want to replace a shirt that cost more than your monthly salary? Forget it.”

“You shirt cost-Wait! Are you trying to figure out how poor I am?”

“We all start somewhere, Darlin’. When I first moved out to LA I had nothing. I was mucking out horse stables to get from one audition to the next.”

“Yeah, but I bet you did that right out of high school…not after taking a gap year to follow around a dropkick and then trying to get your life back on track after being cheated on, only to fall for the same shit again with a different guy. Thus putting your study and life on hold again. Only to then find yourself quickly approaching your 30th birthday with nothing to show for it…”

“Wait…Wait. I’m pulling over. I can’t process that while driving.”

“Sorry, no. Keep driving. We will talk about it some other time…or not at all.” You hang your head and mentally chastise yourself for divulging so much information at once. You blame the loneliness and exhaustion. 

“I should get gas anyway. Just hang on, Darlin’.” I sigh and pull out my tight ponytail so I can run my hands through my greasy hair. “Alright. I’m parked now. Let’s talk. Cause yeah, you’re right, I did go straight out of high school. But I wanna hear more about these dropkicks.”

“There’s nothing to tell. It’s my fault really. I should’ve been better, stronger.”

“Hey, hey, no. Don’t blame yourself. Did they? Did they blame you? Tell you it was your fault?”

“Don’t all guys? But they didn’t have to…If I had satisfied them they wouldn’t have brought other women into our bed…” I sigh, “Who am I kidding? Why are you still talking to me? I could never satisfy the likes of you. You’ve probably been with all sorts of supermodels and actresses…”

“Y/N. Darlin’. That is not on you. And no, not all guys. Those boys didn’t deserve you. You deserve a real man who would treat you right. Also, never compare yourself to supermodels or other actresses. ‘Cause yeah, maybe I have slept around a bit, but where the fuck are they now? They wouldn’t spend hours talking me through a road trip. You’ve satisfied me more than anyone else ever has, in just the last few days.”

“Jensen…You know how that sounds right?”

“That’s not what I meant. I’m a gentleman. I promise, there’s been no hand-to-dick contact to thoughts of you.”

“That’s reassuring. Same here, just so you know…no hand-to-…You know what I mean.”

His low chuckle reverberates through the phone, warming me and alleviating a little of my anxiety. “Yeah. I know what you mean. So, uh, back to the point…Who are these guys that I need to ruin?”

“They’re nobody. I don’t want to talk about them anymore. Can we go back to your problems? They’re less…they’re just less.”

“Thanks?”

“You know what I mean!” Feeling a little better, I drag myself up and bring the now-cooled dinner from the microwave back to the couch. “Middle child problems are less heavy than a string of douchebag exes.”

“At least we can agree they’re douchebags.”

“Jensen!” I chastise. 

He chuckles and then sighs. “Let me actually get gas and snacks and get back on the road. Then you can hear more of my life story, seeing as you just divulged a big chunk of yours, which we will talk about more in the future by the way. I won’t force you to dwell on it tonight, but I want to know all about you. I know there’s more interesting stories there.”

I eat while the line is silent. Part of me feels like a fool for sharing the story of my exes with Jensen, even if it was only one tiny part.

When Jensen finally comes back to the phone we continue talking until he pulls into Richardson. He shares stories about himself and his siblings growing up and his plans for Christmas, which he doubts will be white, considering the mild temperatures in Texas. I enjoy getting to know him more intimately and as a person, more than just his career. But he also tells me all about his passion for music and how it’s similar to his passion for acting. He tries to get me to open up more but reluctantly accepts when I say I’m tired and more interested in hearing his stories. Undeterred, chills run down my spine when he says, “Someday, Darlin’. Someday you’re gonna return the favour. I’m gonna know everything there is to know about you.” He reluctantly cuts the night short when he pulls into his parent’s driveway. “Thanks for the company, Darlin’. Merry Christmas Eve.” I argue that Christmas Eve is still three hours away, but wish him a Merry Christmas anyway before the line goes silent. 

As I stare at my cracked home screen I decide to come up with a nickname for him. If he’s going to insist on melting my heart with that delicious, deep, drawl, “Darlin’”, then I intend to come up with something that causes a similar effect.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Taglist: @stoneyggirl2 @hobby27, @n-o-p-e-never

[strqyr]

I think a big thing with Cinder and Mercury in regards to power is how while it does help them in at some point in their life it never actually helped them get what they want and now they are stuck in a place where with Cinder she is constantly chasing after power but with Mercury he is left without anything really so he chooses to stay in a position where he is most comfortable even if that position is actually incredibly uncomfortable it feels a lot safer than the unknown.

Side note I feel Mercury is actually a pretty good depiction of depression in the show in ways depression isn't usually showcased in media like I feel there are a lot of little things that all add to a character that has been pretty depressed for a long time

yeah, mercury's situation actually explains it perfectly: marcus stole his semblance and told him he'd get it back when he got strong -> mercury got strong, but never got his semblance back.

part of him was stolen and there's no clear way for him to get it back, so now he's aimless, sticking with what he knows best, telling himself he's exactly where he's meant to be, but where he is isn't good for him and like you said, it isn't exactly a position he's comfortable in.

and it's. mercury's already been through what i think cinder is going to go through. marcus made a promise that mercury would get his stolen semblance back, but didn't keep it; salem promised cinder power but so far hasn't kept her end of the bargain, and even when she made moves to allow cinder to go after the winter maiden, she sent cinder to the last place penny would be in while sending the hound directly to her. if this parallel is intentional, then i'd bet that when cinder fulfills her end of the bargain—bringing the crown to salem—, she'll quickly learn that her usefulness to salem has run its course, and salem is under no need to help her steal the other maiden powers further.

the only difference between mercury and cinder in this regard is that mercury is the one whose power was stolen, while cinder is the one doing the stealing—which would be an interesting point of conversation between the two, since i don't think cinder knows about mercury's semblance, and man. if cinder has to sneak into vacuo against salem's orders, that'd probably be enough for mercury to connect some threads to his own past, and how salem, just like his father, has no intentions of actually following through with her promise to cinder.

[obsessedwithfictionalmen01]

Hey!! I would love it so so so much if you could do a imagine with Hangman where him asking you out was like a bet with the other pilots and you find out. Also if you possibly could put in the line “You said you loved me, I guess you lied”. Xx

DAMN

Pairing: Jake “Hangman” Seresin x Reader

A/N: Hi! It's been such a LONG time since I've written something but here it is! Thank you for the request, I love writing for the Dagger Squad! Please keep in mind that English is not my first language and I hope you enjoy it! And feel free to send more requests!

Warnings: curse words (maybe like 2), angst, Jake being kind of an ass, a little bit of smut (not much) and I think that’s it

You walked into the Hard Deck ready for your shift, it was going to be a long night since the Top gun aviators came back and the fact that it was Friday night, so you put on your uniform and greeted Penny on your way in.

“Hey, Pen. Ready for tonight?” you asked jokingly knowing she was going to be very stressed with so many people at the bar. “Yeah keep that joyful attitude because it is aviator's night and the entire squad is going to be here so better prepare, especially if you want that cute blonde noticing you” she joked back winking at you.

Your face dropped. Of course she knew about your little crush over a certain blue-eyed blonde aviator, but she didn’t have to rub it in that much! Besides, it was foolish of you, how could he notice you? He was always surrounded by gorgeous girls, and you couldn’t blame them, but you also couldn't deny how it bothered you. But Jake always seemed so sweet with you, constantly treating you with respect and kindness, it almost looked like he… no. You immediately pushed those thoughts aside and started helping Penny out with the bar, basic chores such as washing the glasses, organizing pool tables and cleaning the bar and before you could notice it was already time to open.

“Hey, sweetheart we are going to open now, ok? Make sure everyone follows the three holy rules and if anyone bothers you let me know” Penny said with a stern voice, obviously she knew how this job worked and she wanted you to feel comfortable “Yes, mom” You joked standing behind the bar waiting for the clients to come in.

A few hours passed and you didn’t catch a break, always busy serving drinks and closing tabs, so busy you didn’t notice Jake entering the bar until one of his friends yelled his call sign “Hangman! Over here man” it was Coyote’s voice, you lifted up your head and instantly regretted it because he was already looking your way “I’m going to grab a drink!” he yelled back walking towards the bar “How are you doing sunshine? Busy day?” he asked with his signature smirk. You felt the heat rising up to your cheeks and tried to play it off laughing “Yeah, pretty busy actually. The usual?” you asked while grabbing a bottle of his favorite beer offering it to him “And also maybe your phone number?” You almost choked on your own saliva when he said those words “I’m sorry what?”

“You heard me, sweetheart. I was going to wait till you asked me but I can be a little impatient, so here I am” He looked so confident it was almost annoying, but you were too surprised to even notice it, only being able to nod while opening his bottle of beer “Yeah, yeah sure uhm give me a minute” you said reaching for a piece of paper “You know, on second thought… why don't you take 5 and play pool with me?” he asked with that smirk again. You looked over to Penny who was taking people's orders. “I don’t know Jake, Penny is pretty busy, i don’t want to…” he cut you off “Hey Pen, darling! Could this beautiful bartender take five minutes?” he shouted across the bar which made Penny laugh and shook her hand telling you to go. You laughed nervously about this, of course Jake had flirted with you other days but you thought he was just playing around, like always. and now he wants to spend time with you? It sure felt like a dream. 

You left the bar when he grabbed your hand and led you to the pool table next to his aviator friends, you smiled at them, after all they were regulars and some of them were specially friendly with you, like pornstache and cute glasses. They all smiled at you, some more than others which seemed kind of odd, but that thought was pushed aside when Jake brushed your hip offering you a cue stick “Know how to play, sweetheart?” you smirked and approached the table placing the balls and starting the game “I don’t know, lieutenant, do I?” 

He smirked and watched every movement of your body during the game, especially when you bent down on it. 

Short time later Jake and you were left even, only the black 8 ball missing “Let’s make this interesting, if I win you go out with me on a date and…” you cut him off “If I win you must pay a round for the whole bar” Jake looked around and saw all the people that were that night at the bar, you could hear Phoenix laughing wishing you luck “Ok darling, let’s see what you can do”. With a small smile you bent over and hitted the ball making it fall on the hole but… also the white ball, you lose. Phoenix and Rooster groaned, they would have loved seeing Jake bankrupt because of a pretty girl. Coyote was the only one that cheered for Hangman and they both high fived like a couple of teenagers. You could only stare at the pool table almost angry at the loss but also remembering what the price was, was Jake taking you out? Seriously? 

“Well now you and I will have a date. How does dinner and a walk on the beach sound to you?” he said in a charming tone of voice making you blush “Sounds good” You replied walking back to the bar leaving Hangman behind while you were trying to process everything. Finally, it felt so unreal, you were almost floating, so happy that the next three hours of working went flying for you, but not for Penny, she was exhausted and asked you to close the squad’s tab. Happily you went over to their table and told them it was closing time, they booed jokingly grabbing their things and paying Penny on their way out, only Jake was left “Hey sweet cheeks, what about our date? Want to take a walk on the beach?” you immediately grabbed your things and walked out of the bar saying bye to Penny.

It’s safe to say that the date was amazing, you both talked for hours and when you were too tired to walk you just stayed in his car chatting more and more. He told you everything about the mission he had with Maverick where he saved his and Rooster’s lifes, obviously showing off, he talked about his family, about his friends, everything. So you opened up too, reciprocating every chat with another. The only thing you could think about was how lucky you were. 

“I had an amazing time with you, doll” 

“Yeah, me too” you said looking at those baby blue eyes that had you on your feet the whole night “This is going to sound weird, we don’t know each other that much but, I have never met someone like you and… I think I’m falling in love with you”.

You froze. What? Love? No it couldn’t be. This was Jake “Hangman” Seresin. Why? How? Is he for real? You honestly didn’t know what to say, of course you had a huge crush on him but something felt weird “Jake… I don’t know what to say”

“Just let me kiss you” he asked. HE ASKED. HANGMAN ASKING? You shook your head but when your eyes locked with his you were long gone. You pushed your lips against his while he wrapped his hands around your waist pulling the pilot seat backwards so you could seat on top of him. And without noticing, the kiss got deep and messy, filled with need, his hands never leaving your waist. He then moved his lips over your neck, that’s when you knew you had to stop “Hey, Jake. I’m really enjoying this but…” he immediately stopped, almost worried about you “Everything ok?” he rubbed your back while kissing your cheek “I think we should take things slow” you started getting off his lap falling into the copilot seat “Yeah, yes agreed” he said with a small smile “See you tomorrow?” you asked, opening the car’s door “Of course” he waited for you to get off before driving away. You couldn’t figure out why but you had a bad feeling about this.

A couple of days later you still haven’t heard from Jake, you texted him but he never answered. It was kind of weird, he tells you that he’s falling in love and then ignores you? Your thoughts were interrupted with the sound of a familiar voice “Hey, sugar how are you doing?” it was Rooster, taking off his sunglasses and sitting down on the bar “I had better days” you sighed “Oof what happened?” you opened him a beer “Your friend, that’s what happened! First he wants to take me on a date, then he tells me he is falling in love with me and THEN he ghosts me, what kind of sociopath does that?” you scoff cleaning the bar aggressively “Wait what?” he almost sounded angry “He told you what?” he repeated gripping the bottle he had on his hand “He told me that he loved me!” you almost yelled closing your mouth as soon as you saw him entering the bar without even looking your way.

And with that you saw Rooster walking towards Jake fuming “What the fuck is your problem Seresin?” he yelled, making everyone look in their direction “Whoa calm down, what did I do this time?” he asked, lifting his hands up laughing at him “What did you do?! Why don’t you tell her, huh?” he pointed in your direction, you were so confused about the situation and not wanting any more problems you left the bar and stood between them “Rooster come on, is nothing stop it” Bradley shook his head in disbelief “Either you tell her or I will” he yelled walking away and sitting on the table with the rest of the squad who were as confused as you “What is he talking about?” you asked Jake “I don’t know! Maybe he’s jealous” he said not even looking at you walking towards the pool table leaving you speechless. You knew that wasn’t jealousy, that was pure frustration. But seeing how things were going you decided to return to the bar.

Rooster wasn’t jealous. He has never shown any kind of interest, has he? No, he was respectful and friendly. It had to be something else.

“It was a bet” someone said interrupting your thoughts “i hate to be the one telling you this, but Coyote made a bet where Jake had to ask you out and tell you he loved you, in return Coyote would become Jake’s wingman” you stood in your places shocked “I am so sorry, Rooster and Fanboy heard them the other day and warned him not to do it but… we all know how he is. An asshole” you finally had the courage to look up for you to realize it was Maverick, with tears in your eyes you shook your head not wanting to hear anymore information “I’m sorry, kid” and like that he left.

You looked over to where Jake was and dropped on the floor slowly so no one could watch you, except for Penny, the moment she realized she lifted you up and told you to go home. She hugged you and kissed your forehead “I’m so sorry sweetie, men are assholes”. And she was right, blinded with anger and resentment you waited for him outside leaned over his car. When he finally came out and saw you he approached you trying to kiss you but all that he received was a hard smack on his cheek. He was left with his head turned to the side and a shocked expression. The smack was so loud the whole Dagger Squad came out and when they saw what was going on they decided to stay at a safe distance.

“You selfish, idiotic, narcissistic prick!” you yelled “Yesterday meant nothing? Was it just a bet? Are you that disrespectful towards the rest of the humans, huh? Or do you simply like playing with people’s feelings because it makes you feel powerful?” you stopped briefly to catch your breath, tears threatening to come out “You told me that you loved me! You said you were falling in love with me! How could…” you stopped wiping your tears away “How could you?” crying, you left your spot and got into your car driving away “You are an asshole, Seresin” Fanboy said “We told you not to do it” Rooster added.

Jake could only look at you feeling all kinds of emotions: shame, pity, sadness, frustration because, in reality, he did enjoy the time he spent with you, he did love kissing you, when you both went for a walk he did love how the sound of your voice sounded like, how sweet you smelled, how he could talk to you so carelessly, not worrying about his image or about what you would think of him, he loved how you held onto him while he kissed you and how he felt something he has never felt before. But it was all a bet right? “Damn”.

THE END

[justsomeonewithdreams]

More to know pt1

I didn't have enough space so I made a very short part two

Pairing Jake Seresin x Reader

Summary: Where the dagger squad finds out that Hangman didn't tell them everything about him

The Hard Deck is full of pilots when the dagger squad arrives, Hangman and Phoenix go to the counter to order some drinks as the others make their way to a pool table. Rooster is listening to Fanboy explaining him his day and how it all went wrong, but his attention got completely elsewhere as a woman caught his attention by entering the bar. That's when Phoenix comes back waiting for Hangman and the other beers with them. "Oh Rooster, seriously, I'm not even back with the drinks that you already found the woman you want in your bed, not classy man, we're supposed to hang out as a team tonight". Rooster chuckles softly, "When nature calls Phoenix, who am I to disagree?", she laughs too. "Okay, Casanova, if you're that good of a match with her then go talk to her." a grin makes its way to her face andRooster would never back down from a challenge, so he takes his courage and go over there to talk to the girl, leaning against the pillar she's next to and talking into her ear making his breath crash onto her neck. That's all the squad can see and hear as they are not that far but the music in the bar is to loud. The only thing they can see is how the girl smiles at him before pusing him lightly away from her, that's when he comes back to the squad's pool table with now Hangman back, "So how did it go man, what did she say?" Fanboy starts to ask, "She said that I wasn't her type and that she had better things to do tonight.". The squad laughs lightly, but Coyote remarks something, "Hey, what are you loooking at brother?" he asks elbowing playfully Jake attracting the attention of the others. "I'm pretty sure I can go there flirt with her and have her number" is all that Jake say, Rooster with a hit in his pride his ready to take the bet, "How yeah how much are you sure? Fifty?", "Deal" Jake responds shaking hands with him. He puts his beer away on the table and go talk to the girl, she's still in her flight suit like they all are, he takes the same place has rooster leaning against the pillar, all the eyes of the squad his on them and suprisingly, he hangs, it already has been five minutes that they are tzlking and she didn't make him leave yet. As if their eyes couldn't be wider, Jake takes her by the hips making her crash into his chest as they kiss, it's a kiss full of emotion, as questionning looks make their way across the squad Penny comes to ask them something and look where they all are. "Oh you met Y/N Mirage Y/L/N" she say as if it's the most rational thing to say, "Wait thi woman there is the famous Mirage!" Phoenix exclaims, "How did he do it?" Rooster ask to them, Penny laughs litely before answering, "You do know that Jake and Y/N are married right?", everyone's mouth drop to the ground, "Wait Hangman is married and with the famous Mirage!" Fanboy exclaims, "Yeah, it's gonna make five years in october." Penny answers still laughing at the fact they didn't know, "But we never saw him wearing a ring." Rooster says, "It's on their dogtags, you know just in case, I think they never really scream it on the roof not wanting to be compared to the other constantly, she was on another mission but now they can go back to be station together" Penny say sweetly smiling at Jake and Y/N who are coming back to their pool table.

[rippeanuts1950-2000]

i hate u, i love u

Prev|Next

Chapter 2)

“YOU DID WHAT!?”

Laney winces at how loud Konnie is shouting. “I made a bet with Corey.” She repeats. It’s just her and Konnie at the lunch table as Kim is in the science labs checking her experiment with Carrie, and Larry just doesn’t have this lunch period. “Okay, but why?” Konnie stresses as she picks up her grilled cheese sandwich from her lunch tray. “If you guys win the battle of the bands, he leaves me alone.” Laney explains with a shrug as she digs around in her backpack for her lunch box. She finally finds it and pulls out a bag of chips. “But if we lose?” Laney deflates a little. “I have to rejoin Grojband for a month and if I enjoy being a part of the band again, I have to consider staying permanently.” She tacks on.

Konnie shakes her head. “Well this gives us more of a reason to win. But seriously, why did you think this was a good idea? You’re literally the brain cell of The Newmans, that’s why you’re our manager.” She points out. Laney opens her mouth to answer her but finds that she doesn’t know what to say. Like she knows the main reasons why she said yes, but in all honesty she paid attention to the pros instead of the cons. Why did that happen? Laney usually goes for the cons first instead of the pros.

“I-I don’t know. I guess I wasn’t thinking about what would happen if The Newmans lost. You guys wouldn’t leave me if I had to go back to Grojband, right?” The bag of chips Laney has been holding pops open and chip crumbs fall onto Konnie’s lunch tray. Fortunately the other girl doesn’t seem to care however and just organizes them into a little pile on her tray while she answers Laney’s question. “Of course not, Penny Lane. You’ve become an important part of our group since you’ve started hanging out with us. Even before you became our manager, you were important to the team.” Konnie assures her, using the nickname that the band gave to Laney when she first started hanging out with them to further prove her point.

Laney takes a deep breath, silently reminding herself to breathe evenly so that she doesn’t work herself into a panic attack. Though even if she did work herself into a panic attack, she’d be okay because she’s hanging with Konnie right now and Konnie knows how to calm her down the best. “Thanks Konnie.” Laney says, feeling a bit more assured. Konnie nods. “Girl, you know I always got your back.” As sweet as the sentiment is, it makes Laney laugh afterwards because Konnie is sprinkling chip crumbs from her plate into her mouth. Though Laney would probably do the same. “Hey, do you have work today?” Konnie asks once she’s swallowed some water.

“Yep, it’s gonna be a long shift too so I’ll be doing homework there.” Laney says with a sigh. “Well, me and the others are gonna stop by and visit you. We could do homework together if the shop’s not too busy.” Konnie suggests, making Laney smile even more. “Yeah, that sounds good. You guys ARE always a great buffer for Corey.” She says, popping some chips in her mouth. “Oh and let me know if they need to hire more people because I will try to get hired to keep you company.” Konnie adds, finishing off the grilled cheese. “You don’t have to do that but I’ll keep you posted.” Laney says with a laugh.

Out of all the Newmans, Laney was the closest to Konnie. After the big blow up between her and Grojband, which had happened at school with an audience of no less than thirty, Laney had run off to cry in a janitor's closet. Konnie was there when the blow up had happened so she chased after Laney and comforted her. The rest is pretty much history, with Laney being added into the Newman’s crew as their manager that week at lunch. Being as close as she is to Konnie also meant that she knew a lot more about Konnie than most people. Like her secret boyfriend.

“How are you and Kon doing by the way? He hasn't sent me cryptic emails on his burner account asking for date ideas in a while.” Laney asks, causing Konnie to blush. “Oh we’re good. Coming up on that one year, so he’s been trying to prove that he can plan the perfect date without your help.” She says, her eyes practically morphing into hearts. Kon was the only member of Grojband that Laney had a good relationship with to this day, so she very much approved of the relationship between Konnie and Kon. “Well as long as he's treating you well, I have no complaints.” Laney says with a grin and a shrug. She pulled out the last of the food in her lunch box.

“Want my cheese stick?”

*****

You know what sucks?

Writing lyrics and using your own inspiration instead of your sister’s. But Corey knows it must be done if he wants to get his thoughts out. This of course, means that he has to write yet another song about Laney that he’ll never perform. But getting the words out isn’t as easy as it sounds, no, no, no. If anything, he’s having more trouble than usual, what with the bet that’s gonna put Laney back in his life for a month, the fact that the Newmans are currently in his dad’s shop and have been here for the past two hours, oh and that shiny necklace in the display shelf Corey is writing on isn’t helping much either.

He should have known the Ewmans were coming when Lanes asked his dad if her friends could come to the shop and do homework with her. His dad said, yes, of course because Laney is his favorite employee and apparently she gets her work done or something. Which sucks because when Corey asks his dad if Kin and Kon can come hang out with him in the shop, he’s told “No, Corey, finish pricing the rare books section and organizing it by price.” To which Corey would like to say that it’s not his fault that they never get anything cool at the pawn shop, like instruments or boxes of mannequin heads.

Wait, what was he supposed to be doing again? Oh right! Writing lyrics. Here’s what he had so far, 

Am I the boy you dreamed of? Oh(might need to tone down the oh, don’t want people to think we’re too much of a boy band, if we ever played this)

Living in your subconscious, oh oh

Do you believe in love? Oh

And is it because of me?(i hope she still believes in love)

Yeah, if it's up to me

Am I the boy you dreamed of? Oh

Living in your subconscious, oh oh

Do you believe in love? Oh

And is it because of me?(once maybe, prob not anymore)

So not much, but soon it will hopefully become something. But he doubts that it will happen today, because once again, the Ewmans are in his general area of space, talking to his Lanes. Right now they were talking about some Disney Channel franchise that he knew Laney probably didn’t care less about and was only humoring the Ewmans in their conversation. That’s Lanes for ya, always so considerate and willing to listen to people talking about things she doe- “By the way, Laney, did you finish writing that song?” Carrie’s stupid voice really needs to stop interrupting his thoughts.

Hold on, Laney writes music now? Since when? “No, I still need to do the sad ex part. Angry ex is done though.” And she’s writing songs about heartbreak? Who broke her heart, Corey would like to know. “Care to share it?” Kim asks, her voice is less stupid than Carrie’s but it’s still stupid.

“Uh, sure.” Laney glances his way to make sure he’s not paying attention so Corey pretends to be doing something that doesn’t involve looking and paying attention to her. This seems to work as he can hear the rustling of paper and Laney says, “Larry could you read the highlighted part? It’s my favorite part. Also I’m thinking kind of like a slow piano part with this song if that makes sense. ” Corey hears the Ewmans agree and Larry begins to read the paper;

“Do you miss me like I miss you?

Fucked around and got attached to you

Friends can break your heart too

And I'm always tired but never of you

If I pulled a you on you, you wouldn't like that shit

I put this reel out, but you wouldn't bite that shit

I type a text but then I never mind that shit

I got these feelings but you never mind that shit

Oh, oh

Keep it on the low

You're still in love with me but your friends don't know.

And if I was you I would never let me go.”

Corey’s heart is pounding wildly. Did…Did Laney write this song about him? The Ewmans’ feedback falls flatly on his ears as he starts to scramble to figure this out. She did write that friends could break your heart, which did happen at least to him when they stopped being friends. And Lanes did used to always be tired but she also always listened to him and the others with as much attention as she could give them. She was right about how he would have felt if she did what he did to her. He would have hated it. He would have hated her. 

All the signs were saying that the song was about him with the only part being wrong that Kin and Kon didn’t know about his feelings. They did, and were most definitely tired of him ranting about how he missed his chance and that he wished he could take it all back. 

“We should sing that for battle of the bands!” Konnie says, pulling the brakes on Corey’s speeding thoughts. “If I can get it done in time, it’s hard trying to do the sad ex.” Lanes says and out of the corner of Corey’s eye he can see her putting paper into a blue folder. “Either way, that’s probably one of your best works, Penny Lane.” Larry says and Corey wants to yell at them to stop calling Laney Penny Lane because that is a stupid nickname even if he DOES like the Beatles sometimes.

But he doesn’t because last time he did that, Carrie threw a book at his head and told him that he doesn’t get to pick Laney’s nicknames. The book ended up breaking a shelf and Carrie had to work at the shop for a month to make up for it, so Corey would rather not have a repeat of that incident.

A ball of paper hits his face. “Riffin! What’s your band’s setlist?” Carrie asks and Corey has to fight the urge to vomit at the sight of Carrie’s face. “Uh for what?” Corey says when he realizes he doesn’t know what she’s talking about. “For the battle of the bands.” Carrie says with an eye roll. Corey scowls. “We’re not fully decided yet but we have agreed on 2 BEST FRIENDS, Old Me, and Monster.” He says. Sharing setlists is a thing he and Carrie do so that each band can do the opposite of what the other is doing. “Angry and rueful songs, huh? Guess we’re gonna have to do the opposite. Happy and content.” Carrie mumbles and Corey glances at the rest of the Ewmans and Lanes who are deep in thought. 

“Yeah that’s great, can I have my personal space back?” Corey snaps and Carrie rolls her eyes some more. He hopes that one day they get stuck in the back of her head. “Jeez, what crawled up your ass and died? I’m just making sure we don’t sound the same and no one is gonna confuse our bands again, literally nothing about that is out of the ordinary.” She says, raising an eyebrow. “Three reasons. One, I don’t like you. Two, I’ve had to listen to your stupid voice for the past two hours. Three, It’s almost six and you and your band are still here, distracting my coworker from doing her job.” He snaps, crumpling the paper in his hands.

Carrie scoffs. “One, I don’t like you either but at least I can be civil with you. Two, your voice is annoying to me but do I say anything? No, I don’t. And three, you’ve literally just sat there for the past two hours doing nothing while Laney has been doing homework, going over stock in the display case, and keeping a steady conversation with us. I don’t think you get an opinion on what she does. And anyway, we’re leaving soon.” Corey opens his mouth to argue but for once, Carrie is right. He hates it when she calls him out but when she’s right, ugh that is the worst!

Carrie smiles. “That’s what I thought.” She turns around and Corey just watches numbly as she and the rest of the Ewmans say their goodbyes to Lanes. He hated the Ewmans before everything that went down with Laney, but now that they took Laney from them he hates them even more.

Faintly he can hear the door close so he looks over at Laney and starts to take her in. She’s not paying attention to him, so he can stare for as long he wants. Earlier today when they made the bet he noticed that she hadn’t straightened her hair that morning so her normally straight hair was curly. Corey had always thought Laney looks pretty but when her hair is in its natural state, it just does something to him. It’s like he’s seeing her for the first time all over again. Her eyes are darting over the stock notebook and he truly finds it incredible how expressive they can be. No matter how stoic her face is, her eyes always give her away. Her freckles cover her face perfectly and Corey just wants to kiss each one of them, one by-

“Why are you staring at me like that?” Lanes’ voice interrupts his thoughts. Corey jerks back a bit, embarrassing himself further after being caught staring. “Just taking in your natural beauty.” He responds, which is true but he knows Laney just thinks he’s messing with her when he says stuff like that. “You look like a stalker.” She answers, checking something off the stock notebook. Laney’s not even looking at him, she just knows he’s staring. “You’re a piece of art, Penn. I need at least an hour to take you in.” Corey says, grinning mischievously.

Laney looks up from the notebook, her expression a bored one. “Did you get that pick up line off the internet again?” She asks and Corey blushes. He really hopes it doesn’t show. “Ouch, you wound me. That was a Riffin original.” He says and Laney throws a pencil at his head. “No wonder it was bad then.” She reaches the stock notebook out towards him. “I’m going to stock check in the back, finish this for me will you?” Corey takes the notebook from her and their fingers brush. Just like when they did the pinkie promise, her skin feels warm and electrifying. She disappears into the back room as Corey lingers on how her touch makes him feel.

He loves it.

Almost as much as he loves her.

And the second chapter is done! Sorry if the ending seems a little awkward I didn’t know how to finish it. As always, send me asks about this, I would to info dump for this!

[sweetlikehoneystingslikeabee]

Waylon probably has a horrible time trying to find blankets that are big enough to sleep all the way under, so what would his reaction be if someone made him a blanket (crochet, knitting, quilting, whatever) specifically so it wouldn't be too small for him to sleep under?

"Big and Tall" Killer Croc x Reader

Yeah, I bet! I'd never thought of it before, even if I sometimes have the problem of blankets being a tad too short;;; I went a little more friendly neutral for the relationship for this one!

TW: None

Waylon has had the issue of clothing, blankets, etc being too small for him from the time he was a teenager. It only got worse the taller he got over the years. Big and tall stores are such a precious commodity especially in some of the places he's been in before Gotham... He's gotten used to having to get things custom made, even when he barely had the money for it.

When you tell him you have the hobby of making blankets and the like, he jokes you should make him one. You know, since you're obviously so good at it.

He wasn't expecting you to work on one for months just in time for fall. How much yarn did you BUY? You must have filled a whole room with just yarn! Yet it's so soft... A blend of chocolatey brown, maroons, and blues- he's almost terrified of tearing it open with his claws. You tell him once you'd picked the color you knew he'd like, you bought it all out practically. It cost a pretty penny, but he didn't need to know that.

The truth of it is, he's INCREDIBLY touched. He's at least vaguely aware how long it takes to really make a good blanket, much less one suited for his size. This thing is going to get used the moment it gets too cold and possibly in the summer too with the AC cranked all the way up. Ultimate comfort. Pretty much all the time. It sits on his couch when not in use, so you'll physically see it when you visit.

He feels like he needs to make it up for you. While he's not good at crafting, why don't you tell him a recipe you really like? Or even one you miss? He'll make it special for you, just name a time and a place. Either it'll be a wonderful evening with friends or... under the right circumstances, could turn into a date.

[use-your-imagination98]

GH Couples Inspired By Taylor Swift Songs

Had this in my drafts for FOREVER. thought it was a good time to post it haha. 

Alan and Monica: The Last Great American Dynasty

And they said

"There goes the last great American dynasty"

"Who knows if she never showed up, what could've been"

Luke and Laura: My Tears Ricochet

Even on my worst day, did I deserve, babe

All the hell you gave me?

'Cause I loved you, I swear I loved you

'Til my dying day

Luke and Tracy: Better Man

I know

I’m probably better off all alone

Than needing a man who could

Change his mind at any given minute

Laura and Scotty: New Year’s Day

Please don't ever become a stranger

Whose laugh I could recognize anywhere

Laura and Kevin: Lover

My heart's been borrowed and yours has been blue

All's well that ends well to end up with you

Kevin and Lucy: Delicate

This ain't for the best

My reputation's never been worse, so

You must like me for me

Frisco and Felicia: Closure

Yes, I'm doing better

I know that it's over, I don't need your

Closure

Mac and Felicia: Ours

And life makes love look hard

The stakes are high, the water's rough

But this love is ours

Robert and Anna:  It's Nice to Have a Friend

Call my bluff, call you "babe"

Have my back, yeah, everyday

Anna and Valentin: Sparks Fly

My mind forgets to remind me, your a bad idea

You touch me once and it's really something

You find I'm even better than you, imagined I would be

Sonny and Brenda: The 1

But we were something, don't you think so?

Roaring 20s, tossing pennies in the pool

And if my wishes came true

It would've been you

Sonny and Carly: Haunted

​​You and I walk a fragile line

I have known it all this time

Sonny and Alexis: Blank Space

So hey, let's be friends

I'm dying to see how this one ends

Stone and Robin: Sad Beautiful Tragic

We had a beautiful magic love there

What a sad beautiful tragic love affair

Robin and Patrick: This Love

This love is good

This love is bad

This love is alive back from the dead

Lucky and Elizabeth: Tolerate It

While you were out building other worlds, where was I?

Where's that man who'd throw blankets over my barbed wire?

I made you my temple, my mural, my sky

Now I'm begging for footnotes in the story of your life

Nikolas and Emily: Happiness

There'll be happiness after you

But there was happiness because of you

Nikolas and Elizabeth: Dress

Our secret moments in your crowded room

They've got no idea about me and you

Ned and Alexis: Stay Stay Stay

You took the time to memorize me

My fears, my hopes and dreams

I just like hanging out with you

All the time

Alexis and Julian: Death By A Thousand Cuts

I get drunk but it's not enough

'Cause you're not my baby

I look through the windows of this love

Even though we boarded them up

LuLu and Dante: Wildest Dreams

Someday when you leave me

I bet these memories

Follow you around

Sam and Jason: It’s Time To Go

15 years, 15 million tears

Begging 'til my knees bled

I gave it my all, he gave me nothing at all

Then wondered why I left

Sam and Dante: Cardigan

And when I felt like I was an old cardigan

Under someone's bed

You put me on and said I was your favorite

Chase and Brook Lynn: Mastermind

Once upon a time, the planets and the fates

And all the stars aligned

You and I ended up in the same room

At the same time

Spencer and Trina: Invisible String

And isn't it just so pretty to think

All along there was some

Invisible string

Tying you to me?

Cameron and Jossyln: Karma

Addicted to betrayal, but you're relevant

You're terrified to look down

'Cause if you dare, you'll see the glare

Of everyone you burned just to get there

Elizabeth and Franco: Red

Remembering him comes in flashbacks and echoes

Tell myself it's time now, gotta let go

Maxie and Nathan: Enchanted

My thoughts will echo your name, until I see you again

These are the words I held back, as I was leaving too soon

[mochiponadventures]

Punishment

...

Juliana was busy helping her mother in the garden when she heard someone approaching. It was Kieran. He carried a small box in his hands and gave Juliana a big smile.

"Hey Juli, i brought you some cookies made by my sis. Believe it or not, she fell in love with that home ed class at your school and is now full on trying out everything they learn there" This amused Juliana quite a lot, seeing as Carmine didn´t really looked like she would engage in such things at all...

"Thank you, i really appreciate it!" She got up from her position and walked over to Kieran, hugging him. "So i take that you two enjoy Naranja Academy so far?"

The boy nodded, still smiling.

"Yeah, it´s really nice here and the teachers are certainly different from those at Blueberry Academy" Less strict and way more more lenient, Kieran mused, chuckling. "Let me put these cookies inside the house before the sun melts them. It´s quite hot today. Do you want something to drink?" Juliana asked, taking the box from her friend, carrying it inside. "Yes please!" He replied, looking around the lot he was standing on. The garden really was beautiful and certainly ripe with all kinds of fruits and vegetables.

Just as he wanted to follow Juliana inside, he saw Ogerpon swiping the patio with a broom, looking all but not pleased. When his friend came back, he gently nudged the girl, pointing towards the sweeping pokemon. "What´s up with Ogi? She looks really angry, did something happen?"

At that, Juliana sighed, giving Keiran his drink.

"It´s a punishment, she did something very bad and is now living through the consequences of it. Right Ogi?" She turned towards the young Pokemon, raising a brow. There was only an indignified huff as answer as she continued to sweep the ground.

"What did she do?" Kieran asked.

"Well, she sneaked up in the attic, got her Iron Cudgel, which by the way she is forbidden from using outside of battles, and decided to hit Momo on top of his head with it..."

Ogi only rolled with her eyes.

"Don´t give me that eyeroll, young lady! We don´t hit in this house and you know that!"

"POOOOOOOOOOON PON!" Ogi replied dramatically, it was amazing how close it sounded to a child, whining. Kieran chuckled, shaking his head. "Poor Momo, i bet that must have hurt!"

"He cried for hours afterwards. I even had to take him to the Pokemon Center! And you know how he likes going there..." Momo had a severe phobia of hospital settings and thus, every visit to the Pokemon Center or it´s sick bay, made the little Pokemon flew into a giant panic attack. "Don´t even get me started when its time for his shots...you don´t wanna see him there..."

Kieran nodded at that, feeling sorry for the little Peach.

"You know, Ogi and Momo are pretty much like Carmine and me when it comes to sibling quabbles. She used to hit me too when i was too annoying for her taste. Of course never so bad that i had to go to the hospital, but still." The memories of these events were still fresh inside his head, albeit it had been years by now that they happened.

"Speaking of Momo, where is he? Terapagos wanted to go play with him as soon he heard me talking about going to visit you!"

"Oh i laid him down for a nap. The heat is making him kind of drowsy and i don´t want him to get a sunburn or heatstroke either. He is in my room." Keiran mused at that for a moment, it was really hot he had to admit. No wonder even Pokemon got bothered by it.

"That´s a shame, but of course his health goes first. I hope he feels better after that nap." He took a sip from his lemonade by now and relished at the taste. "This is really good. Perfect for a hot summer day!" Juliana nodded eagerly. "Yeah, my mom makes the best lemonade around here. Nemona, Arven and Penny can testify to that!" She laughed, pulling Kieran over to her, nuzzling his cheek.

"That said, I am done with gardening for now, why don´t you come inside and we can watch a couple movies? We have an air conditioner too, so it´s nice and cool inside." Before going inside though, she called over Ogi, allowing her a break as well.

"You can take a break as well, Ogi. Take a glass of the lemonade and go inside, okay? I don´t want you to get overheated either...you can continue later!"

Ogerpon was first relieved to finally being able to stop sweeping but got hit by the word "break", which meant that she had to continue later on, which did not sit right with her at all. Pouting she listened to Juliana and went inside with a huff, throwing the broom on the ground, probably to make a point.

"She still has a long way to go..." Juliana sighed, taking Kierans hand, pulling him inside. "Then again, i can´t really blame her. She never had someone to tell her what is right and what is wrong..."

"I think you´re doing a pretty good job as her trainer so far, so don´t worry about it!" They kissed each other and went inside together, hand in hand.

Inside the house there was a commotion going on already, Momo seemingly had woken from his slumber and was now darting through the house, visibly full of energy. From what Juliana could see, he had cookie crumbs around his cheeks which only could mean one thing...he must have gotten in the cookies Kieran had brought and Momo now effectively had a bona fide sugar rush.

"I think someone gourged themselves on your sisters cookies, Kieran..." Juliana chuckled, watching her youngest charge zooming around the house, giggling like crazy. Ogi followed him, visibly annoyed but also with cookie crumbs around her mouth.

"Now that Momo´s awake, i can let out Terapagos as well, that´s what he wanted anyway!" Kieran exclaimed, calling out his friend from inside his ball. "Alright Tera, go have fun with Momo!"

The young Pokemon did not wasted a minute and quickly got a hold of both Momo and Ogi.

"You think they let us watch our movies in peace?" Kieran asked, looking at Juliana with an amused look. "We can try, let´s go before there is yet another incident caused by this trio in the back"

And with that, both Juliana and Kieran sat down and enjoyed a couple hours together, with the joyful and livid background noises of playing Pokemon.

[whumpshaped]

tw tiny whumpee, it/its used as a way to dehumanise, captivity

"It really is beautiful. Both the cage and your new acquisition. You weren't kidding when you said it was worth every penny to you."

"Oh yeah, this thing was pricey. It's the most modern one I could find, self-cleaning, it gives the little thing water and food without me needing to do anything. And it's very pretty. If you look there, you can see all that decoration... that's all in gold. I've heard they love gold and shiny things. And all those playthings there? Those cost a fortune as well, but my little pet won't be bored for any second of the day, I'll make sure of it."

"I bet it's the happiest little thing in the world now that you bought it. Will it come closer if I tap on the glass parts?"

"Tapping usually scares it off. That might change as it gets more comfortable, though, I don't know yet."

"Have you thought of a name for it?"

"Not yet. I want something soft and elegant, and I haven't come across the perfect one so far."

Auryn watched from behind the glass, certain that their captor had no idea they could understand their simple language. It felt humiliating to be reduced to nothing but a pet when their culture and society was so much more advanced. Their people were skilled metal-workers, they weren't damn magpies looking for shiny things to bring back to their nests, they were creating masterpieces.

They pulled their knees up to their chest, hugging them close. Miserable, stupid humans. If they wanted them to feel grateful and entertained in their ridiculous golden cage, they would make a point of showing just how unimpressed they were.

~

@ashh-ed @whumpsday @whump-queen

[prince-rowan-of-the-forest]

Ribbons and Rainstorms

Epilogue - 2000 years later...

----

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for reading this far!, since you've made it here I'm assuming you enjoyed my fic, but hey! Consider reblogging? Or leaving me a nice comment? Thank you to everyone who gave me advice and support whilst I wrote this, it wouldn't be the same without everyone in the Big Bang server helping to make this happen <3

Do read this epilogue, though, I personally think its worth it :D

I can't remember who it was who suggested the names for the characters in this chapter, but I love you, and thank you so much.

This fic is my child, I even have a wall in my bedroom dedicated to it, so, you best appreciate it or I'll be coming for your kneecaps!!

<- Previous | Masterpost

----

“You sure it’s this way?” Lara said, turning to her companion, who was squinting at a map as he deftly avoided the thick plant roots that seemed perfectly placed to trip up a person.

“Certain,” he replied, “But— Lara— are you sure we should be doing this? The forest— eugh— definitely doesn’t seem to want us here.”

“Sure, it’s a pretty dense forest,” She said, “But I don’t think forests are sentient, Nathan.”

“Right, right,” Replied Nathan, before he stepped straight into a muddy ditch, getting the stuff all up his trouser-leg, “Why are we doing this again?”

Lara rolled her eyes, “The locals tipped us off about an ancient temple in these woods, it could be the discovery of the century! Don’t you want to be famous?”

“Not if it means getting killed by a forest that seems far more dangerous than it should be,” Nathan said, glancing back at his map, “We should be nearly there— just up this hill, if this temple even exists.”

Half an hour of trekking through the forest that just seemed abnormally out to get them, the pair of archaeologists finally came upon the temple. The place was old, black marble chipped and no longer shining, the braziers fixed to the pillars rusted and filled with ash and fuel long since burned out. The inside was dim, filled with dust and the smell of mildew. Vines and plants trailed across the floors and up the walls, hugging the pillars and walls with thorns and probing shoots. The place was certainly old, and certainly abandoned. 

“Wow…” Lara whispered as they mounted the crumbling steps, clicking on her torch as they entered the dark space.

“We— we should check that the walls are structurally sound before we go in here,” Nathan protested, staying back at the entrance, Lara turned back, rolling her eyes.

“It’s not like we’re taking a sledgehammer to it,” She said, “If it hasn’t collapsed in the time it’s been standing here, I doubt it’s gonna collapse now.”

She dumped her pack on the ground, fishing around inside until she pulled out a high-grade camera. Quickly flicking up the lens cap so she could take photos of the space. 

In one corner was a pile of moth-eaten blankets that barely resembled blankets anymore. A closer look revealed that they had become home to a fair few critters over the years. Nathan deftly cut a sample of the material, running his fingers over it and calling out that it was certainly a good two-thousand years old. Frankly, he was astonished any of it was still here. 

“There’s not much else here — I don’t think,” Lara called, running her hand over the crumbling stone altar. The draped fabric had been entirely eaten away, but the priceless metal decorations — the candelabra, the bowl, the chalice, still remained, “I bet these would fetch a pretty penny, I wonder if the British Museum would be interested.”

Nathan scoffed, “As long as it’s stolen from a native people, I’m sure they will be.” 

“Okay, maybe not the best idea, but we should— we should definitely report this to the historical society.”

“Yeah, good idea— hey Lara— what’s that?” Nathan asked, gesturing behind her. 

“What’s what?”

“Behind you, on the wall.”

Lara turned around, stepping black so the beam from her torch could light up most of the wall. 

Against the back stretch of wall hung a tapestry, a tapestry that depicted two figures holding hands, one with flowing black hair, dressed in beautiful robes that fit the fashion two millennia ago, and the other with tan skin and dressed befitting of a prince from a fantasy book. 

“Oh how beautiful,” Nathan whispered, the sight taking their breath away, “What a lovely tapestry…”

“Can you tell when it was made?” Lara asked.

“Well— based on their dress and the needlework—" he said, slowly approaching the tapestry and running his hand over it, before lifting up the bottom corner and checking the back, “And the wool, it looks to be from a few thousand years ago, but…”

“But what?”

“The fabric has almost no wear and tear whatsoever, the colours are exceptionally bright…” Nathan mumbled, “If someone told me this was made yesterday I wouldn’t be surprised, based on condition alone.”

“How is that possible?” She asked slowly, joining him in front of the fabric to run her hand along the edge, “It should’ve been ravaged by the elements, moths, other forest creatures— but it’s not damaged in the slightest… not even frayed…”

“Very strange,” Nathan nodded, stepping back again to see what it depicted, “Do you think they were friends?”

Lara looked at him with an odd expression, before letting out an exasperated sigh, “‘do you think they were friends’ no friends look into each other’s eyes like that— they’re holding hands— are you dense?”

“Okay okay ,jeez,” He raised his hands in surrender, “Who were they, do you think?”

“Perhaps the ones who live in this temple?” Said a voice from behind them. Both archeologists turned in sync, wide eyed, to stare at the tall figure in the doorway. When he took a step forward — into Lara’s torchlight — they both gasped, because he almost perfectly matched one of the figures on the tapestry. Dress and all — he looked like he’d just stepped out of a storybook, he was almost glowing. 

“Who are you?” Nathan asked hesitantly.

“Why, I’m Ro, of course,” they said, “I know mortals have been severely lacking in whimsy the last few centuries, but surely you haven’t forgotten us all completely. Also, I thank you for correcting your friend, that is in fact my husband.”

“Wait— slow down— just a little bit,” Lara said, raising a hand, “This tapestry is two-thousand years old, you’re saying you are this person— and the other is your husband?”

“Precisely,” Ro said, as though the information made any sense at all, “See?”

He gestured to their hair, where an elaborately designed crown sat atop his bun — the only thing about his appearance that wasn't depicted in the tapestry. It seemed to be made from gold and silver embellished with red and purple gemstones. It looked… incredibly expensive. 

The archeologists didn’t know what exactly the garment meant — unfortunately the culture around hair accessories had been lost to time, and now there were only brief records of the practice — but they could easily assume it was special to this strange person. 

“Now,” He said, reaching behind him and drawing a sword that was as thick as both Lara’s arms and twice as long, “Do you wish to do harm to this temple?”

—-

Lara and Nathan left the temple with no clue how to explain to the rest of society that they had just met — talked to, been threatened by — a God, but they would have to work it out before they got back, because that was without a doubt what had happened to them today. 

----

<- Previous | Masterpost

[roxannarambles]

teal mask fixit-fic on the fly part 10

(Current story so far: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 -

Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - Part 9)

After an eventful afternoon, the gang met once more at Ogerpon's den. Despite the fact that the defeated Loyal Three had managed to escape before they could be captured, the kids had obtained all three of the masks and taught Ogerpon's bullies a lesson they were not likely to forget anytime soon, so overall it was a pretty big win in anyone's books.

Ogerpon was as happy as a Clamperl with all of her masks returned. It was likely she had not seem them in a very, very long time, and they were the only things she had left to remind her of her old friend. She spent a long time just touching the masks and smiling.

Even Kieran seemed to be feeling a bit better, seeing how happy Ogerpon was. They all had a little picnic outside of Ogerpon's den, to give her some much-appreciated company. She seemed to love Arven's sandwiches as much as Koraidon did. She was gradually warming up to the others, too, although she still seemed to be attached to Arven the most, hanging on him and looking to him for reassurance.

Kieran was very quiet during most of the picnic, but eventually he spoke up when there was a lull in conversation among the rest of the group.

"I'm glad she has her masks back, but I know it's still going to be tough for her. She's still an outcast from the village."

The others were quiet for a bit; this fact was impossible to deny. Then Carmine waved a hand casually, saying,

"We can visit her on a regular basis! She'll be fine, Kiki."

He sighed.

"I guess . . . but . . . I think it would be better if we could clear her name and tell them all the truth."

"Kiki, believe me, I would love that too, but we can't-- Grandpa said our ancestor tried that and he was persecuted as a heretic!"

"Well maybe he just didn't try hard enough!" Kieran shouted stubbornly, his arms crossed, scowling. He continued, quiter,

"Besides, I don't care if people call me a heretic or whatever, it's not like anyone likes me anyway. I bet I could convince people if I tried hard enough--"

"Kiki, I care, I don't want anyone hating on my little bro! And if anyone is doing that, you better tell me so I can go kick their faces in!"

"She's right, you know," Penny said quietly, from her spot sitting beside Kieran. They both glanced to her.

"Not about the . . . excessive threats of violence, she really should stop doing that-- I mean about nobody believing you. Your town is practically founded on that Ogre story. People grew up with it, it's steeped in your culture and traditions by now. People are attached to the story they know, so simply telling them the truth probably won't make much of a difference at this point."

Kieran's expression fell and he looked glumly to the ground, but Penny wasn't finished.

"You need to change their hearts, not their minds."

He looked hesitantly back up to her.

". . . how do we do that?"

After a thoughtful pause, Penny answered,

"By changing the narrative."

Looking impatient, Carmine asked,

"And what the heck does that mean?"

Penny glanced at the others.

"It means I have an idea."

Later . . .

Daylight was fast fading as the gang rushed about in Kitakami Hall's central building, preparing as quickly as they could.

"Hey, I'm back, I have the costume-- took the seamstress long enough, ugh, I felt like I was standing there forever."

Nemona answered cheerfully,

"Great! Penny should be here in just a bit, she's just going over the script one more time with your grandpa! Then she can try it on."

Carmine set the costume down and griped,

"I still don't see why Ogerpon can't just play the part herself . . ."

Patiently, Juliana told her,

"Carmine, she's still terrified of returning to the village, and considering what happened the last time, can you blame her?"

"Yeah, yeah . . . all right. I guess that makes sense. So how are things going here?"

Nemona gave her a thumbs-up.

"Things are okey-dokey! Thankfully our costumes are nowhere near so complicated since it's mostly just the masks."

Nemona, Juliana and Arven had been trying on the black shawls, which seemed to fit them well enough. Carmine sighed,

"Great. Where's mine?"

"Here you go, right here!" Carmine grabbed the shawl, quickly putting it on, but then she picked up the indigo-colored mask. Indignantly, she said,

"What?! I'm not supposed to be Munkidori!"

Nemona glanced between the others, saying,

"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought we already decided it?"

"Heck no, I'm not being the lame-o monkey!"

"Well somebody needs to be Munkidori?"

"Well somebody else can, why don't you be the monkey?"

"Oh, well, I'm gonna be Okidogi!" Nemona said, flexing her arm with a grin.

"Wait, what? I thought I was gonna be Okidogi!" Arven protested.

A little confused, Nemona answered,

"We never said that?"

"Yeah, but I just kinda assumed-- I mean, I'm the guy, isn't it kinda obvious I should be the big strong one?"

Juliana made a rocking-back-and-forth 'ehh' gesture with her hand.

"Oh, c'mon!"

"Sorry, Arven, but I feel like Nemona is better suited for Okidogi."

"You're totally biased though, Juliana!"

"No, that's my unbiased opinon--"

"We could battle for it!" Nemona suggested suddenly.

"No, no way! That isn't fair either, you know that!"

Nemona shrugged, and then after a beat, she said,

"We could arm wrestle for it?"

Arven paused, looking as though he was considering it. Carmine said,

"Look, I don't care who plays Okidogi, just as long as I'm Fezandipiti. Juliana can be the monkey."

Juliana crossed her arms, saying,

"Hey, what-- why? I mean, I don't really care, to be honest, but I feel like you're singling me out here for some reason."

"STOP CHEATING," Arven shouted, while he and Nemona were seated at a nearby table in the midst of arm wrestling. Nemona gasped,

"I'm not?!"

"YOU-- NGH-- HAVE TO BE!"

"She's really not," Juliana said mildly as she watched. Ignoring them, Carmine carried on,

"I dunno, it just makes sense. You come across as a good monkey to me. I mean, it's not like you'd be better at playing Fezandipiti. She was annoying to fight but she was so pretty! And elegant and graceful! And you're just . . . well . . ."

Juliana turned to her, her eyes narrowed.

"I'm just what?"

"I don't know, you're just . . ."

"You'd better think very carefully before finising your sentence, Carmine."

"HrrrraaaaAAAAAAAghhhhhhhh!"

Nemona slammed Arven's hand down with a sudden burst of energy and an incredible amount of yelling. Arven wailed,

"No, no!"

She sprung from her seat and was quickly in Carmine's face.

"Well I for one think Juliana would make an amazing Fezandipiti!"

Although Nemona had said it with a friendly smile, there was an undercurrent of tension in her expression, as though she was daring Carmine to challenge her on the point.

Carmine's eyes shifted away and she muttered,

"Tch, better than me? How?"

Nemona moved to Juliana's side and squeezed her, beaming and saying,

"'Cause she's stunning both inside and out, and-- and she has poise and fuerza y fuego y encanto, and I bet she could encanta la flor lejos de una Flabébé--"

"Ugh, spare me the mushy Paldean dribble, I'm going to be sick."

"You guys do realize that all three of them are the villians of the story anyway? It doesn't really matter who's what," Arven said.

Juliana raised and brow,

"Says the guy who just arm-wrestled to be Okidogi?"

"She's short!" Carmine said suddenly, pointing at Juliana.

"Uh?"

"Munkidori is really short. That's why she should be the monkey."

"Stop trying to make me the monkey!"

"Oh my god, you guys, will you just shut up and--"

The door to the room suddenly opened, Kieran and Penny staring in confusion at whatever they'd walked in on.

"Uh . . . everything okay in here?"

Arven coughed and cleared his throat. Juliana smiled and gave them a thumbs-up.

"Everything's hunkey-dory! We're just trying on our costumes and . . . uh, deciding who plays what."

Anxiously, Penny asked,

"You still haven't done that? We're on in like, five minutes, guys!"

"What? Crap!"

"Okay, okay, ugh. I guess I'll be the stupid monkey . . ."

"No, forget it. You and your annoying girlfriend can play Okidogi and Fezandipiti, I'll be super generous and nice and play Munkidori."

"Wh-whuh, we're-- we're not--"

"Ahaha, we're not girlfriends, Carmine--"

"Sure, whatever you say."

"Wait, if you guys are the Loyal Three, what the heck do I do?"

"I haven't heard any thank-you's yet for my generosity, you know . . ."

"Do we, um, give off a couple vibe?"

"I dunno . . ."

Kieran had been helping Penny put on her costume, but he turned and suddenly said,

"Enough!"

Everyone fell quiet. He sighed, then handed Arven a mask.

"You're playing the other minor roles, Arven, check with grandpa before going on. Thank you for playing Munkidori, sis, and everyone else, make sure you have everything you need. We have to be on stage in just a few minutes. This needs to go well, okay? Ogerpon's entire future hangs in the blanace . . ."

Penny, dressed up in the little green Ogre costume, gave Kieran a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry. It'll go well."

After a pause, she turned.

"All right, you guys heard him, quit standing 'round, let's go, go!"

At the front of Kitakami Hall, the area had been set up to act as a stage, the raised stone floor perfect for the task; they even had a curtain arranged. When word had spread that tonight, on the last night of the Festival of Masks, there was to be an extra-special performance, people had gathered very quickly. The crowd was very boisterous while people chattered, curious and eager for the show.

When the Caretaker came on stage, there was a smattering of shouts and cheers. He raised his hands and smiled; the crowd hushed immediately for him. Then he spoke.

"Hello, my dear friends. I am excited to announce that tonight, Mossui Town has a very special performance. In the past, of course, we've often enjoyed re-enactments of the Loyal Three's heroic deeds. But tonight we are joined by some talented young students that wish to add to that legacy. They have told me that their performance will offer a new perspective. This is all I know, but I trust their show will be memorable."

He waved a hand, finshing,

"On this auspicious day, the same day the Loyal Three have returned to us in the flesh, let us celebrate! Please welcome our friends and enjoy the show!"

The crowd cheered as the Caretaker left the stage. Kieran's grandfather appeared from behind the curtain and shuffled to stand on the far side of the stage. Mossui Town did not have much in the way of technical equiptment but it did have lights, as well as a single microphone and speaker set up for the man. He took up the microphone, his expression quite serious, even somber. The crowd waited, curious.

After a pause, the grandfather began to speak.

"We have told the same story on this stage for generations now. It is a tale celebrated and beloved by all . . . a story we know by heart. Tonight, however, I would like to share with you all . . . a new story. One that has some of the same, familiar faces, but whose roles are changed."

There were murmurings among the crowd.

"Now, I know how very fond of tradition Mossui Town is. There is comfort in the familiar. This I cannot deny. But all that I ask of you tonight . . . is to try to listen."

Finished with his introduction, the curtains drew open.

"A long, long time ago, there was a man and an Ogre from a foreign land . . ."

Kieran and Penny appeared on stage: Kieran dressed in baggy clothes and wearing a wig of long hair pulled into a ponytail, Penny hunched over in her little Ogre costume.

"The pair were the best of friends, inseperable. More than anything, they loved to travel, and they had explored lands far and wide in their lifetime. They had seen many wondrous sights and met many wonderful people. Yet, although the Ogre was still young and spry, age was now catching up to her human companion. They decided to travel one last time, and to settle down for good."

The man and the Ogre walked, hand-in-hand, along the stage, as if hiking through the mountains.

"And so they came to the land of Kitikami. They saw its verdant meadows, its lush woods, and its majestic mountains, and thought there would be no better a place to live. They came to the village, eager to meet its people."

Someone else appeared on stage-- Arven, in his shawl and wearing a carved mask that had a wide, smiling grin and a pale, nondescript face.

"The people of the village, however, were terribly set in their ways and very wary of outsiders. And so when the foreign man and his Ogre companion came to the town, people were frightened by their strange dress, their manner of speaking, and even their faces . . . which seemed so different from what they were used to."

The Man held out a hand in friendship, but 'the villagers' drew back in fear. Arven switched his mask around so that it now had a deep scowl, waving at the travelers to leave.

"The man and the Ogre were used to being welcomed wherever they traveled, and were saddened to be treated this way. Try as they might, the villagers refused to allow them anywhere near the village. Yet, they had grown to love the land they had traveled to, and still wished to call it home. So, they settled in a cave in the mountains. It was a simple, quiet life, and a little lonely, but they were still happy to have each other."

The scene changed, with Arven stooped over a table, a selection of masks upon it.

"The only villager that pitied the two travelers was the village mask maker. He decided he would try to help them, and created for them several masks. So inspired by their plight, the masks ended up being his finest creations-- adored with gems that the foreign man had brought from a distant land."

The scene changed again, now with the Man and the Ogre; they had cloaks over their clothes now, and Kieran wore the Teal Mask, while Penny wore the Cornerstone Mask.

"By wearing these masks, the travelers could hide their true faces and mingle with the villagers. The man an the Ogre were overjoyed, and they thanked the mask maker for his kindness."

Arven was back in his role as 'the villagers,' milling about in jinbei with a candy apple. 'The villagers' admired the Man and the Ogre's masks.

"The travelers began to secretly join the village festival, at a time when wearing masks was not something that seemed out of place. Soon the mysterious pair became the talk of the town, thanks to their brilliant masks. In fact, rumors about them began to spread far and wide."

The actors left the stage as the grandfather intoned,

"But rumors of exquisite, shining masks attract more than just innocent curiosity . . . and a group of greedy Pokemon soon made their way to Kitakami."

Carmine, Juliana, and Nemona arrived on stage, each in their Loyal Three masks. There was some cheering from part of the crowd that awkwardly tapered off into murmurings of confusion.

"There was the crafty Munkidori. He had long yearned for intelligence, but once he gained it, he began to scheme all sorts of ways to steal great riches."

"Mua ha ha ha--" Carmine balled her fists and cackled evilly. The other two nudged and shushed her.

"What? I'm acting--"

"Shh! These are silent roles!"

". . . there was the alluring Fezandipiti. He was once a very dull and forgettable pokemon; but once he became beautiful, he started to use his charms to manipulate others."

Juliana waved her 'wings' as she waltzed across the stage.

"And there was the powerful Okidogi. Once the runt of the litter, he now had incredible strength; but instead of protecting the weak, he used his strength to bully others."

Nemona leered at the crowd-- or at least, she tried to, but it was a bit difficult for her to see through the little cheap plastic mask. Juliana gently re-positioned her so that she was facing the crowd properly.

"These three pokemon worked together, but it would be incorrect to claim them friends; rather, they were temporary allies, eager to backstab the others if the opportunity arose."

Kieran was now on stage, laying on a pile of blankets as if asleep.

"And so the three pokemon snuck into the cave in which the man and the Ogre lived. They found where the masks were kept, and tried to make off with them. But the man happened to be there. . ."

The trio crept up, towards the man. They 'stole' the masks, turning to quickly remove their cheap plastic Loyal Three masks and replacing them with the brilliant, handcarved ones: Carmine with the Wellspring mask, Juliana with the Hearthflame mask, Nemona with the Cornerstone mask. They flaunted about in their new masks, but suddenly, the man gasped and leapt to his feet, awoken by the intruders.

Quickly, the man grabbed an old wood axe and tried to attack his foes. The others surrounded him.

"The man tried to stop the thieves, but he was outnumbered and could not wield the incredible powers that the pokemon could . . ."

The man collapsed, while the Loyal Three pretended to strike him over and over. They then gloated and left the cave behind.

"They wounded the man gravely and left with their stolen masks."

The man struggled back to his bed, unfolding the blanket to reveal something beneath.

"But the man had saved one of the masks, kept in a place the thieves did not know of. He took solace in the fact that at least his dear companion would still have one mask to use."

The man then tried to stand, but collapsed back to the ground. He tried again and failed, and opted to crawl instead, dragging his body painfully.

"The man left the cave, perhaps in search of the Ogre. Several hours later, when the Ogre returned to the cave . . ."

The Ogre arrived, walking to the spot and looking around, distraught.

"She found her beloved home in ruin. All that was left were the signs of a struggle and a teal mask."

On her knees, she cradled the Teal Mask as if it were the only thing she had left of her companion. She seemed to cry for a while.

Then she squeezed a fist.

She put the mask on and leapt to her feet, pulling a cudgel from the ground and brandishing it.

"The Ogre donned the mask and rushed to the village!"

She rushed to the other side of the stage, where the Loyal Three were gathered, showing off their masks to a fawning Arven, 'the villagers.' She raised her weapon and charged, startling the trio.

"She found the greedy pokemon there with the stolen masks and fought them, crying out for her friend."

The group pretended to fight. It was not a well-choreographed battle, by any means; they certainly didn't have time to prepare any of that. But what it lacked in skill it made up for in enthusiasum, the teens chasing each other around, Penny waving her cudgel wildly, Nemona throwing pretend punches and Juliana and Carmine trying to make things generally as chaotic as possible. Eventually each of the Loyal Three, in turn, died very dramatically on the floor. Arven watched it all in horror.

"The Ogre defeated them. The villagers, of course, had no idea what was happening or why. All they saw was the raging Ogre. And they felt great fear."

They put out a few red boards set up like the little roof of a memorial, which Arven stood over in mourning.

"The villagers thought the three Pokemon must have tried to protect the village from the Ogre. To honor their sacrifice, they gave them the name-- the Loyal Three-- and interrred them with care."

The Loyal Three masks were placed carefully on the memorial.

"And so the greedy pokemon perished for their cruelty and their crimes. But they were worshipped by the villagers as heroes."

The stage lights cut out, leaving only a single spotlight pointed upon the Ogre, trudging along slowly.

". . . wounded and weak, the Ogre returned to her cave . . ."

She limped until eventually stopping and dropping to her knees, removing the mask. She gazed at it and slumped. The light grew dim and dimmer, and her shoulders shook as if she were sobbing.

". . . alone, and with great sadness."

The spotlight faded out, and the curtains closed.

There was a long pause. The crowd began to mutter amongst themselves, sounding very unsure.

Then, from behind the curtain, Kieran returned to the stage. He was no longer in costume. His grandfather came up to pass the microphone over to him; he gave his grandson a reassuring pat on his shoulders and smiled before leaving the stage.

Kieran faced the crowd alone. He took a nervous breath, his hands trembling. The audience continued to whisper and mutter, confused, curious.

Finally, Kieran mustered his courage and spoke.

"Th-the story you've just heard tonight . . . is a true one. It is a story that has been passed down in my family by word of mouth for generations. The true version of events . . . all those years ago."

He paused, and the audience began to rile, people speaking out and questioning; the Caretaker in the front row looked very confused and at a loss. Kieran swallowed nervously and tried to ignore them. "It's not an easy story to hear, I know-- and it's not what we're used to. It's not a story of heroes triumphant over evil. It's a sad story, very sad. And it doesn't paint Mossui Town in a very good light."

He took a shaky breath and continued,

"But it's important. Because of Mossui Town, the man and the Ogre were shunned and forced to live alone. Because we were so scared of outsiders and scared of anyone who was a little bit different. And when the man and the Ogre were in trouble, nobody was around to help them. When the greedy three pokemon attacked, they had to face them alone."

Some people in the audience began to shout-- "The Loyal Three aren't greedy, they're heroes!" "Lies!" "What is this?!"

Kieran looked panicked, on the verge of the audience turning on him entirely. But he raised his voice and answered,

"I know how much you all love the Loyal Three, but listen! Things aren't always as we first assume them to be. You've all heard one version of events, but you never heard it from the Ogre's point of view. Try to look at it from her perspective! All she wanted to do was live her life and be herself. And people were scared of her and hated her for it!"

The audience quieted a little, shifting into whispers and mutters again, uncertain. From the front of the crowd, the Caretaker spoke up.

"I-I must say, this has all come as quite a surprise . . . a-and I commend you kids for presenting such an interesting new interpretation. I do confess of course that with a story so old, there is no way to know for certain what did go on, exactly, back then. But I am . . . curious. Is there really any harm in continuing our folklore? Regardless as to what really happened in the past. It is such a beloved part of Mossui Town, after all. Surely you see that, Kieran."

Kieran's eyes sharpened. His voice took on a tone of pure conviction.

"Yes. There is harm. The harm that was done to Ogerpon. The harm that is still being done. Because she is still alive, and she is still living in that cave in the mountains, all alone."

The Caretaker's eyes widened. There were shocked whispers among the crowd again.

"She has been living up there all this time, shunned and hated for nothing. And so I am here to finally clear her name. And to ask you all to do something. Please . . ." His voice trembled a little and he swallowed, starting again,

"Please try to look past your fears and your hate. Try to look at the real Ogre. To . . . welcome her, into our village. Please. Think of how scared you might be if you were up in the mountains, alone all this time. All she wants . . . all she wants are some friends. Just like any of us do."

The crowd was somber and quiet after Kieran's plea. A little awkwardly, Kieran turned and parted the curtain behind him, just a little bit. He gestured to someone off-stage, as if asking them to join him. All around was silent expectation.

Then, very shyly, a little figure dressed in green came out on stage. She wore the Teal Mask and fidgeted nervously. Kieran reached out and took her hand. Then he looked to the crowd.

At first, people just whispered and stared; Kieran could see many anxious and ambivilant faces. His stomach twisted in knots, fearing that all of their efforts would be for nothing.

But then, somewhere near the back of the crowd, a clear voice called:

"We love you, Ogerpon!"

And right after that, some children cried out,

"Yeah! You were so brave and cool!"

Expressions shifted and changed, and others were emboldened.

"We're sorry, Ogerpon!"

"You can come visit me if you come to the village!"

"We love you too!"

"Please let Mossui Town make things up to you."

"You were both very brave!"

As people continued to shout their support, Kieran felt the awful anxiety release its stranglehold on him; relief flooded in, instead. He squeezed the Ogre's hand and smiled at her.

Then people began to applaud. It was hesitant and scattered at first, then grew louder and louder, until soon it was positively thundrous.

Kieran looked back to the Ogre and gestured, tilting his head a little, his expression gentle-- asking her something. She gave a small nod.

Then she reached up to her mask and removed it, peeking out warily at the throngs of people. Her bright, starry eyes blinking in the stage lights.

There were cheers. A smile overcame Ogerpon, as brillaint and shining as the gems on her mask. Their hands still clasped, Kieran and Ogerpon took a bow.

Eventually, the curtains parted and everyone else came on stage to join them and bow as well. Strangely, Nemona was missing at first, but she appeared from somewhere in the audience and scrambled up on stage to take her place among them. When Kieran cast her a puzzled look, she just grinned and said,

"Sorry, was busy sowing some seeds of rebellion."

It suddenly connected in Kieran's mind why that first person to shout out their support for Ogerpon had sounded so familiar. He gave her a wide, grateful smile.

All around them, people cheered.

Later . . .

The final night of the Festival of Masks for that year was one to remember. The entire town had turned out for it, and the energy among them was unlike it ever had been before. The celebrations lasted for hours, with Ogerpon as the guest of honor. All of the love was wonderful, although the shy Ogerpon did find it a little overwhelming after a while. Kieran bought her a plastic Ogre mask to wear and a shawl, so that she could continue to enjoy the festival but without all the intense focus, since she blended in with all the other festivalgoers. There was a distinct irony in this, to be sure, but they knew once people had calmed a little, she would be able to go about like normal again.

And Kieran suspected that's really all she ever really wanted. To go about like normal and just have the chance to live her life among others. Which is what they and the rest of the gang did that night.

It was nice, just fooling about. Carmine challenged Nemona to a rematch at Ogre Ousting (very recently rebranded to Greedy Greedent Grabbing), and when she managed to beat her personal best and Nemona, she was elated. Surprisingly, she didn't gloat over her victory this time, though-- not much, at least. Instead she awkwardly told Nemona that it was a good match; Nemona beamed at her and shook her hand, agreeing that it was.

They all went to a face-painter after that, which was fun; everyone's cheeks decorated in whatever silly requests they gave the painter. Ogerpon loved the little stars that were painted on her. Next they went on some rides, like the Tilt-a-Whirl and the Octillary Ride, although Penny avoided those. Kieran and Ogerpon opted to stay off them as well; the others convinced them to try the Bumper Cars, though, since in theory they were a lot less pukey. In practice they were not nearly as calm as Kieran had hoped, mainly because Nemona, Juliana and Carmine made it their personal mission to run people down and ram them as hard as they could, friend or foe alike. After that, the group wanted to do the Ferris Wheel. Kieran was reluctant, because he was a bit anxious of heights and in the past his sister would tease him by rocking the compartment violently back and forth when they rode. Carmine swore she wouldn't do it this time but he didn't believe her, and they eventually solved the problem because Kieran, Penny, Arven and Ogerpon rode in a seperate bucket. It was surprisingly a very peaceful and enjoyable to ride when someone wasn't swinging it back and forth.

There were some impromptu doubles pokemon matches taking place in the central courtyard, so they enjoyed watching that for a time. Some of them even joined in when invited to. Kieran shied away from battling himself, but he watched Carmine and Juliana team up in one battle, and then Nemona and Penny pair up in another.

After that, the gang broke off to wander about and do their own thing. Kieran ended up with Penny and Ogerpon, watching some jugglers, then wandering the vendor booths. Ogerpon was drawn to a booth that was selling sparklers, so Kieran bought the three of them some. When Kieran lit Ogerpon's sparkler (telling her to be careful), she gazed at the little sparks of fire and giggled, waving it about. It was probably pretty tame compared to most pokemon moves, but she enjoyed it anyway.

They milled around the festival like that, going nowhere in particular, just enjoying the atmosphere. Kieran couldn't stop looking at Ogerpon and smiling, feeling so light everytime he saw the joy in her eyes. When he'd done it for perhaps the 50th time that night, Penny chuckled.

"She has you to thank, you know."

Kieran glanced up, caught off guard. Penny was smiling at him. He glanced away, his face warming. He insisted,

"Thanks to all of you. Everyone helped her out so much tonight."

He hesitated and added,

"Especially, um, y-you. It was your idea, after all, the play and everything."

Penny shook her head.

"You're giving me too much credit. It was my genius idea, true, but your grandpa and you really brought it to life. And there's no way I could have convinced the entire town the way you did. It was honestly pretty badass."

Kieran blushed and he fidgeted with the tie on his jinbei.

"That's-- um-- I-I-- t-thank you."

Ogerpon chirped and suddenly dashed ahead. Kieran's eyes widened and he rushed after her.

"Ogerpon, don't go too far, you'll get lost!"

Penny and Kieran chased after her into the path of food vendors. Eventually she came to stop in front of a table, and Kieran realized why she'd dashed ahead-- she must have heard a familiar voice. At the table, Arven and Carmine sat, with plates of cheap fair food as they talked.

". . . so turns out, he'd gotten himself lost and his phone was dead-- not that it'd help much anyway, reception is pretty much nonexistant out there-- middle of the night, out in the Timeless Woods. I had to go back and find him."

"Wow."

"Yeah. Pretty scary, right? I bet a cityboy like you would be helpless out there like that. But I was--"

"Wait, he didn't have a map or a compass or anything?"

". . . no? He was just using his phone."

"Oh, man, that's kinda risky for a big hike like that. You should have at least some basic fallbacks."

"Yeah, he didn't have anything with him, just his phone and some water and his pokemon, I think." "Wait, seriously?! That's not a great plan. I hope he doesn't still go out like that? Y'know, if you need suggestions on some great gear, there's a great little compass I bought that's lasted me for years. Oh, and I know it's a little dorky, but a headlamp is so much better than a flashhlight. Here, I can show you, gimme a sec."

After Arven pulled a little strapped light from his pack, he saw Carmine was staring at him. She asked,

"Who are you?"

He blinked,

"Huh? What do you mean?"

She gave a short laugh and shook her head.

"Why do you even have that with you? And why do you know all this, I thought you came from Naranja Academy?"

Arven shrugged,

"Yeah, so? I also went backpacking across pretty much all of Paldea, so . . . wait, did you think Paldea was nothing but cities?"

"No! I just thought . . . I-I dunno, Naranja's in a big city, I figured it's all you guys know."

She looked a little embarassed admitting it. Arven chuckled,

"Hah. No, not really. Most of us have actually been out in the wilds a lot, during our independent study program. They pretty much just turn us loose for a few months. They say it's a chance to get hands-on experience and see the world or whatever."

Carmine's gaze shifted away. She said,

"That's . . . actually pretty cool."

Arven nodded.

"Yep! So I spent the time traveling all over, hunting down some rare herbs with powerful medicinal effects and defeating gigantic Titan pokemon! With some help with Juliana, that is. We had to go all over, in the mountains, the deserts, the forests, all kinds of terrain."

Carmine looked thoughtful for a moment. She glanced to the big bag sitting on the ground by Arven's feet.

"That still doesn't explain why you have all that stuff with you now, though. It looks like you could fit a house in there!"

"H-hey, it's not that big! It's useful, I thought we might wanna go backpacking in Kitikami!"

"So you have a sleeping bag in there, what else?"

"Just basic gear. Ummm . . . some cooking supplies, clothes, a tarp, stakes, rope, duct tape, an axe, hmm, some repels, matches, tiolet paper, soap, binoculars--"

"That sounds like a crapton."

"And water and food of course. Hey, what are you doing, no snooping!"

Carmine pulled something from his bag.

"What's this?"

Arven grabbed it back from her, answering defensively,

"It's a garlic press."

Carmine cackled,

"A garlic press?!"

"What's so funny?"

"Only basic supplies, huh?"

"There's nothing wrong with being prepared! You never know when you might-- oh, hey there, little buddy!"

Arven leaned down to talk to the pokemon who had suddenly appeared and tugged at his pant-leg.

"How are you enjoying the Festival? I hope you're not running around all on your own . . ."

"She's not," Kieran said, as he and Penny caught up to them. Arven greeted,

"Oh, hey! We were just talking about you a bit ago."

After Kieran's worried expression, Arven added,

"Nothing bad! Carmine was just telling me about your hiking adventures in the Timeless Woods."

Kieran grumbled,

"Aw, man . . . sis, why do you tell that story to everyone . . ."

"What? It's a good story!"

"For you, it is. Not for me."

"You gonna finish that?" Penny asked, sitting down at their table and pointing to Arven's leftover nachos. He made a face.

"Heck no, they're all yours."

"Sweet."

Arven shook his head when she began to eat them with gusto.

"You all have no tastebuds, I swear. Anyway, don't worry, Kieran. We've all gotten lost at some point, especially when we were younger, it's no big."

"Mmm," Kieran responded, leaning against a neighboring table. Ogerpon was curious about Penny's nachos, so she held one out for her; the pokemon sniffed and then wrinkled her nose and backed away. Arven laughed,

"HAH! At least Ogerpon's on my side!"

"You're just picky, Arven."

"What?! No I'm not! If thinking that artificial orange slime they have the audacity to call cheese is being picky, then I guess I'm--GYAHH!"

They all startled when something went shooting through the air and struck Arven square in the chest. He looked down in shock and brushed large, fluffy flakes of white from his jinbei.

"What the heck--"

Nearby giggling alerted them to the likely origin of the projectile; they all looked up to see Nemona and Juliana lurking nearby, with sneaky grins.

"What is wrong with you two?!"

"What did they even throw at you?"

"I don't-- hey, NO--"

He blocked as Nemona chucked something at him again, which exploded upon impact with his arm.

"Are you weirdos throwing . . . snowballs at me?"

"What?"

Juliana took aim but he sprung from his chair, so they began to run away.

"Get back here!" "Run, run!"

On their way out Juliana threw her snowball, missing her target since she was in such a hurry.

"It's the middle of freaking summer, where did these even come from?!"

Arven chased them off, returning to the table when he'd grown tired of running after them. They spent some time speculating and eventually concluded the two girls either had access to some ice pokemon or were buying shaved ice specifically for the purpose of packing them into snowballs. They came by a few more times to try and annoy Arven further-- accidentally hitting Carmine in the crossfire at one point-- and Arven responded by trying to throw nachos at them (they didn't fly far enough, sadly).

They continued to just hang out until they all noticed some music, which seemed to be coming from the central courtyard. Carmine said it was a performance they usually did on the last night, so they decided to head over there. They wanted to try and find Juliana and Nemona first (well, some of them did, Arven and Carmine just wanted to leave them) and so they split up and attempted to locate the troublemakers.

Kieran and Carmine searched the outer edges of the festival-- eventually Kieran spotted the pair, in their orange and purple jinbei, ambling about together under the lights of the lanterns. When he approached, they seemed absorbed in conversation.

"What? No, you did great, what d'you mean?"

"Well I just felt kinda bad, she seemed really deadset on it."

"Nahhh, she volunteered to be Munkidori! It's fine."

"I guess so. Though I got the feeling she only did that 'cause-- uh."

"Cause what."

"Nothing, nothing."

"What?"

"It's silly, it's-- well, she made that weird comment, um. Thinking we were girlfriends?"

". . . oh."

Kieran backed off a little, feeling suddenly very awkward about interrupting their conversation, and tried to see if he could spot where the others had gone off to so he could perhaps pass the buck. Make somebody else do the awkward thing. That sounded like a better plan.

"Does it bother you?"

"Does what bother me?"

"Just, um. People thinking . . . that. I mean, if it bothers you, we can tell them we aren't--"

"What, no, it doesn't bother me!"

"Oh, okay. Are you sure?"

"Of course! Why would it? Like . . . somebody thinks I'm dating the coolest, most kickass, smartest girl in my school, oh nooooo, how awful, whatever shall I do?"

"Unnngh, c'mon, Jules."

"What?"

"I really wanna know if it bothers you, I'm being serious--"

"I'm being serious too!!"

The two girls stopped walking to pause at an isolated corner of the festival near some benches. To Kieran's relief, he finally spotted Carmine, so he emphatically waved at her to come over. He couldn't hear most of Nemona and Juliana's conversation anymore, although he could see from their body language it was still a rather animated discussion; Juliana apparently trying to convince her friend of something, until an embarassed Nemona hid her face in her hands. Meanwhile, Carmine stomped over to Kieran, looking pretty annoyed. Oh . . . hopefully she wouldn't get into a yelling match again. He shot the others a wary look.

Uh-oh. Juliana had gently pried Nemona's hands away from her face and was holding them now, gazing deep into her friend's eyes and apparently spilling her guts about something really heartfelt and potentially very mushy.

This was gonna be even more awkward now.

Carmine reached Kieran, grumbling,

"Have you found them? Forget this, I'm just gonna--" She suddenly spotted them, then, saying, "--Oh, finally! I've been all over the damn place. HEY--"

Eyes wide, Kieran quickly grabbed Carmine's shoulder and interrupted in a half-whisper,

"W-wait, uh, we-- we should maybe just go, Carmine."

"What? Why?! Why are we whispering?"

He gestured very awkwardly towards the girls-- Juliana holding Nemona's hands and Nemona blushing intensely, their conversation still too quiet to make out.

"I think they're maybe, ummmm, having a moment?"

Carmine briefly assessed the situation and then turned, staring at him and stating,

"Oh my god Kiki are you kidding me I am not going to stand here and wait for these losers to make out."

"W-what? I just meant--"

"If anything I should be getting payback for-- wait, hold up, that gives me an idea. Wait here, make sure they don't go anywhere. I'll be right back."

"What?!"

"I'll be right back!"

Kieran watched helplessly as Carmine snuck away and then darted through the fairgrounds, for reasons he could not begin to imagine. He unhappily waited for her return, watching the two blushing girls exchanging tender looks and soft converation, grateful that at least he couldn't overhear.

When Carmine returned, she had a snowball and an evil grin.

"Sis, no!"

"They still don't know we're here, right? Good."

Kieran tugged on Carmine's arm,

"Don't be mean--"

"Fair's fair, they hit me earlier!"

"Y-yeah, but I think they were aiming for Arven."

"That doesn't make it better!"

"Let's just go--"

She pulled away from him,

"You can leave, but I'm getting revenge!"

When they stopped squabbling and turned back, Carmine gave a surprised, indignant squawk; Juliana and Nemona really were making out now. Kieran hoped this meant Carmine would bail, but no, she did not bail. Instead, Carmine took aim and went charging in,

"All right, EAT DIRT, DORKS!!"

Kieran ran after her, calling out a belated warning-- but Carmine's snowball smacked Juliana hard in the back. He winced as both the girls startled and turned around.

"I'm sorry, I tried to stop her," Kieran mumbled, bracing himself for things to turn into a big fight.

But to his surprise, the two girls didn't get mad. They stared at Carmine a few moments, realizing what she'd done, and then they just . . . laughed?

"Hi Carmine."

"Did you actually make a snowball too? That's-- that's dedicated, I gotta respect the dedication."

Carmine paused, looking a bit thrown off. She then huffed and crossed her arms.

"Yeah, well . . . nobody goes around hitting me with snowballs without retribution!"

The two girls exchanged looks with each other, then laughed again-- silly, carefree giggling.

"I mean, that's fair, that's true."

"We did start it and then got super distracted, can't exactly be mad." Carmine sighed. She grumbled,

"Ugh. You two take all the fun out of getting revenge. I'm leaving."

Kieran stopped Carmine, saying,

"But-- we came out here to tell them--"

She groaned,

"Right, forgot. Uh, there's a performance going on in the courtyard, so. If you care, everyone else is over there already."

"Oh! Yeah, sure, let's go."

Carmine looked surprised as the two girls followed them back into the fairgrounds. Juliana asked,

"What's wrong?"

Carmine turned away and replied, with a bit of sass,

"I dunno, guess I'm just surprised you two wouldn't rather be alone."

After a little laugh, Nemona said lightly,

"We're not gonna just abandon our friends tonight, we're not gonna be here for very long, after all. Me n' Jules can see each other anytime."

Juliana nodded and agreed. Carmine frowned,

"Yeah, but . . . you can also see Arven and Penny anytime too, so . . ."

"Yeah, but not you and Kieran!"

Carmine visibly tried to quash her surprise but didn't quite manage it. Self-consciously, she muttered,

"We're, uh . . . we're friends?"

Nemona smiled brightly and laughed,

"Of course!"

She threw an arm over Carmine's shoulders; Carmine stiffened a little, but didn't seem too bothered by it.

"You too, Kieran," Juliana said, causing the boy to smile bashfully at being included.

"Yep, you're stuck with us now, better get used to it."

Carmine groaned and rolled her eyes, but there was a soft smile on her face all the while.

When they arrived at the main courtyard, the musicians were all warmed up and playing some very jaunty music on their fiddles. The atmosphere was delightful, festivalgoers dancing and clapping, some of them with very coordinated dances that Kieran was familiar with, but many others just freestyling and bopping about. Kieran's friends soon joined in, while he opted to remain in the sidelines, just watching.

Before long it seemed like not a single soul was standing still. Children were squealing and laughing, Carmine had joined one of the formal folk dances, Juliana and Nemona were bouncing about together, very goofy and freespirted; Arven was shuffling awkwardly until Juliana and Nemona found him and encouraged him to dance more, so he hammed it up for them and they all laughed.

Kieran was watching it all and smiling, until he felt a light tap on his shoulder. He turned, finding Penny nodding towards the dance floor in polite invitation.

"O-oh, um, I-I'm not very good," Kieran said, smiling self-consciously.

Penny chuckled.

"Yeah, me too. I actually kinda hate it . . ." She looked around and shrugged, giving him a silly smile.

"Wanna do it anyway?"

Kieran laughed. He was surprised when he answered,

"Okay."

Kieran's heart raced as they joined the others, but he found it wasn't nearly as bad as he'd thought. Nobody was paying them any attention, they were all just dancing and laughing, so he could just sway and move his feet a bit; it actually started to be pretty fun. He closed his eyes and let himself just enjoy the rythm, bouncing on the balls of his feet and doing little twists.

When he opened his eyes again, he saw Ogerpon was bopping along on the dancefloor right next to him, her bright eyes full of undiluted joy. She bounded around him in circles and he blushed, realizing she'd picked him out of everyone here to dance with.

Kieran laughed, the world around him celebrating.

And everything finally seemed to be just right.

[thehotelojkids]

So Nickel and Balloon, how is it having Penny? And would you ever consider getting another kid?

Nickel: Oh deeeefinitely. It’ll be soooo much fun having to change more dirty diapers and deal with them crying when they don’t get peanut butter. I bet it would be soooo much fun.

Balloon: Uh, Nickel..? Maybe you should focus on the first half of the question??

Nickel: Oh, right. Yeah, Penny’s pretty cool. He’s almost like a mini me, just with arms and…actually, he’s been picking up a bit of my sarcasm. Pretty cool, huh? Soon, he’ll be the new Coiny.

Balloon: I love Penny too! He’s a real fun-loving child, but he’s also cautious and careful sometimes, even if he DOES get lost most of the time.