#would max smell like ocean or like fish

[chickensoupleg]

Shower Thought

So like. El. AU where El is just a quiet and frankly unsocialized little girl who lives really close to the sea with Hopper. She was found in the middle of the forest during a patrol with no memory of how she got there, who she was, or anything outside of the most basic forms of human knowledge (Like how to use a toilet and what forks are).

So Hopper keeps her in his little cabin by the sea when El shows no sign of any family member coming forth to the station to claim her as their child, and essentially just becomes his Eggo loving daughter.

El, as any curious child tends to do, ends up escaping one day and running to the sea. She sees it outside her window all the time after all, and she wanted to get up close and personal.

That's where she meets Max. Max is actually a mermaid, just Arieling it up or whatever, and of course ran away the moment she realized a girl had snuck up on her. That's fun. El thought it was strange, but didn't find it weird enough to really tell anyone. She's read tales about mermaids, seeing one in real life couldn't be that weird, starfish are in books too and those things are real.

She also didn't think she'd keep seeing Max, but alas Max really likes making Billy's life hard as hell by escaping and chilling up at the surface. Rebellious teen phase and all that. So, of course, they kept meeting every time El snuck down to the water (Which was often. Wet sand was SUCH an experience and El kept going down to do normal people things) and eventually sort of became friends. Who knew mermaids spoke human languages. They bond, and Max is happy to talk about normal girl things, even if said normal girl things are kind of ocean related, or just things Max has seen people do.

Perhaps from there the boys end up finding out about Max's existence, or maybe Hopper, or perhaps El goes on a little rescue mission when one of Max's surface excursions lead to getting caught in a net or being captured by people who wanted to make a profit out of her.

[your-local-crypt1d]

I did WRA headcanons, so now it's time for seablings headcanons

(Mostly worldbuilding headcanons around them)

The appearance you often associate with the Ocean Queen and Codfather are actually their “mortal forms” they use not to freak everyone out. The twos “true forms” are a lot more like biblically accurate angels, they took after their parents in the “ancient lovecraftian horror” department.

Jimmys’ magic is unstable and heavily effected by his emotions, though, so he uses the Codfather mask to keep his form in check. That’s why he was so desperate to get the head back when stolen, he was scared his body would change out of his control and scare someone (or if he’s anything like Cthulhu, drive them insane just by his appearance alone).

Jimmy and Lizzies’ mortal forms are slightly off from regular merfolk, being that they are ridiculously tall for their kind. Lizzie is 11 feet tall and Jimmy is around 7’10”, whereas most merfolk tend to max out at 7 feet. They also have some other powers that only gods and God-blessed people have, like sensing each other and being more in tune with magic than mortals are.

Jimmy and Lizzies’ parents are an ancient sea monster known simply as the Leviathan and the primordial goddess of all water. Lizzie was birthed from sea foam (à la Aphrodite) thousands of years ago as the goddess of saltwater and the Queen of the oceans. She took after her mother in being a blue axolotl.

Lizzie has been on and off as the Ocean empires queen since then; the ocean levels naturally rise and fall like what happened during the rapture and her annual memory loss usually coincides with that, so the citizens of her empire have plans put in place (an elected regent to take over) to handle their goddesses regular disappearances.

Some time after Lizzies’ birth, the leviathan laid a clutch of eggs in one of the many nurseries outside the ocean empire. Lizzie was supposed to have many little siblings, each a demi-god to rule over different bodies of water inland like ponds, rivers, and inland seas. Unfortunately, though, demigods can die.

The salmon, who had been feuding with the cod merfolk for a long time now prompting the making of new demigods, got to the eggs first and massacred all the babies. Lizzies’ grief at her fathers final clutch not surviving was so powerful, the oceans were in a perpetual category 5 storm for months. It caused tsunamis to hit coastal towns, boat travel was impossible, and the salmon living in the ocean who survived were all swept inland by the storm.

Each empire that had land near the coast at the time of this has their own name for it in their own languages, but all basically translate to "the great storm" or "terrible hurricane."

We all know Jimmy survived, though. Somehow, against all odds, he swam his way home to Lizzie. Her relief and love for her little seabling caused the storms to calm and perfect waters across the empires to last for decades after, opening up new trade routes to landfolk empires like Mezalea.

Jimmy takes after their father in being more fish-like than axolotl (salamander)

After hatching, baby merfolk (or “tadpoles”) follow the scent of their mothers to find their way home. The ocean empire has historically often been invaded by Drowned, landfolk, rogue guardians, etc, so they lay their eggs outside the empire in hidden nurseries, then let the hatched tadpoles find their way home as a ritual, believing if they survive, their goddess has chosen them to live with her children and the others to stay with her at the bottom of the sea.

For Jimmy, he followed Lizzies' smell instead since their actual mother is in hibernation with the other old gods.

Being the only surviving member of the clutch, Jimmy was dubbed the demigod of freshwater and the swamps, later establishing the codlands as a sanctuary for the last remaining cod merfolk, both sides of the war suffering massive losses.

The Codlands also have a system put in place for when Jimmy loses his memories that's a bit more complicated than their ocean cousins. The Codfather is an electoral office like a president, so while Jimmy is gone they elect a Codboy to replace him, and when he returns it doesn't always mean he returns with his memories so they hold this “fake” election and pretend everyone chose Jimmy. It's not really pretend since the Codfather is loved by his people, but the whole "we've decided you should be our new Codfather" is pretend as a way to prompt his memories to return faster.

Oceanic, the language of all merfolk, is a language often only learnt by merfolk and mer-adjacent people, as their vocal cords can make a variety of more sounds than land-dwellers, along with the language mixing body language and movement with those sounds like from their tails and fins. Despite this, Joel makes an attempt for his cool fish wife. He settles with learning the codish dialect as it is a little easier on land folk, since the cod spend more time on land interacting with them, thus their dialect adapting to compensate.

Merfolk have two sets of eyelids, the usual ones we humans have that open and close up and down, distributing moisture across our eyes, and a second translucent set that slides inward from the outside of each eye and acts like built-in goggles. The way eyes need to function to see on land is very different to how they work to see underwater. unfortunately, merfolk can't have both so they went the way of the crocodile with the two sets of eyelids.

They also went the way of the crocodile in that merfolk have loads of sharp teeth that they can perpetually lose, as a new tooth will grow in to replace it, they don't only have two sets of teeth like humans.

All merfolk also have “siren songs”, a subset of verbal spells only merfolk can cast by singing. Depending on the tune, it can do different things like healing, helping the listener sleep, sharing memories between the singer and listener, and much more. It's very volatile and dangerous magic though, it takes many years to control it around other merfolk let alone land dwellers who are much more susceptible to the foreign magic (the same way people who aren't vaccinated are affected by those diseases worse compared to those with immunity)

The song gets its name because some merfolk, known as sirens by human sailors, would use their songs the way sirens in myth would. Those “sirens” aren't actually any different from other merfolk though, just malicious in nature.

Due to this, music is highly regarded in both empires. The Musical Lizzie wrote in real life is canon to me, in that the Ocean Regent worked with the Codboy and some refugee bards from other empires to make the musical as both to honour their gods and as a cautionary tale of land dweller hubris (that's the way they spun the story at least).

Pearls (the stones) and clam shells are highly regarded in the ocean empire and codlands. Pearls are usually worn by the upper class and given as courting gifts to romantic partners or to family members depending on the style. Whereas, clam shells are exclusive for the royal family and priests of the primordial water goddess, due to religious reasons.

Merfolk having webbing between their fingers makes wearing rings nearly impossible, so instead they use necklaces – specifically pearl chokers – as their wedding jewellery. Joel proudly sports his own pearl choker from Lizzie, along with a clamshell in the centre due to being the ocean queens consort. Concurrently, bracelets and armbands are given to family. Jimmy has a cobalt wire armband with a pearl pendant.

Tadpoles who have just hatched from their egg and returned home get a mix of a baby shower and naming ceremony, part of this celebration of life is gifts from family like pearls as previously mentioned and nautilus shells. Nautilus shells are given to children as a symbol of longevity and health since they have been thriving in this world for 480 million years, which merfolk with their long lifespans (similar to elves) would be aware of.

Speaking of elves, back when Alinar was alive and just beginning his training with Aoer, the stag god had spoken to Lizzie for an alliance to fight the corruption. During this, Alinar met Jimmy and had a very brief crush on each other before Alinar left to fight Cohnal and Jimmy lost his memories soon after for a few decades, by the time the Codfather returned, Alinar was long gone. Credit to this fanfic for that idea.

Cod, like other species of fish, can change their sex if needed. I think gender is extremely fluid to Merfolk, they adopted the ideas of “male” and “female” from humans and that's it, no one cares how you present or what pronouns you prefer to use. Meeting a merfolk as one sex then seeing them change to intersex or another is very common. Jimmy is Intersex. Sometimes same-sex couples temporarily switch just to have their own eggs and then switch back. There just isn't much importance put on gender to merfolk.

And, finally, because merfolk lay eggs and are cold-blooded, thus not mammals, no merfolk would have nipples 👍

[lovebillyhargrove]

Wake me up when July is around

Chapter 15/? What doesn't kill you

***

Hawkins royalty is nowhere to be seen, and Billy wonders where he is.

Correction, he doesn't simply wonder

He suddenly needs to know

Like it's very important

Like Billy's worried, for fuck's sake.

Where is Harrington?

The loser who magically transformed into Prince fucking Charming over the winter break

And has been especially - on a whole new level - poisoning Billy's existence ever since.

The question crashes Billy's Tuesday morning when he doesn't see Harrington having an eight-twenty smoke surrounded by his usual crowd

And stays for the whole day.

The question is still rolling around in his head when Billy drops the ever-pouting obnoxious gremlin off the next morning and saunters through school hallways. King Steve doesn't grace Hawkins High with his presence on Wednesday as well.

It's the same situation on Thursday.

Billy's eyes are searching for the familiar BMW in the parking lot.

His ears are perked up to hear the sound of the recognizable laughter ringing in the lunch hall, carefree and playful.

Billy's nose, like a hound, is trying to get a whiff of Harrington's expensive perfume.

Nope. He's not here on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

Why, what's going on? Another vacation? Are the rumours true, did his parents transfer him to another school?

That's it ?? Two kisses, starting a want, and that's all Billy's gonna get?

It's not fair.

A couple of weeks ago Harrington came back, wrapped in wintery crispiness, so cool, so fresh, so .. new? Like the snow that falls down at night,

A pure white blanket

That's so beautiful, you take your time admiring it

Before you step on it. It's not pristine anymore, but is has your footstep on. Like you're the first one who has touched it, and that carries a meaning, between you and the snow

It's same as leaving your footsteps on the clean crunchy sand, smoothed out by the waves.

Damn, he misses the ocean.

One morning while waiting for Max, Hargrove writes on the hood of his car, covered with a thin layer of snow

B I L L Y

He then wipes it all off, otherwise Max would giggle or show her scorn in some other irritating way

But yeah

Snow is cool.

So where the fuck is Harrington?

He looked so yummy. Like a fancy intricately decorated dessert, the one that you get in a posh restaurant. The one you want to savour with your eyes. Break the chocolate crust with a spoon, feel it crack, delicately, and crumble under your fingers. Harrington smelled so good. Every day a new outfit. How big is his closet, exactly. Fucking richie rich, just swiping daddy's credit card left and right.

Is Billy jealous?

A bit. Like .. he's okay with what he has. He's very much okay, so many people have much less than him, and Billy knows how to appreciate things in life. It wouldn't hurt not having to think about the money though. It gives you that special sense of freedom, when so many things are so much easier. Of course, Billy's jealous, everyone is.

A couple of times during these last two weeks Harrington came to school wearing his letterman jacket. Number 8. Infinity. Looked too damn gorgeous in it. Made Billy think of .. of them, walking together, side by side, Hargrove 11, Harrington 8, both so spectacularly good-looking, girls' jaws be dropping

Anyways

Billy thinks, these days no matter what's on his mind

The snow, the gloss, or King Steve's jacket, all is fine

It all comes back to

Where the fuck is he, what happened?

How many times has Billy asked this question already?

It's annoying, right?

Billy annoys the hell out of his own idiotic self.

He tries asking Andy once, but all he gets is an indifferent

"Dunno, man."

He wants to fish for information from Tommy but decides against it. He always asks Hagan about Harrington, dude might get suspicious if he isn't already. And yeah, Billy doesn't give a fuck about anyone getting whatever ideas, but like .. run around showing interest in that bitch? It's pathetic, and pathetic is not what Hargrove is about

Billy is frustrated with himself. Why the fuck does he care. Why so suddenly invested in this whole Harrington thing.

It's just that maybe he is horny. Okay, he jacks off a lot, in recent days more than usual. But he kinda needs physical touch? Maybe? He broke it off with Vicky before New Year. Well, he just stopped paying attention to her. That sucks, but hey, she's a big girl, she'll be alright. In his defense, he never made any promises nor did he make anything official.

It's not about being horny. It's not like he's crawling up the walls, he's always taken care of his most urgent needs, thank his left hand. He can make it work with his right one as well, but he's left-handed, so.

Fuck, he just wants to leave this place. He's almost there, he's almost back home. It's less than six months. June or July he is fucking off and never looking back. He's got this antsy feeling like he's ready, he's fucking ready to go

He's technically not. Turning 18, finishing school, getting enough money for the way and the first months until he settles down. More or less. A job, a place to live. Or college? He's still thinking about it. March and April will tell, college-wise.

Billy's sliding into madness here, he's numb and cold, it's only school and work, and this sudden Harrington fixation is just another sign that tells him he's going nuts and he has to get the hell out of this town as soon as possible because it's killing him, and Susan's "everything should be spick and span" is killing him, and his dad's sour face is fucking not letting him live

Be patient, Billy. It'll pass.

He has no other option but to be patient, although it's getting harder

Neil has been breathing down his neck these past few days, and that's been keeping him on edge. Billy this, Billy that, in the stone-cold authoritative tone. It's not like Billy gave his dad a reason to get physical with him, he's literally been on his best behaviour, working and studying, no parties, being super punctual about driving Max around, not even raising his eyes at Neil, not once.

Billy also drove Max's friend a couple of times - that weird bunker girl he saw at the winter ball. Janet, Jane ..? They don't talk, but she looks at him strange. He even met her uncle probably - Chief of Hawkins police, no less

"Saw your blue camaro breaking the limit on my roads once or twice, kid."

"Can't be late for school, sir."

Speeding is in the past. Ice has done the impossible. Billy Hargrove almost never speeds anymore.

So yeah, Billy's behaviour is irreproachable

Dad doesn't like it when Billy's a good son.

One day Hargrove comes home after work to find all of his stuff - fucking all of it - on the floor of his room, thrown off the shelves, the desk, the bedside table and the vanity, all his clothes in one big pile on the carpet

Neil is standing in the doorway

"Yesterday I specifically asked you to clean up the mess in your room. You didn't."

"Dad! I told you I was gonna do it after work today, why would you .."

Neil isn't shouting, Billy is. His dad's voice is ice-cold and seeping with contempt

"Watch the tone, you ungrateful son of a whore!"

"She wasn't a wh .."

Slap. Sharp, expected. Humiliating. Neil always aims for the mouth

Why does he keep defending her? It only infuriates his father even more, and Billy knows it too well, but he still hasn't learnt the lesson.

"The state of your room? The ashtray? The beer cans lying around? It's worse than a pig stay!"

"I was going to clean it all up !!"

"Well, you can do it right now. Also, you're going to apologize."

Breathe, Billy, breathe. Push back the tears, it's not worth it, he'll never love you

"Of course." He's taking lungfuls of air.

"I'm sorry. Sir." Neil walks out of the room, slamming the door.

Usually his dad doesn't care much about what's going on inside Billy's room, but seldom, very seldom, he does. Neil has always had a short fuse when dealing with his son, but lately it's like he has no fuse at all.

Billy doesn't know why things between parents and kids have to be so messed up. It's like parents take revenge on their own children every fucking day. For all the time and power and lost hopes and dreams they had to abandon because they had to take care of a child? Wasn't his dad's case, no. Dad always did what he wanted to, Billy was never a priority. When Billy was still little and his mom left, Neil never took a day off sick because of his son's cold. Billy always stayed at home alone, running a fever, throwing up. Once his fever was so high, he started being delirious and hallucinated his mother sitting on his bed touching his hot forehead. Billy always handled everything on his own. Dad never considered offering him help beyond his direct parental responsibilities, never asked Billy for his opinion. Kids don't have any opinions.

Why then? For all the expectations and hopes that went wrong because the kid turned out the way parents didn't want them to?

Billy feels like his dad punishes him every day simply for being born.

Also, Neil probably understands that Billy is going to leave him soon, and wants to take it out on his son, full blast.

If dad's starting now, it's gonna be helluva half a year.

Thank god the suitcase was left untouched, with the weed and the magazines and the porn tapes. Everything else is on the floor.

Billy picks up the Panasonic boom box. Great. The cassette deck lid is broken. A couple of tapes are crashed, Neil must've stepped on them with his heavy boot.

He feels his stomach growling, he hasn't eaten anything since lunch. It's fine, he can choke down tears for late dinner.

***

One time during these three weeks Billy almost starts writing a fucking letter to Nick. No, he does start writing it, but then stops mid page, tears it up. It's stupid.

Instead, he drives to a payphone and dials his friend's number. No-one picks up, wrong time. He might try later.

Sometimes laying late at night with eyes open and brain humming, Billy considers getting up, dressing, stuffing his bag, taking all the money he has saved. Quietly opening the door, walking out of the house. Leaving. For good.

Not waiting for graduation. Not waiting for anything.

He could drive to San Diego, crash at Nick's place

But not forever. His friend's parents are way better than Neil but staying under their roof for months until he gets on his feet? Billy doesn't want charity.

Or, Billy could become homeless. Sleep in his car while trying to scrape money for a living.

He's always wanted a home though. Growing up in a loveless place, he's treasured it like crazy, because it was the only one he had.

Billy keeps getting dreams about brilliant, blinding sunshine. It just shines down on him, it's hot and he loves it. Sometimes there's also Harrington's face, mixed with the sun rays, with that dazzling smile of his, warm and beautiful.

The motherfucking asshole, meddling with the things Hargrove can't possibly control, having wriggled his way into Billy's subconscious.

Why doesn't he see Vicky's face while asleep, or .. or literally anyone else's ??

On the days when he doesn't have to deal with his dad's anger, or when Billy's not thinking too much about all this shit, Billy has sex dreams, too, some obscure and hazy, some so graphic, it makes him blush in his sleep. Sometimes he wakes up with a sticky mess in his underwear. On other occasions it takes him only a couple of strokes to make that mess. Harrington is somehow present in all scenarios. It's ridiculous.

Billy comes down from the high, and it's gray and cold. He hates it.

At times, he's got this feeling like he's full to the brim with hate, with despair. He's all torn up, and he's coming apart at the seams.

But then he knows, he's got no choice. You don't choose the parents

Parents also don't choose the kids.

The world works in fucked up ways.

It's less than six months until he's gonna get that choice, until his dad can forget that he ever had a son.

Billy just has to wait.

***

It's Thursday around 4 in the afternoon. Billy's in the garage working on a 1980 Buick regal, when he hears a car pull up. No, it's not just one car actually.

His boss Mr. Dailey went to get something from a store, so Billy wipes his hands and heads outside

He first sees Tommy's ford and then

It's like he's getting sick right this second

Billy feels hot and cold, all at the same time, his cheeks start burning, his palms turn slightly sweaty which never even happened before, the belly feels strange, knees turn wobbly and blood suddenly roars in his head

What is this fucking shit

Also he doesn't know what to do with his eyes

How long should he look at him for? For it to be normal ?

Harrington gets out of the passenger's door while Tommy and Billy exchange a handshake

He looks awful. His face is pale, almost white like the snow all around, his unstyled hair is a mess of disheveled strands, and there are dark circles under his eyes like the dude hasn't had a good night's sleep for several days.

Billy almost feels sorry for the guy.

Harrington is sighing like he's been dragged here against his will and drawls

"Hey uh .. Hargrove. I've been meaning to uhm .. change the oil for a while now."

All three of them move behind Tommy's ford and

Whoa, that's one hell of a sight.

"Looks like it's gonna need more than an oil change, man. The fuck happened?"

"A deer. I ran a deer over at night, and uh .. yeah."

Billy is circling the beamer.

"You got lucky the deer didn't get you with its hooves."

"What do you mean?"

"Depends on the angle, how you hit 'em .. Sometimes they kick the driver or the passenger with their hooves through the windshield, and then it's not only the deer that's in big trouble."

Tommy's nodding

"Yeah, lucky."

Harrington is just slouching his shoulders even more

Back to being a lovesick loser, or still in shock after the accident?

"So what do you think, man? How soon can you fix it?" Tommy's eager to know. Oh wait, that's right, unless Harrington owns one more car, Hagan's gonna be Steve's driver for the time being

"Some dents can be leveled out and repainted, you won't even tell something was wrong. The windshield must be ordered from Indianapolis. The hood though.. if you want a new one, it must be ordered as well, or we can try to work on it, too. I'll talk to the boss and give you the details at school tomorrow? He's out at the moment."

Are you coming to school ?

Yeah, okay."

"Alright and .. about the money, it's also Mr. Dailey's word."

"Of course."

Tommy takes out a pack of cigarettes and offers for everyone to partake

"Hey, man. You still got some of that weed left?"

"I might. Why?"

"Valentine's Day party, dude."

A party, fucking finally.

Billy physically makes himself not to give Harrington a meaningful glance

A party means there's a chance of being left alone in a room with you, pretty boy

And succeeds. He's still in control of something at least, thank fuck

Instead, he's looking at the smoke curls, drifting in the frosty air

"Who's hosting?"

"Andy again. Bro's super excited about his future scholarship. Everything seems to be working out with that."

"Good for him."

"You gonna come?"

"We'll see. It's like three weeks from now."

"I know. We could always uh .. team up before that." Tommy winks and Hargrove's chuckling

"Sure, why not."

Harrington isn't saying a word anymore.

When they detach the beamer from the ford and exchange a

"See you at school tomorrow, Hargrove!"

"Yep."

Steve just sulks.

"The keys, Harrington!"

"Huh?"

"The keys? To the car?"

"Oh, yes. Sorry."

Is it the accident? Only the accident, nothing else?

***

On Friday Steve has to go back to school.

He opens his eyes in the morning and looks at the ceiling. Waits for it to open up, spit out a monstrous creature

Nothing happens.

No place is safe.

Steve can't hide in his room till the end of time. He puts his feet on the carpet, gets up and shuffles to the shower.

Tommy picks him up at 8.10. He bitches about it, but Steve knows he doesn't mind.

At school he gets called to vice principal Mrs. Donovan who monitors students' attendance. Yes, he was sick for three days. Yes, his parents know about it, but they are out of town. No, the issue doesn't need to be brought to the principal's attention. Of course, he will catch up with the classes.

Hargrove comes up to him during lunch break and they decide what to do with the beamer. It'll take a week and a half, maybe two. Steve will stop next week by the repair shop to settle the money question with old Mr. Dailey.

Hargrove looks a bit strange, like he's nervous or something. Maybe it has to do with those uh .. moments they had, but Steve's not gonna think about it now. Seems like it all happened to him in another lifetime.

All in all, everything and everyone looks the same. Like there are no monsters lurking around behind walls waiting for the chance to jump out from another dimension.

When Steve catches sight of Nancy and Byers, he gives them both a nod and

Tommy and Carol exchange disbelieving glances.

They let it slide. Tommy's not gonna risk having another fight with his best friend cause of those weirdos.

Harrington's parents come back on Friday evening. Steve makes sure the door is locked after they enter the house. He tells them about the car and Mom looks worried and relieved at the same time.

"I'm so happy nothing bad happened to you and you're okay, honey."

I'm not okay, mom.

You can't talk with anyone, they said. It's a highly confidential top secret government hush-hush matter.

"Do you need help getting to school, Steven?"

"I don't think I do? Tommy will drive me."

"Ask if you need any help."

"Thanks, dad."

Steve keeps the bat under his bed. He should definitely get some kind of a weapon to put in the trunk of the beamer. When he gets the car back, that is. He could put a knife under his bed, and the bat in the trunk. Also a knife in the glove compartment. Is a knife a good weapon? He should probably try to make another bat like Jonathan's. He can't take anything like that to school with him, however, carry it around, which is a shame, really.

***

Billy thinks, is Harrington on drugs? He must be on drugs, that's the only logical explanation. When he came to the repair shop yesterday he looked like he hadn't slept for days. He comes to school on Friday looking a bit better, at least his hair looks decent, but the dark circles under his pretty eyes are still there and he seems .. twitchy. Like he's going through withdrawals. Or like he was spooked really badly, and now he's looking at things in a creepy way.

Harrington falls asleep during Literature class. The teacher doesn't notice though, so it's all good.

Is it still about the wheeler Princess? It can't be. Jesus, how much can a guy suffer from a breakup? Have some self-respect for fucks sake. Self-love. No, that's not it. Self-love was right there when Harrington came back from lake Michigan, everyone could see it. The fire was back, and Billy saw Steve being King again, like he owns the place, laughing with Tommy, flirting with girls, looking so fucking good, so confident. The attitude? Captivating. The holiday did Harrington good, but what the fuck is going on?

Something else has happened. The accident, yeah, but Billy feels it's not just that.

Another mystery. How many layers does Harrington have? What's happening in his life?

That girl wheeled him good though. Bleh. Not Billy's type.

In fact, Billy has never had a type, if he comes to think of it. He hooked up if there was a chance, a good-looking face, a need

In his pants

It's all about the chemical reaction, really

Fired up by alcohol and weed in most cases.

They've experimented twice already, Harrington and he, and as for the reaction, it was an undeniable success.

Okay, the first kiss - he doesn't remember much about it. It was followed by deep regret and genuine remorse, he does remember the moment when he realized what he had done. The no no no noooooooo one.

However, even days and weeks after, Billy's brain kept on providing him with little bits and pieces of that night

How pushy Harrington was, how insistent. Like he wouldn't take no for an answer. Holding Billy by the back of his head. Pulling him, pulling him into the deep end.

The absolute fucking sheer boldness of it.

The surprise, the startle, the jolt of shock - that's how Billy started to remember their first kiss.

And also, the drunken elation, when you feel that anything is possible, anything can happen

In that particular right now, right here moment

Until Harrington broke it off.

He started it twice, he broke it off twice.

Fucking coward.

The second one? Oh, Billy remembers it well, despite the fact that his mind was fogged up by alcohol and weed. He liked it.

The free fall.

Did he like it to the point of wanting to repeat it?

Yes.

The Valentine's Day party can't come soon enough.

***

Billy spends the whole weekend working his ass off on the beamer, and on Tuesday

After watching Harrington walk around like a spooked ghost who obviously has a heavy drug addiction, no doubt about that, he decides to reach out.

Life doesn't teach him. Nope. Never.

The last - and the only time - Hargrove tried stretching out a helping hand to King Steve, he got called a fag.

What's it gonna be this time?

After an especially irritating game when Harrington didn't know what he was doing and where he was going - are we really back at it, again, Steve? Just last week you were playing so much better

It's all in the dude's head.

Fuck it.

When Billy pushes the lame-o too hard and he goes down on the gym floor

Billy gives him a hand as if to help him get up

Harrington accepts, they are holding hands, and Hargrove feels fucking tasered

"Plant your feet, Harrington. Draw a charge."

Stop being a total pussy. Break up, accident, be a fucking warrior dammit. Shine. Because I miss it

Harrington looks up with those pools of darkness that are dragging Billy into the

Still waters that run so abysmally deep

And whispers

"You have no fucking idea what is .."

Stops in the middle of the sentence and then

There's a flare in those dusky waters

"Get your hands off of me, wiseass."

Seriously? As your Highness wishes

Billy lifts Steve up a little and then lets go of his hand, making Harrington hit the floor with his back

Wiseass is less venomous than fag

But still.

There's a little twist of a smile on Billy's lips

What a fucking asshole.

Welcome home, honey.

***

Anger is rising up and Steve wants to kick the self-entitled dickhead's ass. Like he's so smart, he's sharing the blessing of his priceless advice. Like he knows everything

When he doesn't know shit

Harrington is back on his feet, and the next opportunity he has to get into Billy's way, he sticks his foot out to purposefully trip him, and now it's Hargrove who crashes heavy onto the gym floor

Ouchie

Uh-oh, Hargrove's face turns red and he's about to go ballistic

"The fuck is your problem, you moron?"

"Hargrove! Language!" The coach is blowing the whistle but Billy is already shoving Steve in his chest with both hands

Harrington plants his feet - thanks for the advice, douchebag - pushes Billy back and then, quickly lunges at him and swings

Unprepared for such an outburst, Hargrove recoils from the punch. He's tasting metal and, wincing, touches his lip incredulously

The rest of the team players are scattered around the court in confusion

"Break it up, guys! Sweet Jesus, when are you going to knock it off with your cockfighting?" Coach Nelson is blowing the whistle but it doesn't produce any effect on either participant of the fight

Because Billy rushes at Steve and aims for the nose

Hargrove's fist is like a rock. The force of the punch sends Harrington stumbling back

A couple of blood drops from his smashed up nose fall on the floor

The coach has had enough. He gets in the middle

"Andy, Roy, Danny! Come on, boys, help me pull them apart, before they kill each other, for Christ's sake!"

Hargrove and Harrington get separated, both not stopping to glare at each other viciously

"Normally it's the matter for Principle Foster. But I'll deal with you myself. See the mess ??"

The coach is pointing at Steve's blood

"Mop the floor! The whole floor, dammit! Maybe it's gonna teach you not to start stupid fights! Class is dismissed!"

The guys go to the locker room, whispering between one another and exchanging glances. Hagan is pausing near the door

"Yo, Tommy! Gonna give me a lift later?"

Steve's wiping his bloody nose with his t-shirt

"Sure, man. When are you gonna be finished?"

"Pick me up at 4.00?"

"You got it."

***

"Okey-dokey, boys! This is your half," - coach Nelson hands a mop to Hargrove and motions to the right, showing him his field of work

"And this is yours." - motions to the left and gives another mop to Harrington. - "Get down to work, I ain't got all day!"

The two guys take a bucket of water each, and reluctantly walk in different directions of the gym. They start mopping, squeaks from their sneakers echoing in the empty hall. The coach sits down on a bench and is watching them in silence

About thirty minutes later school radio comes alive

"Mr. Nelson, please report to the principal's office. Mr. Nelson, please report to the principal's office."

The coach gets on his feet

"Hargrove! Harrington! If I come back and see you kicking each other's asses again, I swear to god!" He raises an index finger as if warning them of possible much harsher than just cleaning the floor consequences, and leaves the gym.

Billy and Steve are alone in the gym. They avoid looking at one another, diligently doing their jobs

But then Hargrove throws a glance over his shoulder

He can't let this chance slip away

Steve's slightly bent over, working hard, swinging that mop right and left. All serious. Fucking focused.

What an idiot. Clearly, he's never held a mop in his hands.

Hargrove's pulse picks up the tempo, for no obvious reason. He gets this itchy maddeningly itchy feeling at the back of his head like ..

Steve's moving his ass towards him and Billy wants to hit it with the mop handle.

He feels -

Damn it, fuck. Not this now.

his dick hardening.

"Just stay on your fucking half, shithead!" - comes out as a hiss. When Harrington gets too close, Billy gives him a light push on the shoulder

"YOU stay away, jackass!" Steve turns around too fast, ready to .. what, throw fists again?

Hargrove's dick is hard wood

"Or else?" He pushes Harrington just a bit, closer to the wall

"Or else .. pretty boy ??"

What the fuck is wrong with his voice, that's not his voice

It's fucking broken

Steve looks unafraid and .. waiting?

Billy takes handfuls of his grey t-shirt, twists it in his palms

Pins the annoying loser up the wall

Harrington keeps staring at him with his big eyes with dark circles under them

Hargrove lets out a quiet chuckle

Eyes - lips - eyes - lips

Daring him. Goading.

"Leave me alone you stupid prick." Harrington talks in hiccups

However, he is not putting up a fight

He's letting Billy do what he wants

Take control this time

So Hargrove does.

He kisses Steve's lips sharp, like bites him

Quick, rough.

Come on, pretty boy

I know you want to

It's not only the king who can be a bitch and a tease.

Harrington looks .. hurt ?? Like he needs .. needs it to be more gentle?

Billy can be gentle.

His hands are roaming all over Steve's chest and front

He pulls up Steve's t-shirt and touches the skin of his belly

Kisses the neck

The skin is so tender Hargrove wants to fucking cry

It's salty

Steve's gasping

Billy kisses his neck again, hiding his nose in that dark hair.

They grind against each other.

Grind and grind, more, please

Billy only needs a little bit more to come in his shorts right there

God, he hates the idiot with his whole wretched heart

Why does he make him so .. so fucking aroused? What's so special about him?

Nothing.

Everything.

Billy's rock hard, and he can feel Harrington's got the same situation in his shorts

It's too reckless. Someone might come in, and they won't even hear it.

Billy will definitely jerk off to this falling asleep tonight

He might not make it till tonight. Might lock himself up in the shower right after coming home. He doesn't have to go to work today, it's his day off.

This goddamn kiss - and more - is so .. dangerous. It feels too dangerous because there's no alcohol clouding their judgement, always being the perfect excuse. No, they are doing it sober.

They are so close but this time

It's Billy now who's suddenly stepping away

It's too fucking dangerous. He needs to be drunk, or high for that.

"Why the fuck .." an indistinct sigh is leaving Steve's pretty lips

How dares he .. He's just giving the taste, tickles the taste buds and then backs off

Steve is watching Hargrove with lust frenzied eyes for one more second and he'd be pulling him back into his orbit right now ..

When there's someone's, a girl's voice, a bit distant and careful

"Billy?"

The swishing sound of one of the gym doors being opened

Billy quickly takes another step backwards

Far away from Harrington.

"Billy?"

And then louder

"Where were you?? I'm freezing! In the parking lot!"

What?

Billy's still high.

Oh shit, he forgot about Max. He completely forgot about Max !!

Harrington is not good for him.

His brain stops functioning when Steve's close.

Harrington makes him brainless.

Of course! Today she doesn't have AV, he was supposed to pick her up right after his basketball practice, but he was late and didn't remember to warn her to wait for him somewhere at school. Thank fuck, she had enough sense to come look for Billy. Thank fuck she didn't walk home. Neil would flip.

Next second, the door swings again and coach Nelson walks in

"What's going on? Who's that?"

Billy's swiftly picking the mop up and getting back to business.

"My uh .. step-sister. Can she wait here till I finish? I'm supposed to drive her home after school."

Fucking hell.

"The heck were you two doing?"

"Nothing! Just mopping!"

Billy's not turning around to face Max or the coach. It must look weird.

His dick is still tenting his shorts up.

He picks up Harrington's mop as well, handing it over to him, trying to block him

Because his shorts, too, are up and flying like a proud banner

"Back to work, yeah? My working day finishes in fifteen, come on, boys!"

Steve turns his back to the coach and starts mopping as well.

"You're a fucking douche." He mumbles quietly for only the two of them to hear

Tell me something I don't know, amigo

Billy can still taste Steve's sweat on his lips.

Somehow it's not gross.

It tastes like ocean salt.

***

***

Harrington is back to school and his usual self. If Steve's absolutely honest with himself, that little episode with Hargrove kinda snapped him out of .. this monster-related thing he's been going through lately.

It's like he was underwater all that time, and Hargrove's hand reached for him and pulled him out.

Steve keeps thinking about Billy's bloody lip on his own mouth.

The fucking chest out for everyone to see, the rough stubble, the stupid mess of hair. His eyes, crazy with want. His hard cock pressed against Steve's thigh. The big wide hands on Steve's body. His scent. Harrington is reminded of that perfume again, what's it called, he always forgets to remember the name

He also thinks how different Hargrove looked at the place of his work, the day they brought the beamer in. Wearing navy blue coveralls, with oil and grease stains here and there, a couple of rips, a grey turtleneck sweater under the coveralls. A dark grey beanie. Steve's so used to seeing him in jeans hugging his ass tight, it was a bit unexpected. Like seeing a whole different person.

Steve took his time again today at the mirror, getting ready for school. He's back to looking great.

He's been waiting for another monster's visit for a week now, maybe they aren't planning any in the near future

Sitting close to Nicole during lunch break, he smiles and laughs at her joke.

Remembers that he actually wanted to take her out on a date.

Why shouldn't he?

If the world's this close to finishing, Steve shouldn't be sitting locked up in his room.

He should be living it to the fullest, right?

He can't stay scared forever.

He actually .. almost single-handedly killed a horror creature. He, Steve Harrington. Isn't that something to be kinda .. proud of? Like it's .. badass?

The world doesn't know it but, as a matter of fact, Steve Harrington is a total badass.

Steve throws his arm over Nicole's shoulder and the girl melts.

He whispers in her ear

"I've been wanting to ask you .. Why don't we go out tonight?"

His eyes fall on Hargrove who's sitting at a different table together with the guys from the team

Just for a second

Hargrove's watching

That's right, baby, eyes on me.

The same story begins to unfold.

Billy's tries not to look but Steve is aware of Hargrove's every glance

Because they burn a hole in his body, he can feel the heat from dozens of feet away.

Every damn time.

***

On Friday, the fourth day after their fight

And the kiss

While waiting for Maxine in the parking lot Billy slides his fists into the pockets of his jacket

There's something .. a piece of paper

He takes it out, and

It's a note.

There's someone's phone number, written in black ink and

Call me

There's no name.

The fuck?

It's not Vicky's number.

Billy's fingers tremble and heart crashes down from the wave ridge

Can it be .. ?

[elshells]

Happy STS! I hope you’ve had a good week :D your OCs all go to the beach together, how do each of them spend the day?

Happy STS! (Thursday's not too late, right??) It's been a busy week, but still good! :D

Oh, man. This is so fun to think about! Being a seaport city, Harmont has some beaches, but they're all cold and rocky and gray, nothing like you'd find in Hawaii, for example. So I'm going to take the Agent Ace gang there for the sake of a new experience.

Sophia would love it there. She would run straight for the ocean and dive into the waves. Swimming, surfing, it doesn't matter. She'd want to do it. Ahren would be much more hesitant to approach the water, and warn her over and over not to go in too deep, but she wouldn't listen—she's too busy healing her inner child. Eventually, she'd drag him in with her, and they would both have the time of their lives.

Harley, Jade, and Max would spread out a towel and have a picnic, basking in the sun while talking and enjoying the full-course meal that Max had prepared for them himself. Once they were done, Harley and Jade would go for a walk along the shore. Harley would search for small fish and crabs in the tide pools to show to Jade, and Jade would collect pretty shells and drop them into Harley's pockets while she wasn't looking. They would have asked Max to come with them, but he conveniently had something he needed to attend to and wasn't able to join them. ;)

I don't think Janus would be a fan of the beach. The experience would probably be somewhat overstimulating, what with the heat and the smells and the roar of the wind and oh god the sand gets everywhere. He wouldn't admit he was uncomfortable, but he'd find a nice shady spot on a faraway dock to sit and be overwhelmed on his own. BUT, if you gave him a kite, I imagine he'd feel a lot better about the situation.

Jet, being as competitive as he his, would organize a volleyball tournament. He'd write up team brackets, expecting to smoke the opposing team, but the results would not be what he expected. For one thing, you would think Sophia's athleticism would make her a fantastic teammate, but strangely, each of her serves manage to pelt Janus in the face. This would continue to be a problem even when the teams switch and they end up on the same side.

The dark horse of the game, however, would be August. The man has some killer serves and dives to save the ball every time—and he wasn't even planning to play. Everyone would watch him in utter shock, while he would simply shrug shyly and claim he'd never played before.

Meanwhile, while all of this went down, Bellona would be off wrestling a shark. And honestly, it's best to just let it happen.

[boss-kind]

Vacation Quickie

   "Your father and I need some rest before we do anything remotely fun, okay?" The kids might be in their early twenties, but they still don't understand that two forty-five year olds can not function like they used to, no matter how many times you remind them. 

   "Fine, Gramps. Enjoy your rest. We'll catch up to you guys later." Our youngest daughter said, seemingly annoyed at the thought of her two overly rambunctious fathers needing rest after a sixteen hour flight to Tahiti. We waved each other off and headed towards the boardwalk of our bungalow on the ocean. 

   "I hope they're not too upset that we decided to be away from them."

   "I mean, I would be. We have the four of them housed in the hotel while we have the best view of the entire ocean just outside our doorstep." I closed my eyes to take in the smell of the breeze and the sounds of people playing in the water below the boardwalk. Manny trots forward past me, the suitcase rattling knocking me out of the euphoria of the sea. We neared our assigned bungalow, and I couldn't help but peer down at my husband's shorts as he unlocked the front doors. His ass filled them just right, to the point his briefs spilled over the top. I needed him right then. No matter how much rest I needed, my sleepless mind had one request. "Do you mind checking the bed for bugs real quick? I'll unpack a bit." I flashed him a quick grin as Manny rolled his eyes and ripped the comforter off the queen sized bed. 

   "There's nothing here Thomas." 

   "Just make sure, please. Look really good." I quickly unpacked the lube, plug and vibrator bullet. Stuffing each into a different pocket, I lunged at Manny who was overlooking the soft white sheets. "Don't move." Practically shoving his shorts and briefs down around his ankles. 

   "Seriously?"

   "You brought this on yourself." I began pouring the slick lube between his cheeks, carefully toying with his hole. "You don't mind, right?" His breathing slowed as I inserted a finger inside. Manny shook his head. "Good. I've been waiting sixteen hours to get you alone." This time licking slowly around the outer edge. He let out a gasp and I quickened my tongue. I grabbed the plug from my pocket so as to open him up more, lubing it up and reassuring him I was putting it inside now. Manny began to thrust his ass forwards and back at the anticipation of being fucked flooded him. "Stay still for a second, I want to grab something else." I went over to one of the suitcases and pulled out two belts. "Lay down on your stomach, hands up." He followed commands and climbed onto the bed, taking off the rest of his clothes. His dick bouncing along with the sharp movements. I climbed in after him, tightening both belts as I felt my crotch stiffen against the back of his neck. Manny's low moans stifled by the pillow beneath his face. I softly pecked his neck with a kiss and began my way down to the plug sticking out of his hole. Taking it out abruptly to hopefully hear him yelp was all I needed to replace the plug with the pink vibrator, making sure to max the power. I want to see him squirm and beg, so I placed it between his cheeks. "Ready?" I didn't give him the chance to answer and dig the tip of the bullet into his ass, trying to get it all the way in with a finger. 

   "Fuck." He screamed into the pillow and I slapped his upper thigh. 

   "Shush, you don't want the neighbors to hear what a slut you are for me?"

   "Who, the fish?" He was right. Our place was almost deserted, just above the water to where you could see crystal water flowing from the glass panel on the floor of the living room. I couldn't take the disrespect anymore and removed my shorts and boxers revealing my own erect package. Gradually, I inserted myself into him. Feeling the vibrations on my own dick. His moans began to get louder upon each individual thrust making me harder by the minute. I was too close to finishing by then and needed to change the pace. "P..please don't stop." 

   "Nope, not yet. You were so tight I almost came immediately, honey." I slipped out the bullet and lit it vibrate in my hand for a second. Slapping his ass for good measure, watching it bounce back. Tossing the vibrator to the side, I then leaned towards one of the belts and removed his left hand. "Turn over, I need to see you." 

   "Nngh." He left his left hand resting at the top of his head while his right remained restrained. My desire finally took over, planting kiss after kiss all over his naked body. Making my way down to his dark muscular thighs, sensually tonguing at his skin. "I'm ready to come, babe." Manny whispered. 

   "Oh, yeah?" I took him into my mouth, and felt him go to the back of my throat, leaving me to gag at his size. 

   "Like that, yes. Faster, Thomas." He's begging now, and I can only oblige. I sucked him deep, using my hands to stroke the base of his cock and massage his balls. Manny began thrusting his hips at this point, probably close to coming now. Until I felt warm salty liquid hit my tongue, did I stop sucking and stroked the rest out of him. "Oh my God, Thomas." He sounded out of breath, almost panting for air. "Your turn?" 

   "Definitely." I inserted my still hard dick back inside Manny, and felt him close around me. "Ohh, yes." Gently I pressed in harder and pumped faster. I watched the beads of sweat forming on his face and chest. His eyes glistened from the rays of sun coming through the thatched windows. It was like watching a beautiful creature cower and devote their entire being to you and yours only. Nothing in this world made me happier than seeing my man lust over me. "Where do you want it?" I ask, snapping back from my dream into the real world. Almost coming on the spot; he felt too good not to.

   "Anywhere," he said, wincing from pleasure. I withdrew from him, and with my hand I jerked myself till I came onto Manny's abdomen. I collapsed then, next to him. Both of us were breathing heavily from exhaustion. After a minute of catching my breath, I leaped from the bed and grabbed one of the fresh linens on the desk across the bed. 

   "Catch." Manny caught the bare edge of the towel, as the rest hit his face. 

   "Wow, such a gentleman," he chuckled. 

   "Anytime. Want to shower?" 

   "Sure." Manny wiped his stomach with the towel and threw it back at me, jumping out of the bed. "Me first." He sprinted towards the bathroom completely naked, making sure to lightly push me to the side. 

   "Fucker!" I ran after him and made sure to lock the door behind us. 

[phantomenby]

Hii!! I'm so sorry for bothering you, please do not answer this if you don't want too but I have a quick question.

I'm starting to write a soon-to-be series with the lost boys, much like shitlings. I'm having trouble writing the guys, especially with Dwayne and David interacting with the reader. The reader is much like a fuck-you type of person, they can immediately tell that they're bad news and blankly tells them to fuck off.

I was wondering if you had any suggestions/tips on how to write the guys, specifically interacting with the character?

Hope your staying well. Please stay hydrated!

Not a bother at all love, here's a lil something but id recommend reading @asirensrage tlb fic, I really like how she writes the boys in it

Paul

Airhead, kinda out of it but not dumb hes just high alot and definitely has a dependency on it. But hes a vampire, his tolerance is hella high and he uses it to his advantage, people think hes an idiot but really he sees alot.

Hes very cuddly in the sleepy sense, and kinda like stu macher hes a horny bastard, but hed always make sure youre ok and happy before trying anything

Likes holding onto a part of you, we see this with how he is around marko

Definitely brings you snacks and random things he finds, I imagine him and Marko just stare at the beach and across the cliffs to find cool things humans have lost.

Smells nice, I assume they shower in some way but Paul smells like salt and week and an ok natural musk, Joel wanted them to be sexy-pretty-boys and i think part of that comes with their scent.

Speaking of, he loves smelling you, offering you his own clothes at times so he can mark you in some way

Very catlike in his movements, the boys havent been human for a while and none of them move like one if you watch long enough.

Languid, dopey, chill, zen, wild hair, eyes like the ocean, welcoming smile like hes watching you fall in a trap. Finds clothes in donation bins (idea stolen from ridea but he 100% does it and brings things back for marko)

Marko

Walks with 'swagger'

Hes very queer, Alex Winter is part ukranian and you can see it in Marko, not just in the way he looks. He always gets excited when foods he recognises are found in town, varenyky dumplings and paska are his favourite. But one time a shop opened up and began selling european sweets, paul and him went three times a week before david told them to eat what they had before bringing more back.

A gremlin, collects things, steals things from people he thinks are pretty. He got the fishing tassles on his shoulder from some humans, swimming up beneath them and dragging them in the water before taking the shiny things as a tropy.

Will start a fight, itching for one constantly, David loves it sice its like having a golden poodle with its teeth bared at all times.

Likes being rough but lowkey gets small man syndrome from the surf nazis who think they can drag him around, will express this when he sees you, being aggressively affectionate.

Possessive too, he and Paul and are blood hounds and he always knows where you are and what you are doing. Protective, likes to have a hand round your waist, but will be a big softly and hold it when walking through a crowd.

Likes kissing your knuckles.

Steals patches for you and sketches your form, like youre a french girl ;).

But happy to give you your own space, he will adore and love you but in the end he loves anyones company, when you want him or he wants you nothing will keep you apart anyways.

Finds random animals, if theyre hurt he will pay their vet bills, of course the money is stolen but sometimes he puts them in front of the video store and max uses it to boost his ego by saving the poor creature.

David

Keeps to himself, naturally hes old and has been through alot and is always worried about risking your safety.

He watches you before approaching, would rather know everything he can before so he can use it to woo you.

Likes holding your face, affectionate more in private but enjoys keeping you close when youre out and about. If youre in a poly with the rest of the boys he lets the younger blondes entertain you, always thinking.

Hates being out of control, almost always tops but open to being ridden. Will choke you and bruise your hips.

Kinda likes crying, idk hes weird like that.

When he does open up hes very soft, once he knows hes safe with you he becomes alot more tender, enjoys pressing your foreheads together and looking into your eyes.

Most of the boys become softer after a while, you become less of a toy and more of theirs.

As long as Max is alive he'll try and keep you away from the shopping area, knowing his sire would try and turn you with his own blood when David doesn't want you sipping anything but his own.

Dadbod, from Kiefers pics hes always been pretty soft and lanky, but hes definitely strong. Though hes never enjoyed being super messy, does it more to entertain his brothers who do the rough stuff for him.

Smells of smoke and mens perfume he bought twenty bottles of in the 1920s, he remembers only buying them because the guy who was carrying round the heavy box seemed so down on his luck.

His hair is icky though, full of product that he barely washes out, always being bleached but eventually it maintained the icy tone. He missed his human hair though, it was always so golden and soft.

Hands are calloused and cold

Dwayne

A romantic. He was raised to appreciate his partner as much as he possibly could, and in his lifetime he has seen so much suffering he has always wanted someone precious to him.

Likes having hands running through his hair, all of the boys purr but he and paul do it the loudest. When hes truly relaxed his face transforms a little, their human faces are their false ones, really their bones are always a little more prominent and if you look into his eyes you can see small specks of gold and burnt orange.

Will press his fangs to your skin, loves how soft and plush it is, never breaching the skin without permission.

His favourite place is this small bookshop that has been in the corner of the boardwalk for the past thirty years, the owner has changed twice but theyre all related. One time they tried sneaking a picture of him only to come out with a picture of just some shelves and a bribe shoved in their face. Now he keeps it afloat and in turn they get him cool books every month.

Lets you braid his hair, one time he napped on you for three hours while you made lots of little intricate braids, when he woke and pulled them out the next day his hair was wavy. Marko asked if he broke into someones house to crimp it.

Affectionate in a suffocating way, will wrap around you and press you to his chest, which is almost always bare. Hes warm too, the boys were almost always cold but Dwayne never is, you like to call him your sun, like how Paul is your lion.

Always doting on you, bringing you anything you need, even if its something small mentioned once. Sometimes gets David to search through your mind so they can know what you truly want.

Likes to pick you up, feeling the soft flesh of your thighs and always squeezing you possessively.

Will never finish first.

Smells like cherries, because thats what his conditioner smells like. Skin always soft, warm, cosy and embracing, watching you warmly and waiting for anything to show you need him, likes to read to you and let you play with his hair at the same time, once bought you a fifty dollar book you saw but wouldn't get.

-

I hope these were ok xx

[platypanthewriter]

The Tanning Rock

Harringrove April prompt 28, Tanning--Creatures!AU (This one grew to nearly 6k and I’m so sorry) @wasting-time-again​ HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, HAVE A MERMAN!  XD

The lawyer who summoned Billy—about an inheritance, he said—was...weird.  Straight out of a movie, with long incisors and a cravat, and he steepled his fingers as he talked.  

Max said he was probably actually a vampire, and Billy agreed—which was weird, because as far as Billy knew, his mom’s family wasn’t exactly old money, and it was hard to imagine a vampire getting on a plane to fly clear to California and summoning him to a crypt full of file cabinets, all just to read a will about his mom’s collection of surfing stickers and pile of old National Geographics.  

Billy knew his father had disowned him, so he bit his lips together, waiting to hear that his mother had died.

“I am here about the estate of your grandmother,” said the vampire lawyer, and Billy drew a shaky breath of relief.  “Your mother was disowned—” he said, and Billy almost snorted a laugh—like mother, like son, he thought, “—and so her domicile has passed to you.”

“Wait, what,” Billy breathed, wide-eyed.

“It is an unusual case,” said the lawyer—Fangun and Stayk, est. 986, read his card, but Billy wasn’t sure whether he was speaking to Fangun or Stayk, or whether the whole thing was a joke yet, so he kept his mouth shut.  “You will take ownership of the house and land, however, you may not live there—that is, not year-round, not unless you are given an invitation by a resident.  It is a closed community.”

“...can I sell it?” Billy asked, and the deepset eyes of the lawyer stared back at him, bloodshot and dry.

“At well below market value,” he said, steepling his fingers again.  They made a dryish noise.  “As I said, they dislike outsiders.  And a stranger will be even more of an outsider than you, in whom runs...the blood of the place.”

Billy wondered, dully, whether he’d inherited a haunted graveyard, or a den of werewolves, and groaned into his hands.  Maybe he was part zombie somehow.  Just his luck.  “Where is it,” he sighed.

“It is not on commonly available maps,” said the vampire, and Billy nodded.  It figured, he thought, though his ears perked up considerably when his grandmother’s lawyer laid out a map of Hawaii.

 They got a ride from the shore on a fishing boat at four o’clock in the morning.  “It’s barely tourist season yet,” said the fisherwoman, showing Max how to steer.  “There will be a ferry, in a week or two, but I can give you two a ride out the day your visa’s up if the ferry quits sooner.”

“We want enough time to look around,” Max said, glancing at Billy.  They’d let their lease run out, and sold most of their things, because a few orange crates of records were a small price to pay for never running into Neil Hargrove around town.  “You could get a job on one of the normal islands,” Max had suggested, quietly, over and over.  “If they don’t like us enough.”

Billy’d never suggested moving Max so far away, but she’d assumed they were going, and after a while he went along with it.  It wouldn’t be so bad, he thought, getting a job in a hotel somewhere after the islanders threw him out.  Max would probably love it, in Hawaii.  

A fresh start, she had said, and it sounded good.

He and Max were greeted by a woman in a wheelchair, who stamped their passports.  “Technically, we’re a different country,” she said, smiling.  She had very brown skin, and looked contentedly half-asleep in the sun.  “You’re the only visitors on the island, for a week or two,” she said, cocking her head.  “We’re not always in a big hurry to scrub up the ferry for the summer.  We love the money, but the tourists...” she laughed, shaking her head.  “Three-month pleasure trip visa.  Have a nice summer,” she said, waving them away.  

Her benign lack of interest lessened Billy’s initial fears that he’d inherited membership in some rich, yoga-pants-wearing, white Human Superiority cult.  

 The house was traditional-ish, with a grass roof and walls, big open windows with no glass, only shutters, and a wide shaded veranda all the way around.  It looked over a beach with rolling waves, and Billy couldn’t wait to get his board out there.

“I’m gonna look around the house,” Max said.  “See if I can find any neighbors.  Maybe I can bring them cookies.”  She set her jaw, frowning around at their luggage, and the scattered pillows.  “Maybe we can buy some furniture somewhere.”

“...we can always just come here for summers,” Billy told her, breathing it in.  

“Yeah, you’re gonna have a great time getting a tourism job where you don’t work summers,” Max said, raising a sarcastic eyebrow, and Billy realized with a sinking feeling in his stomach that she expected him to figure it out.  Find someone who wanted him to stay, here, on the island, at his grandmother’s house.

“I’m no good at making friends, Max,” he reminded her, and she snorted.  

“Better get out of my hair, then.”  She folded her arms, taking another deep breath of the smell of grass in the sun.  After a long moment, she looked back at him again.  “...we’ve got a little over three months, Billy.”

He suspected it sounded longer to her.

 When he wandered down to the beach, Billy could see someone’s tanned shoulders lying across a jutting rock about fifty feet out, and he paddled a ways towards it on his surfboard, getting the lay of the ocean.  There was a rip tide, dark and eerily quiet, to his right, but the rest of the beach had shallow, warm, clear waves over white sand and coral until a dark dropoff about fifty feet out where the rolling waves began.  

As he paddled closer to the rock, he could see the man on it—asleep, Billy thought, just lying in the sun as the waves lapped at his skin.  As Billy drifted closer, paddling with his hands, he could see a long-fingered hand hanging in the water, and he paddled faster, suddenly wondering whether the man wanted to be out on a rock, or whether he was a Dude In Distress, his leg cramped, needing a ride to the beach on Billy’s surfboard and a trip around the boardwalk, and maybe some shaved ice.  

As Billy approached, the guy opened his eyes, frowning over at Billy with wide, half-awake brown eyes.  He pushed himself up on the rock with his arms like the goddamn Little Mermaid, Billy thought, amused. His throat went dry watching the flex of muscle, and the water droplets where the dude had lifted himself out of the bay.  

Billy paddled at random, a little, unable to tear his eyes away.  He cleared his throat.  “Just, uh, making sure you didn’t need any help,” he said, staring at the tanned arms and swimmer’s chest in front of him, nearly triangular, like a superhero.  “I, um.  Guess you’re fine.”

The guy raised his eyebrows, starting to smirk, and then his eyes widened, and Billy realized in a flash of blue and foam that he’d drifted right into the fucking rip tide.  Right in front of the gorgeous dude on the rock, Billy thought in the back of his mind, trying to hold onto his surfboard and let the rip tide take him wherever it would.  Just his luck, he thought, dying because he was so damn gay he saw nice shoulders and his brain switched off.  He hadn’t even gotten a chance to breathe before he got sucked down, and his lungs and sinuses were starting to ache worse than the rest of him, even as he was buffeted around against his board, when an arm slid around his waist.

He wanted to yell at the guy—and he did, in an explosion of bubbles—because what the hell good was it gonna do, swimming into a rip tide, but the muscles against his back and butt flexed, and they were moving sideways out of the rip tide, and then Billy’s head was above water.  He gasped and choked, coughing up half the sea.  The ocean moved soothingly around them, as this dude had no trouble holding Billy up, and Billy tried to clear his throat and eyes.  

“Have you seriously never seen a tail before,” the guy groaned, hauling Billy along like he was no more effort to lift than a little kid at the pool.  Billy felt rock against his thigh, suddenly, and scrambled onto it, coughing and wiping his eyes to see he was on the jutting rock the dude must have jumped off of, to save him.  

“How-how fucking humiliating,” he gasped out loud.  “Can’t believe.  C-can’t believe I fucking p-paddled into a rip tide.”

“You drifted back into the...yeah,” his hot rescuer said, still in the water, with one hand on the rock to hold him steady as he frowned at Billy.  His voice sounded a little odd—Billy was reminded of the Chinese grocery by his house, where their English was perfect, but they had a lilt as they tried to speak an atonal language with a tonal ear.  Up close, he was even prettier, with moles Billy wanted to track down his neck and shoulders, and a doubtful, scrunched-up mouth Billy wanted to kiss.

“Sorry,” Billy wheezed, still coughing.  “Sorry, I’m such a moron, sorry.”  He tried to keep his eyes above the water level, but some part of his brain kept looking for tanned legs kicking under the surface, and he suddenly registered that the moving colors weren’t just fish and anemones.  “Holy shit,” he coughed out.  “You have a tail.”

His rescuer frowned harder, probably worried Billy had brain damage.  “I figured that’s why you swam into the rip tide,” he said slowly, and Billy shook his head, groaning.

“No—fuck, I’m sorry, you—you’re just hot as fuck, I’m just a moron, I’m—damn it,” he sighed.  “Sorry, jesus, I’m so fucking rude, sorry, I just didn’t notice, I was like ‘How the hell did he get me out of there?  OH!’, sorry,” he muttered, sighing.  “...drown me.”

“I am though, right,” the merman said, grinning, “—hotter than you,” and Billy realized he’d found the only person on the island more annoying than he was.  

“Yeah, yeah, just laugh at the poor gay moron who nearly drowned staring at you, that’s nice,” he huffed, lying back against the warm rock to catch his breath.  

“Was it love at first sight?” asked his rescuer, and Billy opened his eyes to glare.  

“Shut up, asshole,” he grunted.  

“Just asking,” his tormenter asked.  “Are you gonna pine away, sighing over me?  Hey, d’you think you’ll always do that?  If I swim over in town, you think you’ll fall off the boardwalk?”

“Fuck you,” Billy told him, leaning his face in his arms and laughing.  “Yeah, probably, you shithead.  Are you gonna...follow me around?  So I can look like more of an idiot?”

“Mmm, can you though…” the gorgeous merman asked thoughtfully, and Billy growled into his arms, feeling his whole body warm.  He blamed it on the sun.  “Why,” his rescuer asked, pulling himself up to laugh against Billy’s ear.  “—you want me to follow you someplace?”

“Oh my god,” Billy groaned, laughing harder.  “Are you afraid to leave me alone now?  What if I try and eat my surfboard?”

“...are you gonna?” 

“Maybe?!” Billy told him, then pushed himself up, frowning around to look for it.

“I’ve got it, it’s right here,” the smug asshole told him, waggling the surfboard in the water.  “Want me to take you back to shore?”

“No!” Billy laughed, sighing.  “I’m going surfing, just because I nearly died making an ass of myself doesn’t mean—”

“Hrm, maybe I should keep an eye on you.” 

“Why,” Billy asked, then pitched his voice just a little lower.  “You like what you see?”

“I could get used to it,” the merman said, and Billy started to preen, but the dickhead finished with “—kind of a comedy special, kind of thing,” and Billy reached over and smacked a big splash of water at him.  

He laughed, his throat arching back, the gills along it thin dark lines that Billy fantasized kissing around.  

Just as Billy was considering grabbing the surfboard and using it as a weapon of blunt force trauma, the merman leaned in close, his smirk widening around pointed teeth, and his cool, salty lips pressed firmly against Billy’s.  Billy made a weird gulping noise in his throat, and the asshole started to pull away, but Billy leaned in, and fell clean off the rock.  His weight dunked them both, and they rose sputtering and laughing, Billy held securely in his merman’s arms as his surfboard floated away.  He couldn’t really bring himself to care.

“...my name’s Billy,” he panted.  

“...Steve,” the mer-dickhead said, raising his eyebrows, like it was weird to want to know his name.  

“...I inherited a house here,” Billy told him in a rush, drunk on kisses.  “I’m from California.  My mom used to talk about this place when I was a kid.  Surfing here.  With her mom.”

“...is she here?” Steve asked, steadying them with one hand on the rock, and glancing back at the beach.

Billy laughed, shaking his head.  “Fuck, sorry, you don’t need to know my shit.  We can make out.  You’re short-circuiting my brain.”

“...I should probably get your surfboard,” Steve told him, grinning, but he leaned his head in again, gentle with his sharp teeth, and Billy inhaled shakily as the points grazed his lips and tongue.  

“Jesus,” he whispered, once he could talk, and then he licked his lips and wrenched himself away to swim after his surfboard, just so his smug rescuer wouldn’t have to fetch it for him.  The waves got bigger as he got out to where the trees weren’t acting as a windbreak, and he clambered up on his board, glaring back as Steve wolf-whistled.

 When he let the tides pull him back towards the gorgeous merman on the rock, he lost his mind again, telling him his tail looked like a peacock butt, and Steve cracked up, grinning at him.

“...so, neighbor, you have to win someone over enough to invite you to stay,” he said, cocking his head.

“Yup,” Billy told him, pointing up at the house he’d inherited, built into the hill, the old grass vacation cottage blending in with the trees.  

“And your method is to tell me I look like bird ass,” Steve continued, and Billy grimaced, waving his hands.

“No!  No, I don’t—I know people have to get to know you.  Here.  I’ll…” he sighed.  “I’ll try for a few months and see what happens.  If nothing...clicks, maybe I’ll try again next summer,” he said, grimacing, and wondering what Max would do, if they weren’t allowed to stay.  Leave, maybe, he thought—she was seventeen, and she could get a job herself.

 He ended up teaching Steve to surf, after showing off his best efforts.  When he swam back, panting, Steve looked properly impressed, and even more tanned.  “Teach me,” he said, and Billy leaned in to kiss him again, nodding.  

“That gonna get you to like me enough to let me stay?” Billy asked, and Steve frowned at him, but Billy laughed, and leaned in for another kiss.

“Tomorrow?” Steve had whispered against his lips, and Billy got no sleep at all that night, he just rolled over every couple hours to check the clock, and see that another two minutes had passed.  

Steve was fascinating to watch on the board, his tail trailing as he controlled it with his hands around either side, his abs flexing as he held himself in a kind of plank pose with the support of his tail.  Billy watched, and realized he was drooling.  

“You like me enough to keep me?” he asked that night, teasing, and Steve laughed.  

“Ask me again tomorrow.”

 Merpeople—or at least, Steve, Billy corrected mentally, realizing he was dealing with a sample size of one—loved bread.  Like a cat, Billy thought, watching Steve eye his croissant, or bagel.  He started just bringing one every morning for Steve, and some coffee, and it was hilarious watching the fluffy flesh of a croissant dangling between Steve’s shark-like teeth.  He waited every morning, and even though Billy wasn’t sure whether Steve was waiting for Billy or the bread he was carrying, he got heart palpitations every time he came down the ramp to the dock, and he could see the little lump of Steve’s head on his folded arms, the rest of him hanging off into the water.

“A few bagels aren’t enough to win me over,” Steve told him, and Billy’s stomach twisted, a little.  He wished he hadn’t brought it up, kind of—the knowledge that he might have to leave hurt, like a sore tooth he couldn’t stop worrying at in his mouth.  “Maybe more croissants,” Steve said, smiling, and Billy brought him more croissants.

 When they’d arrived, they’d discovered the town was filled with mermaid stuff, and at first, Max and Billy had snickered at it, because surely even if there’d been a merperson or two living near a human town once, they’d died decades ago, or they just traded with fishing boats, far out at sea.  They hadn’t considered the amount of people in wheelchairs, or the spray bottles close to hand.

When Billy suggested he bring lunch down from town, Steve swam over to haul himself up—his tail flashing in the light—through the bottom of one of the little sheds on the dock.  Moments later, he banged the door open, wheeling out in an old rusty wheelchair.  He spun it in a circle, waiting for Billy to climb out of the water, and then zipped ahead up the ramp to the path.  

“Wait up, jesus,” Billy yelled after him, and Steve laughed, the muscles in his arms mesmerizing as they spun the wheels.  He slowed down eventually, panting, enough for Billy to jog and catch up.  “...lemme know if you want me to push,” Billy told him, and Steve snorted.  

“Touch my chair and die,” he said.  

“Fair enough,” Billy said, holding his hands up, and Steve laughed.  

“It makes me…” he squinted, thinking.  “...seasick…?” he offered, and Billy nodded, trotting along next to him.  

“Motion-sick, probably,” he suggested, and Steve mouthed it as he rolled along.  

 The lady at the shaved ice stand leaned out and folded her arms on the edge of the little window, laughing at Steve.  “You know they make those that work!” she called, and he flipped her off.  “They don’t have to be electric!  They make ‘em that just move smoothly.”

“It’ll just rust in my shed,” Steve told her, shrugging.  “It’s fine.”  As they waited for their tacos, Steve pulled up to a table, and his rusty, janky wheels kept rolling backwards, until Steve sighed and bent down to stuff some rocks under there.

“My friend Robin and I went in together on a nicer one,” he said, “—but I can’t park it in the shed.  This one’s not so bad,” and Billy’s perception of it shifted a bit—maybe it was more like getting stuck with an old beater car occasionally, instead of something Steve needed help with.  “...want to wander around, after?” Billy asked.  “I haven’t got any souvenirs yet.”

Steve paused, then licked his lips.  “Planning your trip home already?”

“...dunno yet,” Billy said, the invitation unspoken between them.  It seemed ridiculous to want to stay so badly just because he’d met a pair of gorgeously tanned shoulders and a teasing smile, but it also wasn’t...hard to imagine, lingering on the island to go snorkeling with Steve, and learning about the reefs—he’d absorbed enough for a few semesters of marine biology, he was fairly sure, but told as stories, just off-handed things Steve had seen—and Billy was already wanting a drysuit, so he could go in the fall.  Maybe Billy could get a job on a fishing boat, he thought vaguely, or help out in one of the shops.  

If Steve would invite him.

Steve had slid his hands under Billy’s swimsuit a few times, pressing him back on their rock, or on the docks, rocking into him as Billy panted and gasped and fell apart under his hands—but he never said anything, after, and Billy hesitated to ask whether it was...anything, to Steve.  Maybe he picks an idiot every summer, he thought, watching Steve smile at the depictions of mermaids on every surface of every shop on the main street.

“You all spend so much time keeping everything dry and dead,” he said, grinning over at Billy, who’d been anticipating a comment on the mermaid’s hourglass-like proportions, not her lack of water damage.  

“...oh,” he said.  

“I have a figurehead like that, but covered in anemones,” Steve said, cocking his head.  “It’s beautiful.”

“I mean...you could...plant a vine on it, maybe?”

Steve nodded.  “Put it outside in the rain, let it grow.”  The lady behind the counter sighed, rolling her eyes, and Steve laughed.  

“There’s a whole movement to ‘preserve’ our art,” he whispered to Billy.  “Which mostly means they don’t let it become our art.”

“Huh,” Billy said, wondering whether human houses looked like museums, or mausoleums, to merpeople.  

“Not to say that I’d pour water on your television set, or drop your mattress in the bay,” Steve said, grimacing a little, and watching Billy’s face.  “I get that much.”  He looked kind of uncomfortable with the lady behind the counter glaring at him, ducking his head.

Billy leaned to kiss him.  He nearly steadied himself on the chair, and then remembering it would roll, and just held his hands away.  Steve grinned up at him, particularly at his outstretched hands, and yanked Billy down on his not very much of a lap, hurriedly curling his tail up and around Billy’s waist as Billy threatened to slide down the smooth scales to the ground.  Billy threw his arms around Steve’s neck, wide-eyed, as Steve held the wheels firmly, keeping the chair from rolling backwards under the weight of two grown men.  

“Let’s go,” Steve whispered, and Billy nodded, breathing Steve’s sun-and-salt smell, and wondering whether it was okay to ask whether Steve would consider inviting him to stay—just until the next season, Billy thought, as the chair and Steve’s tail moved under him.  Until the next summer, when he could ask whether Steve wanted him to stay again, or whether he wanted Billy gone.

After staying a whole year, Billy thought he might not have it in him to ask whether Steve was tired of him yet, but the thought of waking every morning to run down to the docks with coffee and banana bread was addictive, and he tried not to think about the end.

 Billy ran into the lady who’d stamped his passport, and caught himself staring at her tanned legs propped up on the railing.  “Oh, I’m human,” she said, laughing.  “But I love it here.  I can even shop in the little bookstore, imagine,” she said, and now that Billy thought about it, he realized it had an elevator in the back, and little lifts for the walkways along the higher shelves.  “I’ve never had someone offer to lift me into their cafe, here,” she said, her nose wrinkled, and Billy nodded slowly.  

“Shoot that thing!” she yelled, when she saw Steve’s awful old wheelchair, and he flipped her off.

 “We can only invite a few people,” Steve told him, as they ate noodle bowls.  “It’s for somebody you marry, you know, their family, maybe.  Or if you leave the island, and have a kid.”

“Yeah,” Billy said softly, hearing the message clearly—invitations were not to be wasted, and Billy wasn’t special enough to keep.  He finished his lunch, trying not to feel all butthurt about it.  Max would probably understand.

Steve kissed him again, on the docks, and Billy leaned into it, feeling the familiar pressure of tears in his sinuses, and behind his eyes.  He had three weeks left, he told himself.  Three more weeks.  Steve slid a hand up the back of Billy’s head, humming against his mouth, and Billy let himself go soft in his arms.  

When they returned to the docks, Steve dug a big beach blanket out, and they spread it out on the sand, and Billy stayed out that night, losing himself in Steve’s warm hands and mouth, under stars like he’d never seen before.  

 Steve was watching his face the next morning, with a little frown, and Billy pulled away, sitting up.  

“Better than croissants?” Billy asked, smirking a little, and Steve sighed.  

“Was that what this was?  Fucking me won’t make me give you an invitation,” he said.  He didn’t look amused, the way he had over the bagels, and Billy wondered whether it had worked, a little.  Billy’d always had a talented mouth.

“I won’t know if I don’t try, will I,” he said, laughing.  “Maybe another round will help?”

“...I have to go,” Steve said, and he didn’t even fold up the blanket, just pushed himself off the edge and slid over the wet sand into the water, gone in a flip of tail.  Billy watched for long minutes to see whether he’d come back—they’d been spending every day together, but probably Steve had stuff he needed to do, all the things he’d done before Billy had shown up at the island, easy with his body and his affections.

Billy folded up the blanket, and sat it in the shed, looking around.  There really wasn’t much in there—it was the size of a small bathroom, with some knives for fishing, and a frayed net, and the beat-up wheelchair.  

It smelled like Steve, and Billy stood and breathed, his eyes blurring with tears.

 Steve didn’t come back, and after an hour or so Billy walked home, and ran into Max returning.  “Billy!” she said, with a wide grin.  “Nice night?  I was out getting breakfast.”  She told him about somebody named El, and somebody else named Lucas, and a Dustin.

Max was making friends too, he realized, which kind of made everything worse—she was doing her best, and Billy was just mooning over some guy who thought he was barely good enough for a fuck on the beach.  She’d even met their families, he realized, listening, and registered that he hadn’t met any of Steve’s friends.  He groaned into the pillows tossed around on the mat floor, and sighed.  

“Should I stop seeing him?” he asked, mostly at the ceiling.  

“I dunno why now,” Max said.  “You’re not gonna find somebody else in a couple weeks.”

“Shit,” Billy groaned again.  

“We can try again next summer,” Max said.  “I like it here.”

The idea of returning the next summer, once Steve was bored, was enough to make Billy clench his jaw tight against the pillow he was hugging, squeezing his eyes shut against tears.  “...yeah,” he said softly.

“God, you sound tragic,” she sighed, wandering over and dropping to sit on his butt.  He grunted.  “It’s fine, jesus.  Worst case scenario we have a, like, vacation home.  The vampire dude said we didn’t have to pay taxes on it.”

“Yeah, just pay for plane fare,” Billy sighed.

“He’s out there, y’know,” she said, “—tanning,” and Billy scrambled up so fast he dumped her with a drum noise on the taut mats.  

 When he swam out, Steve just stared out to sea, and Billy clung to the edge of the rock, biting his lips.

“I’m not giving you one of my invitations,” Steve said.  “So stop trying to manipulate me into it.”

“Yeah,” Billy said, kind of wishing they’d never met.  “Yeah, okay.  Do—is that all, or are you sticking around?”

“I’ll stay,” Steve said, frowning at him, “—if you still wanna waste your time on somebody who’s not—how do you say it?  Putting out?”

“...it’s not a waste of time,” Billy told him, swallowing hard.  “I just wanted it to last longer, is all—” and Steve’s eyes narrowed intently.  He grabbed Billy around the back of the neck, and yanked him into a kiss.  

 The remaining weeks, he took Billy snorkeling, and they had sex every night under the stars, Billy panting Steve’s name, and Steve holding him so tightly it almost hurt.  Billy took him to meet Max, and she eyed him warily, but Billy fought and succeeded at securing Steve a plate of brownies, and he was vocally appreciative.  She softened a little, at that.

 Two days before they had to leave, Steve was lying next to Billy on the wet sand, the waves lapping up nearly to their waists.  His shoulder was warm under Billy’s head, and smelled like the high ocean waves.  

“...d’you think you’ll come back next summer,” Steve asked, and Billy snorted.

“Depends on whether I can afford airfare,” he said, sighing.  “Depends on whether I can get a job somewhere that doesn’t need me in the summer.”

“...so I might just never see you again?” Steve asked flatly, and Billy laughed, shrugging.  

“I don’t know,” he said, “—do you want to?”

“...fuck you,” Steve sighed, and Billy pushed himself up to frown at Steve’s face.  

“I don’t know what you want,” he said, glaring back at Steve’s narrowed brown eyes.  “You wanted me to shut up about staying.  What am I supposed to say?”

Steve bit his lips together, and looked away.  “...you know I’m gonna give you an invitation.  You can just tell me.”

“What,” Billy whispered, scrambling to sit up, his heart pounding as Steve flopped over to scrabble around under his wheelchair, his tail flapping around a little in concentration, like a cat’s.  He held an envelope out to Billy without even looking over.

“There,” he said.  “All yours.”

“What,” Billy breathed, and then he half-crumpled it, opening it clumsily.  “You—you’re giving me one?”

“Two,” Steve said, flatly, frowning down at the sand under his hands.  “You and Max, right?”

“Holy shit,” Billy whispered, scrambling over to kiss him, once, then twice, relishing the little noise Steve made in the back of his throat when his lip slid between Billy’s teeth.  “I have to go tell her,” he said, half laughing, his vision blurring with tears.  

“Okay,” Steve said, quietly, and Billy hugged him before scrambling up and running back to the house.  

 Max stared at the two calligraphed invitations on the odd plasticky “paper” the merfolk used, written in Sharpie, and shook her head slowly.  “You did it,” she said, and Billy laughed, nodding.  

“He wanted me to stay enough,” he said, wiping his eyes, and desperately wanting Max to offer to handle the paperwork, so he could run back and kiss Steve.

There was a knock on the door.  Max ran and opened it, and a short-haired woman wheeled in in a rainbow overall dress, and a small, fancy electric wheelchair, her tail the reds and oranges of a sunset.  Billy never quite stopped being envious of how pretty the merpeople were.

“Steve gave you his invites, didn’t he,” she said, and Max slid them around her back, her eyes narrowing.

“...yeah,” Billy said, warily.

“Give them back to him,” she ordered, glaring between them.  “He’s been saving those a long-ass time.  He’s got plans for those, and he doesn’t need guilt-tripping by a pair of manipulative orphans, jesus.”

“I didn’t guilt-trip him,” Billy said, feeling guilty, suddenly, and remembering Steve’s stiffness as he handed them over.  “I didn’t,” he said, less certainly.  “...he...he just likes me, he wants me to stay—”

“He’s known you three months, and you told him you fucked him to get someplace nice for your sister to live,” she said crisply.  “Give them back.”

“He’s not giving them back,” Max hissed, but she was staring at Billy in horror.

“I didn’t say that,” Billy said, waving his hands.  “I didn’t!  Not...exactly.”

“Fuck you,” the woman said, glaring.  “You pressured him.”

“Fuck,” Billy agreed, his eyes tearing up again.  “Lemme—lemme go talk to him.  Max, give—give ‘em here.”

“No,” she said, sounding choked, but he walked over and grabbed them, and hugged her.  

“We’ll figure it out,” he said under his breath, for her ears only, and ran back out.

 Steve was perched up on his rock again, and Billy grabbed his surfboard and sat on it to glide out, paddling with his hands.  The water was clear under him, his shadow passing over the anemones on the reef, and he watched the fish darting around, swallowing repeatedly.  

“Hey,” he said, when he got close enough, and Steve’s head jerked around, glowering warily.

“...you came back,” he said.

“...you want me to stay, right,” Billy said, cutting straight to the chase.  “You gave me these because you want me to stay.”  Steve frowned back at him, and Billy’s heart sank.  “Answer,” he said, his throat closing around the word.

“It’s what you wanted, isn’t it,” Steve said, reaching out, but he just grabbed Billy’s board before he could drift into the rip tide again.  “You wanted to stay.”  He was tense, and he wouldn’t meet Billy’s eyes.

“What do you want,” Billy asked again.  “...because I think your friend Robin’s in my house, and she says I guilted you into it, talking about Max.  Do you...if I didn’t need an invite.  Would you want me to stay?”

“...I guess,” Steve sighed, and Billy swung his leg over the board, dumping himself straight down in the water, because he was definitely about to make some kind of awful noise, and the sea felt good on his hot, wet cheeks.  Steve couldn’t see him crying underwater, he thought, grabbing a jut of rock to keep himself from floating back up.  

He wished he could take a few slow breaths, he thought, closing his eyes, and then something brushed his arm.  He opened his eyes on Steve’s wide-eyed face, his hair swirling in the water.  Billy bit his lips together harder, his hands clenching on the rock, and Steve shook his head, pointing up. 

“Up,” he mouthed.  “Come on.”

Billy let himself be hauled upwards, and pushed up on the rock again, like when they’d first met.  

“What are you doing,” Steve asked, hanging on to Billy’s surfboard.

“Nothing,” Billy said, keeping his voice level.  “I thought you wanted me to stay.  For me.  You can have your invites back.  I didn’t—” he took a deep breath, hearing Steve’s voice say stop trying to manipulate me, and Robin’s guilt-tripping.  “I fucking know I’m pathetic, okay, you don’t have to pity me.  Sorry I—sorry I fucking tried, jesus, I just—” he shut his eyes tightly again, laughing as he imagined Robin’s disgusted look knowing Billy’d gone out and cried.

“Wait, fuck,” Steve whispered, clambering up next to him, where Billy barely fit by himself, since it was high tide.  He was warm from the sun, his tanned skin gleaming with water droplets, and Billy salivated, because his dick obviously hadn’t gotten the message it wasn’t wanted.  “Wait,” Steve said, half on top of him, his weight grating Billy’s shoulder blades against the rock.  Billy didn’t really mind.  “You only want to stay if—if I want you, what—what does that mean—”  His brown eyes were huge.

“...don’t really know how to be clearer,” Billy told him, unable to pull his eyes from Steve’s mouth.

“You don’t want to stay unless I’m happy about it,” Steve said, grabbing Billy’s hands.

“Yeah, that’s kinda how it gets, when you fall for somebody,” Billy told him, raising his eyebrows, and Steve took a shuddery breath and kissed him again.  He didn’t stop, though, he just kissed Billy and kissed him, laughing shakily, his eyes welling up with tears.  

“Don’t go,” he whispered, as Billy clung to him and the rock, trying to keep them from tumbling off.  “I want you here, I want you.  Stay with me.”

“I’m what you want?” Billy asked, startled, his brain hazy from warm kisses, and the scrape of pointed teeth.  “‘M yours then,” he whispered.  “All—all of me.  S’yours.”

They laid there so long, whispering and giggling, that Billy had tan lines of Steve’s fingers on his shoulder for months.

Here are the other Harringrove April prompts I’ve done!

[royallyprincesslilly]

Title: Kismet {12}

Henry Cavill x Famous OFC Aliya Taylor

Warning: Plot, Slow Burn, Mild Cursing, Dialogue Heavy

Words: 4.2k

Summary: Aliya is a singer turned model turned actress. Since she was fifteen, she’s been creating her empire in the entertainment world. As the daughter of a famous fashion model/designer and Hollywood director, you’d think life is easy for her, but her past has been anything but easy. Due to past trauma, she’s forever changed and no longer trusts any man that is not in her family and a select few in her team. She’s sworn off love and serious relationships and has planned never to fall again, but love isn’t something that can be planned. It just happens when it’s meant to. Can Aliya outrun a love that seems hellbent on holding tight to her, a love that is Kismet?

Note: How are you guys liking the pacing of this story? I think this might be my slowest burn of all.  😬😬

If you enjoyed this please LIKE, COMMENT, REBLOG!! 😘  

As always, thank you so much for reading. ❤️❤️

***Loosely Edited/Proofread***

***Interactive***

Previous Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |

When one thinks of a vacation, you think of beaches, sand, salty ocean water that you can see right through, a blazing sun that is a joy to be burned by, tropical drinks, lounging by the pool in a hammock with an endless supply of bathing suits. When one thinks of the quintessential French vacation, you could think of waking up the smell of flowers from the countryside and the ocean salt, the warm caress of the sun as you sip your French coffee, lounging on the beaches, touring the countryside by day, feasting on the best authentic French cuisine, sipping the best of wine country offered all the while soaking up culture and relaxation. In other words, live like the French.

 Your vacation, though it started awkwardly, didn’t remain that way for too long. You and Henry had made it a mission to take relaxation and freedom to the max and, by doing so, you had created somewhat of a routine. Usually, either you or Henry would make breakfast and coffee then have it outside. After breakfast, you’d both lounge by the pool for an hour or two. That was before you found out he liked to work out first thing in the morning. Though you weren’t much for working out, you vowed to do it with him. which led to you having your coffee and then out for a run through the fields. He often went four miles out then four miles back, but when he realized you were not a runner, he cut it down to two and two. Even that was torture for you.

 Then once you’d returned and showered, whoever came out first would make a simple breakfast that you’d have out back and then to the pool. After you’d take a drive, often going miles and miles checking out neighboring towns seeing sights. On each day, Henry always had something planned. One day it was a tour of a vineyard where you learned all about the winemaking process, helped harvest grapes, and even did the traditional squishing grapes with your feet. That was the day Henry had the brilliant idea to play up your ticklishness, which led to you falling in the barrel staining your white shorts ensemble red. He laughed his ass off to that. By the time you left the vineyard, both of your outfits were ruined, but you had plenty of pictures and a crate of the wine you’d made.

 Another day it was sailing around the Mediterranean in a boat that Henry manned himself. You couldn’t help but watch in awe as he steered it like a pro and taught you the proper terms for things on the boat. When he’d found a good spot to drop anchor close to some rocks, you lounged on the hull soaking up the sun, then taking a dunk in the ocean when the heat became too much where you snorkeled around the reef. On a particular day, he took out a speedboat to St. Tropez for shopping and spa treatments that really had your entire body feeling like jello.

 While he liked to spoil you with luxurious options, he also liked the rugged things too. He taught you how to fish and took you on multiple nature walks. While you enjoyed nature, you realized you didn’t like it as much as he did. According to him, he would choose to be out in nature as often as he possibly could. You were slowly beginning to enjoy it as much as he did. A few times, you took him to a club where you saw firsthand that he was a real party boy in another life. You liked the club nights because it showed you a whole other side of him. The side that was carefree, able to cut loose and not take himself seriously. It was a side you made a silent vow to bring out as often as you could.

 To round out the experience, he did as the French and took advantage of France’s natural romance. There were plenty of romantic dinners at romantic restaurants that overlooked the ocean or the cliffs or the city lights and even a few at romantic vineyards with the view of the rolling hills and a sunset. The romance was not something hard to find, and it wasn’t always in going out. You spent plenty of nights in the villa lounging together with candlelight in the room and a gentle breeze wafting through the opened doors while watching something on tv together. While it was awkward before, you were becoming more and more comfortable around him. 

This comfort also helped you feel closer to him and though you teased each other often, said sly things to one another, and even flirted shamelessly, nothing else of significance had happened. Henry didn’t make any moves to kiss you or cuddle or even hug you, really. The most he’d done was hold your hand at the most sporadic moments, for the shortest amount of time. It made no sense, and it drove you crazy because you could feel the attraction between you in everything you did. You could sense the desire in the air was strong, but everything remained lukewarm.

 Though your comfort level rose, your insomnia never subsided. When Henry had gone to bed, you often remained up just writing music, journaling, or making things with the pictures you’d taken throughout the day. Your sleepless or low sleep nights gave you the chance to either reformulate your plan or think about your progress. A lot of times, thinking about the progress had you thinking about him, and if you did that, it was only a matter of time before your mind drifted to your want for him.

 It was funny to you that before him, you could push affection, intimacy, and sex to the side and act like they were not even actual things, and it never bothered you or had any effect. Since Henry, it was damn near impossible. You thought about his touch at every turn, about his lips more times than you could count, and imagined him between your thighs at least once every other day.

 One night it had gotten so bad from remembering him swimming in the pool in slow motion. Everything he did was in slow-mo like he was posing for some men’s porn magazine. That was the night you had to please yourself to thoughts of his wet lips, memories of his voice, and body as it moved through the water and muscles as he hoisted himself up out of the water with it dripping off of every inch of him. that night, it was the quickest you’d ever come. You wondered if he was struggling the way you were, but throughout the days, you saw no evidence he was, and that made you more insecure than you’d ever felt in your life.

 ~~~~~~~~~

-Nine Days Later-

 The night was young—well, young for you. While Henry slept, you found yourself in the back yard with the breeze brushing against your bare skin. The glow of the moon beamed down on you, bathing you in its pearlescent illuminance, making you feel like a goddess of the night. It could have been the moon, the fact you were naked under it, or the 2nd bottle of wine you were on. It didn’t matter what it was; you felt good. The wine made your thoughts flow more freely, and where your thoughts went, your pen in your notebook mapped. You got your best writing done at three in the morning when you were naked and feeling wine-nice.

 With your pen hooked on your bottom lip, you looked over the new lyrics you’d written for a song that Henry had inspired. The notebook was filled with at least ten more from the same muse. This song was the night’s second one. The first centered around your anxious thoughts about making the first move and how to do it in a way with little to no risk, and your worries of being in the friend zone the second was drastically different. This one focused on you admitting your attraction, the possibility you were falling for him, and your fear of him making you feel out of control. It was raw and real, the realest you’d been in a long time when it came to your feelings.

 The words across the page were sensual and painted a clear picture of arousal and desire. As you hummed to yourself the way you imagined it flowing, you began replacing your hums with words. You quickly got lost in your process and zoomed through putting everything down on paper. Once your brain sparked off, it never stopped until it finished the mission.

 “Aliya?”

 You turned to the sound of Henry’s voice, forgetting your state of undress. Almost immediately, you gasped and grabbed the blanket holding it to your breasts.

 “Shit.”

 Henry was already turned away, his back facing you.

 “Um--.”

 “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. God, I—shit.”

 Henry snorted then slowly released a breath in a loud huff.

 You rearranged the blanket then spoke, “You can turn around.”

 Slowly and cautiously, Henry turned to you again. With your lips pressed together, you gave him your best apologetic face.

 “I’m so sorry. I thought you were asleep. I didn’t think you’d come out here,” you explained.

 Again, Henry snorted then chuckled to himself as he nodded his head. You were so embarrassed that you covered your face.

 “I’m sorry,” you whispered one last time.

 “No need for sorries,” Henry began trying not to make eye contact. “It’s um—it’s okay.”

 The awkwardness had returned.

 “I didn’t see anything. Don’t worry.”

 You didn’t believe him one bit but pushed any remaining awkwardness deep down and fought through it.

“Don’t you sleep at all?”

“Not really. Remember, insomniac.”

 “I know you said that, but usually insomniacs can manage something,” Henry said.

 “Um, well, since I was diagnosed, I can on occasion get three or four hours tops.

 “Wow. We’ve been sharing this house for a little over a week, and I didn’t know that much.”

 You smiled and took another sip from your glass. “You’re off the hook, you actually sleep, and it’s great.”

 “How long have you had it?”

 “Since I was maybe eighteen,” you explained.

 “So what do you do when you’re not sleeping?”

 After finishing your glass, you moaned and leaned back in your chair. “Walk around, find a good spot to sit, write, sometimes go for a drive, online shop, work. Usually, it is mainly work,” you confessed.

 Henry gave you a stern daddyish look. “Are you working now?”

 You bit your bottom lip and scrunched your face. “Guilty but only sort of. I’m writing music. That’s not work for me. For me, it’s a component for my sanity.”

 Henry nodded. “So you sit up all night naked writing music?”

 The way he put it had you laughing out loud.

 “Wow, pretty much. Fuck, when you sum it up like that, you make me sound like an insomniac exhibitionist.”

 You laughed together for a few short moments. “Can’t they prescribe something?”

 “They have, quite a few things actually. When I was eighteenish, I was on several sleeping pills. I was the guinea pig, and I must have tested at least twenty brands and formulas, but none of them seemed to work well with me. Of course, they had to monitor my intake to make sure I didn’t become addicted, but after a few years, I said, forget it let’s not try anything anymore. I just stopped taking the pills and sucked it up,” you clarified.

 Henry looked impressed. “So you function on three hours of sleep?”

 “Pretty much.”

 He whistled then bowed his head. “Wow.”

 “it’s not bad. Honestly, it might be a blessing in disguise. I get so much work done they wouldn’t believe.”

 “You literally make money while others sleep,” Henry joked.

 You softly snickered and nodded.

 “Do they know why it started?”

 He was asking all the right questions, you thought to yourself.

 “Yeah, we know.” You really didn’t want to say anything else, and you had a mini internal fight. Groaning, you continued. “Trauma.”

 You could feel his eyes on you, and you rearranged your things on the table and picked off invisible lint off the blanket, all in an effort to not look at him. Though you were physically naked, you felt emotionally so as well. Taking a risk, you glanced at him and held his gaze. He was unreadable.

 “Here,” Henry said, holding out a spoon to you.

 “A spoon? What’s this for?”

 Henry smiled and took a step toward you. “Close your eyes.”

 You scoffed and wrinkled your nose before you closed your eyes and waited. You didn’t hear anything and wondered what he was doing.

 “Uh—hello? Henry, are you there?”

 The sound of Henry clearing his throat told you he was in a different location that was somewhat closer.

 “I’m here. Open.”

When you did, you looked around expecting something but not sure just what. When your eyes landed on the ice cream before you, you smiled.

 “For your massive sweet tooth.”

 You couldn’t help but giggle. He’d learned a few things about that sweet tooth over the last week. This was him being cute about it.

 “This Is my favorite flavor and brand. You don’t play, huh.”

 “Of course not. I pay attention.”

 “Thank you.”

 Henry nodded, then pulled another spoon from behind him. “Cheers?”

 You knocked your spoon against his and said the same thing. Henry sat beside you while you opened the ice cream, then both of you dug in. the first spoonful had you moaning so loud it echoed around you.

 “That good?”

 “Mmmm, so good, better than sex,” you joked.

 “Then I am sorry, Ms. Taylor, you are having sex with all the wrong ones.”

The spoon paused at your lips as you quirked your eyebrow at him. Henry wasn’t backing down, though. He held your gaze almost like he was challenging you. Damn, you thought before you looked away first.

 “So you write all your own songs?”

 Nodding, you put another spoonful of ice-cream in your mouth. “All by myself.”

 “Impressive. I know artists try, but not a lot do it alone. There will usually be a few co-writers,” Henry added.

 You were a little surprised he knew that. “You’re right. More and more try to get on it for the added profits that being a writer brings in. for me, I do it for far more selfish reasons.”

 Henry quirked his brow, silently asking you why.

 “I need an outlet, something to get everything in my head out. I’m up for twenty to twenty-one hours a day, and I have a lot going on in there. So, I need to be able to get that out to start fresh the next do, that means---I write.”

 The way Henry’s eyes rested on you made you feel like he had so much to say, but he was holding back with doing so.

 “It’s good to have an outlet.”

 “What’s yours?”

 His goofy smile made a return, and you couldn't help but smile back.

 “Don’t judge me, okay, but it’s video games.”

 You smiled and raised your hands. “No judgment here, ever.”

 “I like video games, Warcraft, Witcher, Call Of Duty, HALO. Anything bloody, I’m there for it. I also use exercise a lot. I have to work out, have to.”

 “Have to?”

 Henry took another spoonful of ice cream and sighed out. He looked like he was thinking about something, and you gave him the time needed.

 “Yeah, when I was a kid, I was heavy--,” he began sighing. “I was a fat kid, and it meant I got teased and bullied a lot. My nickname was fat, Cavill.”

 “Oh no, that’s horrible.”

 “Yeah, plus I was at private school. Let’s just say—it was hard, really hard. I had some dark times, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t stick with me some even to this day.”

 You bit your bottom lip, reached your hand out, and rested it on his knee. Your heart sank thinking about what he’d gone through. You knew how painful words could be, especially as a child. “I’m sorry. Kids can be such assholes.”

 Henry snorted and gave your hand a gentle squeeze. “They sure can.”

 “Plus, I could tell working out is a joy for you. I’m not blind, and neither is the female population of the world and some of the male.”

 Henry’s laugh was unexpected but welcomed all the same. You liked his laugh, and the more you heard it, the more it was becoming one of your favorite sounds.

 “Seriously though, I’m sorry you went through that. I know it couldn’t have been easy to work through.”

 He looked down at your hand that was still on his knee and nodded before he cleared his throat.

 “You mentioned you’re close with your grandmother?”

 Taking your hand back, you rearranged the blanket again and nodded. “I did. Yeah. She’s my mother’s mother, and she is—she’s my world.” With a soft smile on your lips, you quickly went through your fondest memories with her.

 “I don’t think it’s healthy to depend on her as much as I do, but--.” You shrugged. “She helps me with so much, like being forgiving, being more open, being a better person in general. She gets me and doesn’t judge me or make me feel like something is wrong with me. In her eyes, I’m—Corrin, my middle name, and it’s great. All the pressure I constantly carry around is gone.”

 Talking about how much your gramaw meant to you made you emotional, and the sting of tears in your eyes told you just how emotional you’d gotten.

 “That’s great to have at least one person in your life that can do that for you. you’re lucky.”

 “Yes, ha, she’s—uh, she’s the reason I’m here,” you confessed. Henry looked very interested to know what you meant.

 “How so?”

 “She uh, she just reminded me of a few things and pointed some other things out to me,” you said, giving him the CliffsNotes version. You could tell it wasn’t going to cut it, though, so you continued. “She pretty much made me think from a  different perspective, the one that I was desperately trying to ignore.”

 Henry still looked interested, but he nodded. “I have to thank her because I’m glad she changed your mind.”

 You studied him for a little while as you put another spoonful into your mouth. “Are you?”

 Henry didn’t look away or give way to any emotion on his face. He just nodded. “Yes. I’m glad you’re here.”

 You didn’t see any indication that he was lying or stretching the truth. You did notice that the pull between you was still there. Henry was the first to look away this time, and the two of you continued to share the half-gallon container of ice cream while chatting. He told you more about his private school days and painted a clearer image of what he was like as a boy, and the image you got was absolute adorableness and tenacity.

 By the time you both walked back inside, two hours had passed, and the beginning of the sunrise was peeking out behind the mountains. You stood in the long hall that separated your room from his clutching the sheet wrapped around you and your notebook.

 “So, in the morning—or a few hours we’ll catch a flight out,” Henry confirmed.

 “Still won’t tell me where to?”

 Henry smiled, rubbed the back of his neck, and shook his head. “You don’t like surprises, do you? This is the fifth time you’re trying to pry it out of me.”

 You pinched your lips then groaned. “No, no. It’s not that I don’t like surprises. I love surprises—well, good ones. I just like to know every detail. I like--.”

 “Being in control,” Henry finished, hitting the nail right on the head. You knew it was the loss of control that was making you antsy.

 You closed your eyes and slowly breathed out.

 “Yes. I guess I might have a control problem.”

 Henry looked very amused. “Might?”

 The two of you laughed together, and you couldn’t believe the call out.

 “Shut up.”

 “It’s okay. I get it. I like control too, a whole lot, and I don’t usually like when control is taken from me, but I’ve gotten better with it. Now, I won’t die if my control is taken. Then—it felt like it.”

 You nodded at yet another thing you had in common. It was becoming more than you could count on your fingers.

 “Good for you, but I—I might die.”

 Henry laughed again, this time not with you, at you.

 “I’m going to make you a promise. By the end of this vacation, you will be better at giving me control,” Henry said, his voice so deep and commanding that your spine tingled. When the tingling traveled around to your gut and moved downward, you clutched the sheet tighter.

 “Oh, will I?”

 He smirked; it was a cocky one. “Yes, you will. I don’t break promises. Never have.”

 Your eyes locked, and that tingling intensified, making your lady parts beg for some attention. He was downright captivating, and it was so hard staying on your side of the hall.

 “All you have to know is that I won’t abuse my control. You can trust that. You can trust me.”

 You almost made the yikes face hearing the T-word. You knew he remembered you saying that trust was a tricky thing for you, and you also knew this was probably a test. You were in between a rock and a hard place. After sighing out, you spoke.

 “Okay.”

 “But, you do have to say these five words, though,” Henry said with a smirk.

 “What?”

 “I—relinquish—control—to—you.”

 With every word, his voice got deeper and deeper, his eyes more and more focused on you. It was so easy to get lost in them, and he must have known it.

“Uh—no. I can’t say that.”

 “Sure you can. I know it’s not easy, but I promise you will not regret it.”

 Your nose flared, heart raced, mouth went dry, all points of your anxiety. You hated feeling backed in a corner, and you hated giving away your control even more.

 “Will you relinquish control to me?”

 With a grin, he spoke, “I will.”

 “When?”

 “One day,” Henry said, that grin still on his face.

 Of course he’d say that you thought. “How about, I will try,” you appeased.

 “Nope. Not good enough. I want it all, Aliya.”

 You groaned and ruffled your curls, still clutching the sheet with one hand. He was not going to let up.

 “God, Henry.”

 He didn’t say anything, just waited. He didn’t even look pressed like he was worried you’d say no. He looked confident, commanding, and in complete control, and it called to you. There had never been any other man who you’d ever thought about giving control to. None of them felt like him. He felt different.

 “I,” Henry perked up but kept his eyes firmly on yours. another thing you loved about him. “Relinquish—control,” you paused again, feeling the full weight of the words you were going to release. You weren’t just saying that you were giving him control to make the decisions. You were giving him control, period. That was when the panic picked up. “Control to,” you rolled your eyes then hissed. “You.”

 The silence stretched, but the longer it went on, the less anxious you felt. Yeah, there was some residual panic lingering, but the look in his eyes only comforted you.

 “Thank you. I know how hard that was for you,” Henry softly said.

 You looked down and took a shaky breath. “You have no idea.” When you looked back at him, he was still staring at you. “Okay. Well, good night, Henry.”

 “Good night, Aliya.”

 A visible shiver ran through you, but you ignored it and turned around to walk to your bedroom door. After a few steps, you stopped and smiled as an idea formed. Instead of walking forward, you turned around and walked back to him. Once close enough, you tiptoed, threaded your fingers into his hair at the nape of his neck, then pulled his head down to yours. It was then you pressed your lips to his.

 From the second your lips touched, it felt like you’d been standing out in the rain and gotten hit but a lightning bolt. Your moan was loud, and once it slipped out, Henry grabbed you, pulled you flush against him, and held you there. The hand on your hip squeezed while his right hand sneaked around your back to press his palm against your tailbone. That was when you realized you wanted more—a lot more. You sucked his bottom lip into your mouth, then nibbled, sinking your nails into his curls. You were second away from dropping the sheet, so you pulled back, grasping to the fraying threads of your self-control. Henry’s eyes were still closed, giving you a few extra seconds to admire his beauty. He still had the same effect as the first time he’d kissed you. 

 “Good night, Henry,” you said again, pecking his lips once more before walking away again.

 Though you’d given relinquished control, you just took a little of it back. It felt good.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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[pastelwitchling]

Under the Sea bonus story! I had so much fun returning to this world and these characters. I just really wanted to write a little epilogue sort of chapter. If you enjoy reading at all, please comment and share, it always makes the world of a difference 💙

               Alex heard the laughter of dolphins in his ears, the rush of bubbles against his cheeks as fish swam past. He opened his eyes to treasure; stones of different colors and sizes covered the ocean floor, seaweed, coral, sea creatures of all kinds floated past.

               Once upon a time, Alex had feared the ocean as he feared nothing else. Now he knew he was safe in its waters, for the love of his life resided there. He felt hands on his hips, pulling him back against a warm chest, even under the cold water, and he laughed. He was safe, a bubble of air protecting his head down to the base of his neck.

               “Have you no decency?” Alex asked even as he tilted his chin up, giving Forrest more access to his skin.

               “I wish to kiss my fiancé,” murmured Forrest with a grin against Alex’s neck. “Am I not allowed?”

               “Not here,” he huffed, “where someone might see us.”

               Forrest turned Alex around, making him laugh. He held his face in his hands, the gold band on his finger cold against Alex’s cheek. Forrest’s long blue and gold tail swayed calmly in the water below them, but his voice was in a near growl when he spoke, “I care not who sees us. Let them envy me, for I am the one to marry the most handsome man in all of the oceans and on land combined.”

               Even under the water, Alex’s cheeks heated and he hid his face in Forrest’s shoulder. “Honestly . . .”

               “Don’t you dare look down,” Forrest whispered, tilting down so that his forehead pressed against Alex’s, the blue and gold in his dark eyes glimmering with an overwhelming fondness and love that threatened to kill Alex in the best way.

               As he neared, Alex’s mouth instinctively fell open, and he found himself closing the distance between them, eager to taste Forrest’s lips in his, when suddenly –

               “Oi! Can’t you keep your hands off each other for two bloody minutes?!” Kyle appeared, his green and gold fin swimming behind him. He grabbed Alex’s arm and tugged. “Stop hogging him all to yourself!”

               “Oh, leave them alone, Kyle,” Maria sighed dreamily. “They’re in love.”

               “They have their entire lives to be in love!” Kyle demanded. “I have only another short moment while Alex is a free man!”

               Forrest wrapped his arms around Alex’s shoulders, his smile in place, but his eyes dark. “And what exactly do you assume will happen between you and Alex?”

               “Don’t be such a stiff, Forrest,” Kyle rolled his eyes, tugging Alex, and therefore Forrest, closer. “I just want to talk to him. Without you.”

               “That’s simply not going to happen.”

               “Don’t you trust me?” teased Alex.

               “Implicitly,” said Forrest without a moment’s hesitation, and narrowed his eyes at Kyle. “It’s his wandering hands I don’t trust.”

               Alex laughed and kissed Forrest’s cheek. He nuzzled his neck. Even underwater, as fish tickled his feet and the world turned to a peaceful silence around them, Alex could still smell Forrest. Even down here, he smelled like the ocean.

                “Who knew,” teased Jenna, the white pearls in her hair making her look like an angel, “that Forrest could be so possessive?”

               “I did,” Kyle huffed, “since we first found Alex and he wouldn’t let any of us near him.”

               “I was being protective,” Forrest insisted. “Oh, enough of all of you. Come along, my love. We’ve been down here long enough and soon people will start to wake. We best get back to the surface so that I can change to my human form.”

               Alex nodded, but accepted the hugs from Kyle and the others first. Forrest had been right in that Kyle held on longer than the others, squeezing him tightly enough to make him laugh, and then he had his arms around Forrest again.

               “Hold on tight to me, my love,” Forrest whispered into the space between them. Alex remembered a year ago when Forrest had said the same thing to him before saving him from the cavern and returning him to his home. Alex had held on trustingly. Forrest had been his one small relief, even if he hadn’t really known him.

               Now, as they rose to the surface together, Alex was filled with laughter, his chest overflowing with love for the merman before him. When they broke the surface, the cold hit them first, but Alex clung to Forrest’s warmth.

               “Go on,” Forrest encouraged him, his lips against Alex’s ear. “I’ll be right behind you.”

               Alex nodded, and let go of Forrest. He swam to the shore, and walked up the rest of the way. As he stepped out of the waves, he saw the water change color, as though someone were shining a bright blue light underneath the surface, and he turned to find Forrest standing in the water, the waves lapping around his naked waist. His blue hair and the blue glow of his eyes were gone, and his still-glowing blue seashell nestled in his collarbone. Alex smiled. He loved this version of Forrest just as much, for the magic of the sea never seemed to leave him no matter what form he took.

               Alex reached for the hidden clothes he kept wrapped in a towel behind a boulder, and handed them to Forrest. Once they were both dried and dressed, they made their usual way up the far left stone steps to the street above.

               The marketplace was still mostly bare, but Alex spotted a merchant here and there, preparing their stall for the day. Some waved good morning to him and Forrest, some congratulated them, some merely ogled.

               “I hate when they stare,” Alex murmured.

               Forrest grinned. “They can scarcely ignore your beauty, darling. Don’t begrudge them for it. I can hardly resist staring at you myself.”

               Alex blushed. “That’s different! And it’s not me they’re watching, it’s you!”

               He laughed. “So you’re jealous, then?”

               “Don’t be ridiculous,” he said, and kissed Forrest’s cheek for good measure.

               When the wooden sign for Le Gateau au Chocolat – Gregory and Isobel’s pastry shop – came into view, Alex and Forrest decided to race the rest of the way. They both reached the door out of breath with giggles. Alex had won by only a small margin. Forrest had been getting much better at using his legs.

               “Oh, Alex, good,” Gregory called from behind the counter. “I’ve decided to change the chicken to beef for tonight.”

               Alex faltered. “Isn’t beef expensive?”

               Isobel came in from the kitchens. She wiped her hands on her apron and put them on her hips. “Don’t you go worrying about that. We’ve taken care of it.”

               Alex looked to Forrest, suspicious. “You didn’t . . .?”

               Forrest leapt onto the counter. “Oh, I certainly offered. What’s the point of being a king with riches if I cannot spoil my love? But no, your brother and sister would not hear of it. This time.”

               “Stop it,” Gregory scolded. “We’re older, we take care of you, that’s how it works.”

               Forrest hummed, and his eyes brightened. “Until Alex and I are married. Then he’s all mine.”

               Alex caught Isobel’s amused look, and turned away, his face red. He cleared his throat. “Anyhow. What time’s the dinner?”

               “Eight,” Gregory pointed. “Do not be late, both of you. Oh” – he dusted some of the sand off Forrest’s jacket – “and try not to mention any merpeople, will you? The last thing we need is for Liz and Max to know the truth, too.”

               “They wouldn’t tell anyone,” Alex defended.

               Gregory and Isobel shared a look, and Isobel sighed. “We can’t risk Michael finding out, Alex. I love my brother, but . . .” she shook her head. “Ever since you announced your engagement, he’s been . . .”

               “He isn’t happy,” Gregory said. “Let’s put it that way.”

               Alex sat down, and looked at the band on his finger. A circle of gold with an aquamarine jewel imbedded in the center. He hated to admit it, but in the moments after his excitement at marrying Forrest had faded, Michael had come to mind. What he would think, how he would feel, react. He’d been anxious, and now he knew he was right to have been.

               “It’ll be all right though, won’t it?” he asked, hearing the plea in his own voice.

               Forrest’s smile dimmed. He never liked the mention of Michael, but he leapt from the counter regardless, stumbled, then came to sit in front of Alex. He took his hands in both of his and kissed his fingers.

               “Everything will be perfect, my love,” he promised. “I’m certain he will come to this dinner with kindness and happiness in his heart. He will be happy only that you are happy.” He hesitated, then, “You . . . are happy, aren’t you?”

               “Oh,” Alex breathed, and wrapped his arms around Forrest’s shoulders tightly, burying his face in the crook of his neck. “I love you more than I can say. I’m sorry, my darling, I don’t mean to imply any different.”

               “Really, Alex,” Isobel assured him, “you’ve no reason to worry about Michael. I’ll make sure of it.”

               Alex sighed, resting his head on Forrest’s shoulder. “I just want everything to be perfect.” He played with Forrest’s fingers. “You’re a king after all, you must have standards.”

               “I do,” Forrest nodded. “Absolutely. If it’s not Alex, then I will not have it.”

               “Oi, keep your distance, you two,” Gregory warned with his wooden spoon. “We have customers coming in soon, and this is no pub!”

               Forrest had Alex’s face in his hands, and was nuzzling his nose. He whispered, “I don’t see any customers now.”

               He took Alex’s lips in his own, one hand reaching into his hair, the other cupping his neck. Alex whimpered in the back of his throat, and Forrest tilted his head to deepen the kiss, their mouths slotting perfectly together, Forrest’s tongue sliding against his own.

               He ran his hands down Forrest’s chest, and then Gregory threw a rag over their heads. “Were you not listening?” he snapped. “Your engagement dinner’s tonight, can you not contain yourselves?!”

               Forrest pointed at Alex’s face, incredulous. “Have you seen him?”

               Alex hid his face in Forrest’s shoulder, embarrassed, as Isobel laughed loudly.

                 “Which looks better?” Liz asked, holding up a deep green dress, and a bright red. “This one? Or this one?”

               “I think you look beautiful in both,” Alex said cheerfully. Forrest sat next to him, eagerly shoveling down the biscuits Gregory had given them to have after lunch. Every so often, he offered Alex one, Alex shook his head, and then he ate the entire thing in one bite.

               “Mmh – yes,” said Forrest. “Beau—ifful.”

               “Oh, you both are useless,” Rosa sighed from where she sat on the counter. “Obviously, the red is terribly unsuitable.”

               Liz frowned. “Is it?”

               “Yes!” she took a biscuit from Forrest’s plate. “This is an engagement dinner. The red should clearly be saved for the wedding!”

               “Do you think so, Alex?” Liz asked.

               “Er – actually –”

               “What’re you asking him for?” Rosa huffed. “You know he’s too nice to tell you the truth!”

               Liz opened her mouth to argue when the front door swung open. Max smiled at them.

               “Good afternoon, all!” He ruffled Alex and Rosa’s hair, and kissed Liz’s cheek. “Afternoon, darling.”

               “Did you see the suit I put out for you?” Liz said in lieu of a greeting.

               “Yes, darling.”

               “Don’t you dare wear it until the dinner.”

               Max’s smile widened. “Yes, darling.”

               “We have to look our best for Alex and Forrest,” she said. Then she mumbled something incoherent to him and they glanced at Alex, as though afraid he’d heard. Max merely nodded in response.

                “Honestly,” said Alex, leaning against Forrest’s side. “You don’t have to go through all this fuss. It’s just going to be a small, comfortable dinner.”

               Liz put her hands on her hips. “Then why did Flint order a new navy-blue coat for the occasion?”

               “Did he?” Alex blinked, and flushed. Since their last voyage, he had feared for his relationship with his brother, the distance the truth about their mother’s death may put between them. He had seemed happy to be invited to the engagement dinner, but Alex had feared it had been an act. To know he cared this much, it gladdened Alex’s heart more than he could say.

               Rosa scoffed. “Well, I won’t need any help preparing. I know exactly what to wear.”

               “Yes,” Liz said testily, “but will you know how to behave?”

               “Oi!” she argued. “Don’t you start with me, it’s Michael you should be concerned about!”

               Liz shot her a sharp look, while Max turned a nervous smile on Alex and Forrest. Forrest had stopped eating.

               “She’s joking,” Max assured them. “Michael’s really happy for you, Alex.”

               Forrest smiled, but it was polite and cold, not at all what Alex was used to. “I trust he will be on his best behaviour.” Then he grumbled, “If not, I’ll throw him into the middle of the ocean.”

               Alex hooked his arm around Forrest’s and kissed his shoulder. “Are there any more biscuits left for me?” he murmured.

               Forrest’s eyes lit up at once, and he handed Alex the largest he had. “I saved it for you, my love!”

               Alex laughed, his heart and the atmosphere of the shop lighter at once.

                 Forrest insisted on watching the sunset before dinner, but Alex had not needed much persuasion. Once they’d excused themselves from the shop, they made their way down the street, Forrest’s arm hooked around Alex’s. There was a time he had clung to him to walk, but now he stayed close for the sake of staying close itself. Forrest played with his fingers, and Alex kissed the back of his hand.

               “Congratulations, dears!” Mrs. Valenti called for what felt like the millionth time, as she liked to congratulate them whenever they passed by. “Isn’t it so exciting, Mr. Higgins?”

               “Eh?” Mr. Higgins chuckled good-naturedly. “Yes, yes, terribly happy for them!”

               Forrest’s eyes lingered, once again, on the frozen fish in Mr. Higgins’ market stall, but at a kiss to his cheek from Alex, his eyes brightened once again.

               Instead of going down to shore, they sat on the brick wall that overlooked the ocean, their legs dangling over the end. The sand below was soft, so there was no fear of falling. Nonetheless, Forrest kept a tight arm around Alex’s waist, and Alex felt safe.

               The sky turned to rose and violet and gold as the sun fell behind the ocean’s surface. Alex asked if Forrest had seen plenty of sunsets before.

               “I try to,” he confessed, “but there’s quite a risk of being seen by sailors, even so far out at sea.”

               Alex shuddered as he thought of Forrest tied to a ship’s mast, at sailors who were happy to harm him because of what he was. He burrowed deeper into his side and nuzzled his neck.

               “I will never let anyone touch you again, sailor or otherwise,” he promised in a whisper.

               Forrest kissed the top of his head. “And I will protect you with my life.”

               “Will I ever see your underwater kingdom?” Alex asked.

               Forrest laughed. “Certainly,” he said. “I will have a room prepared where not a drop of water would dare to enter.”

               Alex closed his eyes and let the sun’s warmth bathe them both in gold. “I don’t fear drowning with you at my side.”

               “And you never shall have to,” Forrest told him, his hold tightening and promising a king’s protection.

               They kissed in the setting sun until their lips swelled. They kissed until Forrest’s hand sought out the hem of Alex’s shirt, and Alex realized that if they did not stop soon, they would not stop at all. Then all those walking on the street behind them would have a true reason to stare. They kissed until Alex started to want nothing more than to fall to the sand below with Forrest in his arms, and forget the engagement dinner entirely. To prove their love another way.

               Then he took Forrest’s wrist and pressed their foreheads together, the two panting, and pulled them both to their feet at the first signs of the evening stars. They went hand-in-hand, laughing, back to the pastry shop.

               Alex told Forrest about the gold coat he’d asked Liz for him to wear, and Forrest told Alex about the deep blue ocean flower he’d acquired for Alex’s coat pocket.

               Then a voice cut through their conversation like knife through ice.

               “Alex,” Michael said with a nod. “Forrest.” His eyes fell on Alex and Forrest’s intertwined hands. “Am I too early?”

               His voice was subdued, and Forrest’s eyes had darkened.

               “Good evening, Michael,” he said, his grip on Alex’s hand tightening. “Not at all. Please, come in.”

                 “Are you nervous?” Forrest asked from where he sat on the edge of Alex’s bed. Alex watched him through the mirror’s reflection.

               Alex pulled on his coat and took a seat beside him. He interlocked their hands. “Are you?”

               Forrest smiled, though it did not reach his eyes. “Only that you will change your mind.”

               Alex raised a brow. “Do you truly imagine my heart so fickle?”

               Forrest’s grip on his hand tightened. “I imagine that there is no one who can love as you can. I know it. It is for that reason that I cannot help but worry. He was your first love.”

               “And you are my last,” Alex told him. “That carries far more weight, in my opinion.”

               Downstairs, they could hear the muffled clinking of cups and plates as the sky turned dark and stars peeked out. In the distance, the waves lapped against the shore softly, a comforting reminder that there was always somewhere they could escape to, somewhere where the troubles of land could not follow.

               Forrest said nothing for a long while, then, “I do not want to see you harmed.”

               “I could only be harmed by losing you,” Alex promised him. “I am marrying a king, it is you who has far more prospects.”

               Forrest scoffed half-heartedly. “I will tell you what I’ve already told your brother; have you seen you?”

               Alex burst into giggles, his face warm. He felt the soft touch of Forrest’s lips to his cheek. The laughter faded as they pressed their foreheads together, Alex’s eyes closed as he breathed Forrest in.

               “Stay close to me,” he whispered.

               Forrest nodded once, his lips brushing Alex’s. “Forever.”

                 Dinner had started off well. Alex and Forrest descended down the staircase to the shop where a long table sat and fairy lights had been hung up. The table lay covered with platters of beef, cheese, fruit and bread. Glasses of wine sat at every chair. Isobel and Gregory had truly outdone themselves.

               Liz sat between Max and Rosa. Beside Max was Michael, Isobel, Gregory, and Flint. Forrest pulled out Alex’s chair for him, making him blush, and kissed the top of his head before taking the seat beside him. Alex did not dare glance at Michael.

               For the most part, they shared in their stories, and though Forrest could not share many of his own for fear of exposing himself, he seemed quite content to listen to Alex’s versions of his bravery and kindness.

               “I hear you were responsible for helping to save Alex,” Michael told Forrest, for he had but one of the many different stories of Alex and Forrest’s first meeting. He bowed his head once. “I sincerely thank you.”

               “I could not see anything happen to him,” Forrest said, smiling at Alex. “It was love at first sight, you see.”

               Alex hoped Michael would not respond, but then he said, “Yes, I understand the feeling.” He was looking directly at Alex, his gaze pointed as though he was trying to share a secret message with him.

               Then Forrest took Alex’s hand and kissed the aquamarine bracelet he’d given him so many months ago on the shore. “All right, darling?” he whispered, and Alex nodded, the smile returning to his lips at Forrest’s eyes on him.

               “Goodness, Alex,” Liz sighed. “I do love that bracelet. Forrest made that for him,” she told Michael, “did you know?”

               “Purely for selfish reasons,” Forrest confessed. “I’ve always wanted to see Alex in aquamarine. He looks so beautiful with it, doesn’t he?”

               “Where did you get that?” Flint murmured. “Bottom of the ocean?”

               Gregory nudged Flint with his elbow, but the five of them were already laughing at the private joke.

               “Honestly, Forrest,” grinned Isobel, “do you care about anything but Alex?”

               Forrest hummed, eyes narrowed. “No, I don’t think so. Why?” he asked, genuinely confused when everyone save for Michael started laughing, “Is there anything else to care about?”

               “I would think someone of your position would have plenty,” Gregory thoughtlessly said.

               Rosa frowned. “What do you mean, of his position?”

               Gregory’s eyes widened and Alex tensed. Forrest, after all, was a king. He had plenty of concerns, yet the others at the table did not know that.

               It was Isobel who chuckled nervously and said, “Well, you see, Forrest is very wealthy. He has so much to tend to back in – er –”

               “Paris,” Gregory quickly finished. “Because, as you all know, he is from Paris. Isn’t that right, Forrest?”

               “Certainly,” Forrest nodded. “I am from Paris.”

               Everyone returned to their meat and potatoes when all of a sudden a loud CLANK! drove all other conversation away. Michael had roughly set his fork and knife down.

               “Is that why you chose him?” Michael asked, breaking the heavy silence. “Because he’s so much wealthier than I am?”

               Alex was staring, brows furrowed. He set his utensils down delicately. When he spoke, his voice was cold to his own ears, something fierce and protective overwhelming him. “I beg your pardon?”

               Michael scoffed, shaking his head. There was nothing humorous about it.

               “Michael,” Max warned, but Michael was already seething.

               “I thought it was odd,” he said. “You’d known him for such a short time, yet you fell in love so quickly. Is that why, Alex? He could take better care of you than I could?”

               “Michael,” Isobel hissed, “enough.”

               “Is that why you wouldn’t even give me another chance?”

               Forrest stood at once, but Alex took his arm. He’d never seen Forrest’s glare so full of anger.

               “I will thank you,” Gregory said darkly, “to mind your manners, Michael.”

               “I’m sorry,” Michael said, crossing his arms on top of the table, his eyes on Alex. “I’m sorry that I’m the only one who will acknowledge that there is too much about Forrest that we don’t know. I’m sorry if I’m the only one who wishes to make certain that Alex is not throwing his life away at the first man to offer him comfort after heartbreak.”

               “No, you’re right,” Flint said, slumping in his seat. “I’d much rather my brother stay with someone who hurt him.”

               “Please,” Alex said quietly, and the table turned silent. He raised his chin and held Michael’s gaze. “Forrest saved my life in more ways than I could say. I did not know of his wealth until I’d already loved him, and even if I had, it wouldn’t have changed anything.”

               “Alex –”

               “You are a guest,” Alex told him sternly, “in my home. Forrest is my fiancé, and I expect you to treat him with respect.” His shoulders fell, his tone turned pleading. “I want you to be a part of my life, Michael. Please don’t make me push you out of it.”

               Michael stared back for a long moment, his jaw clenched. Then he stood, murmured an apology, and left.

               Forrest wrapped an arm around Alex’s shoulders, keeping him close. He pressed soft kisses to his ear, his cheek, his jaw as Gregory and Isobel made quick work of returning the rest of the table to cheerier conversation.

               Later that night, Alex woke in bed to find Forrest’s side empty. He sat up, looking through the house, and softly called for Forrest in the shop. When he did not find his fiancé at home, panic began to rise in his chest until he forced it down. His father could not harm Forrest any longer, yet Alex knew he would not rest until he saw his love’s face again.

               Realizing there was only one place Forrest could be, Alex quickly threw on a coat and his boots, and made his way down to the shore. There, with his knees pulled up to his chest amongst the waves, sat Forrest, staring out at the ocean. His blue seashell glittered at his neck.

               Alex hesitated, then came and sat beside him.

               “Are you upset with me?” were his first words.

               Forrest frowned. “What in the soundless seas for?”

               “The dinner,” he said. “I told Michael I – I wanted him in my life.”

               A smirk tugged at Forrest’s lips. “That is no secret, Alex. I’ve known it since before I met you. Don’t you remember?”

               Alex did. Forrest had told him that that was when he had first fallen in love with him; when he’d heard Alex speaking of Michael to the stars.

               “Forrest,” he said, “I love you. More than I’ve ever loved anyone. Stronger than I’ve ever loved anyone.”

               Forrest chuckled. “You dove into the ocean to save me, Alex. I don’t question your love.”

               “Yet you’re here,” he said, his chin on Forrest’s shoulder, “instead of in bed with me.”

               Forrest turned to him, kissing his nose. “I fear the mess of my thoughts might’ve troubled your sleep.”

               “I am only troubled when you are not there,” he murmured, and kissed Forrest’s shoulder.

               “You will never regret me?” asked Forrest.

               Alex clenched his jaw. “You are a king. I am a mere human. What could I possibly offer you?”

               Forrest cupped Alex’s cheek fiercely, his hold tight. He let his hand fall down Alex’s jaw, his neck, and settled on his opened coat collar. As he leaned in, he whispered the words, as though he was shocked Alex did not know the answer already.

               “You.”

               Before Alex could say anything else, Forrest kissed him. Their lips pressed together again and again, and when Alex felt Forrest’s tongue slide against his own, a moan escaped his lips. When Forrest began kissing down his chin, his neck, Alex looked around to make certain that no one was watching. But then this was the middle of the night. He didn’t think anyone would be awake for hours.

               The waves turned suddenly warm as they washed around Forrest and Alex, as their kisses deepened, as Forrest’s fingers undid the buttons of Alex’s coat and gently pushed him onto his back. The kisses turned rougher, more eager, and Alex felt as though they would never move away from one another again.

               Alex released a breathy moan as he ran his hands up Forrest’s naked back. He imagined them, lying nude on the beach, Forrest thrusting into him, licking a line along his neck, the cold quickly turning to heat so thick that Alex couldn’t breathe and was happy to suffocate.

               He ran his hands down Forrest’s bare cheeks, urging him in deeper. He was so in love he could hardly stand it. This man, bathed in moonlight and showered with drops of the ocean, was to be his husband.

               Alex took Forrest’s face in his hands and kissed him as he’d never kissed anyone before. Forrest was all his, the beautiful merman of blue and gold belonged to him. He never imagined, that year ago when he’d first embarked on his father’s voyage, that he would find such joy. When he’d fallen over the ship’s edge and his world had changed forever.

               The ocean waves hit the shore with a gentle shushing sound, protecting Alex and Forrest from searching eyes. They were safe here, Alex was safe here. With Forrest, with the ocean, with the life he’d been given when it seemed he’d been destined to drown.

               “Hold on tight to me,” Forrest told him. And so Alex did.

[metahigh]

Pedro Pascal characters as pet vibes

I decided to simplify my life and divide them in two categories: Dog vibes and Cat vibes (wanted to do with other pets but not today).  

Dog vibes

Din: You saved him as a stray pup during a storm. He’s scared of humans but adapts after some time. Reserved. Loyal. Can be easily trained for any type of job. Reads people better than people can do it themselves. Patient with children. Doesn’t get along with other adult dogs but puppies are ok. Always naps and wants to sleep with you. Loves fast car rides. If you have a motorcycle, he will be your co-pilot all the time. Hates your roomba and might chew it to death so he needs gentle training here. Barks only in sight of danger which is evaluated from his perspective only. Washing machine is his nemesis and you can’t convince him otherwise. Tumble dryer can go fuck itself. Vacuum is on a thin fucking ice. 

Ezra: A mix of two pure breeds. Herding dog dad and hunter type mom. Is Exited and Loves his human very much. Learns all the tricks fast but always expects treats or verbal praise. Have great memory for places, people, scents, etc. Can be vindictive and petty at times. Protective and can be provoked to fierce aggression. Loves to be in the wilderness and can be trained even to find edible mushrooms. Howls on the full moon every time without missing a day even if he doesn’t see her. You like to joke that he’s a werewolf, a man trapped inside a dog. You feel uneasy when he immediately stares at you with his intelligent eyes and cocks his head to the side.

Marcus P: Family type. Medium size. Loves everyone unconditionally. Will kiss every stranger and try befriend every breathing creature he sees. But will protect his family and friends till the last breath. Perfect for duty in the forces but I don’t like them so he works with rangers and rescue teams. Can smell lies from kilometers away. That type of dog who joins you in a tub when you take too long in a bath. If you leave him somewhere or, god forbid, die before him, he will wait like Hachiko. He never gets lost and will find you even on another continent. Have one family for the rest of his life. Perfect dog.

Marcus M: Tired. Lost fucks to give. Smart but lazy. Is great at baby sitting. Just Loves naps, snacks and his human. Low maintenance. Please, don't drag him for a morning run or outside during a rain. Surprisingly, enjoys baths, isn’t scared of vets and technology. Great dane vibes. Newfoundland vibes. Loves the beach and ocean, basically, anything with water, far from noisy city. Rivers, lakes are great. Will be a great companion for fishing even if he doesn’t really like cold weather. Secretly enjoys wearing outfits for Halloween. 

Max: Pure breed Doggo. I’m getting shiba inu or husky vibes, so Loud and Stubborn. Has two (2) braincells that he uses to get attention and annoy everyone else. Smart but needs excessive amount of incentive to do something on command. Knows how to open a fridge, doors and climb baby fences at the age of 4 months. Is easily offended but can forgive and forget, if given belly rubs, treats and kisses (in that order only). Pure of heart, dumb of ass. Will accompany children for Crimes and avoid Punishments later so watch out. 

Jack: Big dog from an old family of champions (might be agility, hunting, work duty, dog competitions, etc.) Very competent in the area he was trained for but secretly is a goofy clingy baby. Requires active lifestyle and regular activities. If a dog could be a himbo, he would be called one. Good with people and other animals, even though he sometimes doesn’t understand that you can’t kiss a fish in a tank or play catch with a horse. Pure of heart and slightly less dumb of ass than Max. Do NOT put them together in one place. 

Frankie: A Good Boy. A soft, gentle heart in a hard exterior. I’m sensing pitbull, rottweiler or german shepard vibes. Despite his looks he’s a charmer and everyone wants to baby him. Do not get fooled he’s soft but not naïve. Can and will protect you from any danger. Loves camping and any other outdoor activity. Sometimes eats something from a trash can but feels and looks so guilty afterwards that you don’t have it in you to punish him or even raise your voice. He’s afraid of loud noises and doesn’t trust TV or voice assistance like Alexa. Loves children and, if someone from his household gets pregnant, he will be beside them 24/7. Usually, he’s very talkative and a little clumsy, but will be on his best behavior with a tiny human. Can even be left with a new born baby just watch out for his kisses.

Cat vibes

Javier: He's that cat that lives on the street, everyone knows him and have different names for him. He occasionally visits you. Prey fear him, women love him. He reacts to his names only if he's in a mood. Is fed by everyone. Independent. Understands how to manipulate people. Hunts. Fights local dogs. Generally chill but if you fuck around him, you will find out. If he likes you, you might find a dead bird or a mouse at your porch. Purrs like a damn helicopter engine. Likes to sunbathe. Accidently you found out that he’s a patron for a local bar/pub where he has a personal barstool.

Maxwell: A persian or an exotic. Acts like he barely tolerates you, when in reality is touch deprived, deeply dependent and craves all forms of affection and praise. Eats only expensive food from cans and enjoys brushing (even washing, if you ask nicely). Gets bored from a new toy after two hours. Hoards random objects somewhere in the house and will protect his treasures with his life. Has abandonment issues, please, don’t leave him for more than 5 hours or he will yell at you afterwards and maybe wake you up at 2 a.m. to have a chat. Surprisingly, loves children. 

Oberyn: He’s savannah. Graceful. Magnificent. Royally behaved cat. Lives on attention from both people and other animals and spacious expensive bedding (silk is favorite). Have a sweet tooth so, please, give him berries and fruit. Needs full body contact and constant company or mental/physical entertainment. Will assert dominance, if there are other male species present. He always knows which person is toxic and he will let them know what he thinks of them. He may or may not bring in a new partner/partners almost every two days, so, if you don’t want to pay furry alimony for the rest of your life cut those bells off. He will be gravely hurt and will befriend even more other cats, animals and people out of spite. Might ruin your furniture or knock off stuff from tables and shelves on accident while maintaining full eye contact but it will pass. Eventually. 

Dave: He’s short haired cat with big ears and teeth (I personally see a black cat). Will protest furiously if you try to cut his nails. Loves only members of his household. He has two moods when it comes to affection: 1. Do not breath or look in my direction or I will kill you. You would die for me? Then Perish. 2.You’re my Sun and Moon. I need your love like air. I need to be as close as possible to you. And, of course, the first one usually comes when you want to pet him and the second is his regular mood for 3 a.m. He also knows how to escape outside and always brings you dead animals from his walks. You were getting tired and kinda mad at him for that but then he once brought you a wallet full of cash covered in blood with no id or cards to identify the owner. You decided to hand it to the police who questioned you for two hours because the wallet turned out to be an evidence to a mysterious murder they’re investigating. They wanted to take lab samples from him but when they came to your home he wasn’t there. You almost had a mental break down trying to convince them that you indeed have a cat (lack of cat toys and cat stuff that he doesn’t like did not play to your advantage here) and you’re not mentally ill. They believed you and left. He returned home after a midnight and went to cuddle you while purring loudly. You asked him not to do it again and you could swear he looked you in the eyes and nodded. He likes to be on top of tall things that are not supposed to be climbed on.

Can be both - Pero Tovar: 

(a dog version) You heard whines in a forest and followed them to find a poor dog that fell into cold water. You saved him, of course. He didn’t have a tag, you thought he was a stray and brought him to a vet. On the road there he was well behaved, a little shocked maybe but allowed to be pet, hugged and turned into a cocoon of blankets. The vet told you that it’s not a dog but a wolf. You pay for his rehabilitation and free him into the wilderness. Later you might hear a howl near your house and find dead rabbits at your back porch. 

(a cat version) You were camping in a deep section of a forest. Somewhere in national park or something. And while you were making dinner a regular domestic cat who went feral joined you and begged for food. He’s confused when you pet him as if it never happened before. Don’t try to take him home or he will bite. But he will accompany you for sometime and then meet you again, if you return and offer more food. 

[honey-dewey]

How each of the boys deals with beach/ocean shenanigans

Because my life goal is to be a marine biologist and my only place of true peace is the ocean and limiting me to 100 words is fucking cruel. So I just wrote until I felt done. Not 100 words each, obviously, but entertaining nonetheless. 

Permanent Taglist: @phoenixhalliwell @star-wars-hell

Din Djarin: 

Okay so did anyone else see how Din dove in The Heiress? Because that was beautiful. He probably learned to swim late, after he joined the Covert, but once they put him in a pool, he refused to get out. He's an amazing swimmer, even with all that beskar on. 

But we aren’t here to talk about that. We’re here to talk about what happens when you beg him to take you to a water planet because goddammit you’ve been on nothing but dry desert planets or dry ice planets or dry city planets for the longest time now and if you don’t get to put your feet in the water soon, you might kill him. 

He doesn’t understand the appeal. Sure he’s seen the ocean. Woo-hoo it’s a bunch of water. But the way you go peaceful with wonder when you mention it, he’s ready to take a break too. And hey, maybe Grogu can finally see the ocean. So he finds an ocean planet and sets course. And because he’s a stubborn bastard, he won’t tell you where you’re going. 

When you step off the Crest and immediately find nothing but slowly crashing waves and soft shell studded sand (that is black as obsidian because remember, we’re not on earth) you almost cry. Stripping out of your shoes and rolling your pants up to your upper thighs, you wade out into the water, completely ignoring Din’s warning to be careful, he doesn’t know what’s in the water. 

You don’t know how long you stand there, the water licking at your thighs, the soft drag of the waves rolling over and over, the way your feet slowly sink into the blackness of the sand, grounding you to this one spot, this one moment. Eventually, you find that you have a companion. 

Din’s not a wide ocean kind of guy, but for you, he’ll take the armor off (but not the helmet) and come stand beside you, his pants rolled up as well. His are tighter, so the rough edge gets slowly soaked in water, but he doesn’t mind. 

Half an hour of mindless and relaxing standing around in the water later, and you’re ready to explore. Scooping Grogu up and putting him in a baby carrier across your chest, you begin to look for suitable shells to keep aboard the Crest. Again, Din is confused, but doesn’t question it as you walk up and down the same stretch of sand, occasionally bending down and happily pulling a gorgeous shell from the clutches of the water. He wouldn’t be at peace here if he was alone, but you sure as hell would be. Still standing in the water, listening to you babble back and forth with Grogu, the waves occasionally kissing his hands, he thinks that maybe, just maybe, he could find peace in your peace. 

Marcus Moreno:

Marcus is not an ocean person, but he’s not not an ocean person, y’know? Sand irritates him, the air smells funny, and it’s usually loud. But he likes the water. If it could be a quiet pool it would be better, but the ocean works too. 

And then he’s put on a boat with you, a still-learning water Heroic (think like. Aquaman), and things change. 

At first, he hates it. A boat that’s tipping constantly may be your thing, considering how much you look like you belong, but it sure as shit ain’t his. You try to teach him some stuff, shouting over the crashing of the waves, but he’s trying too hard not to throw up to really pay attention. 

Then everything settles. The water stops tipping, the boat is still, and you quietly tell him there’s a pod of humpbacks outside. 

He’s terrified when you jump into the water, no oxygen or gear or anything. It’s only when he remembers you can breathe underwater that he stops losing his mind. And when the whales start to breach? Yeah he’s gone. He’s all smiling and laughing when you breach right alongside the whales, and when you get back on board the boat, he’s so incredibly excited. 

So next time, you tell him you’re right above one of the biggest groups of migrating hammerhead sharks ever. He reacts less kindly to that one, even when you dive and tell him it’s perfectly safe. They won’t hurt you. But looking down to see you surrounded by hundreds of great hammerheads, just swimming lazily beside you? Yeah that’s surreal as fuck. 

Max Phillips: 

Ah yes. The resident vampire who hasn’t been to a beach in almost a decade. He can’t go out in the sun, what makes y’all think he’d actually enjoy the beach? Nope, he is not risking his life so he can feel some sand. 

But the beach during the day is completely different from the beach at night, and you are determined to prove it. You blindfold Max, at the expense of many dirty jokes, and drive him to the beach. 

He can smell it before you can, the salt in the air that drifts through the windows and promises all will be right with the world. Then you guys hear it, the soft crash of waves on the shore, the gentle buzz to the air. Finally, you stand Max on the empty beach and remove the blindfold and he can see it. Night darkened waves, the shifting water turning the full moon into a shattered mosaic of light glimmering on the waves. 

For the first time in a long time, he lets himself drown in sensation, in tranquility. It’s been ten long years since he forgot he wasn’t a human being anymore, but with the water licking at his bare feet, he’s completely unaware of his deadness. All he can feel is sand and water and salt and you, holding his hand and looking out with him. 

He’s determined to stay there all night, but you insist on walking, occasionally bending down to grab a shell you see in the darkness. Max is definitely at an advantage here with his night vision, but that’s nothing a flashlight can’t solve. By the time the sun begins to peer over the horizon, you and Max are fast asleep in bed, a small jar of sea shells on your bedside table. 

Frankie ‘Catfish’ Morales: 

When I tell you I was excited to write Frankie, oh boy. See, I headcanon him to be like me. Enamored with the ocean since before he can remember. It’s always, always, made him wide eyed with wonder. Aquariums are his safe space, and his favorite animal, above every other living thing on the planet, is sharks. 

He finds peace in knowing they exist, seeing something so powerful be so docile. You’re a marine biologist, and you end up taking him on a caged shark dive. He’s ecstatic, practically vibrating as you take the boat way out where you’re bound to find something good. 

And you do. Everyone else on your team, along with Frankie, is cage diving, but you’re just out there, swimming freely alongside huge Great Whites. They’re so beautiful, and Frankie nearly cries when you coax said shark to the side of the cage so he can run his hand over the shark’s wide belly.

His next dive is a general reef dive, just you and him. Beaches aren’t his thing, there’s too little activity, so you take him out on a reef. He’s smiling the entire time, swimming alongside fish the size of his arm and manta rays with a wingspan bigger than his. But the best part is the reef sharks. Black Tips, no longer than four or five feet. They crowd Frankie and make him laugh as he actually pets their bellies. Suddenly, he’s surrounded by sharks who all want the same thing. Scritches. 

His third dive is open ocean, and you don’t tell him what you’re diving with. He gets in the water, turns around, and immediately starts to cry tears of joy. His favorite shark, his absolute favorite, is swimming lazily behind him. The Whale Shark. It’ll be hell to get him out of the water later, but in that moment, you want nothing more than to see that smile, wide enough to show off his dimple. 

Jack ‘Whiskey’ Daniels:

Jack Daniels is not an ocean person by any means. He’s an open fields kind of man, where he can look up at the Montana night sky and feel like he’s two inches tall, surrounded by mountains and plains. But his latest mission with you takes him to Hawaii, and he ain’t mad about it. 

The first few days, you spend hours on the beach alone. Jack stays indoors, not able to be persuaded out with you. Finally, he’s forced to go to the beach with you because of the mission, and he complains all morning long. You simply roll your eyes and put on your bathing suit and floppy hat. 

Beach time lasts much longer than anticipated. The target won’t be there for a while, but you wanted to relax before working, so you settle in a beach chair with a nice book and get to reading while Jack grumbles about sand in his shoes. 

BUT, dear reader I would be cruel if I made Jack unhappy, so while he may not be a beach person, he is very much a you person. Once you stand to go shelling, wrapped in that teasing black and white swimsuit and flowy white cover up, he’s by your side with minimal complaints. 

Turns out, Jack Daniels’s whip quick reflexes are good for grabbing shells before they’re stolen by the water. You and him get an impressive collection going, eyeing your target the entire time. By the time you have your intel, Jack’s actually enjoying himself and almost doesn’t want to leave. 

The next morning, he’s red as a tomato from sunburn and vows to never go to the beach again. You laugh, and you and him spend the day indoors, sorting through your shell collection and rubbing aloe on Jack’s red shoulders. (Yeah he’s going shirtless all day. You ain’t mad about it.)

Ezra: 

It’s a headcanon of mine, and I’ve mentioned it before, that Ezra grew up an orphan. He lived in a state house until he was 18, which is when he began to prospect. He’s been all over the galaxy, but never been to a water planet. Long story short, he’s never seen a beach. Or an ocean. Or anything bigger than a small pond. 

After the Green, you decide to spoil him and take him and Cee to an ocean planet for some time off. He has no idea where you’re going, but he’s excited nonetheless. 

The planet is almost 90% water, with vast underground caves and beautiful beaches. You land on one of those beaches and when Ezra steps out of your transport pod, he immediately starts to cry. 

Cee’s seen an ocean before, but it’s been a while, so she immediately rushes past Ezra and jumps into the water. Watching her splash around in the gently crashing waves is like bliss, and it makes you smile. 

But Ezra, oh boy Ezra. He’s transfixed, standing with the water lapping at his ankles and his face slack as he takes in the vastness of it all. Eventually, you convince him into the water. He can’t swim, so you guide him out to a safe depth and hold his hand tight as he floats on his back. He’s so calm, so at ease that it’s almost scary. 

That night, he doesn’t want to go inside. The setting sun makes the ocean orange, and you finally manage to get him in. You pop a window open to allow the salty air into the pod, lulling you to sleep and putting Ezra at ease. 

Shane ‘Dio’ Morrissey: 

Dio will literally never admit he loves the beach. Never. He’s a bad boy! He can’t love anything! 

Except for sea turtles. He really fucking loves sea turtles. He can name all seven species by heart, he’s got a beautiful teal blue bracelet that he wears all the time that has a turtle bead and he got when he ‘adopted’ a green turtle, he has two turtle tattoos, and he’s absolutely a huge turtle geek whenever you take him to the aquarium.

Which is how you learn he’s that in love with turtles. You take him to an aquarium on a date, and he sits in front of the turtle tank for almost an hour. It’s actually kinda cute. 

So you take him to the beach, a beautiful beach with not many people and, according to the locals, is a turtle nesting site. You and Dio mess around for a while, until the night falls and you sit him in the back of your truck. He’s almost mad you won’t let him leave, at least, right up until the turtles come out. 

He’s a kid in a candy store, all lit up and giddy as the turtles come out to lay their eggs. It’s a dream for him, and when one of the locals asks if you two want to say hi to the turtles, he’s up immediately. 

Two months later, you and Dio return to the same beach, eager to help the baby turtles into the water. Yet again, the outer hard boy shell falls away, leaving you with the soft and giggly Dio that you adore. 

From that day on, your phone background is a photo of Dio holding one of the baby turtles, a warm and genuine grin on his face. 

Javier Peña: 

What makes you think Javier has time to go to the beach? He hasn’t been in literal years, ever since he headed to Columbia. 

But, when he’s home? You manage to get him some time off and take him out to the gulf for a few days. It’s crowded, sure, and that sets his anxiety off big time, but he’s in Texas, not Columbia, and you’re by his side the entire time. 

You manage to find a nice spot away from people to relax on, laying in the sand for hours. No stress, no mess, no looming threat of death, no nothing. 

In the evening, once most of the people go away, you and Javier start to walk along the shore, holding your shoes and each other’s hands. Javier picks up a beautiful multicolored shell, all dappled with beiges and whites and hints of purple. It’s gorgeous, and you immediately slip it onto a necklace you were wearing. 

You manage to one up Javier when you find a brown shell. On the surface, it’s not much. But under the setting sun, it’s beautiful, streaked through with lighter browns and shining ambers. You hand it to Javier, and he immediately tells you it’s boring. At which you tell him it reminds you of his eyes, a deceptively simple brown at first, and then a mesmerizing whiskey amber once you study them. 

Yeah, he tears up at that. 

Maxwell Lord: 

Yet another man who is not a beach person. He hates sand so much he’ll forgo the entire beach experience, because as we all know, he a drama queen. However, unlike Jack, Maxwell is loud about his dislike of the beach. 

Finally, he gets dragged out for a business opportunity and has to spend almost four whole days at the beach. You best be ready for the entire month leading up to the trip to be a whole bunch of complaining. The plane ride out is blissfully quiet, and when he sees the beach, he’s no longer completely insufferable. 

However, you quickly learn that while your dear Max is not a beach person, he likes the ocean. He’s all for getting on a boat and spending the day on the water. Which is exactly what you two do. He’s sensitive to the sun, but he’ll sit in it with you if you want. 

Eventually, you convince him to get in the water. You expected him to be a decent swimmer, not great but not horrible. But then he jumps into the ocean with no life vest and you’re freaking the hell out until you watch his form. He’s a damn natural. And he’s so happy it’s almost scary. He’s in the water for almost an hour, and when he comes out, it’s only for a quick snack. 

That night, you two sit on the beach, much to Max’s complaining. But he’s beside you and his hair is still stiff from the saltwater, so he’s happy, despite the whining.

[twstarchives]

Azul Ashengrotto・Voice Lines

Additional Voice Lines

Beans Camo event card

Scary Dress event card

School Uniform - R

Unlock Card “I will support you to the best of my ability, so that you may enjoy your school life here!”

Groovy “Board games are good brain exercises. Would you like to play one?”

Home Setting “Let’s make today count.”

Home Transitions “The students of this school are truly diverse in terms of personality. I’d like to have a great circle of connections.”

“Falling asleep during class is nothing for you to worry about. I will help you before your test. For a price, of course.”

“Now, for today’s board game club activities... What? Did you think ‘Boring!’ to yourself just now?”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “Were you looking for me? If you’d like to discuss your troubles, I can always make arrangements for that.”

Home Taps “I pride myself on the trust my professors have in me. Above all else, I am very dedicated.”

“School friends are really just like schools of small fish. Come graduation, they all go their separate ways.”

“I heard you singing in music class just now... Heheh. No, I’m sorry; you do sound very nice.”

“I wish they’d label how many calories are in each dish in the cafeteria. It makes keeping count so difficult.”

“Is there something strange about me? I thought I studied the fashion norms on land well enough.”

PE Uniform - R

Unlock Card “I don’t necessarily hate Flying class. My broom just doesn't always cooperate with me.”

Groovy “Let’s try to work our hardest.”

Home Setting “I’m not that fond of exercising on land.”

Home Transitions “I’m not ashamed of the fact that I’m not good at sports. You have your struggles too, don’t you?”

“You only have two legs and yet you can walk that fast...? You really are good at this.”

“There’s no harm in looking like you’re trying hard. It gives off the impression that you’re committed and worthy of respect.”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “Flying class is almost starting. You always look like you’re having so much fun.”

Home Taps “Coach Vargas was just appalled by me again. If only I were in the water, I could... no, that would still be a problem.”

“I do a light muscle workout everyday. I also make sure to eat in moderation. It’s important to take care of your body.”

“It sounds so obvious, but floating in the water and floating in the sky really are nothing alike.”

“Sports on land make you sweat, and it’s so uncomfortable. ...Right now I’d like nothing more than to plunge into the ocean.”

“Are you trying to mock me? I’ll accept your offer as-is, but expect to have it returned it to you two-fold.”

Lab Coat - SR

Unlock Card “Please leave everything to me. Brewing potions is something I’m very confident in.”

Groovy “I’ll give you some tips for your experiments. Of course, the price would be... Heheh.”

Home Setting “I enjoy classes where the results are very clear.”

Home Transitions “I like experiments. As long as you just follow the instructions, you won’t run into any surprises.”

“There’s a full selection of rare ingredients to choose from here. What a wonderful school this is!”

“Ahh... If only you had my notes, you’d be able to finish all of those assignments in the blink of an eye... Are you interested?”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “Please leave the alchemy to me. Churning out riches is one of my specialties. Of course I’m talking about the experiment.”

Home Transition (Groovy) “Even the smallest speck of dust bothers me. ...Why are you looking at me like that? Please, enough with your games.”

Home Taps “Feel free to come speak with me if you ever find yourself unable to find the lab materials you need. I have my ways.”

“Your stomach hurts? I’ll steep some herbs. There’s a brew I’ve been wanting to try out.”

“I’m very particular about my writing tools... It needs to feel a certain way when I sign my papers.”

“Grim is a strange creature. ...Why don’t we try teaching him some tricks? Oh, for no particular reason.”

“You don’t need to keep coming in here; I can see just fine. These goggles have prescription lenses.”

Home Tap (Groovy) “Turning one madol into a hundred is just another component of alchemy. Would you like to try?”

Ceremony Robes - SR

Unlock Card “‘Azul can make any of your wishes come true.’ ...Would you like to see whether or not these rumors are true?”

Groovy “Presentation is important for negotiations to proceed smoothly.”

Home Setting “Do you wish to hear my advice as well?”

Home Transitions “Only the wise should be the ones leading the herd. Don’t you agree?”

“I’ve come up with a plan for an event involving the Ramshackle Dorm; please take a look at it...”

“In a few moments I’ll be starting my lecture on ‘Efficient Study Methods.’ I’m grateful to say we have a full house yet again.”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “The teachers hold Octavinelle students in high regard for being so well-mannered. I’m proud that our students are so exceptional.”

Home Transition (Groovy) “It’s nice to take time off like this every once in a while. ...Truthfully, I’m not at my best when there’s so much activity around me.”

Home Taps “These ceremony robes are much better than any business card. You get all kinds of wishful eyes on you just by wearing these outside the school.”

“I’m having others take care of setting up for the ceremony. My job is acting as the brains.”

“Maybe I should tighten my belt a little... I prefer having a tight figure.”

“Dark, confined spaces put me at ease. I like clothes that come with hoods.”

“You’re so loud. No one likes a lot of blabber.”

Home Tap (Groovy) “Instead of an amulet, it’s better to keep your favorite coin in your pocket.”

Dorm Uniform - SSR

Unlock Card “How lucky you are to have been able to meet someone as kind as me!”

“Balancing this student life with running the Mostro Lounge is something I’m enjoying very much.”

Groovy “Welcome to Octavinelle! We’re always happy to have those like you here.”

Home Setting “If you ever need a consultant, I’d be happy to speak with you anytime.”

Home Transitions “My students become very reasonable with me the moment I put on our dorm uniform.”

“I always put on my right shoe before the left on the mornings of a battle. You could say it’s superstition... Yes, exactly that.”

“I picked out all of the furniture used in the Mostro Lounge. Isn’t the atmosphere just wonderful?”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “Helping others is what I live for. As dorm leader, I’ll support every one of you as best as I can.”

Home Transition (Groovy) “Should you have a wish you’d like me to grant, you’re welcome at the Mostro Lounge’s VIP Room anytime. What do you say about coming over now?”

Home Taps “Jade is a very capable assistant. I wouldn’t have chosen him as the vice dorm leader if he wasn’t.”

“They say the Sea Witch had infused a spiral shell with her own magic. Maybe I should modify the pin on my hat that way as well.”

“Floyd’s mood swings are unbearable to deal with, but I have faith in his power when the time calls for it.”

“You smell something nice? Oh, that must be my cologne. It’s one of the small pleasures I have while being on land.”

“Oh, please don’t interrupt me right now. I’m busy totaling the sales for today.”

Home Tap (Groovy) “Why don’t you work a shift at the Mostro Lounge sometime? The staff meals Jade and Floyd make are simply the best.”

Duo Magic Azul: “Riddle, let’s run this exactly by our plan.” Riddle: “Azul, I’ll put my trust in you this time.”

Birthday Celebration Outfit - SSR

This card was only obtainable during Azul’s birthday event (Feb 22 - Feb 28, 2020).

Login on Birthday “I’m honored to hear that you’ve remembered my birthday. However, unfortunately I don’t accept one-way gifts... But if you insist, please come order today’s exclusive special meal at the Mostro Lounge; I will be joining you.”

Unlock Card “Those who owe me debts are welcome to come today. Let’s all enjoy the party together.”

“I would like to express my utmost gratitude to everyone who congratulated me. That is the courteous thing to do. Isn’t that right?”

Groovy “Thank you for your birthday wishes. I will make sure to show my gratitude appropriately, so please stay tuned.”

Home Setting “There is such odd—er, interesting clothing on land.”

Home Transitions “The staff at my family’s ristorante sent a group photo of them along with their gifts. I’m glad everyone is doing well.”

“A gift doesn’t have to be an object. Letting me listen to your worries is enough. Come, don’t be shy!”

“Heheh. For my birthday, I decided that I will eat as I please without worrying about the calories.”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “I’m glad my birthday is here. In the business world, you’re looked down on just for being young.”

Home Transition (Groovy) “The Mostro Lounge offers a coral-themed birthday cake. You absolutely must order it for your birthday!”

Home Taps “Idia gave me a board game I’ve been interested in recently. I cannot wait to beat him when we play.”

“Every year on my birthday, Jade and Floyd pull a prank on me. Honestly, what will I do with those two...?”

“When I invited Jamil to my party, he grew suspicious and asked ‘What’s the catch?’ ...And here I only want to get along.”

“Coach Vargas saw me in this outfit and said ‘Let me give you a special flying lesson for your birthday!’ I had so much difficulty running from him.”

“You brought me food again? ...Is that your way of saying I look like I eat a lot?”

Home Tap (Groovy) “I’m always looking for business opportunities at parties, but for today alone, I think I will just enjoy myself as the star.”

Duo Magic Azul: “It’s an honor to receive a birthday wish from you, Malleus.” Malleus: “My best wishes, Ashengrotto.”

Tutorial “Lurking over there is quite rude. Come, I'll show you around.” 

Lv Up “This is just... spectacular!”

“What do you think about my brilliant progress?”

“I’m not done yet... Heheheh!”

Max Lv Up “Ahh... I can feel the power rising in me... I’d like to keep doing business with you from now on.”

Episode Lv Up “A kind soul like you might be an easy target at this academy, don’t you think? If you ever end up in a bad position, do pay me a visit. You won’t regret it.”

Magic Lv Up “My magic power has grown so advanced; I’d like to put it to good use. I would never want to let talent go to waste.”

Limit Break “More... I want more power. Do I look like the kind of man who would be satisfied with this?”

Groovy “I’m feeling good today. I think now would be your chance if you have anything you want from me.”

Lesson Select “Are you tired of your classes? I recommend thinking of it as a game of scoring points from your teachers.”

“I’m fully prepared for any class. Pick whichever one you like.”

“Depending on the price you pay... I could help you study for today’s quiz.”

Lesson Start “Let’s do our best.”

Lesson End “Were you able to see how brilliant I am?”

Battle Start “You poor, unfortunate souls!”

Battle End “Well, you certainly tried your hardest.”

Other

Profile Quote “I’d be more than happy to help you. Now, just sign this contract.”

January 2020 Trailer “If you want to cross the bridge, you’ve got to pay the toll. That’s only natural, isn’t it?”

Countdown Poster “Helping unfortunate folk like yourself—that’s what I live for.”

Login Bonus Greeting “You are surprisingly quite diligent. I, too, enjoy working so steadily.”

Player Birthday Wish “Happy birthday! Today is a special case, in that I will grant you one single wish. ...Of course this isn’t a business deal. I’m only investing in your future self.”

Easter Eggs from The Little Mermaid:

The men up there don’t like a lot of blabber

Poor Unfortunate Souls

Helping unfortunate merfolk like yourself; that’s what I live for

If you want to cross the bridge, my sweet, you’ve got to pay the toll

[persoaprilo]

"Look at me"

Prompt: "Fact: if girl is in love - she can't look in the eyes of her crush" (don't ask me, I saw that as a meme in VK)

(Also sorry for some mistakes it's actually the first time I write fanfic in English awright)

(Btw omelette with eggs, sour cream, some cheese, fresh greens AND sausage is amazing, FIGHT ME or try to cook it. Trust my taste :p)

(Also also sorry if this is too short. I actually wanna translate one of my fanfics into English so you could check it out as well)

_______________________________________

Chloe can't look in Max's eyes.

Pretty dumb, right? She can look in her mom's eyes even when Joyce lectures her about another trouble she made, she can arrange an angry stare fight with David during the dinner, even if after this storm which Max managed to wipe out of the reality things had been pretty good between them. She usually wins these little fights by the way, but only because of Joyce who slightly pinch David on his hand every time.

But she can't look in Max's eyes.

She caught herself on that a couple of days ago when they stood next to her truck: Max did her photo voodoo stuff with golden hour thing while Chloe just watched the sunset and smoked. She still remember the moment when Max showed her the photo and asked her opinion. And Chloe answered, but she kept her eyes on the photo, she couldn't look up to meet Max's cobalt eyes.

And Chloe really fucking don't know the reason. At least until she couldn't keep this in secret anymore so she told about this the closest person she had...

"Hey mom," said Chloe, entering the kitchen.

Joyce stood next to the kitchen counter, cooking breakfast. The bluenette sniffed and felt an amazing smell of freshly-baked bacon and coffee. Chloe's sudden voice made Joyce startle, but she recovered quickly and turned to her daughter.

"Hey sweetie," said Joyce with a gentle smile.

Chloe pursed her lips in responce, her nervous glance is running around the kitchen room. Joyce noticed that and stopped mixing eggs and sour cream for omelette. Older woman walked to the bluenette and tilted her head.

"Is everything alright, Chloe?" asked Joyce with concern in her voice.

Chloe sighed and rubbed her eyes, still a bit sleepy after night of thinking.

"Actually no, not alright. I wanted to ask you something," Chloe sit right on the counter, not giving a fuck about the knife that layed a few inches from her thigh.

"I'm all ears, sweetie. What's wrong?" said blonde, bringing the bowl with mixed ingredients for future omelette, starting to mix it again.

"It's... pretty dumb actually, but I can't look into Max's eyes now and I don't know why. Like I didn't offended her or something, but last time we stood on a beach and watched the sunset together I just couldn't look up at her. And I don't know why," Chloe scratched her head and looked at her mother.

Joyce stood there minute or two, thinking about that. After a little bit of thinking her face cracked with gentle knowing smile.

"My baby girl is in love," muttered Joyce, looking at her daughter.

Chloe's eyes wide open now, not blinking. She couldn't say anything, just opening and closing her mouth like a fish.

"Whuh... What? I'm in love with Max? Mom, she's my best friend, it can't be!" bluenette started to protest.

"Chloe calm your butt will ya. You think I can't see how you usually look at her? You look like a damn tomato, your face is blushing hard, you smiling happily, you even tilt your head closer to her," Joyce poured omelette mix into the pan.

Chloe blinked once, twice. Silence...

"Am I really look like a fucking tomato..?", — asked younger woman, blushing bright red.

"That's a dollar for the swear jar! And yes you are. Look, Chloe, just watch her when you're together. You'll see some interesting things" — said Joyce with mischieve in her tone.

***

"Maxaroni," Chloe greeted her friend.

Max smiled brightly and waved to her, making her way towards Price's truck. She reached the bluenette and giggled when Chloe wrapped her hands around brunette's waist and pulled her a little bit up.

"Missed me?" said Max, hugging her in response.

"Yup. Why are you taking so long back there?"

"Miss Flynn, our new English teacher, wanted us to write some info about us."

"Spy teacher?" said Chloe, chuckling.

Max just shrugged and jumped onto the passenger seat. Chloe climbed inside her truck, suddenly remembering Joyce's words. While starting the engine, she sneakily glanced at Max, and to her surprise, Max turned her head away, blushing furiously and nervously chewing her lips. Chloe shaked her head with quiet chuckle and made her way to the road, still deep in thoughts.

***

"Look at all those stars," said Chloe, sitting on the hood of her truck.

They made it to the beach, parked in a place where no one could see them. Well, in fact only crazy citizens would hang out at the beach in the middle of the night, but Chloe considered herself crazy so that doesn't count.

"Yeah. I wish I had film to capture all of them" Max sighed and leaned her back against the cabin, lifting her chin up so she could see lots of star dots, blinking in the black blanket of the sky.

Chloe was lost in thoughts, biting her lip nervously. She replayed her mom's words again and again.

'What 'interesting things' should I see? All I can see is Max, watching away... wait. Wa-wa-wait, what?'

Max is looking away? Like Chloe back there with the photo?

Chloe decided not to throw everything to Max at once. So, after cleaning her throat, she nonchalantly started:

"Joyce told me one interesting fact by the way."

Max tilted her head so she could see Chloe, who gulped and tried her best to not look away. She's so not going to lose this staring fight

"About?"

Chloe inhaled and then responded, poking her index finger to her beanie:

"It's just that, usually girls can't look into the eyes of their crush."

Max blinked once, then twice. Silence. Only the sound of ocean waves from behind.

Chloe nervously played with her beanie, which she had in her hands. The light wind gently played with her neon blue curls.

"Oh" Max finally said, blushing bright red.

"Max, I literally saw you looking away everytime I look atchu during our way to the beach. So tell me: do you actually like me, or I offended you or-"

Max turned her head to face Chloe. Then she moved a bit closer, tilting her head to the side and giving punkette curious look. These doe-like cobalt eyes making her heart melt like a fucking marshmellow almost every time.

"But you looked away as well when I showed you a photo back there. Is there something you haven't told me?" said Max, watching her tensely.

Chloe scoffed and looked away, blushing like a fucking tomato or so, her cheeks burning from the flush like someone put the Sun next to her head. She practically can hear Joyce's laugh.

"Hey, I asked you first so don't avoid my question" said Chloe with a little annoyance in tone, also pouting.

Max smiled shyly, then she moved even closer to Chloe and bent so her lips were against Price's ear and whispered, Chloe felt her skin burning from her hot breath:

"How do you think, you flirty goopy dork?"

And then she kissed the bluenette.

[anjanettexcordonia]

The Spare Chapter One: Maldives

Book: The Royal Romance A/U

Rating: Mature (18+); NSFW; some language 

Characters/Pairings in this part: Liam x MC; mentions of Liam x OC; Leo x Madeleine; Drake; Maxwell 

Word count: 3,286(+/-) Future chapters will hopefully not be this long. 

A/N: Some characters belong to Pixelberry. 

Tags: If you would like to be added or removed please let me know. Only tagging those that specifically asked for permatag. 

@yourmajesty09​ @gkittylove99​

“Are you ready for this Brother? You know if you want to back out now, the jet is ready just in case.” 

Leo smirked at his younger brother. “ My brother, the cynic. I love her Li and I know one day you’ll find someone. You have to let what Maria did to you go.” Liam rolled his eyes. 

Two hours later they arrived at the cathedral. It was the royal wedding of the century. Leo and Madeleine were the epitome of royalty. The country couldn’t have been more proud for the reigning monarch and his new Queen. The reception followed the ceremony and the happy couple danced the night away without a care in the world. 

King Leonardo and Queen Madeline were set for their month long honeymoon while Liam handled the country. 

“Listen little brother, if you need anything ask Dad or Regina before you call us. We have a duty to produce an heir and I fully intend on making that happen.” Leo winked at Madeleine. “Liam, don’t hesitate to call.” She rolled her eyes at her husband. “The King here is getting a little ahead of himself, I think.” “Don’t worry about a thing while you're gone.” Liam kissed Madeleine on the cheek and shook Leo’s hand. “Enjoy marital bliss lovebirds, don’t worry about a thing stateside.” 

It was smooth sailing running the country while the King and Queen were away. Liam worked with Constantine to secure Cordonia’a place in the UN. He also managed to get Leo an entrance in the International Trade Exchange. After the royal couples homecoming ball Liam and Leo sat in Leo’s study with a tumbler of scotch in each of their hands. “Thanks for everything you have done, Li.” “That’s what I am here for, Your Majesty” Liam said, with a sarcastic grin. “Sometimes I hate this shit but Madeleine loves it and I love her.” Leo shrugged. “Any news on an heir yet?” Liam asked, as he sipped his drink. “No, we decided to wait a while. Adjust to our positions. What about you? You ready to get back out there?” “Where is out there? I’m good where I’m at.” Liam said, smoothly but he knew he wasn’t fooling his older brother. “Oh here Li, Maddie booked you a villa in the Maldives for a week as a thank you. Take it, blow off some steam. Maybe you’ll meet someone.” “I wish you all would get off my damn back. I’m the spare. Who cares if I’m single? Between you, Connie, Regina and Max, I can’t get a minutes of fucking peace. I’m glad you married Maddie. She’s the only on that doesn’t give a fuck. Learn something from her.” Liam snapped, “I’ll take the vacation, but only the get the fuck away from here.” “Stop being so emotional Li, we just worry about you.” 

A month later, Liam boarded the royal jet destined for South Asia. He decided to take the trip alone with no security detail. The time away from everyone he felt would give him some perspective over where his life was headed. He was the spare after all. Not much was expected of him except to show up when needed. He wasn’t needed to run a country. He couldn’t choose any job he wanted, he was still a figurehead of the Royal family. He didn’t even have a girlfriend. 

“My son, I do hope you find a woman worthy of you soon. You may not be king, but its always beneficial to the stability of the monarchy to establish heirs.” Constantine’s words played on repeat in the back of Liam’s mind. 

“Sir, sir, we’ve arrived.” Liam woke to the attendant shaking him awake. Liam departed the jet and headed to his private villa. Good taste Maddie. The Maldives was quiet this time of year. Not many tourists which Liam was excited about. He wanted time alone. His villa was the most secluded. No one would be bothering him, he hoped. The villa was a large one bedroom bungalow with a glass bottom floor. He could see straight to the bottom of the crystal clear water below. Liam got settled in and decided to stay in and relax with a glass of scotch and a book George Orwell’s 1984. 

Tap Tap Tap 

What the fuck was that? Liam sat up. He was dozing off, the sun outside was setting. He looked down. 

Who the fuck is that? 

A girl was tapping on the glass floor beneath him. She was in a light blue string bikini with scuba gear strapped to her. 

Tap Tap Tap she tapped more frantically. 

She pointed to the hatch directing him to open it. He ran over and opened it and she climbed out. She took the regulator out of her mouth and unzipped her vest. “Ugh sorry. I was following a fish and got stuck. I didn’t mean to intrude. I’m Camilla. Most call me Cami.” She stuck out her free hand for a handshake. Liam just stood in place frozen. He couldn’t move or speak. 

This is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen! What did she say her name was? Camilla? Say something you idiot!! 

“Ummm okay.. I’ll go. I’m only further down the beach. It’s okay if I use the front door?” Liam nodded his head, still unable to speak. Cami started towards the door. “Wait, I’m sorry, I’m Liam. I just didn’t expect to see someone, so beaut… coming through my floor” he ran to open the door for her. “Here I’ll carry that for you.” He reached for her oxygen tank. “No no I got it.” “It’s the least I can do for my rudeness.  Are you within walking distance or we can drive?” “Walking is fine, as long as that’s not too heavy for you?” Cami winked and pointed to her vest in his hand. Liam laughed nervously unsure of what to say. “Lead the way, Camilla.” Cami felt a tingle down her spine at the way her name fell off his full lips. “So, Liam? Right?,” he nodded his head, “what brings you to the Maldives, business or pleasure?” “Neither really, relaxation, alone time, what about you? Are you a local?” “Local?,” she laughed, “I wish, no I am here for R&R like you. Alone time? You’re on vacation alone?” “Yep, just me. That weird huh?” They made it to her bungalow. Six bungalows. Liam thought to himself. “Well this is me” Cami said as they stood at the end of the bridge that led to her front door. “Cami, where have you been?” a girl that looked strikingly like the one standing in front Liam. “Sorry that’s my sister,” Cami whispered to Liam, “I’ll be there in a minute Ans.” Ansley didn’t listen. She came striding right next to Cami. “Who is this?” Ansley asked out loud. She looked Liam up and down. “He’s cute, look at this chiseled abs Cam, mhmm..” “You’re engaged stupid. Go inside.” Cami snapped at her sister. “I’m sorry Liam, you’ll have to excuse my overzealous twin sister.” “Oh it’s fine, she likes my abs. Maybe I should be shirtless more often,” Liam winked at Ansley. “Oh my God, Cam if you don’t kiss him I will.” “Go the fuck inside, Ansley.” Cam whispered, her face turning bright red. Ansley laughed and went back inside. “Well, thanks for not letting me drown earlier, I’ll see ya around Liam.” Cami went to grab her stuff and go inside, but without thinking Liam pulled her into a soft kiss. Cami pulled away. “Umm thanks bye.” She ran inside leaving Liam standing at the end of the bridge. 

“Shut up Ansley. Do not say a fucking word.” Cami slammed the door to her room. She threw herself down on the bed. Her world felt like it was spinning. She couldn't help but think how soft and sensual the kiss was. She had never felt anything like it. 

Liam walked home alone with his thoughts. His hands dug into his pockets as flip flops kicked up the sand behind him. He headed towards the beach to clear his thoughts. He didn’t know what took over his body when he kissed Cami but whatever it was he liked it. The way she tasted, mint mixed with salt of the ocean, and slight smell of coconuts in her hair. He sat on the beach and listened to the waves. It had been nearly 5 years since Maria had broken his heart. He closed himself off after that. He decided being alone was easier than getting hurt. There was an instant connection with Cami. He couldn’t deny the electricity between them. Liam called it a night and headed back to his bungalow. He checked his phone. No new messages. He laid on the bed with a thud, flicked the light off and drifted into a deep sleep. 

Bang Bang Bang “Liammmm are youuuu in there?” Bang Bang Bang 

Liam rolled over with a groan and checked his phone. 3:17am 

Bang Bang “Open Uppp” 

“Who is it? It’s three o’clock in the morning!” Liam yelled. He climbed out of bed and stumbled to the door still groggy from sleep. “Cami?” He said, completely alert at the sight of her. “Heyyyy Liiiiaamm.” Cami slurred, “Can I come in?” “Are you drunk Cami?” She pulled a bottle of champagne she was holding behind her back and handed it to him. “Want some?” She asked, leaning against the door frame. “Sure. Come in.” He ushered her inside and to the large sofa. He grabbed a water for Cami and poured himself a glass of the champagne she brought. “Maybe have some water first.” He handed her the bottle. “So what’s bring you over?” “That kiss.. I thought we could.. try it again..?” Liam looked up. She crashed her lips onto his. She forced his lips apart and into his mouth. The electricity radiated from their bodies. Liam fisted her blonde locks with one hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist and pulled her on his lap. Liam picked Cami up as she wrapped her toned, sun kissed legs around his waist. He carried her to the bed and laid her down on her back, their kiss never breaking. Cami ran her fingers down the elastic of his boxers. “Wait Cami, we shouldn’t. You’re drunk.” Cami knew he was right. Liam rolled on his side next to her. He kissed her on the forehead and wrapped his arm around her. “I’ll be here when you wake up.” 

Mmm.. moist.. tight.. Liam woke from his dream. He still felt the sensations he was feeling while he was asleep. “Fuck Cami” he moaned. Her tongue swirled around the tip of his growing cock. She licked the beads of precum. Liam pulled the sheet off so he could watch her work his member. She looked him in the eyes as she took him all the way down her throat. Liam had never been so turned on. “Come here. It’s my turn.” Liam pulled her up and kissed her passionately as he rolled her to her back. He kissed and nipped at her already peaked nipples. He nipped her hip bones and sucked leaving his masks behind. He slid a finger through her moist folds. He brought his mouth to her bundle of nerves. Cami almost leaped off the bed at the feel of his tongue swirling her clit. He continued the lashing of her clit and pushed a finger inside. He pumped in and out curling his finger against her most sensitive spot. He could feel her let go at the pleasure of his fingers. He climbed back up hovering above her on his elbows and kissed her until her lips were swollen and bruised. He grabbed a condom out of the night stand drawer. “Let me,” Cami said seductively. She leaned forward and unrolled the condom to the base of his length. “Fuck you make not want to to wear this, I want you so much Camilla.” He lined himself up with her dripping center. He thrust deep and slow and allowed her to adjust. He groaned at how tight she felt around him. She wrapped her legs around and rolled her hips to meet his thrusts. He took a nipple in his mouth and sucked as he thrust inside her. He felt her walls start to flutter the harder he thrust inside her. “Cum for me Camilla” his words were all it took for her to come completely undone. She screamed his name as his thrusts became more frantic. He gripped her hips digging his fingers into her skin as he erupted inside her. He leaned down and kissed her deeply as pulled himself out of her. He laid next to her and pulled her into his arms. Neither one of them could find the words to say. 

“I leave in a week.” Cami finally broke the silence. “Me too” Liam whispered, “Spend the week with me.” “Okay. My sister is leaving early. Wedding emergency.” 

They spent the next week enjoying each other. They learned everything they could about each other. Liam told her about his family in Cordonia. His brother and his wife. His father's retirement. She told him about Graduate School and the pressures she was facing from her family over choosing a job. When they weren’t talking they were learning everything they could about each other’s bodies. Kisses, licks, bits, moans and screams. 

Six days later after spending the night exploring each other, Liam and Camilla laid in on the glass floor completely naked looking down at the fish below. “Stay one more week with me, Cam” Liam whispered. “I already extended my trip, but it’s just one more week and I have to go,” Liam pulled her into his arms,“Every second with you is everything, you are everything, go on a date with me?” “Okay. But our dinner options may be limited due to the isolated island.” She spoke softly. “Leave it to me my love.” Liam felt her body tense at her words. He didn’t know why he said it. Oh my God it’s been a week you idiot! He screamed in his head. 

Cami woke the next morning to find Liam’s side of the bed empty and cold. She threw on Liam’s tshirt that was on the floor from the night before and headed to the kitchen. A note was leaned against the coffee pot full of freshly brewed coffee for her. 

                                                  Hey Baby, 

                         Enjoy your coffee & meet me at the beach. 

                                                        -L 

                                     P.S.

                                    Wear something you can get wet. 

Camilla smiled and finished her coffee. She took a quick shower and brushed her teeth. She threw on an all white cheeky string bikini and a pair of Ray Bans and headed down to the beach. As she got closer to the beach she saw a large white tent set up with the the corners tied open. Liam was sitting on a thick blanket with pillows surrounding him and a glass of champagne in his hand. 

“Liam?” Camilla whispered. Liam jumped up at the sound of her voice. Her voice was a siren song in his ears. “Hey Baby,” Liam leaned down and kissed Cami on the cheek, “join me?” They drank, ate, and laughed together. Cami felt herself falling. I love you, damn those three words, you leave in two days Cami. Get yourself together. “Liam, we need to talk.” She lowered her head avoiding eye contact. She knew if she looked in his eyes she would get lost, better yet she would drown in those deep pools of mysterious blue. “I leave in two days. I go back to reality on different ends of the Earth.” “I know Cam, we can try can’t we? I can visit New York, you can come to Cordonia.” “No Liam, it’ll never work. We both have obligations.” Liam lifted her head to meet her eyes. “Give me today tonight.” Liam kissed her so deeply it left her dizzy. They spent the rest of the night into the early morning making up for time they didn’t they had lost. 

The day came for them to leave their tropical paradise and their love for the moment. Neither had spoken a word to each other. Neither finding the words. Cami sat on the bad after packing her suitcase. Her flight boarded in an hour. Liam’s flight didn’t leave until later that night. “Cami, can we stay in touch?” Liam sat next to Cami and laced his fingers through hers. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea. I just.. It’s time for me to go..” Cami stood up. Liam stood up and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m not saying good-bye Liam,” she whispered as tears welled up in her eyes. “Then don’t say anything at all,” Liam wiped the tears away as they fell down her cheeks, “I”ll drive you the airport.” Liam lifted her into his arms and carried her to his black Range Rover parked in the parking lot near the villa entrance. Cami stared out the passenger window without saying a word. Liam held her hand in his lap tightly as he drove. He dreaded having to watch her board the plane not knowing whether he would ever see her again. 

They pulled up to the tarmac and Liam jumped out and ran around the car to open the passenger door for Cami. Cami leaned forward and buried her head in her hands as the sobs took over. “Why is this so hard after only two weeks, Liam?” Liam pulled her hands from her face. “I don’t know. We will see each other again. I can feel it, my love.” She got out of the car and he wrapped her in one last kiss. A kiss filled with love and sadness. A kiss that made their world stop turning and everything around them melted away. Liam pulled away and kissed her forehead, her cheeks, and her nose like he was memorizing every inch of her features. “My love,” Cami interrupted Liam, “Don’t say it. Will you text me?” “Every day.” Liam watched as Cami boarded the plane. She waved before the plane doors shut. He watched as her plane took off and disappeared above the clouds. A familiar feeling he hadn’t felt in two weeks, what was almost a distant memory flooded him. Loneliness. She already felt like a figment of his imagination. Liam drove back to his bungalow to pack. He passed by Cami’s bungalow. An emptiness he didn’t recognize creeped into his heart. He walked into his bungalow and pulled out his phone. He needed someone to talk to. Someone to tell him what to do. 

                     “Drake.. Ya it’s Li. Ya sorry I took off for two weeks                                     without telling you.. Everything’s fine. I’ll be home tomorrow. So I’m                                             calling because I met a girl..” 

Liam told Drake everything about Cami. How they met and her sister. How they had an instant unexplainable connection. How he thought he was in love. How he thought she was the one. The One. 

“Listen Li, Go after her. Don’t be a fucking idiot. I’ll be on the next flight to New York, ugh apparently Max too. Do you know where she lives?” Drake asked. 

“I don’t even know her last name. She has a twin sister named Ansley and she’s graduating from Columbia Law next week. And she’s from Manhattan, New York. That’s kinda all I got. I have her number but I am sure she doesn’t want me chasing her down...” 

“I’ll get Bas on it. I’m sure he has plenty of time since Maddie locked Leo down,” Drake laughed, “we’ll find her.”

[elaineiswithyou-blog]

𝐅𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐌...mha

𝐀𝐆𝐄... not comfortable with specifying but im a minor

𝐒𝐄𝐗𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘... unlabled

𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐈.𝐃.... demigirl (pronouns; she they)

𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄... male, (but idk if you do poly matchups but if you do possiby a male and a female?)

𝐌𝐁𝐓𝐈... enfp-t

𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄... 5'11, wavy midlength black hair, dark brown eyes, tan skin, skinny asf figure, dry ass lips.

𝐅𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐎𝐍... usually oversized t-shirts (most are plain colored and others have short phrases like "hakuna matata" "self love club" "to be my own muse" "born to be wild" and stuff like that) and shorts with or without backward caps. i like tying jackets around my waist and wearing white sneakers but i hate make-up (except for chapstick) dresses, skirts and all pink outfits. if i ever wear a dress it's kind of short and i wear it with sneakers. my hair is basically always down or in a loose ponytail. my wardrobe is basically all tanktops, over-sized t-shirts, crop tops, caps, jackets, shorts and the occasional pair of denim jeans.

𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄𝐒... music, the ocean, buzzfeed, walks/dancing in the rain, listening to music, sketching, tiktok, skate-boarding, watching tv, hanging out with friends, the arcade, caramel popcorn, green apples, pranks, lame-pick-up-lines, cinammon smell, reading, black coffee, pillow fights, white roses, the black and white aesthetic, cinemas, travelling, stargazing, martial arts and some other stuff i can't remember.

𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄𝐒... homophobia, biphobia, racism, transpohobia, fake ppl, bullies, vitamin c pills, skirts and dresses, being alone in the dark, high heels and make-up, being judged, confined spaces, my friends and myself not being able to be ourselves because of homophobia etc., being told what to do.

𝐇𝐎𝐁𝐁𝐈𝐄𝐒... singing, writing songs, sketching, swimming and playing basketball, watching movies and playing games online, taking buzzfeed quizzes.

𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘... social, tomboyish, athletic, easily jealous, over-protective, intimidating at first sight, chaotic, weird, coffee-obsessed, turbulent, moodswings, sleep deprived, crackhead vibes, confident when it comes to confessing to people, simp for like anyone that has two legs, im kind of a flirt and i prank people, im dirty-minded and i annoy my friends alot on purpose. my love languages are physical touch and quality time. i can be pretty stupid at times and i can be really reckless (not clumsy, reckless). im supportive, i overthink, im kind of afraid of commitment. im the type of person who gets attatched to ppl easily and then spend less time with them to get rid of the attatchment. i get pissed off easily and i have trust issues. i love pop and indie music and i mostly listen to taylor swift, ava max and maggie lindemann. when im going through something or im just in a bad mood/having a bad day, my extroverted self becomes shy and kind of gloomy. i use the same words over and over again sometimes. i love all types of affection and im the type of person who sends memes and stuff to my friends at 3am. weird thing i do : i think of blue butterflies when i get angry to calm myself down.

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌... sri lanka, asia.

𝐅𝐀𝐕 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐑... changes between blue, gold, red and green all the time.

𝐅𝐀𝐕 𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐋... butterflies or dolphins

𝐅𝐀𝐕 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓... swimming or basketball

𝐅𝐀𝐕 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐃... seafood and junkfood

𝐃𝐎 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐀 𝐏𝐄𝐓... used to have three (3) kittens but they died (D:) and now i have fish.

𝐃𝐎 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐒: i have pstd and anxiety.

𝐃𝐎 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐘 𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒... one (1) little sister (i've always wanted an older brother tbh)

𝐈𝐅 𝐒𝐎 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄... ngl, she drives me crazy. she's only 5 and she's adorable but she's so nosy, troublesome and everytime she pisses me off, she does this laugh that makes me even more pissed. i babysit her everyday now so its tiresome. she throws stuff at me, kicks me, puts the blame on me and all the other stuff bratty little sisters do, but at the end of the day i still love her.

𝐃𝐎 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊 𝐀𝐍𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐍 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐔𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐒... i speak french, greek, italian and im trying to learn spanish. english is a foreign language for me aswell because my mother tongue is sinhala.

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆, 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆, 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒.... video games or movies, i can't pick

𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐉𝐎𝐁... youtuber, singer or actress.

welp, sorry if this is too long!! thank you, love your work!! make sure to stay safe <33

POLY RECOGNITION 

I’d match you with....... Denki and Jiro!

I feel like your energy would fit with Denki and Jiro a lot. You and Denki probably meet and were dating before Jiro joined your group with you. You and Denki are the chaotic duo while Jiro is defiantly the more responsible one of your group. You and Denki both fluster Jiro regularly with dirty comments towards her. Jiro likes to play her guitar and watch you draw as Denki will just sit on your bed and admire how lucky he is to have such talented partners. You guys have movie date nights on the regular. Jiro and Denki are absolutely stunned at how you learned so many languages. You all constantly prank each other though Jiro doesn’t go as hardcore as you and Denki do. Jiro loves to swim with you while Denki is defiantly more into basketball, especially since he plays with his friends like Kirishima and Sero often. 

[saoirsetm]

hey y’all ! i’m kat and we’re FINALLY opening ?!? i’m so hyped, you don’t even know. i’m a double leo Trying to survive video lectures in a noisy house who loves dark chocolate and 80% of the kpop releases so far this year ( stream feel good by fromis_9, it’s such a cute bop ! ) i’m also a cat mom to my almost fourteen year old babies who are still like energetic kittens, so ask for pics and you shall receive DSLKGJ but without further ado, here’s my girl who’s gonna prove that hindsight is INDEED 20/20, so this is gonna be fun:

✧ ˖ * ° ><> ╱  abigail cowen,  cis female,  she/her  —  look  who’s  fresh  from  the  ferry,  aren’t  you  SAOIRSE LEARY  ?  your  eroda  brochure  says  you’re  TWENTY-THREE  and  that  you’re  currently  residing  in  MARMOTON  .  your  favourite  tourist  attraction  to  hang  around  is  ERODIAN BEACH  ,  and  the  locals  around  these  ports  would  describe  you  as  INQUISITIVE  &  INTREPID,  STUBBORN  &  IMPULSIVE  .  your  resting  fish  face  really  gives  off  LONG HAIR BLOWN BACK BY THE OCEAN BREEZE, LATE NIGHTS SPENT PLOTTING THE NEXT GREAT VOYAGE, RED LIPSTICK IMPRINTED ON A MUG OF TEA  ,  and  i’m  a  big  fan  of  the  VINTAGE CELTIC KNOT NECKLACE  you  seem  to  always  be  attached  to.  well,  if  you  see  the  minister  this  morning;  make  sure  you  head  on  home  as  quick  as  possible,  you  never  know  what  bad  luck  he  could  bring.  ╱  ooc;  kat,  23,  she/her,  ast.

tw: needles ( tattoo mention ), cancer mention, death mention

miss saoirse...... oof

GDFLSJL where do i begin with her honestly ??

full name is saoirse eve leary, affectionately called cece by her family since she was young and runs with it as her nickname !

born and raised in cork, ireland with two siblings, a working class father and Slightly upper middle class mother

her childhood wasn’t like, Majorly eventful; she was considered a bit of a tomboy which isn’t a surprise bc she’s always been a bit of a spirited, adventurous girl, has the odd nomadic moment strike her and loves to travel

had a SUPER close relationship with her maternal grandmother before she passed a few years back, still has a close one with her grandfather and paternal grandmother as they’re still living

is a big family girl overall, so much so that she’s eagerly awaiting the day she gets to be the cool aunt

had a decent cluster of pals over the years that’s likely dwindled due to everyone going their separate ways after high school

saoirse Did go to uni between her travels — and graduated — and has aspirations of becoming an anthropologist to explore other cultures and meet new people/understand them

which.. obviously ain’t happening now LFSGJGF rip

came to eroda partially bc it seems like such a pretty and quaint place, partially to explore its “ myth ” that you can never leave; her naturally curious ass questions the whole thing, at least in the sense that there’s no way to challenge your supposed fate on the island and won’t deny entertaining some conspiracy theories around the mystery

she still doesn’t understand that.. yeah, she Literally is stuck here for the rest of her life now, probably because she hasn’t made a Real attempt to put that to the test, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it FDSLKJDS

anyways she came here solo ( more than likely ) and has enjoyed her time getting to know the locals and other visitors, taking in the scenery, etc

probably took up a part-time job at sally’s tavern to cover her expenses since she lives in marmoton and it ought to be close enough for her to get to gfjlsdg

personality and everything else

a sociable, ( relatively ) fearless ginger with an eclectic taste in music and a profound appreciation for pastries.. 

despite being all about cleaner eating habits and lowering her sugar intake, she takes a cheat day or week wherever she can LSDGFJK

parties, game nights, etc, you name it ?? she’s there !

kinda competitive while we’re bringing up games and such, but she’s not about the whole sore winner/loser thing — rather she’ll groan and sulk a little before moving on

like i said before, loves to travel, loves pretty places in general so prepare yourself for an abundance of pictures on her insta feed of where she’s been or where she wants to go

loyal as hell, but she has her limit if you misuse the trust that comes with it

she’s just v wholesome and has a mix of small town city/endlessly curious energy with a sprinkle of being the life of the party……. kinda

however, she’s the most ?? hard to place person all the same

that feeling of freedom that comes with her exploring and all makes her a little hard to tie down; she doesn’t plan on staying in eroda ( which is unfortunate for her considering.... fglsdk ) as she has more to accomplish and see

very much does her own thing and doesn’t wanna hear any criticism for it

as if she’s that out of line DLJGDSLK but still

always wants to try new things, no matter how dumb they might be; except for anything that’s a Legitimate death sentence or is.. a GENUINELY dumb idea, she has enough common sense to know what Not to do KSGFDJDS

has little tattoos on her wrist and behind her left ear for her Favourite trips/symbols/whatever and her family, will let y’all know what they’d be whenever i figure them out since i’m so damn picky with these things

a Big supporter for buying/investing locally, has little trinkets and such to prove it

in fact, she has a collection of thrifted or vintage clothes from her travels and back home, and a chest full of cute jewelry she switches between daily

one piece she wears all the time — only parts with it when she sleeps — is the celtic knot pendant mentioned in her app that’s become something of an heirloom on her mom’s side of the family !

she has the cutest irish lilt in my mind, kinda the same as miss ronan’s and aisling bea’s

really loves her freckles, partially bc i love her freckles and my own :(

tea > coffee, but she loves coffee-flavoured things; bring her a peppermint or camomile tea as her shift winds down or.. idk, just because, and she’ll be forever indebted to you fldjgs

loves to hang out by the water in her free time — she loves the scent and sounds that comes with it, it’s one of the few places where she can put her mind to rest for a bit

the sound of rain hitting a rooftop is her perfect sleep soundtrack

kinda wants to adopt a pet, but doesn’t wanna leave them if she goes on an excursion where they can’t come with her :(

baths with epsom salts, candles that smell like lavender or something just as pleasant and calming, etc during a night in soothes the hell out of her soul

top three products she has in her bag at all times, besides personal info and her phone ? lip balm, a powder spf and mints FGLGKSD

btw.. miss ginger hair and freckles will probably gasp at anyone going out with no spf on them and scold tf out of them bc ‘ hello, melanoma ?? sunburn ?!? ’

wanted connections

childhood pal(s) she’s bumped into: reunited by chance, cece’s glad she has a couple of people she knows to keep her grounded when her mind runs wild at what Might happen when she decides to try her hand at leaving

cousin(s), other relatives: idk, figured it’d be fun for her to have a family member or two running around and not realizing the other relative is the Only one they’ll see in person from here on out

best pal(s) in eroda: someone she’s taken to since arriving, likely spending their free-time eating pastries on the beach, talking shit over tea, little market dates, going to the rainzone half-drunk and trying to rope each other into new things

opposites attract.. of sorts sfdlgkj: basically just a traveler meeting a local who’s never been off eroda, telling all about their ( quite limited ) excursions and bonding in other areas over time !

hook-ups, fwbs.... ENEMIES with benefits?? idk, point is the girl’s probably gotten laid since arriving, it’s all a matter of the situation that fits your muse(s) best FHGSDKJ

roommate: she lives in marmoton, likely in a rental of sorts, and i can’t see her living alone given the situation on the island ( though i’ve viewed her as the type to live alone in a space for one and a half people any other time tbh ). so she has just One and they make the arrangement work ! depending on their personalities and such, we’ll figure out how well they get along Exactly, if at all

ex ??: the girl’s bi so y’all can toss anyone at her for this one as well ! question marks bc i was thinking it’d be an on-and-off thing but maybe not come the time i post this intro LSGKD. basically they were seeing each other for a few months, she fell hard Quick/they moved kinda fast bc they were vibing and they would distance themselves upon realizing this — though i see cece giving them distance bc she knows they need it rather than needing it herself. if it IS on-and-off, they’re definitely off rn and treading lightly ( though she finds it hard to stray and hates things not being fully resolved no matter what happens ?? ), so all it’s a bit angsty regardless of how it goes dfgkljsdg

fellow mystery fiend: someone please fuel her curiosity to the max and try to crack the impossible case of eroda’s captive capabilities with her.. and proceed to watch true crime shows with her when that clearly goes to shit SDFKLJ

older sibling or mentor dynamic: someone to look out for her/teach her some things to help fully support herself/give her advice when she probably needs it most.. idk, i just like the idea of someone becoming a stand-in relative type of friend to her 

just give her someone to confide in, to swim at night with, stargaze and all that cute shit, be it platonically or otherwise !

she’s not gonna click with everyone and that’s fine, BUT maybe they run in the same social circles and cece thinks they seem nice enough, but they never really talk amongst themselves ?? just a case of awkwardly starting from scratch and seeing where it takes us !