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justsome-stars · 1 month

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Not My Scene - Ranchers Duo

College/University AU - 1,500+ words

Beta read - Spell/Grammar checked

Notes: I got a prompt list from my friend, in which they were “realistic”-ish college scenarios. This one was “My friend dragged me to this party and I just saw my Ex, quick make out with me.” Although, i don’t have the most writing experience with makeout scenes so. You’ve been warned.

Story after the cut!

The music reverberated and all Jimmy can think is how much he regrets being at a party, of all things he could have done with his one free weekend in MONTHS.

Listen to your brother, they said. It’ll be fun, they said. WELL THEY LIED.

Jimmy held back another groan as someone bumps into him, passing without any apologies. The red solo cup in his hands sloshed as he was pushed, spilling small bits of water onto his hands. He bites back a curse, shifting it to his other hand so he could wipe the water off onto his shirt.

He had been juggling his options for the past hour or so; Leave alone and risk his brothers being worried, Stay and be a social outcast, or Stay and try to actually blend in. The third seemed the worst of all, but what else could he do?

Taking a sip of his water, Jimmy began to inch out of a crowd, trying his best to keep the water in his cup from spilling onto someone else. People yell excitedly from the other room as the song changes, people began to dance and he felt even more squished. His wings fold in farther, making him feel small. He squeezed past one more person and moves into a smaller hallway.

People walk past, but not as close knit as the groups in the other room. Some lean against the walls, deep in slurred conversation. It makes him feel alone. Well, he was. Joel went off somewhere, saying something about how Etho was at the party and that “he was so obsessed with him,” or something of that nature. Scar had taken Grian off somewhere, which Jimmy guessed it had been to makeout. Gross.

Jimmy looks down his shoes instead of the people, taking small sips of his water. That was his mistake. His shoulder hits someone else’s, making him jump back in surprise and look up.

Teal. Teal hair and blue eyes. Jimmy knew who it was even at first glance. Scott grasped his shoulder, muttering an “Ow,” before looking up. Jimmy froze like a deer in headlights, eyes wide.

“Jimmy.” Scott spoke first, moving his hand from his shoulder. “I didn’t think you’d be here.”

“Scott—” was all Jimmy could mumble, words seeming not to find form. It wasn’t that they had ended on bad terms. The opposite, in fact. However, the awkward air between them was tangible. It lingered even 2 years after their high school “situationship” ended, nothing seemed to make it any better.

“Jimmy? You alright there?” Scott asks, head tilting to stay in his field of view. He waves a hand in front of Jimmy’s eyes with a lighthearted laugh.

Jimmy shakes back to himself, blinking repeatedly. “Sorry—Scott, Hi…” He chokes out, grasp on his water cup getting tighter. This is getting really awkward..

Scott smiles, greeting him and asking him how he’s been, but Jimmy can’t bring himself to respond. Just over Scott’s shoulder, the light of fiery hair catches his eyes and draws him in.

Tango..Tango!

Jimmy hums, mumbling as though to agree with whatever Scott was saying before raising his hand to wave for Tango. “Sorry, Scott, I….uh—” Jimmy stepped around him, walking as fast as he possibly could to catch up to the blazeborn.

He pushes through a group of girls who seemed to be far past wasted. They drunkenly babble and Jimmy wants to laugh. A stalkier guy pushes past him on his left. Jimmy apologizes, following the bright light emanating from Tango’s hair.

Tango startled as his shoulder was grabbed, but smiles as he registers who it is that grabbed him. His hair glows a little brighter.

“Jimmy! What’re you doing here?” Tango asks, “I thought you didn’t like parties?”

“I don’t.” Jimmy states, looking over his shoulder to see if Scott had followed him yet. “Not my scene.”

“Then why are you here, Birdie?” Tango giggled, stepping ever so closer.

Jimmy takes this as an invitation to move around him, putting Tango in between himself and where he left Scott, who seemed to have just rounded the corner of the hallway.

“Grian and Joel wanted me to come. They ran off, though.” Jimmy fidgets with his cup, wings adjusting in agitation.

Tango can get me out of this, Jimmy thinks. But how? Think, Jimmy, think.

Scott left the hallway, scanning the room for Jimmy.

Jimmy shrinks down, stuffing his empty hand into his pocket.

“Huh. You seem off, Jimmy. You ok?” Tango asks, brows shifting in confusion.

“Yeah, uh—” Jimmy nods, trying not to look at Scott. “Tango, listen, uh…”

Tango bobs his head along with the song that was playing, not exactly listening. Then again, Jimmy hadn’t said anything of true importance, so he wasn’t as upset by it.

“Tango, I gotta ask you something.” Jimmy spoke up, hoping Scott hadn’t seen them yet.

“What's up?” Tango nods expectantly, looking at Jimmy.

Jimmy wanted a way out of this situation. He wasn’t so sure on how, but he knew he had to do something that would sell the message that he was busy, maybe then Scott wouldn’t try to talk to him again. What would tell his ex he was busy better than kissing another guy? True college fashion, right?

Tango and Jimmy had been friends for a while, to the point they had been flirting on and off. Jimmy had thought it was always jokingly on Tango’s part, but on his own he really meant it. He meant it when he said he found Tango pretty, or that he was constantly thinking of him. It was never really a joke to Jimmy.

“Can you, uh..” Jimmy’s voice cut off before he could fully say it. His heart hammered against his ribs, anxiety from his previous encounter and from the thought of asking.

“Tango can you make out with me?”

“Pardon?” Tango’s eyes blew wide, blinking rapidly.

“Scott, he uh. He saw me, and I ran off and he might be behind you. And I don't want to talk to him. I thought you could—” Jimmy rambled.

“Ok.”

“Help me with it—wait. Really?!” Jimmy’s wings unfurled in surprise.

Scott catches sight of bright sunny wings over the heads of various people. He’d seen them now.

“I said ok, Birdie.” Tango giggled, grasping Jimmy’s hand. “As long as you’re sure, I mean. You got into this mess, I might as well help you out?”

“Thanks.” Jimmy nods, squeezing Tango’s hand.

Scott shoulders through a group of people, mumbling apologies as he tries to find Jimmy.

Tango pulls Jimmy closer, quickly glancing over his shoulder to see where Scott might have been. Jimmy looks as well, but Tango moves his head to block his view. Now all he can see is fire, warm and bright.

It's not like he really wanted to see anything else anyways. Tango was gorgeous. The light from his hair reflects on his cheeks, framing his face perfectly. His eyes reflect the party lights, even while half lidded. Jimmy can’t help but lean farther into him. Tango’s tail snakes its way around his leg, keeping him closer.

Tango initiates first, kissing Jimmy with passion he didn’t know the blazeborn had. All he knew was the man he’d been interested in for months was kissing him, albeit to spite his ex, and all he wanted was to revel in this moment. His brows furrowed as he deepened the kiss.

Tango’s hands hold the sides of his face, pulling him impossibly close. They both separate momentarily, faces flushed and gasping for breath. But air was the least of their worries. Jimmy takes Tango’s vest collar in hand, pulling him down. Their noses lightly bump against one another, lips locking a second time, and Jimmy smiles into the kiss.

Fingers card through Jimmy’s hair and he practically melts. Tango’s nails graze his scalp gently, almost needily so and the heat of his face rivals Tango’s hair. He wraps his arms around Tango’s waist, hands grasping at the fabric of his vest, bunching it between his fingers.

It all feels sweet, sickeningly so. But this doesn’t feel like a joke. This feels real. Like a dream, but it’s real.

Scott pushes through the last crowd of people, apologizing to them quickly before turning. “Jimmy, where’d you go—” He began, “Oh. Oh shit. Sorry, I’ll leave you be?” He backs up, wiping the back of his neck.

Tango’s hands stayed where they were, not even faltering when Scott had found them. Jimmy’s heartbeat was pounding in his ears, and he didn’t dare let go of Tango. They pull away, but Jimmy’s eyes remain shut. His kiss-swollen lips quirk up in a smile as he laughs breathily.

“That was…wow.” Jimmy whispers, eyes cracking open.

Tango takes a shaken breath, licking his lips. “Can we, uh. Can you kiss me again, please..?”

The words made his heart swell. Without a further thought, Jimmy pulled Tango in once again. His hands found purchase on Tango’s waist, and he had no intents of letting go.

They sway with the beat of the slower song, heat emanating from Tango’s palms, which traveled downward to rest on Jimmy’s chest. Tango hummed happily, the sound reverberating. It felt like a soft buzz, a connection between them both. It is Tango who pulls away, but Jimmy continues to pepper Tango’s face with small kisses. Tango laughs, claws lightly scraping Jimmy’s shoulder.

“Alright, alright Songbird.” He giggled, nudging him away. He didn’t go far, hands comfortably holding on to Tango’s waist.

Maybe parties weren’t so bad after all. It wasn’t a terrible way to spend a free weekend, he supposes.

#ranchers duo #team rancher #solidaritek #jimmy solidarity #tangotek #trafficblr #life series #past flower husbands #they make me ill /pos #hermitshipping #kinda?

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justsome-stars · 1 month

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Embrace it - Redscape

College/University AU - 2,000+ words - Beta read by @boxbugdotcom

Notes: I haven’t actually posted anything ive written since Middle School, so im a bit skeptical on how well received this will be. My friend did beta read it and said it was really good, so I’ll be trusting his word. Let me know if i should post more writing, i guess? Soft criticism is welcome!

Story below the cut!

Trying to catch your cat from running away and leg braces dont mix well. Scar had to learn this the hard way.

His dorm-mate left the door open to bring in some packages and Jellie took her chances at dashing out of the door. Scar nearly screamed, jumping up from his chair and trying his very best to catch up to the mischievous cat.

There was a violent prodding in his legs, metal bars shifting and knocking at his shins as he ran down the corridor, or tried to, at least. Jellie had made it to the T in the corridor, making a sharp turn to dart down the other side of the hall.

A door opened in front of Jellie, blocking her path. Her head nearly collided with the wood of the door, if it weren’t for a perfectly timed foot blocking her body from going any further. She yowled in alarm, skidding to a halt and dropping to the floor.

A lengthy, immaculately dressed man stepped out from the door, retracting his foot and leaning down to check on the frightened cat. He cooed at Jellie, offering his hand for her to sniff. She did so, however opting to rub her cheek against the hand presented to her. The black haired man giggled, petting her happily.

Scar gasped for air, doing his best to catch up, but the grating metal against his legs began to sting with every hit. He had only just rounded the corner when his leg locked in a straight stretched position and he stumbled into the wall, clutching it for support.

“Jellie!” Scar yelped, scanning the hall for the runaway cat.

She sat at the other man’s knees, nearly climbing into his lap, practically grinning as she was showered with attention, which halted as soon as Scar called for her. Scar groaned, trying to hobble to her.

The man looked up from Jellie, standing quickly. Jellie looked at him confused, but turned to peer down the hall with him.

Scar had finally gotten somewhat closer, to which the man who had been previously pampering Jellie with pets ran to his aid. Jellie begrudgingly followed.

“A—Are you ok?” He asked, with a thick british accent, concerned. He was practically shaking, anxiously scanning for what may have happened. He quickly caught on to the braces on Scar’s legs, one of which was locked tightly.

Scar looked up, eyes widening as he recognized the man. He had seen him countless times around campus, even sharing a class with him a semester ago, and several group projects. Joel had teased him a few times, urging him to talk to the ravenette outside of classes. Scar always denied, far too embarrassed to say something. But he was talking to him first, so surely he could muster up some sort of response, right?

“Uh—” Scar paled, eyes locking with Mumbo’s. The taller man falters, quickly looking away. “Yeah—I mean yes. Yeah I’m great. Stellar.”

Mumbo’s brows furrowed, caught off guard by Scar’s attempt of a response. “Are—are you sure? You were limping…”

“Huh….yeah, yeah. Just fine. Wonderful.” Scar continued, hurriedly looking away. “You….you haven’t happened to have seen a cat run past have you?” He asked, unaware of the cat that sat on the floor beside him.

“I did. She uh….oh.” Mumbo stopped, looking around and then down, stooping down to pick Jellie up. She obliged, leaning against Mumbo’s chest as he stands back up. “Right here.”

Scar sighs in relief, scowling lightly at the cat, perched smugly in the tall man’s arms. “There you are, Jellie. You really cant do that. You know i cant keep up…” Scar rambled, talking to the cat as though she understood.

It brought a smile to Mumbo’s lips, but it faltered when he remembered the condition Scar was in. “Would you…um. Can i help you? Your brace, did it lock? The support rods look like they’ve gotten loose, or maybe something disconnected? If you want, we can get you to my dorm and i can help you?”

Going to a pretty guy’s dorm? Sign him the hell up.

“Yes! I mean, yeah. That would be nice.” Scar smiled, looking down to his leg.

Mumbo nods, offering a hand to Scar, who gladly takes it. With his assistance, and the wall for support, Scar made it to the open dorm door. Mumbo guides him inside and brings him to a pleasant looking couch, allowing him to sit down. Scar sighed in relief, the pressure on his legs from standing no longer an issue. He let his body sink into the couch, smiling up to Mumbo in thanks.

The taller man smiled back, allowing Scar to get comfortable before running into a room. Once he was out of sight, it made Scar question his surroundings.

The room he was in was considerably big, furnished neatly with bookshelves on nearly every wall. A built in kitchen and island table, surrounded by bar stools. There seemed to be six in total, but there might have been one more pushed in somewhere out of sight.

There were several closed doors, each decorated uniquely with photos, colors and large letters: Scar guessed they were the names of who the dorm room belonged to. Tango, a bright orange door decorated with fire motifs, Impulse, a black door with a large I as the decoration, Skizz, nearly identical to Impulse’s door except for an S in replacement of the large I, and lastly was Mumbo’s door, black wood decorated tastefully with a bright accenting red. It stood out, by far.

Scar had been in Tango’s dorm once, but he had been considerably drunk, and barely remembered a thing. What he could recall, however, is that Jimmy had been losing his mind that entire night about being in Tango’s room, practically burning up whenever the redstoner so much as spares him a glance. If Scar wasn’t mistaken, he found the two making out not an hour later. Although that may have been to spite Scott, who had been invited to the same party as them the week prior and had been asking around about Jimmy. Or maybe it was the time he spent over at Grian’s? It was fuzzy…

Mumbo’s door was open, which Scar assumed it was where Mumbo had run off to. The room inside, although far and a bit fuzzy due to Scar’s diminished eyesight, looked clean, calm. If he wasn’t in a constant amount of pain, he would have loved to see what was in there up close. If he wished on his lucky stars, he might just.

Mumbo returned, a tool bag in hand and a hurry in his step. “Sorry…I didn’t mean to leave you by yourself for so long.” He apologized, sitting onto the coffee table across from Scar.

“No problem, really. I’ve got Jellie, after all!” Scar beamed, petting the cat that now clung to his side. Maybe it was that she was sorry for causing him harm or worry? Either way, Scar would forgive her without a second thought. “She’s good company, except when she makes a daring escape…although that might have been my fault. I promised to take her out today for a walk, but I got so busy. Poor girl.” Scar mused, scratching behind one of her ears. Her head tilted in content.

Mumbo hummed in response, eyes drawing over Scar slowly. If you caught him at the right time, you could say he had hearts in his eyes.

He took a moment, before grounding himself with the realization of Scar’s discomfort, or rather pain. Setting his tool bag onto the floor, he began to pull out various metal wrenches and the like.

“What kind of brace are these?” Mumbo asked, shifting through his bag and simultaneously gauging the bolt sizes on the sides of Scar’s braces.

Scar thinks for a moment, trying his best to remember just what his doctor called them. “They’re uh—full range 300 something steel. I think.”

“304? Cause that’s the most typical grade, and, well, I'm guessing it's stainless steel..” Mumbo began talking about words Scar had little use in understanding. All he knew was that a pretty man was interested in him. Well, interested in his safety. But to Scar, that was the same thing.

Scar babbled on a little longer about Jellie, to which Mumbo listened contently, even offering a thought or two before he had all he needed to fix the brace.

Mumbo sat up straight, hand outstretched to grasp Scar’s leg, but he retracted it momentarily. “Uh..Can I?” He asked instead, gesturing to Scar’s leg.

Scar nodded, lifting his leg. Mumbo takes it, resting it on his lap and inspected the brace with deft eyes, noting every dent, every scratch, every sticker Grian put on them to make them “more Scar”. He could see how much Scar depended on them just by the amount of usage and memories engraved into the metal.

Scar would be lying if he said he didn't melt into Mumbo’s soft, attentive touch. Mumbo’s hands, although bigger than his own, were surprisingly gentle, lingering on his skin as he observed the broken brace.

“What’s all the stickers from?” Mumbo spoke up, slightly quieter due to closer proximity.

“Oh—” Scar looked up from the spot he had been unintentionally staring at, looking at the bridge of Mumbo’s nose, rather than actually having eye contact. “Those. Yeah. Those are from my, uh, my friend. He put them on my braces so they were more personal looking, or something like that..”

Mumbo listens, nodding and picking up a smaller wrench, fitting it around a bolt by Scar’s knee. Carefully, he began to loosen the screw and bolt, cautiously avoiding bumping his legs even the smallest amount.

Jellie leaned down to inspect what Mumbo was doing, even going as far as to sniff Scar’s knee, maybe it had just been out of concern. Scar almost shivered as Mumbo’s hand ghosts over his shin as he fully unscrews the bolt and screw.

If he doesn’t stop running his hand over my leg like that, I’m gonna end up kicking him by accident, Scar thought, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from moving even a little.

Soon, Mumbo had fully replaced the screw and bolt, and made sure it was functioning properly once again, then pulling away to clean up his mess of tools. Scar hid his disappointment in the loss of contact, missing the warmth that radiated from Mumbo’s oddly soft palms.

For a guy who tinkers everyday, Scar thought, his hands are surprisingly soft.

“How’s it feel?” Mumbo asked, looking up from moving a hammer to stuff a wrench back into the bag. “Did I fix it? If not that's ok, just tell me I can—”

“It’s perfect.” Scar cut him off, grabbing onto one of Mumbo’s hands. “Thank you, really. It means a lot to me.”

Mumbo flushed, looking away. “God—good. I mean good.” He stuttered, looking down to his hand that was covered by Scar’s, who squeezed his hand just a tad in reassurance.

“Really. I mean, if it weren’t for you, I think Jellie here would’ve ran off for real. You’re a hero, Mumbo!” Scar praised him, chuckling as the red dusted across Mumbo’s cheeks darkened, like the redstone he loved so much.

Jellie jumped from Scar’s lap into Mumbo’s, leaning against him. “I think she’s saying a “thank you.” She must really like you.” Scar pointed out, almost joking in tone, but honest in truth. Me too.

“You think so?” Mumbo asked, looking down at the cat in his lap. She lifts her head, nose tapping against his. Mumbo smiles and Scar’s heart swells at the image.

“I know so.”

They subconsciously leaned into one another, giving Jellie pets and talking every once in a while. At some point, Mumbo moved to sit next to Scar, whose head fell onto his shoulder. They stay like this for a while, which both Scar and Jellie were grateful for.

“I almost kicked you on accident earlier,” Scar admitted. “When you were trying to unscrew the thingy.” He points to the bolt on his knee.

“Oh?” Mumbo chuckled. “As in a bad way, or in a “that tickles i'm gonna kick out of reflex” way?”

“Reflex.”

“Huh.”

“I wouldn’t actually want to kick you, y’know.”

“I hope not—”

Jellie makes a small noise of agitation, upset she wasn’t being given attention. Mumbo starts to scratch behind her ear and she falls silent again.

“Why in the world would I want to kick a pretty guy?” Scar asked, brows furrowed, but smiling nonetheless.

Mumbo didn’t say anything for a while, which worried Scar. He lifted his head, looking up at Mumbo. “Sorry, was that weird?”

“No—no. It's just…” Mumbo looked down into his lap at Jellie rather than Scar, “You think I'm pretty?”

“Well of course I do!” Scar perked up, “I think you’re downright gorgeous, Mumbo.”

The way Scar stated it, no hesitation in sight, made Mumbo’s heart flutter.

“Thank you..” He mumbled, finally looking Scar in the eye.

Neither of them were sure who leaned in first, but as they got closer, lips mere centimeters apart, Jellie sat up. She meowed impatiently, nosing Scar’s hand.

Darn it, Jellie.

#redscape #hermitblr #trafficblr #mumbo jumbo #goodtimeswithscar #my writing #hermitcraft mumbo #hermitcraft scar #writing #they make me ill /pos #hermitshipping

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