#ALSO!! this was everlasting trio in my head

[spinosworks]

dp x dc prompt

after the trio graduate high-school, they decide to have a ghost tour of the country in the summer before college

documenting everything on social media (where it reads as an arg of sorts with the amount of spooky things they manage to do), they have tons of fun debunking various haunted hot spots on sam's occult bucket list or recommended by their viewers

they make their way to gotham to investigate the sightings of jason todd's ghost

#dp x dc #im imagining tim or someone being super into their show and jokingly tell them that theyve seen jason todd wandering aroujd gotham (true) #what the bat fails to realize is that they are actual competent hunters and passively deal with any spirits they encounter off camera #keeping them safe from the giw or themselves #most places arent actually haunted so its really just a vacation disguised as a job (so danny takes a real break) #the mental image i had was just #jason grabbing a casual bite to eat at the hot dog stand he loves and notices a group of teens standing in the distance #jason: suspicious >:| *angry bite of hot dog* #*cue obligitory danny and jason scene where jason gets healed and is baffled when the teens just disappear into thin air* #ok so rambling done #also sorry if ur still waitinv on an update on my other posts or my dpxdc week submission that i promised 😔🖐 #irls been rough to say the least #just wanted to get something out there even if its just a silly little prompt #ALSO!! this was everlasting trio in my head #doesnt change anything and u can get rid of it #just wanted yall to know that extra bit from my brain

[tourettesdog]

It's been entirely too long since I dropped some fic recommendations, so here are some DPxDC fics I love!!

(Part 2 here!)

Unearthed, Reborn by QueenOfTheQuill

Quill writes the best dialogue. The words just flow so organically, and they have such a nice balance of humor and sincerity. Cannot stress enough how funny their character interactions are. I'm also a sucker for Everlasting Trio, and they write it so well.

We're Longing for Daylight by AKelaNakamura

Akela has such a masterful grasp on writing emotion and tone. I love how she describes emotion so much, and weaves it into lore with ectoplasm and ghosts. She has several other DPxDC and DP fics to enjoy, all of it slaps.

Shovel Talk by SummersSixEcho

This is a dead tired (Danny/Tim) fic and I love how Summers crafted their relationship for it. The fic is so funny, with lots of fun puns. It's just two boyfriends being goofy and going through awkward situations and I love it dearly. I love all of Summers' DPxDC works, and she has great DP only ones too!

Recognized by AgentIanLegend

This is one of the first completed fics I read for the crossover, and it still lives in my head rent free. It's complete, very well written, and the story is interesting throughout with a bunch of twists and turns.

Premeditation by Chromatographic

Super interesting fic with neat lore throughout. I love the dynamic between Danny and his friends and Jazz in it, with the roles they've carved out. The general plotting nature of the story is very neat.

Noise and Light by TheWritingOwl

I'm so soft for this fic, it's SO sweet. Deaged fics have a special place in my heart, and I love the emotions throughout this fic. It's ripe with family feels and Owl describes it all beautifully.

Family Friction by Halfagone

Halfa has SUCH a prolific library of DPxDC fics and all of it is quality. I need to read more of them. Tis oneshot in particular has a special place in my heart. The premise is just so fun and goofy and I love how it's executed.

Build-A-Boyfriend by NightShiftShenanigans

I spent my entire time reading this fic with a goofy smile because it is just insanely fun and cute, with great dialogue throughout. I love it.

A Halloween in Amity by spite_sapphic_starlight

I love this poly ship, I love the scenario, I love the dynamics and the dialogue and-- it's just a good time. Just the occult shop alone is enough reason to love this.

Knight of the Boyking by Milaley

I love the angst in this one and the general setup from the beginning. The start of it has such a hook and it's just great throughout from there.

The Curious Case of D. Grayson by brothebro

I LOVE the Everlasting Trio dynamic in this fic and the shenanigans throughout. God, there's so many shenanigans and they're all great. Just a thousand misunderstandings and the domino effect of each lol. I love it.

Afterimage by TorScrawls

The descriptions in this one are just plain wicked. It still really stands out to me, as just being such a neat way to describe how mortals perceive Danny and his powers.

Close Enough to be Whole Again by hailsatanacab

Literally the twin fic that inspired me to write my own. The fic has insanely good descriptions and carries emotion so well. I love Hail's writing style a lot.

Vacation Crashers by Imp_y

I love everything about this one from the premise to how the story unfolds to the conclusion. This was another one of the first finished long DPxDC fics I read and I still love it dearly.

Voices That They Left by catmiint

This one has such an intriguing build up, with a lot of concerning things boiling beneath the surface. I'm not caught up on it atm, but I need to fix that soon because the story is really neat.

Liminal Familiarity by isitcowboytimes

This fic goes heavy on the angst and is wonderful written. There's this like really melancholic, liminal feel throughout the fic and it really sticks out to me.

To Join the Whispers by ayamari_no_goshi

Another one of the first completed long fics I read for the crossover (I think the actual first, based on bookmark date). I feel like this fic was the first one for a lot of people, and I definitely think it set the bar for Jason and ectoplasm shenanigans.

Ghosts Don't Go to Highschool by Evandarya

This is the first DPxDC fic in my bookmark history and I love it. I love the premise, the underlying story, the building relationship between Danny and Tim. I've had the pleasure of betaing for the most recent chapters and it's been a blast also!

Have You Heard of Danny Wayne? by FortunateCookie

This one has fantastic dialogue and I love the building shenanigans in it. All around a fun read, especially the chatfic portion.

Memories Lost in Time by MidnightsFury

The building lore and story in this one is so neat, I can't wait to see where it goes. The fact that it's a twin fic too has me vibrating with excitement, just waiting for the shenanigans to really settle in. I don't care how long it takes these nerds to find each other, I'm here for the shenanigans.

I would add more, but I really need to get some sleep before I pass out at my desk lol. I also plan to make a separate list for DP and non-DC crossover fics I love too!

#dpxdc #dpxdc fanfics #dpxdc fanfic #fanfic #fanfic recommendations #dpxdc recommendations #reading recommendations #long post #dogposts #dogrecommends #I hope I didn't fuck up any links I'm doing this on like no sleep

[futbol16]

My Tana  • Aitana Bonmatí

Part 1 A Damn Best

Request:  Are you considering writing a part two of a damm beast? Maybe one where you show how reader is extremely soft for airana?

Word count: 1k

Your relationship with Aitana was still rather new, but to the people around you and to your teammates it was clear that your honeymoon phase would be everlasting. The two of you were so obviously in love that only a blind person wouldn’t see the nature of your relationship, hence why the whole of women’s football and their fans knew about Bonmatí and Kvinna Zlatanera. 

The past week you’d been away for international duty even though you ended up not playing in the friendly against Australia due to a small discomfort in your thigh. For this exact reason you were allowed to return to Spain just two days after the match. 

You kept it a secret because you wanted to surprise Aitana with your early arrival and as you make your way onto the Johan Cruyff stadium’s pitch you raise a finger to your lips, warning Patri, who had spotted you to remain silent. 

Aitana feels arms wrap around her from behind and for a moment she’s utterly confused until your scent invades her senses. She spins around so fast that you’re scared she’ll get whiplash but the squeal that leaves her lips is worth the ear damage and you catch the short girl as she pounces on you.

“Diós mío! I thought you had camp until tomorrow?” she laughs in disbelief as she clings onto you for dear life. Her eyes are shining with adoration for you as she stares up at you in wonder and several of the girls aww at it.

“Well I pulled some strings to be here, Kära” you smile at her and she enthusiastically pulls you to greet the rest of the girls, wanting to share her happiness with the team.

“Welcome back lover girl” Patri teases and she shrieks as you pull her into a harmless headlock to mess her hair up. Once she’s calmed down you allow her to wiggle out of your grip and Pina immediately starts laughing at her best friend’s tousled hair. 

Aitana can only look at you with that same warmth from before, a look that you reciprocate as your eyes find hers. She can not wait to take you home and cuddle up with you after a home cooked dinner. 

The game against Alavés is sooner than you thought but you line up in the tunnel, expression full of confidence and just by the look on your face the Barca girls know you’re going to demolish the other team. 

Frido and yourself are linking up, almost the same way you do when playing for Sweden but this time Aitana is also part of your duo, now trio. With the midfielder’s help Barcelona is up 5-0 at half-time and in contrast to the cold emotionless look you had during those 45 minutes, the mask immediately falls when Aitana pulls you into a hug in the tunnel.

“What’s this for?” you question, but nevertheless hug her back in a big bear hug, the brunette sinking deeper into your embrace as she shrugs.

“Just missed you” the sincerity in her voice tugs at your heartstrings and you press a sweet kiss to her forehead as you sway the two of you from side to side. Mapi and Frido stand in the corridor waiting for the two of you to make it to the locker room.

“She really is a softie for her.” Laia speaks up from behind the pair and she receives a nod from the Swede.

“I told you she is a sweetheart” she smiles cheekily at the way your hand moves to Aitana’s head and your fingers run through her ponytail.

“Y/N do I get a hug?” Mapi’s comment earns her a look from you and you flip her off with the hand in your girlfriend’s hair. “Hey! Why don’t we get the same treatment?”

“Tana is special” you announce with a nonchalant shrug and the girl in your arms turns to face your teammates.

“Yeah, I’m special!” she flashes a toothy grin accompanied with a kiss to your hand. The defender scoffs in mock hurt, claiming that her own girlfriend would give better hugs anyway.

The game against Alavés ends in an 8-0 win for Barcelona and you find yourself sitting in your seat, hair still damp from your shower. The soft patter of your girlfriend’s feet on the floor has you looking up. She has something in her hands and when she reaches you, the brunette allows you to pull her into your lap sideways. 

“I made this for you” she shows you the thread bracelet resting in her palms and you gently take it from her to run the pad of your thumb over the patterns. “The blue and red are for Barca and I added orange because it reminds me of you. Bright and energetic.” 

She states and you can’t help the blinding smile that takes over your features. Her own hand is resting on yours as she explains and your eyes wander onto the side of her face, admiring the girl you get to call your own. 

The team watches the interaction between the two of you but you ignore their prying eyes, your attention on Aitana and Aitana only. The look you’re giving her would have anyone melting under your gaze, but it was reserved for Aitana.

“It’s beautiful Tana, thank you” you tell her honestly, your head tilting at the crinkle of her eyes as she beams at you. 

“I have one too, I thought we could be matching” she confesses and you let out a huff of laughter, squeezing her waist in reassurance. She was so insanely adorable.

“I would love to have matching bracelets with you, my Tana” a giggle escapes your mouth as she throws her arms around your neck and you hold her close, unaware of everything else, even the camera pointed at the two of you and Fridolina filming the scene, too entranced by Aitana, your Aitana.

#aitana bonmati x reader #woso imagine #futbol16 #woso x reader

[my-name-is-calypso]

HOLD ON I JUST THOUGHT OF A BANGER AU OF DANNY PHANTOM!!!!

Okag so this Au can be mainly used for everlasting trio (platonic or not), but you can use anything else

_______________________________________________

Alot of things are basically the same, EXCEPT this is halfa trio au, BUT THERES IS ONLY ONE PHANTOM/HALFA HERO! Or at least thats what everyone else thinks, BECAUSE SAM, TUCKER AND DANNY ARE ALL HALFAS

But theres something missing here right? How are they all halfas but theres only "one" ghost hero?

My friends...THEY ARE KINDA OF AN AMALGAMATION BUT ALSO NOT, their main form is a mix of the tree of them BUT they can also shapeshift a bit

Not enough to change their WHOLE appearence, for example:

if they are gonna deal with a ghostly tech (or magic) problem, the ghost will look more like Tucker, if its a nature the ghost will look like Sam (and other theme that you think will fit Sam, because i want to give at least 2 themes for each) one), if the problem is Space/Ice they will look more like Danny.

But it will still be a mix, only that more traits of each of them will appear more (if the problems is focused on the areas of only two, both traits will appear more)

And their thoughs? Can they each think separetly or not? Well i like the idea of their thoughs beaing separed, which will cause a lot of problems at their start on being a hero.

OH AND ALSO!! The main form will have 2 legs and 2 Arms, and the body will look human, but certain times, if 2 arms are -for example- stuck, at least 2 more país can appear, i think it will look good if that mainly happen with arms and legs, but fuck it, anything else works, like their head will just turn in a less fucked up version of like...v0ldemort face being on the back of that one professor head.

ANY WAY GETTING THIS OUT OF THE WAY, lets give more details!!!

The Start:

Their backstorys and family relations is all the same, danny parents are still the "crazy" scientists that believe in ghost, and all that jazz

We know how it goes, the portal gets ready, does not work, The Fenton parents get sad and bla bla bla (you can choose the details here)

But the trio wants to check it, they go see it and for whatever motive you choose they wnat danny to go inside the portal, AND THATS WHERE THINGS CHANGE

Because danny refuses to go unless the three of them go, they agree, take on of the others Danny's extra HAZMATS suits, and they go inside (they hold hands because its dark and they don't want to get hurt)

Their death:

The portal turns on with the three of them still inside, and well they go trough alot of pain and well they have one form and they are tripping everywhere and can't use their(?) body very well, and everyones panicking and hearing each others thoughs and crying and they see a mirror (you choose how they look like exactly but i think their form is changing constatly, and the faces is not exactly right ...until they open their eyes, and are all fallen in the floor, human, breathing and most important, normal!

Other:

So everything is the same, except some details, like when vlad sees danny, he doesnt see that danny is an halfa like him, but knows that he is not exactly normal, so he keeps his eyes closes to him, but nothing happens. UNTILL HE SEES PHANTOM (and think the name should be only one and still be phantom) and realizes that is danny, so he follows while hidden to talk to him, and sees the trio destransform

His obsession still has something to do with marrying maddie and adopting Danny (be it him wanting a family, and being delusional that only these two will love him), but he ONLY wants danny to be his halfa son, so he kinda wants to find a way to only have danny as an halfa (be it killing Sam and Tucker)

And then he goes to cloning, and Danniele is born, she is still mainly a clone of Danny, but she still has Sam and Tucker DNA (Vlad failed to truly get rid of these two DNA, so he stuck to having just the minumum of their DNA), they help Danniele (who chooses to now be named Ellie) and she goes to travel the world (in this, she has a phone, and keeps in touch with the trio)

Jazz still is the one to first fully alive person to find out their secret, she doenst change a lot, she just worries more because of the trio

Valerie still is Red Huntress and hates ghosts, but she gets a truce with phantom sooner and gets rid of her hatred of ghost earlier (her Dad still loses his job, and she gets kicked out of the A-Listers, and she still works a part-time job at Nasty Burger)

Amity park thinks Phantom is one person and just shapeshifts (not that crazy of an idea once you realizes ghost exists) and so does the ghost at their first meeting untill they se the trio destransfrom.

The G.I.W is not much of a joke here, because goverment, but they suck ALOT on catchin ghosts

If you wanna go with dissection, i have no idea what will happen so be creative

May add images later?

#long post #danny fenton #danny phantom #amity park #sam manson #tucker foley #vlad plasmius #everlasting trio #danny phantom au #feel free to use this idea #or ask questions

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

Could you please do follower!Leshy x follower!Reader, where the readers family was once followers of Narinder sect of the old faith but once Narinder was locked away, to avoid death, readers family went into hiding. Years later with Lamb's cult, reader joins because they wish to continue to serve the red crown, no matter who's head it is on. The readers mannerisms and ways of worship comes off as unsettling to the bishops because it was things only taught under the ruling of Narinder. The lamb and Narinder think that the reader is fine, if not the best follower in the cult, due to these reasons. Leshy and Reader could possibly have a pre-established relationship at the time of this story? And if it matters, gender neutral reader, please.

Thank you in advance (even if you don't write the request, which is also perfectly fine)

Oooo I like this! Also gives me chance to expand on my hcs for what Narinder's cult was like before he was banished.

......

"You. Come hither."

As you gracefully walked through the endless white fog of your lord's realm, you felt as though you were wading across water, passing by chains and piles of skulls. Yet your robes remained perfectly dry.

Such a strange land, this was. But you've grown accustomed to it.

In your hands, you clutched a scythe that he bestowed upon you himself: "Death's Attendant", as he called it. You never went anywhere without it, using its necromantic powers to cull heretics and show skeptics the almighty power of your god.

Before long you stood before Narinder's throne of blood, stone, ivory, and bone, where he sat, black skeletal fingers tapping impatiently against the arm rest. From behind his veil, a trio of glowing red eyes gazed down towards your small and hooded form.

The single one on the Red Crown reflected his mood, looking particuarly disgruntled.

You kneeled down, keeping one hand on the scythe's handle. "Yes, master?"

"As you may know, my siblings have grown..suspicious of my new doctrines." His voice rumbled. "They believe it shall lead to catastrophic consequences for the natural order if I continue to preach them. But....remind me, who brought forth such ideals to me? Who pushed me to explore them freely, hm?" Pausing, he stared at you.

"Bishop Shamura." You answered without missing a heartbeat.

"And right you are, my pupil." He bared his teeth into a sharp grin, although it was quick to disappear as his grip on the chair tightened. "Dear Shamura has no problem with it...and yet my own brothers and sister apparently do. They don't even trust the wisest of us that I know what I'm doing..is that not madness??"

You nodded. "It seems most unusual, master. Do you have a plan to convince them?"

"They've summoned me for a meeting at midnight..apparently they are open to discussing how I could integrate my laws into the Old Faith's teachings. Finally, I can show them that my ideas of change needn't frighten them."

"Even if..it were to contradict their own ideals of chaos, famine, disease, and war?" You asked cautiously.

"But of course.." He scoffed. "If all of those can fluctuate..why not death, too? Why should it only flow one way? Where's the freedom in that? I can teach them that everlasting life is both a blessing that can reunite families old and young...and a curse to those who think death is liberation from servitude. Just imagine us having the power to resurrect..over and over again."

"It would be foolish for them to reject such powers. It would do wonders for the Old Faith."

Narinder's smile was closed now, his gaze softening as he leaned back on his throne. "I'm honored to call you my brightest pupil. Now rise, and I shall give you this one task in my absence."

You rose to your feet obediently, gazing up at him. "I'm ready to receive it."

"Go back to the village and continue preaching my gospel, for I will need everyone's faith and devotion now more than ever. Lead any naysayers down my righteous path. Great changes are coming, [y/n]..and I expect you to assure each and every one of them that it's for the good of the Old Faith."

"Yes, master." Nodding, you looked down at the scythe, giving it a small twirl. "It shall be done, but..when should I expect your re....turn..?

But when you looked back up, he was nowhere to be found.

You were left all alone in a vacant throne room.

"...master?"

"........"

"Master Narinder??!"

.

.

.

.

"Master-!!"

With a sudden gasp, you sat up, nearly hitting the ceiling of your shelter. You looked all around, putting a hand to your chest and getting your labored breathing under control, squeezing your eyes shut.

Before long, you felt another hand rest over your own, while the other was pressed to your back.

"Hey, hey. Easy..you're not in Narinder's temple anymore."

Hearing the familiar voice of your spouse, you opened your eyes to see his gentle hands of leafy-green foliage, a wedding band wrapped around one of his wooden claws.

Then you looked at his face, smiling and curling up against his chest, slowly calming down as you realized you were back in the present. "Thank you, Leshy...f-forgive me if I disturbed your rest."

"Oh not at all. I couldn't sleep a wink because my siblings are having another quarrel.." He grumbled, petting your [ears/antlers/hair]. "At least you were able to get some shut-eye.."

"They're at it again?" You blinked slowly. "Oh, what ever could it be this time?"

"From what I'm hearing...an elder died near their sleeping quarters, and they don't know what to do with the body. Lamb is away, Narinder's on a spiritual journey..and they're too prideful to ask anybody else for help."

"I'll take care of it, dear." Sighing, you left the shelter and stretched your arms and legs, donning your golden immortality necklace. "You can rest."

"Good luck to you." He grumbled as he took your place, while you headed over to the ex-bishops to see what was the matter.

"S-Seriously, we need to do something about this! I'm gonna be sick.."

"Let's just...chop them...up..and...feast."

"No, no..it would be wise to stow their body in the morgue and let Lamb take care of it. They know best how to bury their dead."

"...alright, but I'm not touching it! Although...I do like that pretty little necklace-"

"That is not yours to take, Kallamar."

Yelping, the blue squid jumped nearly six feet in the air, before the three siblings turned to see you there. You always had that habit of showing up without making any sound...something that spooked most followers here.

Especially the former bishops.

"I was already having a rough sleep..and then I see you all having a childish argument while one of our beloved elders is rotting on the ground." You scowled, shaking your head. "It's disgraceful. They led a virtuous life..and you deny them a virtuous sendoff."

They were all silent, having never dealt with death themselves since arriving into Lamb's cult.

You being here didn't help their anxieties, as you reminded them of everything they condemned Narinder for...ultimately choosing to shackle him and cut him off from this world, his ideals lost for generations.

You and your family were the only living proof that he used to have his own sector to rule. But with that gone, you were forced into hiding for years before hearing word that the Red Crown's chosen one was resurrected.

The vessel prophesized to bring an end to the Old Faith.

There were many before Lamb, such as Ratau, whom you have faithfully served, but it mattered not to you whose head the crown sat upon.

Only the crown itself.

When Narinder tried reclaiming it, and was beaten into submission, you held no ill-will towards your first and former master. You still called him lord, although your devotion was directed towards Lamb, serving as the cult's undertaker and teaching others how to bury the dead.

It made him feel rather bitter and jealous, reminding you that you had the privilege of being his favorite pupil...but eventually he accepted this loss, too.

He grew to admire you during the sermons Lamb permitted you to lead when they were out crusading, speaking of the Red Crown's might with such passion and diligence, inspiring all who listened to your words.

Narinder, who stood front and center, sees you haven't changed much over these last few centuries. You could have worn that crown yourself just as well as Lamb, had he offered it up to you.

The ex-bishops, on the other hand, became wary around you as each of them were indoctrinated. Things were awkward considering they tried to execute your family when you refused to abandon Narinder's gospel...

And now in the present, you were here scolding them like children.

Leshy, however, has warmed up to you rather quickly, eventually asking for your hand in marriage (with Lamb's permission, of course). It shocked his siblings when they arrived to the temple and saw the ritual taking place, the cheers of your fellow followers drowning out their cries of protest as you said your vows.

They accuse you of brainwashing the youngest of them...and still believe that to this very day.

You didn't care, though, and neither did Leshy.

You sighed, kneeling down to fix the pendant on the elder's necklace, closing their eyes and folding their arms across their chest. "There, now they'll be easier to bury once rigor mortis settles in."

"Rigor...what?" Kallamar asked bluntly, confused.

"The state in which a body's limbs lock up. Usually this happens within a few hours of death."

"..eugh..."

"Ah yes, yes...brother Narinder has spoken of that once.." Shamura nodded, finding your explanations intriguing.

"Has he? Well..I suppose I should give you all a lesson in mummification." You looked up to make sure they were paying attention. "It's one of the responsibilities of undertakers here."

"I am familiar with that." The purple spider muttered.

"Good, but since Kallamar and Heket are staring at me like I have three heads...this is for them."

"Huh?"

"What's...mummi...fication..?"

"A way to protect the body from natural elements. Lamb finds that it streamlines the resurrection ritual. Of course, it's easier to revive someone who's been properly buried than someone who's been hacked to bite-sized pieces." You looked at Heket, who only scowled back at you in return.

Fortunately, she's gotten better at biting her tongue these days.

And so you showed the ex-bishops how to properly mummify the body, explaining all the steps as you carefully wound the linen around their corpse. Once that was finished, you hauled it off to the nearest crypt, where you stored it among the several other occupied caskets lying within.

They followed you in prayer as you uttered a few departing words, knowing that they will either rise again to continue serving the Lamb, or permanently depart from this plane into the afterlife.

Afterwards, Kallamar, Heket, and Shamura were able to go back to sleep in their shared shelter, believing they've learned something of great importance...something that they tried to squander when it was Narinder teaching them.

Death was a subject that once terrified them all, even as semi-immortal gods themselves...so much so they sought to avoid discussions of it except when punishing their followers.

But now?

Now they felt more enlightened than ever.

#clanask #cult of the lamb x reader #cotl x reader #bishop followers #leshy x reader #follower leshy #follower heket #follower kallamar #follower shamura

[heyitsoak]

IM SO SORRY IF I'LL SPAM UR INBOX FROM NOW ON AHAHSHHAHAHSHJAHA BUT I LOVED THE INVENTOR HC FIC SM I LITERALLY JUMPED AROUND W EXCITEMENT WHEN I SAW YOU ANSWERED IT

may i get the sonic trio (separately obv but only if you take three characters at once :)) with a reader that's literally the definition of this cat

LIKE I MEAN THEY'RE USUALLY WITH THEIR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS WITH AN EVERLASTING BRAINLESS EXPRESSION AND HAS A HARD TIME PAYING ATTENTION FOR A LONGER TIME TO THINGS?? like sometimes they doze off during conversations and kind of forget things easily BUT they r very invested in the other's interests and super curious about them and does everything their little pea brain can handle to keep up with them and are really affectionate 😈😈😈😈 do with that as you wish<3

Your request are literally the funniest ones I’ve done so far lmao

Some of my friends have actually said I look like that cat cause I zone out all the time and have that expression, the cat above is @Bigfootjinx on Instagram <3

Sonic, Tails and Knuckles with a reader who zones out a lot

»»-----------►

Sonic

Okay so as we know, Sonic likes to talk, a lot.

And he likes to rant about stuff he’s interested in, it could be video games, comics, etc

And you do really like the stuff he talks about but if he talks for awhile (Which he normally does) you tend to zone out while he’s talking

He can usually tell if you zoned out because you have that exact expression of the cat.

He can’t help but laugh whenever you zone out because your expression is just so funny

But once he’s had his fun watching you stare off into space he’ll tap your shoulder or wave is hand in front of your face to get your attention

You’ve tried not to zone out while people are talking by interacting with what they say, just saying simple things like “That’s so cool!” “Woah!! Can you tell me more?” Etc

But you don’t interrupt what they’re saying or try to take the spotlight off of them, you just say simple stuff like that to keep your brain interested

Yet even if you do try saying stuff like that, you still tend to zone out while they’re talking

You also forget things easily, as an example, Tom asked you to go get Sonic and the others and tell them that dinner is ready and as soon as you walked off you immediately forgot what Tom asked you to do

You kinda just stood there trying to remember so you wouldn’t have to ask Tom what he asked you to do

You just slowing walked over to Tom and said “..What was it that you wanted me to do again..?” And he laughed a little and told you again. He thinks your forgetfulness and zoning out is funny, it doesn’t bother him though

Sonic loves how affectionate you are, you like to hug him a lot and sometimes you hug him a little bit to tight.. you don’t mean to though!

There’s been countless times where Tom or Maddie would walk into the living room and see you laying on the couch with Sonic laying on top of you about to fall asleep

He just thinks that you’re very comfy to lay on and he finds you running your hands through his fur very comforting

Tails

He would recommend medicine for you to help with your zoning out

If you’re hanging out with him your normally in his workshop and he’s talking about his newest invention and you’re just.. slowly zoning out with that everlasting brainless expression

Like Sonic, he also finds it funny but he won’t try to get your attention, he’ll just see how long you stay zoned out

You frantically apologize for zoning out while he was talking cause you didn’t mean to :(

He understands that you don’t mean to zone out and he just enjoys your company and that you let him talk about his inventions.. even if you’re zoned out the majority of the time

He really enjoys how affectionate you can be! Since he loves hugs he always goes to you for a hug

Once you were helping him repair his airplane and he asked for the wrench and when you were gonna get it you just.. forgot

You could not for the life of you remember what he asked for, you awkwardly shuffled over to him rubbing the back of your neck sheepishly and he sighed trying not to laugh asking

“You forgot what I asked for, didn’t you?” While holding back a laugh

“..Yeaaah”

“I asked for the wrench, Y/N”

You nodded and went back to get the wrench, thankfully, this time you didn’t forget

Knuckles

He would be very confused when you zone out since he’s never seen anyone else zone out before

Let alone someone zone out and have that everlasting brainless expression

He probably would take a picture of you and send it to the family groupchat with the caption “Is this normal?? Are they okay?”

They would tell him it’s normal for you to zone out and have that face when you do, he would still be confused though

He wouldn’t really know what to do to make you stop zoning out so he would just poke your face repeatedly

Once you stop zoning out he would sigh in relief, probably scared that you’d be stuck like that or something

He would offer you grapes in promise you wouldn’t zone out like that again cause it scared him, yet he wouldn’t say that out loud

His heart will flutter if you hold his hand and trace it with your fingers and stuff while you zone out it just gets him so <333

He isn’t one for affection but he accepts it from you

He enjoys your hugs and such, he likes how touchy feely you can be, he thinks it’s cute

Like the others, he doesn’t mind that you forget stuff easily

Once he was talking about something and you started to doze off as he was talking and you kinda just.. fell out of your chair..

He just stood there like 🧍‍♂️ w h a t

Extremely confused as to what happened and if you’re okay

When you get up and tell him that you’re okay he’s very relieved

Just please try not to scare him like that again

WOOO I GOT IT DONE!!! IM SO PROUD OF THIS I THINK THIS IS MY BEST ONE YET 😭💕💕 I personally relate to these headcanons since I tend to zone out a lot when people are talking and forget stuff easily lmao

Feel free to send in requests! This one was extremely fun to do!! My posts may be slow though due to school and end of grade testing coming up <3

#sonicmovie #movie sonic x reader #sonic x reader #sonic headcanons #sonic fandom #sonic 2 #sonic movie 2 #sonic the hedgehog #sonic wachowski #sonic #headcanons #x reader #x reader headcanons #knuckles wachowski #knuckles x reader #movie knuckles #tails #tails x reader #tails wachowski #movie tails #tails the fox #miles tails prower #sonic movie x reader #request

[gilbirda]

Growing pains

Anger Management (mentioned) and Everlasting Insomniacs (aka Everlasting Trio+Tim)

@batpham-discord-highlights

At the family bonfire, the polycule discuss the possibility of adding a new member. Also, Danny is not happy about his sister going for a long walk with Jason.

[Read on AO3]

“Dude! This is bad.” Danny said, plopping in front of the bonfire. For the moment nobody else was around, the official time for dinner was still half an hour later.

“What?” Tim settled in front of him.

“Like, certified bad.”

Tim frowned. “I’m not following.”

“You don’t understand,” Danny grabbed him by the shoulders as if ten minutes ago he hadn’t done the most disastrous confession ever attempted in this universe. “Jazz is very into bad boys with scars and a soft heart.”

Tim made a face. “Uh oh.”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” Sam sat down beside Danny, “it doesn’t have to end with them together.”

Both looked at her like she was crazy. “They went for a walk.” Said Danny.

“They were holding hands.” Tim continued.

“And she was making goo goo eyes at the man,” Tucker ended, sitting on Danny’s other side. “Anyone want some?”

Tim and Danny went for the same can of soda, their hands touching over the cold surface of the metal. Danny gasped, Tim gasped, and they looked at each other with a slight blush on their cheeks.

“Ugh. Just kiss already!”

“No, no, let them. I’m living for the slow burn going on.” Tucker was smiling at Sam, who rolled her eyes.

“Um,” Tim snatched the can and opened it, even if it was clearly an attempt to not look at either of the trio. “Are you guys really okay with…”

“Are you kidding?”

“Yeah, we have known for a while.”

“How is this news for me?”

“Because you are an idiot and very unobservant,” Sam’s smile was mocking, but she let her head fall on her boyfriend’s shoulder. “You wouldn’t shut up about Tim every time you came back from visiting the Waynes.”

“I… didn’t?”

Tucker placed his head on Danny’s other shoulder and nuzzled him a little. “Yes you did. I have a ten minute recording of you talking about how awesome he is.”

Tim’s face went completely red.

“I hate that I know exactly what you are talking about,” Danny sighed, careful to not jostle his partners too much. “Alright, then. I yield. I think he’s cute.”

“I’m still here.”

“We know.” The trio said at the same time. It would be eerie, but Tim found it fascinating.

Danny’s eyes found Tim’s. “If you are still interested, I’m game.”

Was Tim interested? Yes, he still wanted to date Danny - but now variables had changed. He felt stupid for thinking that those three were just friends, seeing them interact now, how casually they invaded each other’s personal space.

He wanted that too, he realized.

“Yeah. I’m in.”

“I’m in,” Tucker said in what he called his ‘hacker voice’ as he pushed up his glasses.

Danny and Sam snorted. “Nerd.” She added.

“Welcome to the polycule, Tim,” Danny extended a hand to him, which he accepted. Then, he was gently pulled into the other’s lap, his face too close to halfa. “We have nerd jokes, death jokes and general insanity.”

He didn’t care that his face resembled a tomato at this point. “That’s my kind of fun. There’s complementary coffee, I assume?”

“We got another one,” Sam groaned as Tucker laughed.

Danny, instead, leaned in to kiss him on the lips. He was cold, his lips almost uncomfortably cold despite the heat of the bonfire having warmed up his body. It was fine by Tim, and it also made him wonder how the other two would kiss. The one he had been crushing on for a while was Danny, but now that he finally met his best friends in person he could see why they were together; and he was not immune to how cute their little polycule was. He wanted more of them, of this.

“This is cute and everything, but here comes your sister, Danny.”

“Oh, yeah. They have kissed.” Sam deadpanned.

“What!”

And this is how the kiss ended, apparently. Danny’s arms kept Tim on his lap, once more being reminded that he was not human and he supported the weight of three grown adults like it was nothing.

Tim felt more than heard the growl in Danny’s chest as he tried to control his breathing. That didn’t help calm down his heart.

He turned to where his boyfriend (boyfriend!!!!) was glaring daggers at; and indeed Jason and Danny’s older sister were approaching them, hand in hand, and a content expression on their faces. Their lips were slightly swollen, Jason’s curls messed up just enough to be dismissed if you were not paying attention, and Jasmine’s hair was not in the bun she had when the two disappeared for a ‘walk’.

“Timbo.” Jason was the first to speak, cutting through the tension building up, eyes narrowed, daring him to comment on the new arrangement of things.

“Jason,” Tim’s eyes went to the still joined hands, and then to the flushed face of the elder Fenton. “Did you have an interesting walk?”

“Eventful. Jazz makes good conversation,” he licked his lips and Jasmine choked at his answer, but didn’t add anything. “Did you have a nice swim?”

“Eventful,” he said in a bored tone, as if he wasn’t in a prison of limbs and Danny and the others weren’t giggling at the exchange. “Did you know Danny was dating his best friends?”

“He mentioned it a few times.”

“Was I really the only one that didn’t know?”

A chorus of ‘yes’, ‘yep’ and a nod from Jazz was all the answer he received.

“That’s because you are an idiot,” Jason scoffed, pulling Jazz by their entwined hands so they sat in front of the bonfire as well. “I hope they beat some common sense onto you.”

“Oh, I’m sorry Jay, but that’s not gonna happen anytime soon,” Jazz shook her head. “They share a brain cell and sometimes they feed each other’s bad ideas.”

Before Danny could defend what Tim assumed were perfectly fine ideas (like using his powers to propel a floaty and crash into the ocean at breakneck speeds), a new voice joined the conversation.

“Oh my God.”

They turned, finding Damian, Dick, Cass, Alfred and Bruce carrying the pizza boxes that were for dinner, their eyes roaming over the picture they made and coming to the correct conclusions.

Damian didn’t look pleased, but decided to ignore them all and sit on the other side of the bonfire and start eating his vegetarian pizza in peace.

“B, I think the family just got bigger,” the eldest brother whispered to his father, but everyone heard him.

“Indeed.” Bruce's tone was controlled, as if he knew the kind of madness that was in store in his future.

#dpxdc #dp x dc #danny phantom #batman dc #anger management ship #jazz x jason #jazz/jason #everlasting trio #everlasting insomniacs #BatPhamBeach2022 #BatPhamSummerSendOff2022

[domain-of-revelation]

Herrscher of Origin 2.0: The Purposeless of Mei’s Growth

Spoilers for 6.3 and 6.4. Talks of Anti-Elysium Everlasting & (anti) Elymei.

Well, here we are I guess. Welcome to the culmination of the disappointment and decline of the Honkai universe’s writing and execution.

Mei’s Growth Pre-Flamechaser - Was the most “grown” and self-sustaining in terms of maturity and power (because of HoT persona and their bond). However, she put restraints on herself, thereby making her weaker as time went by. She was unable to do anything because of the shackles she tied to herself. Eventually, this led to a break in her character (Lament of the Fallen) where she in turn sacrificed herself to save the light of her life. She became the concept she hated, and she full fucking sent that shit! That’s our girl! When it became too much, she had to make that decision, and she took it by the throat and made it her personality. It was even better because it made sense for her to finally, finally let go of her own conviction because the ends justified the means to her, for Kiana.

The Flamechaser Arc - Mei: *angry about girlfriend dying to terminal radiation and her sacrificing herself* Flamechasers: Okay but have you heard about our lord and savior Elysia? Elysia (EE version): 🌸 👼🏻 ✨ 🌈 “by the way, I’m god” - Elymei. Uhhhh-

Moon Arc - Can we all just agree that this arc so far has been a complete flop (besides Seele, because I’m biased)? Seriously. Why do I need to become a PhD in astrophysics and electromagnetism to understand this chapter. Why dump exposition sentence after sentence that amounts to nothing but “I know you are but what am I?” It takes so much momentum out of this chapter that I scratch my head and think, “maybe I should just wait for all the chapter to be done”. It feels so padded out with philosophical nonsense pushed into a package already ready to burst. All we (at least here on Tumblr) wanted to see we’re our trio back together and kick Kevin’s ass. We’re simple people, I think. We don’t need our brains melted out with these lectures to enjoy a good, compelling story.

- Also, thanks for the retcon of Bronya no longer being a child soldier/assassin. No reason for that, so thanks for making the lore even more complicated for no reason.

- A shoutout to the translation team making me want to work for them instead because why do they not do quality assurance anymore.

- Open World is getting old. My phone shrieks in binary every time I have to load in to that stupid fucking god damn dog shit ass moon map. :)

Herrscher of Origin 2.0 - I said in an earlier post that this is a rare battlesuit that I highly dislike. Where do I even begin with this development for Mei? While I do love that Mei is the new HoO, as HI3 started with her, that’s really the only thing I actively enjoy with this development.

- Anything else about the battlesuit? I dislike. The “heavenly” theme of her suit, the lighter colors, the emphasis on Elysia, I actually hate it.

- And I hate to say I hate it, but I do. Elysia is supposed to be ka-put, gone, her and her comrades stories are O V E R. Let them rest for once.

- It feels like they’re trying to override Mei with Elysia, and it just doesn’t work. This entire shift in her personality, especially with the leaks of Mei saying she basically does not care if Kiana sacrifices herself, goes against the entire reason for her growth in the first fucking place!

- Why does Mei now have flower themes when it was never entirely relevant to her character? Bronya has technology and “coldness”, with a focus on blues, whites, and grays. This continues in her HoTr battlesuit. Kiana has her outgoing, tempered liveliness and hope, symbolized by whites, oranges, and blacks. Her symbol being the stars and fire actively fits her suits in at least some capacity through all of them. This has been her theme up to Flamescion. Now why I’m sitting here wondering why the hell Mei got this “heavenly angel” looking schtick that makes no sense. Her themes were red, black, purple, and white. And of course, lightning. This about-face turn around of punting these themes into the stratosphere isn’t growth, it’s a complete erasure of her journey and efforts to become stronger. What’s with the light blues and golds? The pinks of her eyes? Why flowers. Again? Also, the parallel between HoO Mei and Raiden Ei… how similar their battlesuits are. 🫠 end me. Mihoyo stop introducing Genshin to Honkai pleASE.

- Mei isn’t Elysia and she never will be. I need everyone to read this again. And another time. Mei might be the inheritor of the title, but Mei will not and can never be Elysia. To make Mei seem closer to Elysia is to erase everything Mei is and has done. Removing Mei’s autonomy in exchange for an Elysia cameo is downright ridiculous. Why can’t her bond with Kiana and Bronya be the trigger? Why does it have to lie in people long gone? Why can’t it be love? Love for humanity was the inspiration for Elysia, so why can’t it be love for her friends (and girlfriend)? Why, why, why does it have to always be Elysia?

- Mei’s growth has and will always be focused around learning from others. From Kiana saving her life at the very beginning of HI3, to learning the beauty and importance of life and sacrificing it with the FCs, Mei is always the mirror of another’s actions. To make Mei this… almost lassiez-faire to Kiana sacrificing herself is actually infuriating. They just got back together after half a year apart, where their parting almost meant killing each other, to now Kiana waving sacrificial-offering flags like a Naval officer, and Mei suddenly not caring anymore?! Just because you grow doesn’t mean you suddenly don’t care about things anymore! The beauty and anguish from Lament of the Fallen is due to the circumstance that Mei had no other choice but to leave to find a way to help Kiana. If she had to be the bad guy, she would be. So where the fuck does this “yeah I might’ve just reunited with my girlfriend after she tried to shoulder everything by herself, but now I couldn’t care less what she does” attitude come from.

A Little Ending Blurb I’m just, I’m so tired. After the Everlasting Flames Arc, I feel that the writing team is just blasting us to the end of this saga and not caring unless it’s a cool animation or battle scene. As someone who has been playing since global launch in 2018, it is more than just disappointing to see the quality nosedive to the level it’s at now. It’s, in my opinion, heartbreaking (as cringey/cheesy as it might sound). I’ve loved this game with so much passion and intrigue, it’s become a large point in my life. “Protect all that is beautiful in this world.” It’s served as a way to reflect on myself and my growth, especially compared to the girls who all have their threads of relatability and genuineness. I cherish these characters. I’ve laughed and I’ve most certainly cried at the art Mihoyo has created in the past that ripped out my heartstrings and played them like a harp. Honkai has really, truly touched my heart. It’s not something that a lot of media is able to do, but this one has, and it’s magical. It’s beautiful in its anguish and its sacrifices. It’s maddening in the way that it crawls underneath your skin with how human these characters are. But I hate how much it seems like this past year, that feeling has been pushed behind a curtain. Nothing seems earned or deserved or meaningful. Characters just do because they do, particularly in Mei’s case. She’s constantly ham-fisting her recollections of the Flamechasers, telling her memories to characters who’ve never heard, let alone cared, of simulations of a bygone era. Everyone’s just like, “Oh? Yeah? Mhm, sure.” And move about their next dialogue. There’s no real significance to her exposition, there’s no drive to explain what’s been happening on her end. And it sucks to see.

Sorry I’m ending it like this, but I’m frustrated. I’ll try and make another addition to this in a more eloquent way, but I just needed to get these thoughts out there.

#honkai impact #hi3 #honkai impact 3rd #Raiden Mei #Elysia #Elysia hate #Honkai spoilers

[mythriteshah]

Brilliance Born from Activity

Another brilliant day within the vibrant terraces of great Radz-at-Han as commerce begins to run rampant throughout the streets once more.  But amidst the hustle and bustle of this melting pot of mercantilism is the Higuri Regalia’s Main Branch, tucked deep within the residential district of Kama.  Within this mythril-blue palace lied the Servants’ Lounge, where an extravagant feast was being held.

Much revelry was had as Regalia workers, Near Eastern citizens, associates, and adventurers alike enjoyed the many sights and sounds of Thavnair within this opulent hall.  Every party-goer within this meyhane-in-disguise wore festive masks with myriad faces of men and beasts alike.  These were worn in homage to the Manusya and the Mrga - the deific beings who once warred in ancient times, but eventually sought for peace by trading their heads and limbs and were created anew as creatures of might and wisdom.

Atop the balcony which overlooked the lounge proper were three Lalafellin women garbed in matching robes - also masked, but upon which bore the likenesses of the greatest deities worshiped in Thavnair - the Magus Sisters, patron deities of Thavnair.  The one in golden robes bore the mask of Sanduruva - the Sister of Prosperity, and stood in the center.  To her left was a Lalafell dressed in silver, bearing the mask of Minduruva, Sister of Ingenuity. Which left only Cinduruva, Sister of Wisdom, to the lass opposite of her.  She was adorned in bronze, and with glasses of Bacchus Wine in hand, each of them toasted to their audience below after a riveting speech was given by each of them - a toast to the revitalization of commerce.

“Is it not wonderful, my sisters?” spoke the golden-clad Lalafell.  “This is what we have fought so hard for, and even now, our coffers flourish - our profits soar... And everyone benefits from it.  Truly, were we any richer, our tears may as well turn to gold!”

“Indeed, Baroness,” chimed the silver-clad one.  “If we so willed it, Etheirys would be ours.  Not even the Syndicate can compare to us.  But even they have their uses.  After all, we ourselves had humble beginnings in the sea of sand known as the Sagolii.  And now look at us: at the forefront of fashion, and the proliferation of profit.”  The bronze-clad Lalafell chuckled before nodding in approval.

“It is humbling, truly, to recall our start,” she said.  “But through us - the D.B.M. - the Duchess, Baroness, and Marquess - enacting our lord’s will - we ensured that nary a soul was left unaccounted for in our everlasting quest of profit.  Truly, a job well done throughout the summers.”

As they danced and feasted below, the trio would unmask themselves:  Duchess von Sena, the Bronzed; Marquess von Sona, the Silvered, and Baroness von Suna, the Gilded.  These three special agents comprised the financial triumvirate of the Higuri Regalia, answerable only to House Higuri.  It is through their actions that their prime directives are fulfilled, which they would utter in unison:

“To make our statement known; to bless all within our presence with riches.  By our authority shall none ever dispute the veracity of the Higuri Regalia’s financial strength.”

The festivities proceeded apace, with little end in sight.  After a good bell’s worth of time had passed, they would receive a call from their linkpearls...

Further eastward lied the Higuri Regalia’s Othard Branch Headquarters: the Mythrite Suites Hotel.  This castle-like established was the seat of power for Head Secretary Yuanji Yuji, whom had just recently opened up her own commercial leg of the Regalia which she had dubbed the Mythril Treasury.  This expansive Far Eastern shop located in the hotel’s basement quickly attracted the attention of locals and Ijin alike, and the rare and exotic items displayed would be coveted by many.  Koban lined the fountains and ponds strewn about the market, and on the far end sat the Yuanji, reclining on her White Tiger-inspired throne as she gazed upon the massive phasmascapes before her.

Staring at the center one, she was awaiting the call of the Regalia’s agents.  Before too long, they would appear on-screen as the proximity feed was projected directly from the linkpearls they were given, allowing anyone on the same frequency to see what they saw on the phasmascape.

“Baroness!  Duchess!  Marquess!” she greeted as she rose her pipe in greeting.  “Full glad am I to receive you!  The Mythril Treasury flourishes and the kogane flows into a venerable river.  Much profit has been gained... and many secrets have been learned.  I owe it all to you, whom had taught me the finer points of mercantilism.  Arigatou!”

“Oh, think none of it, darling,” the Baroness replied, taking the lead.  “You know as well as any that those who serve the Regalia are destined for great things - from the newest employee to the most seasoned of models - and you are of no exception, Miss Yuanji!  Far gone are your days serving tea, for you are now a merchant worthy of renown!  The Dunesfolk blood runs in you as well, and by the Traders and Sisters, we saw fit to awaken that thirst - that drive to amass coin.”

“And it feels amazing!” Yuanji replied, spinning in her seat in delight.  “Such potential I never knew existed from within!”

Some moments later would Yuanji and the others receive another call from their linkpearl.  The frequency was familiar to them, and thus would they answer.  The phasmascape to the left would then flip over to the sight of what appeared to be a lush garden against a mountainous backdrop.  Some individuals were chatting amongst themselves in the background, but a few familiar faces were seen escorting some Garleans of significant import.  Himmeya, Kaori, and Swoztu were seen waving in the background.

“Ahh!  Our Enforcers!” chimed the Baroness.  “Which could only mean -”

“Yes.  My apologies for my tardiness, Angels,” spoke a voice.  The feed (which was being broadcasted from a magitek bit) panned over to reveal a voluptuous and bespectacled Duskwight in a winged clockwork gown.  Beside her was a tall Hyur of a woman with blonde tresses held back by a white hairband.  She wore armored gauntlets which stopped at her shoulders; sabatons and greaves protected her legs, and she bore a large tower shield upon her back and a gunblade sheathed at her left hip.  She wore a dress of vanilla yellow which maintained an air of refinement.

“You’re never late, Telphie-Hime!” Yuanji reassured.  “Besides, I see that operations in Ilsabard are proceeding apace!”

“Well, lest you forget,” the Duskwight explained, “I owe much and more to this nation of Garlemald - even more so to the Regalia and House Higuri.  I had been conscripted into servitude for my technological know-how, but Lord Fafastima won my freedom so long ago when he realized just how young I was.  And now, so many summers hence, I have helped contribute to this nation’s return to greatness.  With trade re-established between it and Radz-at-Han, Garlemald will finally be able to stand on its own feet.  So thank you, dearest Angels, for taking this silly nerd of a Princess under your wing.”

"If anyone is to be grateful, Princess Higuri, it is I,” spoke the Hyur.

“Oh!  Is this who I think it is?” the Baroness asked.  The Hyuran female lowered her head into a flowing bow and smiled.

“I am Youmei dus Kyria, quondam Hoplomachus Optio of the IVth Imperial Legion, 2nd Cohort.  With conflicts finally dying down I can finally assume my place among my fellow House members.”

“House Kyria...?  I am afraid I am unaware of such,” Yuanji pondered with a furrowed brow.  After a long swig of her wine, the Baroness would chime in once more with: “It is no surprise, Miss Yuanji, that you are unaware of her clan.  But it is best you hear the story from the lady herself!”

“Thank you, O Gilded Baroness,” Youmei said with another bow.  “House Kyria was around since the time before the Imperialization of Garlemald.  Before we were accepted into the royal family as Palātīna, we were but humble merchants.  Trade and commerce were our lifeblood, and it would not be long until we would come upon that blessed nation of Thavnair to the south, where we conducted numerous agreements prior to, and even during, the non-aggression treaty.  When Lord Fafastima headed the Regalia, he had his own ambitions to create an Ilsabardian branch closer to our capital, and we had strong ties to the Populares to help ensure such relations were possible.  While unsuccessful sometime after its creation, Lord Fafastima’s generosity and drive for international collaboration ever lingered in the minds of House Kyria.  Thus did we try to maintain as much communication as possible with House Higuri, keeping them apprised of imperial matters as time passed.  It was difficult at first, but - loathe as I am to admit - as Garlemald’s grip upon the realm began to waver, such talks became easier.”

“After much deliberation, we have finally brought Youmei into our fold, making her an official Angel, and the first Garlean to do so!” Telphie declared, which gave everyone in the call reason to cheer.  Youmei could not help but blush in embarrassment, though she was no less honored to be welcomed so enthusiastically.  “She still has duties she would like to fulfill in Garlemald proper, so she will remain with the other Enforcers --”

The Duskwight damsel would find herself being cut off mid-sentence as the Baroness, Marquess, Duchess, and even Yuanji began to debate amongst one another as to which branch Youmei would be assigned.

“It is only right she join our Lord Sultan in the Main Branch!” The Baroness stated.

“With all due respect, Baroness,  the Aldenard Branch is the most logical!” interjected a new voice.  It was Shishira Shira, Advisor to the Head Secretary of the Aldenard Branch.  She would come into view on Yuanji’s right, pointing her finger authoritatively.  “They are already in Gyr Abania anyway, and our airships are bound to receive them shortly to give her her new garments!”

“It is certainly a delight to see you, Miss Shishira, but I must apologize!  The Othard Branch is her destiny!” Yuanji retorted.  “The Garlean and Thavnairian Consulates would benefit much from a Garlean Palatina’s presence!”

This friendly bickering over Youmei only made the Garlean turn redder than a rolanberry as Telphie could only shrug and spectate.  While it was fun to participate in an Angel’s discussion, there was still work to be done amidst the revelry.  Telphie and Youmei spotted a hooded figure amidst the crowd of Ala Mhigan Resistance Fighters, whose gaze would meet with hers before she slowly approached the two.

Himmeya and her fellow Enforcers would rush to Telphie’s side to defend her, which alarmed the onlookers present, but she stretched an arm out to them, gesturing her fellow Angels to stand down.  After closer inspection, they recognized the symbol on the hooded figure’s mask.  It was similar to the same ones they saw during the Ilsabard Contingent’s initial push into the capital, and as before, this individual - a Raen female - presented before them a magicked mythril case.

“It is all right, everyone.  She is a friend,” Telphie reassured the crowd, which eased any tensions that may have risen and deflected their interest.  With the coast now clear, the individual bowed in thanks and slowly opened the chest to reveal its contents, which left everyone’s eyes wide in awe.  “Angels, you may want to see this.”

The ladies’ argument would end abruptly as the feed would be changed to share Telphie’s vision.  Shishira was able to view it from her monitor in her office, whilst the D.B.M. looked at it from their Tomestones of Frivolity.  What they beheld was a chest filled to the brim with inky stones of red, blue, and green hues, brimming with an ominous yet familiar energy.  Strewn about it were also fist-sized pearls that housed elemental might, as well as a motley assortment of other dark-looking materials that seemed as though they were absorbing light.

“By the Sisters, what is this?” the Baroness gasped.  Youmei simply looked on in wonderment, unsure of what this meeting would entail.

“I recognize some of those contents...” Shishira answered.  “Studying under Queen Chichibi, I have learned enough from our Mhachi heritage that most of the contents in that chest is void matter coalesced into those stones.  The other materials, however, I’m not too sure about.”

“It seems like they are tiny pearls that hold within them a profound amount of elementally-aspected energies!  Quite a find!” Yuanji hummed, intrigued by what she is seeing.  “I should contact the Mythril Wavetraders to have some sent to us!”

“You may not have to, Miss Yuanji,” Telphie spoke, “For this lady has just informed me that a shipment will be sent to the other branches by sundown.  Our airships and submersibles have also redirected their course to accommodate this.”

“I could only imagine what this could entail!” spoke the Duchess.  “Such a discovery would make excellent additions to the Regalia’s reserve stock!”

“If only this came before the Largesse - we could’ve offered these to the public as well once we had them purified and refined,” posited the Marquess.

“Yes, yes-yes-yes, but what does it all mean?” the Baroness huffed.  Before too long, everyone would hear another voice within their ears as a new individual entered the call.

“It is simple, my dears.”

It was a calm and gentle voice like a quiet snowfall.  They knew immediately that it was none other than their lord, the Diamond Sultan, and everyone straightened themselves as though they had been called to attention by a commanding officer.  And the sentence that followed was the most tantalizing string of words that was sweeter than any lassi; spicier than any pepper, and more uplifting than any song or dance...

“It is the precursor to my latest breakthrough.”

#Higuri Regalia #thiji higuri #short story #Lalafell #lalafell master race #pib catalogue #high fashion #fashion #void #thirteenth shard #the void #radz at han #Garlemald #hingashi #balmung rp #ffxiv balmung

[the-nerdy-fangirl]

Hey guys I’ve had BTBBRBBBQ stuck in my head for a week so now you get this

Welcome to my hellscape playlist of songs that remind me of the phandom please feel free to message me with more phandom tropes or songs and their reference

My explanations are under the read more

I can link to origins/explanations if anybody is super curious

BTBBRBBBQ - bear ghost bbq sounds fucking hilarious and makes me think of ghost bear king

Duck song - candles

Conspiracy theories- Wes

Beautiful gas mask - seems obvious to me

Fangs - also seems obvious

King bear - aforementioned danny-does-not-want-to-be-king-fuck-it-bear au

Part time god - pharaoh tucker and ancient of space danny and guardian of flora sam

Pharaoh - tuck as said above

Witch - spooky aus with witch!sam

Space is cool - space obsession

Kronos unveiled - CW is literally an ancient god from mythology

Daylight savings time - peepaw clockwork

Time adventure - time travel fix it baybeeeeee

Can ghosts be gay? - it’s not gay if he’s dead

Ghosts aren’t real - kyle weston

Lost decade - flynn fenton

I’m blue- frosty colored boy

Secrets - everyone knows au. Ones where danny knows they know but especially where everlasting trio thinks they’re doing a great job keeping it secret I think they are. So funny if you have recs pls hmu

Bodies - that one au where danny drops a corpse every time he transforms

#spotify #danny phantom #nix explanation #music #jamsongs #99% of these are from my playlists lol

[uppastthejelliclemoon]

bonding

based off of the creative challenge post that my lovely bestie @storyweaverofgondor made!!!

When Alonzo brought Tumblebrutus and Pouncival to the Junkyard, Tantomile wasn't sure what to think.

She was happy for Alonzo, of course, as she had overheard his heartbroken, quiet conversation with Cassandra and Amunet in the evenings, talking about his brothers. With her magic beginning to manifest more and more, Tantomile could feel the emotional turmoil that filled the harlequin tom, and she wanted nothing more than for his family to be complete once more

Coricopat was excited about having two brothers, especially when he realized that Pouncival thought their magic was the coolest thing in the entire world.

Tumblebrutus was quiet, rarely leaving his oldest brother’s side, or remaining inside the den. Tantomile never saw him speaking with anyone who wasn’t his brothers, Jellylorum, Asparagus, or Amunet, and Tantomile personally made it her mission to get her new brother out of his shell.

It was easy for Tantomile to spend time around Tumblebrutus. His quiet, somber demeanor was calming to her, especially as she and Coricopat grew into their abilities.

While Pouncival and Coricopat got along like a house on fire, Tantomile and Tumblebrutus’ relationship grew slowly, but there was no doubt in their parents’ mind that they were becoming as thick as thieves as time went on. The growing relationship was made even more obvious as Tumblebrutus began to acknowledge Tantomile’s comforting presence with a small, shy smile every time she stood or sat by his side.

Tumblebrutus’ favorite spot in the main stage area was against the oven, as the spot was hidden enough that he could tuck himself into the shadows, but he could also look out and observe everything.

Tantomile joined him one afternoon, curling up against an old ladder.

"Hello." She said softly.

Tumblebrutus’ eyes brightened upon seeing her. “Hi.”

Tantomile felt the shift in emotion, and gave him a look. “Good day?”

The patched tom’s small nod made Tantomile’s heart soar. A few days after meeting, Tantomile had begun asking if Tumblebrutus was having a “good day” or a “bad day”, meaning if he was feeling relaxed, or as though he was back on the streets. She would adjust her interactions with him accordingly, and a good day always made her happy.

The kittens sat in content silence for a few minutes, watching the Jellicles around them.

“I think Alonzo is getting up the courage to as Auntie Cass to be his mate.” Tantomile commented softly, making Tumblebrutus’ head whip towards her.

“You think?”

Tantomile nodded with a secret smile. “Have you seen him around her?”

The young tom looked across the main stage area, where he saw his older brother chatting animatedly with Munkustrap, and he bit back an amused sound. “Everlasting, you’re right.” Tumblebrutus paused for a moment before lowering his voice and flopping down dramatically. ���Oh Cassandra, you’re so beautiful and talented.”

Tantomile giggled, stretching out to imitate her aloof auntie. “Alonzo, darling, you are too kind to me.”

“It is nothing you do not deserve!” Tumblebrutus crowed, pressing a paw to his heart and batting his eyes.

“What are you two doing?”

Alonzo’s voice made the two kittens immediately sit up straight, looking at the older tom with nothing but innocence in their eyes.

“Nothing!” Tumblebrutus said, which Alonzo responded to with a Look that informed the two that he did not, in fact, believe that they were innocent little kittens.

Cassandra approached the trio, pecking Alonzo’s cheek softly. The tom beamed at her appearance, and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Afternoon, my love.”

“Alonzo, darling.” The Abyssinian greeted. Her partner whispered something in the queen’s ear, making her huff softly with an adoring smile and bat his shoulder. “You’re too kind.”

Tumblebrutus and Tantomile glanced at one another at their relatives’ words, and promptly burst into laughter, Tumblebrutus falling to his side to lean into Tantomile as they both clutched their stomachs.

Cassandra raised an eyebrow at the two kittens. “What are you menaces laughing at?”

Every time their laughter began to dwindle, Tumblebrutus and Tantomile would meet each other’s eyes, and fall apart giggling again.

Alonzo didn’t say anything, simply gripped Cassandra’s paw tightly as he stared at his younger brother. Cassandra glanced back at him, and saw his eyes shining with unshed tears, and the largest, happiest smile on his face.

“He’s laughing.” The harlequin tom whispered. Cassandra’s heart warmed, and she stepped closer to Alonzo, wrapping her arm around his as they watched the kittens continue to laugh.

After that day, Tumblebrutus began to express himself more. He played pranks on Alonzo with Pouncival, he and Coricopat talked animatedly about anything and everything, and he adored cuddling up with any three of his parents near the end of the day.

But Tantomile was the only cat who could make him laugh so hard he fell over, she was one of the only ones who understood his Bad Days, who understood that sometimes he just needed quiet.

Tumblebrutus decided, after that day, that having a sister was the best part about moving to the Junkyard, and Tantomile decided that she liked having three brothers.

#just tanto and tumble being siblings <33333 #thinking about tanto absolutely teasing the HELL out of tumble when he starts crushing on hestia #listen i need to write more abt the psychic twins and the patched twins being siblings #this was also my first time really writing tanto and i'm happy with how it turned out! #do not tag as tumble/tanto #do not tag as cori/pounce #tantomile #tumblebrutus #alonzo #cassandra #pouncival #coricopat #cats the musical #casslonzo #asparamulorum #liv's writing corner

[reawritesthings]

sink or swim | tom holland

summary: with your family restaurant close to vanishing, a surfing competition arrives along with a sketchy family. wrapped up in a series of trials and tribulations with your two best friends, you try your hardest to keep everyone on this island happy. - surfer!tom, fwb/best friends to lovers au

word count: 22K

warnings: the general angst of being in a fwb type relationship, swearing, mention of psychical/emotional abuse, a lot of surf talk, and it gets frisky. this fic is nsfw so minors please don’t read!!! — otherwise, it’s a very angst fic that deals with a lot of emotions. (if anyone is going thru or is going thru some of the acts that are mentioned in this story, ill leave some numbers so you can call and my dms/ask box is always open.)

us hotline | uk hotline | the globe hotline

a/n: i had so much fun writing this au!! i know i haven’t been the best at providing content but i really hope this fic can make up for it. i want to say a huge thank you to @neonparkers and @bvttercupbby for helping me out, cheering me on and helping me map out the fic. i’d also like to give credit to @blissfulparker for introducing me to surfer!tom. (please check out her wipeout fic)! + @hollandsmushroom for beta reading<3 i really hope you all enjoy this fic as much as i liked writing it, feedback is much appreciated <3 

+++ extended warnings: smut. f + m receiving. cam cording, and exhibitionism. if i have missed anything please let me know.

Gliding your hand through the mist of the liquid that held magnificent treasures and the musing stories of mythical creatures that lived beneath the pelagic fishes, a turbulence of wind cuffed your hair to fall in front of your view of the everlasting cerulean ocean. A slight sigh of a curse word that was intended for the ocean made the driver grin with pleasure, amusingly watching you fight your way through the gale.    

“If this was happening to you, you wouldn’t be laughing.” You glared, but also rolled out a chuckle at something you couldn’t control. 

“No, I wouldn’t because I would've used my initiative and tied my hair back.” His witty response costs him a splash of salty water on his feet along with a short wheeze. 

“Addle Pate.” You grunted and watched his shit-eating grin compose into a puzzled look that held no dominance. 

“Quit with the pirate talk.” 

“Or what? What could you possibly do?” You challenged, giving your knees a break from melting into the wood as you propped yourself up. 

“Throw you overboard? Feed you to the sharks?” He trailed on for another minute before ending his list with a threat from another person on board, Harrison. 

Harrison was the arbitrator of the trio, ensuring that his two best friends would make it back alive after every bizarre adventure either three of them picked. Growing up on an island that was mostly full of tourons, and well-functioning families that often inhaled the grasping taste of fraud, and expensive yachts, it was important to have a secure loyal friend group to aid the ridiculous tale of The Great Gatsby. 

“Why don’t we battle the anger with some waves? Say we head back, surf a little, and go to Y/N’s family restaurant?” Harrison compromised, assuming that the leisure of surfing would mellow the tension of his two friends. 

“Fine with me.” You expressed a smile then shot Tom a look of vengeance. 

“Did you see that?” Tom whined, but Harrison already made his way over to the end of the boat. He couldn’t handle the heat and the ludicrous behaviuor of his two friends who either needed to fuck it out or be somewhat civil. 

“Such a baby.” You muttered under your breath. As you discreetly laid your body down, pushing your breasts up you saw the frustration on Tom’s face when you placed yourself in his radar. 

“Tease.” He grumbled as he manoeuvred the boat back to the shore, trying to not hark back to the view of your body plastered right in front of him. 

The ocean breeze coats your skin in a light mist of brine leaving the sun to soak up the salty taste on the walk back to the restaurant. You sense the agonising stares on you like the catch of the day, eyes frozen with no power to refrain from solitude. As luck would have it, a rather peculiar gesture was received to you when a tender piece of fabric wrapped its warmth around your exposed skin. Looking over your shoulder to thank the person, you were staggered to see Tom snatching the same towel from Harrison with the words “I’m cold” repeatedly. 

“What happened to the, ‘I’d rather be cold than have Y/N seen as bait’” Harrison coyed Tom’s sweet gesture, rewarding you with a wink of validation that Tom was now branded a gentleman in disguise.   

“I’m doing them a favour.” Tom deadpanned, as he discreetly stared icily at the sleazy fishermen that crossed their path. Harrison nodded slowly, obscuring what he just witnessed as Tom scurried off, leaving the two of you to mock his act of kindness. It was rare for Tom to show his kindness towards you in public, especially a gesture like that. Those acts were a confirmation of intimacy and a statement of fondness, which Tom hated.

“Is it bad that I sometimes lay awake trying to piece together this endearing yet indescribable relationship the two of you have?” Harrison piped up, forcing your thoughts to decide and to be replaced with the sign of an uncanny, yet hilarious confession to surface right before you made eye contact with your parents who made it known that they weren’t fond of the curly locked boys. 

“I would keep those thoughts for your pillow talk nights.” You whispered, tapping his cheek in a childish manner only to receive a slight pinch to your skin. 

“Rude, but I’m flattered you think of me when you lay awake at night. It makes my ego burst with confidence that I got the two hottest boys simping over me.” 

“You think I’m hot?” Tom tenderly whispered to your ear, smirking with glee as he sorely knew that he got the last word. 

“Of course that’s the only thing you hear.” You said flicking his cheek as the corner of your mind alerted you that your parents could see almost everything in their restaurant. Giving them a wave, and rolling your eyes at Tom attempting to do the Vulcan, as you drunkenly remember telling Tom that your parents gushed over Star Trek which was a false fact. 

“I thought they liked Star Trek?” 

You rolled your eyes, “It’s a good thing you’re pretty.”

Tom’s eyes crinkled, as a line appeared between his brows. “So they don’t like Star Trek?”

“No, Thomas. They don’t.” You hissed, beckoning Harrison to free you from this conversation. Breaking a groan that left your lips, the two boys dissimulated themselves into the artwork when they saw your gaze on your parents. The taunt in their eyes gave you the go-ahead to seclude the two of them in the far corner, to avoid any mishaps from happening. 

The restaurant fades into the background as if it was all just a latch of distraction from the suffocating displeasure of your parents refusing to even glance in your direction. Tom and Harrison often tried to be formal and helpful during the rush, but nothing seemed to change their minds. 

“Is there anything you boys want to eat?” You broke the tension, as you couldn’t take the childish manner of the two of them finding any source of entertainment which was using wasted fries to mimic the ivory tusk of a walrus. 

“Shrimp.” 

“Anything else?” 

“Fries, and your parents' approval.” Tom teased, hitting Harrison in an attempt to get him to agree with him. Sometimes you questioned the algorithm of Tom’s mind as you confirmed from the age of ten that his brain was monitored by a musical jolly chimp. You never confided in Harrison about Tom, as you knew him the longest dating back to year four when he charmed his way to being your partner in a science project that earned him the best grade he ever received. 

“Why would you want my parents' approval?” You stood up, hands resting on the wooden table as your chest crowned his view making his breath hitch and muscle tense. 

“Need a job.” He stammered, gripping hard to his Hawaiian shorts to fight the attraction he was getting.  

“Surf shop is hiring.” Harrison was completely unaware of the tension that circulated him. You turned your gaze onto Harrison ruffling his blonde locks, laughing at the innocence he gave off. 

“Surf’s up, boys.”

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀

Amidst the flour that covered the station sat the uncooked shrimp, several workers were clustered around. One at a time, the workers painted each fish, giving them the famous crispy salmon colour that people often gushed over through their Instagrams before their meal. Shrimp’s Creek was best known for their shrimp, but you secretly knew that the best shrimp is from Bubba Gump, a fictional brand that was classified to Tom and yourself, the ultimate dream destination. It was also one of the reasons why your parents disliked Tom as he would refrain people coming to your family restaurant as he quoted, ‘No shrimp is better than Forrest Gump’s.’ 

Taking the food upon request by your friends, your parents stopped you. They stared at the food, grunting that good food was going to waste and a 20 quid meal went down the drain. 

“I don’t get why you are still slumming with those hooligans? Have they got something on you?” Your mother’s feelings of resentment to your friends have been suppressed for years but as you grew, and as did the urges you three were beginning to have, she was worried that you would come home pregnant or engaged. 

“They are my friends. I know they aren’t something out of a catalog but they understand me.” You tried to convince your parents, mostly your mother, that they were harmless but alas, Tom made that very difficult as he would often stumble onto your porch with a bruise or a fresh cut. 

“Can you find other friends? Preferably girls?” 

“And what if those girls also have urges? Maybe I'm sticking to boys due to the desired attention that ladies give me when I frolic around on the beach? Theoretically, you should be thanking the boys for being bodyguards, and keeping your daughter safe.” 

Your father stifled a laugh, coughing right after to cover his tracks. It was rather weird that your father was more accepting of the two than your mother was. Obviously, the stereotyping of the father being the most protective had gone out the window but, a mother’s  guardian instinct is unmatched. She didn’t even acknowledge the sass, turning around to let out her frustration on the lobsters. However, your father still gave you that look of concern when he saw Tom stage another Vulcan. 

“When is that knucklehead going to learn that I hate Star Trek?” 

You shrugged, glancing over to them. “In time. He really wants your approval.” 

“Why? He doesn’t like you does he?” 

“No.” You quickly assured him. “He’s just —” 

“— Do you like him?” 

“Seriously?” You surveyed Tom coolly, nibbling on your bottom lip. “There’s nothing going on between the two of us.” 

“I believe you.” Your dad promised, freely letting you fly to your friends. However, a part of him instinctively saw the admiration in Tom’s eyes when you delivered his food. He had watched too many Disney films to not spot a lovesick boy, and he vowed that he wouldn’t interfere but the slight irritating itch behind his ear said otherwise. 

“Not a chance.” Your mother resurfaced, head poking out to see what was keeping him. Your father responded with a confused tilt of his head that he quickly picked up on; as Tom would do the same which made your father panic into believing he was a knucklehead at his age too. 

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀

The ruckus of the beach settled when the waves fell silent, and the mount of the rising gold grains were neatly groomed. It was your favourite time to visit your backyard and enjoy the abandonment of the ongoing beauty. Nervously, chipping off the musty blue nail polish you situated yourself just below the line where the seawater grazes your feet, enough to wake you but not scare you. The hood of your jumper arranged to fall when your phone vibrated in your back pocket. You already knew who it was, and judged that it was a message to tell you he was on his way. 

If someone asked you how you ended up in a situation that usually ends with tears, you would shrug your shoulders and play the ‘I know what i’m doing’ card. But, when asked repeatedly if you had any form of connection with the boy you claim is just meaningless fun, something triggers the beating organ.

“Sorry. I would have gotten here sooner but someone had the rampant surfboard, and it’s beautiful. Like, the taste of those brownies you make.” His erratic animation of the scene he just fled from flew to the back of your mind, and your pupils sorely focused on his bronze, built-up chest that radiated the moonshine. 

You drummed your fingertips against your thigh, watching his bear-like hands comb through his chestnut mop. A slight groan left your lips, quickly diverting your eyes to the seafront but the thump you felt when his body collapsed to the ground, made you lock eyes with him. 

“You good, seahorse?” 

You nodded quickly, looking back down at the grains of gold that escaped through your fingers. Your cheeks flared, feeling rather embarrassed but grateful that your rendezvous happened at night — It made it easier not to fall deeper than you already were. 

“Can you believe that though?” He recounted, fiddling with the loose strand of his jumper.

You were far too mellow to even try and acknowledge his excitement. All you wanted (needed) was his lips on your body, or his hands — either way, you wanted him. 

“Kiss me.” is all you said, and those hands you wanted fell right below your back. With no patience, you pulled him closer gently, licking his lower lip. His fingers pressed onto your strap that held your breasts in place. Without breaking the contact, he untied your bikini with no issues and left him smirking at his accomplishment. You leaned your head closer and giggled against his lips when he hauled you into his lap. 

“Someone’s needy.” He thrillingly whispered, before kissing you breathlessly, titling his head slightly to allow you to knot your fingers through his locks. You didn’t say much but out of touch you loosely wrapped your hands around his neck, before breaking the kiss. You began to explore down his neck, chuckling at the response. 

“Blame the moonlight.” You gently said before fervently sucking on a spot just below his jaw. 

He swallowed thickly, feeling his cock rise in his pants. His breathing quickened as you grind your hips against him. He was certain that the sudden wind grazed his skin, but it drifted away when the warmth of your hands touched his chest. Before you even tried to remove his swim shorts, He pulled you away, getting a good glimpse of your breasts. 

“God. I love these.” He murmured, tracing your sternum. You arched your back when he teasingly held your breasts, rubbing them continuously. His face shone joyously by the way you squirmed when he pinched your nipple. 

“Stop teasing…” You moaned, feeling the dampness in your bikini bottoms. Your lashes fanned out, as he slowly positioned you on the sand. He wordlessly placed his hands on your inner thigh, giving a little pinch to evoke a sweet tune. 

“Does my little seahorse need touching? If I just slowly move my finger higher, will I finally get the treat you promised earlier?” He sinsterly grinned, moving his finger further up. You bit onto your lower lip, moving your hips as you felt his thumb press on your bud. 

“S’not fair.” You moaned into a pout, watching his smirk grow. 

“Now you know how it feels, darling.” 

You frowned, watching his digit move clockwise against the fabric. He occasionally dabbed your bud, sending your head back. With the moon shining right on the neatly tied bow that secluded him from feeling you, he effortlessly untied the string. You watched him closely, shaking with excitement as a slight giggle left your lips at his technique. 

His hand crawls down towards your bud, two of his fingers parting your folds easily from the mess you created. “For someone who gets on your nerves a lot, I sure can make you fall apart easily.” He pressed a kiss to your belly as he teases your bud. He slowly drags his tongue up and down your body as he enters your folds with his two fingers. You moan with ease, fisting the sand. 

“S’good.” You whimper, as his fingers explore your clit. The one good thing that came out of this situation was the way he knew all your spots. His fingers wasted no time in picking up the pace, laughing at how you didn’t have a clever response. You only were limited with words like his name, and wanting more. You could almost sense the bastard smirk on his face, as he had all the control. Your toes curled, and a moan left your lips when the coldness of the wave came to witness. 

“Such a good little slut.” He praised. “You are taking my fingers so well, seahorse.” 

You squirmed, whilst he swirled his fingers around you, hitting every little spot that made you moan over the peaceful noise of the beach. He picked up his pace, nibbling at your neck, the sound of you begging, and the moans that came after his most played tune. You begged for more, clutching harder on the sand but the moist made you want him more. 

“I’m close.” 

“I know, baby. You look so good right now. I wonder what your mother would think?”

You didn’t respond with words but you let out a long, loud moan of his name. 

“God. I should film this as proof of who the dominant one really is in this strange friendship we have.” He smiled disparagingly as he was so close to hitting your spot. He felt your walls close in as he fiddled with your spot, grinning at how you squirmed below him. 

With a kiss of permission, you hitched your breath as you loosely let the liquid leak down his fingers. He withdrew his fingers from your sensitive bud and traveled them to your lips. 

“Taste, darling.”

You obeyed, opening your mouth as he shoves his fingers in. The sweetness flavoured your mouth giving you the fantasy of his tongue devouring your bud.

“If you are a good girl and give me no lip when we are with Harrison, I may give that pussy of yours a good suck.” 

The fall of your toes and the sudden release of the sand gave him the inkling that his hands were nice and clean. 

“You did so well, seahorse. I’m surprised that you wanted this.” Tom parted his fingers from you, allowing you to catch your breath. As you began to steady your heartbeat  with the help of the waves counting your beat, the look on Tom’s face made you slowly sit up.

“I’m always up for this. Why the sudden question?”

He plastered a fake smile, coating his feet with the sand. “We haven’t done this in a while. I thought this was a sick joke.”

“We’ve been busy.” 

“You've been busy.” He said under his breath, turning his body to face the luminous stars. The balance of guilt and arousal you felt made you contemplate if you should comfort him as his best friend or someone he just finger fucked. 

“Are you mad? You look mad.�� 

“I’m not mad.” 

“Your face is doing that weird crinkle thing like you’re mad…” 

“I’m just perturbed, not mad.” 

A few moments waved by, and Tom remained still.

“You still look mad…”

“I’m not mad, Y/N. I’ll be mad if you keep asking me if I am.” 

The humid sea air mixed with the emotions you both were feeling. You both were centimeters apart, shoulders barely brushing as you both looked out far into the ocean. It was always a place to forget any form of pain, frustration, and regret. A strong gale resided over him and made his eyes maneuver to your cheeks. The beach made Tom softer and more vulnerable, which scared him. You often took that as an advantage whenever you both would ride the waves but when you both were alone, you admired it.  

He took a nimble to your cheek, “Come on, seahorse. We don’t want Haz waiting..” 

Within minutes, you both arrived at Harrison’s home. The vicinity of the Chateau was the only sane place you could go to without being judged. Each secret you spilled, and got the privilege of knowing circulated around the tree where Harrison was situated, rocking his feet on the cold compress of the mucky grass to create an oscillate motion for the hammock. 

To Tom’s dismay, he always had an urgency to scare Harrison. You personally resigned and headed straight to the kitchen, hatching up a sandwich. You partially liked to give Harrison and Tom their fifteen minutes of brotherly time, which resulted in them smoking a spliff and waiting for their sandwiches. 

“Where were you guys? We were supposed to meet an hour ago” Harrison’s grating voice built up the urgency for you to take a deep inhale of the ongoing lit spliff. You weren’t particularly the one to get high but with the company of two nuisances, it was the only tool to make you calm. 

As Tom took a bite out of his peanut butter sandwich, he perused your reaction with no expectation of honesty. He slumped his shoulder, resting his back onto the knitted white fabric, and gave you the dominance. 

“Held up at the restaurant…” You gave him an apathetic response, and glanced in Tom’s direction with an all too familiar frown. 

“And you?” Harrison secluded your view of Tom’s face with his body.  

Inwardly he gave a world-weary smile, “I saw a dude with a rampant surfboard.”

There was definitely something off about Tom, and the stunt pulled at the beach was a clear cover up. It wasn’t just the way he paused at certain points of his story, but every time Tom paused, his eyes stopped upon you. He always went nuts for stories like this, regardless of how many times he told it. 

Whilst the two boys imagined the skills they could accomplish with their own surfboard, you paid extra close attention to Tom. He didn’t stop like usually did he did to give a reassuring smile or a wink which got you spiraling in fear that the friendship you held to your heart was deteriorating before it even began to be something more. 

“I think I’m going to crash. I’ll see you boys in the morning.” The wobble in your voice drew the hazel brown eye boy to rise from his seat and grab your arm. He spun you around, forcing your eyes on him. 

“Is everything okay?”

Your expression faded, and no words managed to leave your lips. 

“If you need anything or just a mindless fuck.. I’m here.”

Your eyes swelled up, sadness clouding your features. You took your arm out of his grasp and headed away from the chateau. Tom turned to face Harrison whose head was tilted with confusion, “I thought she was staying here? I was looking forward to her breakfast..” 

“She’ll be back.” Tom croaked, eyes narrowed to your body that quickly faded into the street lights. Somehow deep in his mind, he had a feeling you wouldn’t. 

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀

“Our restaurant is what?” 

You were known to tribulation, you had a good understanding of distress and a track record of disappointment but the pain you felt when you were awakened with news like this made your heart twitch. 

“It’s in trouble. We just heard that an investor is looking to buy our restaurant.” Your mother's pessimistic tone snapped the sorrow out of your mind. 

“We aren’t even up for sale.” You exclaimed, rubbing the sleep from your eyes. 

“They want to turn the restaurant into a beach club. Apparently, our numbers are falling.” Your father said, throwing his body down on the sofa. You glanced at your mother, who held a picture frame of you outside the restaurant with Harrison and Tom. 

These claims you were hearing had skepticism written all over them. It was sorely due to the timing as days before, Shrimps Creek was branded one of the best restaurants on the coast and now, it’s magically sinking? 

Something wasn’t right. 

“I have to go…” 

Your mother’s face flashed with annoyance, watching as her daughter yet again ran away from something important. A continuous cycle that only got worse when they allowed you more freedom to roam around the island with Tom and Harrison. 

“Y/N! Get your ass back here, now.” The screeching tone your mother let out was overruled by the timing of the flock of seagulls. She turned to face your dad, nodding at the direction you ran in. 

“I’m too old to chase her.” He said, rising from the comfort. “She just needs time to process, you know that.” 

“It’s those boys she hangs around with. They are no good for her, especially Thomas.” 

Your mother was most certain that everything you did came from the influence of Tom. It dated back to a night when you stumbled home drunk, and Tom wanted to make sure you made it back safely. You couldn’t really remember what happened but, the glares they gave Tom whenever he invited himself over to sleep after a kegger was more than enough. 

Tom frequently stayed over with or without your parents permission. He would always climb through your window, and surprisingly whisper for you to spoon him. You never questioned why or forced him to explain the subtle bruises on his cheek. It wasn’t until a night that he spontaneously bought a hot tub, filled with champagne to realize that Tom’s home life wasn’t as picture-perfect as half the island made it out to be. That night still triggered you, and you hated being so oblivious.

You vowed that you would do anything to keep Tom safe and with every lingering night of watching the stars, the roles reversed. You remembered the evening like it was only yesterday. You could always see Tom standing closer to you than before, and his scent swept onto you. His arms wrapped around your back and in one gentle push, your skin touched. You felt his hand in your hair, admiring the little details of your face. Then his hand moved down to your cheeks, brushing the bridge of your nose before tracing your lips. The sudden pull made the kiss begin, and you both moved in sync like your lips were made for another. Your bodies moulded perfectly, and everything felt to a natural rhythm. Laughs were exchanged, as he gently placed you on the ground, undoing your shorts. You felt his finger trace down your front, listening to his praises before his fingers got to their destination. You threw your head back, and let the first moan escape your lips. It was a perfect opening to a story but, you could never tell a soul. 

Tom didn’t even know that you remember so vividly the day you guys did it, and he won’t ever know. You couldn’t allow this memory to fade if things didn’t work. You wanted this moment to always be in your heart as you knew when things were exclusive, the unexpected moment would be replaced with bad memories. You tend to lean more on the negatives rather than the positives. However, you knew that this memory would always be so close to your heart as it was also your first time —  Tom didn’t know that either. 

So when you see the boats resting on nature's tide, and the free sailing sun-kissed sun beam down on your body, you feel calm. When you feel the golden sands sucking your feet, you know that you don't need to run anymore. You were now out of harm's way, praising the number of tourists that came to see the beach as no one could ever spot a girl full of skeletons. 

“Pretty girl, could you pass me the ball?” The unknown voice was hoarse, inviting in a weird way. You scorned the question and continued your path. You kept on going, not reacting to the sailor’s whistle. Until a cold droplet fell on your right shoulder and turned to see a guy with a full eight-pack grinning up at you. 

“What, a guy can’t get an answer around here?” 

“You can get an answer when you learn some decent manners.” You snapped, twirling on your heel. You weren’t in the mood to be prey. 

“Woo, steady on. What’s up with you?” He restrained his distance, not wanting to piss you off even more. 

“None of your concern.” You huffed, slumping your body onto the sand. Soon after, Logan did the same thing, and cheekily drew a line between the two of you. 

“Ok since you clearly don’t want me around, don’t pass by my side and I won't pass yours.” 

You chuckled at the astonishment on his face and stole a furtive look. “You aren’t from around here, are you?” 

“Just moved in.” He trailed off. “My dad has some business here and I guess I couldn't say no to a free holiday.” 

Logan was different. He was handsome from the depth of his eyes to the gentle expressions of his voice. He was something out of the fairytales, mysteriously luring that each time he talked you wanted to hear more. He was humorous but also full-on. His blonde hair sizzled in the light, and the blue in his eyes matched the tone of the tide.  

“What got you so worked up?” 

Trapped in a trance, you weren't aware of the drool hanging on your lip. Logan gently shoved your shoulder which evoked a gasp. “Hey, what happened to the line?” You asked, pretending to be listening the entire time.

“Forget the line. The important question is, why were you upset?” 

“It’s just family stuff. A lot is changing and I don’t like change.” You shared. “I just want the world to stop for a second.” 

“I get that, but maybe change can be good? Without change how can you learn?” 

“Learning to love another human can’t be good…” You grumbled, not realising that you voiced your inner thoughts. 

“So, you are worked up about a guy?” 

You shook your head, “It’s a difficult situation, and I’d rather not talk about it.” 

“Noted. I guess I better get back to the game… Will I see you around?”

“Probably. My family owns Shrimp’s Creek, you should stop by sometime.” You put out with confidence. 

“Sweet. By the way… Do you know what a kegger is?” 

You nodded, “It’s a party on the beach where teenagers just drink and dance. There’s one tonight, you should come check it out.” 

“Will you be there?” 

“I’m hosting.” You grinned. 

“I’ll see you then —”

“—Y/N” 

“Cute name.” He smirked in triumph and watched as you vanished into the mob of tourons. However, the name Shrimp’s Creek kept coming to the surface. Logan wasn’t sure why that name was familiar but that didn’t matter, what mattered was how he was going to get you to go on a date with him. 

As Logan headed back, he saw the questionable look on his older brother’s face. 

“You do realise who that is right?” 

Logan obliviously nodded, “That’s Y/N, her parents own Shrimp’s Creek.”

“That's the place that dad is demolishing. You are basically flirting with the enemy.” 

“As they say, Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.” He winked and caused his older brother to facepalm.

“I hope you know what you are doing…” 

“I’ve got this.” 

His brother lifted an eyebrow, “How?”

“I know her weakness.” Logan tonelessly said with a slight smirk. 

“Which is?” 

As Logan maneuverer his body towards Shrimp Creek, he spotted you having an intimate conversation with Tom. “Wonderboy.” 

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀

Tom let out a slow controlled breath and attempted to loosen his muscles by masticating some stale bread. He was eating like his life depended on it and that wasn’t a healthy thing since you spotted some mold. He gave his hands a shake and lolled himself towards the couch. 

His eyes darted to his buttonholed t-shirt that had the logo of your restaurant. He was gifted it when he stumbled onto your parent’s porch with a bloody shirt. You faced his rearview, sitting crossed-legged on the carpet. The faucet drips into the sink, each one recharging Tom’s jumps but you don’t move. You see his struggle, the cascading stress of something dear to him being gone. He always had a personal attraction to your family’s restaurant, even though your parents didn’t like him he felt safe. He was safe from any harm like you were when you were at the beach. 

“You have to talk to me, Tom…” You sign, "I get it, I’m upset too.” 

You saw him shift slightly, pulling a crafty pillow to his chest. “You don’t seem it.” 

“Trust me, I am but I’m more worried about you. I know that Shrimp’s Creek was a somewhat safe house but, I promise that you are always going to be safe…” 

“You don’t know that.” He whispered, beginning to make eye contact again, “He couldn’t hurt me there. I was surrounded with hope, and once it goes away…” 

“I promise that I won’t let him hurt you.” You frowned, getting up from your position to comfort the boy. 

“What are we going to do?” Tom mumbled, leaning his head on your shoulder.

“A kegger?” 

“I could use some alcohol.” Tom’s fingers entwined with yours, feeling warm and secure. You steadily look down at his gesture, smiling stupidly at how Tom perfected his emotions through touch. Using your free hand, you placed your finger on his chin and let your lips rest on his. 

“Let me make you feel good…” Your alluring tone made Tom hitch a breath, and pull away from you. He gave you that look of acceptance and watched your eyes drift down to his swimming trunks that left an outline of his hardening cock. He could see the playfulness in your eyes as you straddle his lap. Your hands latched around his neck, holding yourself as you started to grind against him. His lips domineering your lips, tongue already in his mouth as you create a pattern in his lap. The hard-on forced Tom to push you away, but left you panting from the loss of air. He watched as you slowly moved off his lap, and found yourself on your knees right in front of him. 

Pulling your hair up in a bun to have no distractions, you saw Tom unbutton his shirt until the material completely showed his chest. He watched you lick your bottom lip at his abs before you tugged on his shorts. Tom leaned back onto the sofa, hands cradling your cheek. 

“I love seeing you like this,” he praised, “you better make it quick before Hazzie comes.” 

Your breath halted when he mentioned the probability of Harrison walking in on the two of you. Taking a deep breath, you opened his legs wider and came into contact with his cock. You knew that Tom’s cock was huge, but thick was only supposed to be a joke. He grinned above you, smirking with his ego as you gave him a look of shock. 

“I never lie, seahorse.” He tented, “Go on then, show me what that pretty mouth can do.” 

He watched as you stroked his length with trembling hands. You wanted to adjust to his cock before you devoured it. A low hiss escaped his lips as he felt the coldness of your ring touch the rim. The heat in the room radiated as Tom decided to get creative. He took your hand, guiding you to the place your mouth should end up. You cringed at the cockiness Tom had when you saw that Tom wanted every inch inside you. You silently panted, as he wrapped your hand around his length. 

You started slowly, giving him a good tease of the pleasure you give him. You mentally block out his moans but when his thumb stroked your cheek, you knew that time was ticking. 

“I’m waiting, pretty girl.” He pulled your face closer, leaving you just centimeters away from his tip. From the staring battle between the two of you, your movement got quicker before you left a littering kiss to his tip. 

Your lips parted and you glazed your hands on his thighs as you sunk your mouth down onto his cock, wrapping your plumped lip around his tip. Your tongue ran over the top before securing your lips on his cock. His hands grasped your hair, a grunt ran down his mouth sending you a cocky smile. The firm hold of your hair was a message to go further and luckily you already braced yourself for the slight roughness Tom would give. 

 You sucked on the head of his penis, stroking his length but the sudden thrust caught you off guard as you easily lowered onto him. You felt the muscle in your jaw twitch as his cock invaded your tongue. You felt your hands tighten around his thigh, as you simultaneously got into a rhythm. Tom moaned, looking down to see your lashes fluttering, and your lips sealed over his member. 

You quicken the pace, feeling your head bobbing slowly whilst your knees burned from the movement. He loosely grips your hair, humming sweet words of praise. 

“I know you can take more, seahorse.” 

Your gag reflex burned suddenly when you felt the head of his cock settle in the back of your throat, asking for permission to go further. The loud moan that left your lips was all Tom needed to know, as he thrust again. A small tear formed in your eyes as you continued to suck, but the look on Tom's face as he grabbed his phone, made you whimper as the flash taunted your vision. You twirled your tongue over his member, and hearing the sound of a recording made you give Tom what he wanted. A beastly moan escaped his lips as you managed to take in pretty much all of him. 

The tears started to fall and Tom was quick to brush them away, hitching a laugh as he had never seen you this flustered before. He leaned down, with his phone to show you how well you took him. He loved how obedient and kinky you were. Usually, you didn’t like him recording you, but this time was different. 

He hissed as you felt drops of precum leak from his cock, and your instinct made you clean him up. 

“Fuckin hell, you are taking me so well. I can’t wait to show how much of a cockslut you are.” His hips thrust again, and some cum shoots down your throat. You tried your best to maintain your hold on his member, but the soreness you felt at the back of your throat told you otherwise. With your eyes tearing, you bobbed your head faster, trying to get him undone. His cock repeatedly hit the back of your throat, as you sucked him. After one last thrust, Tom released the rest of himself inside you. 

Your tired throat closed as you swallowed as much as you could of his seed before Tom slowly took his cock out of your mouth. The tiredness of your body, and the burns from your knees made the tears continue until Tom pulled you into his embrace. 

“You did so well, baby.” He cooed, watching your heavy eyes send off. 

“Mhm.” is all you said before drifting off to sleep. 

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀

As the coastline met your eyes, the ambiance music died. Your mind managed to revoke the events of the morning and concentrate on the everlasting beauty of the sky and sea blending together. You awaited the starlight and the silvery moon to really make your body unwind from the thrilling saga of the day you had. 

The shadow of the trees was the only thing you tolerated. The cheap dimmed fairy lights that hung loosely over the branches gave you such perfidy that everything doesn’t need to be perfect. A light creature set nicely on the bridge of your nose, a playful blue to match the simple bikini and denim shorts look. 

You always liked being surrounded by nature and loved how the evening breeze rushed to your hair. From the neighboring tourons, comes the music of pop that gave you the inkling to go join in but, the peacefulness of the dragonfly resting on your nose made you want to enjoy the calmness before the alcohol kicked in. 

“I thought I would find you here…” Tom mumbled, slumping his body next to you. “You heard anything..?” 

“Just that we don’t have enough money to try and save Shrimp’s Creek.” You began, only making eye contact with the soil. “I don’t get this, Tom.. How can someone just demolish our restaurant? It was doing so well.” 

“I don’t get it either. Something is fishy down at the docks…” 

“Was that just one of your stupid puns or an actual analogy?” You said, glancing at his lopsided grin. You weren’t sure if Tom was actually onto something, or if he was just high. Tom was pretty much a self-employed detective when he was higher than life. He claimed that there was once buried gold but, you didn’t think that your life was The Goonies. 

“I’m being serious. A high fancy-ass boat came in the docks early this week and they were wearing those tuxedos that the penguins wear in Madagascar.” Tom’s nose crinkled at the description and pulled out his phone to show you an example.

“I know what a tuxedo looks like, babe.” You said as the corners of your mouth quirked up at how adorably cute Tom was looking. No matter the mood you were in or how much you both had to drink, you both managed to lift each up at the worst times and that’s another reason why your situationship with Tom was risky. 

“If what you are saying is true, that doesn’t help with the financial facade. We need to try and find some money…” You chortle at how crazy you were, believing in this voodoo shit. 

“We could always find the gold?” Tom quipped up, and the once-over look you gave him cut that theory out. 

“How about—“ 

“—You never guess what I heard,” Harrison bamboozled his way into your spot, crashing down on the opposite side as he leaned his head on your shoulder. 

“What?” The two of you said, looking directly at Harrison. However, Harrison was too busy fiddling with your necklace to even acknowledge the desperation of your faces to find out what he heard. 

“Harrison, seriously?” Tom moaned, sending a small whack to the back of his head. 

Harrison gaped, frowning at you. 

“Are you going to tell us what you heard, or just play with Y/N’s shark necklace?” Tom whined, tugging on his shorts to get the irritation out of him. 

“I will,” Harrison said slowly. “What was I saying again?” 

“You heard something?” You muttered before Harrison recharged his batteries.

“I was going to say that there’s a surfing competition in two weeks.”

“Right? How does this help us with the restaurant?” You intriguingly asked, glancing at Tom with the expression of hope.

“The winner gets 1,000 pounds—“ 

When Tom met your eyes, you both broke into excitement. Harrison's bewildered face sank when he saw you give a sloppy kiss to Tom’s cheek.

“I don’t know why we are jumping but yay!” Harrison blinked, but he did feel a tiny lump at the back of his thirst at the untended exclusion. 

“We are saving the restaurant dude.” Tom spilled and gave Harrison a tight hug. 

“Wicked. How are we going to do that?” Harrison asked, and the two of you just ruffled his hair.

“Don’t you worry about that.” You assured him with a huge smile. You didn’t really question if Harrison was just dumb or even functioned properly. It didn’t matter because he was your guardian angel that you were waiting for this whole day. 

Whilst the three of you discussed tactics and strategies, in the far corner of the bark of the tree stood Logan and his brother. Tyler reached out to take a gulp out of his brother's cup to try and soak up the slight worry he felt.

“This is really bad, Logan. What are we going to do?” 

“I’ve got this.” Logan mellowly said, leaning his back against the tree.

“You always say you got this when really you haven’t.” 

Logan’s forehead creased when he squinted his eyes to take a better look at the way you brushed off Tom’s gesture. “You can tell that Y/N isn’t as interested as Wonderboy is. So… A little date won’t harm the island, right?” 

“Right.” Tyler responded with an encouraging smile but, if you put him on a lie detector he wouldn’t even pass his own name. Tyler knew this wasn’t a good idea but, for the sake of Logan’s ego, he quietly admired the little dragonfly that just landed on his nose. 

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀

The warmth, the smell, and the feeling of him was all around you. You were tackling a grilled toastie whilst Tom was resting on the couch. It was the perfect postcard feeling and you didn’t want this moment to end. It was the way Tom felt secure in the laps of your jumper, his arm hovering over your worn-out teddy bear that Tom won and the silent snores that left his lips.

For a moment, it seemed like you and Tom were content in life. Truthfully, it felt like you both were in the future, and Tom just got your little one to sleep. The dynamic of the quietness, with the overlapping of scattering objects, made things feel homely. You weren’t fused about big houses and fancy deco from the mainland, you liked what the house offers. Although the house belonged to Harrison’s father who is always away, the three of you made it a home. Tom lived here the most and even has his own room which Harrison kindly offered him when things were going south. 

This home was a museum of your lives, each dent from the shenanigans you all played a significant role in. It was the place where Tom could sleep peacefully, Harrison could smoke all the weed he wanted, and you liked the escapism of your artificial life that your parents mapped out for you from the day you arrived. 

“Tommy, it’s time to get up.” You hummed, making your way over to the sofa and moved the plate of grilled cheese in a clockwise manner to awaken the boy. 

“Five more minutes.” He groggily said, turning to face the head of the couch.

“I just made you breakfast. It’s a grilled toastie, your favorite.” 

Tom tutted, maneuvering his body to tangle your waist with his arms. “My favorite is you. Can’t I have you for breakfast?” 

“Babe.” You whispered and found yourself putting all your welcoming weight onto his hips pressing a sweet kiss onto his lips. Tom was just in his underwear and you covered up with a shirt just in case Harrison came in. When your bodies pressed together to enhance the kiss, memories from the night before came into mind. The tongues, moans and the dirty talk evoked your body to break the kiss to get a glimpse at Tom’s whisky eyes that were sometimes covered with his fluffy curls. You always loved running your fingers through them, staring right into the earthy hues that made you want to forget everything except him. 

There was just an urge for you to replay the events of last night but, instead you ducked down and nibbled on his neck, and kissed him lovingly. He let out a whine, and you giggled at the bulge in his pants. 

“You good, baby?” You whispered with a small smile, kissing down on his neck creating a new hickey to admire later. Tom huffed in frustration and ran his hands down your arm tugging the loose end of the shirt. 

“Take it off. It’s only fair that I get to see you in your undies.” He playfully smirked, helping you out. Once you both were in the same suit, you earned yourself a light thrust, emitting a little moan from his lips. 

“You’re irresistible.” He groans, running his hand up your leg to grab a hold of your ass. You leaned down closer to his ear and began to suck on his earlobe. Tom, yet again left a sharp breath as you ground against him which takes him back to the night before. 

“You up for round two? I think I forgot how you moaned my name.” Tom asked, barely waiting for your approval as he turned you over so he was now on top. You hummed in agreement, watching him biting down on your neck, leaving a new trail of hickeys on your chest. Although the hickeys on your neck were fading, it didn’t help that you were going to the beach later on during the day. 

“I told you not to mark me, Tommy.” You said lightly, as you traced his back muscles. 

“People need to know that you are mine, darling.” He growled into your ear, as his fingers went to find the wetness that was no doubtfully pooling between your legs. You moaned and began to delve your nails into his back when he began to tease your bud. 

“Goodness.” You barely catch a break, as your fingers follow his build down to his abdomen, and onto his hard-on in his pants. You heard Tom suck in a sharp breath, and traced the waistline of his boxers and when you heard a slight groan, you knew you accidentally touched his tip. You looked up at him, watching his eyes flutter closed as you started a slow motion to his bulge, giving him a sense of relief. 

“I want you, Tommy.” You whined, tugging on the elastic.

“I want me too, seahorse.” He grinned, tugging down onto your underwear. “God you are a needy little thing aren’t you.” He coyed, as his fingers grazed along your soaked bud. You moaned, and Tom used his free hand to muzzle you. 

“Quiet, baby. Harrison is still asleep.” He coos in your ear as he enters one finger inside you. The slight squirm you awarded him with was the core to his ego. He loved when you were useless when under him, he dragged his thumb over your bud teasing the soaking core with another finger. 

“God, you look beautiful.” He praised as he slipped more fingers inside you. The feeling of warmness inside you only got him off more, causing you to muffle a moan into his palm as he increased the motion inside you. The walls of your bud started to adjust to his third finger rotating in all directions as he started to pump in and out of you. 

 When Tom hit the stop, you arched your back as you felt the walls clenched around his fingers as he kept his motion. You were barely equipped to even let out a moan at how Tom was handling your sweet bud. With your fingers digging into his back to match the pleasure you were receiving you knew that at any moment you were about to cum. Tom wasted no time and wormed his fingers inside you, making sure that his breakfast was well done. 

When Tom had an inkling that you were about to release, he replaced his fingers with his mouth. You were slightly unaware of Tom's change of position when you felt his tongue licked your core in a straight line. 

“Fuck—“ You moaned, and arched your hips towards him and thrust your clit into his face so Tom had no access to breath. It was a simple payback for the cockiness he gave you. 

Tom only moaned as he explored you, trying to graze every spot to please you. You latched your fingers right onto his hair and flooded his mouth with your cum. Tom devoured his breakfast with ease, making sure he didn’t waste any. 

“God, Did I ever tell you that breakfast is my favourite meal?” He smirked, wiping his lips before he released his palm off your mouth.

“I hate you.” You breathed senselessly, trying to catch a hold of your breath. Tom laughed and made his way back to you, planting a small kiss to your lips. 

“Lemme make you feel good, baby.” You mumble as you trace the bridge of his nose. “I want to feel you.” 

“You sure baby?” Tom timidly asked as he wasn’t sure you could handle all this. 

“Please.” You said and flipped yourself over so Tom could enjoy the ride. 

“Do your thing, seahorse.” Tom praised as you pushed up against his chest, sitting up against his waist and lining yourself up on his cock, taking in only the tip as his hands gripped your thighs to make you stationary. You stayed there for a moment, getting used to the feeling of him inside you before slowly sinking down and completely getting rid of the sight of his member. 

The words that left his mouth were enough for you to use this as leverage, but the way his fingers clenched around your thighs made the bitterness fade as leave him with just sweet moans. 

You felt yourself ineluctably clench around his cock, as the growls that rolled off his tongue made you smirk with triumph. 

“God, you minx.” He said huskily, grinding up into you as you moaned at his words because it was the truth. You braced your knees on either side of him, smirking down as you placed a kiss on his lips. You began a steady pace, bouncing on his dick as he firmly grabbed a hold of your breasts. It was his favorite thing about you, he loved the way they only perked for him. You kept a good pace, feeling yourself around him as he cheekily thrust into you. 

Whilst Tom loved the feeling of his scent, hands and cock ravishing your body, you looked down at the way his curls spread out on the pillow, with his thin lips humming out your name. Once the two of you found a speed that you both could enjoy, with the perfect harmonies of your moans, made mornings your favorite. Suddenly, you felt yourself scream as he aimlessly flipped you over, taking control once again. “As much as I love seeing you riding me, I need to show you who really is in charge.” 

You moaned loudly at the now fast pace that he immediately set, putting his swollen cock into you, continuously. Tom thrust came with no warning, and neither of you cared about the screams you were carrying off. With the increase of the thrust, the more you screamed his name he found it easier to find your spot. His grunts were less noisy than yours which made him smirked, as he really loved when you had no power. 

“God, you are fucking tight, aren’t you seahorse?” He laughs, as his thrusts started to not become a pattern like before. Both of your breathing was unstable, and the way you felt your bud clench on him, knowing that you were close to another orgasm. Tom praised down on you, whispering sweet words in your ear as he thrust harder into you. He was fucking you like it was his last time he got to feel you.

“My little cockslut. You take me so well. I’m surprised Harrison hasn’t woken up to your screams.” He smirked, and all you gave him was a cry when he reached your sweet spot. Your toes began to curl and your legs started to shake as he rode you to your high. You clenched around his cock, and let your orgasm flow, whilst he rode you out. 

“Holy fuck, Thomas.” You scream as you feel your core burn with overstimulation. You knew that today was going to be a difficult day, especially with the water. Tom grunted and felt his cock twitch inside you, feeling shots of cum inside you with his out of sync breathing.

“Best fucking morning ever.” He said, collapsing onto you, as you tried to catch your breath. Your eyes began to flutter but Tom made sure that you were awake, by sending kisses all over your face with a lot of praise. 

“Do you think Harrison knows?” You groggily asked Tom, whose face was buried in your neck.

“I highly fucking doubt it.” 

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°

The comforting rhythm of the waves became the markers of the time. You stood watching the waves crash onto the sand, a smile propped on your face as a big one came roaring in. With your surfboard clamped under your right arm, you kept your cool and ran into the glazing liquid following after Harrison. 

You savoured the salty air, as you jumped on your surfboard, swimming right into a timid wave to get a feel of the currents. To even win this competition, you need to perfect three skills with one of them being creative. 

Having Tom, the best surfer on the island, as a best friend made the nerves of losing unknown as Tom vowed he would make you the second-best surfer on this island. You propped yourself on your board, steadying your balance as you started easy with a bottom turn. 

Staying low, and bending your knees whilst distributing your weight easily, and putting pressure on your toes you aced the trick with no errors. Tom, easily impressed, knew that you had nothing to worry about. He was confident that you were going to win. 

“That was hot.” He laughed, paddling over to you. 

“I need to be more creative, Tom. I need something that could shock the judges.” You signed, as you climbed onto your surfboard. 

“How about a roundhouse cutback? It’s pretty straightforward.” 

“Are you going to teach me?” You wiggled your eyebrows, making Tom hum in approval. 

“I am, but it’s going to cost you.”

“Fuck you. I spent my whole morning getting destroyed by your dick.” 

“I didn’t hear you complaining one bit, angel.” He smirked. “Now a roundhouse cutback is one of the most beautiful maneuvers in surfing. It’s performed in small waves without much wall, and allows the surfer to return to the curl whilst gaining maximum speed and an amplitude off the top.” 

“So it’s a fancy-ass way to do a cutback?” You quired, and Tom just rolled his eyes. 

“Just get up on your surfboard.” 

You did as you were told, scowling at Tom. Once you were steady on your board, you were greeted with the perfect wave. 

“So first you want to do a wide bottom turn which will help you point the lip.” Tom said and watched you in action. You were slightly off which was normal for a first-timer but, you just needed to focus. 

“Okay, not bad. But, try driving your surfboard fast down the line.” Tom added and threw you a thumbs up. “You’ve got this, babe.” 

Everything was going smoothly, you succeeded at the bottom turn and slowly shifted on your heel side, aiming your dominant shoulder towards the beach so the surfboard would move with you. 

“Now, you should feel your board carving the salted water,” Tom shouted. “If you want that tighter, you might have to touch the white water.” 

“How do I even do that?” You screamed, feeling your body fall into the water. 

“Bending your knees, baby girl.” He whispered to himself, with a little laugh hanging as you threaded back up onto your board. As you saw a new wave welcome you, Tom stopped you for a moment. 

“You are doing great, but remember to bend your knees.” Tom chortles, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. “Now, if you really want to master this, you have to commit to staying low, and when you see the section of the wave you start high and hold that compressed position looking at the point you want to go.” Tom stated. 

“So far, I’m understanding..” 

“Good. So, after knowing where you want to go, you hold it when you come back down making sure that you are still holding it as you drive through that turn which would reveal the white water. You must keep the rail on, don’t stop and keep holding.”

“What will this do?” You asked, feeling a slight lump at the back of your throat. 

 “It’s like setting up the re-entry. You spot the section of the wave getting higher and this will slingshot you out to the next section where you again, stay low, hold the rail all the way through as you don’t want it to be staging. You want it to be smooth and fluent.” He finished with a moment to catch his breath from all the information he just told you. 

“Wanna repeat it?” You teased yourself by earning yourself a massive turbulence of saltwater to your face. 

“You’ve got this, baby. Now, go practice.” He said with a gruff voice commanding you with an encouraging kiss to your cheek.

After a whirlpool of maneuvers, make-out sessions, and mastering a good sequence you decided to take a breather. Tom wanted to stay in the water to see if he could find a lionfish. Leaving the curious boy to find his perfect fish, you stumbled onto your designated spot on the beach, sitting right down. Soaking in the burning sensation of the sun, a slightly muscular frame restricted you from drying off. 

“Can I help you?” You were known to be a bit brusque and impatient when people you didn’t know came to hassle you. 

“Do you greet everyone like this?” Logan laughed, kneeling down to your length. 

“Depending on my mood.” 

“Would your mood change if I asked you something?” He asked, right before his body touched yours. 

You slightly shifted away, giving you a good view of Tom frolicking around in the water. You were so caught up in Tom hitting the water that Logan’s accidental cough reminded you that you had company.

“Sorry. I’m a little distracted.”

“I can tell.” He held down his anger as his eyes went straight to your chest. It was clear to anyone that you had hickeys draped along, which made Logan twitch. 

“What did you want to ask me?”

“Go on a date with me?” Logan boldly asked, biting his inner cheek as he looked over at Wonderboy. He took his focus back to you, watching as your face creased with laughter at Wonderboy. 

“Um. I’m not really sure…” You mumbled, fiddling with your tied bikini bottoms hoping Tom would come and rescue you. 

“You kind of owe me…” He stated, which made the jitters in your stomach worsen. It was the kind of nerves that you felt when Tom never made it back to yours one evening, it was the worry and you didn’t like that feeling dominating you. 

“Just one date? I promise.” 

You succumbed to his temptation, feeling your face drop as you agreed to his invitation. You weren’t sure how you were going to tell Tom but, it was just a harmless date, right? Nothing would change? 

“I’ll see you tonight” He smirked, giving you a kiss on your cheek. 

You hummed and watched as Logan set off on the opposite side of the beach. Gathering your things before calling Tom out of the water, you already found Tom dripping behind you. 

“Who was that?” Tom interrogated, watching his tall frame snake around. 

“Logan.” 

“Who’s Logan?” 

“A person.”

“What person?”

“A boy person.”

“Y/N.” His inpatient trait was too humorous to continue but, from the harsh snatch of the towel, you knew that something was wrong. 

“Fine.” You huffed. “He asked me on a date--”

“-- No. You aren’t going.” 

“It’s just a meaningless date, Tom.” You assured him but from the scowling, and the crossed arm gesture you knew that he wasn’t keen to the idea.

“Do you like him?” 

“No.”

“Then why are you going on a date with him?” 

“Because I-I invited him to the kegger and I completely ignored him because of the whole restaurant thingy and I owe him a date.” 

“So he guilt trip you into going out with him?” 

“Can we drop it, please? I just want to have a shower and sleep.”

“Sucks for you there’s no hot water at Harrison’s.” His childish manner was starting to rise, which was one of the reasons why you could never be with Tom romantically. 

“Then I’ll go home.” 

“Fine.” He mumbled, shoving the towel back in your embrace. You watched as Tom took off the same way you did. He didn’t even turn back once, he always turned back but he didn’t this time. As you saw the waves settling down, and the sun was losing its aroma, you tread on the sand with your face hanging low. 

“Fine.” is all you whispered as you detoured to Rixen Cove, a sanctuary that had all the answers and allowed you to pour all the feelings you had with Tom. It was your real-life diary or, as you liked to call it: I’ve got the Tom.

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°

In the half-life, Tom knew it was wrong and you did too. Every time a fight would occur, it would take at least an hour for either of you to apologize. But, there was something in the wind that felt uneasy, like something dangerous was going to happen. Tom’s breathing was real slow, and the momentum of his feet kicking the pale stones made his anger worsen. 

It’s been an hour and the anger that was escaping him didn’t slow down. He was angry at everything that he came into contact with. The bystanders would give him a look, and Tom would send a dirty glare or mumble a curse word. He was heading to Harrison’s, hoping that the supplies Harrison had would mellow him for a while. 

“Harrison?” He called, tinting the door open a little. It was odd that Tom got no response, especially since the TV was on. Tom didn’t think much of it and planted himself on the hammock. He rested his eyes upon the leaves, fluttering in the rundown backyard. It was already close to the evening where Tom figured that you were getting ready for your date, something he wished he was taking you on. 

He had the perfect date too. It wasn’t too fancy, but fancy enough for the money he earned at the golf club. He also saved up for two boat tickets to take the two of you into the mainland where you both would see an opening cinema of Madagascar, a film that you called a masterpiece. He very well knew that you wouldn’t let him pay for everything but, he would only allow you to pay for the snacks. 

His phone pinged at the same moment, fetching it out of his pocket to see if he had messaged you. He looked down with a glimpse of hope but it was just an alert of a storm coming. He knew that you always had your location on, just for his eyes and he weirdly zoomed in to see you at Rixon’s Cove. 

“Why is she there?” He mumbled to himself, flicking the storm of files that interfered in his drama.

“She goes there when there’s a lot on her plate. It’s her own personal diary, it’s a pretty little cove that has this huge waterfall.” Harrison came running in, going straight towards Tom. 

Tom didn’t turn his head to face Harrison as he was too wrapped up with this new information, how was it that he didn’t even know about this place. You told him everything, why keep this a secret? 

“Does she go there often?” 

Harrison’s eyes crinkled, laughing at the stupid question “Have you met her?” 

Tom shrugged, watching Harrison sit beside him. He was somewhat offended that you never told him about a place where you go to find peace, especially with his situation, he thought you would share this place with him. He had it hard, real hard and Tom only had a few places to go when things got tough. 

“Don’t take it personally. She doesn’t need to tell us everything, she deserves some privacy, Tommy.” Harrison bit his lip, wincing at a slight pain in his right hand. 

Before Tom could defend himself and try to fight his corner of friends don’t hide stuff from another, Tom noticed Harrison’s eyes squeeze shut. “Are you okay?”

“Define okay..” Harrison said, making his right hand visible. 

“How?” 

“How what?” Harrison frowned, looking at his dilemma. 

“Why?” Tom asked, trying to wrap his head around the possibility of someone being that stupid. 

“I don’t know why and I need some butter.” 

“You need more than butter Harrison.” Tom groaned, trying to see if he could help out his friend. 

“Fine. Hospital it is.” 

“Good luck explaning why you have your hand stuck in a fucking cup.” Tom signed, knowing that he had no choice but to aid Harrison in his trip to the hospital. 

“Do you think it will leave a scar?” 

“Probably.” 

“Wicked.” Harrison fisted pumped the air, grinning at Tom who lightly pushed him into the VW van. 

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°

For you, it was important to head into this date with a free mind, and not have a single thought of the brunette beauty that was probably at home waiting for you. You knew that the perfect postcard was now lost in the post, probably seen by a mailman, and humored himself with the credulous idea of an easy ride of young romance. 

Unfortunately for you, Logan wasn’t that humorous or to put it plainly, boring. You were weary from the moment that you saw his choice in clothing that the date was going to be commercialised with wine glasses and expensive lobster. 

You could tell from the irritation Logan got when you dressed for a stroll on the beach, you didn’t even bother to shower as you thought you would end up in the ocean again. Under his apparent calm lay real anxiety of his suit getting wet, or covered in sand. 

“I’m sure you have other suits, Logan. I’ve seen the Rolex watch on your left wrist.” You deadpanned, trying to keep a straight face at the tight-lipped expression he gave you in return.

“I’m assuming that you have never been on a proper date before.” He whispered as if to lend his utterances an added confidentiality. 

“I’ve been on a few.” Your belligerent tone caused you to scoff at the rudeness he single-handed you. 

“Wonderboy doesn’t count.” He fired back, almost sounding appalled at the lack of dates you have been on. 

You didn’t want to talk, think or even breathe Tom but Logan firing the crude sight of Tom’s dates was when you spoke up. Even though you were mad at him, you would always fight in his corner. You weren’t going to let some Madagascar-looking penguin judge Tom, especially when you knew that Tom would outshine Logan in a suit. 

“He may not turn up in a suit but he knows how to make a girl laugh.” You mumbled, and Logan rolled his eyes at the simpleness you held to your chest.

As the long-overdue silence made the aroma around you thick, and the waves harshly pinched the back of your heel you only moved higher, accidentally grabbing Logan’s arm. The shallow laugh that rolled off his tongue, made the awkwardness higher than it was before. Conversations weren’t happening, and it was up to nature to fix it. 

For a moment you thought that the sky was planning a sick game with you, but when you felt raindrops wash over your skin so strongly you felt like you were far at sea. It almost seemed like this was punishment for the sins you have made this past week. But, for a strange reason you loved how refreshing it was to be caught in a picture-perfect moment. However, the guilt in your tummy made you realize that you were with the wrong person at the right time. 

You turned to look at the fright on Logan’s face when he tried to find shelter, and the humorous act he played by tripping over his own feet made this date a memorable one. The rain became a living fabric, something that made this experience more joyful as you let your finger play. It was the perfect conversation starter in a small little cafe. 

“You won’t find any shelter there. I know a place where we can go.” You cry out to Logan whose arms are securely wrapped around the bark of the pine tree. 

“I’m not leaving. I’m perfectly fine here.” He yelled back, burying his head into his arms to avoid his face getting more damaged. 

“I know this place like the back of my hand, we aren’t safe here.” You tried to run over to Logan, but the sand kept delaying you. 

“I’m pretty safe here.” 

“Grow a fucking pair and just let go.” You gave a harsh, derisive laugh whilst reaching out to take his hand. After what seemed like an eternity, he took hold of your hand and followed you. When the ring of thunder presented itself, Logan let out a high-pitched scream and fell right into a puddle of mudd. 

You tried to keep the laughter in, but the odds of nature being his worst enemy made everything hysterical. Logan glanced up at you, with sorrowful eyes. “This isn’t funny.” 

“It kinda is.” You laugh, rescuing him again. 

He scoffed and tried to wipe off as much mud as possible. The horror in his eyes when his Versace suit was a different shade of blue, that’s when he burned of rage. With the sounds of the thunder, and the childish laughs coming from your lips Logan saw a quick flash, and out of fear, he shoved you onto the pile of rocks that lead to a forest to protect himself.

“Oh shit.” 

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°

Tom’s tiny flutters of his eyelashes told a story of vulnerability, regret, and loneliness. In the earthy hues was his heart, not in the way of those romance novels, but the kind of beauty that expands a moment into his life, a place where he is afraid to go. 

His eyes were frozen on the tinted window that splattered small droplets of rain. He had a gut feeling that you were out there, twirling around and laughing at how something so scary, but could also be romantic. 

He wanted to run and find you, apologise and give you that moment to be in a romance novel but, he sunk too deep and there wasn’t going to be a day like that for a long time. Tom’s emotions were scattered all around him, everything seemed to not go his way and the rain proved the theory. He was being selfish and insecure that someone with a suit got your attention. 

But, Tom knows you. He knew that you would leave your hair down as you liked having the wind tangle through your hair. You’d wear a plain bikini top and shorts just in case you wanted a swim. You weren’t the girl to glam up for a date, especially on this island. The only fancy place in this neighborhood was the pawn store two blocks away from Harrison’s that Tom often tried to bargain in. 

“This kid keeps looking at me…” Harrison whispered over, still having full eye contact with the kid. With a deep sigh Tom snapped out of it, running his hands over his face. 

“I don’t blame him.” Tom sat, sitting in the pit that had become his life. His only decoration was his skill set but that didn’t take him far. Though, he knew that Yucatan was his light at the top that feels a million miles away, and he was missing his other half. He tried to get Harrison to call you, but Harrison thought it was better if they didn’t disturb you. Tom agreed but the guilt ran deep inside him like there was no rope to help him out of this constant battle of love.

He gave in to the dark, letting his eyes become accustomed to the reality of his life. With the marks on his skin and the threaded orange bracelet that all three of you shared his only hope. He didn’t want to give up because there was nothing else for him, you were his only ticket out. He knew that you would get into the school of your dreams and study marine biology whilst Tom would study film. Harrison was also in the picture but he would be the opposite, he would get a job as a local mechanic fixing boats. 

You all had figured it out. But, what became strange to Tom was the recurring voice of your name being called. It was like you were there, in his mind that very moment when he dreamed of the future. He ignored the nudges from Harrison and sank deeper into his trance as that was his only way to stay sane. 

“Dude. Y/N, is here.” Harrison almost yelled, finally getting his full attention. Tom shrugged him off, telling Harrison that you were dancing in the rain. Harrison rolled his eyes at his denial but took a surprise to the face when the little kid hit Tom on the cheek and told him that a girl he kept whining about was here. 

“Listen here you little shit-- Y/N?” He shouted, eyes going directly to Logan who had his arm rested on the counter scrolling through his phone. Harrison didn’t even try to pull back and let Tom sink further in. He watched Tom slug his way towards you, raging at the lack of help Logan was giving you. 

When Tom was closer to you, the doctor helped you towards a ward which made Tom pick up his pace. He shoved past Logan, giving him a nasty glare, and screamed your name. 

“T-Tom?” You croaked out, wobbling out of the nurse’s hold to face Tom. You didn’t even need to say anything for Tom to take the lead and assured the nurse that he was family. 

“I’m guessing you are the boyfriend?” The nurse asked, and the exchange look on the two of you was all the nurse needed to know. Tom turned over to Harrison who was occupied with the same boy who hit Tom, giving him a thumbs up that he will be okay. 

“Do I want to know?” 

“Nope.” Tom chuckled, propping you up on his build which the nurse thanked with a rolled eyeball. 

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°

The hours blur together, melted with the unpleasant smell of artificial fragrances, and bitter antiseptic in every corner he looked. But, what mattered most was what a person can bring to the room. Tom knew that all you wanted was to feel loved, and mattered. He knew that Logan didn’t care, and Tom hated liking it. It meant that you could see he was really made for you, something good that came out of his birth. He waited for you whilst you had your X-ray and occasionally went to go and check on Harrison. Although Harrison wasn’t called, something more thrilling happened when Tom was trying to admire the beauty of the place you will be staying for a while. 

“I’m finally making dad proud, Tyler.” Logan rambled and sat down next to Harrison. Luckily for Harrison, he didn’t even bother to introduce himself as he was too caught up in a game of Simon Says. However, when it was his turn to say Simon Says, his head darted to Logan’s lips when he heard your name. 

He motioned the little boy, who he found out his name was Harry, to be quiet and who also listened in the conversation. 

“Y/N’s in surgery and I don’t think she will even surf in that competition.” Logan’s lasting smirk made Harrison's hand feel tighter, as he wasn’t liking where this conversation was going. 

Harrison wasn’t stupid, he was relatively smart when he was in distress. He had an inkingly that something wasn’t right, and he was almost certain that Logan was up to no good. He never saw you at the hospital, and he went there a lot. 

“She slipped, emphasis on the slipped,” Logan muttered out, turning his body in a way to be secretive. Harrison's eyes widened, biting his lip as he didn’t know how much he could take. He wished that he didn’t hear Logan’s confession, and he didn’t want to tell you the news. 

He never gave you bad news, only weird news that required you to laugh. He didn’t want to make you upset. That was Tom’s job and he was doing great, best on the island. If he ever learnt anything from Tom was that nothing is worse than a girl hearing double bad news. Conflicted on how to approach this, the nurse finally called his name escorting him to the room opposite yours.

It was a long process for a broken arm. You went into surgery two hours ago, and you had no results back. The only thing you got back to was Tom fast asleep in the lumpy armchair, with his feet propped up on the table, but you were too in awe to wake him up. It takes strength to love someone like Tom, and having him there for everything made this world slightly better. You were holding onto that little piece of hope that if you both were someone else with no strict parents, curfews, and Rendez-Vous you would already be settled in his arms. 

Is there a reason that love is invisible, undetectable with anything but our minds? Were you both too young to understand what love is? As the questions were circulating your mind, your head turned to Tom’s. The fast beating organ in your chest motions you to awaken him. 

You missed him. 

“Tommy… You gotta get up, buddy.” You cooed, throwing a knock-off seahorse teddy that sat right by your left side. 

“Are you okay? Did something happen? I was so worried, seahorse.” Tom jumped to his feet, rubbing the sleep out of his face. A slight smile emerged on his face, and threw himself on your lower half.  

“I would hug you but your arm is broken and I don’t wanna hurt you more than I already have.” 

“Water under the bridge. I’m sorry that I went with Logan, it sucked anyway…” You laughed. “He hated the rain, and wore a fancy penguin suit to our date.”

“Seriously? What a Kook.” Tom grinned, leaning over with care to kiss your forehead. “How did it even happen?” 

“I don’t know. I fell.” 

“Where were you?”

“Near Rixon’s forest… It’s strange because I just remember Logan screaming and then — Fuck.” You frown, looking down at the new accessory. “I can’t compete, Tom. I can’t win back the restaurant.” 

You felt the tears swell into your eyes, scared to close your lids as you didn’t want Tom to see you fall apart. You didn’t know how to mix emotions well, there was sadness behind your anger, yet the anger never came unless it was triggered. You saw this as a natural passivity with the trauma you just went through to cry, but not at the real reason, just the broken arm. 

“We will figure something out.” Tom repeated, branching over to place a loving kiss to your lips. After you both shared a kiss, he rested his forehead against yours and kissed your nose. “We always figure something out.”

“How’s Harrison?” You sniffled, wiping the tears with your left hand. 

Tom shrugged, “I haven’t checked. I spent most of the time here… I’ll go check and I’ll be right back.” 

What felt like an hour was just fifteen minutes of staring at a blank wall full of cautions and step to step guides. You gave a half-smile to the deflated balloon that was tied to Tom’s chair and watched it sway back and forth. However, something disturbs the comfort of the moment and stayed still. Your eyebrows furrowed, turning to the door as you see two familiar faces frantically walking towards you. 

“Oh god, you are okay.” Your mother began. “When we got the call, we didn’t know if you were even okay. They said something about your boyfrie--”

“-- Harrison’s doing great. He has a scar which is kinda cool because now he can finally tell his high story about him killing someone.” Tom barged in, spilling half of the secrets you wanted to be hidden by your parents. The flat air and the guilty smile you gave him made his head turn to your parents, which he immediately regretted. 

“Scar. Harrison. Broken arm, and Thomas being completely fine.” Your mother fractured her voice, pushing Tom’s chest towards the door continuously throwing words at him that results in him falling on his ass. A sudden gust of wind travelled through his body, with the sudden flash of his father and he quickly screamed, shielding himself. 

“Don’t hit me.” Tom’s scream of the mouth and lungs, and screams of the eyes made your mum frozen in sight. It brought back something, something that she placed on the bookshelf and promised she would never open again. 

Your mother bit her lip, eyes only focused on Tom’s. She moved closer with those eyes that looked so deeply into him as if they were communicating.

“I’m not going to hit you.” Your mother’s breathing became softer, her pensive look melted into a frown, with the morning light shining on a scar. Tom’s body squirms as he feels all the attention on him but his gaze was still on your mothers like it was just the two of them in the room. Tom wanted to say something but the words never left his lips but from the quickened pace of his breathing, your mother knew and revealed her deepest secret with the person she swore she hated. Your mother used her maternal instincts to help Tom up, giving him a slight nod of assurance that she won’t harm him but, Tom refused the invitation and bolted out of the hospital ignoring the calls from your room. 

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°

A week passed. 

Tom still wasn’t found. No one heard from him and no one bothered to look for him either. Harrison tried, day and night with you on a walkie-talkie giving him the usual spots Tom would go to but, there was no sign of him. It was like he just erased himself from the island. Erased from you. 

You watched as the sunlight dwindled the tension of wanting to find him. You were trapped in your own room, limited to any form of contact. Since the accident, things around here have been tense and conversations that were buried have resurfaced. You only told your parents the minimal damage of Tom’s confession, slightly altering the truth as you didn’t want social services involved. 

It was painful to speak about Tom when he wasn’t around. He would always take off but it wouldn’t be this long. Tom should have been back by now, he always promised that he would be safe, but you didn’t feel as confident anymore. 

You filled your glass with water, but had no intention of drinking it. Your eyes kept darting to your phone that refused to ring. You tried countless times to call him but he must have run out of battery or dropped it somewhere. Tom was pretty useless to technology and hated the way we communicated. 

He liked the old fashion way; climbing into someone's window type way. He always climbed through your window, but he didn’t this time. But, you left it open just like Wendy did for Peter. 

You read that book last night; one of Tom’s favorites. He liked Peter Pan, and related to him. He wanted to visit Neverland and always requested you to read the book whenever he felt down, upset or lonely. It was his safe haven, along with you. 

“Harrison, you there? Over.” Your hoarse whisper into the walkie-talkie betrayed your parents' trust. They did ban you from having any contact with them, as your parents thought it would be safer. 

“I’m everywhere, over.” Harrison left a grieving chuckle, making your eyes twitch with nerves. 

“Any sign of him? I’m worried, over.” 

“Nope. I even went to his house. No sign of him, ladybug. I think he really did go to Yucatan, over.”

You didn’t believe that Tom would just leave this island. He didn’t think he could as he had no qualifications, just extremely good at being a kleptomaniac. Also, he accepted his fate a long time ago that this island is his home. 

“He doesn’t even know where that is, over.” 

“Do you think he joined the circus? He talked about joining the circus like Alex the Lion did. He looks up to him, over.” 

You groaned in annoyance, screaming into your pillow at the useless information Harrison was giving you. “He isn’t joining the circus, Harrison. Can you go check the little dock below the boardwalk? I think he might be there? over.” 

“Can I check in half an hour? Over.” 

“What’s more important than finding Tom?” 

The line went silent. 

“Harrison! Are you there?” You almost yelled at the device. 

“You didn’t say anything. You are supposed to say over. Over” 

As Harrison spoke, your head was buried into your pillow screaming into the void. You sometimes wish that Harrison had a brain, or just didn’t have an IQ of a five-year-old. 

“Please. Just find him, over.” The desperation in your voice matched with the light trying to soar through your room. You just needed to see if Tom was okay, you just had to know. 

“I’ll do my best, ladybug.” 

The silvery tears that skinned your cheeks hit your blue plastered cast, a nightmare that now lives on you. You watched as the tears dissolved into the cast, glancing at the window to see the trickles of rain splatter on your window.

You took the walkie-talkie from your pillow and replayed the message he just sent. Although, you weren’t feeling too much of a laugh Harrison did make a mistake. 

“Hey, Harrison… you forgot to say… over.” You giggled, shutting the signal off. 

It didn’t take Harrison long to find Tom. He was exactly where you said he would be and Harrison’s eyes squinted as he saw Tom in the water tackling the waves. He was pretty good, best on the island so he says. Harrison just sat there, looking out at his friend winning each wave that came over him. It was soothing to watch his best friend let go without looking back over his shoulder. 

Harrison liked the ocean. The ocean was kind to his friends, stable, and a home to them both. Harrison loved his friends more than he loved anything else. He said that the ocean should be his enemy, for taking his dad away by the storm but, the ocean wasn’t horrible to his friends. The ocean cared for them, and he liked that. 

Harrison also liked sandcastles and often made them when he waited for either of you two to finish your wave. He built a castle once and earned a spot in the annual sandcastle competition for ages 4 and up. Harrison always won. Harrison made the castle  and even made you be the princess of the castle when you were little. You never joined the competition, neither did Tom. You both decided to learn to surf professionally, and plus you needed someone to guard your belongings. 

“Haz? Why are you here… building sandcastles?” Tom curiously asked as he ran out of the water. 

“I felt like it.” 

“How did you find me?” Tom never really revealed his location to Harrison, well not the ones where you and him fuck as you both never know when Harrison will show.

“Ladybug.”

A nickname given when Harrison spotted a ladybug on your shoulder the day he met you and vowed you were queen of the ladybugs. 

“How’s she doing?” 

Harrison shrugs, “I only communicate with her with the dumb walkie-talkie. Her parents got her on lockdown.” 

Tom didn’t say anything. He couldn't find the words or questions. It was his fault that you were stuck. He shouldn’t have reacted like that. He should have known better.

“But, I think I should tell you something..” 

Tom motioned him to carry on. 

“Right, yes. So, It’s about Logan.” 

“What about him?” 

“He’s fishy.” Harrison giggled at his reference. “You get it?” 

“Yeah no shit, Haz.” 

“Tough crowd.” Harrison muttered to himself, fixing his bridge. 

“I know he is fishy but why? Did you find anything?” 

“Technically, I need to find out how you will react when I tell you this piece of information. I can’t promise you that you will like the news but, you can’t go all crazy Tom. He isn’t nice.” Harrison started, turning his attention to Tom “Promise me.”

“I promise.” Tom said. “Would you please tell me now?”

“He broke Y/N’s arm.” 

“He did what?” Tom asked again.

“Broke Y/N’s arm.”

“He broke Y/N’s arm?” Tom questioned himself.

“Why are you repeating what I say? You know I don’t like that game.”

Tom didn’t even have time to respond to Harrison before he could convert his emotional pain into his run. As Tom started to run, he felt the air and the earth cheering him on. The shuttle rain that absorbed the hues of the sunset, made everything shape into a bonus feature of ‘The Notebook’. 

He got there, eventually and frowned at the darkness that came from your room. Instead you were with your parents around a dining table with no surprise, Logan. Tom stared into the perfect postcard room, fixated on the way your parents treated Logan, someone they just met. Stupid Logan was laughing again, ungentlemanly like when he ate before saying grace. Tom’s muscles started to shake, trying to hold back his tears from his half closed eyes. He watched as you held your breath before gales of laughter came soaring out.

Tom gave up, turning on his heel to leave a place where he was forgotten already. He noticed and observed the island whilst he hid at Rixon’s Cove; a place he found when he couldn’t face the shame on your mum’s face. He felt like he would never win their approval, even if he sacrificed himself, your parents would still find a way to see a negative side to him. 

He’d given up and walked south to a place where people like him deserved to be. 

Tom took a harsh breath, as he had endured more than he could handle for a day. It was only when he reached the painful sight of his home, his head sunk below him as he forced his feet to walk over the stones that gave a clear entrance to his front door. Tom’s house was different, more broken than yours and Harrison’s. With only living a good 10 minutes away from you, he had easy access to safety but, tonight he chose to stay. He belonged there, it’s where he remembered his childhood of bottle-throwing, hard punches, and a word that was now tattooed on his heart. 

Tom regretted every movement he made, pinching his skin as the door of his fate ran open. The room smelt like death, a mixture of liquor and harsh smoke coming from the ashtray. Tom got familiar with the smell, accepted that was his scent whilst Harrison got the pleasure of salted air, and you got the luxury of a lemon glaze feel. He crept through the room, darting his eyes every second watching out for his father. 

He never called him dad, he didn’t feel like he was a dad. A dad was someone who guided you, not punched you when money was tight. He didn’t have a mother, but he remembered her face. It was his bright light before you came into his life. 

“And where the fuck have you been?” The voice emerged from the shadows of the kitchen. Tom squinted his eyes as the only thing he could visualize was the burning paper that was tightly shut with his lip. 

Tom didn’t say anything and froze on sight. He didn’t know how to approach this sort of conversation. Does he ignore it and go straight to his room? Does he tell him where he was? Or, does he run before things get bloody?

“Harrison’s. Y/N's hurt.” Tom didn’t know why he spoke the truth. He would usually lie and tell him that he went to sea, but it was the vulnerability and the lack of respect he had to protect himself.

“Whilst you were fucking with that whore, and the thickest person on earth. I had to pay this month's rent. I had to pay for your fucking half, you piece of shit.” 

Tom ignored the words, heading straight to his bedroom trying to dodge the bullets that ran straight out his father’s mouth. He slammed the door, locking it straight after where he jumped in fright at the sound of his father’s fist colliding with the door. Tom taped his hands to his ears, blocking out the hateful words that he was so used to hearing but this time, the words affected him more deeply. He closed his eyes but pictured your parents in the scenario. 

He rolled himself in bed, body crunched into a ball as he rocked himself to sleep with the pictures of you and Harrison that were scattered everywhere on his wall. 

He reached his shaky hand to the picture of you, in a red bikini smiling with a surfboard in hand. He brushed the image, setting off the tears that had been threatening to come and harm him. 

He had no choice but to be vulnerable with shame as he couldn’t do that beyond these walls. He was right where he belonged, in a broken home full of broken memories and a series of polaroids you took were his only window to the outside world. 

He never knew how much he took for granted when he found himself being the six-year-old kid again, wondering why his mum left him with a man whose love was shown through violence. He fell into despair and lost all hope of trying to win your heart because who could ever learn to love a bastard. 

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°

24 hours until the competition and the destruction of your restaurant.

It wasn’t supposed to end like this, nothing like this happened on the island. Everyone was well kept, friendly most of the time, and contributed in a generous manner. It was like a big community but often spiraled into chaos when unfamiliar faces come to shore. It was like someone yanked the plug that kept everything afloat, and chose chaos. 

Damage like this never affected you, or your friends. You three would just mind your business, and use the advantage to break some rules. It was never the plan to be involved. You didn’t want to be involved. You were only supposed to be having sex with Tom from time to time, surfing with Harrison, and sometimes imagining a life with Tom. It was a routine, a simple routine that everyone was fine with. 

If someone told you a month ago that you would have a broken arm, Tom running away and Harrison being smart you wouldn’t have believed them. You didn’t want this, any of this. You just wanted to enjoy your summer, that’s all you ever wanted. You were spiralling, again and again. Tom hasn’t called, texted or left a sign that he is somewhat alive. Harrison didn’t give you much information, but also subtly tried to avoid you. 

It was like everyone was turning against you for being human and the broken arm was just a way for people to give you fake sympathy. People aren’t stupid here, everyone is familiar with everyone and has seen you with Logan. Often people glared, squinting at you when you walked by and things were said on social media which you deleted. 

You were the enemy, the reason why everything was going south. You were the skeleton of the island, and you were slowly decaying. You couldn’t sleep, too much was on your mind for you to have a decent sleep. You needed Tom by your side, he was the main priority. It wasn’t fair that Tom got to suffer for your mistakes. Tom didn’t even mean any harm, he just loves too much, and that often gets him into trouble. You didn’t want to spiral, especially not two days before the competition. You needed to sleep and throughout the night, whilst your mind kept playing tricks on you, you finally gave up and closed your eyes for just a moment which turned into hours. 

It was 04:32 am and an abrupt thud woke you. Your eyes opened like two flashlight beams, the shine that glazed through your window, made a shadow of a human. The human was wearing a hoodie, the sort that could protect you from the weather. The colours instantly brought a sense of safety to your yearning for guilt. You felt your beating organ settle down, and your breathing was consistent. Even though it was just a piece of clothing, the clothing belonged to Tom, and once you locked eyes with his broken amber hues you knew where Tom had been all along. 

Within spitting distance of your bed, Tom steps from the luster glow and finds himself on the other side of your bed. You felt his firm torso and the heart that beats within mold into you. He drew you closer, making both of your legs tangle as his hand folds around your back, drawing you closer. A tear splits from his eye, landing on your shoulder causing your body to shake as you knew the trauma he went through. You never pushed Tom to speak about what happens to him, you only showed with your touch giving him that trust he always wanted.

Tom pulls his back, wiping your own tears with his fractured hand, even the roughness brings the sharp pain of what he went through. He lightly ran his hand through your hair, making his way to trace little shapes on your back to make sure that you were real. You felt like you were in his dream, you wanted to turn around and kiss his trembling lips but you didn’t want to push him. 

You also wanted to speak but he pressed a kiss to your shoulder. A small croak left his lips, “I’m okay, I’m safe now.” His mouth paints a soft smile, and you nod running your hand against his bruised knuckles. You didn’t know how long it was but, the soft snores that left Tom lips indicated that he was finally having a good night's sleep. You knew from experience that if Tom snores, it means that he hasn’t slept for days. 

You didn’t know why but something inside you wanted to keep the boy locked in here forever. 

You wanted him safe. 

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°

Into the illuminating light of eventide came a troop of loud music, laughs echoing around the marsh apprehend Tom and Harrison. Word of the Island was that you were attending the event with your parents, from the generous invite of Logan. 

How did they know? Harrison.

As the two of them shamefully dragged the boat to shore, Tom already found himself squinting at the poor taste in music. Harrison didn’t seem to mind, only worrying if they were going to serve actual food other than dead snails. 

“Ready?” Tom questioned Harrison who shook off the vivid image of you eating a snail, laughing in the process. 

“Can you believe this whole Creeklights shit?” Harrison tutted, watching as Tom undressed himself. 

“Course. It happens every fucking year, and I swore that we would crash it someday.” Tom’s outrage for the event went years back when he found out that people like him didn’t belong in places like that. He was only good for working them, not attending. 

“So what’s the plan again?” Harrison dumbfounded, quickly covering his eyes at Tom’s current state. 

“We disguise ourselves as waiters, find y/n, distract y/n and kidnap her.” Tom’s leering gaze landed on the two security guards. He had snuck into something before, but it wasn’t this extreme. 

“I don’t like the sound of kidnapping? How about taking her away?” Harrison said, causing Tom to shift his gaze at him earning him a rightful slap over the head. 

“Hurtful. With the amount of crimes you are committing, I don't think abusing your best friend is what you need right now.” Tom immediately took Harrison’s words and threw him at the back of his head. He had more important things to worry about; getting you. 

“You’ll go in first, locate exactly where y/n is and then tell her that the turtles are getting harassed.” Tom lied, trying to understand the clockwork on the security guards.

“Wait, they are? We should help them.” Harrison was already walking in the other direction until Tom pulled him from his collar. 

“Just get in there.” Tom hissed, lightly pushing Harrison into the bushes to make out that he was collecting empty glasses. 

“I need a big fat zoot after this.” Harrison mumbled but cheered when he actually found an empty glass on the grass.

“I think we should stop throwing the glasses on the floor, they have feelings.” Harrison snapped at the two drunk people who were making out. “Hello. Did you hear me?” Harrison waved his hand in the air, trying to grasp their attention. 

Before Harrison even knew that he was going to get punched, he was pulled again but in a gentle manner. You surprisingly twirled him around, making him hold your waist as you danced with him. 

“What are you doing here?” 

“I’m here to kidnap you,” Harrison said. “It was pretty easy.” 

“Where’s Tom?” You mulled over Harrison’s shoulder. 

“Oh hi Harrison, how are you? Haven’t seen you in two weeks? I’m good, thank you for asking.” Harrison’s sharp tongue stopped your actions.

“I’m sorry, Hazzie. I’ve missed you.” You try to sound sympathetic but your mind was sorely focused on Tom as he managed to take off in the morning before you even had a chance to talk to him. 

“He’s okay. There's just a lot you need to catch up on.” 

“Logan? This whole event?” You guessed, hating the way Harrison nodded almost immediately. 

“I knew you weren’t dumb.” Harrison laughed and escorted you towards the back of the event where Tom was downing a glass of whiskey. You just about heard everything you needed to know, from Logan stealing the restaurant to breaking your arm. When Tom heard approaching footsteps, a smile grew on his face which landed him straight onto the ground with a loud thump to go with the fall. 

“Scraps like you don’t belong here.” Logan teethed, kicking Tom in the stomach. Tom clenched his body, trying to maintain his only strength as he saw you and Harrison approach the scene. 

“I was wondering when you two would show. Are you here to see what Wonderboy is really good at?” Logan’s side that you definitely do not think he would have made the hole in your vision fall into place. You took one look at Tom and used your legs to kick Logan in the crotch, whilst Harrison aided Tom up from the ground. 

“Just go, Logan” You hissed, running towards the two boys. 

“Not without Wonderboy’s confession.” If Logan was going to leave, at least he wanted was to leave with a stupid grin on his face.

“He doesn’t need to confess anything.” You shouted as you had no idea what he was talking about. However, you knew that if Harrison and Tom weren’t out of here, they would be thrown into jail.  

“Seriously princess? I thought you were smart.”

“What are you even talking about? What confession does Tom need to make?” You were tired, and this event was going away until someone filled you in. You turned to face Tom, looking at him with desperation.

“Nothing. There’s nothing to tell.” Tom mumbled, clenching onto Harrison’s arm.

“So loving her is nothing to tell. I thought y/n meant something to you.” 

“Just drop it.” Tom glared and tried his hardest to not look into your eyes. 

“So you do love her but she doesn’t feel the same way right? That’s why she went on a date with me. She feels nothing for you, the whole time she was with me, you were never mentioned. It’s quite sad to see someone you love not feel the same way? Like the way your father loathes you…” 

Taken back at the confession you looked over at Tom, “Is this true? You love me?” 

Tom didn’t even say anything before security came to see what the commotion was about. You saw the security guard walk straight up to Tom, pulling him by his collar. You began to scream, gathering everyone's attention, even your parents who slowly emerged from the buffet. 

“You can’t just boot him. I invited him here. Let him go.” You screamed, getting trapped by Harrison. You tried to leave his embrace but Harrison only brought you to your father who was already at the scene. You hit Harrison on the chest, cursing at him for keeping you away from Tom.

“Enough, peanut. He was only trying to help.” Your dad tried to sympathize but you couldn’t even think to see how this was beneficial.

“Harrison, son. Go check on Tom whilst I talk to peanut. Let us know if he is okay.” 

“Who are you and what have you done to my dad?” You sniffled, watching Harrison sprint into the bushes. 

“We have some talking to do, peanut.” Your dad started. “Want to fill me in?” 

You really didn’t expect to rant to your father about the wild weeks you have had. It was already uncomfortable at how understanding he was, even when you mentioned yours and Tom’s situation. But, as you were filling your dad in with the drama you managed to squeeze in before letting out a breath, you wondered if Tom would be at your window tonight. 

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°

Tom ran; like always. He didn’t even tumble to the ground, nor stop running no matter how much pain he was in. He just kept running, and this time he didn’t even know where he was running either. 

Nowhere on this island was safe for him, everything was black and Tom found himself standing right outside the signup sheet for the competition. He looked over at Harrison who managed to catch up with him. 

“Dude, you okay?” 

“One last wave.” Tom whispered to himself, taking the pen and writing his name down. 

“You are surfing tomorrow? But, your bruises?” 

“I don’t care. I need to win this for her. It’s the only way.” Tom snapped, and Harrison took a step back. Tom knew deep down that if he wanted off of the island, he just needed to win this for y/n. 

As long as you were happy, he didn’t care what happened to him. There is nothing for him here, and Tom sunk to the floor lying on the sand watching the sky change into a blasting orangey color. 

“Surf’s up.” 

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀° 

Your tranquil gaze focused solely on the boats rocking on the seafront. The sea air arrives on queue with nostalgic memories of you and your father swimming far into the sea. The core memories scrutinized with the placidity of the light patter of rain that rested on the timber of the boat. 

It was an old fixer-upper that was a project that never began, but the simplicity of the rusty boat gave it meaning. It was a boat that had witnessed many tantrums, sweet confessions, and a place to go when things got a little hectic. 

The sea air especially in the area of the boat gave you the confidence to finally turn to face your dad. You nestled your head on his shoulder, fiddling with the hem of your purple silky dress waiting for your dad’s advice.

“I remember one evening when you invited Tom and Harrison round to band practice, the look you gave another when you sang the song "Take My Breath Away”, I knew that the two of you would be something.” Your dad said softly. “I never told your mum because, well you know how she gets.” 

“I’m scared, dad. I’m scared that if I finally allow him to hold my heart, he will be in constant fear. He would be so gentle that everything will be fragile, I don’t want him to have that worry. I don’t want him to worry when he is with me, I just want him to be free of his mind.” You continued, tears trickling down your cheek in the process. 

“I’m glad you are aware of his stability but, I think whenever he is with you… he is safe. He isn’t worried about his dad or constantly beating himself up. You showed him from a young age that you love him no matter what baggage he has. You allowed him to be open with you, you gave him that trust that he can come to you with a broken nose, a bruise and you wouldn’t shout at him. You are, and always will be his safe haven.” Your dad said, wiping the tears from your cheek. 

“You really think that we are right for each other?” You asked him quietly. 

“I think you both are still young but, I know that whatever the fight you always end back in each other’s arms. I know your mother isn’t fond of him but she has her reasons.” 

“She was abused too, wasn’t she?” You sniffled, looking up at your father who nodded slowly. You didn’t know when you fully found out but the clues your mum was leaving you when she put you on house arrest filled in the dots.

“Your mother sees herself in Thomas and she knew that if anyone got close to her that they would also be in danger. She didn’t want you to go through that, amor. She just wanted what’s best for you.” 

“Do you think in time she would accept him like you do?” You didn’t want to overstep but, your parent’s approval mattered to you.

“I know she will. I think she is starting to see that it’s physically impossible to separate the two of you. Well, and Harrison.” 

“I got pretty lucky right?” You grinned.

“I don’t know how you managed to tame them but, I know that the friendship the three of you hold is unbreakable. Hold onto that.” Your dad finished, bringing you into a tight hug. 

“That was beautiful.” Harrison sniffled, tucking the tears under his fingers as he silently sat there. “I love you too, dad.” Harrison dived into the hug, and your dad gave you a concerned look.

“He’s included.” 

Your dad only responded with a laugh, hugging Harrison back. “I think you know what you need to do, amor.”

“You’ve got this, amor.” Harrison mimicked, immediately releasing himself from the embrace. “I’ll see you tomorrow, ladybug.” He shouted, before your dad could get to him.

“It gets better right?” Your dad prayed.

“In time.” 

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀° 

Competition Day.

Upon the blow par of Harrison’s home, you laid in a white knitted cocoon that overlooked the marsh, with a glimpse of the mainland. The gentle buzz in the air transformed the nerves of losing the restaurant into an alternate timeline where everyone was content, happy, and mindful. 

A sweet community that danced in your mind was everything you wanted, but could never have on an island like this. You saw yourself, Tom, and Harrison in Yucatan owning a surf shop joined with a restaurant that brought travelers from far and near to eat. 

It was a perfect trance, a tranquillity to dream of when things got too heavy. Every time you fall into the brightest timeline, progress is seen in your double jointed surf shop and restaurant.  

“I thought I’d find you here.” Harrison's soft tone effortlessly brought you back to the realm. 

“It’s peaceful.” You signed, not moving your body to face him.

“I’m guessing you aren’t going to the competition?” Harrison didn’t know how to tell, or initiate the untold feelings Tom and you have. 

“I can’t. It’s just going to remind me of failure.” 

“That’s not true. It’s not your fault, it was Logan’s.” Harrison frowned, trying to not draw attention to your cast. 

“I was stupid to even go with Logan. I should've just stayed. Now, I’ve lost Tom.” You muffle, not wanting Harrison to see you cry. 

“You haven’t lost him. He’s just busy winning the competition for you.”

“What?” You ask, slightly confused as to why Tom would enter with his condition.

“He’s at the competition.”

“He’s at the competition?” You repeated slowly. 

“Why do you both like playing this game! I can’t tell you both enough that I hate the copying game. It’s not nice.” 

“I don’t understand? Why is he there? He isn’t stable. If he shows his bruises, then people will ask questions. He doesn’t want that, Harrison.” You said in a worried tone. “We need to stop him, Hazzie.”

“I think I need to give you the talk.” Harrison began. “I want you to listen carefully and save all questions, facial expressions, and rude comments till the end of my speech,” Harrison said softly, looking over at your perplexed face. 

“Noted.” 

“Have you ever heard of the term fish love?” Harrison asked, knowing deep in his mind that you already made the judgment that this was going to be irrelevant. 

“I haven’t.” 

“Perfect. It’s the thing that you and Tom have.” Harrison began, “I’ll give you an example. When a guy let’s call him Sawyer, saw another guy eating a fish, Sawyer went up to the guy and asked why is he eating the fish, he said, ‘I love fish’ But Sawyer was confused because how could he love the fish if he took it out of the water, killed it, and boiled it? You know what I mean?”

“I guess so. How does this relate to Tom and I? He isn’t a fish.”

“The term can also relate to people. When you date someone and you say you love them, what does that mean? Why do you love them?” Harrison stated. “Basically, most people love someone because that person fulfills their physical and emotional needs. It fills the void in their heart, which is still selfish. Sawyer said true love is when you think ‘what can I GIVE this person, not what will I gain from being with them.”

You were still confused. 

“All I’m trying to say is that the guy didn’t really love the fish, he just loved what it did for him, which was to feed him. Tom’s love for you is fish love.” Harrison finally finished but he didn’t expect to receive a tight embrace from you, with the repeated words of thank you. In fact, he was waiting for a smack to the head. 

“Did you actually understand that?” Harrison curiously asked.

“Funny enough. I did.” You laughed, releasing him from your embrace. 

“Go get him, ladybug.”

You nodded, offering him a hand in the process. “Not without you.”

“Does this mean I’ll be third-wheeling now?” Harrison asked, locking his hand with yours. 

“Hazzie, You’ve been third-wheeling all your life.”

“Oh.” Harrison downcasted his tone, kicking the stones out of the way. You could tell that Harrison wasn’t okay, especially after the confession. It was the last thing you wanted Harrison to feel. Harrison is as much as important as Tom is, you just wish he understood that.

“Nothing is going to change, ya know? Regardless if Tom and I date, you’ll always be with us. I don’t think we could ever live life without you, Harrison. You may not know it but you are the skeleton of the group.”

“I love you, ladybug.” Harrison grinned, resting his head on your shoulder as the two of you walked to the beach. 

“I love you more, doofus.”

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀° 

Everything was about to change and it came like an electric storm, paralysing your brain, it was quite painful. You weren’t prepared to pour your feelings out to someone, or anyone really. It was piling on too much and you had the arm to prove it. You knew the outcome, a weightlifting outcome was just beyond the sea bed but something was off when your feet hit the sand. Your smile sits low, your head isn’t focused on the competition that is filling your mind with cheers and screams. The anxiety grew as they were announcing that Tom was in the lead, he actually braved himself to show off his broken canvas. 

As Harrison fled off to see if Tom had actually won, you were left alone with the seashells witnessing your sorrowful looks. You wanted to just run into the water, dive into the upcoming wave and head to a secret coven under the water but, life wasn’t like a fairytale. 

Lost in a dance with your mind, your body fell onto the sand giving you a slight panic as a heavy body weighed on you. You screeched in agony as your arm wasn’t exactly in great shape but, the familiar voice that made your skin hair rise made your smile more real.

“Hey..”

“Hi.” You acknowledge him, but your eyes immediately went to his bruises.

“They aren’t as bad as you think. The water eases them up.” 

“Speaking of water, what are you doing in it?” You were grateful that Tom would reveal his secret to the world to make you happy but, you didn’t deserve that kind of love. 

You weren't that important. 

“It was the only way to prove to your parents that I’m serious about something.” Tom murmured, not realizing that your parents were right in his rearview. “I just needed you to know that I love you and I know you don’t feel the same but, I just want to know that I’m willing to wait and prove to you that I’m serious about this.” 

“I love you.” You blurted out.

“You what?” 

“Let’s um, go somewhere…” You mumbled, reaching out your hand so Tom could help you up. You excused the people who were standing in a circle, waiting for a love confession. Pulling Tom away from the crowd and taking him under the dock, you finally were about to say what you felt.

 “I love you, Tom. I always have and I know I had a weird way of showing it but, I know that I want to spend right now with you. You are my past, present, and hopefully my future. I just want to make you happy, that’s all I ever wanted.”

“That is all I have ever wanted to hear, seahorse.” Tom softly said, leaning into a kiss. 

“Halle-fucking-lujah.” Harrison screamed with a dreamy smile. You both abruptly left the longing gaze and turned to Harrison who got a hand each and held them to his heart. “It’s beating for you both.” 

The awkwardness hit the two of you to let out an uncomfortable laugh, shaking their heads at the clowny of them actually having a private moment. 

“Harrison, could it be possible for us to just have this moment? I promise that we will find you after.” You tried to reason with the boy but he was too much in awe to even listen. 

“I just need a picture for the fanbase…” Harrison whispered, plotting out his little disposable camera. 

“Fanbase?” Tom asked, looking over at you with an uneasy smile.

“Yeah. I made it a while back. I have 2 members.” 

“Which are?” You interrogated.

“Your dad and me.” 

You and Tom both let out a laugh, itching yourself to figure out more about this fanbase. You gave Harrison a decent photo, a regular passing-by couple of pictures with Tom’s arm around your waist. Harrison promised it was the last one as each shot he took became more awkward. 

“I’ll get this emailed to you. Do you want me to add you to the fanbase? I heard that if I reach four members, I get a badge..” 

“If you leave us alone for five minutes, I'll join and even give you behind-the-scenes action.” You laughed, shooing him away. 

“Awesome. Not only do I get a badge but I also get 30 bucks from your dad.” Harrison grinned to himself. “More weed for me.” 

Before the two of you watched Harrison skip away to his land of fairies, you were most certain you were about to kiss Tom. You both stood there, an inch apart as you both leaned in. At that moment, the kiss just went deeper and Tom pulling you to his chest made everything about this moment perfect. It was a real stamp of a new beginning with Tom, something that could look perfect on the perfect postcard picture. 

Knowing Harrison, He would emerge from the light and interrupt the moment, you both decided to break the kiss apart. Hands entwined with another, you made your way back to the station grinning as most people's concentration diverted to you and Tom. 

Whilst Tom was pulled apart to earn his reward, you saw Logan emerge from the tree he once held onto looking directly in your corner. You quickly ran towards him, looking back to see Tom searching for you. Approaching the brothers, Tyler was about to head off, Logan following but you managed to stop Logan in time. 

“Not so fast. You and I need a little chat first.” You said in a flippant tone, escorting him away from the crowd. You both sat adjacent to the sea, observant of Tom who you caught staring. 

“He’s smitten.” 

“And that’s a bad thing?” You fretfully said and Logan stayed silent. 

“For him.” He truthfully told which got the attention of your hand to grip the golden sand.

“Here’s the deal, Logan. I’m not stupid, and I know what you did.” You were frank with him, you guessed from the moment you met him that he had to be talked to like a child.

“Which is?” 

“You are going to give me back my restaurant, and I won’t press charges.” Your earnest negotiation sent Logan speechless.

“You have no proof of that.” Logan fired back, you can see from the tension he had when he arched his back that he was getting flustered.

“I wouldn’t need proof. Everyone you see knows me. In fact, they have seen me doing crazy shit with Wonderboy and Harrison. We’ve done a lot of risky stuff and not once did I ever fall. The place I took you was a children’s playing area, and has had no accidents since, well basically me.” The fear in Logan’s eyes made you jubilant, you were finally earning back the self-esteem you lost.

“No one will believe you-”

“Cut the crap, Logan. Just take the deal and fuck off back to suit and tie land. You don’t belong here, and neither does your stupid idea for apartments.” Your sincere speech didn’t exactly make amends but it did get Logan to leave. You watched as he picked himself, looking directly over at his brother and motioned him to follow after. 

The feeling of finally taking back your worth felt exhilarating. Although you were stuck with a broken arm for the rest of the summer and may have upset the island a tad too much, it was all worth it as everything you ever wanted was finally falling into place. 

As you heard the calls from your parents, and the sweet laugh of Tom’s you knew that something was starting. It was the perfect postcard picture, the one that loses its way but manages to be filled with the people you loved. 

Even though you swore that the perfect postcard picture was you and Tom… It was more than just the two of you. Nothing would be complete without your restaurant, parents, and Harrison. They were your family. It may be small and a little broken but it’s still good. 

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀° 

A week passed, and you were currently washing the plates after dinner with your parents. Thankfully the money that Tom generously won for you, ended up being put into a secret bank account that Tom would touch whenever he figures out he has one. It was a bittersweet moment to see your mum finally accept Tom for who he is, and even offered him a place to stay if he worked different hours for you at the restaurant. 

Tom, of course said yes and again, your family used half his wages to be put away. You were glad that Tom had a backup plan, stable enough to get himself into a decent college and forget about his old life. Your mother did have a recurring long chat with you about the consequences of Tom’s home life, and she made you promise that you wouldn’t interfere no matter how much you wanted. 

As the minutes went by, a surprising knock echoed through the house. You turned to your mother who shrugged.

“Are you expecting someone?” Your mother asked. 

“Nope. Tom’s busy and Harrison is being Harrison.” 

“Then who's at the door?” Your mother was just as confused as you were. However, what the two of you weren’t expecting was your dad, tightly embracing Tom in his arms.

“I thought he was busy?”

“That’s what I thought?” You said, furrowing your eyebrows as you made your way over to them.

“What’s going on?” You asked, and you went up to Tom. “Tom.. I thought you were busy?”

“I am.” He said softly. “I’m about to watch Star Trek with your dad.”

“He hates Star Trek.” 

“I know.”

“So, why are you here to watch star trek?”

“What’s with the questions, amor? Jealousy isn’t a good look.” Your dad chuckled, playing around with your ponytail.

“I’m not jealous.” 

“Don’t worry. As soon as the movie is over, I’ll come and see you.” Tom grinned, handing you an empty bowl of popcorn.

“What’s this for?”

“We need snacks.” Your dad insisted. 

“Pronto.” Tom added.

“This better not be a regular thing.” You hissed under your breath. 

“You had your chance.” Your dad said. “In fact, you had 23 years to get Tom and now I have him.” 

“Well, I’ve got Harrison.” You piped up, hands rested on your hip.

“Technically you don’t… I decided to give Star Trek a go too…” Harrison came straight through the window and took a seat right next to Tom.

“You too?” You huffed.

“Popcorn please.” The boys demanded, flicking the bowl in the air. You glared at them all, snatching the popcorn bowl from them. Making your way into the kitchen, giving your mum a slight pout. She only laughed. 

She looked down at the popcorn bowl, “Top shelf to your right, darling.” Your mother said and you mumbled a thank you underneath your breath.

“So, when were you going to tell me you were in a friends with benefits situation with Thomas?” 

°❀°❀°❀°❀°❀°

#tom holland x reader #tom holland imagines #tom holland smut #tom holland imagine #tom holland x y/n #tom holland au #surfer!tom #tom holland fic #tom holland #tom holland x reader smut #harrison osterfield #harrison osterfield x reader

[artistfingers]

headcannon that sam is the best at making both of her boyfriends blush

penguinsr4ever asked:

alternatively: aroace sam manson who actually isnt into danny and gets incredibly annoyed when everyone tries to put them together

(re: this everlasting trio ask)

SLAMS HANDS ON TABLE YES ALL OF THIS. both options are VERY GOOD. holds queer sam tenderly in my hands. kiss her on the head. lovely.

i would also like to offer up a third option, bi ace sam who turns up the flirt to 11 to make both her boyfriends blush 😌💕

[Everlasting Trio] | [Undercover AU]

#penguinsr4ever #danny phantom #everlasting trio #undercover phantom au #undercover asks #queer sam 💕💞🥰💕💞

[dannys-phantoms]

Doorways

DannyMay 2021 Day 5: Doorway

Read also on AO3

Sam and Tucker are directed to a special place in the ghost zone, and told to look around. They would never have guessed the things they see.

AKA Danny gets a lair

(Everlasting Trio)

To say that Danny got detentions often would be an understatement. Normally it was something that he could have probably avoided, like by actually doing his homework or not playing on his phone in class, but this time it was different. He’d fallen asleep on his desk – again – because he’d stayed up all night chasing Johnny 13 and his shadow all over Amity Park until all three of them were too tired to continue. And then, of course, when he was finally getting ready to tuck himself into bed, his ghost sense had gone off again. It’s a wonder that kid ever got any sleep.

Lancer had taken one look at him drooling on the desk and that was it, Danny Fenton would be staying late. It made sense, really, because he had an obligation to teach a certain syllabus, and it was obvious that Danny needed something a little more... fine tuned. Even so, Sam and Tucker both were in agreement that it couldn’t have happened at a worse time.

They loved hanging out together even just as a duo, of course. They did it all the time. Three was never a crowd with them, but two was nice as well. When there’s only two, they’d never have to vie for attention, or wonder if they’re somehow third wheeling in their three-way love story.  The reason they were missing Danny was for something else entirely. It was probably something to do with the eight-foot wolfman that had appeared in the middle of Tucker’s room.

He’d just been showing off his latest PDA (she’s called Norah, in case you were wondering) and Sam had been sufficiently engaged (enjoying seeing him happy more than she was actually following the conversation) when three jagged gashes had opened up between them, green and shimmering in the air and tempting a glimpse into the ghost zone. Then, the rift expanded and the creature swung through, landing heavily on his paws.

“Hi, Wulf,” said Sam, hesitantly.

He put a paw on Sam’s shoulder, and Tucker tensed as though he was ready for a fight. They were all friendly enough, of course, but it’s difficult not to be wary with those claws so close to someone’s face.

“Saluton, amikoj,” Wulf greeted, before pushing both of them through the portal he’d just made. “Vi volos ĉirkaŭrigardi antaŭ ol li revenos!”

They landed hard, and before they could look up to ask what exactly he meant, the portal was closed again. If only they’d put more effort into their Esperanto.

It was a wonder they weren’t both sinking through the floor, humans that they were, but Tucker decided not to dwell on it. There were unquestionably going to be weirder things going on here than that.

The hallway itself looked perfectly normal. Green, of course, but normal. They’d been deposited near the top of a set of stairs, and ahead of them were a series of wooden doorways. Under their splayed fingers was soft carpet.

It wasn’t a house they recognised but it quite easily could have belonged to a neighbour, or a schoolmate. It looked so laughably ordinary that they weren’t quite sure what to do with themselves.

The door closest to them creaked back on its hinges, opening a fraction to let a gust of warm wind through. It wavered for a few seconds before gliding almost to a close again.

Sam got to her feet with a sigh and offered a hand to Tucker. After she’d pulled him to his feet, neither of them let go.

The doorway was wooden and grained, looking more like her own kitchen door than one to a ghost realm. She squeezed Tucker’s hand and pushed it open.

She didn’t know what she’d expected, not really, but she knew it wasn’t this. Despite not having been for years, she still recognised the streets of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, deep in the throes of the Mothman Festival.

Nobody knew how much she’d treasured her memories of this place. Nobody except her boyfriends, that is. Even her own parents didn’t know that she dreamed of it almost every night.

It wasn’t a perfect replica of the place. It was as if the architect had merely been told about it, rather than having seen it themselves. Nevertheless, it was enough to have her mouth hanging open. There were pairs of red eyes everywhere, staring at her from every shop front, every costume, every street decoration and even from the foods in the signature Mothman pizza stores and bakeries. The live band was playing eerie music and, when she really stopped to look, she could have sworn that something was watching her from the trees.

If Sam could have chosen a heaven, a place to let her soul spend an eternity, she would have chosen here.

Tucker blinked owlishly behind his glasses. “Sam,” he said, in awe. “Is this...?”

“Yeah,” she replied. “It is”.

The music was pulsing around her, lulling her into a dance. Arms and legs and wings spun from every side as the crowd moved towards the bronze cryptid statue in the centre of the square. She’d not smiled like this for years. It was as if she was delirious. Someone offered her a Mothman lollipop, and she took it without hesitation.

Tucker took it from her gently as she began to wrestle with the wrapper. “It’s too dangerous. We still don’t know what’s going on. This could all be a trap.” He winced apologetically and, even though she tried to argue, she knew he was right.

She steeled herself and took his hand, marching back into the green hallway and pulling the door shut behind her. As soon as the latch clicked, it was silent again.

“Come on, let’s keep going.” Her voice was shaky.

Behind the next door was a meadow lined with trees. Here, it was the middle of spring. The pollen tickled both of their noses, and they quickly retreated before the hayfever could truly set in.

On the other side of the hall was a bright red door. Tucker reached for the handle, but Sam held him back.

“Red means danger, smartypants.”

“Awe, you do care,” he replied jovially. Then, he quirked an eyebrow and sent her the finger guns. “Red also means love.”

She rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help her lips quirking in a smile. “I’m being serious, Tuck.”

“As am I.”

He reached forward to open the door, and then immediately stepped back again as he got a wave of vertigo.

They were at the top of a huge drop slide, which was the same shiny red as a circus big top. There were a queue of ghost children lining up, but they all stepped aside, beckoning Tucker to go first.

“Don’t you dare.”

“Sorry, Sammy,” he replied, “but this is just too awesome.”

He sat down on the side and then launched his body forwards, sending it into the oxymoronic state of controlled freefall that left him feeling as light as a bird. It was as though all of his worries were flying from the top of his head. He felt a laugh bubble free and crossed his arms over his chest, equal parts Egyptian mummy and child at a water park.

The drop gradually began to round off, until he slowed down and crashed into a ball pit at the bottom. He’d been falling for what felt like forever.

Sam slid to a stop next to him. “Never, and I mean never, do that to me again.”

Her hair was mussed and her breathing was heavy. He declined to point out that she’d followed after him, even though she’d thought it unsafe. It left a warm fluttering feeling in his belly.  

“I won’t.” He smiled.

The ballpit took off, zooming high into the air until they were at the top of the dropslide again. The sudden motion would normally have made them queasy, or at the least lightheaded, but it didn’t. One second they were at the bottom and the next they were at the top. It was more like the space had moved around them.

Tucker looked longingly at the slide, wanting to go again, but Sam grabbed his hand and pulled him back through the door. It would do no good to linger too long in one place.

The door right at the end of the hallway was glowing around the edges, as though there were nothing but lamps on the other side. Sam made a move towards it. What could this one be? A beachside paradise, perhaps? The light room of a photography studio?

She was inches away from the doorknob when she heard a familiar whoosh. A ghost portal. From the look on Tucker’s face, he’d heard it too.

They looked towards the stairway behind them as it was illuminated in a green glow, gone as quickly as it had arrived. Then, there were whisper-quiet footsteps.

They were both rooted in place. Every instinct suggested they should run, but where to? You can’t hide from a ghost in it’s own lair.

Soon though, a shock of white hair appeared over the banister, then a pair of slouched shoulders clothed all in black.

“Danny?” Tucker said incredulously.

The ghost whipped around, immediately at high alert with an ectoblast ready to go. He only fractionally calmed down when he saw who was there.

“Shit, Tucker? Sam? What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same question,” Sam said dryly.

“I’m not ready for you guys to be here yet. I was waiting for the right time... have you been following me?”

“What?” Tucker said. “Danny, no, of course not. Wulf brought us here. Said something about looking around before ‘he’ comes back.”

Danny slumped, hand on his forehead. “Dammit, Wulf. That’s the last time I trust him with a secret. How much did you see?”

“Not enough for it to make sense,” Sam said, arms crossed. “Where the hell are we?”

Danny sighed, then looked her in the eye. He looked defeated. “Its my lair. Its not done yet, not by a long shot, which is why I didn’t want to show you –”

“Wait, what? I thought only full ghosts could have a lair.” Tucker’s brow creased.

Danny let out a hollow laugh. “Who knows what halfas can do, really? It’s not like there’s enough of us to study. This place is half ghost, like me, so I can touch stuff and walk about , no matter that mode I’m in. I’m guessing you can too. It helps, because it means I don’t fall through the bed.”

“The bed?”

“Yeah, it’s just through there.”

He looked between them to the glowing door, which he pushed open with one finger.

They were standing on the edge of open space. A million stars twinkled around them, piercing the blackness like twinkling diamonds on a velvet curtain. A red carpet rolled out in front of them, connecting the hallway to a larger rug, also floating. Below it was a deep chasm, the void never ending.

Danny floated down the carpet, which was rippling in an invisible breeze, and the others followed. It was surprisingly solid.

The rug at the end was covered with bean bags and blankets, and the biggest bed any of them had ever seen, big enough to fit ten people easily. Danny threw himself on top of the plush quilt.

“This is... I didn’t want you to see it, because I didn’t know what you’d think. I didn’t want to scare you off.”

Tucker laughed. “You’re a ghost. If we were going to get scared off, I think it would have happened already.”

“I guess,” Danny smiled sadly. “But... If you’d known my lair was adapting to the wants of all three of us, you could’ve thought maybe it was getting too weird.”

“Are you kidding me? This place is awesome!” Sam flopped down onto the bed next to him.

“I was thinking of asking you to stay here with me. Not all the time, obviously.”

“That would be cool,” Tucker said, trying to hide how excited the prospect made him.

“Think about it, Tuck,” Danny groaned. “You guys don’t belong here. You’re humans.”

“Okay, so maybe it needs a kitchen and a bathroom fitting, but other than that it’s pretty sound.”

“One of those doors opens into a Tomahawk Steakhouse,” Danny smiled.

Sam put her hand in his supportively. “We love you. We’d follow you to the ends of the Earth and beyond, you know that.”

Tucker sat down next to his partners and took Danny’s other hand.

Danny made a mental note to send a ‘thank you’ postcard to Wulf when he next saw him.

#danny phantom #dannymay2021 #everlasting trio #DannyMay #sam manson #tucker foley #danny fenton #wulf #fic #my writing #mine

[atinybitofau]

S E O N G H W A ⥈ mafia au series

RECAP: you finally have to close the deal with the devil and you meet with Hongjoong one last time before becoming a married woman. you also decide to postpone a honeymoon for another time.

word count: 2010+ , tags: angst

characters: ateez (ensemble), fem!reader

⤩ CHAPTER 2 ⤩

character list . prologue . one

Turns out Jongho had a thing for weeding out the imperfections, flaws in a woman. It was easy for him, arriving no later than 11 in the morning to join both you and San after your dress fitting to do your hair.

“I can fix the hair.” The city turned country gangster’s lips grimace at the dark bags under your drooping eyes. “The makeup.. you’ll have to do on your own, sweetheart.”

You clutch on the silver necklace he’s handed you before he put his hands on your head, the thought of blessing Seonghwa with an engagement gift beyond your intentional rights. You play with the small compass charm between your fingers and gaze at your reflection in the mirror.

So you look like complete shit: lack of sleep, lack of encouragement, lack of pride. This was you in your most pitiful state and the boys could only spare mercy in your absence of excitement. You’ve always dreamed about family and weddings— the trends in modern life you were never entitled to try. Seonghwa was already giving you parts of the world you’ve always wanted and you couldn’t hate him for that. The arrangement however was something you’ll have to hold against him.

“You look beautiful.” Yunho nods in your direction after Jongho fluffs at your curled hair. “Y/n, you do. Now stop frowning and making it worse.”

You let out an upheaval sigh. “Remind me again why I have to dress up for such a casual occasion.”

San scoffs from the side still nitpicking his sleek suit. “This is your wedding, y/n. Have some respect for yourself. It’s the least you can do.”

“It’s a wedding with a man I don’t even want. And he said so himself this was more a partnership than ties of love.” You force yourself to retort in the nicest way possible. “Seonghwa has good intentions and that’s great. But my place in his heart is not something I earned and I’m far from pleased.”

“You rather woo Seonghwa? Then do it, at least, after your wedding.” Yunho charmingly places his chin over your shoulder to face you in the mirror. “This wedding is passed formalities but something he sought good for the both of you. He wants you to feel comfortable and that’s leeway enough to your heart. Accept it as it is and maybe you won’t get shot.”

You hear it so many times, you ponder over thought of maybe wanting to get shot at this point. Why was Seonghwa so prideful? What else was he hiding?

“The day he ever wants to shoot me is the day I end this partnership of his he claims is good for the both of us.”

The trio behind you pause in their movements and let your answer sink in. It’s not everyday they get to see a woman get ready to marry a man they assume to be their best friend. It certainly isn’t every day they get to see a woman as beautiful as you sit in front of them with a personality as fierce as their empty hearted boss. Although they’re intimidated, they feel a particular sense of relief knowing you’re fully aware of your circumstances. They didn’t sign up for meddling in an innocent life though you’re far from innocent.

“We have to meet some of our partners..” San clears his throat as you fumble with the jewelery in your hand. “I’m sure you won’t mind if we leave you with your thoughts for a bit.”

“Not at all.” please.

They hum in response before setting out prompt, your thoughts a little more blind in your head than they think. You look in the mirror after they leave and think to yourself that you’re just a penny of satisfaction. The best way for you to accept all this is to breathe and let it go. It’s gotten you this far.

“I hope I’m not interrupting.” A voice echoes through the slit of the door. “If you haven’t tried killing yourself already.”

Your eyes light up like a child on Christmas Day. “Hongjoong.”

His lips quirk at your tone of admiration. “You look beautiful, babe.”

Your own lips quiver and you’reholding back the years of tears. “Can you hug me please? Just this once?”

He sighs softly before coming over to take you into his arms. The homey embrace of someone you trusted— no someone who trusts you was enough to end some misery. The one thing Seonghwa could grant you that you’d thank him for was this. Hongjoong was far from what you deserve but he’s someone you wished you could have. Life served you another platter and you can’t just complain and ask for a refund.

“Of all the years I’ve known you, y/n, seeing you in a wedding gown would be the last thing I’d ever imagine.”

You roll your eyes at the city mobster before turning in your chair. “I’m surprised he let you imagine let alone show up today.”

Hongjoong presses his lips together and fumbles with his tie. “There’s a lot of things you’d be surprised by.”

You sniffle mostly to undermine all the overwhelming thoughts in your head. Hongjoong sees right through you though.

“I’m sure Seonghwa’s got good intentions. Despite the fact, obviously, I’m not all for the things he does—Beyond what he does, y/n, he’s a good guy.”

You scoff his way, looking elsewhere in your reflection afraid of his words.

“Are you here to patronize the enemy some more or walk me down the aisle?”

He chuckles wholeheartedly, coming over to plant a reassuring kiss on the top of your head. Where your father lacked, Hongjoong picked up. You can’t name a single man— no person on this planet who has made you whole enough as Hongjoong does and maybe why Seonghwa is threatened. Hongjoong is a force no one is reckoned to feel accustomed to. The city monster had ties everywhere. Feeling sorry for your father was one thing; feeling sorry for you was little of what the truth was.

“You are a gem.” He annunciations through a genuine smile. “Be it Seonghwa nor I aren’t lucky to have. You’re a blessing.”

You look into Hongjoong’s eyes with a type of everlasting loyalty you can’t define. “How can you be okay with Seonghwa having me? I was already yours..”

“Your father was mine and I let you have the benefit of the doubt.” His comment sharpens at the end.

“Losing him was nothing but means to end for you. Don’t act like it was more than that.” You try to rebuttal.

“It was something I didn’t like but it sure as hell made you happy. And so I heard.”

Hongjoong’s very casual. He likes to be hands on in a moment and is, trend wise, very different from your future husband. It’s not like you loved Hongjoong romantically or anything. It just felt wrong to need to love someone else that’s all.

“Walk down the aisle.” He whispers again against the crown of your ear, hand hovering over your bare shoulders with hesitance and grace. “I’ll always be right here when you need me the most.”

It’s some misdirection partly. Also partly your fault that you’ve gotten here. Now you’re walking down an aisle with Southside’s very own devil standing at the alter awaiting you. You don’t look back on purpose. That and Hongjoong’s grip right beside is not one on par with a fatherly gesture. Hongjoong probably wanted to wring Seonghwa for what it’s worth too.

“Past formalities?” Hongjoong mumbles when you two get one step closer to the end of your suicide mission.

“Definitely past that.”

“Knock em dead, sweetheart.”

Let the party commence.

There was little shared words between you, your new husband, and the pastor. With what seemed like false devotion and empty promises, the wedding reception began. You two sat together on a podium where it’s pretty obvious Seonghwa’s treated like royalty. You were right in his district and with first impressions comes clear boundaries to be made. He wanted you to know where he stands. You two sat together as husband and wife but complete strangers. It was awkward watching the sight of men come and go to prove that Seonghwa was nothing but a merciless mafia boss. The gifts weren’t even of your benefit either.

Hongjoong left early (something you’ll press against him some other day forward) and you were stuck thinking about when this cursed day was going to end. Somehow someway it did and you were in a car fraternizing with the enemy this time.

“— So you married me instead?”

The air gets thick. It almost gets so thick you think you’re getting some type of allergic reaction to his face in the confinement of his wide vehicle. Staring at him was no gut wrenching eye sore but it’s not something you were used to just yet. Seonghwa’s eyes matched the color of war— red with fury and relent. There was something there that his calm tone didn’t quite express to it’s fullest capability.

“You’d rather be dead?”

His coldness reflected on you. It’s probably your body’s natural mechanism of defense coming to play because you’re sure as hell you’re not gonna let some man control you for the rest of your life. No, you may not get that right to speak up and say something that might as well get you killed but you still aren’t gonna let him walk all over you.

“Are you gonna get out of your dress or did you want me to strip you out of it for you instead?”

His tone persists as he emerges from the bathroom to see you sitting on solemn. You glance up tiredly at the cheeky bastard who’s lips perk at your attention. You look away without a word at all before taking your dress off without further notice.

His throat clams up at the sight, unsure of how long his self constraint would last even for the night. The sight of your broadened narrow shoulders— bare and ready to taste— was something he was definitely not prepared for. His hands tremble as the damp towel between his fingers drops and you glance to look at him.

“Tempted?” You rasp in the most taunting voice you could fabricate. “Mind me, but you asked if I was going to get out of my dress, Seonghwa. I’m showing you that I can follow basic instructions, was that not what you asked of me? Of this partnership.”

He chokes on that, jaw clenched. “Pressing my buttons, honey, is not something I suggest you test.”

You hold your dress up back to your chest as you turn to face him. “I’m just letting you know what kind of wife you gambled to marry, my sweet husband.”

He nearly screams the moment you slam the bathroom door. Not realizing on both sides that either of you were ready to combust. You shower the anger, the resentment away and Seonghwa just lays back on his bed staring at the bathroom door.

He needs to stay away from you at any time possible. Until he learns to control himself at least. Living with a woman, a woman of his absurd dreams, was proving itself difficult. You weren’t just gonna give yourself up to him just like that either.

“Sleep. You have a busy day tomorrow.” Is all he says before turning on his back when you shut the lights off.

You stare at it. Like the night before when he got in bed without even saying a word, feeling cold.

“J-Just me?” You ask propped still on your elbow in the dark.

“I have business to take care of in the city. You’ll have San and Yunho tomorrow.” His voice lulls deeper as he’s getting pulled to his exhaustion. “It’s training you have to endure just in case. Hongjoong informed me you never took part in your father’s extravaganza’s and I need to know my wife is safe while I leave.”

“You want me to learn how to fight?”

“Something like that..”

@atinybitofau

#r:mature #tags: angst fluff #ateez x reader #seonghwa x reader #side!hongjoong #honey mafia au #honey chapter two #ateez #park seonghwa #ateez park seonghwa #ateez mafia AU #seonghwa mafia AU #ateez au #seonghwa au #ateez fanfic #seonghwa scenario #ateez scenarios #seonghwa mafia au series #seonghwa #ateez fic #disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN ATEEZ BY ANY MEANS. THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. NOT TO BE TAKEN LITERALLY #honey #ateez imagine #seonghwa imagine

[gilbirda]

Party like you are dead. Second Act.

It is time for The Everlasting Trio to share their thoughts about the whole thing. Tucker may be stalked by Wes. Sam may be asked her hand in marriage. Danny may have to face an enemy.

Once again I'm not 100% happy with how this turned out, but then I'll just edit in the future. Also, I maaaaaaaaaay have some ideas for a short epilogue or something, but I won't make any promises. Enjoy!

From my series, You and me and our best friend makes three

[Read on AO3][Read on FF.net]

<< Previous Chapter || Next Chapter >>

Second Act

Tucker

Tucker snickered as he watched the situation go down from afar. He decided to step out of this specific part of the clusterfuck, knowing that it would be funnier if they revealed things one by one.

And he was a little bit more than distracting with his full on Pharaoh stuff over his body. This was Danny’s night, the culmination of weeks stressing over every tiny detail and being unable to let Dora and her entourage do their work in peace.

It was also the culmination of years stressing over not letting his secret be known. After his parents found out and he became King, he realized he didn’t have much to fear anymore. The overpowered bastard was now beyond the grasp of any kind of entity or government agency that could go after him (aka the GIW). 

And Danny was tired of pretending to be what he was not.

He couldn't begin to understand how it must have been for him to be two different people all this time, to behave differently, to exaggerate some traits and hide others to give the illusion that the goofy, funny and absurdly good person Danny was, had been two different people all along.

As he watched him dance (pitifully, in that armor. He had insisted on wearing it because it looked cool and Sam had enabled him) with their girlfriend, he could see how happy it made him to be whole in front of everyone. 

Soon he saw the rest of the humans approach the circle and watch the dancers, some Tucker recognized from school (Mikey, Dale and funny enough, Valerie) and some he didn't. The humans looked so out of place, not only for being alive, but for being dressed as if they were going to a party in Buckingham palace.

Ghosts didn't care that much for appearances - if they wanted to dress up a little it was completely up to them, but humans?

Humans simply assumed that some kind of dress code was installed.

Ha.

The funniest was Sam's mom, Pamela, who had decided to sit down after the Big Reveal™, her husband fanning her face with a napkin. Tucker saw her eyes going back and forth between her daughter, Danny and himself. He waved and smiled, just to be a little shit.

"Who's that, sir?" his bodyguard for the day, Kafele, asked. As far as he knew, he was a warrior or something. He looked so out of place here.

"That's Sam' mom."

"Ohhh, the High Concubine' reverend mother?" 

Tucker sighed, but nodded. Yeah. Danny and Sam were, according to his court, his Concubines. Sam was the High Concubine because Danny couldn't, being the freaking Ghost King and everything.

With time he just stopped correcting them.

Not that Sam and Danny didn't get a kick out of the whole situation. And it wasn't like Tucker thought it was funny as hell that Danny's court had accepted Sam and himself as Royal Consorts. Well, at first they scratched their heads a bit when Danny said he had two consorts; but honestly? they were just happy that no one batted an eye that one of Danny's lovers was male.

Who would have thought that ghosts were that progressive?

He snorted and took a sip of his drink, his eyes going back to Sam and Danny. Their physical chemistry was off the charts and it was clear, even from his position at the food and drinks table, that they couldn’t look away from each other. But Tucker already knew that. Did that make him nervous? Insecure? Hell yeah, sometimes. Other times he straight up felt like a third wheel all along, or even the bi-curious addendum of a threesome.

He was being unfair, he knew that, but with time he had accepted that trying to shut up thoughts like these was useless. He better embrace them, process them and speak with his partners about it. Or else he would have his ass kicked via a very heavy steel-toed black boot.

Instead, he tried to turn things around in his head, knowing that all these doubts were just inventions of his insecurities. His friends and partners never did anything, at least on purpose, that gave that impression. The times they did it was more out of not really knowing what the heck they were doing, mixed with having to deal with all the stuff in the GZ, and mixed with him being stupid and deciding to give “space” to his friends and therefore enrolling in computer engineering a year earlier.

(If he was a genius he had to take advantage of it and skip senior year.)

(Which in retrospect was a dick move because Danny needed him. Sam needed him. He just didn’t see it.)

And now, sometimes he kicked himself for missing out on the fun Sam and Danny were having in the Ghost Zone. It stung, but at least they included him in everything and told him afterwards. And Danny had looked genuinely happy when Tucker managed to install wifi and electricity in the castle.

Hell yeah, computer engineering was awesome! 

And magic too! Who knew that magic was too similar to science? And that a techno-geek could learn the basics in a few months?

Him. He knew. Because he was awesome.

Gasps in the crowd took him out of his thoughts, his eyes going back to his partners knowing they were doing something to mess with the humans again. 

Indeed they were. Tucker rolled his eyes but smiled when he saw Danny kick the floor and start floating up and up into the impossible high ceiling, Sam in his arms. A myriad of tiny blobs of glowing ectoplasm appeared from the cracks in the walls, from behind the tapestries, from under the tables… Shades, small ghosts with simpler minds, that had taken refuge in the King’s Castle and were very attracted to his emotions, like bees to pollen.

Danny told them once that shades didn’t have lairs, so they usually hid in other ghost’s lairs, feeding on the ghost’s emotions and giving back highly concentrated ectoplasm they stored in their bodies, in a somewhat symbiotic way. The stronger the ghost, the more shades they could maintain. His boyfriend loved the little guys and once he settled in the castle he gave open permission of shades to make it their home.

Tucker could barely hear them all chirping and purring as the little shades circled around Danny and Sam, since the speakers started blasting “Super Freak”, and it was a little loud near the food table.

He rolled his eyes at Danny’s song choice. It must have been triggered by something their girlfriend said, judging by her smug expression and Danny’s greenish burning face.

She's a very kinky girl

The kind you don't take home to mother

His eyes went to Pamela and Jeremy Manson, who were watching the spectacle with horrified eyes. Maybe it was the acrobatics Danny did with their daughter in the air, or maybe they were starting to connect every dot and every clue of their past.

When I make my move to her room

It's the right time, she's never hard to please

… Or maybe it was the lyrics. He was paying attention. Tucker saw Jazz grumble something to her drink at the other end of the table, her cheeks pink, so maybe she was as well. If someone else was listening, he just hoped they didn’t see the way Sam took an aerial dancing move that brought her closer to her boyfriend to whisper something in his ear, provoking another flare in his face and making the shades circle faster around them.

Okay, they were being pretty obvious now. C’mon, Danny! He knew that the place literally listened to his every wish and desire, but this was ridiculous. He personally had selected a really nice and neutral playlist to ensure a safe place where they could come out of the ghost closet without any issue; but nooooo, of course mister overpowered stomped all over his careful thinking and was giving not-that-subtle hints via music. Subconscious or not, if “Careless Whisper” started next, he was staging an intervention.

Three's not a crowd to her, she said

Room 714, I'll be waiting

When I get there she's got incense, wine and candles

It's such a freaky scene

He choked on his drink. They had tried the scented candles and wine thing, once! And okay, there were rose petals involved, but those were a pain to clean and got stuck on his skin for far too long. Zero out of ten, not recommended. Also the "wine" had been non-alcoholic champagne. Look, they may have been seventeen, but neither liked alcohol.

“Danny…” he growled, glaring at the dancing pair illuminated by the shades. 

“Sir, are you alright?” His assistant, Kissa, moved her eyes from the spectacle to her pharaoh. She was super chill and the level-headed of the pair of sisters that attended him personally. Also she was super smitten with the King but thought she wasn’t that obvious.

“Yeah, yeah.” Kafele gave him a napkin to clean his face. “Couldn’t breathe for a moment.”

The two anubis-headed ghosts turned to glance at him and Tucker knew what they were thinking. His kingdom was waiting with bated breath for him to die. They said that once he left his mortal coil he would ascend and recover his memories from his past life, and would take his place as their pharaoh. Until then, he was some kind of figurehead, with a regent council taking care of everything, like they did when the heir was too young to rule.

Honestly? He was okay with that. He really wanted to finish his degree and maybe mess around with politics, maybe even take on a more involved role in Danny’s castle as his Advisor for a few years. Ghosts were patient and lived forever - they could give him a few decades.

Surprise surprise, a big chunk of his followers didn’t think so, and were plotting to do more than wishing for his death (rude) so he can rule as he was supposed to. 

Kafele and Kissa weren’t of those, but they wouldn’t save him from dying if it naturally happened sooner than later.

I guess this is my life now, he thought not for the first time, sighing. This is why he didn’t like to go all Duulaman. He didn’t want to give his subjects hope. And constantly fear they would stab him in the back. Literally.

He looked away to his partners as Danny laughed. The song changed, fortunately to something not that obvious, as the rest of the ghosts floated up to continue dancing with their king after letting the pair of lovebirds have their moment.

On the floor, the humans looked up at the inhuman display. The majority seemed to be fine with it, they were people from Amity and weird shit was common there; but some looked a bit overwhelmed with so many ghosts and revelations for a day. He saw groups approach Maddie and Jack Fenton, talking to them and leaving quietly with them. It was okay, they had expected people wanting to leave early and planned for it.

Movement caught his eye. He turned towards it and found Wes marching in his direction with those intense eyes he reserved for Danny. Until now, that is.

“Foley!”

“And that’s my cue to leave,” Tucker put his cup on the table and almost ran towards the crowds. “Don’t follow me!” he shouted over his back.

The ghosts parted for him when he walked, some recognizing him as the ruler of New Egypt and others murmuring “my Lord”, doing a courtesy to the High King’s Consort. Having overlapping titles was kind of exhausting, since people weren’t sure how to address him.

Who was he kidding. It wasn’t like he didn’t like the attention.

“Danny! Sam!” he called when he knew they would see him. The pair broke their kiss and looked down at him. He crossed his arms, arching an eyebrow.

Sam was chuckling as they floated down. Danny’s ghostly blue skin was tinted green with a blush, as if they were caught by a parent doing something they shouldn’t.

“In my defense, Sam started it.”

He looked at her. “I hope those plans can be postponed until tomorrow.”

“What if they can’t,” the girl smirked, stepping up to the challenge.

“Sam, it’s not fair! You had him for the whole day! It’s my turn with Danny.”

“You can have him after I’m done with him,” she narrowed her eyes.

He growled playfully, leaning in until their noses touched. “Samantha Manson, don’t play with me.”

“Oh, yeah?,” she smiled wider, menacing, showing plenty of white straight teeth. “Or what, pretty boy?”

He tried to hide a shiver. He wasn’t Danny, but he could also appreciate a woman that could crush you under her foot like any other (intelligent) man.

“Calm down, guys. There’s enough Danny for everyone. Inhuman stamina and everything," their boyfriend put a hand on each shoulder, giving a quick peck on the cheek to Sam and then to him. His lips were cold, but his cheeks were warm.

They had decided to go all out about revelations today. Danny had been feral lately, having suddenly decided to come out of all the closets today. "If I get to flaunt my crown around, why can't I show off my cute partners?" he had said. It was like he suddenly gave up secrets and wanted to clear any misunderstanding or silence any suspicion.

I mean, ghosts weren't blind, especially the servants of the castle, who were massive gossipers and had family and friends all over the Realms. Ghosts knew the three were together, but it wasn't official yet, not in the eyes of the ghost law. 

Tucker didn't know much about it, but he was assuming that what ghosts were talking about was more on the line of human marriage. Which, too soon, bro. He preferred to lay low, honestly. People knowing they were together together was okay, no problem - it was just… he was only seventeen! 

Sam

“Ancients, Danny.” Tucker was blushing hard. The suave persona Danny put on when in Phantom mode always managed to transform their boyfriend into putty.

“I mean it, bro.” Danny said, cupping his face with his hands, leaning in for a kiss. 

"Bro…"

She rolled her eyes. The amount of fluff and glitter and mushy feelings those two radiated was absurd. It was sometimes enough to make her upset in the stomach; which she bravely endured for them.

As the lovebirds kissed, she looked around to taste the reactions at this revelation. The ghosts already knew, of course, since gossip, especially juicy gossip like the King’s private life, was spread around faster than the actual orders from Danny. Some of the ghosts she knew cheered, whooping and genuinely happy at their King’s happiness; others continued on with whatever they were doing, not really caring about drama and gossip.

Her eyes searched for the humans, finding the A-listers hurdled at the food table, talking among themselves. Star looked up as if she felt she was being watched, her eyes finding Sam first before they rolled over Danny kissing Tucker at her side. Star’s eyes went wide and she slapped Paulina’s arm to get her attention. The girl turned to see what was going on, freezing when she realized what she was seeing.

Sam waved her hand, just to be a little shit.

On the other side of Paulina, Dash looked a bit green. Kwan, instead, was giving her a thumbs up and a smile.

She nodded and gave a thumbs up too, but didn't know what he was approving her for. It wasn't like she was the one sucking Danny's face right now.

She brushed her hair back, annoyed at the maids' decision of having it be free. At least they compromised on getting her bangs away from her face, but she would rather do a ponytail or a simple braid and be done with it. If she wanted to go over the top like her two idiot boyfriends, she would have done something more dramatic than her normal guard uniform.

She decided to march on and leave the lovebirds under Fright's watchful eye. She was hungry and thirsty after almost the whole day running around to have everything ready and to accompany Danny as he greeted all the ghosts.

You see, this gathering was serving a double purpose - this was the mandatory coronation ball they didn't get to throw (long story), and as a come out party for them as ghosts, or ghost adjacent, and as partners. And so, it was double the effort. Danny had been banned from organizing it, so he of course spent the last week pestering Dora and her army of assistants, maids and helpers. And pestering her. 

Fortunately she managed to keep him tired and occupied with constant training and practicing sword fighting together, but the last stretch had been the hardest.

Anyway, she knew he was going to crash hard after this. Her teasing from before was just to get a raise from him, but both knew that the moment everyone left he was going to sleep for twelve hours. At least.

"Hey Sam," she heard Kwan call her from one of the few remaining groups of humans left in the place. Huh, after they got to see their hero and his castle, it seems they weren’t that interested anymore. 

Or needed time to think about how a fourteen year old died and gave his life to protect the town.

“Hi.”

“Nice outfit,” the words were awkward in his mouth, but she could see him trying to be nice. Behind him, Dash was frowning. Paulina was eyeing her with clear fear in her eyes. The rest of the A-listers hid behind the trio.

She smirked. “Thanks. Danny ordered a custom for me. And Tucker and the Fentons made some…. Uh, adjustments.” Maybe divulging about these adjustments was a bad idea. Ghosts had keen ears.

“Is he really….” The boy seemed confused. His hands twitching as if he wanted to pat her shoulder in the ‘bro’ way he expressed himself. “Well, the King? How? Why?”

Sam pursed her lips as she put food on her plate. Answering that question would be difficult and not exactly something she should say in a party. Kwan seemed interested, worried, and his furtive looks at the halfa in question told her that the human wasn’t trying to gather information to cause harm. Maybe Kwan was trying to match the Danny he knew with what they learned that day.

Unlike the rest of the A-listers hiding by the table, who looked ready to make a run for it.

“Because it was the right thing to do.”

She wasn’t sure the boy understood the weight on Danny’s shoulders, or any of the humans still in the castle - she couldn’t either, she never pretended to. But still, Kwan made a face between sadness and pity that told her he kind of did.

“Hungry?” The King they were talking about made an appearance, trying to hug her from behind and burying his face in her hair without making so much noise with the armor. She rolled her eyes. Danny was vibrating with so many emotions it was no surprise that some low level shades fell from his flaming hair to start circling around him.

Paulina made a strangled sound, but neither turned to look at her.

“So,” Wes's sudden voice wasn’t angry, but it was accusing. Sam glanced at Tucker, finding him cornered against the food table. “Pharaoh, huh?”

“Yeah, remember the Duulaman incident? Hotep-ra?”

“Their minds were wiped, Tuck,” Danny said over his shoulder before nuzzling Sam’s hair again. 

“Huh-uh.” Sam nodded, eating some delicious vegetable sandwich.

“True, true. I forgot. Ha! Forgot.”

Sam groaned at her boyfriend’s weak joke. 

“There’s truly no mystery here, Wes. I don’t know what to tell you. I am the reincarnation of a pharaoh and I will rule over New Egypt when I die.”

The warrior (in training) noticed Star, Kwan and Hanna, another satellite, making faces at how easy Tucker talked about his death.

“And you banging the King of the Ghosts doesn’t affect that?” a ghost Sam didn’t recognize, that was obviously listening in the conversation, choked on the ghost wine he was drinking. “Conflict of interest and all of that?”

Valerie cut through the tense silence when she walked right between Wes and Tucker with an empty glass in her hand. Her face was stony, but a twitch in her brow told Sam that the huntress had been listening in on the conversation, too.

“They’ve been banging before that.” She stated in a deadpanned voice. She poured some punch in her glass, took a long sip, and refilled it again before turning and going in her merry way. 

“And how do you know that?” was the first thing Sam heard Paulina say after their challenge. 

(Which, what a shame. What a shame that the poor girl didn’t get what she had coming.)

Valerie glared at the A-lister with the brunt force of the Red Huntress power.

“Because,” she sipped her drink. It glowed toxic green sometimes, so it was spiked with ghost wine. Huh. “I’ve been trying to hunt Danny since freshman year.” Another sip. “And after I gave up I started fourth-wheeling these fuckers.”

She made a strategic exit before the barely hanging there humans could ask her what she meant. Hannah did a double take between the Ghost King still clinging to her (floating shades and everything), and the ex A-lister. Sam could almost see the gears moving behind her eyes.

Tonight was a night of closets and revelations, huh.

“You don’t look surprised,” everyone turned. Tucker was smiling, like he knew something. “At least about the banging thing.”

“Please stop saying that.” 

“Of course,” Wes ignored Sam’s plea, grabbing his phone from his pocket and unlocking it. “Who do you think I am, an amateur?” Finally he found the Gallery app and scrolled towards a folder she didn’t catch the name of, but was full of pictures of them.

“Ohhhh, interesting.” Danny let her go to approach the other two, curious to see the pictures.

Sam walked closer too, at least to check how deep ran the damage of Wes’ stalking.

It was… Well, it could be worse. Much worse. 

She saw a picture of the three of them in the Fenton’s backyard, this was super early in their relationship, in gym clothes and apparently doing some martial arts basics training with Danny. The next picture was a little bit embarrassing - of her kissing Danny’s cheek as she gave him a thermos (she remembered this fight, also early in their relationship). The next was of her and Tucker sitting on a bench with Danny’s homework on their laps, arguing about who got to do his homework this time.

(Tucker mimicked his chicken scratch best.) 

Then, as the pictures became more recent, Wes caught them easily in more, huh, compromising positions. Tucker pulling down human Danny, who was wearing the simpler version of his kingly regalia, to kiss him deeply. A photo of her trapping Danny in Phantom mode against a wall in a dark alley, his legs around her waist and her hands tangled in his longer locks of white hair, their mouths locked in a passionate kiss. 

The most recent was of the three of them cuddling in a park, on a picnic day - she was reading, laying on her stomach; Tucker leaning against her back doing something on his PDA, and Danny in human form sleeping with his head on the geek’s stomach. That one had been a rare quiet day when the chaos post-coronation died down.

“Nice camera, dude! Do you mind sending them to me?” Tuck suddenly had his newest, high tech, probably super expensive phone in his hand, already hacking into Wes’ phone to get the pictures. She hoped he would delete them after that.

“Hey, those are kind of personal moments.”

“Does my hair really look like that from the back?” Danny reached with a gloved hand at the back of his hair, disturbing some shades that fluttered for a bit before resettling between the plates of his armor, probably to phase into his body and set camp there.

Before anyone could comment more on the pictures, a voice rumbled in the throne room turned dance hall.

“Lady Samantha Manson!”

She tensed, as she did when someone said her full name.

She turned as some young looking ghost she didn’t know, but felt kind of familiar, approached her. For a moment she tensed and grabbed her morningstar, ready to defend Danny, but it became clear that the ghost was after her. She widened her stance.

The ghost wasn’t stupid, though, as he stopped at a respectable distance and bowed to Danny. Then he glanced at Sam before looking back at the King.

“I request the hand of Lady Samantha in marriage.”

The room fell into silence as the music stopped with a scratch for the second time in one night. Danny straightened his posture and tilted his head.

“Why?”

Why indeed. It was known of the High King’s intent of making Tucker and Sam his official Consorts after their deaths. Challenging a claim on another ghost like that, be in a romantic, platonic, mentorly or fatherly kind of relationship, was highly frowned upon. To challenge the King’s claim was plain suicide.

“My Lady has proved a worthy warrior and news of her accomplishments has come to my humble pricedom in the Lands of Perpetual Spring.”

“She’s alive.”

“So she is,” some ghosts gasped. Living people weren’t exactly welcomed by everyone in the Zone. “It matters little to me.”

Danny lifted an eyebrow, his hair disrupted by an invisible burst of air. He looked at Sam, who made a face at the situation. The King wouldn’t accept the challenge, because he was Danny, but he couldn’t simply ignore the ghost.

Sam straightened her back and hit the floor with her weapon.

“Beat me in single combat and we’ll talk.”

The ghost looked at her over his shoulder, like she had just said something crazy. He turned at the king, but he was shrugging. 

“Whatever she says, man. Try and win against her before making any rash declarations.”

More whispers from the ghost crowd. By this time everyone should have gotten used to how unorthodox Danny was about almost everything. And how he didn’t care about protocol. And etiquette.

“Very well,” the ghost said, clearing his throat. “Dueling rules?” He smiled down at her in a condescending way.

She snorted. She knew the dueling rules. “Until forfeit, or five seconds knocked out or unable to keep fighting.” It wasn’t her first duel, but it was the first time she didn’t duel against Danny, a yeti warrior, one of Pandora’s captains or any other of her trainers. “Tell me your name, since you already know mine.”

“I’ll tell you after I win my new bride,” he winked at her, and her skin crawled. Okay, now it was personal.

She swallowed some words she wanted to say and looked at Danny for confirmation. He nodded and stepped back, letting the duel begin.

Sam didn’t waste any second, letting go of her morningstar to hit her forearms together. The plating of her armor there sparkled for a moment, activating the magical-technological properties of her suit, runes written with light all over the previously dull plating of her armor. She couldn’t even pretend to understand how Tucker and the elder Fentons did it, but her suit let her absorb ambient ectoplasm over time and store it in the metal, to be released in similar fashion as any other ghost. So far she had managed enhanced physical abilities and low-to-medium power ectoblasts, but she was working with Danny to get into the really cool stuff soon.

Anyway, she could win this. She had trained like crazy for a year. She had to win this.

Taking advantage of the distraction, she took a breath and grabbed the morningstar, swinging it with her enhanced strength at the ghost frozen in place. The hit got him on the side full force, launching him to the other wall with an undignified scream.

She blinked. Did she win already?

No, the jerk came back flying at her with fury in his red eyes. One hand on his bleeding side and another combed back long platinum locks, revealing his elvish ears flattened against his skull. He hissed.

Sam was waiting for him when he launched himself, claws first, and prepared her shoulder to take the hit. Her armor purring with power, feeding her and fanning the flames of the adrenaline coursing through her veins. 

The ghost hit her, but she stood her ground. Her feet dragged for a moment over the polished stone floor, and for a moment she lost her footing. Gritting her teeth, she let go of her weapon to free her hands to push back at the ghost, sneaking a punch to the jaw to make him stop trying to crush her under his natural ghost strength.

He let her go, and she took a few seconds to regain her breathing. She also checked that the armor was still functioning. Everything was okay, of course. Fenton weaponry was quite sturdy.

The Jerk, as she was calling him in her head, lunged at her again, but she sidestepped him. In the last moment, the goth grabbed his tail and pulled back, forcing him to fly back in front of her. She charged her left arm and punched him downwards. The other ghost hit the stone so hard he made a crater.

“What-” The Jerk started to say as he stood again on two reformed legs, the hand still drenched with ectoplasm on his head. 

She didn’t let him finish. Sam charged her knee guards and jumped, floating for a moment in the air in the way that gravity worked funny in the Ghost Zone, and plummeted back down, legs first to where Jerk was looking up at her with horror. 

He moved away at the last second.

“Hey, hey. This is just a duel! No killing!” he tried to plead, eyes bulging out of his head at the even bigger crater she was looking at him from, just where he stood a moment ago.

“Oh yeah, I’m not at the maximum power setting,” she clicked her arm guards together again, and the armor started purring louder, the metal glowing in a softer white than most ghosts. 

“But-”

“Why? Do you want to surrender?” she rose her voice over his, her stance tense and ready to attack again. 

Jerk eyed the bright armor for a second. Then looked into her eyes. Sam smiled, hoping he got the message that she intended to humiliate him for his insult at her person.

Instead of doing the intelligent thing and giving up, he squared himself, his hands charging with his own ectoblasts. A delicate flower crown appeared on his head, showing how he was channeling the power of his land. 

She narrowed her eyes. The hard way it is.

The warrior (in training) leaped forward with a charged kick to the floor, trying to get in close quarters before he could shoot her. Hand to hand combat was her best strategy, and ghosts never expected it because everyone could shoot ectoblasts. Up close and personal? They didn’t know what to do with her.

She guided away one of his charged fists in a flowing motion and did an uppercut with her other hand. She jumped and kicked him down, following him down to do a series of combo punches before kicking him in the chest with all the energy she could gather in her knee guards. 

Jerk flew up and away, crashing through the stained glass window behind the throne, which depicted an abstract picture of the King triumphant after battle.

Sam stood back up, panting at the effort. When five seconds seconds passed and Jerk didn’t come back, she relaxed and clicked her forearms to deactivate the armor and stop wasting ectoplasm. 

“What a workout, huh?”

She bit her lips, not knowing if she should laugh or hit Danny at the comment.

The ghosts decided to laugh. Duels were the purest form of entertainment in the Zone. Bread and circus and all that.

“Someone check if homeboy over there is still breathing, please?” he continued, turning to grab her hand and lift it like she was a boxer at the ring. “Sam wins!”

People cheered, and even if she shouldn’t care about anyone’s recognition, she looked around to find people from her school clapping along with the ghosts.

Her mother… Pamela was frowning. Her father was pale, his hands trembling.

She decided she would care about that later.

“Sorry about the destruction, Danny.” 

“No problemo. I know more than anyone how rowdy these ghost fights can get.” He made a motion with his hands and without even looking at it, everything that was broken during the fight repaired itself in seconds. On the back of her mind she registered the ‘ohhhh’s and ‘ahhh’s of the humans and ghosts alike.

Sam smiled at the show of power, glad that Danny seemed more comfortable with it. That was the whole point of this party, anyway.

She kissed him softly on the lips. 

“Thanks for letting me take care of it.”

He snorted. “You are kidding, right? Thank you for kicking his butt. What a jerk,” he rolled his eyes.

“While I agree with Danny, Sam, not to objectify you or anything, but hot damn!” Tucker joined them, fanning his blushing face. “Those were some sexy moves. I don’t think I can stop thinking about it now.”

“I can sit on your face later, if that helps.” 

Her boyfriends blushed and looked at each other, clearly picturing it in their heads. They looked back at her, nodding enthusiastically.

She smirked and grabbed Tucker’s face to kiss him deeply.

“Later.” He squeaked, breathless against her lips.

Danny

Danny closed his eyes and smiled, enjoying the noise and the gathering of different entities in his castle. Since he took the throne, silence became his enemy - it left him alone with his thoughts and his extended conscience of the Zone and-

No. Focus, Danny. He had to focus on what he had close. The shades nibbling at his emotions and his energy, his partners’ presence close by, Fright shadowing him. The former A-listers of his school. His sister, who was watching him.

He opened his eyes, finding Jazz beside Dorathea, apparently mid conversation, looking at him with concern. He smiled, hoping it was reassuring. He was fine. Finally, no more secrets.

“So…,” Wes continued their conversation as if Sam hadn’t just fought a ghost with her bare hands. “How does it feel knowing that the guys you bullied during highschool are now ghost royalty?”

The question was aimed at the popular kids, of course.

Dash turned at him with a frown on his face.

“Royalty?” he said. “I know how these things are, Fentonio. You are not a real ghost, you can’t be king. Maybe a figurehead or something, but I can’t believe that ghosts would simply roll over and obey a wimpy human.”

Danny laughed. Of course, he expected something like this. “It surprises me that you know such big words, Dash. But you are mistaken, though. Ghost society is dictated by power. The most powerful is at the top. Aren’t you familiar with the concept?”

He tilted his head, daring him to agree.

“Also,” he continued. “Do you forget how I got this crown?” He pointed at his hair, feeling the Crown of Fire materialize, ignoring the boost of power and awareness that came from summoning his relics. 

“Prissy Dark.”

Danny snorted. “Yeah. I defeated him. And now, if someone wants my crown, well,” he smiled and kindly let a bit of his power show. The room became darker, and he knew ghosts could feel the pressure of his presence. Humans, though, would have to go by what Tucker had called his ‘crazy eyes’. “They’d have to defeat me.”

Sam elbowed his side.

“And defeat Sam first, yeah yeah, that too.” He rolled his eyes, letting go of his control of the place. As usual, his keep, his lair in the Ghost Zone, obeyed. 

(If he wanted, he could make everything, including its residents, obey. He could do so many things-)

Dash took a step back, but recuperated quickly from the scare.

“I still won’t believe it. You had help!”

“I did. I do!” he nodded. “I’m proud to say that I got here with a mix of bad luck, the power of friendship and stubbornness.”

“You are selling yourself short, my King,” Ember suddenly jumped in, pushing him playfully. “You still passed those tests and trials and some shit,” she knocked back her glass of ghost wine, missing her mouth completely. “And now you are the King of the Underworld! Woohoo!”

“Ember, I think you need to cut a bit with-”

“Remember when we used to fight?” she threw her arms around his neck. “You were so cute, defending the town.” 

Fright did a quick step to remove the singer, but Dann shook his head. On the back of his mind he registered the humans freaking out at the famous singer Ember McLain. 

“Hey, do you wanna dance for a bit? It would burn the alcohol.”

“Burn?” the ghost smiled, she wanted it to be a smirk, but it was lopsided and weak. What had happened to Ember? Did she argue with Skulker again?

“Yeah.”

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun blended into the room, a careful move to reign back the party mood from the previous fight. It worked, because a lot of cheers echoed in the room, including a drunk Ember.

“That’s what I’m talking about, yeah!” she turned to look at him before she jumped into the dancing crowd. “For a grown-up you are still pretty cool, dipstick.”

“Not a grown up, yet,” he arched an eyebrow.

“Grown-up-to-be then,” Ember struck her tongue, her guitar appearing in her hands, and she started to float backwards as she did her own rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s classic.

He breathed in relief.

“King of the Underworld?” Dash squeaked. “Like… Hades or some shit?”

“Still caught up on that?”

“Will you, uh, damn my soul or anything when I die?”

Danny rolled his eyes. “First, rude. Hades never decides who dies. He’s not even the God of Death, that is Thanatos-”

“And he is actually pretty nice!” Tucker said around the big cake slice he somehow found and was in the process of devouring.

“- And second, I’m not some god of the afterlife.”

“You kind of are, though,” Jazz and Dora had decided to join them, probably taking pity on him at being interrogated. 

“Your Highness,” Dora did a courtesy. Danny had given up on telling her not to, so he nodded in acknowledgement. 

“I’m not a god.” His tone was final. He didn’t want to discuss his actual status as… whatever he was now. After bonding with the Core in his coronation ceremony, he knew... He just knew he had become something else. Not human, not ghost. Still halfa. But what he found in the Core, it wasn’t - 

(He was Undying now. He was Eternal. And he was only one step away from the creature he was bonded with now.)

But he was not a god. 

“You should totally cosplay Hades, though.” He glared at Tucker. “You already rock the ‘dead but sexy’ aesthetic.” 

An explosion took his attention away. Of course. Gather a bunch of drunk ghosts in one room and leave them unsupervised for five minutes and someone was going to explode something.

After reassuring everyone that it was okay and he was just going to check what happened, he followed his instincts and found one of the DP banners adorning the walls on fire. Blue fire.

He looked at Ember, who was cheering among a group of fire core ghosts that joined her. Surprisingly, some humans he recognized from his school, but were younger than him, were cheering too.

He waved his hand and fixed the banner.

“Careful with the fire.” Was everything he said, but it fell on deaf ears.

Danny walked back to where he was to continue the conversation and maybe talk to his sister, acknowledging people that greeted him with a nod and a smile, when he froze at what he found.

Huh. It seemed like drunk ghosts weren't the only thing he had left unsupervised. Apparently, parents-in-law were also dangerous to leave alone.

“... and you must stop this… behaviour!” Pamela made a gesture with her hand. Sam arched an eyebrow.

“But you just gestured all of me.”

“Yes! It is unbecoming of a lady!” the woman pinched the bridge of her nose. “So this is what you were doing behind my back? Behind our backs?” Jeremy stood silently behind his wife. “Running around hunting ghosts? With a ghost?”

“I thought you were okay with it?” Sam crossed her arms, but Danny could see how the argument was affecting her. She didn’t like fighting with her mother.

“Yeah, but I never allowed you to canoodle with it!”

Oh. So it was this argument. 

Danny took a breath to control his emotions and stood into the fray, positioning himself behind Sam and besides Tucker, one hand on her shoulder.

“You!” Pamela redirected her glare at him. “You dragged her to this path!”

Sam stepped into her line of vision. “He never dragged me anywhere. I followed him willingly and knowingly.”

“And look what it made of you,” Pamela scoffed, looking at Sam up and down with her mouth turned down. “I didn’t raise a tomboy,” she looked at Danny and then at Tucker, who were biting their lips to stay silent. “And I didn’t raise a promiscuous daughter either.”

It was also this argument, too, huh? They’ve been avoiding that confrontation for years. 

“You didn’t raise me, the nanny did,” Sam’s shoulders were tense. “You don’t know me.”

Pamela took a step back, as if the teenager had just slapped her in the face. But Sam wasn’t done, it seems.

“Mother, this is who I am. Being here, helping Danny? It is where I do the most good. The stuff we are changing around here… it is worth it.”

The King let his hand slide to her’s, and squeezed it softly. Jeremy’s eyes followed every movement.

“Things are changing for the better. Don’t you see? After tonight nothing will be the same. When I get back I can show you-”

“Don’t.”

Sam’s voice broke a little bit. “What?”

“Don’t go back home.” The woman closed her eyes. A tear went down her cheek. “I can’t… I can’t deal with this anymore. This… rebellion of yours. I thought working with Phantom would help get you used to some practice experience and then you would go back to the real world and work on real causes. But this?” She looked around the hall. “This is a fairytale, Sammykins. Ghosts aren’t real people. You aren’t helping anyone.”

This time it was Sam who looked like she had been slapped. 

“You really don’t know anything,” her tone was of disbelief. She narrowed her eyes. “You think you do because you have money to throw at your problems, to hide things you are insecure about. But you know nothing.”

“I am your mother. I know what I need to know.”

“No you don’t. You just choose what you want to believe and stick with it. Did you know we’ve been dating for two years? No, you don’t. Never asked. Did you notice all the times I wasn’t home, when I was out there saving the goddam town from real threats? No, you don’t. Because you only care about yourself and things that directly affect you. You think you are my mother, but you never cared about me, ever.”

“I do care-”

“No! Just… shut up. Leave. Just leave,” the hand in Danny’s was clutching it with a death grip. “I will decide if I want to go back to that house after tonight. For now… Danny?”

He cleared his throat, summoning the Crown to make a portal. “Please, step into the portal. Thanks for attending today.”

Pamela seemed like she wanted to scream at him too, but when their eyes met she closed her mouth and blinked rapidly, as if confused. Crazy eyes indeed.

“This isn’t over, young lady,” she turned to look at Sam.

“Oh yeah, it is.” Her smile was weak, but her eyes were stormy.

When the Mansons crossed the portal, Pamela made a point to glare at everyone who was looking at them (which was by this time practically the whole room). Music had stopped again and Danny didn't have the energy to kick back into the party mood anymore.

"Sam?" Tucker whispered, making a move to hug their girlfriend, but the girl stepped back and away from them.

"I… I think I need a moment," she took their hands and squeezed twice, to signal she was not okay but couldn't deal with physical contact for now. "Be right back."

The crowds parted for her. Those that didn't know her or her situation still got the gist from the argument, and didn't want to poke the bear, especially after knowing what she could do to a ghost.

Danny's heart broke in pieces as he watched her go. The sight of her back as she left via a side door triggered a nightmarish vision he often had since he accepted his title - no, since forever. Since the accident. He always feared the moment she got enough and left him, the moment she would regret involving herself with him, with how messed up he was. 

He loved her. He really did. But he would rather just die again in the portal than force her to leave everything behind for him.

"It's going to be okay, Danny," his boyfriend's hand on his own snapped him from his thoughts. "Sam is stubborn but smart."

He didn't answer. What could he say? Nothing was going to be okay, nothing was going to be the same after tonight. He knew this. His partners knew this. But they didn't expect-

Danny took a breath and reigned back his emotions, noticing the flames of the torches grow back to their usual height. The little shades stirred inside of him, too, sensing his discomfort. He sent a calm wave from his core and they resettled back into their sleeping places.

A lot of people depended on him now. He couldn't crumble down like this in public.

The King turned and nodded at Fright before starting walking back to the throne, dragging Tucker with him by their joined hands. All the joy and party mood was gone from his expression, being echoed by the ghosts that moved away from him (in respect? in fear? he didn't know the difference anymore), letting him take his time walking to the raised dais. He didn't bother figuring out how to get up there with the armor - he floated instead. He was the Ghost King. Might as well make a show of it. Just to be a little shit, he made a flourish with his cape as he sat down on the gigantic throne.

An ornate chair appeared next to his throne and Tucker sat down with a sigh, the sound kind of loud in the silent room.

"Now," Danny swallowed the knot in his throat. "We have things to do. Let's get started." He projected his voice, but with how quiet everyone was, he didn't need to raise the volume much.

Ghosts knew what was going on, but since the humans weren't aware of the double purpose of the party, the few groups that remained scrambled back to make space for whatever was going to happen.

Danny smiled softly. No one would get hurt in his lair, they should know that by now.

He looked back at the front, trying not to show favor towards any of the ghosts in front of him. Coronation balls weren't just party and alcohol - protocol dictated that it would also be the moment where subjects (ugh, he didn't like that word) could pledge allegiance officially, and make a show of supporting him in front of everyone.

Not all the ghosts played the games of politics in the Zone, but those who did were a little… over the top.

Danny groaned, watching the first brave ones approach the dais, some ghosts from a cousin kingdom of Dora's, big and jeweled boxes in their hands. Right behind him, he noticed part of New Egypt court drag literal slaves and carriages full of gold behind them.

Tucker groaned as well. He didn't get involved with his future kingdom yet, but he knew they were pretty hardcore about keeping the king happy to keep Tucker as his Consort.

This was going to be a long night.

Sometime in between a pledge from the Guild of Writers and the Knights of Eternal Dawn (how he knew the names, it was part Dora’s rather intensive drilling and his connection to the Zone) Sam slipped back at his other side, another chair appearing for her. Her expression was collected, but he could feel she was done with the party, more than he was. 

But he couldn’t just ask everyone to stop and go home. There were many things he could do now, that was true; but he was as limited as well. He had to watch what he said, what he did outside the palace. He was more than a hero - he was someone the ghosts looked up to, feared and/or respected. He served a new purpose. 

But there was no going back now. Sometimes he wondered if he did the right thing after all. He was new at this, so he still needed more time to get used to the changes; but sometimes he saw the look in people’s faces, ghosts and humans, his parents, and he wondered… Was he really the person for the job?

Yes. 

(The Whisper. Since the coronation he could hear it better. Sense it better.)

...My favorite….

(It said he was the one it wanted.)

But how could he? He was only a child.

“Daniel.”

Clockwork was standing between his throne and Sam’s chair, as if he had been there for a while. He knew he hadn't - he had been paying attention to the parade of riches and ghosts in front of him.

“He’s here.”

He didn’t have to look up to know that with Clockwork, Pandora was also here on the dais. Both ghosts had been busy and told him they wouldn’t come before the pledge part of the ball. As part of his Council, they were needed for official business.

But this was not what Clockwork was talking about.

Ah.

Of course.

“I see,” Danny straightened his spine and tried to relax on his throne, feeling it grow and grow into a more threatening chair fit for a menacing king. “I should have seen this coming.”

The doors to the main hall opened with a bang, and there he was, Plasmius in all his glory. Danny tried his best not to show anger. The last time they crossed paths he almost crushed the other’s core in rage.

In his defense, he said some pretty awful things.

The crowds, alive and dead, parted to let the infamous archnemesis pass through. Not even Maddie and Jack tried to approach him, not after what they had to witness, not after what they learned about their college friend.

Vlad stopped a few steps in front of the dais, arms straight at his sides, his face contorted as if he had swallowed something disgusting.

Danny stood and crossed his arms, trying to make himself look bigger. 

“Vladdie. What a sight for sore eyes.”

“Daniel, I didn’t come here for the usual banter.” No ‘little badger’, no smiles, no pleasantries. 

“Another challenge, then?” He summoned the Crown, just in case. His core flared with the power, and Danny caught a few ghosts flinching under the weight. 

To his relief, Plasmius was shaking his head. “No. It isn't that, either.”

As he looked up at him, Danny was surprised to find genuine sorrow. Pity. Without breaking eye contact, the ghost dropped to his knees in front of everyone, enticing a few gasps and yelps of surprise.

“I have learned that…” he started, a faraway look in his eyes. “I didn’t know. I didn’t know, Daniel.”

The King floated down the raised platform and stood right in front of Vlad. “Didn’t know what?” Plasmius looked away.

“I thought it was just power. Just something to own. I didn’t know what it truly-”

He was stopped by a hand on his head. Vlad looked up to find Danny’s eyes and he understood what was going on. He had his suspicions, but somehow his archnemesis had been shown what it really meant to be King. The horror. How it was not a position of power, but a living sacrifice-

“It’s okay.”

Danny tried to smile, but the pain was still fresh.

“I forgive you.”

His (former?) enemy leaned in and hugged the halfa around his waist. Danny heard a sniffle, but didn’t move to look. 

“I pledge my allegiance to the High King of the Ghosts. From this moment until I fade, I may serve you as you see fit.” He recited the words mechanically against his chest. Danny was hit with the force of the new bond entangling itself around his core, a new ghost to command, a new soul belonging to him.

(Belonging to the Whisper. To the Zone. To the Realms. Who could see the difference anymore? Where was the line?)

(Sometimes he couldn’t get out of bed. The heavy feeling in his chest, all that people, all those souls)

He took a deep breath. “I accept.”

And he would. He would forgive and accept everyone. 

Because it was the right thing to do. Because he wouldn’t let them know what it really meant to be a ghost. Because he would rather feel the weight and feel their presence, hear the Whispers and dream of horrors beyond the imaginable, than let everyone experience what he did.

Because even if there was a way to undo everything, he would still go into the portal that day when he was fourteen. He would accept the crown again. He would go through the ceremony again. 

He was Daniel James Phantom/Fenton and he was the High King of the Ghosts. He had two amazing best friends that loved him and a family that supported him.

He wouldn’t change a thing.

<< Previous Chapter >|| Next Chapter >>

BACK TO THE ARCHIVE

#danny phantom #danny phantom fanfiction #danny phantom fics #sam manson #tucker foley #danny fenton #everlasting trio #ghost king danny #ghost king au #polyamory #samxdannyxtucker #fanfic #fanfiction #writeblr #gil writes