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dialovers-translations · 3 years

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Diabolik Lovers VANDEAD CARNIVAL ;; Present from Mukami [PART 2]

ー The scene starts in the kitchen

Yui: Okay...The oven is preheated.

( ...Once the tart crust finished baking, I’ll pour the custard cream inside. )

( Then after putting plenty of Yuma-kun’s homegrown fruits on top, it’ll be ready. )

( I just have to wait for it to finish baking now, so I suppose I could go check up on the others... )

Selection

→ Check up on the nearby duo

Yuma: Ow!!

Yui: A-Are you okay, Yuma-kun!?

Yuma: Aahn? When did I ask for yer concern?

Yui: B-But...Your finger’s bleeding! We have to clean the wound and disinfect it right away...

Yuma: Aah? You’re fussin’ way too much. A lil’ saliva will do the trick just fine, geez. ...Nn...

Yui: ( Will he be okay...? )

Yuma: Oi, Sow...Don’t be starin’ my way. You’re distractin’ me...

Yui: I-I’m sorry...! Um...I just thought there might be something I can help with...

Yuma: There isn’t.

Ruki: Yuma, don’t be so harsh. You haven’t been making much progress this whole time. I’m sure there’s some tasks you can give her.

Yuma: Ugh...That’s not true...

Ruki: Don’t lie. There aren’t enough ingredients for the soup. If you can’t cut these vegetables, I’m putting someone else in charge.

Yuma: Ah, ya can’t! I’ll cut these!

Yui: ( I can tell he’s really motivated... )

( I wonder what he’s making...? )

( Ah...This scent coming from the pot... )

( It’s consommé...! )

Um, Yuma-kun? I’ll help out where I can!

Yuma: Fuck off!! There’s nothin’ for ya to help me with!!

Yui: ...Sorry...

Ruki: Yuma. Ask for help just for today. You’re going to cut these vegetables?

Yuma: ...Yeah, that’s the plan but it’s not really workin’ out as I’d like.

Yui: ( There’s several incisions... )

( I wonder if he’s trying to cut them into a certain shape...? )

Yuma-kun, are you cutting these in shapes?

Yuma: ...Shapes.

Yui: ...?

Yuma: Are you deaf!? I said star shapes!!

Yui: Star...shapes...?

Yuma: What!? Is it that weird I want to cut them into damn stars!?

Yui: N-No, it’s not strange at all. I’m just a little surprised, that’s all...

Yuma: ...We looked at them over at the deli counter when we went shoppin’, remember? Heart and star shapes...

I want to try that as well! Get it now!?

Yui: Y-Yeah.

Ruki: Yuma, stop losing your temper while holding a kitchen knife.

Also, it doesn’t matter if they’re shaped like stars or not, just cut them regularly.

Yuma: I’m strugglin’ ‘cause I can’t do that!

Yui: ( Honestly, it’s kind of a rare sight to see Yuma-kun get so serious about cooking... )

( Also, when I think he’s cutting them into stars, I can’t help but find that kind of cute! )

Ruki: Yuma. You’re being laughed at.

Yui: ...!!

Yuma: Aah!? What’s so damn funny, huh!?

Yui: I-It isn’t! I just thought everyone would be happy if they were star-shaped!

( I’m sure chaos will break loose if I call him cute... )

Yuma: Hah! That’s exactly why I’m tryin’ to cut these carrots into stars!

Ruki: It won’t make a difference in taste though.

Yuma: Ya eat with yer eyes too, right!?

Ruki: But there’s no point if it gets in the way of actually completing the dish, right?

Yui: W-Wait! I know a good hack!

( I feel as if they’ll start a discussion if I leave these two be now... )

Yuma: Oh...! For real!?

Yui: Yeah!

Um...It’d be a piece of cake if you have cookie cutters.

Yuma: Ahー Now that ya mention it, I’m pretty sure we have some of those layin’ ‘round?

Yui: Really?

( I’m honestly a little surprised we’ll easily find some cookie cutters in this house’s kitchen... )

Yuma: Let’s just say Azusa likes to use those for his own pleasure.

Yui: ( ...What on earth is he doing with them...? )

Yuma: Whatcha gettin’ all down for? Don’t worry. They’re still unused.

Yui: That’s not the problem!

*Rustle*

Yuma: Here, this is what you mean, right?

Yui: Yeah! It should be easy with these!

You cut the carrots into slices first and then use the cookie cutter to cut out the shape.

Yuma: Heehー I’m pretty sure I can pull that off on my own. No need to help me.

Yui: Eh? ...I-I’ll help out as well!

Yuma: Well, Ruki’s been on my case as well, so I guess I’ll leave those veggies up to ya.

Yui: Yeah, thanks. I’ll carefully cut them.

Yuma: ‘Course! These are the veggies I poured my heart and soul into after all!

*Chop chop chop*

Ruki: You’re finally providing the ingredients, it seems. I’m sure I’ll be able to create a nice-tasting dish with these.

Yui: These vegetables make a big difference after all, don’t they?

Ruki: Exactly.

*Chop chop chop*

Yui: ( ーー There we go. I guess we finished chopping everything up for the soup? )

Ruki-kun, can I put them inside?

Ruki: Yeah, I’ll leave that up to you. Yuma, how are those star-shaped carrots looking?

Yuma: Perfect! It’d be borin’ to just put them in the soup, so I made enough to sprinkle on top of the salad as well!

Ruki: ...Do you like them?

Yuma: Yeah! It’s kind of fun to pop them out one after the other! I wonder if there’s anythin’ else I can cut with these?

Yui: Then let’s make cookies next time! I’m sure you’ll be able to put those to great use!

Yuma: Why ‘later’? We still have time to make some, no?

Ruki: ...Right. It should be fun to have one additional dish.

Yui: Then, for the recipe, it’s in this book so...

Yuma: Oh! I’ll get to it then!

Ruki: Seems like Yuma really took a liking to cutting out shapes. Well, I guess we can let him have his fun.

Yui: Fufu, right...!

Ruki: Well then, shall we taste the soup? ...I’m curious.

Yui: ( Yuma-kun is having fun, but Ruki-kun seems to be enjoying himself as well. )

Ruki: ...

...

...What? If you have the time to stand there watching me, then start moving those hands already. Get on with your own task.

Yui: Y-Yeah...Right. Sorry. However...

Ruki: ...?

Yui: U-Um, I’m curious about the taste of the soup as well...So I was wondering if you’d let me have a little sip?

Ruki: ...Be my guest. However, it’s just average. Something is missing...

We need to think about the balance with the other dishes as well. I can’t make the taste any richer. Should I add more water...?

Yui: Hm...You’re right. I do think it is plenty delicious already, but...

Ruki: Nobody asked for your opinion, but I suppose I’ll let you think about it if you want to.

Yui: ( Hm, let’s see...It might be good to draw out the flavor of the vegetables a little more. )

Ruki: Should we add more acidity from the tomatoes?

Yui: Ah, wait. In that case, why don’t we try adding a bit of lemon juice?

Ruki: Lemon juice...? It would work the same in terms of adding acidity, I suppose...

Yui: They’re fresh vegetables, so I feel like it’s adding a lot of sweetness.

Ruki: ...I see. I suppose I’ll try adding some then.

Yui: Yeah! What do you think...?

Ruki: Not bad. Seems like it was a clever suggestion coming from someone like you. Want to try it?

Yui: Can I? Thank you!

...Yeah, it’s delicious!

Ruki: Right? I’m looking forward to serving this to the others as well.

Yui: ( Ruki-kun looks happy. I hope everyone else will like it too... )

Ruki: I suppose I should lower the heat so it doesn’t overcook. Okay, next up’sーー

Yuma: Say, it slipped my mind for a sec, but...

But what are we doin’ with this turkey?

Ruki: Aah, that one. I bought it because it’s a staple of any Christmas feast, however...

Yui: ( They’re both looking at... )

Me!?

Ruki: You’re the one who brought it up, so I assume you know how to prepare it?

Yui: Ah, yeah. For the most part...

Yuma: ‘Kay. We’ll leave this bad boy up to ya then.

I’ll get back to my cookies.

Ruki: Good idea. It’d be a waste of time for all three of us to work on the same dish. You should do it.

Yui: ( ... )

( I feel as if this was kind of pushed on me... )

*TIMESKIP*

Ruki: ーー We’re pretty much done. How’s your chicken looking?

Yui: Yeah, I think it’ll be okay...Yuma-kun, how’s the cooking time?

Yuma: It’s lookin’ hella good. Smells nice from the herbs, no?

Ruki: ...It definitely triggers the appetite. Okay, let’s get to plating them.

Yui: ( Thank god. I was honestly a little worried when they left it up to me. )

I’ll put out the plates then!

Ruki: Yeah, thank you.

Also, I’d like to carry all finished dishes to the dining room if they’re done with the decorations over there.

Yuma: Speak of the devil.

ー Kou and Azusa enter the kitchen

Kou: We’ve come to check up on you guys~ How are things looking on your end? ...Wait.

Waah! It smells great here! Seems like you guys safely got everything ready in time as well~

Yui: Yeah, we just need to put everything on the plates and carry them to the dining room. How are the decorations looking?

Azusa: Just fine...Kou said that we should...make the final touches together...

Ruki: The final touches...? I’m not sure what you’re talking about, but I suppose we should get all the food ready first.

Yui: Yeah!

→ Go to the dining room

ー The scene shifts to the dining room

Kou: Ah, M-neko-chan! Did you come to help us out? I’m so glad~!

Yui: Yeah! I came here hoping there was still something I could help out with but...It seems like you’re almost ready with the preparations.

Kou: Pretty much! We’d get scolded by Ruki-kun if we slack off after all!

Yui: Fufu, good point. You have to finish before they do, or the food will go cold after all.

The table looks completely different from usual as well. Just a few hours left till we can get this Christmas party started!

Azusa: Say, Eve? Am I doing it right? I’m lining up the stuff we bought today. Tell me if I made a mistake, okay...?

Yui: Don’t worry! You didn’t make any mistakes.

( The Christmas-colored table mats are so cute! )

( The napkins placed at every seat are lovely as well. And above all... )

( Seeing those candles kind of takes me back to the Mass at Church. )

Azusa: Is something the matter?

Yui: Ah, no. I’m just looking forward to spending Christmas in such a wonderfully decorated room.

Azusa: I’m glad you like it...

*Cling*

Azusa: ...Fufu, this is the last one. The table has been all set...

Yui: All of the silverware has been polished to perfection. Did you do this too?

Azusa: Yeah. It’s especially important to sharpen the knives, or they won’t cut as well, right?

Yui: Sounds like something you would think of.

Kou: Hm. Props to you for getting all of M-neko-chan’s praise, Azusa-kun.

Yui: ...Kou-kun? Is something wrong?

Kou: Nn~ I’m just a little jealous of Azusa-kun.

Yui: Eh? J-Jealous?

Kou: Fufu, just a little bit? You’re only giving him compliments after all.

Yui: You did an amazing job too. You put together the Christmas tree, right?

Kou: Yeah, exactly~ Fufu, it really does feel nice to get praised by you!

That being said, I’m still in the middle of decorating it though.

Azusa: Is that so? In that case, I’ll help out. I’m done with my work after all.

Yui: Decorating the tree, right? I’ll lend a hand too!

Kou: Okay! Let’s decorate it all together then.

Azusa: The tree...It looks prickly...

Yui: Fufu, it really does!

Azusa-kun, you hang ornaments on the branches like this.

Azusa: I wouldn’t mind if the tree decorated me with its needles.

Kou: Pfft! Azusa-kun...Geez! We obviously can’t let that happen.

Yui: E-Exactly, Azusa-kun!

Azusa: ...Is that so? That’s a little disappointing. I’m sure that having my whole body stabbed by those needles is a pain I can only experience today...

Kou: I don’t mean to judge you for your personal preferences, but today you can’t do that.

Azusa: I couldn’t have my knife...And I’m not allowed to stab myself with the tree either...Is Christmas really supposed to be fun?

*Rustle*

Yui: Azusa-kun, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it! Christmas has to be a precious time you spend with family after all...

Azusa: Eve...

Yui: ( Ah, I grabbed his hand in the spur of the moment, but... )

I’m sorry. Um...I just want you to understand. I’m sure it’ll be fun, so let’s try and forget about pain for today?

Azusa: ...Sure. If you insist...

Kou: Haah, thank god. Well then, let’s get back on track and decorate the tree!

*TIMESKIP*

Azusa: Hey, look. This soft, fluffy padding. If you put it underneath your mouth, it looks like a white beard.

Yui: Fufu, you’re right. You look like Santa Claus right now.

Azusa: Santa...Claus?

Yui: Yeah. Santa Claus comes to visit on his sleigh every year on Christmas day, you see.

Then he gives presents to all good children.

Azusa: Heeh...

I’ve never met him but...I see...Only to good children, huh...?

Kou: Pretty sure nobody in this household qualifies~ (1)

Well, getting our hands on what we want with brute force fits us much better anyway, don’t you think so, M-neko-chan~?

Yui: ( Um... )

Azusa: Kou is right...

Yui: Y-You too, Azusa-kun...!?

Azusa: Fufu...

Yui: ( I feel as if I shouldn’t linger on this topic for too long... )

U-Um...Kou-kun? Could you put this on the tree for me?

Azusa-kun, you should continue decorating as well, okay...?

Kou: Fufu, right! Right now we have to stick to the Christmas mood!

Azusa: What should I do with this cotton padding then?

Yui: Ah, right. It’s something meant to mimic snow, so you have to tear it up and sprinkle it across the branches.

Azusa: Okay, gotcha.

Kou: Can I just put these bells and snowman ornaments wherever I want?

Yui: Yeah, they don’t have a set place or anything. I’ll leave it up to your personal taste.

( I should get to decorating as well. )

*TIMESKIP*

Yui: ( ...Every year, I would always decorate the tree by myself instead of Father since he was so busy. )

( However, this year... )

...

Kou: What’s wrong, M-neko-chan? Your hands have stopped moving?

Azusa: Is something bothering you?

Yui: ( I’m decorating with everyone. Fufu, I’m kind of happy. )

No, it’s nothing. Let’s put on the lights once we’re finished with the ornaments!

Kou: Roger! I’m so excited to put the lights on~ They’re the thing I had the most trouble choosing at the store.

Yui: I see.

Kou: We chose them together. Ruki-kun has that cool image so he’s black, no?

Azusa: Yuma is orange...right?

Kou: Exactly! We chose our own favorite color.

And this light pink is you! Fits you perfectly, no?

Yui: Waah! I’m so happy! ...Thank you!

Azusa: Fufu, I’m glad you’re happy.

Yui: Let’s put them on then.

( Covering the whole surface... )

( ... )

( Yeah, this should do...! )

Azusa: I finished adding the cotton decorations.

Yui: I’m done over here as well!

Kou: The ornaments are looking perfect as well! In that case, let’s test whether the lights work or not.

Yui: Yeah! Good idea.

Kou: Here we go! Lights on!

*Click*

Yui: Wah...How beautiful. There’s different colors lighting up.

Kou: We made the right choice! I’m looking forward to enjoying these all together!

Azusa: Yeah, it’s really...pretty.

Kou: Right~? I can’t wait to show Ruki-kun and the others!

Yui: ( Huh? But I feel as if something is missing. I wonder what...? )

( We put plenty of ornaments and lights on the tree... )

Kou: Hm...? What’s wrong, M-neko-chan?

Yui: Ah, yeah...I feel as if it’s not quite right yet...

Kou: Could it be this, perhaps?

Yui: Ah! The big star you put on the very top of the tree!

Azusa: ...Once we add that to the tree...It’ll become even more beautiful, right? Let’s put it on, Kou...

Kou: Nu-uh~ This is a special star, so I thought it’d be better to put it on once all five of us have gathered here together.

Azusa: ...I see. Yeah...Good point.

Yui: In that case, let’s go check up on them once we’re done here.

ー Ruki enters the room

*Thud*

Yui: Ah...

Ruki: I’ve come to check up on your process. Are you done with the decorations?

Azusa: Yeah, we just finished. What do you think?

Ruki: ...Yeah, it looks beautiful. The three of you really tried your best.

Kou: Hooray! Nothing quite boosts one’s self-confidence like a compliment from Ruki-kun!

Azusa: Yeah, me too...I’m very happy.

Kou: Say, Azusa-kun, M-neko-chan? Can you both raise your hands for a sec?

Azusa: What...?

Yui: ...?

*Tap*

Yui: Kyah!?

Azusa: Wah! W-What was that...?

Kou: A high five! It’s a way to celebrate a shared success! I’m looking forward to Yuma-kun’s reaction as well~

Azusa: Yeah...I put Yuma through a lot of trouble earlier...So I hope he’ll like it...

Yui: I’m sure he will! I’m excited.

Ruki: There’s no shame in rejoicing, but there’s still some work left. We’ll carry the food here. Lend me a hand.

Yui: Yeah!

( I’m sure the crust should be about done by now as well... )

( I’ll go finish it by adding the custard and fruits! )

*TIMESKIP*

*Thud*

Yui: This should be the final plate of food, right?

Ruki: Yeah. We’ve carried everything here. Yuma, pour our drinks.

Yuma: Already on it.

*Cling*

Yui: ( The candles have been lit and there’s a warm buffet laid out. The room is decorated as well... )

Kou: Haah~ Looking good, don’t you think~? Seeing all these different dishes lined up on the table~

Azusa: Looks delicious...

Yuma: It doesn’t just ‘look’ good. I can promise ya the taste won’t disappoint either. Ya better look forward to it!

Kou: Geez, you’re way too excited, Yuma-kun.

I can’t wait to try this cake loaded with fruit you made either.

Yui: Really? I’m glad to hear that.

Ruki: You two gave it your best shot as well. The elaborate decorations help lighten the mood up as well.

Yuma: Hell yeah. When the room is decorated this way, I immediately get those ‘today’s a special day’ vibes.

Altho it still feels a little weird for us Vampires to celebrate Christmas.

Ruki: Haha, you have a point.

It may be strange for us Vampires, but this day only comes once a year. It shouldn’t hurt to celebrate every once in a while, right?

Kou: I appreciate all the praise, but we’re not quite done yet~

Yuma: Aahn? Whatcha mean?

Azusa: We have to put the biggest star on the very top of the tree.

Ruki: ...? Why did you not put it on yet?

Kou: Eeh~? I mean, this is such a rare occasion, so I wanted all of us to be here and witness its completion.

Yuma: I see. Sounds good? I don’t dislike that way of thinkin’.

Azusa: Well then, Kou. Here. Put it on top.

Yui: ( Azusa-kun is handing the star to Kou-kun... )

Kou: Thank you, Azusa-kun. Well then...Here, M-neko-chan~

Yui: ...Eh?

Kou: None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for you after all.

So I want to leave this up to you!

Yui: No way...Are you sure I can put it on?

Ruki: Don’t sweat the details. If you don’t put that on, we can never get the party started.

Yuma: Oi, Sow. Get on with it.

Azusa: ...Put it on with your very own hands.

Yui: Thank you guys. Well then...

*Rustle*

Kou: Ready? Lights on!

*Click*

Ruki: Hooh...

Yuma: Wow! What’s this? I didn’t know these trees light up!

Azusa: ...I like Christmas.

Yui: ( How pretty. I could gaze at it forever... )

Kou: Well then, we’ve finished decorating so let’s get to our seats and eat now!

Yuma: Yeah! Nothin’ like enjoyin’ a meal surrounded by those shimmerin’ lights!

ー Everyone sits down at the table

Ruki: Oi, Yui. You should sit down as well.

Yuma: Geez, ya slowpoke! Whatcha doin’? Hurry up and get yer ass over here.

Kou: Come on, we’re going to get started without you, M-neko-chan!

Azusa: Eve, hurry...Everyone already took a seat.

Yui: Ah, yeah, wait! I’ll be there in a sec...

*Cling cling*

Everyone: Merry Christmas.

Yuma: ‘Kay! Time to chow down!

Ruki: Thank you for the meal.

Kou: I’m digging in~!

Azusa: ...Let me have a taste...

Yui: Thanks for the meal!

Kou: Mmh~! Yuma-kun’s vegetables never fail to amaze me!

Yuma: I’m the one who grew them, so they’re obviously gonna be delicious!

Azusa: ...Nom, nom.

Ruki: I’m glad you’re all enjoying it.

Kou: Although I’m a little curious about these oddly-shaped vegetables.

Yuma: The taste’s still the same so whatever!!

Ruki: Yuma, don’t shout too loud.

Yuma: Che...Those are the duds. There’s some proper stars in there as well.

Kou: ...These are supposed to be stars!?

Ruki: Right. Yuma shed blood, sweat and tears to make those.

Azusa: ...The fruit tart you made is delicious. The crust is crisp...

Yui: I’m glad to hear that. Yuma-kun is the one who grew the fruits on top as well.

Azusa: Yuma is amazing. I don’t think I could ever grow vegetables...

Ruki: Yuma is great at taking care of things after all. Why don’t you try looking after someone else as well for a change?

Azusa: ...Look after someone else...?

Yui: ( I’m honestly having trouble picturing that... )

Yuma: In that case, why don’t you let him take care of you, Ruki?

Ruki: ...!

...Azusa, forget what I said just now. Understood?

Azusa: Yeah, sure...

Kou: Ahaha! This is so much fun. Hey, M-neko-chan, thank you!

Yui: ...Eh?

Kou: I’m thanking you for teaching us about Christmas.

It’s our first time celebrating such a fun event, so we’re all in high spirits!

Yui: ...I should be the one saying thank you. I thought I would be spending the day alone...so I felt a little down.

However, I’m really happy you all worked together to create such a fun Christmas for me. Thank you, everyone...

Yuma: Hah, we didn’t do this for ya or anythin’. We only went through with it ‘cause it sounded fun.

Yui: I’m still glad regardless. For letting me join your Christmas party.

Yuma: I mean, ya are kind of a bother to us, but did ya really think we’d leave ya out?

Kou: Ah~ Yuma-kun’s flustered~!

Yuma: Haah!? Why would I get flustered!?

Ruki: You’re red all the way to your ears. Why don’t you be honest with yourself?

Yuma: You too, Ruki!?

Ruki: Hmph...My bad. Seems like I’m having a bad case of ‘the slip of the tongue’ today.

Yuma: Che...!

Ruki: Yuma, cheer up. We’re actually spending Christmas as a family.

Azusa: Exactly...

Kou: Me too! Food tastes so much better when you get to enjoy it without being upset!

Yui: ( I didn’t think it would be so fun to spend time with everyone like this. )

( Huh...? I just thought ‘fun’... )

( Right. At some point, the time I spend with the Mukami family must have grown dear to me... )

Kou: What are you grinning for?

Yui: Um...This may sound strange, but I thought it’s fun to spend time with you guys.

Azusa: ...If you’re happy...then so am I.

Ruki: I thought you were an odd human, but you’ve exceeded that point...You are basically being held hostage after all.

Yui: Right. I know it’s weird but...

Kou: You’re really living up to your name~ Although that’s exactly what makes you cute!

Yuma: Heh...If we ever hold a Christmas party again, ya better help out too.

No way in hell I’m wastin’ my time makin’ some cake, so I’ll leave my fruits in yer hands.

Also, we need someone to make the cookies.

Yui: Thank you...! I better practice a bunch in preparation for that day!

Ruki: Let’s leave it at that. The food we worked so hard on will get cold.

Kou: Ah, Azusa-kun you’re adding spices again~ You shouldn’t ruin the taste of the food.

Azusa: ...Just a sprinkle. I want to make this an even more fun experience...

Ruki: Haah...Can’t you guys at least enjoy a meal in silence?

Kou: But this is what suits us best, don’t you think?

Yuma: It’d be kind of creepy if things were all quiet.

Ruki: ...Right. I suppose this is quite tame for a Vampire’s holy night.

Yui: ( I’m truly glad I was able to have such a fun Christmas... )

( I wish I’ll be able to experience this sight once more somedayーー )

ーー THE END ーー

Translation notes

(1) ‘NG’ is a term which has recently picked up in popularity in the Japanese language. It is an abbreviation of the English phrase ‘no good’ and is used to refer to things which are forbidden or don’t qualify.

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← [ Part 1 ]

#diabolik lovers #dialovers #vandead carnival #ruki mukami #kou mukami #yuma mukami #azusa mukami #vcpresentfrommukami #diabolik lovers translation

108 notes · View notes

emeralddaydream · 3 years

Text

𝙸𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙻𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝙸𝚜 𝙼𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝙾𝚏?

Kit x GN!Reader

Rating: General

Word Count: 2848

Warnings: None, just lots of fluff✨

Requested by Anon: Mayhaps prompt 84 (“No, Mom, don’t tell him/her I said that about him/her!”) with Kit Walker, but instead he's talking to Jude, Thomas, and Julia. Kit had been dating you for a while and he accidentally had let it slip that he loves you to his family (they all tease him about it constantly). You were planning on visiting later (so everyone could go to the park together or do some other adorable activity) and Kit just knows that someone is going to tell you, and he is trying desperately to avoid that

A/N: Okay, firstly, anon, thank you so much for your lovely message. I haven't been too kind to myself lately (workin' on it), so I really appreciate you being so understanding💜

I kind of went off the rails with this one, and it doesn't actually include the prompt sentence, and the prompt itself is a lil different, but same basic idea, I think... I really hope you like it!!

Also, Jude is healthy bc I refuse to make this angsty.

The title comes from 'I Think I Love You' by The Partridge Family, and on that note, I'm also dedicating this to one of my favorite humans. She's not really into AHS, but David Cassidy is her mans, so Sierra, this one's for you!! Thank you for always being a wonderful friend💜💕

“Jude, I need your help.”

In general, Kit Walker considers himself to be a pretty easy-going guy; usually, there isn't much that gets to him. But today’s different. There’s something that he’s simultaneously ecstatic about and dreading.

Today's the day you’ll be meeting his family for the first time.

“With?” Jude’s smirking amusedly where she sits across from him at the kitchen table sorting dish ware and arranging it carefully in the picnic basket in front of her. Kit glances at the clock on the wall and sighs; he's got just over an hour before he, Jude and the kids are supposed to meet you at the park, and he couldn’t be much more anxious about it if he tried... Not for nothing, though.

“I just wanna make sure today goes well.” He finishes wrapping the sandwich in his hand, placing it in the basket to join the plates.

“And you don’t think it will?” Jude raises an eyebrow; she may be a particularly perceptive woman, but it isn't very difficult to see that there's something Kit isn't saying.

His mind drifts for a moment to the other night, when he and Jude sat in the living room, chatting quietly after the kids had gone to sleep. She’d asked about you, and before Kit knew it, he was spilling his guts to her, finally speaking the words he’s been unable to say to you. It’d felt amazing to finally get them out... until he noticed Julia peaking around the door frame, brown eyes trained on he and Jude She scurried off, giggling quietly down the hall, and when he asked her about it the next day, it was clear to Kit that his daughter had heard the entire conversation. And it didn’t need to be said that she had told Thomas; the two of them have never kept anything from each other in their lives…

“I hope it does.” Kit replies after several moments of silence. He’s not at all concerned about whether or not you’ll get along with his family. There’s no doubt in his mind that Jude will be taken, and the kids are going to adore you. “I just need help makin’ sure they don’t say anything.” He glances toward the two small figures in the next room where they lie on the floor, markers in hand as they draw colorful pictures and fill out puzzles from the day-old newspaper Jude had provided to keep them occupied.

“About?” Jude's smirk grows into a playful grin. She’s having fun with this; a little too much, in Kit’s opinion. He scowls and she laughs quietly.

“About... y’know?”

“About how you love them?” Jude’s voice carries into the next room a bit too loudly for Kit’s liking, and his eyes go wide. He places a finger to his lips, eyes darting to the children to make sure they’re still distracted; so far, so good.

“Yes.”

“Well, when are you going to tell her? You’re not getting any younger, y’know.” Kit's unable to stop the smile that breaks across his face.

“Soon. I just… need to find the right moment.”

“There’s no such thing as the right moment, Walker," she chortles, rolling a bundle of silverware into a napkin. “But…I’ll do my best.” Kit smiles gratefully, but she shakes her head continuing. “But they’re kids. Kids'll say whatever they want to.” Knowing she's right, Kit groans, running a hand through his hair before feeling around in the pocket of his jeans for his pack of cigarettes.

He's in for an interesting day.

——

The worn wood of the bench feels rough under your fingers as you tap against it anxiously. You take a quick peak to your right again, in search of the vehicle you’re waiting for. It’s a big day. In just- you glance down at your watch for the fifth time – two and a half minutes, your boyfriend is supposed to arrive with his family.

It terrifies you.

It’s not that you have any issues with kids. You love them. Becoming a parent has always been a part of the plan for you. However, you don’t have much experience with them and, this is the first time you’ve ever been with someone with children of their own. It’s... intimidating.

Kit, however, has been nothing but reassuring. A small smile crosses your face, thinking of the last thing he’d said to you when he'd called last night. Don’t worry, babe. They’re gonna love you.

God, you hope he’s right.

Kit’s told you so much about his kids over the last several months the two of you have been together, and you can tell by the warmth in his voice, by the way his eyes light up when he tells you something funny one of them did, that they are his world. As they should be. You wouldn’t want it any other way.

There's absolutely no doubt in your mind that you've fallen head over heels for this man... That’s what's so frightening; you don’t want to screw anything up. For anyone's sake.

You’re in the middle of reciting some of the things Kit had told you about the kids- ‘Julia’s really into football right now, a little chatterbox, and Thomas loves readin’, but he’s pretty shy’- when you hear tires making their way along the narrow dirt road. Turning your head again, your stomach flips when you see the familiar station wagon- much fuller with people than normal- pull into the small parking lot. You smile, raising your hand in a wave when Kit sees you, and swallow hard.

The driver’s door quickly opens, and Kit makes his way over, basket in hand. The passenger, Jude, stays behind to help the kids out of their seats.

“Hey, you.” Kit murmurs, a smile on his face as he leans down to press a tender kiss to your cheek.

“Hi.” With a shaky breath, you take your bottom lip between your teeth when he pulls back. With a sympathetic smile, Kit takes your hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“They’re gonna love you,” he reminds, and you huff a laugh. Julia begins speaking excitedly as she hops out of the car; you can’t make out what she’s saying, but she sounds enthusiastic, so you’re taking that as a good sign.

“If you say so.” You grip his hand more tightly and he chuckles as the two of you make your way toward the sound of the animated voice.

Now or never.

“Y/N!” You jump at the sound, completely taken off guard- even more so when something barrels into you, wrapping around your waist. You look down to see the small girl- the one that you recognize from the many pictures Kit has shown you -beaming up at you. Kit laughs, scooping her up into his arms as Jude moves to stand in front of the three of you. Thomas hangs onto her hand, hiding behind her dress.

“Y/N, this is Jude, Thomas, and you’ve already met Julia.” He shakes his head, tickling his daughter’s ribs until she’s leaning into him, in a fit of giggles.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you all,” you say, hoping the smile on your face doesn’t come across as uneasy.

“We could say the same to you. This one,”- she gestures to Kit- “is talking about you constantly.” You smile widely at this, eyes moving to Kit to find his cheeks turning rosy.

“Oh, really?”

“Uh-huh!” Julia chimes in, Thomas slowly nodding his agreement.

“Oh, you.” You nudge Kit’s arm gently, and his eyes shift quickly back and forth between the children. Jude lets out a trill of laughter then, taking Julia’s hand in hers.

“Why don’t we find somewhere to sit? I’m sure we’re all getting hungry.” The kids agree enthusiastically, taking off in a sprint toward a nearby gazebo where several tables sit. “Hey, slow it down, you two!” Jude calls, following them.

You turn to Kit, who brings your hand to his lips, placing a kiss there; there’s something about his expression that you can’t quite place, but he seems happy, so you’re happy. “I’m glad you’re here,” he says, letting your hands fall and dangle together as the two of you slowly make your way to the table where the children sit, awaiting their lunch. Julia laughs beckoning the two of you over, and there’s a shy little smile on Thomas’ face. Your nerves are slowly fading, and you let out a breathy sigh, smiling up at him.

“I’m glad I’m here, too.”

The meal is fantastic, and by the time you’re wiping your mouth on your napkin and placing it down on the empty plate in front of you, you can hardly remember why you were so panicky about this meeting in the first place. The food is delicious, Jude accepting your compliments on her potato salad graciously. The two of to you discuss your job, her asking about the intricacies of what you do. Not in a prying way, though; she seems genuinely interested.

It’s not long before the kids take to you, either. Julia already has, it seems, as she insists on sitting across from you while you eat. She tells lots of stories; everything from the science project she and Kit have been working on for school, to the time that Jude took her and Thomas to the zoo.; you find out that hippos are her favorite animal. “Isn’t it so cute when they wiggle their ears??” she asks.

Thomas takes a bit more coaxing, but not much; not when you decide to ask him what his favorite book is. His eyes light up and he brings up several, speaking excitedly about a chapter from the one he's currently in the middle of.

“Daddy, can we play now?” Julia asks, setting her fork down; she bounces around like she’s ready to jump out of her seat, and you can’t help but giggle.

“Sure,” Kit chuckles, placing his empty glass of iced tea on the table. I’m just gonna use the bathroom real quick, but go onnahead.” He stands, patting your shoulder. Shooting what he hopes is a discreet glance Jude's way, he moves toward the small bathroom stalls a few yards away.

Jude laughs, a soft smile on her face, watching as Julia moves to cling to your arm. “Alright, Thomas, it. looks like it’s you and me. What do you wanna do first?” She takes the small boy’s hand, and he leads them in the direction of the sandbox.

Julia glances around, and when she sees that everyone’s out of earshot, she leans into you, bringing a hand to her mouth to ask, “Y/N, can I tell you a secret?”

Her over-exaggerated whisper and enthusiasm make you giggle, and you nod. “Sure.”

She climbs into the seat beside you, leaning in closer to speak into your ear. “My daddy loves you.”

You’re quiet for several seconds, having absolutely no idea how to respond. You look down at her, eventually stuttering out, “O-oh… really? How do you know that?” You're half expecting a nonsensical answer, but when she opens her mouth, the young girl is serious.

“I heard him and Nana talking about it the a couple'a nights ago when I got out of bed for a drink of water.” She grins up at you. “…But I can just tell.”

“H-how can you tell?”

She shrugs. "He smiles when he talks about you." Her answer is so simple, so pure, and it holds so much meaning; you're sure there's a dopey grin growing on your face right now.

“Well, your dad’s pretty great. And I think you’re pretty great, Julia.” Her smile grows impossibly wider as she wraps her arms around your neck, pulling you into a tight hug. You hold her tiny frame and are on cloud nine when you spot Kit closing the door to the restroom behind him; when he sees the two of you still sitting there, he makes his way over.

Kit chuckles to himself, overcome with joy when he walks out of the bathroom to see you holding Julia in an embrace, smiles on both of your faces. He walks slowly toward you, silently praying that his daughter hasn’t said anything she shouldn’t have. So much for Jude’s help… Should'a known better. He glances at his friend, sitting on the edge of the sandbox with his son. Jude looks up, smirking, and he rolls his eyes at her.

Nevertheless, he’s decided. It has to be now.

“What’re you two doin’ over here?” He places a warm hand on your arm as he stands behind you, appraising his daughter. “Jules, I thought you wanted to play? You’ve been sayin’ how excited you were for the jungle gym all week.” Julia’s small legs swing back and forth as she watches her father, with a shrug.

“I wanted to talk to Y/N first.”

“Well, we can keep talking while we play, then,” you decide, standing quickly, but Kit grabs your hand, stilling you.

“Actually, I wanna talk to you about somethin’ real quick.” His voice is low in your ear, and he watches his daughter tensely.

“Oh, o-okay.” Your eyes move to Julia and you smile. “Why don’t you go down the slide a few times, and I’ll be over there in a minute?”

“Okay!” The little girl jumps from her spot, sprinting toward concrete of the playground.

“Be careful!” Kit shouts after her. With a chuckle, he takes his previous seat and pats the one beside him. You smile happily, leaning your head on his shoulder when you move next to him.

“They’re really great, Kit. All of them.”

Kit smiles proudly, watching as Jude helps Thomas make some sort of sculpture in the sand. “They are,” he agrees with a nod. “Jude likes you. The kids really like you.”

“I’m so glad.” You sigh in relief, turning to meet his gaze. “I was so worried they’d all hate me.”

“How could they?” he asks, leaning in to place a sweet peck to your lips. You smile against his mouth, your own tingling as he pulls back. You can’t help but glimpse toward playground to see if the kids have noticed. They’re still preoccupied, but Jude’s noticed; she sends you a wink and your cheeks grow warm. Seeing the exchange, Kit scowls playfully, waving a hand at her. She laughs, turning back to the sandy masterpiece Thomas is working diligently on.

“So,” Kit begins... Deep breath. “There’s somethin’ I’ve been wantin’ to talk to you about.”

“Okay.” Your heartbeat pounds in your ears. “What’s up?” …Could it be?

“It’s something I’ve wanted to say for a while, actually. He’s looking at his hands as he says this, biting down on his bottom lip when his gaze finally meets yours. “I haven’t felt this way about anyone in… a long time. Not since...” He trails off, but you know he’s thinking of the kid’s mothers, so you nod in understanding. “Honestly it’s a little scary, but I think I- I mean, I know I-“ He cuts himself off, and takes a deep breath, shaking his head slowly. “Christ. I dunno why this is so hard, I just…” He sighs deeply.

“…Kit?”

“Yeah?”

“…I love you, too.”

“You… you love m- wait, what?” His eyes grow wide, and he groans after a moment, knowing exactly who the culprit is. “Julia told you?” You can't help but laugh quietly, nodding your confirmation. “I shoulda known. My little blabbermouth.” A wistful smile grows on his face, and the amount of adoration you feel for this man in this moment is staggering.

“So… it’s true, then?” you ask, taking one of his hands in both of yours.

He nods, smiling as he leans in to press his forehead to yours. “I love you, Y/N. I do.” His voice is hardly above a whisper, but it feels like a shout; a declaration. Your returning smile is bright, certainly one of the best Kit’s ever seen- one he’s sure he’ll remember for the rest of his life -and when you wrap your arms around his neck, his own widens further, the muscles in his face beginning to ache, but he couldn't care less.

“I love you, Kit Walker. So much.” You move in for a kiss of your own; it’s short, but full of more meaning than any you’ve ever had.

Pulling back, you pat his knee gently. You stand from your seat, offering a hand out to him. “C’mon. Earlier, I promised Julia I’d watch her on the monkey bars.” Kit laughs, taking your hand and slinging an arm around your waist once he’s standing. You make your way to where the girl is currently whizzing down the largest slide in the park, squealing with laughter. Glancing at the sandbox, you see Jude eyeing you, a knowing smirk on her face; you blush, but smile back.

Right here, right now, moving toward the laughter of Kit’s loving family, there isn’t a sliver of doubt in your mind that this is meant to be.

This is where you belong.

taglist: @therenlover, @tatestripedsweater, @kitwalker02, @ladyfogg, @mossybank, @undeadcortez, @sallyscigarettes, @xmaximoffic, @samsassinparvismagna, @liandav, @kitwalkerangel, @elaineygrace, @milly-louise @americxn (please feel free to fill out this form to be added/removed for future fics)

#julia is a lil matchmaker #also i discovered a tenacious d cover of 'i think i love you' and it's fucking iconic #i love jack black #and kit #kit walker #kit walker fanfiction #kit walker x reader #kit walker x gn!reader #evan peters fanfiction #evan peters x reader #evan peters x gn!reader #ahs #ahs fanfiction #american horror story #american horror story fanfiction

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olivia-anderson-fanfic · 3 years

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Soulmarks, Part 12

First part

~~~

Tim was separated from the only two people in the country he knew within seconds of the lunch bell ringing.

Marinette had been called up by the teacher. Apparently, she was class president last year and she held the duties until the next election. She gave a tiny sigh as she released Tim’s hand and gave both him and Adrien kisses on the cheek before heading out with Mme. Bustier.

Adrien, at least, was still in the room. Unfortunately, though, he was completely surrounded by his classmates, who were all clamoring for pictures of his notes.

He crossed his arms over his chest awkwardly as he stood outside the door, waiting for either of his friends to appear.

The door swung open and out walked Lila.

Damn it, he’d held Marinette’s hand too long and her bad luck had rubbed off on him.

He sighed. “What do you want?”

She smiled sweetly at him, twirling a lock of her hair in her fingers. “I just wanted to show the new kid around some.”

“Wouldn’t that be Marinette’s job as class rep?”

Lila sighed and shook her head slowly. “Oh, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but… I wouldn’t get too close to Mari.”

He raised his eyebrows. A little late for that, but he supposed he may as well ask: “Why not?”

“Well, for one thing, she’s a bit of a bully.” She looked at the ground. “Did she ever tell you about all the times she tried to ‘prove’ that I wasn’t actually disabled? Just because she didn’t like me? We hadn’t even talked, she was just mad I was talking to Adrien!”

A frown made its way across his face. Sure, it wasn’t at all like the Marinette he knew, but how well did he know her? He’d never seen how she interacted with people she didn’t like… and hadn’t he seen just how ruthless she could be when she wanted to that first day with ‘bowling’? In the way her expression hardened when Joker or Harley were mentioned?

He leaned against the wall. “There are other things?”

Lila’s head jerked up in surprise. “Huh?”

“You said ‘for one thing’. That implies more.”

“You’d think bullying would be enough…” Said Lila with a frown, but she continued: “Secondly, I think she’s a gold digger.”

His mind wandered to the few times Bruce had tried to buy something for her. How she’d ended up hiding money around for him to find so he couldn’t force it back into her hands. He gave a soft laugh. No, he wasn’t concerned about that. “Well, I can say she isn’t.”

Besides, if anyone here was a gold digger, it was probably Lila. Her eyes had lit up at the Wayne name. Projecting much?

She didn't seem all that convinced. “I just think it’s a little suspicious that she goes after you, Kagami, and Adrien. The girl has a pattern, and it’s money.”

He snickered. “Okay, and what about Chloe Bourgeois?”

“Chloe?” Said Lila slowly. “How do you know about Chloe?”

He frowned. “She’s in our class, right?”

“Well, yes, but they don’t talk or anything. How’d you know about her?”

“Simple: I’m her soulmate.”

Lila blanked. There was a few moments where she apparently rebooted, and then she scoffed. “Are you sure about that? Marinette likes to lie. A lot.”

“Pretty sure. Unless you know some other designers, who live in France, who bakes a lot, who carries a yoyo in their pocket, who also happens to love her parents.”

She finally stopped twirling her hair, shoving her hands in her pockets as she mulled this over. “Congrats on finding your soulmate,” she said in the same begrudging tone that siblings use when their parents make them apologize to each other. “But…”

“But…?”

Lila leaned forward conspiratorially. “I think she might be working for Hawkmoth.”

Don’t. Laugh.

He shook his head, pursing his lips together tightly to stop himself from laughing. When he was sure that he could keep a straight face, he mumbled a “yeah, no.”

She shrugged. “Don’t believe me? She disappears during every akuma and she’s never been akumatized. I’m telling you, she’s working with him!”

He couldn’t help it anymore, he snickered. Sure, the girl had gathered some pretty good evidence, but she’d come to the complete wrong conclusion. Before he could really come up with a reason for why he was so convinced that she couldn’t be working with him, he spotted Marinette running back to the classroom.

Tim watched her eyes narrow when she spotted Lila and raised his eyebrows. Sure, three out of four of Lila’s points were wrong, but the first one still concerned him.

Marinette gave a forced smile as she came to a stop beside him. “Ready for your tour? I even got special permission to take you out of school for lunch today,” she chirped, holding up two tiny slips of paper.

He smiled faintly. “How’d you manage that?”

“I let it slip to the principal that I was showing around Tim Drake-Wayne. They practically begged me to keep the school food away from you.” She winked, then her eyes found their way to Lila. Her smile lessened. “Lunch is almost over for you, Lila, you should get something to eat. What with your weak immune system and all, we wouldn’t want you to get sick, would we?”

He narrowed his eyes slightly and glanced at Lila, who sighed like this was a regular occurrence.

“Fine, Mari, I’ll leave. I know when I’m not wanted.” She leaned up and kissed Tim on the cheek before he could really react. “A presto,” she said, sending a grin over her shoulder as she walked off.

He gave a tiny wave and then glanced at Marinette.

“You’re crumpling the papers.”

She snapped out of it and frowned, looking down at the passes. She loosened her grip and started smoothing them out with her fingers. “Right. Sorry. Let’s go.”

She should have warned him about Lila. She had no clue what the liar had said about her, but it clearly was affecting Tim. Earlier he’d been holding her hand and now he would barely even look her in the eyes.

She stared at the empty cup of coffee in front of her as they waited for the waiter to come back with their food in silence.

A tiny part of her was tempted to just let Lila have him. She’d managed to get everyone else, had picked off all her friends one by one. Even Adrien would usually eat with Nino. At this point, she was starting to think it would be easier to just let go of the hope that she could really have friends while she lived in Paris. It would certainly feel better than grasping onto him desperately only to lose him…

She pulled her yoyo from her pocket and started messing with it.

One attempt. She’d give herself one attempt.

“What did she tell you?”

He looked at her. Finally.

“She obviously told you something. What was it?”

He finished off his coffee and set down his cup. “She said you’re a bully.”

“Well, she’s a compulsive liar.”

“She said the same about you.”

She cursed as her yoyo tangled itself and started fixing the string. “And you’re going to believe her over me?”

He reached across the table and gently pulled the yoyo from her fingers and started working the knots out. “Normally, I wouldn’t, but…” He sighed lightly. “Would she really have a reason to fake an illness?”

Marinette blinked, then shook her head. “That wasn’t the first lie I figured out. The first one was --.” She cut herself off and gave the waiter an awkward smile as he set down a plate of waffles.

The teens mumbled their thanks and he left.

She switched to English for her next sentence: “She lied about being friends with Ladybug.”

He raised his eyebrows.

She frowned. He didn’t trust her. Great. She had proof, at least. She scrolled through the Ladyblog for a while before handing over the video of Lila claiming to be Ladybug’s best friend.

“So... she lied once to seem cool to her new classmates and you decided that was enough to never trust her again?”

She wanted to kick something. Seriously? She pulled her yoyo back from him and started pulling on the string as hard as she could. She needed her yoyo back. She needed to calm down. She needed --.

Her eyes spotted a black and purple speck on the horizon and she squeaked.

Fuck. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t get akumatized. She wouldn’t be able to fix things if she was akumatized. She couldn’t let someone die because of her --.

Tim followed her gaze and cursed quietly. “Listen, Nette, I’m sorry! I believe you!”

“I’m not stupid, Tim! I know you’re just saying that!” She hissed.

Angry tears formed behind her eyes. All the emotions she’d been holding back since Hawkmoth had begun his reign of terror were threatening to fall through and she couldn’t let that happen. God, she was feeling so much and she couldn’t handle it and she couldn’t allow herself to even try and someone was letting the akuma in and --.

She shut down.

Her emotions went from feeling like they were suffocating her to being practically nonexistent. She sunk in her seat, barely even paying attention to all the people scrambling for cover as fast as they could. She didn’t care. She didn’t care about anything at all.

The akuma paused inches away from her yoyo and she watched with a blank face as it slowly turned around and fluttered out the way it had come.

“Nette?” Said Tim quietly, his eyes not leaving the akuma.

She closed her eyes.

One attempt, she told herself. One last attempt.

“I’ll admit, I definitely didn’t like that Lila was getting close to Adrien and it made me more bitter and skeptical about everything she said than I should have been… but I still caught her in actual lies. About who she knows, about the things she’s done, about her illnesses, about everything. And I called her out on it every time, it’s why she’s so determined to keep everyone away from me. With more lies, of course, but they always have just enough truth that everyone believes her and nothing I do ever seems to be enough to convince them.”

Tim said nothing for a moment…

And then she felt his hand rest over hers.

“I believe you… but --.”

She groaned. “Great. I tried. Want a tour before we stop talking to each other forever?”

“Not like that. I’m just saying… for all of her lies, she was projecting: bullying, gold digging, lying…”

She nodded slightly. “Sure. So?”

“She also accused you of working for Hawkmoth.”

Her eyes snapped open.

~~~

Next part

“I can’t wait to see what Lila does”

Me, staring at my outline, which just says “Lila but better but also stupid”: yeah me too buddy

Taglist

@pawsitivelymiraculous @golden-promises @salty-fang @kitsunebell @sassakitty @octobitch @glastwime859 @miyla-lokidottir @onlyabatfan @ira-sairain @2confused-2doanything @ultimatetornshipper @ladybug-182 @laurcad123 @we-want-mini-mini @roguishredaxion @just-reblogs-by-h @futursworld @magic-miraculous @nathleigh @smolplantmum @vroomtaka @emimar7 @toodaloo-kangaroo @charme-de-malchan @spicybelladonna @fusser90 @indecisive-mess-named-me

#timinette #timari #marinette dupain cheng #ladybug #red robin #tim drake #soulmarks #maribat #adribat

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jwritesandrambles · 3 years

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“Your Heart Rate Went Up-”

Hi! Here’s a pretty old but still cute TimKon ramble. It was not until much later that I found out that Kon didn’t have super hearing. But hey, DC doesn’t care about continuity, why should I? This is a cute concept and I stand by it. This is likely OOC as it was the first thing I wrote for TimKon. I hope you enjoy though, it’s lighthearted fluff with dumb mushy tropes. _ _ _ _ _ _

Tim sat in the common area of the live-in head quarters. It was one of their rare days off. Everyone else was either relaxing, catching up on much needed sleep, or just spending a bit of time with each other. Tim has set up his laptop, streaming bad old horror movies while he did a bit of school work. His English project had been a basic sort of daily journaling thing for the past month. For anyone else it would have been simple but Tim, who spent most nights on roof tops trying to take down mafia members and not get shot, answering the questions “what did you do last night?” became daunting. Writing the same boring lie over and over. His teacher seemed suspicious and Tim was worried that his teacher was going to think he was a drug dealer, what with the suspiciously bland overused daily routine and that Tim accidentally let slip his knowledge on how to cook meth whilst writing an essay on drugs and their portrayal in media. He sighed and dropped his head in his hand, pouting at his empty page. “Hey Tim?” Tim’s head turned towards the voice. Kon leaned in the door way, his hands in the pockets of his stormy grey, lazy-day sweat pants. Kon was for once not wearing his usual Superman S t-shirt, but instead a plain black tank top. Tim was fairly certain one of Kon’s arms was thinker than Tim’s entire body. Kon made sure to remind Tim how tiny he was in comparison. It was ridiculously annoying. Kon was ridiculously annoying. He relied on nothing but his bronze and when that failed, he just let the team just clean up his messes. He was prone to being short tempered and impulsive which lead to issues on the field. When Kon wasn’t being impulsive he was- “Sorry, did I startle ya?” He asked Tim, the corner of his mouth twitching into a slight smirk. “What- no, you didn’t? Why would you say that?” Tim asked, dropping his pen into his note book. “Your heart rate went up,” Kon replied. -Annoying. Kon was still annoying. He wandered over to Tim and sat down on the couch next to him. “What’cha workin’ on?” He asked, his arm on the back of the couch behind Tim’s head. “Nothing interesting, just catching up on school work,” Tim noticed Kon’s hair was wet, and he smelled of something fruity and sweet. He must’ve just just gotten out of the shower. Tim’s eyes dipped back to his paper. Why was eye contact suddenly so hard? “That’s a pretty empty lookin’ page for catching up on homework.” “Shut up,” Tim hit Kon’s chest. “Hey! I was just gonna offer to help! I mean- I’m not great but two heads are better than one?” Tim sighed, he couldn’t really argue there. It’s not like he was getting anywhere on his own. He grabbed his note book and pen and turned to Kon. Tim hesitated for a moment. Their faces were much closer then Tim expected. “You sure you’re okay?” Kon asked looking Tim up and down quickly. “Your heart rate went up again,” he glanced over Tim’s shoulder, at his laptop screen, “Maybe give the cheesy horror movies a break.” “Y-yeah, maybe,” Tim scooted away from Kon, shutting his computer and begun to explain his homework. He handed kon his note book to Kon, “I guess my excuses are just getting kinda... dry?” He explained. “Well-” Kon began. “You’re dripping on my paper, stop leaning your wet hair over it!” Kon rolled his eyes and slumped back into the pillows, “As I was saying- what if instead of making up stuff, you just... rephrase what you did?” Tim tilted his head, confused. “Y’know,” Kon paused thinking for an example, “Well, what did you do yesterday?” “Trained with the team. We worked on hand to hand combat and fighting without powers,” Tim replied. “So write that you were doing a group work out, or at a martial arts club or something?” Kon reasoned.

Tim paused, “that’s... actually pretty helpful... thanks, Kon. Maybe you’re not the worst,” he said with a slight smile, pale blue-grey eyes meeting the krytonian’s. Maybe Kon wasn’t always t h a t annoying. Kon smiled brightly, “Good, glad,” he replied. Then he stood and stretched, “Well, my work here is done, I’ll get out of your hair and let you-“ “Wait,” Tim scrambled to his feet, “it’s nice having the company, if you’re not busy. And- I’m still not really great at this. Mind sticking around a little longer?” “Yeah, sure, I don’t mind. You don’t have to be so nervous?” “I’m not nervous?!” Tim snapped scowling. “Heart ra-“ “I stood up quickly!” “Ohmygod- if that’s all it takes, your body ain’t right,” Kon teased, sitting back on the couch. Tim groaned and rolled his eyes. “I think it’s the caffeine. It’s destroying your blood pressure.” “Do not tell me to stop drinking coffee, Kent,” Tim said punctuating the word ‘Kent,’ with an elbow to the other boy’s side. “Besides, It’s like, one cup in the morning!” he added in a grumble. Tim put the movie back on from his laptop, and started writing his English journaling, quietly checking things in with Kon every now and then. By the time the movie was over, Tim was packing up his work, pushing his pencils and paper into his bag. “You know... I’ll have to write stuff for what happens tomorrow- think you can help me out again?” He asked softly. “Yeah- sounds good,” Kon agreed. They started putting aside time each night to meet up and put on an episode of cheesy old TV shows, while Tim did his journaling for the day. Slowly, they started sitting closer together. Kon’s arm migrated from being over the back of the couch to being over Tim’s shoulders. Neither seemed to notice that their heads were closer together. If there was time left in whatever they were watching when Tim was finished writing, he would let his head rest on Kon’s shoulder. But it didn’t mean anything, right? It was just comfortable... yeah, comfortable and therefore, logical. It didn’t mean anything. If Tim fell asleep curled into Kon’s side, the krytonian didn’t dare move him. But it didn’t mean anything right? It was just the nice thing to do....yeah, nice thing to do, and Kon was a good friend, (even if his arm was getting kind of numb) and therefore, this was just polite. It didn’t mean anything. Two weeks later, Tim slumped on to the couch, head dropping immediately on to Kon’s shoulder, groaning softly. “What’s up?” Kon asked him, a hand loosely falling on Tim’s back, between his shoulder blades. “I just... something is bothering me.” “What is it? And why’d your heart rate go up?” “It didn’t!” “It did. Now tell me what’s wrong- Do you need help with more school work?” Kon asks.

Tim stat up, tucking his hair behind his ears, in a feeble attempt to keep it from falling in his face. “Yeah, um it’s not really school it’s... okay so- uh I,” Tim bit his lip. The tips of his ears were going pink.

“Are you... nervous?” Kon asked, slightly confused.

“No! Okay, yeah I am-Just-shut up for sec!” Tim slammed his palms down on his knees and took a breath. “You’ve been helping me, and I’ve been spending time with you a lot and it’s been great! I was talking to Dick and he started teasing me about liking you. As more than a friend, I mean. And it was super annoying!”

“So... your brother is getting on your ner-“ Kon began, brows furrowing.

“I’m getting there! Cause- Then I realized he was right!” Tim’s face somehow went redder than it already was, “And I do like you. And that’s weird, and I don’t really- I haven’t liked another guy before and I guess what I’m trying to say is...do you wanna go out? With me? I mean yeah of course me, that’s dumb I-”

Tim was cut off by Kon lifting his chin and pressing a kiss to his lips. If Kon thought Tim’s heart rate had been elevated before, the poor boy’s heart must’ve been on the verge of exploding. Kon pulled away, hand still lingering under Tim’s jaw. “Stop rambling, dumby. Yes, I would like to go out with you- and sorry I should’ve asked if that was okay...” Kon said, looking a little sheepish as he smiled. “I- I liked it. It was nice,” Tim was bright red, and smiling. “And you know what?” Kon asks, a little smirk appearing on face.

“What?” Tim’s pale blue eyes darted to the kryptonian’s own sky blue eyes.

Kon leaned forward again, kissing Tim’s cheek, listening to his heart, “Your heart rate went up.”

Tim laughed in embarrassment, trying to force a pout, “oh shut up!” He hit Kon’s chest lightly.

“Okay, okay,” Kon laughed, placing an arm around Tim, “so- what were your date night ideas?” He asked casually.

Tim realized he was about to have lots of new things to talk about in his journal entries for English class. His teacher would soon enough be tired of hearing about Tim’s new date, but Tim didn’t think he’d ever get tired of talking about Kon.

Not ever in a thousand years.

#fluff #just for fun #i don't know how to tag #tim drake #kon el #kon el kent #timkon #dc #dc comcis #detective comics #red robin #super boy #fanfic #jwritesfanfics #(wow yeah i made a fanfic tag for myself incase i wanna organize this blog to have other writing too whOAh)

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trojc-rewrite · 3 years

Text

The Rise of Jimmy Casket, Chapter 3

——————————————

Toast awoke to the sun blaring in his eyes and pain. Everything hurt, his throat, his leg, his back. He frowned as he shifted upwards. More hot pain flared through his leg, scorching up his side. He let out a small cry, immediately recoiling and lying back down. He groaned, rubbing his head.

Spooker shifted beside him, blinking tiredly. Toast had never seen him so tired before, his eyes were droopy and his hair was a mess. His beanie had sticks and leaves stuck in it, dirt and soot were smeared across his cheek.

“You look well rested.” Spooker said in a happy tone. Toast mustered up a smile.

“Yeah, hardly.” He said, trying to lean up again. More pain seared through him. He toughed it out, ignoring his body’s begging to tell him to sit. He needed to get up. He wasn’t going to let himself give up on why he came out here.

Toast weakly got up, trying to not put too much wait on his bad leg. Spooker helped him up. Colon was already up, examining the damage from the fire.

The wood was blackened and burned, just the tiniest bit warm still. Cracks and splinters scored the planks, letting Toast see inside of them. Something that stood out to him was the rippling green that stained the inside of some of the cracks. It wasn’t grass, it was a weird lime green, faint but still there. ‘What on earth?’

He reached down and picked up a small burned chunk, it stained his hand with ash. He examined the green some more. ‘What could this even be?’

Colon wandered over to him, looking curious. “How are you feeling, Toast?” He asked, glancing at the red cloth around his wound. Toast shrugged.

“Still alive, yeah?” He said. Toast showed Colon the blackened wood. “Hey, do you know what this could be?”

Colon took the piece gently, studying the green that emitted from the cracks. He shook his head, placing the piece back in Toast’s palm. “No idea, my best guess is that it could be something the firemen put on the fire last night.”

Toast nodded, stuffing the wood in one of his back pockets. “Well, we should keep going. The nearest town isn’t tha’ far away.”

Spooker stared at him like he had just suggested a crime, “Are you crazy dude? You can hardly stand! How are you gonna walk?”. He held out his arms in exasperation.

Toast shrugged, looking towards the North. “We’ll get there.” Spooker and Colon shared a look, but they didn’t need to say anything for Toast to figure out what they meant. “I know he’s out there. Trust me.”

Colon sighed, worried. “But what if he’s not, Toast? What if you get even more hurt or worse, and we’re just chasing something because you have a hunch! Toast; we’re worried. We know you miss Ghost, we do to-.”

Toast looked at him, “Just trust me. I know Ghost better than anyone here, just trust me.”

Spooker blinked, not saying any input. Colon gave him an unreadable look. “Fine, but if you get hurt again we’re leaving.”

Toast bit back a sigh. “Okay; then let's go.”

————————————————————————

They reached the town a little after noon, and the first thing Toast did was go to the library. The library was small, a line of old desktop computers filled a wall. Books of all volumes and colors sat in bookshelves that looked dusty. An older woman sat at a round desk in the middle of the room, flipping through a thick chapter book.

Toast limped up to her, Colon helping him while Spooker looked at a book shelf labeled “Romance”. She squinted up at him, fixing her glasses.

“Hello, how may I help you?” She asked, a small smile gracing her face. Toast returned it.

“Hello, I have a peculiar question. Would you happen to have any newspaper records on a man named Jimmy Casket?” He asked, feeling awkward. The lady blinked at him, a little confused.

“It’s for a school project for our little brother.” Colon said, trying to ease the tension off of Toast.

The librarian nodded, pursing her lips. “Well, we have a few I believe. You’ll have more luck in the towns a few miles over, dearies. But, I’ll go get the few that we have.”

She got up from her desk, and entered a room in the back of the library. Toast turned to Colon and nodded, “When did you pick up being that creative?” He asked. Colon shrugged.

“It’s probably the one thing Ghost taught me, to be able to lie on the spot.” He smiled playfully. Toast returned it solemnly.

A few moments later, the librarian returned with three newspapers, yellowed and crumpled a bit at the edges. “Here you are. I’m afraid it’s all we have.” She said, handing Colon the three newspapers. The two shared a look before Toast thanked her.

The two settled down on a table, opening the first newspaper. The title leaped at them in bold font, “Murderer struck down in South Carolina.”

Toast read quietly to himself and Colon. “ Yesterday, at 9:01 PM, a famous murderer in a small town in South Carolina, nicknamed “Casket”, was killed by police during one of his rampages. Witnesses say it was a horrifying experience. The man was no older than 18, and his step-mother, who preferred to stay anonymous, has told reporters that she ‘has no idea how he turned out this way.’

“ He was such a loving and kind child, accepting me right away as his father’s wife. When his father died, he took it upon himself to be the best figure possible for his family. I don’t know what happened to him.”

Police are still looking into possible victims of this man's heinous crimes. The towns folk are sending their regards to the families of his confirmed victims.”

Toast took a breath, finishing the paragraph. Colon blinked.

“Wait wait wait, who is this Jimmy Casket guy? How does this have anything to do with Ghost?” Colon asked, flicking the page of the newspaper. Toast traced a circle in the table.

“Let’s say I’ve met him in a few of my missions with Ghost.” Toast worded carefully.

The two finished reading the other articles and handed them back to the librarian. “You three boys have a nice night.” She said with a smile.

“You too ma’am.” Toast responded politely. Spooker was by the entrance of the library, reading Twilight on a bench. “C’mon Spooker put the book back, it’s time to go.”

Spooker frowned, sadly putting the book on a “put back” cart. He followed his co workers outside, it was night now. The moon shined down on the town, yellow lights dancing on the gravel ground.

“Well, we keep moving.” Toast said. Colon and Spooker groaned.

The three made it to the edge of town, making it out of a large pine forest. A river lay ahead of them, deep and murky. It was quiet and slow moving, but you could tell it was deep.

Spooker pointed to a bridge, “Let’s cross there.” He said. Colon and Spooker helped Toast to the stone and wood crossing. The wood was wet and rotten in spots, and it groaned as Toast stepped on it.

“Let me go first,” Toast volunteered. Spooker and Colon shook their heads at him, but Toast ignored them. He limped across the wailing wood, yelling under his weight.

As he got closer to the middle, a figure stepped out of the darkness. Long legs stepped lightly on the cedar, tapping away at the weak wood. Toast stared in confusion, trying to figure out who the person was.

His brother's face gleaned from the shadows, stepping out into the moonlight. Toast's eyes widened, blinking in shock.

“Gavin? What are you doing here?!” His brother's gray-green eyes glared at him.

“Sorry Johnny Boy, but I’m gonna have to stop ya righ’ ‘ere. Or else my frien’ might not be the happies’ with me.” Gavin apologized. Johnny could tell that his brothers apology wasn’t sincere in the slightest. In fact, it sounded more taunting than anything.

“What do you mean? Gavin, please what do you mean?” His brother stepped forward.

And then with incredible speed, green-orange fire erupted from his hand. Toast dodged out of the way, knocking into the railing. The bridge under him groaned in agony. Gavin’s hot flames flicked his face, burning his cheek

“Do ya like my tricks?! Pays when ya work with ghosts.” Gavin laughed. More flames shot from his palms, hitting Toast's feet. Toast tried to get away, but the movement was too much for the bridge.

His foot went through the rotten wood, and he grappled onto the jagged stone, barely saving himself from falling into the river. ‘I won't be able to swim. I'm too weak.’

Spooker and Colon cried out, “Toast!”. Colon stepped forward to charge at Gavin, but Spooker held him back.

Toast looked back up at his brother, begging for his remorse. “Please Gavin, I’m your brother!” He begged. His fingers hurt from grappling the wood, rotten splinters digging into his palms.

Gavin chuckled, “Yeah, but then ya got all lame n’ sappy with Mary n’ Ghost. You ain’t the same anymore. And Ghost is borin’ too now. Trust me, what we’re workin’ on, it’s for the good o’ both o’ ya’.”

Johnny glared at him, “Who’s we?” He asked curtly. Gavin growled at him.

“See ya’.” Gavin returned his brother's angry tone. He raised his leg to kick him. Toast grabbed his brother by the leg and yanked him down with him, letting go of the bridge. His brother yelled angrily.

“TOAST!” Spooker screamed in horror, racing to the edge of the bridge. Toasts world went deaf as he hit the water, slowing under it. His brother disappeared with a flash of green, leaving him alone to drown.

Toast tried to swim and kick his legs, but he just hurt too much. Everything hurt, he felt so heavy. Maybe he wouldn’t see Ghost, maybe he wouldn't hold up his promise to Mary.

‘Oh Mary, I’m so sorry.’ He rubbed his wedding ring necklace. He closed his eyes, sinking.

Then, something grabbed him by the torso. Gray and blue flashed hazily in his darkened vision. He kicked weakley, trying to help whoever had grabbed him.

He and his rescuer broke to the surface, and he gasped for air. Cold water trickled down his face, clogging up his senses. The world became hearable again.

His rescuer slapped him down onto the grass, and he could hear Colon and Spooker running across the bridge, ignoring the bridge's pleas.

“Didn’t your rich mother ever take you to swimming lessons?” A tired, sarcastic voice asked.

Toasts heart leaped in his chest, and he opened his eyes.

There, infront of him, was Ghost.

#p.i.e #paranormal investigators extraordinaire #venturiantale #johnny ghost #jimmy casket #johnny toast #venturiantale pie #fred spooker #colon ghostie

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olivarryprompts · 3 years

Text

Fanfic Friday #9

Welcome to Fanfic Friday! Each Friday I post a new here and on A03. Enjoy x

Read and save it on A03 here https://archiveofourown.org/works/33120742

{Peter Parker's Field Trip to Stark Industries (yes, again)}

Ships: Peter & Tony, Bucktony, Peppernat

Warnings: nothing just fluff :)

Wc: 2,920

Finally the annual school field trip had come around. Each year, each grade level went on a trip to a cool company, place, or experience. They, Peter had found, tended to be quite fun. The previous year they’d gone to a cool place where they learned parkqure. Peter, imaginablelly, was very good. He and Ned were so looking forward to this one. “Hello 10th grade, as you know, we are announcing the annual field trip dates. This year, we’ve decided to keep the destination anonymous. We are going this Friday, and it is one of the best ones we have had in years. Please take an NDA form and consent form home for you and at least one guardian to sign. You may go now.” Ned and Peter headed towards the door with giddy smiles. “Mr. Parker, a word?” Ms. Giles, the teacher who’d announced the trip, said. “Hi Ms. Giles, what’s up?” “Hello Peter. I’m just going to have to break this to you. Unfortunately, due to the lies you have been spreading about having an internship at Stark Industries we cannot allow you on this trip. This is a lesson on why not to lie. It is unfortunate you cannot join us on the trip, but the punishment we’ve decided seems fair. You’ve been tinting Midtown’s name.” “But the internship is real! I filed all the paperwork and everything. Mr. Stark signed them!” “Sorry Peter, this lying must stop. You should come in on Friday and take your other classes.” “But-” “Enough Peter.” He left, sprinting out of the class and then the school. He really did not want to talk to anyone. He quickly made his way to the black SUV waiting for him. Happy greeted him with a hello, and Peter responded with a nod. Happy sensed the kid didn’t want to talk so he left him be. By the time they arrived at the tower, Peter’s lack of rest had gotten to him. He intended to go upstairs and take a nap, but, of course, he got roped into everything other than that.Happy, of course, dropped him at the back near the private entrance. He rode the elevator to the 90th floor. Sam and Clint were playing Mario Kart on their world wii. Tony was sitting there, working on some suit designs with Bucky cuddled into his side. Pepper was at the kitchen table working on CEO things. He was surprised she wasn’t in her office. He tried to slip through the room and into his own room, but he was, obviously, stopped. “Where are you going kid?” Tony asked. “My room, I need a nap.” “What happened kid?” Bucky asked. Bucky and Tony had basically become his fill in dads, them being together and all. “Nothin just, I'm not allowed on my school’s trip this year.” “Why?” Tony said, suddenly perked up. “Just don’t believe me about the ‘Stark Internship,’” He mumbled under his breath. “They-What?” Bucky said, concerned for Peter’s well being. “They don’t believe that I do work here I guess?” “The teachers?” Tony asked. “Yeah.” “But you filed all the things.” “Yeah, I know. I don’t really care that much, so-” “No way!” Tony said, pulling out his phone. “Tones, relax,” Bucky said, stroking the other man’s arm, “If you're okay with it, we’ll leave it.” “We will not!” “Tony! We will leave it. Just, at least, take the day off on Fri, kiddo.” “Yeah,” Peter said, thinking that was fair, “Thanks.” “Wanna play kid?” Clint said, throwing him a wii remote. “Play? I’m going to crush you guys,” Peter smirked. All three were very competitive and Mario Kart games were the height of that. Bucky ended up cuddling into Tony’s side which, though they all made fun of the couple, was very cute. Clint yelled something about Peter having Spidey sense so it was unfair. Sam just called him a sore loser. Pepper yelled at them to keep it down. “Hey boys,” Nat said, entering, “Oh Mario Kart. Pass me a remote.” They had just finished the mushroom prix, so she easily joined their game and the chaos continued. “Where did you just come from?” Peter asked. “Top secret mission with Cap.” “Oh spill the tea,” Peter said. “No one will be spilling anything on these custom, expensive sofas!” “Relax Stark, it’s a phrase used by the youth these days,” Sam filled in, laughing at the older man. “Go on then, Nat,” Peter

urged her on. “It’s just some stolen bombs, and some parts could be used to possibly make nuclear weaponry. We’re heading to Greece tomorrow.” “Need back up?” Tony offered. “Maybe if you started working with Shield, you’d be able to come,” Nat rolled his eyes. “Never,” Tony huffered. “Sounds more fun than school,” Peter remarked. “That should not be this kid’s definition of fun,” Bucky said with a laugh. “Agreed,” Clint said. “All this bullying I endure,” Peter joked. “Ha get red shelled mother fucker!” Sam yelled. “I hate you,” Nat said, calmly losing her first place. “One your left,” I said, passing Sam. “Shut up little kid, get your own line.” “I own you oldies.” “Oh and what about the blue shell coming up?” Clint laughed. Peter slowed down, and allowed Sam to overtake him. “Ha take that kid! Fir-” Sam got blue shelled. “Oh you little shit.” Peter slipped back into first where he finished the race. “You're too good at this game, паук, “ Nat said, excusing herself with a smile. A few races later Peter said, “I’m going to go do some shit in the lab.” “See ya kid,” Bucky said, “he’s turning into you.” Bucky said the last bit to Tony, but super-hearing ya know. “Hey! What’s so bad about that.” “Everything,” Clint deadpanned.Peter wanted to work on a new web fluid, one that would conduct electricity. It’d be useful for fixing wiring, shocking, ect. He’d come up with a formula, ironically, in biology. All his classes were far too easy for him, despite them being the highest honor classes the school offers. Tony is considering sending him to MIT next year rather than waiting out his high school years, not that he shared his thoughts with Peter.Peter was so caught up in his work he didn’t hear Tony come in. “So focused, huh?” Peter jumped. “Hey,” he smiled. “Don’t you have spider sense of something?” “Leave me alone,” he fake pouted. “What are you working on?” “Electro conducting web fluid. Unfortunately the new version seems to lower the strength, though.” He said, showing the results of the test he’d just finished conducting. “Impressive, you could introduce an iodiant element to introduce strength without interfering with the conductivity?” Tony suggested, looking over the data. “Oh good idea,” Peter said, pulling up the element to introduce into his formula on the virtual creation. “You know why I really came down here?” “To annoy me,” I said, smiling. “The field trip.” “I swear, I don’t care. It’s going to be lame anyways.” “You were talking about how excited you were for this trip last week,” Tony said bluntly. “Please leave it. Just, I-i’ll be fine.” “Come on, you're asking me, Tony Stark, to leave it?” “Yes. For me,” Peter batted his eyelids. “Fine,” Tony gave in, “You swear you're okay?” “Swear.” “He’s really got you wrapped around his pinky finger,” Harley Keener, resident prankster, genius, and boyfriend of Peter, said. “Oh don’t pretend he hasn’t got you too,” Tony said, getting ready to leave, “Your classes finish early Potato Gun?” “Yeah. Figure I’d come and see the one and only,” he said, gesturing at Peter. “I’ll leave you two to it,” tony said, leaving, “Don’t fuck in the lab again!” Peter blushed and Harley laughed. “Again?” Peter mumbled, “How did he know?” “Friday gave us up for sure,” Harley smiled, kissing his boyfriend. “How are ya darlin’? Nat told me about the trip.” “Yeah, it’s alright. At least I get the day off.” “I suppose. You gunna keep workin on those?” “Yeah, Mr. Stark just gave me a good idea.” “Hmn, yeah, I wanna finish up Clint’s new arrows before he murders me.” Peter laughed, “Yeah you should do.”Friday Peter got a nice sleep in. He woke around ten, but, too comfortable in his boyfriend’s arms, he didn’t move until half past 10. He slipped out of his room, allowing Harls to sleep in more. His boyfriend was sleep deprived far too often. He quickly got ready for the day, wanting to look and smell alright. He headed straight for the kitchen after, needing some coffee and breakfast before getting any real work done. In the Avenger household, between Harley, Peter, Mr. Stark, Banner, and

Pepper, the coffee pot was always full. Peter kinda fancied some of the pastries from the coffee shop in the lobby, so, after chugging his cup of coffee, he headed downstairs.He was met with a not so nice surprise upon walking into the lobby. There was his class. How could he be so stupid. Of course the field trip was here, that’s why they didn’t want me on it. He should have just asked one of the many Avengers in the tower to grab it for him. Bucky would’ve. “Peter! Peter Parker!” yelled his teacher yelled. Shit. Peter tried to ignore him, heading straight for the coffee shop. Surely the teacher would think he made a mistake. “Hey Ellise! Didn’t know you were working today?” “Extra shift,” she smiled, “How’s everything going?” “Pretty badly, could I get an express on my normal?” “Anything for my loyal customer,” she joked. “Thanks,” he said, moving over to wait for his drink and food. To his dismay, Ms. Giles came up right behind him as he waited for his order. “Peter Parker, you were not allowed on this field trip! You were banned. It is totally inappropriate for you to show up here!” “I-i.” he had nothing. “Go home. You're guardians and the principal will be hearing about this.” “Uhmn-” he honestly didn't know what to say, “Right yeah, I’ll go home.” “Parker, your coffee’s up with your pastry!” El yelled. “Uh thanks,” he said, grabbing it and heading for the lift. “SECURITY! This student is trying to enter the building!” for fucks sake Ms. Giles. Peter was so so done. One of the guards came over, “hello, what seems to be happening here?” “One of my students, who was banned from the field trip, decided to come here as a joke or something, and he is now trying to go upstairs? He also got himself a coffee without paying,” she explained calmly. “Kid, this is a very serio-” “I work here,” Peter said in a low voice, “that’s why I’m here. Just needed a coffee before I started working.” “How old are you?” “Sixteen.” “We do not hire people under 18, I need the truth. This is a truly punishable offence.” “Let me show you my badge!” he said, fishing it out from his pocket. “Oh god, I am so sorry Mr. Parker. I hadn’t realized. Please continue on.” “No need to apologize, you were just doing your job. Thanks, I’ll be off then,” Peter said with a smile. “Peter Parker I don’t kno-” “Please return to your tour. It should be starting soon. Mr. Parker is free to do as he pleases in this building,” the security guard assured. Peter shot him a smile before getting in the lift.“Hey babe,” Peter said, spotting his boyfriend in the kitchen, “Guess where the field trip is to?” “No!” Keener yelled, laughing, “It’s here!” “Yep, and they all saw me in the lobby-” he launched into a detailed recount of the events that just occurred in the lobby. “God your life, darlin’” “I know, I bet Mr. Stark knew all along.” “Ha! That'd be just like him, getting back at you for some of those pranks.” “Innit.” “You still heading down to the inter labs? I know people down there need your help.” “I think I’m going to avoid it. I want to keep working on the sizing down of the arc reactor for my department’s new project.” Peter currently ran one of the three R&D labs. They were currently doing work on the arc reactor. Sometimes, Peter worked among them, giving advice and handing out assignments, but most times he stuck to doing the work in his own lab. He was technically their boss, and he and his team got the work in on time, so it didn’t bother Stark. “Stark gives you too much work. It’s so dumb you have your own department.” “Jealous baby?” “Fuck no, we all know I’m CEO next,” Harley smirked. “Yes, yes you are.” Harley was much more business than he was. Peter was so much better at the R&D. He’d end up being some big important role in the company - likely second in charge, but he’d always be running the research in some capacity. “Well that’s unless Bucky and Stark finally decided to have a little tot,” Peter joked. “I’ll still be top. They love me most,” Harley said, fake flipping his hair. “What’s this about us having a kid and loving Harls most?” Tony

said, “Well, I was simply explaining that you love me most and that's why I’m CEO next.” “Hell no, Pep made that strange decision.” “Well, I said yours and Bucky’s kid was getting it all.” “Hell no! Our kids are staying away from all this shit,” Bucky smiled. “Our kids?” “Yeah,” Buck said, like it was the most obvious thing ever. “God I love you,” Tony said. “Ewwwww,” Both the boys squealed. “Shut up,” Tony threw at them, “Don’t you have a department to run and classes to attend?” “No classes till 3,” Harley explained. “Yes, just don’t want my class to see me down there.” “Your class?” Bucky questioned. “Yeah, it turns out this year's field trip was to my house,” Peter joked. “Don’t let them stop you from doing your work,” Stark said, seriously, “It’s a big tower, it’s very unlikely they’ll be anywhere near your lab. Plus, I need your third term report on Project ZX89.” “Yeah. The team and I are almost done with it. I’ll pull an all nighter and have it to you by Friday.” “Okay so-” Stark began. “No you will not, Peter,” Bucky stepped on, “If you can’t handle the department and a normal sleeping schedule, we need to talk about it.” “Buck, it’s one night. Plus, we’re so near to finishing with the models. Fourth terms will be literally production,” Peter explained. “I give up. He’s yours,” Bucky exclaimed. “Relax, it’s one night as the kid said. By the way, Friday at the latest.” “Yep. It’ll be with you.” “Keener, Pep told me she wants you by her today as you have no class. Friday sent her your schedule.” “Bu-” “Go Mr. Future CEO.” “Fine, see ya. Bye Darling,” Harley said, placing a kiss on his boyfriend’s lips. “I’ll come with. I do have to get that work done.” “Okay,” Harley replied, interlocking their hands. “Bye,” they both called. The two overachieving kids fit perfectly into each other’s lives.“Wish me luck,” Peter said, stepping into his department. “Good luck. Hope your class comes in here and sees you bein an epic boss.” “I hate you.” The lift closed, and he went straight to his computer to start reading over the current progress. He began to compile the work that Stark wanted. He sent off a couple emails asking for data and previous models. This report, in truth, was going to take him at least 12 hours to make. He also needed to do some physical work on the prototype with some of the scientists working under him. After sending requests for all the info he’d need for the report, he went into the lab, greeting his team. He fit right in as they continued to make the final adjustments on the mini-arc reactor. Two hours later, they were done with the third quarter work. They agreed to celebrate this weekend with some drinks in the lab.Peter luck showed up, and his class arrived in his department. Peter ran and checked his schedule, there was nothing about talking to a class about his research as he’d done before. “Peter, Pepper would like to inform you that there was a mistake in your calendar. You will be talking to a tour in five about your research. She apologies for any inconvenience.” “Hi fri, tell her it's fine. I got this.” “Yes baby boss.” He promptly met the class in one of the two conference rooms on that floor. It was almost entirely a lab. “Hello class, I am the head of this department, so I shall be telling you about it,” Peter said. “Funny joke Peter, please stop distributing this tour,” Ms. Giles said. “I’m going to ignore that comment. So, I am aware you’ve all been given a brief tour of the level, but I am here to answer any questions you may have.” The class was silent and confused. “Anything at all? Ok, I guess I’ll just tell you more about the work I do with my team…” he blabbered on about the work, what it was like working here, the best and worst parts, ect.The tour was ready to leave, and Peter was glad. He had work to do.To say Monday was an interesting day would be an understatement.

Read and save it on A03 here https://archiveofourown.org/works/33120742

#peter parker field trip #irondad #tony stark #sambucky #sam wilson #bucky barnes #natasha romanoff #harley keener #irondad and spiderson #ironfam #avengers fanfic #basically peter being unofficially adopted by the avengers lol

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the-fiction-witch · 3 years

Text

Bad Day?

TV SHOW GODLESS

COUPLE WHITEY WINN X READER

RATING ADORABLE

REQUESTED :

Could you please do whitey winn fic about him being really tired after working and him and his s/o cuddle (akrosndianfiqndoandian I feel like whitey winn would be a little spoon idk why-)

I stood over the kitchen sink washing up dishes and Cutlery hearing it clatter and splash in the warm water as I did, having to hurry for these last bits as it would be warm much longer. Looking out the small wooden window the light of various coloured glass bottles lined on the windowsill to reflect sweet pleasent light in mornings as the sun rise. But now the sun was setting and was hidden away the other side of the house, the town of labelle darkening as slowly but surely the sun slips below the desert horizon. Suddenly the door opened and I looked over in shock to the wooden door facing out towards town, the small lanky figure in the doorway holding open the door. His boots stepping up onto the wooden floor out of the dusty desert dirt, the boots speckled with some dust, dirt and mud from walks, scuffed slightly from riding his horse, they clacked a little where the tall soul and heel of the boots met the wooden planked floor. His pants tight to his skinny legs tucked into his boots tightly, the pants hugged his non existent curves up to his crotch and hips, them hugging the curves of his butt rather closely. His two gun belts sat posied on his hips crossing over his fly. His once white button down concealed by his grey jumper the glint of his deputy badge on his pocket. His neck sun tanned and covered with thick layers of dirt and dust to stubborn now to remove without a wire brush and patients, his lip and chin graced with messy stubble. His eyes scanned the room momentarily from under the brim of his hat that pulled his loose blonde waves back away from him.

"Good evening Mr Winn" I smiled sweetly to him, he made no response to me he simply stepped inside more shutting the door slipping his hat off putting it squarely on the coat hook beside the door above the brown leather jacket he didn't take today. He stepped over to the bed and went face first into it. "Bad day?" I asked

"I can't even begin to explain to ya darlin'" he mumbled his face in his pillow

"Bullshit?' I asked and he nodded "okay" I smiled going over and forcing him up to his feet not difficult as I think I've had sadles that weight more then whitey does soaking wet. I wrapped his arms around my waist his fingers interwining with his own at the small of my back his head laid on mine where he didn't actually want to stand on his own "how about I put on a little cassarol, Run you a nice hot bath, you can tell me all about it, then a nice Early night?" I suggest "hey? That sound good?"

He nodded and mumbled something incoherent into my hair so I smiled giving his nose a little kiss letting him sit back in the bed as I went to heat up some cassarol and put the water on for him to have a bath. As they both simmered I sat beside him moving his head to my shoulder

"So? You Wanna tell me about it?" I smiled

"Bill headed off about nine to go see his children, then had some boys in the bar kickin' up a fuss 'bout nothin'" he explained "then dam leapold came in the office whinin' 'bout the fuckin' kids in his shop again, and I told him for the nineth fuckin' time this week there ain't shit I can do 'bout it, he's got that much of a soddin' problem talk to there Mamma's" he explained "then all this dam mr ward business, been lookin' after him all day, dam ladies can't get enough of him. Then bill came back ridin' my ass 'bout somethin' I don't even know what I think he just had an ass" he explained "then I cleaned up and came on home to ya y/n"

"Aww whitey, my poor baby" I said kissing his head playing with his hair a moment before the water was done so I dragged out the tub and filled it up letting it cool a moment "come on whitey, you gonna cane have your bath?"

He sighed and got up taking off his gun belts wrapping them around the bed post, he kicked off his boots across the room then pulling off his jumper and somehow his shirt in one tug throwing them towards the laundry he rubbed his eyes as he came over checking the water

"Do I have to?" He asks

"When did you last bathe whitey?'

"Few days ago..." He lied

"Whitey Winn don't you dare lie to me, it was last week you dirty bugger now go on else no cuddles" I warn him gathering up his various things

"Fine" he sighed pealing his pants off him and climbing into the bath, he let out a rather happy sigh the moment he sat in the hot steamy water

"That better?" I asked

"Umm" he nods his eyes closed a little

"Good boy," I smiled taking what was left of the hot water and filling my Bucket grabbing as much cleaner as I could to wash his clothes from today "I think you work to much" I said

"I've always worked this much" he answered as he actually began to wash

"Yes but maybe that's not a good thing" I explain "whitey you've been working your little butt off as long as I've known you, maybe you won't be so tried and stressed if you just slowed down ever once and awhile"

"I know y/n, it just ain't that easy darlin'"

"Whitey I'm not asking the world, I just ask you slow down a little, you work too much you'll end up working your dam self into the ground" I explain hanging up his pants as I was done washing them leaving them on the clothes horse to dry by the fire for tomorrow "you'll keep working and working and before you know it you'll look up and they'll be shoveling the dirt on you" I laughed

"I can't slow down y/n I'm the deputy, and with bill wonderin' off and all" he explained "it's all I've worked for my whole life"

"Alright, when you're sheriff then? Will you slow down then?" I asked

"Y/n I'll be sherrifs of labelle I can't slow down or back off like bill does I couldn't leave my deputy to that, let alone if I'd even have one with the boys around here" he explained as he was all done so he climbed out the bath got dry and sat on the bed in his cosy PJs

"Then when whitey? Not now, now then so... When?"

"I don't know y/n," he says I sighed finishing up with his clothes and leaving them by the fire giving him a little dinner and sitting beside him

"Whitey... I just worry about you, you're working yourself way to hard." I told him as he finished up his food as he was very hungry so I took the bowel back to the sink "if you don't slow down... You might not find time for other things"

"Other things?" He asked

"Whitey you've been labelle's deputy as long as I remember." I laughed leaning on the sink "if you don't slow down you'll end up like bill whitey. Distant, distracted, tried, working day after day until they dig you a grave" I explain "that's not what you want, is it?"

"Of course not y/n" he says getting up to hold my hands

"But if you keep working so hard, and being so tried all the time then, you won't have time for the... Other things. You know" I smiled "kisses, and cuddles, and long walks by the river" I encouraged between kisses "or even little ones of our own?"

"Of course I want all that darlin', I wouldn't have married ya if I didn't. Just... A little more. Then I'll slow down a little I promise, and we can get workin' on our little family" he smiled kissing my lips softly and sweetly

"When?"

"Until bill retires. I'll slow down until then I promise" he says kissing my head "now I was promised a cuddle"

"Alright" I smiled getting changed into my nightie as he got tucked up in bed so I turned out the light and climbed in beside him into our little bed "we should probably invest in a bigger bed"

"Why?" He asks

"I don't know how well we'll do making babies in this crappy thing" I laughed

"True, maybe we should... Move house? Somewhere bigger. With sperate rooms so that whitey jr won't hear us makin' his little sister" he suggested

"Maybe" I smiled

"Y/n..."

"Yes Whitey?"

"Could ya... Do that thing ya do for me sometimes, when I'm tired?" He asks "since I had a bad day and all?"

"Alright" I giggled moving my hand towards his

"Ohh no, not that darlin'" he laughs grabbing my wrist

"Oh sorry" I blushed

"It's okay, I meant the other thing"

"Of course whitey" I smiled kissing his lips gently he smiled as I did when we pulled away he turned to face the wall and I went close to him nuzzling in his skin wrapping my arms around his chest kissing his shoulder, I wrapped my legs up with his own gently spooning him, I could see his smile and his cosy he was. Whitey always liked to be a little spoon when he's sleepy or it's been a rough day or so.

"Goodnight darlin'" he yawned

"Goodnight whitey" I smiled pulling him closer "love ya" I Whispered in his ear

"Love ya too" he smiled

#tbs #thomas sangster #whitey winn #whitey #whitey winn imagines #godless imagine #godless netflix #godless whitey winn imagine #thomasbrodiesangster

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orangecrane · 4 years

Note

Javid and 55 from the fluff hurt/comfort prompt list please?

takin’ care of yourself ain’t a crime

Dialogue prompt 55: “Don’t ever think less of yourself.”

In which Jack has been pushing himself and Davey's kinda sick of it

--- Davey opens the door gently, “Jackie, you in here?”

“Oh Dave! What’re you doin’ here?” Jack asks before quickly glancing back at the sleeping kid on the bed next to him and lowering his voice, “I thought you’d be wit’ the rest of the boys.”

a/n: this was kind of an experiment in present tense so I hope there aren’t any errors but I also wrote this in one sitting and barely edited so... also i changed the wording of the prompt a little bit so sorry

CW: Illness (I guess?)

“Hey, does anyone know where Jack is?” Davey asks as he and Les make their way into Jacobi’s, “I haven’t seen him since distribution and I need to talk to him about something important.”

“Nah, ain’t seen him, sorry Davey.” Albert responds, unconcerned. He turns back to Race, resuming their conversation as if Davey had never spoken. A few other boys scattered around the room chime in with similar answers and Les goes to sit at a table with Specs, Romeo, and Finch.

“He’s probably back at the lodging house checking on Pine, they haven’t been feeling well for a few days now, he’ll probably be done in time for evening distribution.” Specs provides helpfully. Davey is so grateful that at least someone here knew what was going on. Though it is concerning that he hadn't heard about one of the littles being sick before this.

“Ok I’m gonna go check on the both of them then, thank you Specs.”

“No problem Davey.” Specs says with a smile.

“Oh and Les, make sure you stick with one of the older newsies while I’m away.”

“Yeah, yeah I’ll be good.” Les responds.

“Don’t worry Davey,” Specs says, “We’ll keep an eye on him.” Davey shoots Specs a grateful look before heading to the lodging house.

---

As Davey approached the lodging house his worries started getting the better of him. Why wouldn’t Jack just tell him he was here? What did that have to do with them not selling together today? What if Specs was wrong and Jack wasn’t here, then what would he do? His mind only grew louder and louder as he opened the door, thoughts echoing around his head. As he made his way inside he asked Mr. Kloppman “Is Jack here?”

“Yeah kid, he’s just upstairs, go on ahead.” Davey smiles nervously and moves towards the rooms, at least Jack was actually in the lodging house. What Davey still couldn’t figure out was if Jack is here checking on one of the littles, why didn’t he just tell him? He thought Jack would’ve trusted him with something like this, even if he didn’t need help.

Davey opens the door gently, “Jackie, you in here?”

“Yeah well I came to check on you when you didn’t show up at Jacobi’s, have you been here since you finished selling?” Davey’s concerned. Jack looks exhausted, he’d brushed it off as him still being a little asleep this morning but if anything he looked even worse now. Though, now that he could see them, Pine looked even worse, no wonder Jack wanted to check on them. “Oh, is that why you wanted to sell alone today, so you could finish up faster and come here?”

“Uh yeah, to both questions, but Davey, you should be back with the boys. I’ve got things here under control.” Jack looks back over to Pine and runs his hand through their hair. They whine and pull away from his touch, but don’t open their eyes. Davey’s concern for the kid keeps growing but he focuses on Jack right now.

“Havin’ things under control doesn’t mean a little help will hurt Jackie. Besides, you aren’t looking to hot yourself, maybe you should lie down for a bit and I can watch Pine.” Davey says. He sits by Jack and takes his hand.

“N- no Davey,” Jack shakes his head and pulls his hand away, “I don’t need help and you don’t need to be gettin’ sick. If you get sick then it’ll just be Les supportin’ your family and I ain’t gonna let that happen, they need you out there workin’.”

“And what about you Jackie, if another newsie was in your condition I severely doubt that you’d let them sell, so why are you still tryin’ to push yourself?”

“Because Davey!” Jack raises his voice. Pine whimpers and shifts away from the sudden outburst and Jack looks almost ashamed. He repeats, quietly “Because Davey, if I can’t watch out for them without your help then how am I gonna do it when you’re not here? They need me to look out for them, they all do, and if I’m sick then I can’t do my job and I’ll let them all down!”

“Jack Kelly don’t you dare martyr yourself. Do you think that when the other newsies come to you for help they’re somehow failing or letting you down?”

“Wha- Of course not! But Davey that’s completely diff-”

“No Jack, it really isn’t. Taking care of yourself isn’t a crime, and don’t you ever think less of yourself for needing help. You aren’t letting anyone down by taking care of yourself or leaning on others. Now if you aren’t in that bunk and resting in the next thirty seconds I’ll put you there myself.” Davey says firmly. Jack hesitates. “If you don’t start movin’ I’m gonna start counting Jackie boy.”

“Okay okay, I heard ya Davey, I’ll take a nap while you watch Pine for a bit. Don’t need to start countin’ on me.” Jack says lightheartedly and moves to lie down in one of the nearby beds. Davey watches until he’s settled and his eyes are closed, then takes Jack’s place by Pine’s head. If their condition didn’t improve soon they might have to scrape together the money for a doctor, but for now he hoped that this would be enough.

“Hey, Davey…” Jack whispers. Davey hums in response. “Thanks for lookin’ out for us, for me… I know I can be difficult to put up with an’ it really means a lot.” Jack cracks his eyes open to look at him. He’s rewarded with Davey’s smile, the soft affectionate one he rarely gives to anyone outside his family, and Jack feels warm inside.

“Of course Jackie, but right now there’s no place I’d rather be.” Jack closes his eyes once again and falls asleep quickly. Looks like Davey had been right about him being tired. He’d have to wake Jack up again for evening distribution, but for now the boy could get some much needed rest. The ability to watch the rise and fall of Jack’s chest as he breathes allows Davey to relax for the first time since this morning, he hadn’t even realized how wound up he was.

Oh well, looks like confessing to Jack would have to wait for another day.

#newsies #newsies live #javid #javey #jack kelly #david jacobs #davey jacobs #newsies fanfic #newsies fanfiction #word count: 1k #orange writes #sorry if any of this is ooc #anonymous #requests

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scarletwellyboots · 4 years

Text

a (semi) comprehensive list of the moments i fell in love listening to the horror and the wild

the rockrose and the thistle

LOVE opening with the howling wind

joey’s northern accent slipping in super strong for “trying desperately to sew / and i know the kindest thing”

madeleine’s almost whispered harmony

“may i, i ask, may i”

the switch to madeleine only for the last two lines

the horror and the wild

how loud and immediate it starts

“you’re the words that i promise i don’t mean”

the growls ! this has been covered but “promise” is. important

the silence for “remember me i ask”

madeleine’s beautiful “day by day” in the back of joey’s verse

FRET NOT DEAR HEART LET NOT THEM HEAR

between “welcome to the storm” and “i am thunder” the drums sound like a clap of thunder

idk music terms but their differing harmonies for “wild”

the strings !! especially how they continue under “remember me”

madeleine’s slower “you passed your fingers” on the last repetition

not finishing “i am the wild”??? letting the instrumentation finish the phrase?? the way the song feels unfinished?? incredible

wild blue yonder

it’s so pretty!! it starts so sunny :)

“without...” “YOU”

“i woulda gone so much blonder” lyrical genius

the build of “so one last time love come and rip my clothes off”

i am in fact a slut for counterpoint duets so i’m in love with this band

“flirting” / “wasn’t flirting”

“halt!” and the silence that follows

the accent on “covers”

listen we talk about “dear heart” but “lover” and “darling” and all the pet names they use are so soft and so delightfully like. fey

“every stone you threw i stood on to better see the view”

the silence after “fear of sound”

“i’m lost” / “i’m found” “in you”

the melody of “so tight i’d bruise you” and like. the lilt in “bruise” !!

i love the background vocals kicking in for “build this world”

“or a robot vampire i dunno” like i said. lyrical genius

“hoooooold melover” i love the drawn-out note followed by how quick the next bit is

so many of their songs feel like they finish on a breath in? they feel like unfinished thoughts and i adore it

welly boots

the soft guitar intro i’m !!

“i am above you and i love you”

“i’ll be with you all along as long as you are kind to those who are not strong and cannot find their scarlet welly boots” i’m

the lilt on “hard” is !

the melody of the section from “when you scream it’s not fair” to “if only you could hear my voice”

the instrumental coming in before the end of “i’m not still there”

and GOD the percussion and the marching feel of the beat

“you were supposed to be my light” ok just rip my heart out thanks

the melody of “when you scream ‘i’m not alright’” to “how could you leave me here” is the same as “when you scream it’s not fair” but stronger and more desperate

“leave me here” feels like a scream

“i know you’re strong enough to do this on your own”

madeleine’s offset repetition of “strong enough to do this”

sometimes she says “stronger on your own” and i. LYRICS

the slowing to the original drum beat to the original guitar

“oh jesus christ you’ll miss me”

the breathlessness of “stairs” fuck me up why don’t you.

“a brand new pair of scarlet welly boots” cool i didn’t need a heart

the guitar outro is so soft !

farewell wanderlust

hello piano !

EVERYTHING about madeleine’s voice in the first verse

the contrast of joey’s almost spoken baritone

the way she hits the ends of syllables

“hey darlin’ hey”

the slide on “say”

the quiet almost heartbeat-sounding percussion

“i promise you i’ll be better”

the growl on “rubbing” and “rugs”

“it’s my curse / to try and make it right but by trying make it worse”

“the jesus of wishing to christ he’ll come back” !!

the quieting to “farewell wanderlust” and the lilt of it

she’s down DUN DUN she’s dead DUN DUN

joey’s “you alright?” and how deep his voice is compared to hers

madeleine singing “something more comfortable” and joey speaking “be our guest”

the piano mimics madeleine’s voice for “hoik! of her bra”

joey’s voice is so throaty it sounds almost like he’s been crying we love an emotive king

“i promise you i’m not broken / i promise you there’s more / more to come, more to reach for, more to hurl at the door”

“this here isn’t makeup, it’s a porcelain tomb”

THIS HERE IS NOT SINGING I’M JUST SCREAMING IN TUNE

the lack of instruments for “i’m just screaming in tune” so that he really is

he’s down DUN DUN he’s dead DUN DUN

the quieter “s/he’s down” section at the end

again it finishes like there’s more to be said

fair

the shuffling of the recording noises i !

the breathlessness! how he speaks/whispers “can’t be said”

“today i somehow understand the reason i was born”

“he’s got so much fucking hair” i’m.

“she is stronger than he’s ever been”

“when i’m actually...really fucking...cross at you for something”

“it’s not fair how much i love you” cool okay back to ripping my heart out

“inundated with the fated thought of you” is So pretty

“darling i was born to press my head between your shoulder blades”

“dear heart it’s me” again with the dear heart !!

“just trying to watch the office....with my yoghurt” lyrical genius

the switch of him/her in the second chorus !

the breaks in joey’s voice for unreasonable i’m weeping like ! he talked once about being allowed to feel like his voice doesn’t have to be perfect and it shows here with the breaks lending themselves to the emotion of the song

for him standing next to her people will think he’s alright but people will think she’s cool which really shows characterizations

the whisper of “darling rooftop wreck”

“that’s what she said” i’m.

madeleine only coming in to the song for “where have you been”

“it’s not fair ‘cause you make me ache you bastard”

that unwanted animal

strap in lads

the almost-whisper of some of the lines is !

the actual whisper of “you light the candle”

“bairns” we love two forest spirits

“to love me” is whispered despite “you try so loud” so of course she can’t hear it

joey’s background line !!!

THE SCRATCHING

joey coming into the main melody only for “what.” and then the “dear” being whispered

“throw the plate at the wall” can you tell i really love the whispered lines

THE INSTRUMENTS and the growling background vocals listen it surprised and amazed me so much this is where i smacked my head on the wall

“but fuck all your plans i’m bored” yes characterizations

“i make shipwrecks out of my dress”

joey’s higher harmonization feels so desperate when usually he’s the lower range of the harmony

“you rip my ribcage open / and devour what’s truly yours”

the repeated lyrics from battle cries but in a different melody i’m so serious what a lyrical genius

the melody matching the beat of the guitar for “it can hear you / it wants me to”

(let me out!)

just. the alliterative sounds of “hollow holofernes”

the fucking. “no not i” please sir you can’t do that to me

the final violin note like a final cry

marbles

MARBLES

lowering madeleine’s parts sounds so much softer and more relaxed

love being able to hear the movement of hands along the guitar neck

counterpoint conversation songs are so ! good !

“i chipped my teeth on every joke you cracked”

“you stole the best years of my life” “i’ll give them back”

“sure as hell can’t lie to me/you now”

i LOVE their different melodies for “i will wait and hope”

also i think they switched melody lines from the beechmast version? not sure though

“your eyes aren’t rivers there to weep but a place for crows to rest their feet”

the little pause before “went”

“oh god” and a little laugh

i miss madeleine’s “do you think i’m sexy” but

WORKIN’ SHIFTS TIL WE CRIED listen i LOVE the lyric change

how quick and natural the back and forth is it feels like a quick conversation it’s delightful

“you’re not flawed darling you’re just a little under-rehearsed”

“you, you’d reply with a drink in your hand/glint in your eye”

“i’m all yours/oh dear god dear heart i’m here”

the humming!!

“i’ve loved you for a hundred years” “certainly fucking feels like it”

NOW I GET TO MEET YOU FOR THE FIRST TIME EVERY SINGLE DAY

the build on that line !!

joey’s sustained notes while madeleine sings the chorus

madeleine’s vocalizations !! queen

joey joining in for just one of her little vocalizations

the song finishes before she’s gotten through even the first half of her vocalization line it feels so unfinished but so good that way

battle cries

COUNTERPOINT

with headphones joey is in your left ear and madeleine’s in your right and i wish they did it stronger but even what we have is so good

“who died” “who’ll save you” and the juxtaposition of “who died and made you king of it all” with “who’ll save you when you fall”

“some fictions we took to mean fate believe me i know” and she says “yes” so that they say no and yes at the same time

“tell the truth to me love!”

“look at me as you say this” “you’re home”

the whole “would be proud to have known” especially considering characterization of her speaker and his

dear heart!! it’s just. so soft

“that creaking you hear in my bones is not pain it’s applause”

the little laugh after the chorus!!

“with you i could summon” “come on love”

“watch them dance out the plays that we wrote from the heart” / “sing your notes, play your part” and the various meanings of “play” they use

“we were gods” “we were kids.”

“our devils broke ranks” “oh dear god”

“binge watch a box set, drink wine, reminisce” just sounds So Nice

“this isn’t a breakup dear heart it’s a season finale!”

the vocalizations!! the background vocals!!

the back-and-forth of “it’s not pain” “it’s applause”

the drums that quiet to the guitar for the last verse

the way joey hits consonants when he sings quietly like this

the rise and crash of the rhythm here is like. it almost feels iambic can you tell i’m an english major studying renaissance lit currently

“now at the end” “at the end of all things”

ending the album with “i’m doing fine” !!!!!

even now it feels like a single beat off from being finished which is a really cool feeling ! like it leaves you wanting more feeling like there’s more to be said like the story isn’t done like there’s something missing idk big fan

#the amazing devil #joey batey #madeleine hyland #the horror and the wild #listen. LISTEN. i love counterpoint duets #will i ever shut up about it? fuck no.#when will tumblr put my posts in the tags #we love a functioning website :)

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the-awkward-outlaw · 4 years

Text

Second Chances - Ch. 21

The Ghost of Lagras

Warnings: swearing, blood

Word count: ~7000

Masterlist

Read on AO3

You wake in the morning to find the bed empty. After dressing, you search the camp. You run into Javier and Strauss, who had been with him last night, but not Arthur. Javier’s playing his guitar for Karen and Tilly. You approach him and ask where Arthur is.

“Think he stayed in town, said he had some jobs to do,” he answers. You nod and recall the letter he’d received from the mayor. For the next little while, you do your chores around camp, making sure Grimshaw has no reason to attack you.

Pearson approaches you at midday, grinning widely beneath his thick mustache.

“Y/N!” he says.

“Hello, Pearson.”

“You busy?”

“Not any more than usual,” you say, rubbing your hands on your jeans from scrubbing dishes.

“Good. Listen, I could use some help with something. I’d ask one of the boys, but most of them are busy.”

“What is it?”

“Crawfish!”

“Crawfish?” you repeat. “What are you talking about?”

“You know, crawfish! Come on, I’ll teach you how to get ‘em. We are in God’s pantry after all.”

“That ain’t what I’d call this place,” you say, following him over to the boathouse. He unties a small boat from the pier and gestures for you to get in. You do so with some hesitancy, painfully aware of what lurks beneath the water. He seems to sense it.

“Come on, Y/N. Nothings gonna happen to you. Besides, out there are some of the best ingredients a cook could ask for.”

“And monsters,” you say, sitting at the front of the boat while Pearson begins to row down the river.

“Oh come on. I keep on hearin’ around the camp how you’re one of the toughest girls. You tellin’ me they’re wrong?”

“When it comes to gators, yes!”

Pearson chortles and pulls up to one of the islands dotting the river bank. He takes a look around and nods approvingly.

“This is the perfect place. Nice mucky places like this are crawfish palaces. Let’s go see if we can find some.”

He hops out of the boat, wading through the green water. You follow him, making sure to touch the water as little as possible. You’ve no idea what to look for when it comes to crawfish, but Pearson finds a hole on the bank.

“Ah, yes. There should be a few down here.” He kneels down and reaches into the hole nearly up to his shoulder. He twists his arm for a few seconds before he laughs and pulls up, a brown crawfish in his hands. You’ve seen plenty of crawfish in the lake near Blackwater, but this one seems to be a larger species with dark dots lining down its light brown body. Pearson places it into his satchel and gestures at the hole. “You’re turn. Just repeat what I did.”

You take a deep breath and kneel down, trying to ignore the unpleasant squishing under your knee. Reaching into the hole, you pray you don’t get pinched as you twist your arm. Pearson encourages you and you suddenly feel your fingers brush against something hard and smooth. Wrapping your fingers around it, a sharp pain hits your pinky finger. You squeal and shoot your hand out, a crawfish latched onto your pinky.

Pearson laughs and bends down, wrenching the claws open and putting the crawfish into his satchel.

“Happens to everyone on their first try,” he says, chuckling.

“Thanks for tellin’ me!” you massage the pink spot on your finger.

“If I told you, you’d never have done it. Now come on, one more.”

“No thank you, Pearson. You want crawfish for dinner, catch ‘em yourself.” You stand up, still massaging your finger. Pearson waves a hand at you and goes back to the hole, reaching in and pulling another one out.

“That should do it,” he says. He looks around, his eyes narrowed. He turns back to you with a sly smile. “There’s one more thing we could go for. Bit risky, but the reward is worth it.” “Why do I suddenly have a bad feeling, Pearson?”

He chuckles and pats your arm. “Gator eggs!”

“What the hell, Pearson?” you screech. “Crawfish are one thing, but fuckin’ gator eggs?! I guess you don’t care if you lose your foot.”

“Oh don’t worry, nothing like that will happen. I’ll do the hard work. Now come on, let’s see if we can find some.”

You groan and follow him through the muck until he stops and hunches down, waving his hands at you.

“See that? Females guarding their nests. Okay, I’ll draw them away, you sneak in and raid the nests.”

Before you have a chance to debate, he runs towards the gators and starts hollering at them. The gators growl loudly but don’t move. Pearson takes a few steps closer, only yards away from a 12 foot gator. She growls again as he gets closer. He hollers at her and takes another step. He grunts loudly as the three gators suddenly get up and give chase. As they leave the area, you suck in a deep breath and run to the three nests, grabbing the eggs as quickly as you can.

Just as you’re finishing looting the last nest, you hear Pearson yelling at you. You look up and see the three gators slowly making their way back. Shrieking, you run off as quickly as you can through the muck and make your way over to the boat, which Pearson is already in. He laughs as you sit down, wiping your brow.

“You get a good bundle?” he asks, rowing back to the dock.

“I think so. Why’d you want them anyways?”

“These are some of the best ingredients I could ask for!”

“After all that effort, why not just go the extra mile and raise one of them?”

“There’s an idea,” he says excitedly as you hand him one of the eggs. “A new friend! To replace Micah, I suppose, although I’m not sure we can handle more than one reptile.”

You laugh and pat him on the back, making your way back to the house. Once inside, you spot Molly sitting in the corner of the room, her head in one of her hands, looking miserable. An empty rum bottle sits next to her.

“Hello, Ms. O’Shea,” you say.

She looks up at you with bloodshot eyes. “Oh not you too!” She gets up and marches out of the house, wobbling slightly.

Mary-Beth enters the room, sitting down on the couch with a heavy sigh. She greets you, a hint of sadness in her voice.

“Hey Mary-Beth, you know what’s going on with Molly?”

She sighs again. “Guess she and Dutch had another fight this mornin’. He’s been, well, he’s been strange with her. Almost like he don’t want her around no more.”

You nod, watching Molly wander farther away from the house. “I wish we could help her. But seems like she doesn’t want nothing from us.”

Mary-Beth just nods and opens her book. Outside, you hear Hosea greeting Arthur. You dash out to meet him and find him looking slightly riled.

“Arthur!” you greet, walking up to him.

He smiles when he sees you and waves. Approaching him, you can see he’s coated in sweat, although his face is clean shaven.

“What happened to you? Everything okay? You didn’t come home last night.”

“I know, darlin’.” He drapes an arm over your shoulder and walks with you towards the back of the house where it’s more secluded. He tells you about the river boat; you sigh when he gets to the part about the shootout.

“After that, I went to go meet the charmin’ mayor,” he says. He leads you to the porch of the boathouse and you both sit down on old wooden chairs. He pulls out his knife and a strip of jerky, cutting a piece for you.

“How was he?” you ask.

“Real odd feller. Seems to have figured out who I really am. Threatened me into doin’ a job for him, just scarin’ some local art critic to lie about some forgeries.”

“What’s his name again?”

“Lemieux. He had some small, stringy feller named Jean Marc. Anyways, I suspect he’ll call on me again, scare somebody else.”

“Well at least he didn’t ask you to kill someone.”

“I guess. I just wonder if it's only a matter of time before that happens. Feller like him must have plenty of enemies,” he says, his face hidden by his hat.

You study his clean-shaven face, noticing his hard jaw line. “How come you shaved?”

He looks up at you, caught off guard by the question. The scars on his chin are more prominent than ever. “Huh?”

You reach over and touch his cheek, running your thumb across his jaw. “How come you shaved? I ain’t never seen you without stubble.”

“Oh, that,” he straightens up, running a hand over his chin. “Trelawney wanted us to look the part for that boat job. Put me in some fancy suit and told me no rich men have beards like mine, so I had to shave. It’ll be back in a day or two.”

Smiling, you bend over and kiss his jawline. “Hmm, I don’t mind it. Still handsome as ever.”

He chuckles and puts an arm around you. “And you’re still too good for me.” He pulls you close, your head drifting down to his shoulder. His lips brush your forehead and you can feel he’s smiling. You stare off into the swamp. An egret lands on a branch above the water, an alligator’s head protruding from the water beneath.

“So how come you came back lookin’ like you ran a race?” you ask.

“Oh. Met that Brother Dorkins again, introduced me to a sister. Can’t remember her name, but one of them damn urchin boys stole her cross. When I got it back, I, uh, bumped into that Downes widow.”

“Who?”

Arthur reminds you of the debt he was supposed to get when he found you after the Murfree attack, and how he had to threaten the man’s widow after the bank heist in Valentine. You vaguely recall them.

“What about her?” you say.

“Well, she and her son are in Saint Denis, and she’s… well, she didn’t seem to be doin’ too well. Guess I scared her real bad first time we met, she panicked and set the law on me. Chased me out of town.”

“Jesus, Arthur, how badly you threaten her to make her do that?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “When she accused me of havin’ a hand in her husband’s death, I threatened to kill her son.”

“Wait, how did you have a hand in her husband’s death? If I remember correctly, Micah beat him for the debt.”

“He did, but she said since I was workin’ for Strauss, I was just as responsible. And like I said, I threatened to kill her son. That and I took what little money they seemed to have left for the debt.”

You take his hand, not really knowing what to say. Arthur wouldn’t have done that had Strauss not twisted his arm, but everyone knows Arthur’s good at scaring people. He hates it, you know he does.

Quick footsteps suddenly march over to you and you straighten up from Arthur’s shoulder. Dutch approaches quickly, his face smiling. “Think it’s time, my boy!”

“Time for what, Dutch?” Arthur takes his arm from your shoulders.

“The trolley station! Lenny says he’ll do it with us, we should head to town soon and do it.”

“Now, Dutch? I just got back to camp.”

“Time doesn’t wait for anyone, Arthur, and we need money.”

“I know, Dutch. What’s happened to you? Couple days in this swamp and you turnin’ into some city boy, livin’ by your watch.”

Dutch puts his hands on his hips and furrows his brows. “I just want us to get out of here, Arthur. Thought you did, too.”

“I do. We all do, Dutch, but you really think it’s smart doin’ this so soon after that river boat?”

“No one’s going to connect them, Arthur.” Dutch throws you a quick glare but then he sighs. “Fine. We won’t go today, but first thing in the morning, we’re going to town.”

Arthur waves at him with two fingers as Dutch walks away.

“Somethin’ don’t feel right about this,” he says.

“How do you mean?”

“I don’t know. Bronte was just so smug about it. Maybe I just don’t trust anythin’ that comes out of that snake’s mouth.”

You sigh and stand up, offering your hand. “You’re right not to, but come on, cowboy. I gotta finish my chores so Grimshaw doesn’t flay me alive. Keep me company?”

He smiles and takes your hand, standing up.

The next morning, you’re cuddled in bed with Arthur, your naked body drawn close to him. You open your eyes and shift slightly against his chest. His hand twitches on your side. Looking up, you see him awake. He smiles at you and kisses your nose.

“Mornin’, beautiful,” he says.

You sigh and bury your nose into his neck. “Ain’t the word I’d use for me, Arthur.”

“Well, it’s the word I’m gonna use for ya.”

“You’re sweet. A liar, but sweet.”

“Hey,” he says, his hand sliding up to your shoulder. He begins tracing your scar. “I may have lied a lot in the past, but never to you. Especially not with what I think about ya.”

You lean up on your elbow, looking him in the face. “Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why do you find me beautiful, Arthur? You’re the only person who’s ever called me that, so either you’re lying or-”

“Or maybe no one else has taken the time to see what I see, darlin’. You wanna know somethin’?”

“What?”

He smiles, his thumb running across your shoulder. “When I first picked up your bounty poster in Blackwater, I was sure they’d gotten your picture wrong. I’ve taken in a few women bounties before. Most of the pretty ones were wanted for robbery or somethin’ along those lines. The ones who were wanted for murder tended to be, well, not so pretty. So when I saw your photo, I said they must have gotten somethin’ wrong. Sheriff confirmed you killed your family.”

He pauses and you lay back down, nuzzling into his neck. “When I found ya by Aurora, I remember thinkin’ how pretty you was. That’s why I asked you that night if you really killed your family. That and the fact you didn’t fight me much.”

You let out a small chuckle. “I remember that. I… wasn’t very happy.”

“I know. My point is that I’ve thought you were beautiful since I first met ya. Now I see you’re beautiful outside and in. That’s why I love ya.”

He pauses, his thumb tracing your scar again. He sighs. “Y’know, Mary was pretty. Real pretty. But she knew how to play me, always wanted somethin’ from me. I ain’t too sure why I felt anythin’ for her, all she did was take. When I had nothin’ else to offer, she threw me out like a badly behaved dog. But with you, all you do is give.”

“Arthur, I take a lot from you.”

“Not as much as you might think, darlin’. And you never take what isn’t offered first. I mean, I see how much you care, sweetheart. You’re always helpin’ people in camp, helpin’ me. How many jobs you been on with me by now? More than I’d like, always worryin’ about you.” You both laugh. “Point is I see how good a person you are. It’s society who’s ugly, not you, and I can’t imagine livin’ my life without ya..”

“Yeah, you’re definitely too good for me,” you smile into his neck, your hand gliding up to his shoulder. He kisses your head as a small laugh rumbles through him.

Someone knocks on the door. “Arthur, let’s go!” Dutch says loudly through the door.

“Hold on, Dutch. I’ll be down in a minute.” You hear Dutch walk away quickly. Arthur sighs. “Sorry, darlin’.”

“It’s okay. Like you say, we need money. Who knows? Maybe Bronte isn’t pulling your leg.”

“I ain’t gonna hold my breath.” He gets up and dresses. After he puts on his hat, he bends down to kiss you. “Don’t work too hard, sweetheart.”

You giggle against his lips. “Try not to get shot at this time.”

After he leaves, you dress yourself and go outside to begin your chores. You start working at Pearson’s wagon and spot Micah sitting alone at the round table. Charles passes, giving you a small wave, which you return.

“Hey redskin,” Micah says to him. “Fetch me something to eat.”

Charles stops and turns to him. “Excuse me?”

“I said,” Micah gets up and takes a few steps towards him. “Go fetch me something to eat.”

Charles grabs him by the collar and throws him on the ground. “Eat that!” he shouts and walks away. You try not to laugh, it’s rare to see Charles lose his temper, but you’re not surprised.

Micah rubs his chin and sees you standing at the barrel, scrubbing dishes. “What you lookin’ at?”

“Something that got put in its place.”

He stands up, brushing off his arms. “That’s a lot comin’ from you, whore.”

“Shut up, Micah. I already got enough reason to slit your damn throat.”

He grins and laughs, approaching you. You stop scrubbing and put your hand on your knife blade; he doesn’t miss the movement.

“You know, I bet you think Morgan’s a real catch, but I have it on good authority that he was seein’ that Mary the other night.”

“Shut up, Micah.”

“I’ve seen her before, she’s real pretty. I can see why Morgan likes her. Hell, if I was him, I’d pick her too.”

“I said shut up, Micah!”

“Why? Because you know I’m sayin’ the truth? He’s not the good man you think he is.”

“Why would I believe you?” you snap.

“Believe me, don’t believe me. I’m just telling you what I know.”

“And how would you know he saw Mary? You were here in camp being useless.”

He grins at you. “Javier told me. Said after they left the riverboat, Morgan had some unfinished business to attend to. What else could he mean besides his old flare?”

You march up to him and shove him. “I’ve had enough of your damn lip, Micah. Now unless you want my blade in your throat, I suggest you get away from me.”

He chuckles, knowing he’s striking a chord. “Ah, but I can see why Morgan’s taken a liking to you. All that fire! So he’s got Mary, the pretty one and you, the quick draw. The best of both worlds. But I bet he knows which one is better in bed.”

You whip out your knife but Hosea intervenes before you can attack Micah. He stands between you, glaring at him. “Get out of here and do some damn work, Micah! You ain’t helpin’ by antagonizing everybody.”

Micah lifts up his hands in a mock surrender. “Sorry, ol’ man. Didn’t mean anything by it.”

“You come near her again, Micah,” Hosea says. “I’ll defend her for butcherin’ you.”

Micah chuckles and walks away, a small cough escaping his lips.

“Thanks, Hosea,” you say, sheathing your knife.

He sighs. “He’s starting to be a problem. Been tryin’ to get in Dutch’s ear more since that mess with the O’Driscolls.”

“I know. I just hope it doesn’t become a problem in the future.”

“I doubt it will. Dutch is at least smart enough to not listen to him.”

Midday comes and you’re grooming Rannoch near the bridge. The horses have undoubtedly been taken care of less since Kieran’s death. You pat his neck affectionately when you hear a wagon rolling down the path. Looking over, you see Dutch and Lenny sitting on a wagon, Arthur riding behind them on Artemis looking irritated. Dutch rubs his head as Lenny pulls the wagon to a stop.

Hosea joins your side. “What happened?” he says.

“Damn job was a setup,” Arthur replies, dismounting. “That trolley station had hardly any money. Not only that, Bronte set the entire police force on us!”

Lenny gets down from the wagon while Dutch rubs his head again, looking disoriented.

“I honestly would have been surprised if it wasn’t a setup, Dutch,” Hosea says. “I told you-”

“I know,” Dutch snaps. “I realize what you said was true. We just need to come up with a plan.” He gets down, stumbling a bit. “We will find a way to get back at that Italian snake.”

“Dutch, now ain’t the time to be planning on revenge, we got enough going on,” Hosea says, approaching Dutch.

“So what? We just let that man make a fool of us? How long before he figures out we made it out and finds a new way to get us killed?”

“Come on, Dutch. Let’s not worry about that right now.” Hosea helps him walk back over to the house. Arthur approaches your side.

“Dutch okay?”

“Yeah, he just got a bash on the head. I just hope he doesn’t let this idea of revenge get into his head too much. That ain’t a luxury we can afford.”

“No. Still though, I can’t say I wouldn’t mind seeing that man get what he deserves.”

“Me too. Well, we’ll see what Dutch decides.” He takes your hand and walks up to the house.

The next couple of days, you remain by the house to appease Grimshaw while Arthur hops in and out of camp. He tells you about the last job with the mayor, scaring a man named Hector Fellows into funding the library for him and how the mayor tried to get him to kill his right hand man. Dutch has remained subdued, spending most of his time in his room or on the balcony. His temper is shorter than usual; he and Molly have a huge fight.

You head back from the river towards the house, holding an orchid you found hanging from one of the trees. Arthur sits on a log near the fire, talking to Hosea. As soon as you get close, they become suspiciously quiet.

“What you talkin’ about?” you ask.

“Oh, nothin’, darlin’,” Arthur says, holding his arm out. You take his gesture and sit next to him. You show him the orchid and he takes it, studying it. Hosea gets up and walks to the house, coughing a little.

“Hold it there, darlin’.” He takes out his journal and begins drawing it. You fondly watch his delicate strokes bring the drawing to life. He inspects it when he’s done, adding a few more lines of shading.

“Here,” you say, placing the flower in his journal. He thanks you and shuts the journal with the flower inside.

“Arthur! Get up here!” Dutch hollers from the balcony.

“It never ends,” Arthur sighs. He grabs your hand and stands up, bringing you along to the house. He heads up the stairs towards Dutch’s room and you stop him.

“You sure I should be coming along?” you ask. “I don’t know if I should be part of this.”

“I want you to be, darlin’. I don’t care what it is, I want you there.” He gives you an odd smile and continues on, meeting Dutch and Hosea on the balcony.

“Arthur, you get the deciding vote,” Dutch says, leaning on the fence.

“About what?”

“We take insult and scurry off like cockroaches or deal with business.”

“We don’t need to take revenge, we hardly know the guy,” Hosea snaps from his chair.

“This ain’t about revenge, this is about the fact that we’re about to rob a bank in his town. A bank he no doubt protects. Before we can do that, we need to put him down.”

Dutch and Hosea argue briefly over the matter of killing Bronte as Arthur paces. You lean against the doorframe.

“This don’t feel good, Dutch,” Hosea says as Arthur sits down in a chair.

“Think about it, Hosea,” Dutch replies. “This is the last job we’re ever gonna pull. Before the year’s out, we’re gonna be harvesting mangoes in Tahiti!”

“Forgive me if I don’t think about the mango harvest!” Hosea stands up.

“Arthur!” Dutch turns to him. “Think about it.”

Arthur stands quietly. “If it’s business, well then, business is business.”

Dutch smiles proudly at Hosea. “Angelo Bronte stand between us and our future.”

“You’ll damn us all.”

Dutch glares at him before walking into the house, gesturing for Arthur to follow. You’re about to sit down with Hosea when Arthur grabs your hand. “Come on, darlin’.”

“Why’s she comin’?” Dutch shoots back at him as he heads down the stairs.

“Well, we killin’ Bronte now?”

“No. Need to figure out a way to get into his mansion, I figure the swamp’s our best bet. We’re going to meet a contact I made, he might now a way in. But I ask again, why’s she comin’?”

“Arthur, maybe I shouldn’t-” you begin.

“No, no. I want her to come, Dutch, because she could be useful. More pairs of eyes, see?”

“No I don’t but have it your way. Let’s just get this done with.”

The three of you mount up on your horses and canter down the path, heading northeast.

“Thank you for havin’ my back there,” Dutch hollers back at Arthur.

“You better be right about this one,” he replies.

“Quit doubtin’, Arthur, it does no favors.” Dutch pauses. “Just feels like Hosea’s lost his spine.”

“Maybe he just doesn’t want you wasting your time on revenge, Dutch,” you say.

“I already explained it, this ain’t about revenge! This man’s been in our path for too long, set us up with that damn trolley and, lest we forget, took young Jack? We need to hit that bank and Bronte has the entire city in his pocket.”

“We just got a lot of pots boilin’, Dutch,” Arthur says.

“You all seem to have forgotten how money is made! It takes a lot to support twenty people and even more to move them overseas.”

“Is this Tahiti plan really gonna work, Dutch?”

“You tell me, Arthur. Is it? Have some goddamn faith! When did you become so small-minded? If you’d rather we break this up, go our separate ways, just tell me.”

“Ain’t no one sayin’ that, Dutch!”

“Either we’re in this together and we get out together, or we’re not! I feel like I’m going in circles with all of you. Micah is the only one left with any loyalty!”

“Now that ain’t fair, Dutch,” you call up to him. “We’re all doing our share. Maybe this is less of us having forgotten about how money’s made and more about you being rash.”

“Stay out of this, Y/N!” Dutch snarls. “You been with us for only a few months, you don’t get a say in this.”

“Easy, Dutch,” Arthur says. “That ain’t fair.”

“You’re both sounding more like John. I swear that woman’s poisoning him against me. She ain’t the only one spreading poison.”

You feel as though the jab was directed at you and are just about to respond when Arthur speaks up.

“It ain’t like that, Dutch!”

“If Micah were by my side, you think he’d question killing Bronte? No, he’d say ‘let’s go!’”

“We’re here, ain’t we?” Arthur snaps. “I been at your side for twenty years!”

“I know, I… I’m sorry, son. Y/N, I’m sorry. It’s just the endless debating is wearing me down. Everyone else I can take, but when you’re not beside me, Arthur, it hurts.”

“I’m behind ya, Dutch. We’re all behind ya.”

“I promise, none of the past will be in vain. Especially not them that fell.”

By this point, you’ve ridden deep into the swamps and upon a small, rickety town set along the path. A sign barely hanging from its hinges marks it as Lagras. Dutch leads you to one of the houses and stops, warning you both to let him do the talking. He leads you to the porch of the house where a tall, thin black man sits on a rocking chair, twining a fishing lure. Dutch greets him.

“Hello, Mr. Dutch,” he gets up, shaking his hand and smiling through several missing teeth.

“Thomas, have you met Arthur and his girl Y/N?” You both greet him and he nods under his floppy fisherman’s hat. You notice one of his eyes is sunken in. “Thomas is quite the fisherman,” Dutch explains. We had quite the adventure the other night.” He leans against the fence and looks to Thomas. “Can I call in that favor?”

“What do you need?” he asks.

“Need to make a social call. You heard of Angelo Bronte?” Thomas spits over the railing. “Exactly. We were hoping you could row us in one evening around the back of his house.”

“If anyone can, I can,” Thomas says. Arthur lights a cigarette and leans against the fence; you do the same.

“We’ll pay for the trouble,” Dutch goes on.

“If you’re bringin’ him trouble, won’t be no trouble for me. Now my business partner, Jules. He’s out with the skiff, I’ll need to check with him. Plus gotta check the traps. You folks mind helpin’ real quick? Shouldn’t take too long.”

“Course not. Arthur, Y/N, come on.”

You follow Arthur and the others down the stairs as Thomas hands you lanterns. Arthur tosses his cigarette and offers you his hand. He knows you don’t like the swamp, mostly because the alligators. You take it and walk close to him as Thomas goes from the house and the horses and towards the wide, shallow lake.

“Be lively,” Thomas warns. “Lot of gators, big ones. Uncommon number.”

“Great,” you reply.

“Oh come on, Y/N,” Dutch says. “Surely it would take more than a prehistoric reptile to scare you.”

“Maybe we just wanna see you meet your match when it comes to an ancient predator with a big mouth, Dutch,” Arthur says, squeezing your hand.

“Arthur here is something of a comedian, Thomas,” Dutch explains as you’re lead further into soggier ground. “More of a jester than a gunslinger.”

“If you say so, Mr. Dutch. Follow me.”

You go further into the swamp, the thick mist clings to the trees and bats flitter above. The smell of moss, algae and standing water nearly chokes you as Thomas heads closer to the water. “Stay on the high ground,” he warns. “This is high ground?” Arthur asks. “Feels like water to me.”

“Down here we can’t be too picky, Mr. Arthur.” He points out his crawfish traps up ahead. “Mr. Arthur, gimme a hand, will ya?”

He walks into the water, beckoning the rest of you to follow. You hesitantly follow Arthur into the water, feeling the unpleasantly warm water flooding your boots. He leads you in up to your knees and stops by two wooden crates sticking out of the water. You and Dutch hold up your lanterns so they can see as they lift up the crates and search them, finding them empty. They set them back down and Arthur approaches you, grabbing your hand again.

“Come on, got a few more this way,” Thomas says.

“I don’t wanna know what just touched my leg,” Dutch announces, looking uncomfortable.

Thomas leads you deeper into the water. “Mr. Dutch, you sure you’re the right fellers to be going after Mr. Bronte?”

“He’s much more the kind of reptile I can handle.”

“Alright, now follow my line and stay close.”

Thomas leads you farther into the water. Through the darkness, you spot something long gliding across the water 10 yards to your right. You grip Arthur’s hand tighter and he squeezes back.

“I can see why swamp wading hasn’t caught on as a past time,” Dutch says.

“I love it out here,” Thomas replies. “No one out here to bother you none. ‘Cept the Night Folk sometimes.”

You recall Arthur telling you about the Night Folk, how he helped an old Cajun man reclaim his house from them. They sounded to be about as bad as the Murfrees.

You’re deeper in the swamp, the water up to your chest. You have to hold your lantern up above your shoulder, your other still gripped around Arthur. Your leg brushes up against something and you squeal, pushing up close against him.

“Easy, sweetheart,” he says. “Probably just a branch or somethin’.”

“Or a gator!” you say.

“No, if it were a gator, you’d know,” Thomas says, continuing on. You follow him, keeping closer to Arthur.

“Stop where you are,” Thomas says, looking ahead. Following his eyes, you see the long body of a gator gliding through the water. It ignores you and disappears into the darkness. You hope Arthur doesn’t feel you shaking beside him. Thomas deems it safe and continues on. He leads you to a small island appearing through the black mist, pointing out more traps.

“I don’t know what’s takin’ Jules so long with that boat,” Thomas says as he and Arthur approach the traps. You and Dutch take to the island, feeling slightly more relieved to be on high ground again. Thomas begins trying to pull up a trap, but it seems intent on staying in the mud. He asks Arthur to help and the two of them pull, bringing it out with a loud squelch. The trap seems to have been smashed by something. Thomas looks surprised.

“Guess somethin’ didn’t wanna be caught,” Arthur says.

“Nah, only somethin’ huge could do this,” Thomas replies. “There’s been talk of a big ol’ bull around these parts, but people talk a lot of nonsense.”

“Great. Let’s hope it bites you first, Dutch,” Arthur says, giving you a small smile.

“Let’s just get this over with,” Dutch says beside you.

“Alright, let’s go find Jules.” Thomas leads you back into the water up to your chest again. He suddenly stops and motions for you to do the same. Three large gators swim past, almost as though they’re fleeing the wider range of the lake.

“There’s no shortage of them,” you say, feeling nervous.

“Good eatin’,” Thomas says.

“Us or them?” Dutch asks. “Exactly. Come on, Jules should be around here somewhere.” He pauses and looks to the three of you. “I reckon this’ll be faster if we split up. Take both sides of the lake.”

“Alright, Arthur, Y/N,” Dutch says. “Since you both seem so at home here, why don’t you take that side?” He gestures to the end of the lake where the three gators had fled into. You swallow heavily.

“Keep your eyes open,” Thomas warns. Arthur leads you through the water, his hand never leaving yours. You can tell he’s as nervous as you are as you approach a sliver of high ground. Arthur calls out for Jules, but no one responds.

“Think we have to go back in the water, darlin’,” he says.

“Okay,” you say, your voice shaking. You gather your courage and go back in as Arthur calls again. Through the gloom, a distant voice answers. Following it, a faint light begins to glimmer in the mist, high above the water. Getting closer, you see a lantern high up in a tree, a young man sitting next to it, looking distressed.

“What you doin’ up there?” Arthur asks.

“There’s a monster, a monster!” Jules says. You swallow, trying to calm your shaking.

“What you see?”

“A gator, biggest I ever saw! He’s out there.”

“Where’s the boat, boah?”

Jules gestures in front of him and you follow Arthur, spotting the tangled roots of a tree protruding from the water. A large black mass sits among them. You go with Arthur to it and see the boat pushed up against a large branch.

“I got the skiff!” Arthur hollers, tugging on it. The boat doesn’t move, so you and Arthur tug on a large branch until it snaps, freeing the boat. He helps you up into it and you sigh in relief, hoping you’ll never have to come into this swamp again. Arthur sits next to you, placing a hand on your trembling knee. Thomas, Dutch and Jules approach, hopping into the boat.

“Thank God,” Dutch says as Thomas begins rowing. He introduces your group to Jules.

“What was you doin’ hidin’ up in that tree, boy?” Thomas asks.

“This gator was bigger than I ever seen. Twice as angry, too.”

The boat suddenly crashes on something, causing you to jump and latch onto Arthur’s arm.

“Think we’re stuck on a stump,” Thomas says, looking into the water. “Jules, get us out.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, it won’t take a minute, boy, now go on.”

“This is a bad idea,” Jules says, jumping into the water.

“We’ll see any giant monster long before it gets here,” Thomas says jokingly. “We got a couple of crack gunslingers with us.”

“You didn’t see this thing, Thomas.”

“Neither did you, Jules, it’s just a myth.”

Jules grabs a rope attached to the front of the boat and heads out several yards, pulling on it. The boat resists and then comes free. Jules begins making his way back when he suddenly vanishes beneath the water. Thomas calls for him but he doesn’t resurface.

“Guess he weren’t jokin’,” Thomas says. “I’ll get him.”

“No, no we can’t lose the boat. Arthur will get him,” Dutch says. Arthur begins to argue with him, clearly not wanting to get back in the water, but Dutch urges him in.

“Fine,” Arthur sighs and he wades over to where Jules disappeared. 20 yards away, Jules pops up, screaming. Arthur goes to him and picks him up. You see blood trailing behind as Arthur makes his way back to the boat. Something huge and white emerges from the water a few yards behind Arthur, snapping and snarling. You whip out your pistol as Dutch screams at Arthur to hurry.

“Shoot at it at least to pretend you care!” Arthur hollers. You begin shooting at the beast; it snaps angrily and slows down in its pursuit.

“Don’t look behind you, Arthur!” you scream, continuing to shoot. Your heart’s pounding by the time he reaches the boat. Thomas and Dutch grab Jules and lift him up, exposing his shredded leg. You reach down and grab Arthur’s arm, helping him into the boat.

“Y/N,” Dutch says. “Help Jules, we got company!” You follow his eyes and see a massive white alligator swimming towards the boat. Arthur and Dutch open fire on it as you pull out a long bandage strip from your satchel. The gator growls and slinks beneath the water.

“Shit, that is one big gator!” Arthur says.

You begin unravelling the bandage and Arthur puts a hand on your shoulder. “Let me do it, darlin’, your hands are shakin’.”

You hand him the bandage and sit back, not denying how much you’re trembling.

“You’re gonna be okay, son,” Arthur says, wrapping Jules leg. The boy groans painfully and you look away from his bleeding leg. “Just thank your old uncle Dutch.”

“I heard that,” Dutch replies. Arthur ties off the bandage and applies pressure to the wound. Jules closes his eyes and falls limp, but he’s still breathing. Thomas begins rowing the boat again.

“I’ve stopped the bleeding. Think he’ll be okay if he don’t get a fever.”

“We can bring down a fever,” Thomas says.

“A fever’s the least of our worries,” Dutch says, looking out across the water. The white snout of the monster gator rises up as it swims towards the boat.

“Put everything we have in this monster!” Dutch hollers. The three of you take out your pistols and shoot at it. You can hear it snarling over the gunfire and it disappears again. Arthur sighs in relief once it becomes apparent that the beast is gone and sits down next to Jules, clapping him on the shoulder. Jules startles awake, grunting in pain.

“You’re gonna be okay, kid,” Arthur consoles him as Thomas continues to row.

“Sorry, Jules,” Thomas says. “Guess all them stories was true. Usually the little ones is angry, big ones is lazy.”

“Guess this one never outgrew his anger,” Dutch says. “Kind of reminds me of you, Arthur.”

Arthur sneers at Dutch. “I don’t think I ever seen you squeal before, Dutch.”

“I weren’t the one squealing,” he snaps. “Besides, you shoulda seen your girl shakin’ like a leaf. Still don’t know why you brought her.”

“Hey, I helped didn’t I?” you retort.

“Yeah, and you weren’t the one in the water with that monster,” Arthur says. “Besides, this poor boy was nearly dinner.”

Thomas pulls up to the dock in Lagras and calls for help. A man and a woman rush out and pull Jules out as Thomas instructs to feed him garlic and tend his wounds. He turns to Dutch and thanks him for the help. Arthur grabs your hands and leads you down the dock as Thomas and Dutch discuss the future in regards to Bronte. Dutch marches up as you mount Rannoch.

“Alright, I’m gonna go back to camp, try and placate the irritable Ms. O’Shea, who’s causing more trouble.”

You’re about to say something to Dutch to try and make him see reason with Molly, but Arthur shakes his head at you. Dutch kicks the Count into a canter, leading the three of you in silence back to Shady Belle. The ride is relatively quiet, but you can tell Dutch’s mind is turning.

#red dead redemption 2 #rdr2 fanfic #rdr2 #arthur morgan #arthur morgan x oc #arthur morgan x reader #arthur morgan x female reader #van der linde gang #R* Games #rockstar games #I'm awkward #second chances

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halfgclden · 4 years

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Ten Things | Graves&Cleo

DATE: April 21st, 2020 SUMMARY: 1.sweet tea, 2.iced chai, 3.woods, 4.cabin, 5.wine, 6.movie night, 7.snacks, 8.masquerade, 9.discussion of love??, 10.to be continued ?

Cleo stepped out of the bookstore, locked the door, turned, and blinked at Graves standing nears the storefront. She smiled at him, gave her Signature Wave™️, and stepped closer. "Fancy meeting you here. Were you looking to buy a book, because I'm afraid that's off the table now, since..." She held up the keys and then pocketed them.

Graves had been waiting outside the bookstore, sipping his iced tea when Cleo walked out. He grinned and shook the drink he’d grabbed for her in response to her wave™️ . The ice cubes clinked in the cup. “Iced chai for you ma’am.” He laughed, “No books for me, I’m here for you.”

Cleo grinned widely and took her drink. She sipped it and swayed from side to side. "Aw!" She pressed a hand to her cheek. "Cameron, you make me blush," she said as if they hadn't planned to hang out today already. She tilted her head as she smiled at him. "Good to go? Are you ready to watch probably the best movie you've ever seen in your life?"

He rolled his eyes , but the smile didn't leave his face. "Gods, Bancroft." Graves could feel his own cheeks getting hot but he ignored it and held out his arm. "Good to go! The best movie? That I've ever seen in my life? Well, that would be Mad Max: Fury Road - are we watching that?"

Cleo linked her arm around Graves's and walked with him as she snorted. "Okay, okay, I'll give you that that's a good movie, but it doesn't hold a candle to 10 Things I Hate About You. Modern Shakespeare adaptations? Um, yes please." She sipped her drink and looked up at him. "What did you do today?"

"You mean young Heath Ledger, yes please. Talk about a teen heartthrob." Graves grinned when Cleo snorted, then took a sip of his sweet tea. He let her lead the way as they walked. "Oh, you know. The usual. Broke some hearts, raised some hell. Managed to get up the climbing wall without getting burned by lava. How was work?"

"I know. He's the highlight of the movie. But, oh my gods, there's also young Joseph Gordon-Levitt in it and ugh. He's so cute!" Cleo grinned. "His name's Cameron, weird coincidence." She hummed as they walked, bobbing her head from side to side as she led them to and through the path through the woods to camp. "Ugh, amazing. I still can't get up that wall, it's a trap, I swear. Work was... slow, but nice. I got halfway through the book I'm working on."

Graves fanned himself dramatically. "What an attractive cast, honestly." Laughing, he shook his head. "Another Cameron? Huh, is that why you want me to watch this? What book are you working on! And next time you want to do the climbing wall, I can spot you?"

Cleo shook her head as she sipped her drink. “No, Cameron’s plot is secondary, I’m afraid, even though he’s so cute. I’m working on this one called Red, White, and Royal Blue, and it’s utterly adorable. It’s about the son of the president– a fictional president, obvi, and the prince of Wales and they’re bitter rivals but then... they fall in love!” She announced dramatically. “I love it.” She smiled at him. “I can’t say I’ve been on the wall lately or plan on going anytime soon, honestly, but that makes me consider it more.”

"Ugh, love. Gross, " Graves joked, sticking his tongue out at Cleo. "TBH that sounds...kinda cute. I'm really glad there are books with queer love stories in them now. It's pretty fuckin' cool." He returned her smile. "Just let me know if you do, I'll keep workin' out so I can catch you if you fall." He unlinked their arms to give his biceps an exaggerated flex. "These arms gotta be good for somethin'."

Cleo stuck her tongue out back at Graves. "Yeah, saying that gay love is gross is... a little homophobic, Cam," she joked and then bobbed her head. "Yeah, it'd be cute if it wasn't gay, but that's kind of why I started reading it." She turned so that she was facing him more and grinned, still walking. "Maybe I'll just throw myself off the wall, with an offer like that."

"Shut up, Bancroft." Graves laughed. "I am not homophobic, do you know how aggressively not-straight I am? I was sayi- you're teasing me, aren't you? Rude." He tripped immediately after Cleo spoke and took a second to regain his composure, laughing at himself. "My gods. Guess I'll just have to catch you then. Can't have you getting hurt, ma'am." He flexed again and bit his lip, before offering his arm to Cleo again.

Cleo laughed at how defensive he got and nodded. "I'm absolutely teasing you, but go on, please." She raised her eyebrows and held out an arm as Graves tripped, as though she might be able to stop any sort of fall, then exhaled a small chuckle as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "What a gentleman." She giggled and took his hand this time, still sipping her drink as they walked. "Do you like the woods?"

Graves took a sip of his sweet tea before answering, a grin on his face. "Nah, nah, nah. I'm not lettin' you make fun of me anymore. I'm here, I'm queer, and that's all I got." He watched as Cleo tucked her hair behind her ear, and his eyes widened as she took his hand; her hand looked so small in his. "Bancroft," he practically hissed, looking around to see if anyone they knew had seen them. "Ma'am." He didn't pull his hand away because he didn't want to be rude, so he just took another sip of his tea, looking like a deer in headlights. He tried to answer her question, praying to the gods that she couldn't hear his heart pounding from embarrassment. "The woods? Yeah, sure, of course. I love hiking and finding abandoned places. Why?"

"Not letting me? I don't think you can stop me," Cleo teased. When he said her name, she frowned a bit and dropped his hand, taking her cup in the hand between them instead. She blushed lightly. "Just since we're passing through on the way to camp, it was on my mind."

"I-um." When Cleo dropped his hand, Graves immediately ran that hand through his hair, willing the blush on his cheeks to fade. He put on a bright smile and cocked his head at her. "Do you like the woods? We should explore them one day." He bumped her shoulder gently with his own, "I know a few cool spots we could go."

"I love the woods." Cleo chewed on her straw and nodded at Graves, smiling once more. "I know these woods better than anyone at camp, I'd like to bet, except for the nymphs. I can show you some haunted clearings." She bit her lip and looked down. "I guess in exchange for you showing me abandoned factories.”

Graves bit his lip and smiled. "Haunted clearings? Gods, Bancroft! I didn't know camp was haunted." He lowered his voice to a whisper at the end of his sentence, leaning in close. His eyes gleamed, "Don't tell me you've talked to any spirits! I will gladly show you all the abandoned places I know, but you have to keep them secret."

Cleo kept her head ducked as she let out a small, somewhat nervous laugh. She didn't know why she'd brought up haunted clearings in the first place, but if was the first thing that came to mind. She looked back up at him with a small smile. "I won't tell anyone!" She sipped her drink a bit more and reached up to touch a leaf as they passed under a tree. "Back to my cabin, right?"

He raised an eyebrow at her laugh but didn't press Cleo further. Graves had mixed feelings about ghosts and spirits himself. Personally, he found them interesting, but his mom and grandmother did not fuck with ghosts. He watched Cleo touch a leaf gently, it was such a simple gesture but it made him smile even more. "Your cabin, for sure. I'm uh-my room's a mess," Graves said lamely. He sipped his tea. "I've never actually been to your cabin, now that I think of it."

Cleo exhaled a small laugh. "My room is, luckily, very not not a mess." She skipped ahead of him a few feet and turned to face him again. She pointed at him and nodded. "You're going to like my cabin. Most of the decoration's mine, but Len has a few things around." She met his pace again. "We can have wine with our movie too, if you'd like." She smiled a bit.

“I’m excited to see it.” Graves could see the cabins in the distance, over Cleo’s shoulder. “Wine sounds great, if you want? I’ve got some snacks in my backpack too. Wait. Did you make it this wine? Because then I change my answer to absolutely yes.”

“Um, I always want wine.” Cleo laughed and raised her eyebrows. “And what kind of snacks, this is an important question, Cam.” She smiled widely, happy at the idea that he wanted to drink it if she’d made it. “If you could make wine, would you ever buy it?”

Holding his drink against his chest with his arm, Graves made a show of counting on his fingers as he listed his snack haul. "Well Bancroft, I've got some salt an' vinegar chips, Doritos, Oreos, some chocolate, and uh, red vines. You know, for variety." He winked at her, trademark grin on his face, dimples on his cheeks. "Not gonna lie, I don't buy wine now. But I've tried any that I've been offered and I don't mind it? I like sangria," he offered. "And I figure if you make fruit wines? That's probably fuckin' tasty. But no, I wouldn't buy wine if I could make it.”

Cleo put a hand on her chest at his list. “Ugh, sweet, a man after my own heart. Red vines are my favorite, but every single other snack is a close second.” She smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear. “I only really make fruit wine. I like things sweet, sweet, sweet. The peach wine’s still fermenting, but we can drink it if you don’t mind a weaker batch. It’ll still taste pretty good.” She finished off her drink. “Otherwise I have strawberry!”

"Red vines are your favorite?" He gasped dramatically. "No way!" Graves bit his lip, still half-smiling. He glanced at Cleo. "I am a very big fan of sweet things. Hmm, I think I'll wait on the peach, until you think it's perfect. I don't want to rush a masterpiece. Strawberry sounds real fuckin' good."

“Yeah! Have I mentioned that before?” Cleo laughed and grinned up at him, taking a step up onto her porch as she approached her cabin. “Is that why we’re friends, then?” She smiled and turned to open her door, glancing over her shoulder at him still. “Okay, then I’ll let you know when the peach is perfect and we can have a movie night then too.” She nodded once as she put her cup down on the counter and pulled a growler of wine from her fridge.

"Maybe you have, maybe I heard it through the grapevine," Graves joked, following Cleo inside. He met her gaze. "Yes, among other reasons. But I'll keep you guessin' there, Bancroft." As Cleo opened the fridge, he turned in a circle, taking in the cabin. His eyes followed some vines across the walls, looking at the artwork hung between their leaves. The Dionysus cabin had such a different energy than the Hermes frat house, that Graves was momentarily stunned. He pointed to a charcoal drawing on one of the walls, his tone full of awe. "Is that-is that your art?"

Cleo laughed quietly at his joke and set out two novelty mugs to pour the wine into. She tilted her head at him and leaned against the counter, hiding her smile by sipping her wine. "That one? Yeah. I really dig charcoal and pastels. Are you into art?" She nodded a bit.

Graves stepped closer to the drawing for a better view of all the details. "Bancroft, this is amazing." He looked over his shoulder at her, expression full of surprise. "How did I not know you did this? First the wine, then the artistic talents? Damn. I'm into art, yeah." He shrugged, still looking at her. "I am not an artist myself though. Can't draw a straight line to save my life."

Cleo blushed slightly and pressed her lips together as she swallowed her drink. A smile crawled across her face and she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "Thanks. I... really like art. It's nothing I'd do anything with, but, y'know, important to have hobbies, and some amount of skill for my designs." She walked over to meet him, holding out the other mug for him. She almost asked him how into art he was, but stopped herself. "I just use straightedges for half the time."

Graves accepted the mug with a nod. He still looked a bit awestruck. "I love this. I always like seeing what my friends are into. People bein' passionate about things they love is fuckin' sexy." He realized what he said and quickly took a sip of wine. "This?" He held out his mug for emphasis. "This shit is good. Wow, I'm going to drink this so fast." He took another big sip.

Cleo almost snorted into her wine as she laughed. Something about the intonation of how he said fuckin' sexy made it come off as way cuter than he probably wanted it to. "Glad I'm passionate and sexy, then." She grinned and then raised her eyebrows a bit. "Okay, then we should start the movie soon. I don't want you to black out before we even start. She went to grab the bottle from the counter and then led them to her room, where the door was already open.

Graves rolled his eyes. "Don't let it go to your head ma'am." He clutched his mug to his chest protectively, pretending to be offended. "Me? Blackout, never." He took another sip before following Cleo to her room. He stopped in the doorway, hesitant. He looked down at his shoes for a moment before asking, "On or off?"

"I would never." Cleo flashed a smile at Graves in lieu of pressing a hand to her chest because she was holding things. She tilting her head as she did and slipped her shoes off as they entered the room. "I've seen you close, I think, and you've never had my wine. Sweet but deadly." She set the wine and her mug down on her desk as she pulled up her laptop and took a seat on her bed, searching for the movie. "Off, please!"

Graves nodded in acknowledgement and sat down in the doorway to untie his Vans, setting his mug of wine next to him. "Sweet but deadly," he hummed. "I like that." He took a look around her room, his eyes catching on the little altar set up on her desk. He smiled. "I like your room. It's very you."

Cleo crossed her legs as she sat and put the laptop down next to her. She opened the bottle again and poured a small bit of the wine into the cup on her alter, where it promptly vanished. "Thanks." She smiled at him. Does that mean you like me? She'd probably start asking more of the questions that popped into her head after she finished a cup or two of the wine. "I'd stress out if it wasn't nice. I spend a bunch of time in here."

"Shit. Should I pour some out to?" Graves asked, pausing mid-sip to watch the wine vanish. He moved his shoes out of the way and stood up, walking over to Cleo. "That makes sense. I'm hardly in my room so it can be...a bit of a disaster area." That was an understatement; he couldn't remember the last time he made his bed or actually put his laundry away properly. "Movie time?" He took off his flannel and tied it around his waist, brushing a wrinkle out of his faded tee.

Cleo pressed her cheek into her shoulder as she shrugged. "I mean, if you want to. I normally just do a general pour out per bottle for the old man, but it couldn't hurt to add more." She smiled and leaned back against the wall. "Movie time," she agreed. "Come sit!" She patted the spot next to her and waited for him to take a seat before she pressed play. "Gods, this movie has the best soundtrack."

There was only a little bit of wine left in his mug so Graves didn't hesitate to pour it into the altar cup. He turned around and flashed Cleo a grin. "I need a refill if you please, ma'am." He sat on the bed, a respectful distance away from her and started humming as "One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies blared from Cleo's laptop. "Gods, is it bad I think I know all the words to this fuckin' song?"

Cleo picked up the bottle from her desk and held it out to Graves, scooting closer as she did. She sipped her own wine. “You’re going through it quick, so don’t blame me if you end up too drunk.” She raised her eyebrows and shook her head. “Um, absolutely not. It’s a great song.”

"Noted, I'll slow down. How strong is this stuff anyway?" Graves peered into his now-full mug. The wine was delicious and sweet, as promised. He edged a little closer to Cleo to get a better view of the screen, before leaning back against the wall to get comfortable. "Okay. Vital question right here." He paused for dramatic effect, eyebrows raised. "How many times have you seen this movie?"

Cleo shrugged on shoulder. “I’ve never tested how strong it is. Strong enough to get me pretty tipsy after a glass?” She was almost done with the mug, and her head was swimming a bit. She scooted over more until their arms brushed against each other, then looked at him expectantly. “Um... Looking for an actual answer? Because I haven’t kept track, but enough to know some of the lines perfectly?”

Graves cocked his head to the side, almost hitting Cleo's shoulder when she scooted closer. "Shit, I'll definitely slow down then. I'd prefer not to blackout and miss this movie that you insist is so good." He watched the screen for a few minutes before realizing she'd answered his question. "Oh damn, you know the lines? That's wild. Gods...look at their outfits. I'm gonna dress like that guy for a day, see where it gets me." He pointed to Joey Donner, laughing. "That hairdo and everything."

Cleo grinned at him. “I thought you didn’t black out. And, um, I insist it’s good because it is good.” She rolled her eyes playfully and then looked back at the screen. “Only a few of them, and paraphrasing. Don’t.” Cleo stuck her tongue out and shook her head. “I mean, it would look good, but he’s the worst character.”

“I don’t. Just hypothetically, you know?” He scrunched his nose. “Oh yeah, I can tell. He’s got real douchebag vibes.” Graves took a sip from his mug and used his free hand to absentmindedly mess with his hair.

Cleo smiled and finished her drink, then reached over for the bottle to refill it. She set the bottle down on the windowsill this time so it would be more within reach. "Yeah. But..." She bit her lip. "Yeah, dressing like him wouldn't be the worst." She shrugged and laughed. "Ugh!" She pointed at the screen. "He's the best character. I love Patrick. So cute."

Graves laughed, “We should have a 90s themed party. Give everyone an excuse to dress up.” He looked away from Cleo to watch the movie. “I’d hookup with Patrick Verona, I don’t care if he lit ten state troopers on fire. He’s hot af.”

"Oh my gods." Cleo grabbed Graves's arm. "We have to have a 90s themed party, please. It would be son fun! The playlist? Pure fire." She pressed her hand into her cheek as she watched the movie. "Ugh, same. The rumors just make him hotter."

When Cleo grabbed his arm, Graves fumbled his mug but managed not to spill a drop. He grinned at her, thanking the gods for his quick reflexes. “That playlist would be real decent, for sure. We should make it happen. What’s your favorite 90’s song?” He resumed his admiration of young Heath, biting his lip. “You’re right. The air of mystery adds to his sex appeal.”

“The playlist would be perfect. We have to do it. It can be in the rec room or something,” she decided, not wanting to clean up a mess. “I think it’s either No Scrubs or Baby One More Time.” She laughed a bit. “Weird array. What about you?” Cleo rested her cheek on Graves’s shoulder and sighed. “You’re so right. Everyone loves a bad boy.” She nearly squeaked when Cameron appeared on screen again. “But I love him too! Can they both be my boyfriends?”

Graves realized he’d just signed himself up to host a party with Cleo and wondered if Rosie would reconsider what she’d said about not kicking him out of the cabin yet. He laughed, a little delayed, before shrugging. “I love Flagpole Sitta but No Scrubs is another fave. Oh, No Diggity is good too.” He grinned when Cleo rested her head on his shoulder, adjusting his posture a bit so she could be comfortable. Her enthusiasm about the movie was contagious. “Two boyfriends?? Can’t I have one? I can’t date someone with the same name as me so I guess I have to date Verona.” He faked a pout.

Cleo curled her legs under her. "Yes to all of that. Like I said, absolute fire playlist." She cuddled a bit closer to him and sipped her drink, then tilted her head up so that she could pout back at him. "Um, I'm cute enough to have both. We can share on the days I'm feeling generous."

“Okay, I cant argue with that. I’ll wait for you to be in a generous mood, I guess.” He took a sip of his wine and snorted, almost sending his drink out his nose. “Did she just say ‘but it’s only 4:30’ about making people cry?” Graves asked, through laughter. “Gods, a badass.”

Cleo dropped her face again so that she could watch the movie more attentively. "Yes. She's the best character. I'm way more like Bianca, but I'd love to have Kat energy. Their dad's a full psycho though."

“Bancroft,” Graves laughed harder. “Your dad literally causes madness in mortals.” He covered his mouth with his hand to stifle his laughter and a hiccup. He was going to say more, but thought better of calling Dionysus ‘psycho’. “Oh man, you definitely have Bianca energy, you’re right.”

Cleo scoffed. "Only really when they deserved it and then..." She frowned and shook her head. "Okay, I see what you mean, but careful what you say about the god of wine while drinking it, alright?" She exhaled a laugh. "Yes, I too have beer flavored..." She stopped herself from finishing the full quote, giggling too hard.

"I swear I'm not questioning his judgement. Is this..." Graves eyed his cup warily. "Still safe to drink? Or am I a dead man? I don't need any more curses." He gave Cleo a strange look when she burst out laughing, not understanding the reference. "Beer flavored...what?" He put his hand up to stop her. "Do I even want to know?"

Cleo snorted, glancing at Graves again. "Probably. What other curses do you have?" She shook her head and just pressed her lips together. "Nothing. It's a line later in the movie, it was dumb, just... forget about it." She laughed into her cup.

He looked at her and raised an eyebrow while he took another sip from his mug. "Forget I mentioned that," Graves said after swallowing. "If I tell you, they might get transferred and we don't want that." He smirked. When Cleo continued to laugh, his expression shifted to confusion again before he shrugged it off. "Do you even like beer? Or are you strictly a wine person?"

Cleo raised her eyebrows back at him, her attention split between him and the movie. “Forget? How can I ever? It’s so intriguing!” She pouted a bit. “I guess I wouldn’t want it myself, but is being this close to you going to make it jump from you to me? Is it obtained through osmosis?” She leaned back so that she wasn’t pressed up against him anymore and smiled, but shook her head. “Not much of a beer person, but definitely more than wine. I like ciders, and tequila, and rum.” She nodded. “Jack of all liquors, really.”

"You'll just have to try, Bancroft. Trust me. It's a nasty curse, I wouldn't want to burden you with my tragic fate." Graves' expression turned somber, but there was still a sparkle in his eyes. "No osmosis, no ma'am." He finished off the wine in his mug with a long swig. Resting the empty mug on his knee, he squinted at the laptop screen, trying to gauge his level of sobriety. "Jack of all liquors, sounds like something one of my siblings would say. All good beverage choices."

Cleo pressed a hand into her cheek, which was warm as the wine was hitting her. "Stop being so mysterious, Cam! You're gonna make me fall in love with you," she joked and looked down at how much she had in her own mug. "Okay, I feel like I need to catch up with you a bit." She took a few swigs and then tilted her head from side to side. "Probably don't compare me to your siblings too much, you might get in trouble. She laughed. "I love... Malibu." She nodded and scooted back to her original position and looked back at the screen. "Okay, we gotta watch."

“Wait, shit. You mean you’re not already madly in love with me?” Graves looked at Cleo in mock surprise. “You’re right, I need to kept my mouth shut. I don’t need any more trouble.” He winked at her before focusing back on the movie as instructed. “Malibu is good. I fuckin’ love Fireball,” he added, eyes glued to the screen.

Cleo bit her lip and glanced up at Graves. "Maybe a little." She laughed and leaned against him again, resting her head on his shoulder. She sipped her wine and exhaled a laugh as her chest grew warm. "I doubt you'll ever stop having trouble, what with your curse." She hummed in agreement. "Sourpuss," she added to the list, then laughed at the screen. "Ugh, when will someone get my sister to start dating so that they can date me? Alternatively, when will someone get paid to take me out because I'm so daunting, and then fall for me?"

Graves couldn’t help but smile, he enjoyed their banter. “I’ll keep that in mind.” He tilted his head to gently lean on hers. For a moment he frowned, misunderstanding, then realized Cleo had been adding to her list. He added another of his own, “Peach Schnapps.” He gave Cleo light nudge, laughing. “I didn’t know Lisette had sworn off dating. Shit, that’s tragic.” In a different voice, he added, “I don’t think you’re dauntin’. Who called you that?” He cracked his knuckles. “I’ll deal with them.”

“Mm, yes.” Cleo agreed with the addition to the list. “I mean, could be worse things, right?” She laughed. “I think if anyone called me daunting they’d have to get their eyes checked. That or they’re a foot tall.”

“Could be worse things, for sure.” He agreed. “They could call you a hippie, or a ridiculous flirt.” Graves hummed, grinning. “They’d have to pay someone to take me on a date, sure as hell. I’ve heard I’m a fuckin nightmare.”

Cleo laughed and nudged Graves’s arms. “Shut up.” She shook her head a bit. “Aw, is anyone offering a couple hundred to take you out? I could let you know about it and we’ll split it all 80-20.”

Graves shrugged, nudging Cleo right back. His eyes lit up. "Not as far as I know, but we'll split it for sure." He flicked his gaze over to her before looking back at the screen. "Okay, this Joey Donner guy? A total dickwad."

Cleo finished her drink and then put her mug on the windowsill. She moved to wrap her arms around his arm, still resting her head on his shoulder. “Yeah.” She scrunched her nose. “I can’t wait until... Just wait, it’s good.”

“What am I waiting for?” He shifted, pressing himself a little closer to Cleo, trying to be as comfortable of a headrest as possible. Graves’ lips twitched in a small smile as she encircled his arm with her own. “I have high hopes.”

“You should be!” Cleo didn’t want to spoil the ending for Graves, especially since it was so unexpected and satisfying to watch. She tapped his arm suddenly with a small gasp. “Oh! You brought snacks, right? Where are they?”

"I'll grab 'em, hang on." Graves untangled his arm from Cleo's and slid off the bed, walking over to the doorway to retrieve his backpack. "You want red vines?" He fished the package out of his bag before hopping back on the bed, crashing into her in the process. "Fuck, sorry, you okay?" He held out the candy as an apology and smiled.

Cleo was somehow disappointed when Graves untangled himself from her, despite knowing that he had to in order to get them snacks. She paused the movie and then moved over to pour them both more wine, and when Graves crashed into her, a bit sloshed onto her and the bed. "Oops." She laughed and took the vines with her free hand, put her mug down on the windowsill, and stood to get a towel to wipe up the mess. "Before you freak out, this happens more than you'd think," she said as she patted her dress and tossed the towel down on top of her bedspread. "So don't worry about it."

His smile faltered as the wine spilled and Graves immediately untied his flannel from around his waist to try to sop up the mess, but Cleo beat him to it, grabbing a towel. "Shit, I'm sorry. There's wine on your dress too, fuck. You..." He paused. "This must happen often because you are so calm right now." He let out a hesitant laugh, running a hand through his hair. "Sorry again. Can I do anything else?"

Cleo waved her hand somewhat dismissively. “Not that often! I’m not a slob. I just know how to take care of stains that I get.” She stuck her tongue out, unclear if she was actually offended or not. “Absolutely not.” She pulled the towel from her bed and hung it up again before returning to her seat. She ripped open the red vines with her teeth, bit off both ends of one, and dropped it into her mug to use a straw. After settling back down, she held out the other mug to Graves. “Ready to go after our brief intermission?”

"Oh gods, I swear I was teasin'. I don't think you're a slob." Graves smiled sheepishly. He accepted his mug from Cleo and nodded, biting his lip. "Yeah, let's keep watching. Sorry again." He clambered back on the bed, careful not to crash into her this time. When Cleo was settled on the bed, he shifted a little closer to her, their arms just barely touching. "Cheers," he raised his mug towards hers.

Cleo laughed quietly at Graves and handed him his mug. She pressed play on the movie and cuddled up against him again. She hit her mug against his lightly. “Cheers!” She called out and then sipped through her red vine straw.

After taking a sip, Graves nodded appreciatively. "Straw game on point, 'Croft. I'm in the presence of a genius." He broke into a smile when Cleo cuddled up with him and he gladly leaned back into her, getting comfortable. He slouched down a little bit, leaning his head on her shoulder this time. "Movie night sh' be a weekly thing."

“Thanks.” Cleo grinned at the praise. “You should absolutely have the same straw if you feel bold enough.” She joked and sighed. “Ugh, absolutely. We can alternate weeks. You can pick your Mad Max for the next one.”

"You already know what I'll pick, look at you!" Graves chuckled. "You get me." He sighed, content, as he took another sip of wine. "I'd gladly accept a straw vine ma'am." He held out his mug for her to add the straw.

Cleo flashed a smile at Graves and bit her lip before looking back at the screen. She pulled a red vine from the package and then handed it to him. “Here you are, sir.”

Graves dropped the red vine into the cup and sipped wine through his makeshift straw. "Shit, this is awesome. Thank you ma'am." He grinned at Cleo, eyes flicking across her face before he turned back to the movie. He nudged her playfully but didn't say anything.

“Prevents the wine lip,” Cleo said quietly. She sipped her drink and watched the movie and then slapped his arm again. “Ugh, wait, this is it! This is the best scene!” She pressed one hand into her cheek and sipped her drink more. “The bleachers! Ugh, when will someone do this for me?”

Graves touched two fingers to his forehead. "Wine lip, I should have known." He chuckled, then made a startled sound when Cleo slapped his arm. "What!" He saw her excitement and obediently focused on the movie. His mouth widened into a surprised 'o'. "Stop, this is- fuck, this is awesome! I mean, I'd be mortified if someone did this for me but, shit that looks so fucking fun." Graves glanced at Cleo, "Maybe soon." He winked playfully and started softly humming the song.

"This is the best scene in the movie, honestly. No, in cinema, really." Cleo smiled and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "I fully expect this to happen at the amphitheatre now, thank you very much."

"You get me drunk enough, put me on stage for karaoke? Hell, I'm not makin' any promises but," Graves grinned. "I'm not sayin' it can't happen either."

Cleo giggled and sipped more from her candy straw. "I'll keep that in mind next karaoke. You better do the full performance."

"Bancroft, I need to warn you now. I cannot sing. If my life depended on it, I'd be in the Underworld already." He shuddered dramatically. "Can't dance either, but that's nothin' a little tequila can't fix."

Cleo rested her chin on his shoulder to look at Graves. "That just makes it better." She smiled at him for a moment before moving her head back to watch the movie again.

Graves scrunched his nose at Cleo. "If by 'better' you mean 'very embarrassing for Graves' then yeah, it's better. I'll never forgive you if you record my performance though. I do not want to go viral."

Cleo took a bite from her straw and smiled, still watching the movie. "But then I can't make it my alarm to wake up to in the morning, and then what's the point?"

"I promise you, the original song would make a much better alarm than my rendition. Fuck, that would be an awful alarm," Graves laughed, taking a sip of his wine.

Cleo hummed in agreement. “That would be a good alarm.” She wrapped one arm around his again as she drank, fully absorbed in the movie. When it got to the scene where Kat flashes the teacher to get Patrick out of detention, she tapped him excitedly again. “I love her!”

When Kat flashed her teacher, Graves’ eyebrows skyrocketed. “Damn, okay! She did that. I love her too.” As Cleo linked their arms, Graves grinned, leaning a little more of his weight on her. “Okay, please tell me they end up together because if not, I need to end up with one of them.”

Cleo laughed. “Well, I’m in love with her.” She didn’t know why she felt the need to one-up him, but she did. She pressed her lips together. “I’m sorry, that’s a spoiler.”

Graves raised his free hand in surrender. “Fine, fine. I take back my love for her.” He was about to take another sip from his mug but hiccuped suddenly. Graves made a face. “How do you-“ he hiccuped again, “know if you’re in love? I mean, the general ‘you’.”

Cleo chewed on her candy straw in thought. “I think...” She watched their date flicker on the screen and she squinted slowly. “I think I just know. It’s like... A fuzzy feeling you get, and you’re always warm. It’s like a little hug in your stomach, and a comfortable feeling in your chest. It feels...” She hummed. “Safe.” She pressed a hand into her cheek. “Different from the fuzzy crush feeling. That’s more like buzzing, and your cheeks hurting from smiling, you know?” She tilted her head slightly to glance at him. “Why?”

Graves kept his eyes fixed on the movie, chewing his lip. He thought about what she described, the feelings she pointed out. He shrugged, almost imperceptibly. His voice low, Graves answered without looking away from the movie, “I don’t think I’ve ever been in love, that’s why.”

Cleo blinked at Graves and took another sip of her drink. “Well, that’s not too surprising. You’re a gemini man. Have you ever even dated anyone?”

"A gemini man," Graves huffed. "Reducing me to my zodiac sign, I'm hurt, Bancroft." He could feel the walls that he'd unwittingly lowered start to slide back up. "Nah, nah. I don't date." He downed the rest of his mug in one large sip.

Cleo lifted her eyebrows at him. “Are you really offended?” She frowned slightly. “How do you expect to fall in love if you don’t date?”

"Oh, shit. No no, I was just- I was joking." He clarified. "Also I'm a cancer. Well, a cusp." Graves nudged her gently, a small smile on his face to show that he hadn't been upset. "I don't expect to, I was just..." He searched for the right word. "Curious, I guess. I sound like an idiot." He shook his head, wishing he hadn't downed his wine, but not wanting to ask for more. His cheeks felt warm, his head a little foggy.

Cleo pressed her lips together as she watched him. “You seem like a gemini.” She rested her chin on his shoulder again. “You don’t sound like an idiot.” She shrugged one shoulder. “You know, I think you can be in love with things that aren’t people. Like sounds or words or the way something feels.”

Graves tilted his head. "I've never felt particularly one way or the other, so I'll trust your judgement." He leaned on Cleo again, nudging his arm closer to hers. "I agree with that. Didn't the Greeks have, like, five different kinds of love or something?"

Cleo dropped her face again and looked back to the screen. “Six. Agape, eros, philia...” She squinted as she thought. “Ludus and pragma, and... One that means self-love. Have you ever read Symposium?”

"Have I read-nah, what is that?" He mimicked Cleo's earlier action, leaning on her shoulder. "I actually knew the first three on that list, surprised myself."

Cleo glanced down at Graves without moving her head. “Symposium, it’s Plato, and he just talks about love and the different forms of it. It’s really beautiful, actually.” She smiled, more for herself than anything, and her eyes grew almost misty. “They’re the most famous, I think. Do you know what the others are?”

Graves drummed his fingers on his thigh, thinking. "Ludus is...playful love? It's also one of the planets in Ready: Player One. And pragma, I don't know. Something practical, from context probably?" His eyes flickered to Cleo's face, watching her expression change as she talked about love. "You're a hopeless romantic, aren't you?"

Cleo moved her head in what could be considered a nod to confirm that ludus was playful, not wanting to move too much. She smiled a bit. “Yeah. I heard it described as when you stop falling in love and learn to stand in it. It’s practical, a growing sort of love.” She flushed as she met his eyes, wine-warm cheeks growing warmer. “Kinda. I also just took a course on love and Symposium was just... really pretty. I loved it. Except for the misogyny, but, you know, can’t have everything.” She laughed quietly, tracing her eyes over his features, and then turned back toward the screen suddenly, humming urgently as she did. “We’re gonna miss the prom! The best scenes! Besides all the other scenes.”

"Stand in it, I like that." Graves returned her smile, holding Cleo's gaze when her eyes met his. He chewed his lip. "I'll have to read it, maybe they have it at the bookstore?" He chuckled, "Are you telling me you didn't order a side of misogyny with your love?" He scrunched his nose before carding his fingers through his hair. He turned his gaze away from Cleo, almost reluctantly, and focused back on the movie. "Gods, who dresses up as Shakespeare for prom?"

“I can lend it to you,” Cleo said, gaze fixed on the screen. “Since you’re here already. I have it in the original Greek! But if you don’t like notes in the margins maybe don’t borrow it from me. Plus, actually, coming into the bookstore and buying it might be a good sales tactic, so let’s say I did that.” She exhaled a small laugh before slapping his arm lightly. “Hey! I know that everyone wants to grow up and become Kat, but some of us just end up her crazy friend obsessed with Shakespeare. And he dressed up all for her! That’s so cute!” She smiled despite her words and drained the last of her wine. “But, ugh, just, okay, just watch. This is the best part. I love Bianca.”

Graves' eyes stayed focused on the screen as he answered. "I don't mind notes in the margins, maybe I'll learn more from your insight." He almost pulled his arm away to dodge Cleo's slap, but didn't want to untangle their arms. "Hey! Okay, fine, that's fair. They can have their theater geek prom." His expression turned to one of surprise. "Shit! Cameron down. Please tell me I take a punch better than that." Graves' nearly jumped in excitement when Bianca punched that guy, instead he tapped Cleo's leg with his hand. "Oh my gods! Damn! That's what I'm talkin' about!!"

Cleo pressed her cheek into the top of his head for a moment, watching the movie past his hair. “I’ll lend it to you, then. Don’t leave here without it.” She nodded. “We should have a theatre geek prom! Like, here. Or just a dance. A dance where people have to dress up,” she decided on, then untangled herself from Graves slightly to press a hand to her cheek. “Ugh, baby," she said when Cameron got hit. "I love this move, I love it.” She sighed dramatically. “When will Bianca marry me?”

Graves hummed, thinking. "A masquerade, Bancroft. A masquerade." When Cleo pulled away, he shifted, pulling his knees up to his chest and leaning on them. "He went down so hard," he laughed, watching the movie-Cameron. Graves turned to look at Cleo, catching her exaggerated sigh. He grinned and elbowed her gently, "This was a good movie. Good fuckin' choice. If you propose, I bet she'd say yes."

Cleo put her cup down on the windowsill and grabbed Graves's arm when he mentioned a masquerade. "Yes." She leaned in close to him and grinned, feeling as though the last sip of wine and last glass of wine hit her all at once. "We need to do that. A masquerade. Please! I'll mention it to people and help plan it and everything, I swear!" She leaned back again and looked at her computer. "He's just a boy!" She laughed, leaning back on a hand. "Thanks." She flashed a smile, but it faded as she pressed a hand to her cheek. "We're just getting to the sad part, though!" She frowned at the screen, chest growing tight as the music grew sad.

Graves leaned in, a conspiratorial look in his eyes and rested his forehead against Cleo's. He matched her grin. "Shit, I'm all in for a masquerade, Bancroft. But if you get me stuck on the plannin' committee, gods help you," he threatened, joking. When she leaned away, Graves made a face, before resting his folded arms on his knees again. "And you're just a girl, right?" He matched her tone, still grinning but feeling a little fuzzy. She hadn't been kidding when she warned how strong the wine was. Graves looked at Cleo when the music changed, studying her expression, "Please don't tell me someone dies or something. How sad does this get?" He pouted at her.

Cleo didn’t seem to see a problem with their proximity and just smiled, pressing her nose against his. “Cameron, sir, you are going to help me plan this by being the hype man, okay? Just tell every single person about it and I’ll get a group of people to actually plan it!” As she sat back, she smiled at him. “Unless you can handle putting up some twinkle lights with me?” She groaned and pressed her hand into her cheek somewhat harder, sticking out her lower lip. “No, just heartbreak.” She sniffled.

"You need hype? I'm an excellent hype man, swear." Graves winked, then started making a mental list of who to tell first to get the ball really rolling. He looked over at Cleo and returned her smile. "I guess I could handle some twinkle lights. I'd be a hot assistant, for sure." He patted her knee affectionately when she groaned. "There, there, sappy. I don't have any tissues but uh, I have a shoulder to cry on?" Graves' eyes darted between Cleo and the screen. "I love this teacher man, he's just roastin' the guy because he knows Joey had it comin'. I love it."

“Perfect.” Cleo grinned widely at her friend and nodded her head once in confirmation. “It’s a plan, then. I’ll let you know dates when we figure it out. And then you can be there to physically set it up with me!” Once Kat started reading her poem, she wiped at her face, which was now covered in tears as she was openly crying. “Yeah.” She said as she sniffled again. “He’s a good teacher.” She reached over to grab a few tissues from a box handy on her windowsill.

"It's a date- err, that's not what I meant." Graves laughed at his own mix up. "Yes, I'll be there, for all your twinkle-light-hanging needs," he amended. Just as Cleo started wiping away tears, Graves turned his head away so she wouldn't see that he'd gotten a little misty-eyed himself. He preferred not to show off his softer side but, damn, that poem had hit him. He used his shoulder to wipe a tear off his cheek, praying to the gods that Cleo didn't see. He turned back to the screen, his voice sounding a little strange as he spoke. "Wow, I-uh I liked her poem."

If she noticed Cameron crying, Cleo didn’t indicate that there was anything unusual about it. “Ugh, same.” She wiped her nose, smiling once again when there was a guitar found in the front seat of Kat’s car, though it only made her burst into tears once again. “I’m so sorry.” She laughed at herself and wiped at her face. “I would say I don’t normally do this, but I know the ending, and I’ve done it every single time. You should have seen me the first time I watched it. It’s like, I know how the play ends, I obviously know they end up together, and yet I’m still crying!” She looked over at him.

Graves grinned, thankful she hadn't said anything. He looked away from the screen when Cleo burst into tears again and passed her a tissue. "Gods, Bancroft." Graves let out a small laugh. "I love that you're so invested in this movie but uh, if you don't stop crying, there's gonna be a flood in here," he joked, nudging her shoulder. Looking back at the movie, he noted, "I don't even play guitar but I'd still swoon at a gesture like that."

Cleo took the tissue with a watery smile and wiped at her face again. She sighed, finally done with her crying. "Sorry, sorry! I'm a drunk pisces!" She laughed and sighed. "Me too. It's just the thought, and the fact that he used all the money that he got for taking her on dates. It gives them a fresh start."

"I'm a drunk...Gemini? Cancer? Cusp?" He responded, forgetting why he was listing his zodiac options even as he listed them. Graves nodded. "Yeah, it's-" he hiccuped and immediately scowled. "It's cute. This is cute," he said vaguely, laughing to himself.

"This is very cute." Cleo smiled and looked at Graves, resting her cheek on her hand.

Graves looked at Cleo and grinned. "Top 5 favorite movies. Rapid fire!" he said, leaning against her again.

"This one, Thirteen Going on Thirty, Romeo and Juliet, but the Leonardo Di Caprio version, Birds of Prey, and Enchanted." She flashed a smile as she listed her movies easily. "How about you?"

Graves' brow furrowed at Cleo's list. "I've only seen....Thirteen Going on Thirty, I think. My mom loves that movie." He paused for a moment, thinking of movies. "Okay, well Mad Max: Fury Road, obviously. And then The Goonies, Pacific Rim, Pirates of the Caribbean, and...oh! Ferris Bueller's Day Off! A fuckin' classic."

Cleo scoffed and turned towards him, still close. “Okay, well now we have a list of movies we have to watch. I can’t believe you’ve never seen Enchanted. You’re gonna love it, believe me.” She pressed her lips together. “Okay, I’ve seen all of those except for Pacific Rim. And I can kind of remember watching Mad Max? But I think I may have just watched pieces of it.”

He glanced at her, rolling his eyes dramatically. "You can't just watch pieces of Mad Max, Bancroft."

Cleo snorted as she laughed and took his face in her hands. “Well, I did, Cameron!” She dropped her hands as quickly as she raised them, and she tilted her head to rest her cheek on her own shoulder.

"That's unacceptable, Bancroft!" Graves laughed, looking down when Cleo put her hands on his face. He looked back up at her, biting his lip and half-smiling. "Seriously, we need to fuckin' fix that immediately, if not sooner."

Cleo pressed a hand to her cheek. “Are you suggesting a double feature? I don’t know if I can handle another movie, even if it’s your favorite one.”

"Nah, not tonight. I'd fall asleep right here." Graves pretended to snore for a second, before sitting back up. "We should watch it next week. My place."

Cleo giggled as he pretended to snore. “Sleep well sweet prince.” She rubbed her cheek. “Sure. Same time?”

Graves snorted when she said sweet prince. He thought for a second then nodded. "Same time, works for me." He chewed his lip. "I can even meet you at the bookstore again."

Cleo grinned at him. “Sure, it’s a date. Grab me another iced chai?”

"You didn't even have to ask," Graves smiled and ran a hand through his hair.

#this is absurdly long you can just skim it tbh #c: cleo #c: cleograves #why do cleo and graves only speak in italics????#half of it is me n jess talking abt ten things i hate about u

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snarkwriteswrasslin · 4 years

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FFT: he loves me, loves you not; drew gulak

Notes:

Okay, so this one was originally sent to me on my main’s ask by @vonschweetz and here we have Drew Gulak as an Alpha. Which, not gonna lie, that is... quiiite a concept and one that I do truly want to re-visit one day... maybe after I’ve plotted it out a lil better. I know literally no one else asked for this one to be dug up but here it is so HA.

Summary:

Lily is Drew’s Omega. And she’s feeling just a little insecure thanks to Mandy Rose popping up and putting in her two cents. Drew takes his role as Lily’s Alpha quite seriously and as a result, he does whatever he can to reassure Lily about her place in his life.

Pairing:

Drew Gulak x OFC, Lily

Warning:

heavily implied alpha and omega dynamics at play.

“You do realize that he followed me around like a lost puppy before you showed up.. Right?” Mandy said it calmly as she filed her nails. Lily bit the inside of her cheek to keep from saying something she might regret later and she continued to straighten her hair.

Mandy Rose was just a bitch who liked to intimidate people. Just like all the bullies back in Lily’s old school. Girls like Mandy were a dime a dozen and often cheaper than that.

“No response, Lila?”

“My name is Lily. Or is all the silicone from your tits leaking into your brain, Amanda?” - it slipped out before Lily could stop it and Mandy looked up at her, shocked.

“First of all it’s Mandy.. Secondly, did you just? Because I don’t think I need to remind you, Lila..” Mandy put a heavy emphasis on the wrong name this time and Lily gave a dry laugh as she put down the straightener, and folded her arms, waiting on Mandy to finish. “Well? Go on AMANDA.. You were obviously about to say something earth shattering? Awww… did your itty bitty brain stop workin again?”

“You little bitch.”

“Takes one to know one, hon.” Lily retorted, suck popping her gum as she tapped her foot. Mandy eyed her and then continued calmly, with a particularly predatory gleam in her eyes, “I don’t think I need to remind you that if I complain about you to certain people, you’re gone.. And then I will get Drew Gulak all to myself.”

“Is that what you really think? Because frankly, I don’t see that happening. We done or do you have any further stupidity you wanna unload?” Lily tried to pretend total confidence but a quick glance in the mirror at herself and then at Mandy, well.. Mandy had that certain look that seemed to make even the most reasonable man lose their entire goddamn mind and she and Drew were.. Still new, still figuring things out. And she couldn’t ever be sure.. Sometimes, being surrounded by women who were society’s /ideal/ of beauty was damning in the fact that every single flaw someone like Lily possessed seemed to stand out like a neon light on the Vegas Strip at night.

Suddenly, she was seeing every little flaw or thing she didn’t like about herself magnified, no matter how much she tried to tell herself that a pretty face didn’t equal a pretty heart. And so far, what she knew about her Alpha, Drew Gulak, that tended to suggest that he leaned more towards what was on the inside.

Mandy eyed the mousy little blonde and smirked. “I don’t just think it, Lily. I know. See, I’m used to getting exactly what I want and lately? I want Drew.”

Lily was about to say something but a throat clearing from the door and Drew’s scent filling the room had her tensing and biting her lip. Drew eyed her, mouthing the words “Is everything okay?” and she shrugged as she put the finishing touches on Mandy’s hair then sat the straightener down on top of her makeup table firmly. “I believe you’re all done. I mean I can’t give you a brain transplant to make you any less stupid or a personality transplant to make you less of a bitch but i did what I could.”

“You just got on my bad side.” Mandy glared as she turned and stormed out, careful to drop the atititude as she passed by Drew. With Mandy gone, Lily flopped down in the chair and uncapped the bottled water in front of her, shotgunning half. “You can come in.”

Drew stepped into the makeup room and made his way over to his Omega. He didn’t need his enhanced senses to know something was bothering her, the look in her eyes told it quite clearly.

He stopped behind her chair and rested his hands on her shoulders, wordlessly kneading and rubbing, giving her a massage as he stared at her face in the mirror. “Whatever she said wasn’t true and you shouldn’t let it get to you, Lily. And before you say you’re not, I can see it in your eyes, princess.” he leaned down and brushed his lips against her ear, chuckling quietly when he felt her shiver at the intimate touch. In a whisper, he told her with a smirk, “Who did I give my mark to, hmm? Because it wasn’t that spray tanned bimbo that just left here if I’m remembering properly..”

“I know, just..”

“Maybe someone needs a reminder of exactly where she belongs and who she belongs with, hmm? Is that what you’re saying, princess? Because that’s what it sounds like to me.” Drew trailed off, tilting her head slightly, lips dancing over a healed and re bitten mate marking. “You’re all mine because I chose you. Not her, you. I love you. Not her. And as soon as we’re back at the hotel, Lily..”

“Yeah?” her words came in a breathless pant, his hand slipped down the front of her shirt, massaging and squeezing her breasts in his hand as she fought to keep her composure and resist the urge to climb Drew like a tree, right there in the arena.

“I’m gonna show you just how much I love you, princess.”

#drew gulak fanfiction #drew gulak fanfic #drew gulak fic #drew gulak oneshot #drew gulak imagine #// heavily implied alpha and omega dynamics

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wildroseofarran · 5 years

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Winter Ball, Part II || Jaidan & Letcher

June: June felt like Cinderella. Ice princess Cinderella. Dressing on theme wasn't a requirement for the gala, but why wouldn't she? This was something that only happened once a year, and if she could go crazy with the stars and stripes on the Fourth of July, she could be ice princess Cinderella for the gala.

Now if only she wasn't worried about her men abandoning ship before they got there.

She pulled up Fletcher's name and hit 'call'.

Fletcher: June would be greeted by a cough, a muttered curse and something falling on carpet. Nothing broken, at least.

"Hey, Junebug. Sup?"

June: She laughed. Those were not very encouraging sounds. “Well hello to you, too. I can practically feel your excitement for today.”

Fletcher: "Right. Today." Luke wouldn't pass up this opportunity to see him especially dressed for the occasion.

"M'not runnin' away if that's what you're worried 'bout."

June: “I’m not worried. Just making sure you’re still on board. I know you’re not a fan of these kinds of things.”

Fletcher: "M'not gonna lie t'ya 'bout somethin' like this. M'still goin'. Luke, too."

June: "Okay. Is he excited? Are you excited?"

Fletcher: "Well, I get t'see him all dressed up. That's kinda, ya know, hot."

June: June laughed. "Yes, it is. And he gets to see you all dressed up. It'll be very romantic."

Fletcher: "Ehhh. If ya say so. Are we meetin' ya there, or am I pickin' y'all up, or...?"

June: "I figured we'd meet ya'll there. Aidan is picking me up."

Fletcher: "Yep. Still a gentleman. Y'all feel free t'drink. I'll be sober for it."

June: "You're volunteering yourself as designated driver? You don't have to. If we're in no condition to drive home we can call someone to pick us up."

Fletcher: "I wasn't gonna be drinkin' anyway. Really, the two of ya have a good time. Luke too, if he can even get trashed on wine."

June: "Okay, thank you. But if you change your mind, tell me, okay? I want you to have a good time too."

Fletcher: "Drinkin' doesn't equate a good time, Junebug. I know workin' at a bar the patrons have fooled you," he laughed.

June: "You at least have to have a glass of champagne in the honor of the season."

Fletcher: "Fine. One. Right when I walk in with ya. Okay?"

June: "Deal! I also demand at least...two dances."

Fletcher: "Two?! Ya get one."

June: "Aw, come on! What's two little dances?"

Fletcher: "Luke's also gonna want dances n'I don't dance."

June: "Then we'll space them out. One at the beginning of the night and one toward the end."

Fletcher: "...Maybe." Easier than saying no. "What time is the party?"

June: "Six-thirty."

Fletcher: "Wanna do anything 'fore then?"

June: "My sister is coming over at three to help me do my hair so I'm free until then. Whatcha have in mind?"

Fletcher: "Shit I meant from today till then. Like ya wanna hit the gym?"

June: "Oh, today! Yes, I'm free and yes, I wanna go to the gym!"

Fletcher: "What we gonna work on today?"

June: "Arms. Got inventory coming up."

Fletcher: "Want some boxin'?"

June: "Yes. Been a while."

Fletcher: "I'll come pick ya up in an hour."

June: "Sounds good. See you then!"

Fletcher: As that time rolled around, June was given a text at a red light. Just a few blocks away.

Luke: As he drove, Fletcher would be receiving multiple pictures of Luke in different outfits.

Which one? they'd ask.

Like this, or like that? This colour, or that? That, or this?

The process also included him switching between genders, trying to figure out what would be more comfortable for them both, or if it made any difference at all.

He knew Fletcher wouldn't care as much as he is making out Fletcher will care, but he's stressing! The gala's a big deal!

Fletcher: The sudden switch in genders left him at the red light a few seconds too long. Should June know? What about Aidan and the rest of the Archers? It had been something intimate between them. The idea of others knowing hadn't crossed his thoughts.

{Text: Angel} What are you feelin more a dress or suit?

Luke: Fletcher: {Text} Almost to June's I'll call you then baby

He pulled up to the side of the road and sent a quick message to June. He'd be waiting outside talking to Luke. She could take her time.

The phone was pressed to his ear, elbow on the window as he counted the rings.

June: {Text to Fletcher} AHH I'M SORRY I GOT DISTRACTED TALKING TO MY BROTHER

{Text to Fletcher} I'LL BE OUT SOON I PROMISE

Luke: It would only ring thrice before Luke answered. He sounded exasperated immediately.

"Fletcher!" he exhaled. "Hi, Beautiful. Are you with June now?"

Fletcher: "Hey, baby. Yeah, she's almost out. So..." He turned up the A/C. "So ya wanna be Light for the gala?"

Luke: "It... it isn't so much a want as it is... I don't know the people who will be there. What if being a woman with you would be easier? But then Aidan and June... I'm... I'm torn. I don't know what to do."

Fletcher: "I know m'the first t'fuckin'...not want somethin' 'cause of...the shit in my life. I know I - but a lotta people know m'with ya. I don't think m'explainin' this right. M'not afraid t'be seen with ya at the gala as ya are."

Luke: There was silence on the other end of the phone. Some rummaging, material moving. "Alright, then. I trust you."

Fletcher: "Ya wanted t'be in a dress, didn't ya?"

Luke: He laughed shyly, "It wasn't that, I just started to wonder whether things would be easier for us."

Fletcher: "Us or me?"

Luke: "Us."

Fletcher: "Things ain't been easy 'cause I'mma guy?"

Luke: "N-no but things like... like sexual things and general homophobia and... I..." he sighed and rubbed his forehead, "I just mean more convenient."

Fletcher: "... Elaborate on that first part. D'ya like sex more as a woman?"

Luke: "I thought you might, given we... clash less."

Fletcher: "I uh..." He cleared his throat. "I like - I like both." Too bad Luke couldn't see the blush.

Luke: "Equally?"

Fletcher: "D'you like both equally?"

Luke: "I wonder if such extremely different things can be compared in such a way so as to be considered equal."

Fletcher: "Thank god you're so good with words."

Luke: "What... do you mean?"

Fletcher: "'Cause you're in love with an idiot that can't talk right. I love ya male or female, baby. I can do both."

Luke: "Don't call yourself an idiot." his soft retort while Fletcher finished speaking. "That's nice to hear... but perhaps strange for anyone who might be eavesdropping."

Fletcher: "She's just comin' outside. Wanna pick this up after the gym?"

Luke: "Sure. Tell her I said hello. See you later, love you."

June: June's first word the moment she got in the car was "Sorry! Blame my brother. And me a little bit, but mostly him."

Fletcher: "Love ya, too, baby."

His phone was tossed onto the dashboard. She was given a smile. "S'fine. Was talkin' t'Luke. Ya ready?"

June: "Yep! How is he? Excited?"

Fletcher: "Ehhh a little... nervous? Two men... Uh, he also says hi."

Fletcher pulled out to the road and turned down the radio.

June: "I hope you told him no one will care. And if someone does, I'll just beat them up."

Fletcher: "Ya got the skills to," he smiled.

June: "I should hope so, by now. But seriously, tell him not to worry."

Fletcher: "I'll let him know." Miles down the road, and the ugly concrete building came I to view. This was a part of his week he looked forward to. Through the grunts of determination and twinges of pain, despite the slams of gloves against gloves and bags his mind could be quiet. A momentary sense of peace waved over his paranoia.

June: June's mind was the opposite in a way. Her mind was racing, but not in the way it usually was. It was like her thoughts were...organizing themselves.

In her head she was doing her makeup and hair and picking out jewelry and thinking up a timetable getting ready.

She had her look complete in her head by the time they were finishing up.

"God," she sighed, nearly inhaling water. "Whoever decided humans should sweat should be kicked in the shin."

Fletcher: "C'mon. It feels good. Keeps ya cool n'pheromones," he grinned. "Go home t'Aidan n'just get naked."

June: “That’s just what someone who doesn’t have to deal with boob sweat would say.” She inhaled more water.

Fletcher: "I've got tits."

June: “You’ve got pecs. Big difference.”

Fletcher: He looked between them jokingly. "Okay, so, they were bigger than yours before we started this."

June: She laughed. “Now you’re all ripped and unrelatable.”

Fletcher: "Unrelatable? You're a lioness."

June: “A lioness with uncomfortably sweaty boobs.”

Fletcher: "They got lockers n'showers here. Girls' side probably better than what I step in."

June: "I wouldn't be too sure about that. That's why I only rinse here and shower at home."

Fletcher: "Like I said, give Aidan a surprise," he laughed. "M'really feelin' them right hooks from ya. My fuckin' wrist!"

June: "If I ever do give him this particular surprise it'll be with much cleaner hair. Also thank you! I'm really excited to kick someone out of the bar. I'm gonna go rinse off."

Fletcher: "I'll be watchin' n'takin' pictures t'hang."

His gloves were stuffed back in his bag. "Same. See ya in ten minutes."

June: "You're such a good friend."

Ten minutes later, June was no longer sweaty and much happier.

"I'm so ready to get ready."

Fletcher: "That excited, are ya?" His hair still very much damp, Fletcher was in the middle of arguing with his bag for the keys.

June: "Yes! It's going to be so fun and magical."

Fletcher: "Just hope s'somethin' Luke is gonna enjoy."

June: "I really think he will."

Fletcher: "Pretty much every big event now's gotta be more elaborate n'memorable for him."

June: She tilted her head. "Why?"

Fletcher: "I did somethin' shitty on New Year’s Eve a while back."

June: "Did you apologize and make it up to him?"

Fletcher: "Tryin' all the time. It ain't what the whole relationship is or should be, but it ain't somethin' m'ever gonna, ya know, let go of."

June: "If Luke has forgiven you or does forgive you, it's okay to forgive yourself, Fletcher. I'm sure he wouldn't want you to feel guilty for the rest of your lives, especially if you've tried to make it up to him and improve. And maybe I'm wrong, but Luke doesn't seem like the kind of person that needs or demands grand gestures."

Fletcher: "Ya ain't gotta demand em t'deserve em. Aidan should be givin' ya the same."

June: "That's true but what I'm saying is, you shouldn't feel pressured to make every big event or big thing a Big Thing, you know? Aidan took me on a walk to the ice cream place and remembered what flavor I like two months ago and I haven't stopped thinking about it."

Fletcher: The Samsa snorted, wiping his mouth in an attempt to remove the smile and very much failing.

"That's all it takes, huh?"

June: She smiled. "It really is. It's not about the size of the gesture. It's the love and meaning and thoughtfulness behind it."

Fletcher: "Well, he's lucky t'have ya."

June: "I'm lucky to have him. And you and Luke are lucky to have each other. Tonight will be memorable."

Fletcher: "Alright," he jiggled the keys, "lemme take ya home t'turn into a princess."

June: "Yes, let's go. I can turn into a princess and you and go turn into a price."

Fletcher: "Ha." But he could watch Luke transform, and that would be arousing and plenty of other things.

June was dropped off just outside of her house. A quick kiss to her cheek later, and he was well on his way home.

June: June watched Fletcher drive off, grabbing her phone from her bag as she made her way inside her house.

{Text to Aidan} Hey Prince Charming :)))))

{Text to Aidan} Just got back from the gym, about to start getting ready for tonight

{Text to Aidan} You excited?!?!?!?

Aidan: Aidan blinked at the messages which seemed to come one after another. He'll never understand why people send multiple texts, but he'll endure it for her.

{Text} Why do you have so many mouths?

June: {Text} What???

#Winter Ball Pt. 2 #junelujano #fletchergoodman #mournus

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sassyshoulderangel319 · 6 years

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Fictober18 Day 5 “Take What You Need”

It’s still Oct 5 in my time zone I’m trying to keep up!

Fandom/Character(s): DC Comics, BatFam - Dick Grayson/Nightwing

“Take what you need,” I said, gesturing to the shelves and shelves filled with supplies.

Nightwing stared at me like I’d literally grown an extra head. “Just... just like that?”

“You do plenty enough for the city that I can spare you some medical supplies. I’ve seen the news footage. You get beaten up quite a lot so, honestly, I think it’s the least I can do.”

“Thank you. That’s... remarkably kind of you.”

I shrugged. “No problem.”

I busied myself with my work while Nightwing gathered some medical supplies. “So,” he started at one point. “Are you native to Blüdhaven or...? Where are you from?”

“I’m native to Gotham, actually. Came over here for college.”

“Huh. I spent most of my childhood and adolescence in Gotham.”

“Robin, right? The first?” I asked.

“Yup. That was me. Long time ago.” He paused. “So how come you picked Blüdhaven?”

“Best program for my major in the state,” I said.

Nightwing finished picking out medical supplies. “Thank you for this,” he said, gesturing to them. “You’ve saved me a lot of trouble.”

“Well, Nightwing, you’ve saved the city from a lot of trouble so... least I can do.”

He nodded. “I’ll get out of your hair.”

“Good luck. With... everything.”

“Thank you. I’m going to need it.” He gave me a grin and what might have been a wink---but it was hard to tell behind the whiteness that covered his eyes due to his mask---before ducking out the door and disappearing into the night.

I went back to work. Blüdhaven was an interesting city to say the least.

^^^^^

Ding-dong!

I got up from my couch, setting my book on the coffee table, and went to the door. A quick peek through the peephole revealed a familiar face. “Morning, Dick,” I greeted as I pulled the door open.

He beamed. “Mornin’,” he replied. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Your mailbox was a little crowded. I took the liberty of bringing it up to you, if you don’t mind. I didn’t look through it I promise.”

“Ah. Yeah. I’ve just forgotten to pick it up the last couple days. Workin’ late, you know?” I said.

“Oh yeah. I work late a lot,” he agreed.

I remembered right then that he was a cop and cops often worked long, odd hours.

I accepted my mail from his hands and plunked it on the table next to the door where I stored my keys and umbrellas and stuff. “Thanks for bringing it up. You’re a good neighbor.”

He grinned. “No problem. And thanks.”

It was right then he noticed my T-shirt.

“Nightwing?” he asked.

I glanced down and nodded. “Yeah. I admire him. I think he’s done a lot for the city.”

“As a cop... I’m inclined to agree with you.”

“Oh yeah? Really? I’m surprised you’re not angry that he does your job better than you do,” I teased.

Dick chuckled. “Nah. I mean, that can be frustrating and disheartening, but we have to work within the laws and the system. He doesn’t. One of the judges in the city justice court has a poster on her wall that says, ‘It’s not a justice system---it’s just a system.’ Which, granted, is a cynical view. But it’s not entirely wrong. For example, domestic calls are the worst because there’s not a lot we can do. But Nightwing can get justice without official legal charges being filed even if someone is in the wrong.”

I nodded. I’d done a lot of studying the legal system in college. I went to the county jail and took a tour. I went to the courthouse and listened to hearings. I knew more than the average person, probably, just by nature of my studies, even though it actually had very little to do with my major. Just my interests.

Due to that, what he said made sense to me.

I opened my door wider. “You wanna come in? We don’t just have to chat in the doorway. I was about to make some food. Care to join me?”

“Why are you so giving?” he asked, quietly, more like he was talking to himself than me.

I shrugged. “I just am. Maybe I’m a little lonely. I haven’t had much human interaction outside work for like two weeks and I need to talk to someone who isn’t completely crazy.”

“If that’s the case, then I’d love to come in.”

I gestured for him to come in. Which he did.

“So. What’s new?”

“Nightwing came in to work last night.”

“That so?”

“Yeah. It was kinda cool to see him in person, y’know. Like, seeing him on TV is one thing, but it’s like he doesn’t exist until he’s standing in front of you, bleeding and bruised and a bit taller than I thought he’d be.”

Dick smiled as he listened. “That’s cool,” he agreed. “What was he like?”

“Seemed nice. Pretty banged up but he was nice.”

“Huh. Woulda been cool to be there.” He leaned against my counter as I opened my fridge to start making food. I glanced at him over my shoulder.

“You were there,” I said.

“What?” he asked.

“Dick, you’re Nightwing. You don’t have to lie to me.”

“How did you---?”

“Where do you want me to start?” I said playfully. “The fact that Nightwing got close enough to me that I could see the scar on your upper lip? The fact that you don’t really change your voice much---not even through a modulator? Your hairstyle? The bruises on your knuckles that you’re trying to hide from me right now? C’mon, Dick. I’m not so totally unobservant that I wouldn’t notice.”

He sighed---and probably swore under his breath too but if he did I didn’t hear him. “I should have known,” he mumbled louder.

“Don’t worry. I’m not gonna tell anybody. Wouldn’t want to put the best neighbor ever in danger.”

He snorted. “Thanks.”

“No problem. Just know you can trust me. Your secret’s safe with me.”

#fictober18 #Dick Grayson #Dick Grayson Imagine #Dick Grayson FanFiction #Nightwing #Nightwing Imagine #Nightwing FanFiction #DC #BatFam

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juanandonly0427-blog · 7 years

Text

My favorite lyrics from New School Rap Artists.

So I run a radio show at my college with one a co-host named C-Bo called “Chillin with C-Bo”. I started out as a guest on the show, but I soon became something more. Now C-Bo is leaving the country for a while, so it’s up to me to run the show.

If you ever wanna listen, I’m on from 11:30 AM- 2:30 Pm EST, on Tuesdays. I’ll provide a link to the online site below.

But enough self promotion!

One thing I promised C-Bo was that I would stick to his style of music for the show to maintain consistency, as well as sprinkle a little bit of my own flavor.

The problem, however, was I wasn’t into the type of music C-Bo was into; New School Rap. I have been hesitant to dive into this genre because I was afraid that it would ruin the flavor of rap and hip hop I had acquired from before 2010 (you know, your basic nostalgia).

But As I began to really listen to artists like Chance the Rapper, Logic, Childish Gambino, and Kendrick Lamar, I fell in love. But not with the beat, or the tempo, or even the voices/flow of the artists. I fell in love with the lyrics. What I love most about rap and hip-hop is that it gives artists a chance to formulate great lyrical content. Other genres of music have become so cheesy and typical with the words, that it gets to the point where they all sound the same.

But in rap, each song is so different.

Nas wrote a song from the point of view of a gun.

Eminem wrote a song about a crazed fan that lost his mind trying to get his attention.

NWA created songs that helped bring a spark into the souls of Compton residents, making them feel like they aren’t all the criminals and gang-bangers everyone sees them as.

Hell, Mackelmore wrote a song about how to shop at a thrift shop!

Today’s modern day rap has taken a bit of a blow in terms of lyrical content, however.

With so many songs about money, drinking, smoking, making money, cursing out the police, and gang banging, along with the rise of Mumble rap and songs that are just repeating the same 3 lines over and over to a loud beat, it’s hard to find good, thought provoking lyrics in today’s rap.

Luckily, I found a few.

If you wanna know what songs these lyrics came from, they’ll be in Parenthesis at the end of each one.

So here are some of my favorite lyrics from some of today’s New School Rap Artists;

Kendrick Lamar

“I can dig rapping... but a rapper with a ghost writer; what the fuck happened? (Oh no!) I swore I wouldn't tell! But most of you share bars like you got the bottom bunk in a two man cell! (A two man cell?) Something's in the water.(Something's in the water) And if I got a brown nose for some gold, then I'd rather be a bum than a motherfuckin' baller!” (King Kunta)

“I'm so fucking sick and tired of the Photoshop. Show me something natural like afro on Richard Pryor. Show me something natural like ass with some stretch marks.” (HUMBLE)

“I know murder, conviction, burners, boosters, burglars, ballers, dead, redemption, scholars, fathers dead with kids, and I wish I was fed forgiveness Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, soldier's DNA.” (DNA)

“I done been through a whole lot; trials and tribulations, but I know God! Satan wanna put me in a bow-tie, praying that the holy water don't go dry, yeah yeah! As I look around me, so many motherfuckers wanna down me! But enemigo never drown! In front of a dirty double-mirror, they found me. And, I love myself!” (i)

“If I told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room, would you trust it?” (Poetic Justice ft. Drake)

“Everybody gon' respect the shooter, but the one in front of the gun lives forever” (Money Trees)

“Seen a light-skinned n***a with his brains blown out. At the same burger stand, where *censored* hang out. Now this is not a tape recorder saying that he did it. But ever since that day, I was looking at him different. That was back when I was nine. Joey packed the nine. Pack to stand on every porch is fine. We adapt to crime...” (m.A.A.d. city)

“’Okay... Now open your mind up and listen to me, Kendrick! I'm in your conscience, if you do not hear me, then you will be history, Kendrick! I know that you're nauseous right now, and I'm hopin' to lead you to victory, Kendrick!’ If I take another one down, I'm a drown in some poison abusin' my limit” (Swimming Pools [Drank])

Logic

“Not perceived by the things I believe or the color of my skin, or the fact I'm attracted to her, maybe him, or the fact I'm a single mother living all alone, looking for a man and a home to call my own. But I already have one; the only man I'ma ever need is my son, my son, my son, my son, son, say!” (Black SpiderMan)

“All this other shit I'm talkin' 'bout they think they know it. I've been praying for somebody to save me, no one's heroic. And my life don't even matter. I know it I know it, I know I'm hurting deep down but can't show it. I never had a place to call my own, I never had a home. Ain't nobody callin' my phone. Where you been? Where you at? What's on your mind? They say every life precious, but nobody care about mine.” (1-800-273-8255)

“Everybody gonna die, gonna go one day, maybe it'll happen on a Monday. Drop into work and get hit by a Hyundai, fuck it, let it all go one day” (Fade Away)

“Man, I never knew livin' out a dream meant livin' out a suitcase! I've been working at a new pace! So much money on the road, I ain't even had a minute, not a single second chilling in my new place! Motherfuckers getting two-faced! ‘Cause a brother finally eating, not to mention everybody gettin' two plates!” (Run it)

“Masta deep down inside of me, the plantation deep down inside of me. Everybody fuck like sodomy, because one or the other what it gotta be. Tell me, why my momma gotta lie to me, unity for everyone that lied to me. Peace on earth, what I try to be; I just wanna spread the message of equality” (Take It Back)

“I been knockin doors down like a Jehovah witness, God as my witness, I'm with this, but on the real I think I need another witness!” (Everybody)

Drake

“You know the truth, this not pretend, I'm not your friend, not your guy, I'm not your buddy, show no lovin', and I might go DeMarcus Cousins; out in public!” (6 Man)

“Please, check 'em for a wire or earpiece. Please, please do not let these n***as near me. Please, think before you come for the great one. Please, who's a real n***a and who ain't one? Please.” (Back to Back)

“Oh, Lord! Who else sounded like this? They ain't make me what I am, they just found me like this, I was ready. Fuck that, I've been ready, since my dad used to tell me he was comin' to the house to get me. He ain't show. Valuable lesson, man, I had to grow up! That's why I never ask for help; I'll do it for you n***as and do it for myself!” (0-100/The Catch Up)

“I done kept it real from the jump. Living at my mama's house we'd argue every mornin' n***a, I was trying to get it on my own; working all night, traffic on the way home, and my uncle calling me like, ‘Where ya at?’ I gave you the keys told ya bring it right back, N***a.” (Started from the Bottom)

Chance the Rapper

“Man my daughter couldn't have a better mother. If she ever find another, he better love her! Man I swear my life is perfect, I could merch it! If I die I'll prolly cry at my own service...” (All We Got)

“JJ, Mikey, Lil Derek and them, 79th street was America then. Ice cream truck and the beauty supply, blockbuster movies and Harold's again. We still catching lightening bugs when the plague hit the backyard. Had to come in at dark cause the big shawty's act hard.” (Summer Friends)

“Jesus black life ain't matter, I know I talked to his daddy, said you the man of the house now, look out for your family.” (Blessings)

“Damn man, I don't even need a radio, and my new shit sound like a rodeo Got the old folks dancing the Do-si-do, so they fuck around, sign me to OVO. Oh, I just might share my next one with Keef, got the industry in disbelief, they be asking for beef!” (Angels)

“Way back then when everything we read was real, and everything we said rhymed. Wide eyed kids being kids. When did you stop? What did you do to your hair? Where did you go to end up right back here? When did you start to forget how to fly?” (Same Drugs)

“Hope there never come a day where we be better as friends. We in a marathon we could build a marriage on. Arguments as parents digging deeper than a baritone. I've been getting blocked just trying to make songs with friends, labels told me to my face that they own my friends.” (Finish Line/Drown)

Childish Gambino

“I got more tail than that PetCo, you faker than some Sweet'N Low. Yeah, you got some silverware, but really are you eating though? Are you eating though? N***a, are you eating though? Breakfast, lunch and dinner's for beginners, you ain't even know.” (IV. Sweatpants)

“All I do is make the stuff I would've liked, reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite, now I'm firefly like a burning kite. And you's a fake fuck like a fleshlight” (Fire Fly)

“Can we hear the N-word one day and not get upset? Can we try something new and not be suspect?” (You See Me)

“My shit be Jackson, Jordan, Bolton, Keaton, Tyson: 5 Mikes. Donald Glover, no relation, always workin', no vacation. They couldn't feel me, no vacation. Murder versus the only motive was motivation...” (Bonfire)

“Got no patience, cause I'm not a doctor. Girl why is you lying, girl why you Mufasa? Yeah, mi casa su casa, gotta strip it like Gaza. Got so high off volcanoes, now the flow is so lava.” (3005)

So, that’s my list. I might have left out some better verses by theses artists, as well as some better artists. That’s mainly cuz these are the only new school rappers i’ve been hearing as of late. If you got any suggestions of artists/songs, please lmk!!! Thanks for reading!!!

#new school rap #rap #hiphop #childish gambino #chance the rapper #logic #kendrick lamar #drake #0-100 #swimming pools #sweatpants #same drugs #black spiderman #music #lyrics #donald glover

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