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#am I also trash at sleeping on my back? turns out yup!
novelconcepts · 2 years
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It’s all fun and games being off the pain meds until your body forgets how to sleep without them.
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blissfulparker · 3 years
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Wipeout⇔ Surfer!Dad!tom
Parings: surfer!dad!tom x surfer!reader
Summary; You and Tom spend your whole relationship in the water. Surfing under the summer sun and competing in summers biggest surf competition. To a surpise, you and Tom take on the biggest challenge nature could throw at you. A baby.
Wc: 9k
Warnings: mentions of insecurities durning pregnancy, fluff
A/n: I know this isn’t a birthday themed fic for Toms b-day but I hope you all enjoy! My little spin on a summer fic with dad!tom 🥰
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June.
The summer breeze rose goosebumps to your skin. Your hands coming up to rub your arms as the water was only a bit colder today.
it was summer, the best part of the year when you lived with a beach in your backyard. Spending your whole life surfing you now prepared for the summer tournament that happened only weeks away from now. Surfers, fans, media come in from nearly all over the world just to compete.
To feel a wave under their boards and the adrenaline that rushes through your blood when you finally get on top. The same competition that lead you to Tom, Tom who was now your boyfriend of two years. At first, you laughed at the boy.
Pale, shy—yet so cocky and from London of all places. The most water they got is from the sky. You wanted to laugh with your friends for how confident he was acting, little rain boy wanted to have a chance in the big ocean and he did. To your shock, he scored better than you and scored to be in the top 10. Your laughs stopped after competition and maybe it was the slight momentary enemy thing or it was that deep blue bikini that made him find you after the games and get you out for a drink.
That drink was truly a shared basket of fish and chips as you talked more and more about each other. Pale, rainy London boy ended up being the best thing that ever happened to you.
“You wiped out twice!” He sits atop his board and your hands rub over your face.
“Maybe because I’m distracted!” You splash water in his direction. His toned abs always tanner during g this year and it was hard for the both of you to control yourself. “I’m just tired, stressed.” You shrugged it off truthfully.
“You fell asleep at 8:00 last night, grandma.” He teased and you rolled your eyes.
“Competition stress.” You point to him and he shrugs. If he’s honest, within the two years he’s known you, two years he’s loved and wondered where you had been all his life, he knew your stress. When you were stressed you oftentimes took long showers or wrote in your journal for hours on end but this time your stress was sleeping early/in late and a few times he’s caught you throwing up. All under the name of stress.
He didn’t push anything though, reminding you that he is there and you could tell him anything. But nonetheless, he left you be and just kissed your cheek and told you everything was okay.
“Race you to shore and whoever gets back inside first gets the leftover chicken from last night!” He starts to swim and you quickly flatten yourself on your board.
“What are we like five?” You call out but still push yourself to go faster. Pushing yourself to race him to shore.
Even though Toms board was definitely double his size, he still beat you into the house, already washed off and reheating the leftovers for lunch. After a morning swim you always had lunch before you went off to work where you would teach little kids how to surf. No matter what, you were always around the water.
“So I was checking the competition list this week, checking to see if there’s anyone new…” he trails off on a story. The two of you share the chicken and fries before you suddenly get a disgusted taste in your mouth. The chicken suddenly becomes sour in your mouth but you force yourself to swallow, Tom notices the change and he stops everything to make sure you’re okay.
“Darling, what is it?” He has a worried look but you shake your head.
“Nothing—it’s nothing. I-I just think this part of my chicken was a bit undercooked and it grossed me out. It’s nothing.” You smiled at him and he waited a second before continuing his story.
But that wasn’t the end of it, the next bite even more sour and this time you drop your fork and open the trash can to spit it out. The spitting then followed by spitting up all of your breakfast and lunch. Tom quickly coming to move any stray hair and rubbing your back as he tried to not throw up himself.
When you were done, he quickly closed the trash can lid and got you into the bathroom where he assembled the toothbrush for you.
“Peaches, I know that you told me not to worry but this is the third time this week.” He folded his arms as he leans against the wall.
“I’m fine.” You say through a mouth filled with toothpaste. Spitting into the sink and rinsing your mouth while also splashing some water over your face. When you look back up, just a bit, your eyes flicker to the untouched box of tampons.
One week late wasn’t so bad, one week late was just some built up stress and every women had been a week or two late before. But before tom can take notice in your distraction, you turn around to him who hands you a towel.
“But you’re not fine.” He argues a bit gently, not wanting to offend you.
“Tom, in school I would throw up during exam seasons all the time. It’s just stress okay? Better than losing hair or breaking out I guess.” You try and joke with him but he doesn’t exactly laugh. Just stares at you worried and you push back a few of his curls.
“Hey, look at me,” you tell him and his eyes meet yours. “I’m fine, seriously! Just a bit of stress and nothing the ocean water and you can’t fix.” You kiss his cheek and he finally smiles.
“Can you go see a doctor? For yourself and if not for yourself then for me, I want you to do good at competition and you know they won’t let you compete if you are sick in anyway.” He rubs up and down your sides and you sigh. Hating the doctors but you agree.
“Okay, okay. I’ll make an appointment but they will just tell me I just have butterflies.” You tell him and that’s when he grows a smirk.
“Aw, babe, I didn’t know after all these years I still gave you butterflies!” He teased and you rolled your eyes playfully nudging your body against him. Both leaving the bathroom, your eyes flicker over to the untouched box to tampons that just taunt you one last time before tom shuts the bathroom door. It was possible, you just didn’t want it to be possible just yet.
-
“I should’ve canceled, I should be there!” Tom speaks through the phone. You sat in an empty, cold doctors office waiting for blood results to get back.
Despite Toms over worrying, everything was fine. They couldn’t find anything physically wrong with you and agreed when you mentioned how it was just anxiety and nerves. Yet they still had to run a blood test to make sure it wasn’t anything they missed and couldn’t see with the naked eye.
Meanwhile tom had to be the most dramatic person out there. You always told him if he was not a surfer he would be an actor. It was impressive how every single night before bed he had a new condition to diagnose you with. Some so severe and outrageous you had to remind him that this wasn’t 1600s England and that you didn’t have the plague. That things were just from stress and if it was a stomach bug then let it run through.
Yet he would rant to you nearly every single night about how he’s always loved you and hated that this was the way to go. Always with that you would smack him with a pillow and tell him to go to sleep and with that he would kiss your cheek and hold you tight as he fell asleep.
“Tom, it’s fine. Seriously! They said they couldn’t find anything wrong, you’d be wasting your time to come here. The most you’d get out of this visit is maybe a sticker. Does Tommy want his girlfriend to bring him back a sticker?” You used a baby voice and you could practically hear him going red.
With a scoff he replies, “Ugh, no. What am I like five?” He pauses for a moment. “But what kind do they have? Were you able to check?” He asked in more of a quiet voice and you laugh.
“No clue. But the nurse told me the best thing I could do is just drink some tea and rest. Maybe they have some spiderman stickers or Sofia the first stickers.” You fiddle with the loose thread on your pants. Ending with a joke to calm both yours and Tom's nerves.
With a smirk, Tom Says, “you’ve been drinking some British tea for awhile—“ he jokes and you quickly cut him off.
“Tom!” You say and as if it was a sign, the nurse comes back in with a clipboard and a gentle smile. “Hey, I’ll call you back, the nurse has my results.”
“Wait! Before you go, ask them to check for tapeworms—“ before he could finish you hung up.
“He’s just dramatic.” You laughed a bit and the nurse laughed along before taking a seat across from you. She clicks her pen which makes you nervous for some reason.
“So your blood came back fine, everything is okay. I just have a few little things such as are you on any birth control?” She asked and you shook your head.
“Oh no, um...haven’t been for a while. But my boyfriend and I use protection and we’re safe. We only used planB once and that was a year ago.” You tell her but she looks up at you. Nodding as she purses her lips.
“Condoms only go so far sweetheart. We just have to ask patients who we find to be with a child incase of any birth control so we can remove it immediately, the birth control, I mean, remove that immediately.” With child. You were with a child. Pregnant. Your heart nearly falls out of your chest and the nurse says a few more things but they don’t register.
“Y-You mean there’s a baby inside of me?” You don’t know what color you look right now but you would assume pale, or green with the feeling of vomiting and this time not from slightly uncooked raw leftover chicken.
“Yup, about one month along it looks! We still will want to run more tests and…” she talks more and more but you don’t listen. Your brain foggy, you don’t know if you’re going to pass out or throw up or shit everywhere from how nervous you were. Hell, even all three seemed like an option as she talked. “So I’ll leave you to tell the important news?” She asked. This was apart of her regular day to day, she probably had hundreds of girls like you come in. Clueless and thinking of a stomach bug and then finding out they are pregnant.
“Y-Yeah.” You try to form a smile.
“Perfect, just meet me up at the desk whenever you’re ready. There’s a bathroom down the hall if you are feeling queasy and of course, help yourself to as many waters in the mini fridge in our waiting room. Congratulations!” She says before she turns out and all you hear is the door click shut. The white noise of the light and the taps of your fingernails against the cool metal bed.
You know it was professional and sweet of her to allow you space to call your significant other but you only stare at Tom's contact. Staring at the word ‘Tommy’ with almost all the heart emojis and his contact pictures of him with the biggest smile.
You have no guts to tell him right in the moment, but rather get off of the paper coated bed and grab your things to leave. Setting up a new appointment with your doctor to see more into the baby. Pregnant, with child, before competition. You and Tom were going to have a faimily.
July.
Tom still hadn’t known the news. It had only been a week but the guilt still ate you alive.
You didn’t want to worry or stress him. You yourself still tried to wrap your brain around it. A baby, every breath you took, every bite of food you ate, every drink you swallowed and every step you took there was a baby you shared it with.
You think about how every time tom had wrapped his arms around your waist this week he gently touched over the baby. Kissing your lying lips, you hated yourself for it.
As for competition, your mind nearly forgot. Still getting in the waters everyday with Tom but this time a bit more cautious. Everytime Tom worried for you, you quickly would cover his worry up with either a joke or kisses.
As for the throwing up, morning sickness was something that came in and out. You started hating the smell of bacon tom cooked in the morning but just waved it off. He noticed your decline in caffeine and beers and wines but you just told him the best athletes only had what’s best for their body before performing.
Tom believed all of it. Every single white lie you told—even though you hated yourself for telling them— believed them.
“How ya feeling?” Toms lips met your forehead as you cuddled up on the couch today. Extra tired and almost positive the baby was screaming at you for rest. You cuddled a bowl of popcorn and a water bottle.
“Mmh, just fine.” You give him a smile as his lips come down to meet yours.
Stealing some popcorn from the bowl, he heads over to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
“I’m thinking we do shrimp tonight?” He looked over and you made a face.
“Ew, no.” You shake your head and he gives a furrowed brow look.
“What? You love shrimp!” He responds and you feel yourself growing hot. Hiding deeper in the Blanket and not wanting to show your face.
“Well, I’m just not in the mood for it tonight.” That was another thing, lots and lots of emotions. Luckily Tom had plenty of emotions to match.
“Okay...tuna?” He offers and you shook your head. “Steak?” Once again and no. “Chicken?” No. “Okay, love, you’ve gotta help me out. I know you’re not feeling well but I’m helpless in here.” He says and your eyes start to water. He notices and immediately comes over.
“Hey, hey, hey,” he comes in front of the couch and crouches down to you. “What’s wrong?” He stroked your cheek and you shook your head.
“Nothing, it’s nothing.” You sniffle. “Seriously, I’ll help you. I’m thinking pasta.” You smiled and he did too.
“Yeah that’s not too bad.”
And so you two made and ate dinner completely normally. No tears from you, no sickness from you. Tom only talked about the waves out today and how much you would’ve loved it. Now you two spent time washing up.
“You think that one girl with red hair will be there like last year? She was so annoying.” You laughed as you got excited again for competition. Tom grew tense as you mentioned it. You noticed that. How he didn’t talk much about competition anymore. It went from the only thing you two talked about to now nothing. You knew how excited he was, the both of you were but suddenly it was like that excitement was put in a box to rest.
“Yeah...she was.” He kinda laughed but then just washed harder at the dish.
“Everything okay? You’ve kinda stopped talking about competition.” You put down your plate and that's when he took a deep breath.
“It’s nothing, I promise.” He tells you, pressing his lips into a lying smile that you knew.
“Baby, you can tell me anything you know. I’m always here for—“ and with that, he cut you off and told you the words you hated to hear.
“I-I took you out of the competition,” Tom sighed, dropping the dish rag on the counter in defeat. He watches as your face goes from annoyed to shock. Anger builds behind the eyes he find peace in. “It was wrong me me to do so—“
“damn right it was wrong of you to do so!” You slam your hand on the counter. “W-why would you?”
“You were sick! You were so sick for so long and what was I going to let you do? just make yourself worse—“
“it was the stress! I told you it was the—“
The built up ignored tension between you both finally caused him to snap.
“Is your period being late stress too?” His words caused the room to be silent. You take a sharp breath as you stare at him with anger but not at him anymore, at the fear of your new life.
“I’m just late, it’s normal for a woman like me to be rhis stressed and late...” you trailed off and this time he had the red face.
“Bullshit. What happened at that doctors appointment.” He demanded. You didn’t say a word at first which only angered him more. “Damnit (y/n)—“
“I’m pregnant.” You finally cry out and he knew his thoughts could be true, he knew they had to be but the moment those words left your mouth his whole body froze. He went pale with fear and shock, his hand no longer gripping the counter out of anger but out of support in case he passes out. The tears that left your eyes were uncontrollable as you let out a sob, the first sob that snapped tom back into reality.
He didn’t think twice, his arms supportively wrap around you as he tells you sweet nothings to try and calm you and himself.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” He mumbled into your hair. You swallowed hard as you pulled back, your face wet with tears and you sniffled. His thumbs come up to wipe away each tear and each trace of mascara.
“Because I wanted to be normal still! I wanted to compete, I wanted to surf! I can’t surf anymore tom, i'm going to be a mom and I won’t have time for surfing.” You sob more and he only pulls you back into his grasp.
“I’m so selfish and stupid to even think to compete but I just want to n-not—“ you can’t even spit it out anymore.
“Who said you can’t surf when you’re a mom?” He moved back to hold your face. You didn’t look at him, he wasn’t going to force you to either. This was your decisions right now, he just wanted to listen.
“When you’re a woman and a mother, everything is for your child. You will have time to surf because you’re a dad but no one wants a mom to do anything but take care of their kid and I’ll love this baby so much, I will, but don’t want to lose myself. I’m young, you’re young and you’re about to be the next big thing.” You punch his shoulder playfully trying to lighten things up. “I—i-W-we’ll—“ you start again and he shakes his head.
“Don’t even say it. Sweetheart, you’re having a baby, our baby. I will make sure you still surf, when it’s safe, Of course. I-I don’t even have the words right now, my heart is racing, feel it.” He placed your hand over his chest to feel his pounding heart. “You will be (y/n) Holland, the infamous surfer that beat Tom Holland twice last year and you will be the mother to our kid. Their badass mom.” He cracks a smile as his hand goes to your stomach.
A shared moment where he only touches the stomach as he learns about it. You look at him softly and he looks at you as if you were the entire world. As if he was a little kid at sea world for the first time, he looks at you with beauty and hope and a hint of thankfulness
“For a minute,” you speak again. “I thought you were completely calm about this.” You chuckle and he shakes his head.
“No, I actually think I’m going to throw up.” He held his breath for a moment before he moved to the trash can and emptied his worried stomach.
This time it was you rubbing his back and wiping his mouth. Maybe you wanted to roll your eyes at the Irony but you just knew he loved you.
Holland. He used the last name Holland on you for the first time you’d ever heard it. He said it so confidently as if you two were already married. Holland. You can get use to that.
-
Day of competition
there was this sort of shock in everyone’s face as they watched you walk in shorts and a tee. Joining the crowds of people instead of getting ready for the waves of water.
This year was no wetsuit with your board, slathering sunscreen on your face as you got ready but rather taking a seat in that sand just like everyone else. Carrying a baby no one knew about except you and Tom and a few friends and family.
Your body was warm with nerves, hundreds of cameras here usually captured the sea, interviewing the surfers afterwards. Although it was not like Hollywood, there was no TMZ or dailymail, but there was enough interest and news casters to tilt their heads for why they infamous (y/n) (y/l/n)—soon to be (y/n) Holland—took a seat with the friends and family. Cheering on from the sand.
“Hey.” Z snaps you out of your constant looking around, how your eyes never focused on one thing.
“Ease up a bit, babes, no one even knows.” She knew, you knew you had to explain to her when you were sitting out. Just as Tom explained to his brothers and the two of you both would explain to his mother after competition. For he knew the women would get so excited she would explode
“Right.” Was all you said as you started clapping with the rest of the crowd when the games begun. It would be a moment for them to get to tom, they always let the younger ones go first, you and Tom were in that fine middle where you had to wait just for the middle of the games.
“Do you want a boy or a girl?” Z asked with a hint of excitement to her voice. She kept it quite enough to where it was just you.
“I’m okay with either.” You didn’t ever care much for gender, although a girl would be nice to balance out the male testosterone you’re always around. “A girl would be nice though.” You smile at Z.
She gives a smile back, leans back on the towel as she soaks up the sun. “And Tom?” She asked and you shrugged.
He had talked about almost everything but a boy or girl, when you asked if he cared he told you,
“as long as they have two arms, two legs, a torso, a head, comes out of me with no trouble, then it’s a perfect surfing buddy.” You quote him exactly, smiling at his words from a few nights ago.
When he found out, his hands never left your stomach, even though you reminded him the baby was only the size of a grape. That well...it was just a bunch of cells forming up in the moment that couldn’t exactly kick for it had legs the size of your pinky nail. He still waited, he waited and waited, you didn’t even know what he was waiting for at one point for he would pause between his words at the baby or when he asked you a question he looked down at your stomach as if they would reply for you or before you.
“I know hes nervous as hell, but he’s so excited, I know it. The other day Harrison told me he cried when he told him. Tom, crying.” Z laughed a bit and you did too.
“If you think I’m the emotional one...turn on coco or inside out and see what happens to that man.” You chuckled as you turned your head back to the waters to watch tom with a smile on his face blow a kiss in your direction before getting on his board. Paddling out to the sea you watch him get ready to take the first wave, the crowd goes wild and your hand rests over your stomach.
This time, next year, you would sit on these sands with a smaller version of the two of you.
August.
Being early in your pregnancy but far enough to show was not as glamorous as people made it be.
Your shorts no longer fit, shirts started to get loose at the top and tight at the bottom and for the love of heaven you slept so much. Tom liked the idea of endless naps, somedays you wondered if he was the pregnant one instead of you. As he slouched around, ate just as many snacks as you and started to even complain about some of the same things you did.
Maybe it was the impact your moods had on him or the fact he stopped drinking caffeine since you no longer could have it and he didn’t know what his life was before morning coffee was with you. He was almost the same as you were durning the pregnancy.
“What are you doing?” Putting on a bikini for the first time since you told Tom. For the first time in about a month. You didn’t like the fit much anymore, the bloation you constantly had and the extra weight you now carried in your thighs, arms and breasts made you insecure. The top that used to fit perfect now had you grunting to tie. But you had to wear what you had to wear to get you in the water.
“I’m coming with you to the beach.” You say innocently and he shakes his head.
“You’re not picking up a board, you know that. Besides, the waters have been rough lately, there’s that storm coming in and one hard wave can hit you and I don’t want that to happen.” He exaggerates and you look at him with a dead stare.
“Tom, I haven’t touched the water in over a month, I’m pretty sure my skin cells are changing because of it.” You exaggerate as well and he comes up to you.
“Well, I’m not letting you in the water. It’s too dangerous.” He was serious, at first you thought he was just being dramatic, he was still going to let you swim but he was 100% serious.
“Tom, you’re kidding.” You scoff a bit and he shakes his head.
“I’m sorry darling, I know a lot is happening—“ he starts and you move back.
“The doctor said I am healthy enough to be physically active and I—“ before you could finish he cut you off.
“The doctor said you could do some squats, leg workouts, lift a 5lb weight, that was the type of exercise he said. The waters are too dangerous, please don’t argue with me.” He pleads but your emotions get the best of you. Anger starting to build and your body heating up.
Tom had learnt one thing so far; don’t upset the pregnant women and that’s exactly what he did.
“You’re telling me to not argue with you when you are the one holding me hostage in my own home? God, Tom, I have a life still too! A month ago you said you understood what it was going to take and now you’re treating me the way I specifically asked not to! I’m getting in the water, I haven’t been in the water for months it feels like and that’s all I know—“ your rant continues but Tom isn’t looking at you anymore. He’s looking at your side view in the mirror.
Your bump is showing, the bump he swore he could kinda feel but not see was now showing. Almost like it grew overnight.
“Fuck, Tom! Look at me while I’m—“ you start to yell again but he steps closer.
“Look.” He stares at the mirror and comes closer to your bump.
“Oh my…” you see exactly what he’s seeing. The small curve outwards that is your swollen stomach. Your bump.
“May I?” He asked and your mood went from angry to overfilled with happiness. Your eyes starting to tear ss you nodded.
“Tom, it’s your child too, you can touch.” You told him and he did. Your hand even went to your stomach as you rubbed over the bump that was barely forming.
“It’s like it happened overnight.” He laughed a bit and you did too.
“I swear it wasn’t there last night when I got out of the shower. I swear.” You let a few tears fall and he peppers soft kisses.
“I’m sorry.” He gently stroked at the stomach and you sniffled.
“I’m sorry too. I know you just want what’s best for us but I’m just…” you sniffle some more not being able to finish.
“I know baby, I know.” He gets up and wraps his arms around your back. Pulling you in for a hug for you to cry on his chest. So emotional over everything but he was right there. Right there with you.
“We can call the doctor about you surfing, we can call him right now if you want. But I just can’t lose you.” He gives a smile and you nod as your lips meet with his.
“C-can you order the chicken from the place I like?” You finally regain your composure and he nods.
“Of course, anything else?” He looks down at the stomach and you shake your head.
“No, not for now.” You smile down at the small bump forming. “Wait!” You stop him as he’s leaving to grab the phone. He turns to face a guilty looking you, “and mozzarella sticks.” You rub your stomach and he nods. With a faint smile he goes,
“always.” As that was your constant craving. Leaving you in the room for a moment and coming back to see you dressed back ins sweats and a tee shirt, Tom smiled and gladly cuddled up next to you, rubbing and talking to the bump about the future. Maybe you couldn’t surf, but you had Tom right by your side.
December.
Christmas cookies and sweetly salted popcorn occupied your side as you spent a snowy Christmas in London. No beach, no blazing sun even during the day, Tom took you home where you were now five months pregnant.
Heavily showing and to even think you wanted to go surfing months ago was laughable. You hated getting up to shower somedays for it was too much work.
“Darling, Angel, my pretty girl,” Tom sat next to you nervous with his next words. “I know you’re pregnant but there are only so many Christmas cookies.” He told you and you smacked his shoulder.
“Thomas, she’s pregnant! She’s allowed as many cookies as she wants besides there are more in the oven but pregnant women gets first pick as she is carrying my grandchild.” His mom immediately came to your defense. Taking so much good care of you while you were here, Tom doesn’t even think he got this much affection as a sick child.
“I wasn’t saying it’s a bad thing for her to eat cookies, I just want one!” Tom defended himself and you handed him a cookie and you felt your baby kick.
“See? They don't even want you stealing our cookies. I’m eating for two, I’m eating for your baby. You eat a lot by the way! Remember that summer you went through the whole fridge in a week? Yeah, now I’m eating for a tiny version of that! And myself! It’s hard out here for me and what did you do huh? Take two minutes!” You snatched the cookie back from him and rubbed your stomach. His brothers stifled a laugh and Tom grew red in embarrassment.
“I last longer than two minutes.” He says is a mumble.
Rolling your eyes, You rested your head on Toms shoulder and moved his hand over to the kicking stomach. “She says thank you.” You smile as you take a bite from the cookie.
“A she?” His mom perks up and the rest of the family does.
It was a mistake, you and Tom had a battle of the sexes. It seemed as if you didn’t want to know the gender right before your winter holiday. Or really the gender at all. The gender was available for you guys now but you both didn’t see it as a big deal. The baby’s room would be filled with ocean themed toys and a gentle blue wall Anyways. And besides, whatever they decide to be they would make the perfect surfing buddy. Although it was still fun to think of, You thought a girl and Tom swore a boy.
“No, mum, we still don’t know I promise. (Y/n) is just messing around.” He swore and the family relaxed again.
“He’s right, I am just joking. Tom is probably right with his assumption, thinking it may be a boy. With all this moving and eating, just like Tom.” You poke his cheek and Tom again flusters in embarrassment.
“Hey, I have a fast metabolism.” He told you and you kissed his temple.
“I know baby, I’m just teasing you. My man knows how to stay fit and sexy.” You playfully rub his stomach and suddenly the stifled laughs from the boys turn into disgusted noises.
There was everything to indicate a boy, well, mostly just a gut feeling. Tom's mother described her pregnancy with Tom to you and it was nearly the same. A baby boy, you could see that. You would need another fridge and a lot more paper towels assuming the babe will be like Tom and eat yet spill everything. You liked the idea of a boy. Plus, Tom had been playing a stupid game where he asked the baby questions making it kick for an answer. When Tom asked if it was a boy or girl, it kicked the moment he said boy.
The ding of the kitchen timer went off, more cookies fresh out of the oven and Tom was quick to jump up.
“Let me help m’lady up.” He grabs your hands and you grunt as you stand up. You walk with Tom at your side and once you are alone eating more cookies in the kitchen your hand rubs over your stomach as you feel the baby kick in excitement.
“Off the topic of gender, I think they miss the ocean. They kick so much just when I sit in the bath like they are having fun in the water.” You mention water and you feel a kick. They couldn’t understand, but they could hear and a smile rose to yours and Tom's face.
“Then they’re just like their mama.” He leans in and kisses your cheek.
“Who knows, maybe once we get back I’ll get in the—“ before you can finish your sentence about surfing, a sharp kick to your bladder causes you to hunch over with a pained face. Tom worried as he held you panicked but you got back up with a deep breath.
“Nevermind, little one didn’t like that idea.” You hold onto his arms tightly.
“Everything okay? Just a bladder kick?” He panicked and you just nodded.
“Yup.” Your face scrunches up again. “Just the bladder.” You suddenly have the urge to pee. “Now shoo, I’ve got to pee.” You tell him and he looks at you in confusion.
“You just peed like—“ you give him a look making him think about how he’s finishing his sentence. “Right, my darling.” He moved out of your way to let you go. Snatching one more cookie from the tray, he smiled as he thought how next year at this exact time, you would be holding a little baby.
April.
One week. You were one week late and as any normal pregnant woman would be resting in bed and rubbing over her swollen belly and anticipating the child’s arrival. Although that was not what you were doing.
Against Tom's wishes, you went back to work to see the kids start up their surfing lessons. Although there would be no swimming for you, no waves for you just yet, seeing the kids happy to be there was something that sparked joy to your heart always. Helped ease your nerves and turn them into excitement.
“Mrs. (Y/l/n)-Holland, look what I learnt how to do!” One of the kids calls out. You had a smile for not only did they call you by both yours and Tom's name, but that they had always been excited to show you new things.
“That was amazing Ryder!” You clapped at the boy who did a handstand. He had a big smile with teeth missing. Your hand went over your stomach again, an aching pain that was noting but a false labor.
The doctor said it was fine. Women always experienced this right before birth and just take a deep breath but don’t waste your time rushing to the hospital just for them to send you home.
It was normal to be late and that you had a stressful year so it was okay. The doctor mentioned that you still felt contractions which meant you were close. But when it was Tom, every slight indicator of pain you felt meant a freak out where he rushed around the house to get the baby bag and try and get you in the car when in reality, you just had to pee. 
“T-That’s really cool.” You wince and the boys face goes from excitement to worry. Within the luck, Tom comes jogging from the parking lot with lunch for the two of you. Hoping to get in the water with the kids and keep an eye on you.
“Hey Angel.” He kissed your cheek but noticed your pain. “Everything okay?” He panicked and you nodded.
“Yeah, yeah, Ryder here was just showing me how he can do a handstand now—“ you can’t even finish as the pain was strong.
“(Y/n)?” Tom needed to be calm, your face scrunched up as you held your swollen stomach. “Darling, Angel, pretty girl, look at me.” He used all the pet names you liked and you looked up at him with worry in your eyes. “I think it’s time for us to meet the little one.” He nods with a trying smile and you feel an even sharper pain.
“Mmh, I can’t do this.” You breath heavily as you hold onto the stomach. “Yes you can, if you can surf a wave that is 12 feet with no wipeout then you can birth our baby.” He promised and also got the little boy who was so excited to show you his new moves a moment ago to run and get another adult.
“Tom, I-I can’t.” You felt yourself tearing up and he shakes his head. Your heart pounding and mind swarming with worried.
“You can, you will. You are the strongest women I—“ before he can start his motivational speech you cry out in pain.
“Get me in the goddamn car!” You cry and he nods and gets you up before anything worse. He rushes to the hospital as quick as he can, holding your hand and trying to not crash as you hold your stomach and scream.
When he gets to the hospital, he’s still in a wetsuit. They take immediate action into getting you into a room where you are laying with your legs up waiting for a doctor. Holding Tom's hand as you cry.
“Uh sir?” The doctor walks in and looks at the man in the wetsuit. “We’re going to have to ask you to put on scrubs...helps prevent any ourside clothing germs getting on the baby...are you wearing anything under that?” She asked and he immediately started unzipping.
“Jesus tom, not here, she wants you to get changed in the bathroom.” You shake your head as you run your hands over your face. In pain but want to laugh at your worried boyfriend for how he was acting in the moment.
“Right! Right!” He quickly changes from the wetsuit into the scrubs. The doctors look at him funny but let it go as you’re clearly in pain and needing the baby to be out.
“You got this love, you’re doing so good—“ he starts again but you don’t even want to hear it.
“was this really worth two minutes! I’m getting my fucking tubes tied!” You scream at him and he flushes a deep shade of red as one of the nurses giggles.
After one more big push you heard the sound of a cry filled the room. For just a second, all the pain you felt went away as you see the body of your baby, baby boy. You both were right, a beautiful little boy.
“A boy.” Tom breathes out in awe.
“Dad you wanna come cut the cord?” He looked at you for approval and you nodded. He cut the cord with shaky hands, couldn’t focus for the life of him as he just stared at the boy. You only got to hold him for a second before he’s taken off to a bath. Tom following them before they bring him back in a bundle of blankets.
“Oh my…” you hold the beautiful boy. His little lips open just a bit to make a sound while his eyes flutter to adjust to the light. “Look at him tom.” You feel yourself cry and Tom does too.
“Wow, look at you.” He touched the boy's cheek who immediately tried to take the finger into his mouth. “You did that.” He tells you as the two of you admire it.
“We did that.” You tell him and he smiles a bit. “Although yeah, it was mostly me.” The boy stares hard at Tom, Tom who was still in just swim trunks and scrubs.
“Hey, I ate a lot with you during this pregnancy. Even had my own morning sickness.” He teased and you only laughed.
The room going silent for a moment. Hearing the little cooes of your boy as you held him. Toms finger tracing over his cheek when you finally spoke, “Caspian.”
Tom had mentioned how he liked the name for a boy, more than once. It had connections to the water and to Europe so the child would have a bit of both. You had to admit to yourself that you liked it but just wanted to stick with a more casual name. But looking at how he looked at you the moment you said that name, you knew it was the one.
“Caspian?” He repeated and you nodded.
“Caspian Holland.” You told.
He smiled as he kissed your forehead. “Holland? Just that?” He asked as well and you nodded.
“Yeah, yeah just like that.” You smiled. A perfect moment in the perfect situation was interrupted by a small nurse who held a tee shirt.
“Uh sir?” The nurse looked at the two of you and both of your attentions were caught. “So unfortunately we have to ask you to wear a shirt, we got one from the lost and found for you hoping that it would fit.” The shirt read “I’m not as fun as mom” and Tom's face dropped. A proud smirk rises to your face as you look at Tom who’s flared his nostrils just a bit to show his embarrassment.
“Yeah Tom, put on the shirt.” You encouraged and he looked at you. His eyes telling you that you’re going to regret that but you can’t wait 15 years into the future to tell your son.
Sighing as he took the shirt from the poor nurse and sat back down on the chair in a huff.
“You’re never letting me live this one down are you?” Shaking your head you look back down at the boy,
“no, I don’t think we will.” You brought your dry cracked lips down to the boys forehead, you had no water within the past hour and screaming with crying seemed to make you as dead as possible. “Caspian. Caspian Holland.” He whispers again. “Thank you.” He looked at you and you furrowed your brows.
“For everything.” After months of no surfing, months of pain and aches, instead of saying anything back you looked at him and said
“sushi.” Was all you said and he furrowed his brows.
“W-what?” He questioned.
“I need sushi, please.” You sigh and he smiled. Months of being unable to eat any fish that was all you wanted in the moment.
“One California roll coming up.” He kissed your cheek and then the boy's cheek. Calling in the nurse, sending for a California roll and tuna.
Caspian was sleeping soundly in Tom's arms while you ate and rested. Everything was worth it, from the moment he stepped on a plane one summer to Hawaii he knew it was worth it for he found a family in the end.
June.
Once again the sand was squishing under your toes. Feeling each and every grain as you held your baby boy tightly bundled in blankets against your chest as you walked out to the beach. He was freshly bathed, you and Tom took turns. You were so eager the moment you were cleared to get back in the water after birth that the day the doctor cleared you for physical activity, you did it.
But tonight wasn’t you getting in the water, it was you greeting Tom and telling him to come back inside.
“Dinner is done.” You call out to him as he jogs back to the two of you. The baby boy cooing as he sees the ocean and his fathers dripping wet figure coming towards them.
“Hey, look who’s out.” He immediately leans in and kisses all over the pretty baby boy's face. “My sweet boy is so fresh and clean.”
You and Tom had argued about who he had looked more like,You or Tom. he had Tom's nose for sure and his big brown eyes that you knew were going to be trouble. If you had a hard time saying no to Tom when he batted his lashes and gave a glossy look, it was going to be impossible to say no to your beautiful boy.
“He just took a bath. But it wasn’t the ocean.” You smiled and Tom pressed a kiss to your face too.
“Mmh, did you?” He looks at the boy who was yawning in his mother’s arms. “Want to swim a bit?” He asked and you shook your head.
After birth, Tom did a lot of the work. He loved it too. He claimed you needed rest, in which you did, but you would often find him just sitting in the nursery staring at the baby boy. Telling him stories to sleep and kissing his face. He would let you surf, bathe, sleep, all while he took care of your beloved boy.
“No, I’m so tired I think if I use my legs any longer they will snap.” You give a pout and Tom immediately kisses it away.
Tom started to gather his stuff, the beach towel and the bag he normally carried and the moment he started to pack up your baby boy let out a wail.
Within the two months of his birth, you were able to identify each cry. When he was hungry it was more of a gurgle, when he was sleepy it was more strained and forced, when he craved touch it was a whimper sounding cry and then there was this. He was simply upset something did not go his way. May you or Tom stepped away for a moment, the bottle gone too early, but now it was his father packing up his stuff that makes him scream a cry that makes heads turn.
“What’s the matter bubs?” Tom pouts as he sets the stuff down and comes over to him.
Once the stuff is set down the cries settle just a bit, settle enough until tom takes him out of your arms and presses him up against his body.
Still wet from the surf, you both think the baby liked it. While Tom occupied little Caspian, you picked up the towels and his bag for him and once again the boy let out a wail cry which made you and Tom furrow your brows.
“I-I don’t know what it is. I-I changed him and I bathed him and he was perfectly fine and—“ you start to panic and as you panic you drop the stuff which calms his cries. Tom immediately took notice and grew a smile that made his heart flutter in his chest.
“(Y/n),” he stops you and you look up at him with a worried look as if you’ve done something wrong. “He wants to stay. He wants to stay on the beach.” Tom says in a calm voice and the boy was now only cooing in Tom's arms. He bounced gently but mostly cooed as his daddy smiled at him.
“H-He knows we’re leaving the beach.” You sigh and come over to the boys. Petting your sons head as he relaxes in his fathers arms.
“Like I’ve always said, just like his mama.” Tom smiled up at you and you caught his lips for a kiss. “Well…” you rub your hands on your thigh, wiping off the sand you got stuck all over your hands. “Since Caspian always gets his way, I better bring dinner out here.” You smile as you poke at the sweet boys face and Tom moves and has a serious face.
“(Y/n), no, you can’t just whip out your boob in front of—OW! I’m kidding!” You smacked his arm for the stupid comment he made that at first had you worried.
“I hate you. I’m bringing out the dinner.” You start to walk off and he smiles.
“You love us!” He shouts back.
“Just Caspian! You? Not much you. remember...you’re not as fun as mom!” You call out to him, sending him a wink and he wants to say something back but he holds his tounge.
Looking down at the baby boy he says, “when I teach you how to surf I need you to beat mums ass a few times while you’re out there. Just for her little comments.” Tom spoke to the boy and he cooes. “Atta boy.” With that he plots down on the sand towel.
Setting caspian down on the towel for just a moment so he can strip from his wetsuit and be closer to him. You come back out balancing the plates of food for you and Tom as you seat next to them and eat. Leaning your head on Toms shoulder and kissing at it.
You never knew that one competition, one amateur British boy and one shared basket of fish and chips could lead you to the best moments of your life. Could lead you to the best family you’ve ever had.
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dameronology · 3 years
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love in the time of PTA meetings {marcus moreno} - 1/5
summary: despite what pinterest shows, being in a parent in the twenty first century is hard; especially a single parent. your kid takes up your entire life and the idea of finding a fairy tale is laughable - that is until you finally attend a p.t.a meeting and cross paths with a certain marcus moreno.  {series masterlist}
warnings: i do not have children. i don’t know children work. this written entirely what i have seen them do in the sims 4. also, swearing. 
- jazz
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Leaving work early was never a good look.
Leaving work early because your child had managed to set fire to a trash can was...well, it was something else entirely.
After rushing out of a very important meeting and parking your car in a did-you-park-it-or-crash-it manner, you were sprinting across the play ground and towards the front entrance. Having given up half way through, you’d kicked your stupidly high heels off and held them in one hand, trying to organise your slightly disheveled hair as you entered the building. Most parents might have been nervous to collect their kid after a call from the principle, but this was a regular Tuesday for you. Jack was a good kid, perhaps just a little...misguided. In your books, it was impressive that a five year old had managed to discover pyrotechnics, though you sensed the school might have been a little less lenient about it. 
‘Hey!’ You greeted the principle with a smile as you breezed through the doors. 
Jack was in a chair by the front desk, a gleeful look on his face when he saw you. As far as he knew or cared, he got to go home early and watch Paw Patrol for the rest of the day. 
‘Afternoon.’ He replied. ‘You’re lucky it was only a phone call.’
‘I know, I know.’ You grumbled. ‘I’m sorry. He’s...adventurous-’
‘ - he singed off his class mate’s eyebrows!’ The principle cut you off. ‘Given Monday’s biting incident, I see it fit that Jack take the rest of the week off.’
‘Right.’ You sighed. ‘Thank you. And sorry again.’
‘I’ll email you a list of...behavioural specialists.’ He muttered.
‘There’s nothing wrong with my kid. He’s just...curious.’ You insisted. ‘C’mon, buddy. Let’s go home.’
Jack sprung up from the chair, taking your hand in his and skipping out the door beside you. Parenting had been hard enough when you’d been married, and even harder now that his dad was out of the picture. It meant that everything fell on your shoulders; school runs, packed lunches, earning money, staying sane. You barely found the time to sleep, let alone go to soccer matches or take him to extra curricular activities. It meant that the stay-at-home mums - the ones who drove minivans and had specified walking shoes and shared memes about parenting on Facebook - muttered about you. 
I heard Jack’s mum couldn’t make it to the parent-teacher association meeting because there was a divorce hearing. 
Look at the kid’s lunch! Oh the saturated fat, the horror!
What do you MEAN your five year old isn’t vegan?!
Frankly, you wanted to whack them over the head with their own damn vision boards. So what if your kid was a little rough around the edges? He’d discovered fire today! If it had been in the stone ages, that would have been impressive. The kind of thing that would have earned him a McDonald’s, had the fast food chain been around at the dawn of time. With the way things were going, paired with the fact you knew your fridge was empty, it looked like you were heading for a Happy Meal anyway. 
‘So do I get all week off?’ Jack peered up at you, tugging on your arm.
‘Yup, all week.’ You sighed. ‘But it’s not a reward, okay? It’s...’
You stopped in your tracks when you saw Marcus Moreno’s car pull up in the lot. Naturally, it was expensive and electric and perfectly between the white lines. He gave your less-than-stellar parking a frown as he breezed by - not that you noticed. Frankly, you were too busy admiring him. You saw his face more on the news than you did in person, but he was beautiful. Talk, dark, handsome and mysterious, but also...friendly and approachable. He’d held the door open for you once two years ago and that had been it for you. There had been whispers about the fact he was a widow, though you’d tried not to pay attention to them. It wasn’t anyone’s damn business. You knew he was a good dad; you’d had the chance to meet Missy when Jack had got his head stuck between the playground fence and she’d helped pull him out. She was sweet and well-behaved and clearly well brought up. Could you say the same for your own kid? Eh, parenting was all trial and error. 
‘It’s what?’ Your son’s voice dragged you back to reality. ‘Am in trouble?’
‘What?!’ You jumped at the question. ‘No, I just...’
‘Because Principle Eikner said I’d done something bad.’
A small sigh escaped your mouth; placing his backpack on the ground, you knelt down to his height, gently placing your hands on his shoulder. ‘You haven’t done anything wrong, little man. We're just gonna take a few days out to talk about the rules and what it means to do the right thing, okay?’
‘Dad always said not to listen to the rules.’
‘Your dad said a lot of things.’ You reminded him. You stood back up, offering your hand to him. ‘Let’s go home.’
After a few minutes of bartering and the promise of a McDonald’s, you finally made your way back to the car, now with Jack attached to your back. If giving him a piggy back ride meant getting home quicker, it was a price you were willing to pay, especially since the other mums were starting to arrive to pick up their kids. The parking lot was slowly filling up with minivans - compared to your decade-old Honda Civic. It had seen better days, and one too many run ins with other cars and parking lot bollards. Still, it got the job done. 
‘Oh, I’m so glad to see you!’ You froze in your tracks again. This time, it wasn’t because of Marcus Moreno’s otherworldly presence, but rather due to the sound of the resident soccer mum. 
‘Carol.’ You turned around to face her (slowly, given the five year old on your back) with a forced smile on your face. ‘Hi.’
‘I take it you’re here for the parent-teacher’s association meeting?’ She gave you a phoney grin, handing you a leaflet. ‘I know you couldn’t make the last one, because of your...d-i-v-o-r-c-e hearings.’ 
‘I can spell!’ Jack chirped from behind you.
‘It’s okay, buddy.’ You reached up to ruffle his hair, smile not faltering. ‘But yeah, you’re right. And what about it?’
‘Nothing.’ Carol quickly shook her head. ‘So you are coming to this one? It starts in ten minutes.’
Truth be told, you’d no idea there was even a meeting tonight. You usually ignored the damn things until the news letter came out, and then you could read it from the comfort of your sofa with a glass of wine. There was nothing you stopping going tonight, aside from your intense hatred for them. 
‘I wanna get home and watch South Park!’ Jack chirped from behind you.
‘I don’t - I mean...I don’t let my five year old watch South Park.’ You said. ‘He walked in on me watching it one time and...point is, yes, I’m here for the meeting!’
‘No, you’re not-’
‘- Jack, just sssh!’ 
Carol blinked in surprise, but her phoney smile returned a moment later. ‘Excellent! I’ll see you inside.’
You inwardly groaned. Why had you just done that? You fucking despised sitting in a stuffy gym for the better part of an hour, listening to the perfect mums bang on about healthy eating and limiting their kids’ internet time. You already questioned your parenting skills as it was - the meetings only made it worst. You didn’t assimilate into that crowd; they were all married, with big houses out in the ‘burbs and bank accounts that could cover their kids ever-expanding interests and activities. Meanwhile, you were living on one wage and your two-bedroom apartment had a balcony, not a back garden. If Jack wanted to go on a field trip, you usually had to save up for months. You didn’t know if you envied the other mums’ lives, but you certainly weren’t jealous of how they viewed working mums and single parents. 
‘That lady is mean.’ Jack murmured from your shoulders.
‘Yeah buddy, I know.’ You nodded. ‘Guess we’re going back to school.’
--
Lugging the kid and his bag back up the school yard and towards the building was exhausting - at least it was your work out for the week done. By the time you’d reached the gym and placed Jack back on the ground, your shoulders were aching and you were disappointed to see that the refreshments didn’t have any alcohol. Was it too late to sneak out? The fire exit was right there and-
‘- shame this thing doesn’t have any wine, huh?’ A man was stood next to you, arms folded across his chest as he stared at the luke-warm jug of coffee on the table ahead. 
Tall, dark hair, stubble and with a faint hint of expensive aftershave you pretended not to notice? Hello, Marcus Moreno. Goodbye, ability to form coherent sentences.
You blinked in surprise. ‘Yeah. I could do with a glass. Or ten.’
‘So you hate these things too, huh?’ He smiled. 
‘With a passion.’ You returned the gesture. ‘I’m only here because Carol and her Karen Committee kept muttering about me not being at the last one.’
‘Yeah, same here. I was attending an emergency meeting about nuclear arms in Vienna, but I guess this is more important.’
‘I was...’ in court, signing documents to end my marriage, ‘otherwise occupied too.’
Marcus nodded in understanding. ‘Kids alone are a full time job, huh? ‘Specially when you’re the only one who’s running around after them.’
He knew about your situation and in return, figured that you knew about his. He’d heard the whispers about the divorce and presumed that the loss of his wife had been subject to similar gossip. The environment amongst the parents was shockingly similar to high school and things got around pretty quickly. You both hated it, especially given the nature of both your circumstances; death and separation was not something other people should have been talking about. Especially when you all you wanted to do was mind your own business and raise your damn (chaotic) kid.
‘Yeah, tell me about it.’ You replied. ‘My kid is like...a baby crackhead, as well. He’s been sent home twice this week and it’s only Wednesday.’
‘Oh, Jack’s your kid?’
You let out a groan, holding your face in your hands. ‘Yeah. Famously so, apparently.’
‘No, it’s not a bad thing!’ Marcus chuckled, pulling your hands away. ‘He played a brilliant baby Jesus in the Nativity last year.’
‘Aside from when he bit one of the three wise men, yeah.’ You could feel your cheeks heating up. ‘Missy actually helped him once. She seems really...not at all like my child. Which is good.’
‘She told me about the fence incident.’ He nodded. ‘May I ask why he was shoving his head out of the school gates?’
‘He saw an interesting looking slug.’ You replied.
Your conversation was interrupted by Carol, who had now climbed up on stage. She tapped the microphone and cleared her throat, gesturing to everyone to sit down so that the meeting could start. You wanted to curse her. Whatever giddy conversation you were having with Marcus was a thousand times more interesting than the PTA. At least you could revel in the fact he didn’t want to be here either.
‘Shall we?’ Marcus gestured to two empty seats a few rows back.
‘I mean, it’s an aisle seat, which is good for a quick escape if Jack decides to be Jack,’ you nodded in agreement. ‘Hey kid, c’mon!’
Turning away from the other kids, Jack sprinted towards you, hurling himself into your lap as he sat down. You let out an oof! and a groan. He wasn’t as light as he used to be a toddler. He stayed still for a moment, tiny hands clasping yours, before he realised who you were sat next to. The kids’ impression of Marcus was not quite the same as yours - he’d only seen him on TV, with the likes of all the heroes. You couldn’t remember their names (but in your defence, they were kind of ridiculous). 
‘Are you a superhero?’ He reached up, poking Marcus in the cheek. 
‘Jack!’ You hissed. ‘You can’t-’
‘- yeah, buddy.’ Marcus ruffled his hair. ‘But it’s my day off today, so I’m doing all this boring stuff instead.’
‘Can you fly? Do you know Miracle Guy? Have you fought aliens? Do you have a super suit? Do you know Iron Man? Wait! Can I be a superhero?!’
‘No, yes, yes, no, no and maybe when you’re older.’ He counted the questions off on his fingers. ‘But for now we have to keep quiet for the meeting. That would make you a superhero.’
--
You wanted to marry Marcus Moreno.
Seriously, you wanted to marry him.
His little comment had kept Jack quiet the entire meeting. And it was a long fucking meeting indeed. The last time he’d shut up for that long was...probably before he learnt to talk. You loved he was full of curiosity and questions, but he didn’t always understand that there was a time and a place. At least now you knew what would shut him up. 
‘How does Miracle Guy fly? Is Batman real? Are you rich? Do you know Wonder Woman? How does her lasso of truth work?’
‘Jack.’ You groaned. 
You were walking out of the school now and down towards the car park. Missy was in tow, tapping away on her phone, whilst Jack trotted alongside you and Marcus. He’d been spewing questions at the poor man pretty much since the meeting had ended - and yet, he seemed happy to answer them. Excited, even. It was clear that he loved his job.
‘You gotta give Mr Moreno a break, little man.’ You said.
‘Hey, just Marcus is fine.’ He replied. 
‘Hey Just Marcus, I’m dad.’ Missy chimed from beside you, not even looking up from her phone. It was...impressive, actually.
‘I already regret buying her that.’ Marcus murmured. 
The two of you eventually reached your cars. The Civic was still terribly parked across two spaces - you were a good driver, you’d just been in a rush. The dents and scrapes all over the doors and bumper implied other wise but hey, we move. You had a thousand and one other things to save up before a new car. Putting down the deposit on a house - one you could actually own, maybe a little further out from the city - was your number one concern. Paying off your divorce attorney came after that. 
‘It was nice to meet you properly.’ You pulled your keys out your back, tugging four empty packets of crisps and three bags of gummy worms with it. 
‘I’m not done asking questions-’
‘- you gotta let Marcus go, JJ.’ You peered down at Jack. ‘Sorry. He’s a little obsessed with the Heroics, but I guess you’ve worked that one out.’
‘Can I visit your base?’ He continued, ignoring you. 
Marcus knelt down to his height, a grin on his face. ‘I’ve got a free window tomorrow afternoon. You wanna come by? Your mum tells me you’re off school for the rest of the week.’ 
‘Really?’ You blinked in surprise. ‘I mean, I’m sure he would love that but I’m at work and he’s gotta go to my mum’s.’
Your mother also doubled up as your baby-sitter. In an ideal world, you would have been able to afford a professional, but this was very much the opposite of an ideal world. It was the real world, and you were constantly juggling a thousand things at once. Never in a million years would you have changed it but there were days when you wanted to cry. When it was 9PM and Jack suddenly chimed in that he had a science project due the next day, or when he refused to eat his dinner because his chicken nuggets weren’t shaped like dinosaurs and fed them to the dog. 
Marcus looked, on the surface at least, like he had his shit together. He worked in a public facing job and he always looked put together. His car wasn’t covered in bumps and bruises and the inside probably wasn’t covered in yoghurt like yours. He seemed as though he got more than five hours sleep a night and his child was well-behaved. 
‘I’m sure we can work something out.’ He said. ‘If you give me your number, I’ll give you a call.’
‘Uh, yeah! Of course.’ He’d asked for your number. No big deal. 
You switched phones - naturally, his was much more high-tech than yours - and entered in your respective numbers. The whole thing made you admire Marcus even more; he didn’t have to have your tyrannical son over to his office, yet he offered to. He’d clearly seen how excited he’d gotten and it seemed like he’d found it endearing. 
‘Are you okay?’ Marcus asked quietly, suddenly putting his hand on your shoulder. ‘You suddenly zoned out.’
‘Yeah, sorry.’ You rubbed your eyes. ‘I got about three hours sleep last night. I would blame it on the terrible twos but I guess it’s the...fucking awful fives?’
He quickly turned his attention to Jack, opening the car door for him. ‘You wanna hop in? I’m just gonna talk to your mom about you visiting, yeah?’
'There’s Cheetos in the centre console!’ You called after him.
Once Marcus had shut the door, he turned around to face you. There was silence for a minute, and he just kind of...stared at you. You couldn’t read his expression or quite figure it out, but he had an eyebrow quirked and a look of...concern? Sympathy?
‘I recognise that look. It’s the help! I’m suddenly a single parent to a five year old and it feels like the world is eating me alive look.’ He said. ‘It’s the exact same one I had six years ago. Missy was about Jack’s age when...when it became just me and her.’
You softly smiled. ‘It’s not been easy.’
‘You’re doing a good job, okay?’ He gave your shoulder a light squeeze. ‘And if you ever need him off your hands for a few hours, I’ll gladly give him a tour of our headquarters.’
‘Thank you. So much, for both of those things.’ Your eyes fell to the ground. ‘It’s a refreshing change from Carol and her Pinterest boards and half-assed invitations to potlucks.’
‘God, I can’t stand all that.’ Marcus chuckled. 
‘I gotta get back now because I can see that Jack is about smush Cheetos over my break pedals but I’ll...’ you trailed off, forcing yourself to look at him and smile. ‘I’ll call you.’
‘I look forward to it.’ 
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prettyyyboyluke · 3 years
Note
Umm I was wondering if you could maybe do an imagine where cal is like her brothers bad boy friend and the reader is innocent ... or that's what everyone thinks...umm idk if you're taking requests but if you could do this I would really appreciate it🥺
~
y/n’s brother’s a sophomore in college, and once he graduated high school, he had moved out and gotten his own apartment. one with two bedrooms so she could have a place to stay when going to visit him. granted, he was only two hours away, but it was still nice since she didn’t have her parents helicoptering her. y/n was lucky to have a brother like tyler, the two were very close and were open about lots of things. so of course, he didn’t mind her and a few of her friends joining him and his friends for movie nights or small kickbacks.
that’s exactly what tonight was, a kickback. y/n was more than excited because tyler invites his best friend over each time, and he’s the hottest guy y/n’s ever seen, at least that’s what she thinks. curly black hair with blonde streaks, tall and muscular, tattoos dispersed all over his body, she practically drools every time she sees him. she thinks there are no flaws for him, except he’s that “i don’t date,” type of guy, which leaves lots of girls heartbroken.
y/n always arrives early to help tyler set up since he’s very unorganized and needs help setting out snacks for their friends. of course, y/n is on aux because she swears by her spotify being better than her brothers, but no one has ever complained about the music.
“god tyler, how did you ever survive your semesters without me here.” she laughs.
“oh, shut up. i’m perfectly fine, just not as organized as you.” he jabs back.
their friends pile into the apartment, chatting amongst themselves about their last week of school. y/n’s about to pour herself a drink when calum walks through the front door. she stares longingly, her eyes following up his body and his movements as he says hello to everyone there. her friend nova gives her a hard jab in her side, emphasizing the fact that she is practically drooling over the new quarter zip-up sweatshirt she just purchased. she straightens up, pushing out her chest. calum looks her way, smiling at her and making his way over.
“didn’t know tyler suddenly had a bad girl of a sister.” he smiles at her smugly, and if y/n didn’t know any better, she’d say he was speaking in a malicious tone, but she knows him better than that.
she rolls her eyes at him, “shut up!” she swats at his bicep. “tyler told you about my car, huh?”
“yeah,” he laughs, “said that your whole bumper came off. i’m surprised they let you out of the house tonight, you know since you’re a little girl.”
y/n’s cheeks start to heat up, her body temperature rising as their conversation continues. “i am not a little girl, calum. just because you’re a few years older than me doesn’t mean anything!” she crosses her arms, looking playfully furious and calum wants to run his thumb across the pout on her lips.
“sure, pretty girl.” he takes her drink and takes a sip. he hums at the liquor that hits his taste buds, “i’ll be taking this,” he says, shaking her drink in front of her eyes.
when he’s a few feet away, her friends chime in. “god, he’s so hot.”
“you just know he’s packing.”
“hey!” y/n screeches softly, “he’s mine! find your own college boy to drool over.”
she makes her self another drink, thanks to calum, and joins everyone by the couch. she walks around to the end of the couch where calum is sat at, ready to sit on the love seat next to nova, but calum catches her wrist and pulls her into his lap. her cheeks heat up, again, relieved when tyler is preoccupied with the game they’re about to play.
“what’re you doing?” she hisses into his ear. “my brother’s right there.”
“and? amaya is practically sitting on top of him.” he points to the two in the small chair. she shivers and shakes her head. “see? so it’s perfectly fine if we sit together.” he moves over a bit, giving her room to sit next to him but still somewhat on his thigh, and she looks at him while she positions herself. “everything alright here, pretty girl?”
“yup! yup, everything’s fine.” she looks at the way their legs are tangled together. she cracks her knuckles, trying to calm some of her nerves. calum slings an arm around her side of the couch, making her lean subconsciously into him. she knows what he’s doing... and she loves it.
~
they’re about two and a half rounds into picolo, their favorite drinking game. and everyone has a very nice buzz going on. they’re on the caliente version now, so this round should be spicy.
“alright, alright!” tyler laughs, “if calum and y/n kiss, each of you can give out 2 sips. if not, you each have to drink 2 times.” tyler finishes.
her eyes widen. she had no idea what tyler was thinking at this point, the alcohol in his system streaming through everything. nova gives her that look of well! get on with it! she turns to calum, “we don’t have to, we can just drink.” she says, reaching for her cup, but calum stops her.
calum doesn’t say anything but puts his hand on y/n’s cheek, bringing her closer in. her chest is heaving, eyes flickering between his lips and his eyes. he finally closes the gap between the two, lips connecting and light smacking happening.
“it’s about damn time!” luke exclaims. the rest of the group also cheers and laughs. the kiss definitely lasts longer than it’s supposed to, but neither her nor calum mind. calum pulls away but returns for one more peck.
y/n takes her bottom lip between her teeth, racking her brain at the fact that that just happened. calum then gives her temple a kiss and returns his attention back to the game. the game continues giving everyone dares like y/n’s and calum’s, some a little riskier than others, but no one seemed to mind.
“alright alright, how about we change the game to ‘never have i ever’?” ashton suggests. the group agrees. y/n gets up to go grab a bottle of hard liquor and the small shot glasses she bought. she thinks they’re cute, they’re not the red ones like the solo cups, they’re the neon-colored ones. calum follows her to the kitchen.
he wraps one hand around one side of her waist, pulling her close to his front side. she jumps the slightest bit when his hand goes under her sweatshirt and rests for a moment before giving it a squeeze. “how was that kiss?” he whispered in her ear.
she swallowed before answering, “i-i liked it.” she said, her voice very small.
calum turns her around, “i knew you would. you think i don’t notice how you look at me?” lord, y/n thinks she’s about to fucking pass out when he traces the outline of her running shorts.
they walk back, calum’s hand low on her back. as always, she sets everything up, being a little soberer than everyone else. this time, calum sets her right on top of his thigh. she lets a small gasp leave her lips when he moves his lap up for a second. calum sits up, wrapping an arm around her stomach, making her move yet again. the material of her shorts is very thin and with calum knowingly moving his thigh against her core, he could feel what he’s doing to her.
“okay, never have i ever been so crossed i threw up in the basement of the Alpha Phi house,” michael says, clearly taking a hit at someone. y/n sees calum reach for one of the neon cups and takes a shot.
“that was dirty, i’ll get you back.” calum snarls. y/n turns around to calum, raising her brow. “it was freshman year, and those girls have still never let me back in.”
“i’ll go!” nova shouts, “never have i ever had a crush on my brother’s best friend,” she says, looking right at y/n. y/n doesn’t want to reach for a shot and take it, but she also knows that if she doesn’t nova will call her bluff. despite fighting her conscience, she sucks it up and takes a shot. she gives nova daggers while she racks her brain to think of something to get her back.
~
the kickback ended around an hour ago, most of y/n and tyler’s friends had left, and calum had asked tyler if he could sleep on the couch. y/n was still awake, cleaning up everything so her brother wouldn’t have to deal with such a mess in the morning. calum’s been helping y/n clean up, mostly just so he can flirt with her more.
“you know, i never really got a proper kiss from you tonight.” calum says, taking a pile of trash into the bag. y/n stands up, looking at calum.
“what do you mean? we kissed during picolo, how was that not a proper kiss?” she asks, clearly not getting what he’s hinting at.
calum takes her wrist, bringing her over to the kitchen, and sets her on top of the counter. “a proper kiss doesn’t involve all of our friends staring at us and cheering. it’s more like this,” he stops his sentence and goes in for the kiss he’s been talking about.
y/n’s caught off guard for a moment before she relaxes into calum. their lips move rhythmically against each other, their tongues going to explore the mouth of the other. calum places a hand on her thigh while the other is holding her cheek. both of y/n’s arms are around calum’s shoulders, moving closer and making his hand move up higher on her thigh.
they both pull away for a second, calum looks down at where his hand is and looks back up at y/n. she nods her head and brings his lips back down to hers. calum’s fingers make their way into her shorts, just petting over her clit while y/n rotates her hips against his fingers.
“i think we should move to your room, just in case someone decides to come out.” calum whispers.
and y/n can’t wait to see where this takes her.
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karlajoyner · 3 years
Text
Sick (Charlie Gillespie x Reader)
Tumblr media
A/n: Hey guys I hope you guys enjoy this one! I'm currently trying to work on the requests I have to get done but I somewhat have a good idea on how I want a lot of them to go....now I just need to write them. Also I do have a taglist if you wanna be added to it. Okay byeee!!
Requested by: @riverdalefan2019 (Tumblr)
Warnings: None
————
I made my way into my shared apartment after a long day at work, exhausted after spending hours treating patients.
Immediately spotting a note on the countertop. A small smile formed on my face as I recognized the chicken scratch written on it.
"I tried to stay awake my love but I was just too tired. Don't hesitate to wake me up if you want to feel loved and appreciated!
                      ~ Charlie
I read quietly taking a look at the clock. 3:34am. He had a whole weekend to make me feel loved and appreciated as did I.
Deciding on letting him rest I removed my coat and shoes leaving them by the door before making my way into our shared bedroom.
I turned on the bedside lamp, straight away spotting my boyfriends body under the covers.
I sighed contently moving over to my dresser to grab a pair of pajamas when I heard the sheets begin to shuffle.
"Y/n?" A raspy voice called out to me.
"Babe. Did I wake you?" I asked worriedly pulling out a pair of silk pajama shorts and a cami. Placing them at the top of the dresser.
"No, no I was having trouble sleeping" He coughed sitting up. I turned around getting a good look at his disheveled appearance. A frown forming on my face. "Are you okay?" I questioned grabbing my scrubs from my bag and dumping them into the dirty clothes.
"I'm fine just a little tired is all. How was your shift at the hospital?"
"It wasn't too bad today. I'm just glad I have a whole weekend to recover before going back" I said watching him lean against the headboard. Slowly closing his eyes and reopening them.
"Are you sure your okay Charlie?"
"I'm fine"
"Yeah well as a nurse, I'm fine isn't gonna cut it for me"
"Don't go all professional on me now" He teased as I walked over to my work bag.
"I kinda have to it's my job as your girlfriend who works with sick people everyday. I have to make sure your not contagious" I spoke walking over to him.
"How've you been feeling?" I asked placing a hand on his forehead.
"Tired"
"Does your head hurt?"
"A bit" He sniffled. Stuffy nose.
"Open" I spoke taking a look into his mouth.
"How do your muscles feel?" I spoke putting the popsicle stick I had used in a ziplock bag to throw away.
"You tell me baby" He joked flexing his arm.
"Charles"
"Fine. Sorry. They're actually a little weak" I sighed sticking a thermometer in his mouth.
"I missed you" He tried to speak reaching his hand out to take mine. I quickly retracted it watching hurt take over his face.
"Baby I love you but your sick" I explained hearing the thermometer beep.
"I don't think I'm sick"
"Really? Cause this thermometers telling me you've got the flu"
"I do?"
"Yup. Which means your on bedrest until you get better"
"Nope. There's no way that's gonna happen"
"And why not?"
"Because we've had this whole weekend planned out with fun activities for weeks and I'm not gonna let a little cold ruin that"
"It's not a little cold it's the flu. And I'm sure we can find another free weekend to lounge around all day and watch movies"
"We we're gonna do other stuff too" He pouted.
"Save it Charlie. You are not doing anything that doesn't involve you laying in this bed" He seemed to perk up at my suggestion a smirk forming on his face.
"No. Not that either" I spoke a pout taking over his face.
"But-"
"No buts. You need rest"
"I can't. I've been tossing and turning all night. Can we cuddle?" I internally groaned looking at the digital clock on the bedside table.
"Charlie it's contagious. I can't risk getting sick" My heart broke as I watched sadness wash over his face.
"But I wanna cuddle"
"If you feel any better tomorrow. We can cuddle. Until then I've got to sleep on the couch tonight"
"Your not even gonna sleep with me" He complained.
"Get some rest" I said placing my hand on his cheek feeling him lean into my touch.
"I love you" I smiled sweetly at him.
"I love you too Y/n" he croaked out coughing afterwards.
"Night Charlie"
"Goodnight baby" He called out after me.
I woke up to sound of my alarm ringing. Wanting nothing more than to sleep for just a few more hours.
Unfortunately enough I had a sick boyfriend to tend to so I quickly got up, going to put a chicken soup on the stove. Just the way he liked it.
"Charlie" I sang entering the room to see a scatter of tissues around the bed.
"We ran out of tissues so I had to grab toilet paper. He sniffled holding up a roll of new toilet paper.
"I take it your not feeling any better?" I asked putting down the tray of soup on the dresser.
"Nope. I think it got worse. Which sucks cause now I can't kiss you"
"We have plenty of time for that later" I spoke tucking him back in.
"I brought you soup"
"Thank you for taking care of me"
"Of course baby. You know? We could still have a great weekend" I said picking up the dirty tissues and throwing them into the trash bin in the corner of the room.
"How?" Charlie asked blowing on the soup.
"We could watch some movies later in the living room. We'll just sit on different couches" I suggested.
"Sounds good?"
"Sounds amazing beautiful" He spoke in a groggy voice.
It had been a few hours of Charlie laying in bed while I did some online shopping enjoying the peace and silence in the apartment.
The two of us sharing small talk bringing up memories from the day we first met, to our first date, to the present day.
"Baby!" Charlie called out to me.
"Yes Charles" I toyed with the boy spinning around on the armchair at the desk.
"Can we watch movies now? I'm tired of laying here"
"Yes" I answered watching a smile form on his face.
I sighed settling down onto the couch watching as my boyfriend scrolled through the endless movies on Netflix.
"What do you wanna watch?"
"The notebook"
"Do you wanna see me cry woman?" He asked exasperatedly making me giggle.
"Awww your such a softie" I said watching him put the movie on anyways.
"I am not"
"Sure Charlie" I laughed once more as the movie started.
I looked over at my boyfriend to see him attempting to get comfortable. Rolling my eyes I got up to sit next to him.
"Come on" I said patting my lap.
"Really?" He asked making me nod.
"What if I get you sick?"
"Then I'll take a couple days off work. No biggie"
"You'd do that for me?"
"Of course you big dummy" He grinned at my response placing his head on my lap. Immediately getting comfortable with a blanket on his body.
"I love you" He muttered.
"I love you too Charlie" I whispered contently running my fingers through his hair as the first movie of the night played.
————
Up Next: Alex Mercer x Male Reader
Luke Patterson x Reader
Charlie Gillespie x Reader
Jeremy Shada x Reader
Charlie Gillespie x Owen Patrick Joyner x Reader
Reggie Peters x Reader
Charlie Gillespie x Reader
Reggie Peters x Reader
Carrie Wilson x Reader
Sunset Curve x Reader
————
@lolychu @headheartbellarke @bookish0918 @kcd15 @ifilwtmfc @moviesbooksandfandoms @lovesanimals @lavender-writer @kaitieskidmore1 @morganayennefertyrell @iloveteenwolf @ghostofmgg @jammi13 @theravenclawlife
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doomstypewriter · 3 years
Text
The submersion | Intrulogical Mermaid AU
Future intrulogical.
Follow up on this animatic. | AO3
Words: 1728.
Summary: Remus has fun in his submarine. A giant barracuda disagrees.
CW: Dark humour, skeletal remains of a rat, drowning, deep ocean (if there's anything else do tell), death, sexual innuendo.
The submersion
It was cloudy.
And cold.
But that was to be expected when one’s in the middle of the Atlantic.
“Remus Prince, you dunce, how are you dressed like that?”
Remus turned around to see Ella Da Villa, the captain of the ship he was on, and an old friend. Her short afro was stuffed inside of a beanie, she held onto her sides through her huge puffer coat.
“I know you’d just rather I take it all off, but, honey, I need to at least wear something”.
She laughed.
“What you need is to make sure you don’t get drenched or--”
“First of all, I look amazing all wet. But if that’s what you’re so worried about, hey, I took care of that” he answered pointing at his green rain boots.
The crew looked at them in amusement as they moved the equipment, preparing everything for the submersion.
Ella took off one of her gloves and smacked Remus’ head with it.
“Ow! I thought you were against violence!”
“I never said that. But I am against animal abuse, that’s why I didn’t hit you hard. Now go and put on a coat, you dumbass”.
“Sure thing mommy, you know how to be commanding” he winked.
“It’s captain for you, now go!”
His boots squeaked against the flooring of the deck as he ran to get into the guts of the ship. He managed to hear Ella swearing under her breath.
“How did he even graduate? Going out in short sleeves…”
Ella was a funny one, Remus thought. It was easy to get under her skin, she also liked to play along which made it even better.
One of the people going up the metal stairs almost tripped against him, there wasn’t that much room, after all. Remus jumped over the railing and fell onto the lower level without a scratch.
“Oh my god! Are you okay?!” said someone.
A younger guy with spectacular hair held onto his forearm to check on him. Oh, this was the newbie.
“Don’t worry, I don’t have any lungs”.
“Wha…” he looked half perplexed and half horrified.
“You know, we all get it done since we’re going to end up sleeping with the fish anyway”.
He stood up quickly and mutely apologised. Remus enjoyed the view of his ass going upstairs as fast as possible. New meat was always hilarious.
When he entered the room his cupboard was already open. He liked to leave the sliding doors that way so he could see what was inside, otherwise, he’d forget about it. In a ship, that meant ending up with all of one’s clothes on the floor, but as long as Remus could see where they were he wouldn’t misplace anything. Object permanence was a bitch.
Messy floors did have an advantage, the coat on top of the pile was good enough to satisfy Ella and easy enough to grab quickly.
The backswing of the glove against his shoulder caught him off-guard.
“Ow! What did I do now?! This coat is fine!”
“The coat is fine, yes, but the new guy is shaking like a leaf. What did you tell him? He keeps saying stuff about drowning”.
“Hey, I’d never mention drowning when I’m about to get into a submarine”.
“Yes, that’d be very poor taste, sadly, you have it worse so you must have said something terrible. I expect you to fix this, or we’ll have to arrange you drowning”.
“You know I love choking on wet things”.
“Then your last moments will be pleasant. Consider me the best friend one could have”.
The new guy was holding onto the railing of the ship, staring at the water in concentration. Probably about to throw up or something.
“Hey!”
“Ah!” he screamed.
“Do you have a name?”
“Uh… yes… um…”
“Great! I have one too, it’s Remus” he introduced himself with half a bow.
“I’m Nathan… sorry… I’m just anxious… it’s the first time I go on one of those” he gestured at the submersible held by the crane of the ship.
“First times are always awkward, don’t worry”.
Finally, Nathan let out a laugh, it was a nervous one but it would suffice.
“You know what I said earlier was a joke, right?”
“Oh, yeah, it just caught me by surprise. You’re the head biologist here, right?”
“Yup. Guess you could say I’m the dom of this study”.
“Darn it, here I was expecting to be more active”.
Remus smiled in surprise. It was always nice when people had similar humour to his.
“Oh, you’ll have to be. I expect it”.
“You wouldn’t expect we could go for some coffee after we get into…” the date proposition vanished into a look of fear at the submersible.
Remus put a hand over his shoulders. The drowning jokes would have to wait until they were emerging.
“Don’t worry, my thicc ass has been there tons of times! It’s just a lot of water”.
“While it’s true he’s been there more than you, he’s overplaying his own ass. It’s kind of droopy” a heavily accented voice said
“Who are you calling droopy?”
They turned to see a tall blond woman smiling smugly. Erika Engström, oceanographer and the operator of the submersible.
“You, obviously, do you have water in your ears?”
“Not yet, but we’ll see if…”
Nathan held his breath.
“Nah, I don’t”.
“He either thinks you’re cute or he’s afraid the captain will throw him off-board if he keeps bullying you”, Erika told Nathan.
“I wasn’t bullying anyone”.
“Sorry to break it to you, but you’re always bullying people, you don’t know how else to flirt”.
“Then I would be flirting with everyone”.
“Aren’t you?”
“Okay, yeah”.
“Come on, I have to set up things. Give me a hand, rat skull”.
“At least give me a knife or something”.
“You can chew it through”.
One last look at Nathan before following her.
“Well, I’ll leave you to stress out, if I don’t help her we’ll dro…” oh right, no drowning jokes. “We’ll…”
“Flirt with me when we’re back at the surface”.
Remus smiled.
“Will do!”
-----
The light was beginning to fade out. The flickering of the few rays coming through a swirl of silvery fish would be their last glimpses at natural lighting for a while.
It was wonderful.
How the underwater landscape changed, morphing into something out of a nightmare. Never ceases to amaze him. People would say it was all just blue getting darker and darker, and it was! But it was also a thick fog from which anything could come out. He always looked forward to seeing the weirdest fish appear.
There wasn’t much room behind the giant acrylic viewport. Despite being stuck so closely together, Remus could feel a chill as the air within got cooled by the deep water. His coat lay forgotten at the back of his chair still.
Once the lights of the submersible switched on, a delicate dance of white dust shined just like it would on a sunny day. This was no room dust. But there was just as much beauty in seeing the marine snow surrounding them. Teensy tiny pieces of dead fish falling all around, making the nicest shapes.
“It’s so quiet” Nathan observed.
“Wait until you hear a whale. The first time I did I thought my skull would pop”.
“Which one?” Erika kept her eyes on the water, but he could see the reflection of a smile curving onto the surface of the acrylic.
“Well, the small one. I know you’d hate to have to scrape my brains off your console”.
“If you had any I would”.
“There would still be plenty of blood”.
The ship carried on with the descend, soon, they’d be at twenty thousand feet. Nathan leaned in.
“Hey, what did she mean by which one?” he said in a hushed voice.
“Oh! Right”
He pulled on the string of his necklace to get it from under his shirt. Remus held it in front of Nathan’s face.
It turned, revealing the empty sockets and the front of what used to be a snout.
“I have this rat skull as a necklace! Erika teases me because that’s how she copes with the fact that she hates it!”
“Anyone would hate it. You wear that thing everywhere. It’s creepy” Erika pointed out.
“Where did you get it?” Nathan asked.
In the dim light, Remus’s smile cast shadows, giving him a grim vibe.
“I used to have a pet rat. When it died it sucked, my brother and I buried it in the backyard. It was there until three years later when we got a heavy storm. The bones peeked through the mud. So I just yanked a bit on the spine and got it. The skull was already defleshed anyway, so, aside from cleaning it a bit, I didn’t have to do any of the work. I really like this necklace. I got into marine biology because I began looking at fish skulls and I wanted to see more”.
“That’s…” Nathan began to say.
Suddenly, the submersible turned violently.
“What was that?”
“I don’t know, I couldn’t take a good look”, said Erika.
Her frown told Remus something was seriously wrong.
“Guys, we’re picking up really weird signals from here. Are you all okay?” the sound of Ella’s voice through the radio distracted him from his train of thought.
“It’s all under control, but I am going to begin ascending” Erika replied.
“We haven’t taken all the samples”, Nathan said.
“We’ll have another chance. Right now I’m worried that---”
Erika did not have time to finish talking.
Its needle-like teeth loomed over the viewport. This creature was unlike anything he’d ever seen. Part of him felt excited at how terrifying it all was. Sadly, he had the feeling they were all about to die. This fish looked like a giant barracuda and an angry one.
The creature snapped its jaw closed, cracking the viewport.
Seemingly, it didn’t find it tasty enough and it swam away even moodier than before. The very least it could have done was eat them.
If you’re going to kill them might as well finish the job.
Remus’ body floated into the dark abyss as he struggled to breathe. Covering his ears tightly, he screamed in pain. The pressure was unlike anything.
Well, it had been fun.
<< Previous | Next >>
The continuation will feature Logan and another animatic!
Taglist: @lemonyscented , @emsiemaefander , @sunflower-avo-tea , @nadiestar , @amber-da-toon , @gabseliblack , @everythingisstardust
@trash-bastard , @under-the-blue-moonlight , @willowaudreykeyes
@queerly-a-hisssstory-momster​
@theyluna-womoon , @subterfugespecialist
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So on my old blog, I would occasionally give my unsolicited thoughts and opinions on shows or movies (usually ones that either had a lot of hype or were just straight up bad). I just watched "365 Dni" aka "365 Days" because I had a couple hours to kill so be prepared for mental spewage because it's my blog and I do what I want.
Wait I thought this was a romantic thriller. They're talking about human trafficking. This is already gross.
Michele Morrone is very good looking though and I've been obsessed with his face for the last few weeks.
This whole conversation about these girls getting trafficked is gross.
Yes. Let's be extra pervy during a pervy business meeting and check out the girl on the beach with our binoculars.
Hold up. Why did they get shot?
I don't know what's going on. Freaking Italian mob, man.
This song about being addicted to someone that's playing while people are bleeding out on the ground seems tonally inappropriate.
So far we've seen Italy, San Francisco, and Warsaw. I didn't know we were globetrotting.
And we switched from Italian to Polish to English. Sure.
Yeah. Michele Morrone could get it. Also he survived being shot.
Is that the same girl from the beach? Probably. Why not.
They do a lot of spinning shots and it's making me dizzy.
So far this is a very expensive foreign Lifetime movie.
Yes. Because everyone takes boob shots in the back of their Uber while sober.
Homegirl's boyfriend looks like they picked him out of a burly henchman catalogue.
Yup. Michele Morrone is stupid hot. Even just sitting down he's hot.
Oh good. We've transitioned from potential human trafficking to cocaine.
Well damn. This is fairly explicit for a "mainstream" film.
Cool. I share a name with the female lead.
Still don't know the male lead's name yet.
Everybody in this movie is either stupid hot or stupid ugly. There is no middle ground.
Yes, Michele. Creeping up on this girl on a darkly lit path saying "Are you lost, little girl?" is definitely going to win you all the points.
I don't understand why writers insist on putting powerful women with schlubby dudes. It's tired and cliched and inevitably leads to annoying arguments.
Yes. Let's wander around Sicily at night all alone. That's totally safe.
And my point is proven.
I hope if I ever get kidnapped and holed up in some random ass castle in Sicily my makeup looks as good as Laura's.
So this just turned into a horror movie.
Called it about Laura being the girl on the beach.
Yeah, that's not creepy at all, dude. Let's obsess over a girl we might have hallucinated for five years and then kidnap her and give her a year to fall in love with you. Solid plan.
This is literally making my skin crawl.
Ah yes. "I won't do anything without your permission" he says as he literally grabs and sexually assaults her.
So basically this is trying to be "erotic thriller, Beauty and the Beast style".
Her pulling a gun on him has been the best thing so far.
I'm so confuuuuuused.
That's nothing new though. I live in a state of perpetual confusion.
Why the hell is there a man chained to a rock in this dude's basement.
I have many concerns.
Also his name is Massimo so that's good to know.
Besides the man chained in his basement his house is pretty cool.
Just kidding the man is no longer chained in the basement since he now has a bullet in his head.
I'm only 30 minutes in and this has been a wild ride.
"I'm not a bag of potatoes you can move without my permission!" is very Polish and as somebody who's family is Polish I'm living for it.
I'm going to need him to stop laying hands on her.
Whoever chose the music made some odd choices.
He keeps watching her sleep and it's creepy.
And there he goes grabbing her again.
I do like that she's giving him a lot of attitude and isn't putting up with his shit but you know that's going to change 🙄
Yes. Go spend all his money, honey.
He is disrespectful as hell.
I don't care how hot he is, he's creepy and abusive and I don't like it.
"I am not the monster you think I am." You would be incorrect, my dude.
Like, she went on vacation with her boyfriend and friends, and I can't for the life of me figure out why they aren't looking for her unless they explained it and I missed it.
Pierogi. The most romantic of Polish foods.
"I do business." He's a drug trafficker, honey. Run away. Run far, far away.
Honestly I would turn this off if I wasn't so far in it already.
I feel like I have to see this trainwreck through to the end.
"I would like you to show me how to be gentle for you" would be more appealing if HE LITERALLY HAD NOT KIDNAPPED, ABUSED, AND ASSAULTED HER.
Ew. Did he sneak in her bed while she slept?
One good dinner and now she's all "let's gently touch him in bed and take a shower in front of him" 🙄
Why is this bathroom set up like a communal shower? It's weird.
Although to be fair if he hopped in the shower with me I'd check him out too 🤷
They tied her to the seat in the plane. What the hell.
I'm so uncomfortable.
Ugh. Why. Why is this a thing.
So far this has been creepier than 50 Shades and 50 Shades is creepy as hell.
Hold on. I thought they were at a hotel. Why does he have a giant ass portrait of himself hanging up in his room?
I. Am. Uncomfortable.
Oh man. He has a nice butt.
Don't get distracted by the pretty man, Laura.
Onscreen Laura too.
He asked her to teach him how to be gentle, then handcuffs her to the bed and makes her watch while he hooks up with another woman.
Yup. Doing a great job there, Massimo.
Cool I'm back to being confused.
She can't walk in her heels and I'm dying laughing. Same, girl, same.
"What are you wearing?" "A couple thousand euro of yours." GET HIM.
Now we've entered the Scarface phase of the movie because there was just a copious amount of cocaine snorted.
Where did he pull two guns from??
So I don't know how long she's been with him at this point. I feel like that's something that needs to be clarified.
And she fell off the boat.
Of course she did.
Oh man. Why's he gotta be so cute with his fluffy curls and stubble and tattoos?
Also I'm pretty sure he only owns like two shirts because he's walked around shirtless for most of this movie.
We are now in the part of the movie where we've screamed awful things at each other and now we're going to bone it out.
All over the boat. Like every surface of the boat they have now banged on.
If y'all were dissatisfied with the raunchiness of the 50 Shades series, this is the movie for you because it far surpasses that.
Of course they're going to a ball. They always do in these rich people movies.
Makeover montage because why not.
Oh no. He's hot in a tux.
It always cracks me up in movies when people just automatically know how to ballroom dance like professionals without any training.
Every time I think this movie can't get more cliched, it does.
Why do I do this to myself? Why do I subject myself to bad movies?
I take it back. I know why I did it this time. The reason is 6'2" and looks damn good in a button up shirt.
"I thought you were kidnapped!" She was. You were a good friend for thinking that.
The switching between languages is giving me whiplash. It's very jarring going from Italian to Polish to English to Polish to Italian.
Her friend seeing through her bullshit is giving me life.
Also loving the fact that she's acknowledging she has Stockholm Syndrome. But because it's a movie it won't change anything.
Another makeover montage? So soon?
Also her friend keeps calling Massimo Mozzarella and it's hilarious.
That wig looks like it's about to crawl off her head.
Of course the ex shows up.
Honestly just knee him in the nuts and be done with it.
Why does Massimo think it's okay to break into her apartment and wait in the dark for her?
I don't know who thought using a blue light for her apartment was a good idea but it just looks like they're in a giant tanning booth.
"I don't need 365 days... Because I love you." GIRL NO.
I mean it was inevitable but it's still gross.
Yup. That's normal. Let's marry our kidnapper.
I want to snatch that wig off her head.
"What are your intentions with our daughter?" You don't want to know what his intentions are with your daughter, sir.
I will say that I love all her clothes in this movie.
Also she's pregnant. Calling it right now.
Called it.
Also good to know they've only known each other two months and they're going to get married and have a baby 👀
Her best friend is my favorite character and is the only likeable person in this whole movie.
Plot twist. Shocker.
This is so dramatic.
I will give them credit for the ending because that was unexpected.
In summary, this movie is trash and while the "love" scenes are pretty hot, it's not worth the time or effort that I clearly put into this.
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lovely-necromancy · 3 years
Text
A Cure for Insomnia CH 11
“Did I meet your friends last night?” Kirby asked as he unwrapped his crunchwrap in the driver's seat.
“uuh...kinda? Like Toby was with me when I gave you the Surge but you sorta just ran off with it.” you pause as you sip a bit of your Baja Blast. “Like a fucking gremlin.”
Kirby lets out a snort and lettuce drops from his mouth. He tries to hide his messy eating behind his hand. Failing miserably, you can't help but laugh at your friend.
“Wha' bout the other two? Kieth said you ditched 'em.” For a man who was trying to cover up his mouth he sure had the audacity to try and talk with his mouth full.
“They're Toby's roommates, I haven't talked to them too much.” he nods as you speak.
“Well I promise I'll be more...together,” he makes a sort of questioning sound as he debates if that was the word he was looking for. He can't really think of anything else so he settles for 'together'. “next weekend. They are coming right?”
After a brief pause he gets his mind back in place, “This weekend, picnic's this weekend.” You chuckle.
“Toby said they'd stop by. Don't think any are really people people.”
“People people?”
“Yup” not going to let Kirby rile you up as he often tries. Not that he could with his current brain power. Sleep haze still has him in it's hold despite being “up” for about an hour now.
Out of everyone in your friend group Kirby is probably the one you're closest to. Along with being a fellow Ace he's an ambivert and you two just instantly clicked over dumb D grade monster movies. He jokes you guys must be long lost siblings. Well he only started the sibling thing because multiple Hornets or other members of the committee kept thinking you guys were dating. Since then Kirby takes to purposefully calling you some variation of sibling when he shows any type of affection. It seems even just being referenced to being in a relationship squicks him out. You don't mind though you'd always wanted an older brother and Kirby is the exact type you would've wished for. The funny dork who was super easy to get along with.
Even when he steals your nachos...like he is now.
“I'm starting to understand the Cain Instinct.” you say looking him dead in the eyes. He lets out a roar of laughter and reminds you he bought “breakfast”.
“Dad tax and all that.”
“You're not my dad! Ugly ass doodoo head.”
“Is that what that kid said? I don't think that's right.” another thing you share is constantly referencing vines or tiktok sounds.
This of course led to an argument of what the kid actually said in the vine. Both of you were determined to get home and look it up to prove the other wrong.
After your breakfast Kirby started the truck as you put all the trash into the Taco Bell bag. You switch on his stereo much to his chagrin. Kirby got a CD stuck in the radio and now the only thing he can listen to is a meme mix tape he made back in high school. It was funny the first two months for him and now he prays that the novelty will ware off on you soon.
Though it has been a few weeks since he last drove you anywhere, and what can he say Discord is always a bop.
Kirby drops you off without much fanfare, you both agree to seeing each other next week at the picnic. Is it ironic that you want to call out for him to get some more sleep? Like you are the one who's been up since five AM and it's now eleven. But you have a medical condition, Kirby is just over worked and stressed beyond Hell and back.
Getting inside you have nothing really planned for today and while you could start heading out to thrifts to find something formal for Jo's recital you really don't feel like it. Productivity wise you've already had a pretty busy weekend so no one can really judge you for taking it easy and just merging with the couch for the rest of it. Even you, you can be so tough on yourself sometimes.
British Bake Off is just the thing you need to enjoy the rest of your weekend. A calming low stress but funny baking show. Just turn your brain off and lose yourself in the soothing monotone of the judges. It's nearly six in the evening when you finally shake off your lazy day haze.
Getting up, bakers still baking, you start making a simple dinner. Fried egg on toast sounds good. Also a good balance to your supreme nacho breakfast from this morning. Dressing one slice of toast in butter and the other with butter, a little mayo, and a dash of Tabasco before placing the egg on it. You head back to eat and continue watching the competition. Your meal fills you and gives the energy you need to continue “leisureing”.
After an hour you get up and wash the dishes from earlier. And while you have no energy to actually play any of your video games right now you do want to log in for your dailies.
A quick trip to your bedroom has you grabbing your laptop before returning back to the comfort of your living room. Couch calling you to it's cozy embrace. You half pay attention to what you're doing as you set up your laptop, muscles running on muscle memory more than any conscious effort on your part. You hadn't even noticed your hands flickering across the board and logging into your email.
By the time you do realize you aren't on your game's site you see you have a new email. It's from Barclay.
'Coming to ask for my help?' you think a little too smug that you'd been right about the cooking being too much for the man.
However, that wasn't what he was messaging you about. It seems he and Leo had been talking and the old man mentioned what your plans for cooking were.
Shortie,
Leo says you're making forager's pie for the picnic. Seasons ripe for ramps and mushrooms. You in for a little adventure through new unexplored territory?
...I'm hunting some lobster mushrooms, could use a hand or two Will share the bounty. ~Barclay sent 12:04 PM
An olive branch in hopes you weren't too sore about his rejection from earlier this week. The message and sentiment is lost on you since you got over that Thursday.
The idea of new terrain makes you a bit uneasy, however lobster mushrooms were pretty good and forage finds were really rare. Barclay grew up in these woods he probably knew what he was doing, not to mention he could easily know where to find ramps. Their flavor would really up your pie game. It's settled you're in for a forage date with big foot as your guide.
Am in Big Feet. When are we going? Sent 7:20 PM
Like with most things a waiting game began, down sides to living in a radio quiet community people weren't as attached to electronics because of the limited capabilities. But now that you know Barclay is emailing you, you can check your phone more often. Shutting down your laptop you close it before sliding it under your coffee table as you slide down the couch getting comfy.
It was two hours before Barclay got back to you.
Fantastic! Does Tuesday work? ~Barclay sent 9:42 PM
Barclay must be in a rush to get those mushrooms. You'd been thinking Thursday or Friday at the latest for the freshest mushrooms. Maybe he didn't need them for the picnic but a personal project. From what Jake has told you Barclay often falls into spells of testing out new ideas with the strangest of ingredients. With varying results but mainly positive ones.
Yea sure. Meet at the lodge after my shift? Sent 9:50 PM
Perfect see you then. ~Barclay sent 9:52 PM
Oki Sent 9:52 PM
Now that that has been settled you are free to continue your chill Sunday. Losing yourself to the lulling voices of the judges you hardly notice as you drift off. Warm in your throw blanket cocoon and cozy on the plush of your couch.
You jolt up right panting after being woken up by a loud bang. Or at least you thought you'd heard a bang, Sometimes auditory hallucinations came to you in your sleep no matter how well rested you were. The room around you is dark as the light from your TV is dimmed with Netflix's 'Are you still watching?' pop up mocking you for your marathon.
Without thinking you hit 'yes' and the bake off resumes. With the brightness restored you can see your living room and hallway are completely undisturbed. An auditory hallucination must have pulled you out of sleep. Nothing more, after all your stalker wouldn't get sloppy now, it's only been three weeks.
'That you know of.' seems to whisper and embed itself in your mind.
Shaking off the worrying thought you look at your phone to see it's now quarter till one. You are hungry and don't feel like cooking. Thankfully you have emergency white castles and fries in your freezer for this exact need. Getting up you go to the kitchen to microwave your food. Popping the fries in first you decide to head to the bathroom before that becomes a problem for you.
Before you go down the hallway you do end up grabbing the bat next to the bookshelf. The whisper from earlier clearly hasn't done much to settle your nerves after your rude awakening. Protection in hand you have a little less anxiety about walking down the dark hallway. You'd have to look into installing one of those cheap wall lamps from Home Depot to help you out in situations like this. Either that or a night light in your bathroom, you can probably get the night light done quicker. Maybe Leo sells them, you'll have to check next week.
You made it back to the kitchen after your bathroom break without any surprises, real or imaginary, jumping out at you. Replacing the fries inside your microwave with sliders, you snack on a few while you wait for the rest of your meal.
It's probably paranoia but you can't blame yourself for it as you continue to keep an ear out for any sound of abnormal movement within your home, as you eat and have the bake show low enough to catch the sounds of another person. None come, and you finish your food without incident. You're willing to chalk the noise up to a hallucination and your paranoia as valid but not necessary in this moment. Without much more thought you place your empty plate on the coffee table and curl back up in your throw blanket. Just like before you don't catch yourself as you fall asleep. This time you don't wake up until your phone alarm goes off for you to start your week and head to work.
The week has been much less dramatic than last week had been. But then again it is only Tuesday and you literally have gay brunch this Sunday. There will definitely be some sort of theatrics this week. Whether they come from homosexuals or your stalker is up to God.
Then later today you'll be going foraging with Barclay. And while that isn't anything dramatic it will be an adventure and, you hope, really fun! Your excitement has been tangible all day and you couldn't hold yourself back from focusing only on the clock in the shop all day. Even giddier than normal for the strike of five. With the energy rushing through you it amped up your tics but thankfully you hadn't hurt yourself in your excitement.
Even Nate is beginning to playfully tease you about your “date” with Barclay.
Great he must've been talking to Little Jo. What is it with this family and wanting you to date the lodge owner? Do you just look like the lead in a Hallmark Christmas movie that moved to a small town in order to feel the joy of the holidays? You could definitely get into the role but you don't think Barclay would be the main love interest for you.
Honestly he'd probably be the one all the viewers cheered for but you'd personally go for the puppy dog partner that has a scarred past. You have a type and your type is emotionally wounded and needing of love. That thought had made you chuckle as you and Nate closed up the store for the day.
Nate kept looking over at you throughout the day, and when he heard you giggle to yourself at closing he couldn't help the fond smile that came over his features. He could feel how his brows lifted themselves from their normally furrowed or downward tilt. He'd have let you leave early had it not been for the new procedures Big Jo had set. It's not often that your excitement shows so visibly. It's not often that the Cowell family has seen you happy like this.
But Nate understands it's not the crush that Little Jo seems to think it is, it's something more bittersweet. It's the excitement that comes from finally waning off of being isolated for so long. And boy does Nate understand that feeling. If he had to guess Nate would say you've been alone for most of your life even if you don't act like it. You need these little hangouts with your friends. So he does his fastest close yet. You both are out the door by five after and he bids you goodnight as you head to your respective cars.
With the close tonight being so quick you made it to the lodge and parked in the half full lot just before five thirty. Getting out of your car you noticed a familiar duo sitting on the stoop of the lodge.
'Something's wrong.' is the only thought you have as you walk towards the lodge.
“Hey stranger.” the brunette looks up to you at your greeting.
In this light you can just catch the slight movement of his pupils in his dark eyes as they widen in surprise.
“oh...hey?” he seems confused to see you here. Must not be used to living in a small town yet. He'll learn soon enough that you run into everyone all the time here. Sometimes multiple times a week as it would seem.
“You good?” motioning towards the hand on the back of his neck.
“Yea, fucking Bri-an Mrrow thought I needed this.” Toby moves his hand to show an ice pack that you assume he's been holding to the back of his neck.
“Heat sickness?”
“Nah, the RV's AC busted. I can probably fix it by the end of the week.” you nod.
That makes sense, after all CIPA affects thermal regulation, at least from a basic skim. You really need to get on that deep dive to make sure you're prepared for irregular injury prevention with Toby. Speaking of, the boy in front of you is just sitting here with Connor, why? Even if he's here to get a room at the lodge why didn't he just go in? Connor is a service dog after all not like anyone could turn him away. So why was Toby just sitting out here, especially if Brian thought he needed an ice pack to the neck to keep cool?
As if the universe heard your question and decided to give you an answer, Aubrey opened the door and poked her head out.
“Thanks for letting me put up Dr. Harris Bonkers. I'll keep him in my room during your stay.” Oh that makes sense Aubrey's rabbit normally has the run of the lodge. Even if Connor's a service dog and well trained Dr. Bonkers is still a prey animal with a weak heart. Seeing Connor may have stressed the poor rabbit out, if not nearly given him a heart attack.
Her russet eyes land on you when she opens the door wider to, you assume, let Toby and Connor in. They widen and Aubrey rushes in to hug you before stopping short as if remembering you don't appreciate physical contact.
“Hey YN! I didn't know you were coming over.” She says a little awkwardly mid pose for a hug.
You won't be saving her from the situation. With a smile, that she can't see, you nod.
“Barclay's taking me foraging today.”
Aubrey nods while lowering her arms and takes a few steps back so you and Toby can enter the lodge. The large foyer of the wooden chalet always looks bigger thanks to the deep red tones in it's color palette. From the dark cherry stained wood to the red rugs and table liners. Always feels a lot warmer too, but in a homey sense not the overbearing swelter of heat sense. You can't wait to see what it's like in the winter. Probably so cozy and welcoming with a fire roaring and the murmur of residents and tourist mingling over the winter festivities. There's a swell in your chest at the thought...it seems nice, you hope you're right.
'Hope you see it.' is the dark whisper that taints your thoughts.
You notice Brian and Tim are over at the counter talking to Barclay who is nodding along sympathetically to the trio's plight. He catches your eye and motions for you to wait. You'd been planning to, after all he's currently working.
Turning to Toby you see he looks a bit paler than normal, which should be a difficult feat. Aubrey had left you both, though you aren't sure if she'll be coming back with her girlfriend Dani in a moment or not. You decide to lead Toby over to the obnoxiously plush couch in the den.
It's not like the lodge is off limits to those who aren't guests, and seeing as most of it's workers live here their friends frequently come around thus using the amenities. After sitting on the couch Toby grabs at Connor's ears and starts shaking them. He isn't being rough with them despite the jerky movements and Connor seems to lean into the pet.
Just from what you can gather it seems like Toby has some pretty bad social anxiety. You really aren't sure of what you could do to help. He calmed down at the movie night with a distraction...oh that reminds you, you fell asleep on him. Figuratively and literally.
“I'm sorry for falling asleep on you.” probably not the most tactful or elegant way of bringing this up.
Toby takes a minute to register you words. Not taking his eyes off Connor or ceasing his movements he says, “Eh.” as he gives a muted shrug and continues, “Your friend...Kirby...gave you a ride right?” He said Kirby's name like a question. You'd have to formally introduce the two at some point. Probably this weekend.
“Yea, he's sorry about being a weirdo Saturday, said he'd be more “present” this weekend.”
Toby doesn't say anything more and you let a silence fall over you two. It isn't awkward, at least to you, and you're content to just sit and wait for a while. However, it doesn't take long before Tim, Brian, and Barclay are all entering the den.
“Knew they'd be here,” Barclay says to the other two, “Sorry 'bout the wait YN, Jake's comin' down to give these guys a tour an' set them up. We'll leave when he gets down.” you nod and give the other two a muted wave 'hello'.
It isn't long before Jake is sliding down the banister and leading the group out of the room before Barclay can get on to him about his juvenile behavior. Sighing at the twenty-three year old's antics Barclay turns to you and looks at what you're wearing. Hiking boots and jeans, perfect but one thing is missing.
“C'mon let's go get duct taped.”
“Duct taped?”
“Yup, keeps ticks from climbing up you.”
So you make your way to his office where he sticks duct tape, sticky side up, around each ankle and just above and below your knees. All while explaining how if a tick started to try and climb up you the tape would make them stick and stay there. You'd end up with less ticks on your torso and hopefully none at all.
In no time the two of your were in the forest two baskets in hand and hunting for your immobile prey. The ramps were super easy to find and the first you knocked off the hunt list. Barlcay said they grow in the same area every year, knowing this you may have to come and grab some the next time they're in season. You can already taste how good your forager's pie tastes with the new earthy tones. Actual mushrooms were much harder to find, aside from the lobster mushrooms you were really only looking for some hedgehog mushrooms. They aren't rare or extremely difficult to find but you two aren't having any luck.
Barclay suggested a spot just past a little pond, and while you didn't find mushrooms you did find some Black Raspberry bushes. Not one to let ingredients go to waste Barclay starts picking some, and you grab some too. Maybe baking an easy Black Raspberry cobbler will be your consolation prize. Though Barclay isn't as placated as you are with the unexpected find. The man is still on the hunt for his lobster mushrooms. So you continue scouring the path and a little bit off it in search.
“We should head back, it's dark.” you state plainly after a few hours of searching and remaining mushroom less.
Barclay agrees, but makes the comment that he'll probably come out again in a day or two.
“If I find any I'll still give you some or helping out today.”
“It's fine I've got my treasures right here.” You shrug it off, because while you are a bit disappointed, you still have ramps and the opportunity to make cobbler. It's not all bad. Barclay on the other hand, you know, will not be letting this go so you expect he'll hand you a container of mushrooms sometime in the coming month if not this weekend.
Getting back to the lodge Barclay helps you cut off the duct tape and disposes of it and the hitch hikers you picked up. He sends you off to shower and check for stragglers before he would allow you to go home. Thankfully you had the foresight to bring a change of clothes and after retrieving them from your trunk you do as you're told.
Barclay was right you hadn't had a single tick on you and you feel much better after a shower. Getting out you already smell the alluring aroma of Barclay's kitchen. You must have taken a bit longer than you intended if he was already done with his own shower and already cooking for the lodge. Heading downstairs with your duffle bag in tow, you are stopped by Dani at the door.
You haven't seen her in a bit so the two of you catch up and have a chat. After a bit Aubrey comes in with a Tupperware container of grilled salmon and veggies over rice.
“Oh I see, you were a diversion.” you said looking at Dani as you take the container. Dani gives a sheepish smile before running off to the dinning room, and after sending you a coy smile of her own Aubrey follows after.
You know you're more than welcome to join them, but you really don't have the battery for that and just want to decompress at home.
“Thank you!” you call out into the lodge, only leaving after hearing the distant chuckles drifting through the hall.
Opening the door you run right into someone. Looking up you see Toby, but he isn't wearing a mask. Instead he's wearing a large bandage on his face to cover the hole. In his hands is a box of similar bandages. Guess if they're staying for a bit he'll need them around the others.
Should you mention the others wouldn't say anything? That this whole place was like Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, but for the misfits or the weird and disowned? You aren't really sure it's your place. And you aren't really sure you're comfortable with how comfortable you've gotten with Toby. You're probably crossing some boundary by over analyzing him so much. And he doesn't even know you're doing it.
Toby knocks you out of your head when he backs away and gives you space to exit the lodge.
“Get home safe.” it falls out of his mouth so easily.
You've noticed he has a habit of saying that...why? There you go over analyzing him, you need to stop. Shaking yourself from your thoughts this time you look at Toby with a smile.
“I will...I think you'll like it here.” when you're in your car you want to slam your head on the steering wheel but Toby is still watching. Why did you say that, you're so weird.
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mermaidsneedwater · 3 years
Text
christmas with you | chapter six
series page
tag list: @yup-indecisive-girl-cece
Santa Tell Me
Weary of your previous morning, you and Mark had decided to play it safe and sleep separately.
Mark stirred on the floor, turning on his side and scrunching his eyes as the sunlight from the window streamed in. Unable to fall back asleep, he stood up and stretched his arms. Mark glanced at your sleeping figure as you snored softly.
You looked so peaceful, your face was the most relaxed he’d ever seen. Coming closer, he bent down to his knees to see you. He’d always known you were pretty, but seeing you know he’d come to appreciate how beautiful you were on the inside and out. Slowly, Mark began to tuck a stray piece of hair behind your ear.
Stirring in your sleep, your eyes slowly opened to see Mark inches away from your face.
“AH!” You yelled, sitting up in bed.
“AH!” Mark jumped back.
“Oh my god what the hell are you doing?” You asked. “Who gets up in someone’s face first thing in the morning?!”
“I- you were, it just… I should go.” Mark quickly stood up and left the room, embarrassed. “I’m sorry.”
As he shut the door, he stood with his hand still on the door knob. Mark knew it was getting harder and harder to keep this act up. Op
+++
“It’s Christmas Eve!” Dorine cheered happily as the Tuan clan had gathered at her house. “You kids know what that means! It’s time to write your letters to Santa!”
As promised, the rest of the Tuan family members had shown up at noon to partake in the family traditions.
You saw Joey groan as he whined to his mother “Mom I’m too old for this!”
“Nonsense.” She shook her head. “Everyone under the age of thirty is writing a letter to Santa. That’s our tradition!”
“Why does Tammy get to skip out on the family traditions then? She’s 29!” Mark pointed out from the couch.
“Because I have three children Mark.” Tammy rolled her eyes. “And they will be writing their letters to Santa, not me.”
The Tuan brothers glanced at each other from across and rolled their eyes. This family tradition was one word to them, lame.
“Y/N, rules are rules so you’ll also be writing a letter.” Dorine winked at you. She left the room and brought a stack of paper, stickers and markers. Setting them down on the coffee table in the living room, you watched as Kylie and Leila quickly moved to grab their materials.
Reluctantly, Mark and Joey went ahead and took a sheet of paper each before settling on the couch. Following their lead, you picked up a piece of paper and a purple marker before sitting next to Mark.
“How am I supposed to write a letter to someone that doesn’t exist?” You heard Joey whisper to Mark.
Frowning, Mark shushed his brother and pointed to the two little girls, happily scribbling away. “Dude!”
“Whoops.” Joey grimaced.
You tapped Mark on the shoulder and watched as his frown dissipated. “What do I write?”
Smiling, Mark told you, “Usually we tell Santa about our year and if we’ve been naughty or nice. We tell him our Christmas wish, and then Mom seals our letters and sends them to the North Pole. But I think she’ll let us keep ours.”
“Oh,” You nodded, holding back a giggle. Turning back to your paper, you began to write.
Dear Santa,
It feels a bit odd writing to you. Are you really there? Well, I guess if I really think about it, I already know the answer. I don’t know if you’re all-knowing like God or something like that but I was engaged three weeks ago and now I’m at my neighbor’s family’s house for Christmas. It is crazy how life can seem like it’s going in one direction and then do a complete 180 turn. What do I want for Christmas this year? Just one person in my life who won’t hurt me like everyone else in my life has.
Blinking at the last sentence you wrote, you folded your letter and peaked over at Mark’s page. Intrigued when you thought you saw your name somewhere in his letter, you were unable to confirm it as Mark covered his writing.
“What are you doing?” He asked.
“I- I’m just trying to read your letter. This is harder than I thought it was going to be.” You admitted sheepishly.
“Well, look away, my letter to Santa is private.” He told you matter-of-factly.
“But I thought I saw my name in there!” You told him.
“It’s not your letter, so you can’t read it.” He insisted.
“Can you guys stop talking?” Kylie asked. “I’m trying to compensate.”
“Do you mean concentrate?” Joey asked.
Mark laughed before nodding and returning to his letter.
You sighed, rereading your letter, you crumpled up the paper and tossed it in the trash. Grabbing another piece of paper, you began to write again.
+++
You stood in the kitchen mixing the flour, baking powder, and salt together.
“Is this okay?” You called out to Dorine.
Grace came and checked in on your mixing, “It’s great Y/N, you’re a natural!”
Blushing, you smiled and continued to whisk the dry ingredients of the cookies together.
Due to the sheer number of family members involved in the Tuan family christmas, Dorine had explained that they baked three different types of cookies for Santa, Chocolate chip (for Kylie, Leila, Patricia and Grace), Gingerbread (for Tammy, Mark, you, and Raymond) and Sugar cookies (for Joey and Dorine). You had been tasked with making the Sugar cookies this year.
Dorine, Tammy, Kylie, Leila and you all stood in the kitchen preparing the cookie doughs and chatting amongst yourselves. You looked over your shoulder to see Dorine decorating the gingerbread men cookies with her granddaughters. The three of them smiling and laughing as they snuck bites of the cookies.
“You know Y/N, I’m going to be honest with you,” Tammy spoke up as she prepared a baking tray with the chocolate chip cookies. “I didn’t think Mark was actually dating someone.”
You prayed that the wave of panic that instantly washed over you wasn’t visible on your face “What do you mean?”
“Well I thought he just told my mom he was dating someone to settle her anxiety about him being alone for Christmas.” She explained. “I never imagined him actually being with someone. Seeing you two together is a bit strange.”
Unsure if that was a good or bad thing, all you could say was, “Oh.”
“Don’t take it the wrong way! It’s good.” She reassured you, Tammy rolled the balls of dough and placed them one by one on the tray “The thing about Mark is, he’s a loner. Always has been. And he likes it that way, it’s always been hard for him to open up to other people. But seeing the two of you together, Mark is a version of himself I barely recognize. He’s changed in the best way possible.”
“You think so?” You asked, your eyes widened.
“Absolutely. He’s more open, he seems… happy.” She told you. “Call it a big sister’s intuition, but I can see that he really loves you.”
“Oh I don’t know…” you trailed off, trying to come up with a way to switch the topic. You combined the butter and sugar with your dry ingredients.
“Trust me.” She said firmly, placing the trays of cookies in the oven. “If he hasn’t said it to you already he definitely will. It’s probably why he brought you home for Christmas.”
+++
The rest of the evening was filled with everything you expected with the Tuan family, love, food, and lots of laughter.
Eventually, everyone retired for the night in anticipation for Christmas Day. You kept your distance from Mark, still mulling over Tammy’s words.
There was no way Mark loved you. You were just his fake girlfriend, nothing more.
Looking up at the ceiling of Mark’s room, you quietly kicked off the covers and tiptoed past Mark. Quietly closing the door, you headed downstairs to make yourself some hot cocoa.
Attempting to be as quiet as possible you brought a mug down from the shelf and began to prepare your drink. Glancing at the plate of cookies on the counter, you decided to have one. Softly chewing the cookie, you broke it into pieces and dipped it into your cocoa.
“Are you eating Santa’s cookies?”
Startled, you whipped around to see who it was, none other than a half asleep Mark.
“Yes…” You trailed off. “What are you doing up?”
“Couldn’t sleep. I’m assuming you couldn’t either.” He told you casually. “Are you having hot cocoa?”
“Yes… Do you want some?”
Mark nodded and propped himself up on the kitchen counter. He watched as you prepared the sweet drink and handed him the hot mug.
The two of you made your way to the couch, sipping your drinks in silence.
“How come you couldn’t sleep?” He asked.
“I just have a lot in my mind.” You bit your lip. “I’ve been getting messages non stop from you know who.”
That part was true, over the last few days, you’d received dozens of texts from your ex fiancé. All of them begging you to come back to him.
“Oh. Have you been replying?” Mark asked. In his heart he prayed that you’d say no, that you’d tell him that you were over your fiancé.
“No. But it’s been hard.” You told him honestly.
He nodded, watching you silently. The two of you turned to look at the Christmas tree that was lit up.
“I want to do something.” Mark announced suddenly. He took the mug out of your hands and set it on the side table.
“Hey!” You pouted.
“I’m sorry, I can’t wait any longer.” Mark said, laughing at your reaction.
He walked over to the Christmas tree, bent down and picked up a neatly wrapped box with a bow on it. He brought the present to you and had you hold it.
“Shouldn’t we wait for everyone else?” You reminded him.
“I don’t care. Here, I want you to open my gift to you right now.”
You blinked, looking up at Mark as held the present “But Mark, I didn’t get you anything.”
“It’s okay, just open it.” He reassured you. Mark then knelt on his knees and watched as you tore the wrapping paper to reveal a black box.
Still unsure of what it could be, you slowly opened the box to find… a pair of ballet slippers.
You were at a loss for words as you stared at the shoes. They were without a doubt the most beautiful shoes you’d ever laid your eyes on.
“I know that you were devastated when you thought your dream was over.” Mark started slowly, “but I think you should consider dancing again, for yourself. You clearly still love it Y/N, your eyes lit up like nothing else when you told me about it. Dancing was your first love, and you never forget your first.”
Unable to form a coherent thought, you reached out and hugged Mark. Wrapping your arms around him, you felt a tear slip out and onto his shoulder.
“Is it okay?” Mark asked, suddenly unsure of if you liked his present.
“It’s perfect. No one’s ever gotten me such a thoughtful present.” You whispered between tears. “I love it.”
Satisfied with your response, you felt Mark hold you a little tighter before saying “I really want to see you dance.”
Wiping away your tears before pulling back, you laughed “I’m a bit rusty.”
“It’s okay.” He smiled. “That’s my Christmas wish.”
“Alright, I guess I can’t say no to that. I’ll try.” You gave in, unable to refuse his request. You took the shoes out of the box and began lacing them up underneath your pajama pants. Mark offered a hand as you stood up in the shoes, the feeling being so familiar and so foreign at the same time.
“You got it?” He asked, looking into your eyes.
You tucked a stray strand of hair behind your ear and nodded. Taking a breath, you began to do a few simple steps from your routine that you could recall.
Mark watched with wonder as you gracefully moved across the room and twirled. It was as if you could float on air. Mesmerized with your movement, he hadn’t even noticed you falling until he heard you yelp in pain. Immediately coming to your aid, Mark helped you stand up again.
“You’re incredible.” He managed to say.
“No I’m not, I fell on my butt.” You said, dusting your shirt off.
“I really mean it.” He told you, still holding your hand. “That was the best gift ever.”
You held his gaze before letting out a small cough, “If you say so. It’s late, We should probably get back to bed.”
Mark looked at the time, trying his best to hide his disappointment, he replied “Yeah, it’s almost three o’clock in the morning.”
“Thank you for the ballet slippers.” You gave him a small smile before reaching up to kiss his cheek. “I love them.”
Mark’s eyes widened as he watched you quickly turn around and scurry up the stairs to the room. He put his hand to his face, feeling where your lips had connected to his cheek.
He would never say it out loud, but in that moment he could swear he felt his heart skip a beat.
chapter five | chapter seven
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real-fanta-sea · 3 years
Note
If you're serious about the kiss thing...... You should do trikey with 56? Mikey's getting irritated about all the shit in Trevor's house
yep I’m serious, thanks for the request! It was fun to play with it, especially the part of annoyed Michael :D I used some strong language here, just so you know. 
Ok, here we go *cracks knuckles*
Apart from being an exceptional place to hide from all kinds of law enforcement and pissed off gang bosses, Sandy Shores provides another highly valued quality - it's fucking hot. And not that convenient 'oh look it's the first sunny day of spring' kind of wee warm, but the brutal, penetrative heat of working by deep fryer in McDonald's during summer.
Michael smacked his lips, belched and threw an empty bottle over the battered railing of the front porch. It clanked and landed on dusty ground with a satisfying crunch, and the sun dried it in an instant. He lost count on how many of them he has already downed and disposed of, but drinking didn't help no matter what style he tried. Slow, fast, cold, warm. He tried everything. Except feeling a bit sluggish, there was no effect the lukewarm pisswasser could ever have on him after years of self-taxidermy with whiskey and coke.
The street went gradually silent by the time he finished yet another bottle, shadows grew longer, and the sun grilled him from a slightly different angle. A chatter of people was replaced by an out-of-tune orchestra of crickets and the Eagles blasting from a radio somewhere in the neighbourhood, both flowing through the air with the flavour of barbecue.
Another day successfully wasted Michael thought and shifted on the couch. If only the TV would work, he could have spent it watching movies. Or not, because the tin can ramshackle got so hot during the day he could barely breathe there. Fucking Trevor. If it wasn't for him, he could be sitting by a pool full of ice, eating ice cream and slurping milkshakes from frozen tits. Maybe even pay the girl to ride him, so he didn't have to move a finger. Or better yet, tie Trevor up, throw him into his tailgater, lock him there and make him watch them fuck... But did he really want it? Wouldn’t he be the one who would instantly let him out and have a wild make up sex with him?
An annoyed grunt later, Michael lazily tugged on the hem of his, now very rural looking, tank top and dried his forehead with it. Something deep within knew he shouldn't have used the words Trevor and Fuck in one sentence because it awakened a part of him he should better let sleep. That part that supplied his tipsy brain with vivid images of long limbs locked around him, dark hair all over dirty pillows and amber eyes rolled back, set in a very flushed face... No, nope, it wasn't what he wanted to think about, in fact, he just wanted another beer. Yeah, another beer to make that awkward semi go away. And maybe strip off his top to make that damn heat go away? Yup, that was what he wanted. Aaaand a cigarette. Perfection.
"FUCK FUCK FUCK!"
Michael's half snore was interrupted by a sound of shutting the car door and heavy boots stomping through the cooling dust. A quick glance from the porch told him the Bodhi was back from where it took off in the morning, and there was a tall figure growling near it, shuffling some boxes in the back. For a second, Michael thought he actually moved back in time, because his back was killing him pretty much the same way it did in the morning with the same taste of beer on lips. The only detail that didn't quite match was that his torso was now naked and pearled with sweat, and there was quite a lot of bottles and cans right below the railing.
Slowly and carefully, Michael stood up and stretched like a fat cat after a good afternoon nap. Trevor was still caught up by the truck, which gave M enough time to step a bit closer to the stairs and lean on a post to regain stability while observing the sight right in front of him. Trevor never was the most ripped guy, but the way his arms bulged when he lifted a box made Michael weaker than he would admit, and the way his jeans perked up his ass when he squatted made his mouth dry. Why the hell did he have to wear that black sleeveless top? Michael thought. He knows whenever he does, we end up fucking...
Just as he lip his bit for thinking about T that way, his best friend turned around for the first time since he arrived and locked eyes with Michael. For a brief moment, he looked surprised, even taken aback by that idiotic drunk grin on Michael's face and the way he leaned against the only solid post of the house, but it soon was replaced by pure fury.
"What the fuck are you doing here?"
That was actually an excellent question. Or it would be, if Michael knew the answer to it.
"What? What do you mean?"
"You SLUT!!!"
Trevor charged towards him full speed in a split second and made Michael jump a little harder than he thought it would and jammed his lower back against the table, and both M and table cried in pain.
"What the fuck, Trevor! What's your fucking problem... ouch..."
Trevor leapt up the stairs, grabbed one of Michael's wrists and yanked him towards the door he kicked open.
"You fucking whore, YOU are the problem!"
Michael's brain quit the chat altogether and bailed out on him, leaving him staring on Trevor with gaping mouth and slightly raised eyebrows. He stumbled through the door, unable to free himself from Trevor's grip, and when T shut the door and threw him back first on them only to grab his shoulders to keep him still, all he could do was to stare into his fiery eyes.
"What were you thinking, showing off your tits to all our neighbours, huh?"
Michael gulped when Trevor leaned closer. Over the past few weeks, he learned the smell of gasoline and tobacco meant sloppy fucks on the kitchen counter and hungry kisses with bitten lips. That night, it all was topped with a gun powder.
"you dirty bitch, I leave you home alone for one day and when I come back what do I see? A pair of your slutty knockers right in my face."
His hands suddenly decided to fight his stupor, and as he felt Trevor's breath on his neck, he tugged on T's top and hungrily squeezed waist found there. The only answer was a deep purr and wet tip of Trevor's tongue right where his pulse drummed against the fine skin. With a small moan, he yanked Trevor closer and collided their hips, but Trevor was faster and grabbed both his wrists and pinned them against the tin door.
"You horny bitch, did showing off make you hot and wet? Or are you just happy to see me?"
Trevor's anger was gone, now replaced with his usual horniness, as he ground his hips against Michael's to let him know the thought got him hot too. And god that shit-eating grin on his face when he leaned in and bit Michael's lip, but didn't go for a full kiss... That was the point of no return. That fucking tease! Michael trashed under him and actually managed to get both hands freed just to leap forward and literally throw them both trough the bathroom door, for Trevor to land on the toilet bowl.
Michael could barely hear the sound of boxes and bottles clacking, falling to the dirty ground as he straddled Trevor and grabbed his head to steal that kiss he wanted since he saw him outside. Trevor just did his best to balance them both on the tiny bowl and waved his arms around, trying to grab onto something solid. Just as Michael decided to nib on Trevor's lip lightly and open T up for a nice french action, something hit the back of his head with an annoying accuracy. Then it clanked on the ground, followed by choked laughter and sound of plastic rustling. Michael instinctively shot up and stumbled back, massaging the hit place.
"Ouch! T, what the fuck was that?!"
"That was a shower curtain, cupcake... I must have torn it when you tried to flush us both down the bowl..."
"and you won't even say sorry you prick?"
"hmmm, how about showing you how sorry I am?"
Trevor possessed this strange ability to appear out of nowhere and cover M with kisses and hugs. Michael noticed only then how much taller Trevor really was when he was pinned against the shower wall and two hot hands slid past the waist of his jeans, kissing his lower lip too gently for Michael's liking. At first, he went with the flow, burying his fingers to Trevor's stubble and hair on the back of his head just to push him closer. Still, he set his mind to he didn't want it there, slow and gentle with water running down his back, not that night. Michael knew well when he brushes his tongue against Trevor's, pull back and bite his lip, T would not only let out a needy whimper, so unlike his manly growls, but he would also become weak enough to be pushed back to the kitchen where they could have much more fun. What he didn't count with was a nasty crunch under his foot when Trevor stumbled back towards the sink which immediately broke their kiss. A small moan of frustration made Michael more anxious for a moment than he would ever admit.
"What is it, T? Are you ok?"
"Fuck, Michael, you stepped on my laxatives!"
"What?"
"How am I supposed to shit without them?"
"Screw them, you won't need them when I'm done with you tonight."
"Gee how hot..."
But there was no way Michael would let Trevor finish that sentence - all he wanted was to pin him to the kitchen counter, tear those sweatpants apart and fuck him. Now it was him who stomped around, holding Trevor's hand and throwing him to the counter. It took him another second to grab a fist full of his hair and yank Trevor's head backwards to relish absolutely delicious silhouette of his throat with adam's apple bobbing up and down in excitement. Trevor's moans only fired him up further and probed the hardened bud under the black shirt - to a promising whimper and a force pushing him aside to which he willingly succumbed and let a pair of lips suck onto his own so hard he hit his head against a tv stand which cried in pain and fell apart along with the tv.
"Fuck Trevor...."
"Not now, Mikey, don't stop."
Michael felt the telltale twitch under his belly that watered down the pain and gave him enough power to roll over a couple of times, french kissing the fuck out of those perfect full lips, drawing nails to Trevor's now naked back and push his head closer. He almost didn't mind when the radio hit the ground and when Trevor threw him onto the table which made their beer spill on the filthy floor. With Trevor on top, latched onto his nipple and running his hand down to his tightened jeans, nothing could stop him from getting what he wanted. As he tried to kick his jeans off, there was a slight sensation on his foot, but nothing very clear. It could have been a cup or something - when suddenly Trevor bolted upwards, and Michael was forced to open his eyes and look into his horrified face.
"Trevor I swear this isn't funny, what is it this time..."
"Michael, we broke the Impotent Rage..."
"T are you trying to give me blue balls or what?"
"No, but you clearly want my home in shambles! Oh fuck look at that! This was a limited edition with a signature of the original cast!"
Trevor just emotionlessly bolted towards the couch, next to which lay a mass of broken blue plastic that might have been anything in Michael's opinion. And it was in the way of reaching destination orgasm which made him a tiny bit mad. Ok, maybe a lot.
"Pardon me, but it was you who put it to the wrong place! Why did you leave it on the shelf with all this trash? Why don't you just throw all this shit out?"
And with just one swing of the arm, he managed to throw the rest of Trevor's memorabilia to the floor where it shattered comfortably.
"And this whole place is a fucking dump! Have you ever heard about wall-mounted TV or glass shower door? When the fuck will you live somewhere normal? Jesus, what do I have to break to make this place look decent? And that stupid action figure? What's so special about it, anyway?"
He wouldn't regret it if Trevor didn't turn around with puppy eyes and didn't tell him in his hurt voice.
"Because it was a gift from you..."
Michael didn't quite know how he managed to pick Trevor up from the ground, bring him to the bed, plant gentle kisses to every inch of him and whisper he's so so sorry. He didn't even have to, because soon enough, Trevor pulled him closer again, rolled over on top of him and gave him a lesson from Canadian french that left Michael breathless. He just let it happen, running his hands all the way down from the back of Trevor's head, to feeling his stuble, chest hair, hard nipples and his raging boner, and his nails draw new tattoos on Trevor's back first and then drawing his fingers into soft inside of Trevor's tights enjoying the view of T riding him.
"Hey M..."
"Hm?"
Michael lit a cigarette, just relishing the sweaty and sticky afterglow with Trevor pressed close to his side.
"You broke my impotent rage, gimme that..."
And before he could say or do anything, Trevor snatched his last cigarette and inhaled so deep half of it was gone.
"Hey! Give it back!"
"Make me!"
Michael instantly shot up, determined to kiss that grin off Trevor's lips and lept forward only to bang his head against the headboard again. This time, Trevor didn't even try to hold back and let his bubbly laughter echo in Michael's aching head.
"Fuck you and fuck this damn trailer..."
"aww come on porkchop, you did both tonight - unless you are up for the round two?"
"Hmmm... Make me..."
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asavt · 3 years
Text
Cookie Run!Promare AU(3) - Operation Rescue
 By Notebook
The smell of disinfectants permeates throughout the entire surgical room, as the cleaners wash away the remains of former Mages. The ashes of these test subjects cling unto the sponges and mops as the cleaners dipped them into their water buckets, turning the once clear water into a murky grey-red. 
Once the room was fully cleaned, the cleaners drained the discolored water into the sink before filling the buckets with fresh water. They gathered their cleaning supplies and headed towards the next surgical room for disinfection. Preparing the room for the next batch of Mages for dissection. 
——————————–
Near the bottom of the facility, where the most valuable Mages are kept, a figure shivers near the corner of their cell. His entire body was covered in bandages due to the plethora of medical tests from the day before. 
The Mage looked around the cold white sterile room he was imprisoned in. Bereft of anything else, save for the bed he slept on. The harsh lights beamed down from the ceiling as the figure stared at the white wall before them. 
He hoped each day that someone might come and saved him from this never-ending nightmare, but alas that day still has not arrived yet. 
It has not arrived in over 3 years. 
The figure continued to stare towards the white wall when the door to their cell slid wide open. A flurry of doctors poured into the room, along with a few guards that followed them into the room. The doctors ordered the guards to take Y-9 to the “sleeping” room. 
The guards picked up the tired Mage and carried them towards the room. The Mage did not fight back against the guards, knowing full well of the consequences for those who do.
“Excuse me. Are you new here?” asked a nurse, who was drinking her 7th cup of coffee. The man nodded his head as he adjusted his glasses. 
From what the nurse observed, the man had brown hair with a light brown highlight, light pink eyes, and a soft smile. He also wore white scrubs along with white with light blue shoes and the tag of which unit he worked at. 
The typical uniform for nurses who worked at the facility.
The man, carrying a thick manila folder, smiled at the veteran nurse before him. “Yes, I am. I was wondering where unit 1 is located? They didn’t give us a map of this place. So… I was just wondering where it is. I have to deliver some important paperwork to the unit’s doctors,” explained the male nurse.
The female nurse gave him a weird look before responding to the new nurse’s question. 
“Sorry, but no one is allowed in that unit except for the nurses and doctors that were assigned to that unit,” explained the irritated nurse. “You just have to deliver the paperwork to the proper secretary and ask them to deliver it for you. That’s just protocol, kid.”
“Ah, I see. And where do I find the proper secretary?”
“Just keep heading straight until you find the fake fountain, then turn right. Then you keep going until you find the sign that says, ‘Unit 1, Main Secretary’. Just go in and give them the paperwork. They will do the rest.”
“Huh, I see. Thank you, Ma'am.”
The young nurse waved the old nurse goodbye before walking past her, heading towards the direction of the fountain. 
The nurse finished her 7th cup of coffee before throwing the soft paper cup into the trash can next to her. While she walked towards the operating room for the next experiment, a sudden chill ran down her spine.
As Tea finally finished the last of the facility’s finances a male nurse, whom Tea never seen before, entered his office while carrying a large manila folder. The nurse looked at the secretary and smiled, which in all honesty creeped Tea out. 
“May I help you?”
“Umm, yes… I need to enter Unit 1 to deliver some important paperwork, but I don’t know how to get there. Can you help me?”
Tea rolled his eyes. Figuring they are new to the facility Tea explained, “Unless you’re assigned to Unit 1, you are not allowed to enter that specific Unit. If you need to deliver some paperwork to the docs over there, just hand me the papers and I’ll fax it over to them.”
“Wait. So, you have access to Unit 1?”
“Yes!” Yelled the very tired secretary. “Now, just give me the folder and be on your way.”
“Alright. Alright.” The male nurse answered as he laid the folder on the table and left the office. 
When Tea picked up the manila folder and opened it to see its contents, a large puff of gas and smoke envelope the entire room. Knocking out the secretary. 
As soon as the male nurse heard a loud thump, he knew the sleeping gas had worked. He waited for a few minutes before entering the office, so as to not get knocked out from the gas. 
The male “nurse” rifled through the secretary’s desk before finding the plethora of keycards for Unit 1 in a secret compartment underneath the desk. 
The “nurse” took the keycards, hid Tea underneath his desk, and left the office.
The “nurse” walked towards the door to Unit 1 and used all the keycards to unlock the doors, thus gaining access to Unit 1.
The male “nurse” quickly entered the Unit and headed towards the elevator that will take him to the lower levels of the facility. The levels where the Mages are kept. 
When the elevator doors finally opened, the “nurse” headed towards the back of the unit. 
The “nurse” smirked a little as small flames appeared from his fists. Disappearing just as quickly.
————————————-
“Alrighty then. Just be a good test subject and it will all be over lickety-split.”
One of the doctors chirps as they put in an IV on Y-9’s arms along with an anesthesia face mask. 
Y-9 knew this day would come, yet he didn’t feel scared nor sad, but rather relieved. It was finally going to be over. 
Just before the anesthesia kicked it, a large explosion shook the entire unit causing the power to shut down. Soon, the backup generator kicked in and the alarm ranged throughout the entire unit.
Before the doctors could realize what was happening, the doors to the operating room flew hide open and flames shot from every direction. The doctors ran for their lives, while Y-9 looked towards the one that stopped the dissection. 
Y-9’s field of vision grew smaller and smaller, as their rescuers picked them up and placed them on a gurney to wheel them to safety.
The last thing they remember was seeing the exit sign before everything went black. 
“Hey. Hey! Can you hear us?”
“I don’t think he can hear us.”
“Is he in a coma?”
“No, he’s just asleep from the anesthesia they gave them.”
“Oh, then-Huh? Boss look! He’s waking up!”
Y-9 slowly opened his eyes to find not the harsh white light of the facility but the warm yellow lights of a warehouse. Y-9 lifted his head and looked around his surroundings.  
He finds himself surrounded by a bunch of people, who were either treating the wounds from those who were rescued from the facility or standing guard around the windows and doors of the warehouse.
Y-9 then looked towards the two people next to his bed. 
“Did…. Did you guys save me?”
“Sort of,” the younger of the two answered. 
“I merely short-circuited their systems, while the boss here did the bulk of the work.”
“Now, don’t sell yourself too short. We couldn’t have saved as Mages as we did without you frying the circuits,” the older one replied to the younger one. 
“No, really it was no big, man.”
“Well, it’s a big deal to me. This is the most Mages we have ever saved, and I think-Oh?”
The older one looked towards Y-9, who had confusion plastered on his face. The older gentlemen smiled at Y-9. 
“I’m so sorry for not introducing ourselves. We are the “Magicians”, a group of Mages dedicated to saving our kind and rising against those oppressing our kind. My name is Espresso, the leader of the “Magicians” and this here is Lemon.“
"What’s up.”
“He is one of the top generals of the "Magicians”, so he helps with these sort of missions.“ 
"Yup. I can use my mana to create electricity. As a result, I can hack almost any computer or fry any system.”
“But he’s better at frying than hacking.”
“Sad, but true,” Lemon said as he puts on his jacket with lightning bolts on them. 
“So, what’s your name?”
“Huh? My… name.”
“Yes,” Lemon responded. “What’s your name?”
Both Espresso and Lemon waited patiently for Y-9 to answer their questions. A few moments digging through buried memories later, Y-9 looks at the boss and the general of the Magicians. He answers:
“Cinnamon. My name is Cinnamon.”
=========================
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CINNA MY SON–
HHHHHH Lovely, absolutly lovely and cool dude!!  come on guys!! you better read this is soo cool!!!
35 notes · View notes
taliaquinn · 4 years
Text
Why Me!? Chapter 12
Mass Panic immediately ensued following the texts.
Rose couldn’t help but tear up at the thought that she won't be wearing the beautiful new dress she designed with Marinette. Alya was panicking because she knew how much Marinette's MDC dresses cost. Yes, she stalked her website, but only to trash talk it with Lila, Lila even told her how some of those designs were her idea and Marinette stole them.  
Adrien decided to try and call his ex-classmates but was shocked to find that he was blocked . He decided to try calling Marinette but was even more shocked to find that the line was disconnected.
Alya finally had enough of the chaos and decided to try and get control of the room again. She blew a shrill whistle “EVERYONE QUIET, Look we lost only a few people, most of them bullies, we don't  need them together we can handle this”
No one would admit the queasy feeling they got at the pit of there stomachs. They knew Marinette might've been a bully but she was an excellent president.
Gotham Airfield                                                                                          Gotham City, U.S.A                                                                                            7 a.m
Marinette stirred and was shocked to find that her parents were up and getting there carry on luggage. Quickly glancing out her window she was shocked to find that they  Landed in Gotham. Eep. Quickly gathering her art supplies she followed her parents down the steps.
Suddenly she heard a squeal “Oh my gosh she’s so adorablleeeee,  Bruce are you sure this is your kid?”, she looked up to see a blonde girl jumping up and down while clinging to another boys arm.
Mr.Wayne seemed to have a look of eternal suffering etched on his face. “Yes Stephanie I'm sure, How’d you even know we were going to be here ?”
“Tim told me” The guy she was clinging to slightly grimaced while side-eyeing Mr.Wayne who was giving him a glare.
“Of course”
‘MARIBUGGGG” Dick quickly ran towards the steps and scooped her up and twirled Marinette around. Marinette couldn’t help but clutch to her supplies for fear of dropping them while giggling.
“Hi Dick,really happy to finally be here” She hugged him back, while he put her back down. Suddenly Dick was abruptly shoved away
“My Turn” Suddenly Marinette was engulfed in by a blonde tornado.
“Steph you’re suffocating her let her goooo”  The guy Tim said as he was approaching them.
“But shes to adoranble~” the blonde said, still holding Marinette captive. Why was it always the Blondes who tried to kill her?
Oblivious to her plight her parents went on ahead and greeted Bruce and Dick who had to stumble back to Bruce's side after being viciously shoved.
“Bruce I want to say a huge thank you, We can’t wait to get Marinette situated and head back to Paris,” Sabine said making sure to quickly shake his hand and giving Dick a quick hug.
“Ha, I swear all three of us eventually dozed off on the flight,” Tom said while moving to do the same.
After a few more seconds Stephanie finally released Marinette.  
“Oh gosh, you’re too adorable for words~ My name is Steph” Wait did Bruce have a second daughter? Marinette thought he only had one other daughter, Cassandra?
“Are you another one of Bruce's kids?”
“What!? Oh gosh,you’ve only been here for a few minutes and you already recognize that Bruce has an adopting problem, pfft luckily I am not one of those poor suckers. I am just here to eternally annoy them plus I’m besties with Cass, Bruce’s other daughter” Stephanie explained.
She quickly pulled Tim towards them. “This is one of those poor suckers, Marinette this is Tim Drake, He’s constantly sleep-deprived and suffers from severe caffeine addiction”
“It's not severe”
“Yet”
Marinette couldn’t help but snort. Being a Fashion designer/superhero/ highschooler, Marinette has learned how to make a dang good pot of coffee. Also how to tell if she’s hallucinating or not from lack of sleep. Seriously there was this one incident where she was seeing hamsters take over the school's library, there was also that one time where she saw a mob of pigeons chase a man, but that turned out to be pigeon man who got akumatized again.
“A fellow addict, nice to meet you,” Marinette said.
Stephanie suddenly started looking at two before seemingly coming to a startling revelation
“ OH GOD, THERE'S TWO COFFEE ADDICTS NOW!!!” She yelped. She suddenly scurried away in a desperate attempt to call Alfred and warn him about the new incoming addict.
Dick glanced down and noticed that Marinette dropped a few of her pens and markers. He knelt to pick them up quickly he handed them to Marinette.
“You like to draw?” He asked giving her another quick hug
“Yeppers I mainly focus on designing outfits and  making  them as well, where’d you think your jackets came from?”
“ No way, I thought you bought them!!! I love mines and I know for a fact Bruce loves his.”
“Well yeah I make a lot of my clothes, I have a website where I sell some of the clothing, I also do commissions” suddenly Dick was once again shoved away.
“MDC!!” Tim exclaimed
Marinette jumped back a few steps before suddenly realizing that he was a fan.  
“M.D.C are your initials, I knew I recognized the Jacket from somewhere”
“Yep based off another Jacket I sold on My website, except some of the detailing is different”
“You’ve gotten recognition from Audrey Bourgeois and Gabriel Agreste,” Tim gawked. Dick was busy grumbling complaints “What is it with you two and shoving me”.
Marinette quickly went over to help him up. She quickly got one of her suitcases and opened it up pulling out a few articles of clothing. Quickly she handed Tim his jacket, and since she wasn't aware of Stephanie's existence she settled with Handing her a Trench Coat since it was cold.
Stephanie immediately shed her current coat and shoved it at Tim to hold. She put on the trenchcoat and admired the embroidered birds around the sleeves.
“Oh my gosh, you have such a good eye”
Stephanie immediately shed her current coat and shoved it at Tim to hold. She put on the trenchcoat and admired the embroidered birds around the sleeves.
“Well duh kinda necessary” Marinette teased
“Wait you didn’t bring any of your supplies?” Dick responded, noticing that Marinette didn’t bring Big enough suitcases to carry some of the bigger sewings and designing supplies.
“Well, we had to kinda leave in a rush so…. I didn't have enough time to pack some of the bigger supplies”
“I have an idea! We can go around Gotham and buy some of the supplies!” Dick suggested.
“Maybe on the weekend Dick, We gotta take her to the manor and let her and the Dupain-Chengs meet the rest of the family,” Bruce noted joining them. Honestly, though Bruce was more worried about a certain butler ripping him a new one for taking so long to introduce him to his newest granddaughter.
College Francis Dupont                                                                            Paris, France                                                                                                  8:30 a.m
People walking into Bustiers Class couldn’t help but be disconcerted at all the empty seats the next day. They all decided to sit on the right, some glancing at the empty seats on the left.
Lila finally walked in and with the flip of her hair, she strolled straight and made sure to take a seat next to Alya. Right in Marinette's old seat. It was odd seeing someone else sit there. Eventually Madame Bustier walked in and only took a momentary pause upon seeing the small class size.
Adrien slowly walked in and lightly jumped at the new class size. He took his usual seat next to Nino. However, it wasn’t too long before he felt a tap on his shoulder. Both he and Nino turned to face Alya and Lila.
“Hey, Adrien you mind switching seats with me? I wanna sit to Nino” Alya announced. Adrien, however, didn't miss Nino’s slight grimace. However, Lilas's look of pure hopefulness was the thing that made Adrien slightly grimace as well.
Regardless of how Adrien felt he knew he had to say yes.
“Sure”
Meanwhile in Mendelievs….
“I call dibs on sitting next to Kagami!!!” Chloe loudly exclaimed and made a mad dash towards the empty seat next to Kagami.
Nathaniel immediately moved to sit next to Marc. Sabrina sat next to Juleka. Ivan decided to sit next to Max. At first, it was a slight adjustment getting used to Mendelievs class, she taught and had control over her class. No way was she going to permit and outburst or arguments when she taught. However, she did permit them to talk whenever she was done teaching.
“Marinette just quit ?” Probed Aurore. She was furious at the fact that Marinette was essentially driven to quitting.
“Yup” Chloe responded popping the p, “But now she’s staying with Family in Gotham for a bit, she even texted to mention how she might transfer schools and stay in the states”
“B-but sweet Marinette in Gotham, don’t they have like a gajillion crazy villains? At least the Akumas’ damage in Paris can be reversed and they're only temporary” Aurore mentioned
“Marinette is tough, plus she’ll be away from this crazy school” Nathaniel offered while finishing up a sketch for his and Marcs’ comic
“Plus Marinette said she’ll call us once she’s comfy and everything” Chloe finished.
“Poor Marinette”
Wayne Manor                                                                                                Gotham City, USA                                                                                          9:00 a.m
Marinette knew Mr.Wayne was rich but holy cow, he makes both the Agreste and Bourgeious fortune look like pennies. She never understood how rich he was.Seriously he has a fleet of luxury vehicles in his garage. The inside of the manor looks photo-ready, AND all of his kids have gone to a 30k a year school. Thank God she was going to a Normal School.
Mr.Wayne made sure to take Maman and Papa to a luxury hotel suite to get them settled before bringing them back to the Manor. She quickly said goodbye and gave them big kisses on their cheeks.
Marinette was occupied still gaping at the giant Chandelier when suddenly she was face-to-face with two teenagers.
Dick immediately noticed that there was an awkward staring contest going on and moved in to ease the awkwardness.
“Marinette this is Cassandra shes the fourth oldest,” Dick said while introducing the two. Marinette was occupied gaping at Cassandra. She was so pretty. Cassandra took a quick step forward before quickly putting her hand on Marinette's shoulder.
“Cass” She gently chided.
Marinette only slightly stumbled before yanking out a sweater from her duffle bag and practically shoving it at her. Sue her she was intimidated and impressed.
“Me?” Cass was surprised. She took the sweater but couldn’t help but hold it close to her. It was so soft. Marinette made it for her, and she didn’t know her!!! Cass couldn’t help the grin that was overtaking her face. She made sure to get closer to take a long glance at Marinette who was giving a cynical Jason his own sweater, along with gloves.  Nervous. jittery. uncomfortable.  
“Huh, you are most definitely too sweet for this family" Jason couldn't help but coo at the sight of the petite blue-eyed girl.
"I'm Jason Todd,  technically dead and black sheep of the family. Whenever you get tired or pissed at Bruce, trust me that is a guarantee, feel free to crash at my place.” He piped. While shrugging off his leather jacket and putting on his new turtleneck sweater. Holy crap was it soft.
Technically Dead? What in the world!? Are they choosing to ignore that!?  Marinette was so confused. Seriously first off Cass has the biggest grin on her face and seems to be studying Marinette, Jason Todd just admitted he’s still technically dead!? Are all siblings this confusing? She’ll have to ask Luka. Seeing as he seems to be the only one in their friend group who has a sibling.
Taking a glance around the entrance. Marinette noticed that she suddenly had older siblings and even a  younger one. One week was all it took. Marinette took a glance at Cass she mirrored her grin. She realized one thing.
THIS FAMILY IS INSANE!!!
And now she's a part of them. Crap.
Tag list:
@another-fan-of-anotherplan @damianette-is-life @amayakans @parallelparabox @miukiiu @valeks-princess @toodaloo-kangaroo @vixen-uchiha @thezestywalru @dreamykitty25 @souleateralicestein @thestressmademedoit
A/N:
I hope that all of you lovely peeps are staying healthy and safe. Please enjoy todays chapter. Feel free to reblog and leave a note <3.
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cosmiceverafter · 4 years
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Coffee & Cosmic Contemplation
Summary:  5 Times Alex woke Michael up + the one time Michael did instead. 
A/N: My first time writing a Five Things fic—of course, it had to be with Malex and needed to be fluffy. I love these two fools with my whole heart. Give us all of the soft moments! Enjoy! 
1. 
"Get up sleepy head." 
Michael groans yet smirks into the pillow from the sound of his boyfriend. His nose wrinkles up, "Do I smell bacon?"
Alex kisses his nose and ruffles his curls, "You sure do! Now up and at 'em." He’s humming the new song he has been working on; Michael can’t help but feel admiration for the guy. Alex is so talented. 
It doesn’t stop Michael from teasing him, though, “You’re so peppy in the mornin’.” 
“Well, it’s a beautiful day! What’s there not to like?”
“Uh, I can give you a list of reasons.” Living with his man definitely had its perks, but Michael was not nor ever would be, a morning person. "How about you just come back to bed instead, darlin'?"
"And burn the bacon I worked so hard on?"
Michael smiles slowly and winks, "I'd make it worth your while." 
Alex chuckles, "You always do." But to Michael's dismay, he's not lying down next to him in bed; he's going towards the kitchen, "Come on, before it gets cold."
He groans, why is Alex so excited about the food—that's usually his job, but Michael can't help but smile as he follows along. 
As he walks in, his feet freeze on the wooden cabin floor. 
Placed on their small circle table are eggs, bacon, toast, and orange juice. Fresh flowers from the meadow are in a vase at the center.
"Alex...this is beautiful. What's the special occasion?" 
"I love you," Alex replies, as he pulls out a chair, "is that not reason enough?"
It was all the reasons.  
***
2. 
"Wake up, wake up!" 
Michael groans into the pillow as Alex opens up the blinds. "Ten more minutes."
"No way, Guerin," Alex responds cheerfully. "Today is your first day of college!" 
"Remind me again why I agreed to this?"
Alex sits on the side of their bed and leans over to kiss his cheek, "Because you have a chance to do this and take some agricultural engineering classes. It’s the path you’ve always talked about." 
"How about next year?"
"Nope," Alex says, getting up to get Michael’s clothes ready for the day. "You've been going on about this for months, and I'm so happy for you.” He pauses. “Remember, some of us are going to the diner tonight to celebrate you." 
Michael props himself up at that, as he raises an eyebrow, "Like who? And why am I just hearing about this?"
"It's all Isobel's doing; she even invited Sanders." Alex smiles at him and holds up an outfit with a wink, “I thought you wouldn’t do well with the surprise.”
“You guessed right,” he says as he nods towards the plaid shirt with the brown belt. While he doesn’t love a lot of attention, Michael can’t help but smile; Sanders is practically family to him, and the fact that the others care about his life so much...well, it means a lot.
With a dramatic whine, Michael finally gets up to get ready. He takes the cup of coffee Alex is offering. 
"Can I drive you?" Alex asks with a beautiful smile as he holds his car keys up. "I just want to share this moment with you."  
"Baby," Michael says, putting his arms around Alex, "you know I'll go anywhere with you."
Their lips touch briefly. 
As they leave the cabin, Michael can’t help but feel excited about this new adventure. 
***
3. 
"Sweetheart, you're burning up." Michael hears Alex's soft voice, which breaks through his aches. 
"Ugh..." he replies, feeling miserable. 
Alex places a wet rag onto his forehead and says, "Open up."
"As much as I would love to comply with that request, I'm feeling a bit off today, baby."
Alex laughs and playfully nudges him, "Not for that, as hard as it is to resist.” He holds a thermometer up, “I need to take your temperature. Your sweat is all over the sheets."
"And not in a good way, I assume," Michael moans, opening his mouth. 
As the thermometer calculates his fate for the next few days, Alex runs his fingers through his curls. It's the best kind of comfort. Alex always seems to know what he needs, and when he needs it. 
"Damn, that's a high fever." Alex shows him the numbers, and Michael groans. "I'm taking the day off today. I'll see to it that you're feeling better in no time." 
“What if I’m contagious?
Alex shrugs, “So be it. I’ve made up my mind; I’m taking care of you.” 
"You're too good to me."
"I love you, too," Alex replies, "Now do me a favor and don't be a difficult patient for me." 
“Who me?”
Alex gives him a look, “Yes, you.” 
Michael crosses his heart, hoping not to die. 
***
4. 
"Michael...Michael!"
"What?" Michael wakes, startled as he sits up in bed. 
The sun has barely come out, but the darkness still surrounds the bedroom. 
"I heard something."
"It's probably a damn animal," Michael groans, as he rubs his eyes. "The cabin is in the middle of nowhere, babe." 
"It's in the house!" Alex whispers.  
"Shit!" Michael gets up, with his arm stretched out. He vowed a long time ago to protect the man he loves and takes comfort in knowing Alex will always do the same. 
Alex is right next to him, reaching for his gun on the nightstand. 
They walk carefully down the hallway, and Michael can hear the banging in the kitchen. 
When they wrap around the corner, trash is all over the floor, black soot from the fireplace has made tracks, and feathers fly around from the couch pillows. 
"What the—"
That's when they see it. A big raccoon halfway stuffed into the trashcan. 
"Son of a bitch!" Michael calls out. The raccoon pops its masked face out and looks startled. 
Alex runs over to open the front door, and Michael gives it a soft nudge with his powers. 
"Yea, get!" He exclaims as the furry animal runs out of the cabin, then looks over at Alex. "I said it was an animal, didn't I?"
Alex sighs, looking at the mess everywhere, "Do you think we should keep him?"
Michael ignores that statement and starts cleaning up with his powers, too lazy to put in the effort. 
Damn, the great outdoors. 
***
5. 
Michael is in a deep sleep when he feels Alex’s fingers on his chest. He opens one eye and sees his love smiling down at him. 
“You’re awake,” Alex says softly, looking beautiful in the morning light. 
“I blame your fingers,” he yawns. 
“Really?”
Michael shakes his head, “Yup.” He grabs Alex’s hand and kissed the back of it, then his palm, before kissing each finger. “How dare you.”
“I know, what can I say...I’m insatiable for my alien.”
He smiles at that and feels all the love right back at his human, “I don’t blame you, babe. This alien is pretty damn irresistible.” 
“I won’t argue with that, especially with that tousled bedhead of yours,” Alex agrees with a smirk. He licks his bottom lip, “You know what those curls do to me.”
“I do.” Michael turns to face boyfriend, “Well, now that you woke me up, how about you get over here and tousle them up some more?”
Alex replies by straddling Michael and leans down to press his lips onto his own. He would never grow tired of this. Moving in with Alex had been the best decision of his life. “Gladly.” 
As he pulls Alex down to him even closer by his dog tag necklace, Michael plans ahead of time to stay horizontal for the rest of the morning.
***
+1
There are many beautiful things here on earth, but the most beautiful of all is Alex Manes. 
Michael wakes up before Alex for once, and he cannot help but take in every inch—every detail of his love. 
From the messy hair to the curve of his nose, to those full lips, parted slightly. The morning sun is hitting his features just right, and it takes Michael’s breath away. Not for the first time. 
He’s so in love with this man and so grateful for these quiet moments together; they’re everything to him. Alex is everything to him, and Michael wants this forever. 
He leans over and presses a kiss to his sleeping beauty. 
Alex moans softly but smiles in his sleep. 
“Wake up, baby,” Michael says gently, kissing him on the cheek, the forehead, his nose. 
Alex’s eyes flutter open, and he gazes up at Michael. As Michael snuggles closer, he notices how warm and soft his love is. 
“Good morning.”
Their hands intertwine as Michael stays propped up on his elbow as he looks down at Alex. 
Alex squeezes his hand, “Morning.” He looks over towards the clock, “Damn, I guess I was tired.” 
“Every once in a while, it’s okay, babe,” Michael replies. “You must’ve needed it.”
Smiling, Alex strokes Michael’s face, “The fact that you’re awake before me is baffling.” 
Michael shrugs, “Gave me a chance to watch you sleep, for once.” 
“Did you enjoy that?”
“Always,” Michael answers, leaning down to press another kiss to those soft full lips. “Also, it got me thinking.”
“Hmm?” Alex says, momentarily lost within the kiss. “About what?”
“You...us.” 
“And what did you come up with during that realization?”
Michael feels his heart almost burst as he raises Alex’s left hand to his lips, “That I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” 
Alex’s beautiful eyes go wide, and he sits up. “Are you saying…?”
He nods, “Yes, I’m saying that I want to marry you, Alex Manes. That’s what I’ve always wanted.” Michael takes a deep breath, “When I look towards my future, you’re always there, standing by my side.” 
His love has tears forming in his eyes, “That’s what I see, too.” Michael’s heart skips a beat.
“So what do you say, Alex? Will you be my husband?”
“Yes, forever and always, yes!” They hug and kiss, share a few tears. All the pain from their past was worth it for this moment. Finally, Alex pulls away, “I have a confession, though.” 
“Uh, oh.”
“No, no,” Alex laughs. He leans over to his nightstand and pulls out a black box, then hands it over. 
Michael looks up at him and back at the box. “Is that…?”
“Just open it.” Inside is a metallic band—engraved with their first initials. “I was going to propose to you tonight. But I guess you beat me to it.” 
Of course, he was. The two of them were so connected that they must have sensed it was the right time. “It’s so beautiful. I love you, Alex Manes.”
“And I love you, Michael Guerin.”
They kiss, and Michael feels like he’s on top of the entire world. He smiles, knowing that this man beside him is why he is here on earth. 
Cheers to cosmic fate.
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undertalethingems · 4 years
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Bark at the Moon, Chapter 4: Antagonized
<Previous / Next>
Or read on my Ao3>
Rating, Setting: Gen, Pre-canon
Chapter Warnings: None?
Chapter Summary: Flowey’s run out of things to do. At least, he thinks he has.
Flowey flinched at heavy crashing further up the channel; it sounded like something big had fallen in the trash heaps. Big things didn’t come through often, so as bored as he was he figured he may as well check it out. It'd be wild if it were a human or something besides garbage, but he wasn't going to get his hopes up. He ducked into the murky water and burrowed through the mud below to pop up between the piles of garbage, the best vantage point for spotting anything new. Didn’t look like much… wait, that one looked lopsided. He popped up closer to it, peered around the refuse, then checked the other side and gasped.
A skeleton lay half-buried in the pile.
It wasn’t just any old skeleton—or any new skeleton, for that matter. Inching around, Flowey could make out the shape of the skull and knew he’d seen it before. Only, it hadn’t been attached to a body, or appeared outside of battle. All of this was new.
“Um, howdy! You alright there, friend?” he called, wondering what kind of response he might get. As it turned out, he got none. The creature just laid there, eye sockets closed. Flowey frowned, and extended a vine to poke its scapula. “Hello? What are you, dead?”
Fangs sheared through his vine in a blur, and he grunted at the pain. The creature’s jaws snapped open and Flowey braced himself for the next strike, but his nerves faded to curiosity as the beast seemed frozen, jaws still open and eyes wide but dark. Slowly, it reached up with heavy claws to tug at its own teeth, then shut its mouth and curled a hand tight around its snout as if to hold its jaws shut. A hushed, weary whine escaped from it, and Flowey thought the tone was familiar.
“Uh, hey there!” he tried again, and the creature slowly turned to face him. “Sorry to wake you, but you didn’t look so good. Are you okay?”
The creature seemed to think for a bit, and he wondered if it understood him until it bunched its shoulders up into a shrug. Of course it would, if it was one of his.
“Fair enough. I probably wouldn’t be doing too good if I’d just fallen into a pile of garbage too,” Flowey joked. “Wait here, I’ll get'cha something to eat.”
It wasn’t far to the cooler of astronaut food someone had left down here ages ago, and he picked a couple packets up before heading back to his interesting new pal. He’d never thought he’d be making friends with one of these, but maybe it’d tell him how to beat that smiley trashbag. He pushed his way back up through the mud, and presented the snacks to the creature.
“Okay! Here you go, just take the wrapper off and—yeah, pretty good right? If you’re into weird, dried-out food, anyway. How ya feelin’ now, buddy?”
The creature made a humming sound. It was weird how much it sounded like him, and the glowing cyan irises that now filled its sockets were also familiar, but Flowey tried to ignore that. Probably just side effects of who it belonged to.
“So what are you doing all the way out here? I bet Sans is looking for you, he doesn’t let you guys out like, ever. Say! My name’s Flowey by the way, Flowey the flower. What’s yours? Do you even have one?”
The creature narrowed its eyes, then extended its left paw. Flowey gave it his vine, his own eyes narrowed as they shook, and the thing he knew as a gaster blaster cleared its nonexistent throat.
“heya. i’m sans.”
Flowey felt his brain break. “…What.”
“you seem surprised. have we met before?” the creature—Sans—observed, slowly sitting back on his haunches.
“Gh—no,” Flowey replied shortly, trying to recover his composure. “Not properly! I-I mean, I’ve heard of you, so, I know of you.”
“of course you have, everyone knows me,” Sans agreed. He leaned closer, grin seeming to turn sharp despite the fact it was already made of jagged fangs. “now, the real question is… who did you think i was before i introduced myself?”
Flowey grimaced--he’d slipped up.
“listen pal... i don't wanna jump to any conclusions, but it seemed like you recognized me. and if that's true… i think we’ve met before, and it was NOT under good circumstances.”
He’d really slipped up. Sans was standing now, looming over him ominously. No, no—he wasn’t ready to end this run yet, not when it had finally gotten so interesting! Sans was too perceptive for his own good.
Sans grunted as vines wrapped around his limbs, lashing him to the heap of garbage before he could skip away. More vines whipped out and wound around his jaws—Flowey was taking no chances, not when he had something so new to toy with. Sans was supposed to be a round, talkative, terrifying jokester, not a weird animal. But here he was, covered in heavy spines and on all fours with a long tail. Flowey wasn’t sure what he’d do with him, but he could figure that out later. Right now, he wanted to take his prize somewhere no one would find it.
Sans gave a bit of token resistance, but eventually went limp and let Flowey drag him along through shadowy caverns. There was much of Waterfall still uninhabited—places where it was too dark, too damp, too cramped—corners where perhaps no one had set foot for centuries. Flowey worked his way along until he found a small cavern that seemed perfect—he couldn’t even hear the distant dull roar of rushing water, and the only light came from a few glimmering crystals embedded in the stony walls.
“Okay smiley trashbag, wakey wakey!” Flowey sang harshly as he deposited his captive. “We’re alone. Tell me what the hell you are.”
Sans lifted an eyelid to gaze at him. “why?”
“I’m the one asking questions here! Besides… I’ll kill you if you don’t! Hee hee!”
“hm. sure you will.”
"Yeah! It won't be hard!”
“nope.”
“So, you don’t care if you die… but maybe… your brother!” Flowey threatened with a wicked grin, only to be met with the same nonchalance.
“ok.”
Flowey glared at him. “What, you really don’t care about what happens to your beloved, precious Papyrus?”
Sans shrugged. “eh. if you’re what i think you are… then it doesn’t really matter what you do, does it?”
Flowey curled his lip. “I’ll make you watch as I dust him bone by bone! You’ll be haunted by his screams forever!”
“that’s… pretty messed up, my dude. you need to talk?”
“Don’t turn this around on me!” Flowey shrieked. “I’ll destroy EVERYONE and make you watch!”
“hm… well, chances are you’ve already done that at least once. after all, you know what i look like,” Sans replied. “but it doesn’t matter what either of us do. i accepted that a long time ago.”
“And that’s why you’re a lazy slob who never does anything,” Flowey stated with contempt.
Sans shrugged. “yup.”
“Ugh, whatever. It's way more interesting to keep you alive now anyway,” Flowey grumbled. “You’re even more of a freak than before. I wonder… does your brother know you’re like this? I wonder what he’d think if he saw you.”
“wouldn’t care.”
“…Wait, are you saying you wouldn’t care, or that he wouldn’t care?” Flowey pressed, and Sans shrugged yet again. He was so frustrating sometimes, and Flowey scowled. “Ugh. I know what I’ll do. As much as I’d love to finally kill you, I think I’ll keep you alive… as my pet. You’ve humiliated me too many times, and now I’m going to repay the favor!”
Flowey laughed until he noticed Sans was falling asleep.
“Hey! Wake up! You really don’t care what I’m going to do to you?!” He shook the vines restraining his prize, jostling him awake.
“hmm? eh… not really. can’t be worse than what i’ve already been through, so it doesn’t really matter,” Sans murmured in reply, snuggling against the rough stone floor despite how he was bound.
“W-well…” Flowey stumbled, “maybe… you don’t care now! But let’s see how you feel in a month! Maybe even longer! Hee hee hee!”
Sans shrugged again. “in that case, i’m going to sleep. wake me in a month, ok pal?”
Flowey growled and tightened his vines until Sans was pressed to the floor, and leaned in to leer at him. “You listen here, trashbag. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll be—”
Bones stabbed up from the floor inches from his face, and he leapt back with a yelp.
“i’ll be what, kid? broken? dusted? flower’s best friend?” Sans said, a deadly chill in his voice as he fixed Flowey with one piercing eye. “fine. you have fun trying. but don't think this is gonna be easy. i'm not some helpless puppy you picked up off the street. i'm not like ANYTHING you've seen before."
Flowey felt a shiver run through him as he stared into Sans’ dark sockets, but he pulled a smirk. “Hah! What do you think I am, an idiot? 'Cause I'm not.”
Sans only chuckled dryly. “you keep telling yourself that. i’m going to sleep.”
Flowey growled, but held back. He needed to strategize. Sans wasn’t someone he could just threaten into submission, and knowing his stats, he couldn’t torture him either if he wanted him alive. He’d have to come up with some other way to get to Sans--but for now it might be fun just watching what his absence would do to his friends. Another smirk curled at the corners of his mouth, and he ducked below-ground to head for Snowdin, making sure to keep his prize tied up tight. He knew what the world looked like with everyone but Sans gone--it was time to see the opposite.
425 notes · View notes
wwhbtsjin · 3 years
Text
My Best Friend’s Sister
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My Best Friends Sister
Genre: Angst/Fluff
Pairing: Namjoon x Reader 
Word Count: 7.2k
A/N: Wow this one took me a while. But I’m hoping to grow this account more, so thank you for showing love already!!
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“Oppa!” You squealed as you ran into the practice room where seven sweaty boys all sat around just relaxing, “I brought food!”
“Which one of us got food?” All seven heads popped up and looked right at you.
You pointed at Jin, “My brother duh!! And Jungkook Oppa!”
You were Kim Seokjin’s little sister. The one he treasured beyond words. He was so protective of you, it seemed as if no boy would be approved by him. The only one he would allow you to date is Jungkook since he took such great care of you. But you didn’t see Jungkook in that way, you two were more like two peas in a pod. When you and Jungkook met, you discovered that you two were only a week apart, so you both used that as your reason to be as close as you are now.
However, the one you had eyes for was the closest member to your brother, Kim Namjoon, otherwise known as RM the leader of BTS. You knew damn well Jin wouldn’t allow that. But you also knew damn well that he had feelings for you. But it was too hard to tell if he knew about your feelings for him.
“I am the adopted brother,” Jungkook took the box of food from you, “I am appreciative of the sister I wish I had!” He kissed your forehead and then walked away with the food.
Jin took the other box from you, “Thank you little sister! Do you want to stay for awhile and I’ll bring you home?” 
You nodded, “Sure!” 
It wasn’t odd for you to spend so much time with the boys. Everyone had a special connection with you. J-Hope loved to dance with you, Yoongi loved that you would always cook meat for him, Jimin loved to play videogames with you, Taehyung loved watching movies with you and well Jungkook, he’s your partner in crime. But when it came to Namjoon, he loved it when you were around in general. You lit up the room everytime you came in. Your laugh was infectious. Your hugs always made him feel relaxed. And he loved that you were accepting of him for who he genuinely was, Kim Namjoon who is a destructive beast, lovable, but mainly destructive.
Currently you were sitting with Jungkook, sharing earbuds, and watching videos of puppies doing funny things. Everyone else was just lounging around the room, by the looks of it, they were done with practice for the day.
“What are you two watching?” A deep voice came from behind you and you turned around to find Namjoon towering above the two of you from behind the couch. A light blush came to your cheeks when you saw him.
God he’s so handsome… And he was just in shorts and a tshirt. 
“Puppy videos hyung,” Jungkook held up the phone, “Doesn’t this look like Miri from that run episode?”
Without taking his eyes off of you and you not escaping his gaze, he responded to Jungkook, “Mhm.” 
God this man had eyes that you can so easily get sucked into. They were so deep, but beautiful. His profile was so...prince like. Honestly, you couldn’t find anything wrong with him. The way he just stared at you, it made you melt.
“Umm guys?” Jungkook was snapping his fingers in between the two of you, “Hello?”
You snapped out of it right away and your cheeks flushed pink, “Sorry Oppa! Were you saying something?” Not even Jungkook knew about your feelings towards Namjoon. You heard him chuckle behind you and walk away.
“What was that about?” Jungkook raised an eyebrow.
“Nothing,” you leaned on him, “Can we continue puppy videos please?”
The look Jungkook gave you meant that you guys were definitely talking later. You weren’t off the hook with this one. Little did you know, all the members just saw what happened, including your brother. You couldn’t see it from where you were sitting, but Jin’s knuckles were turning white and his face red, because he knew exactly what was up.
You spent the next couple of hours just chilling with Jungkook and the boys as they got ready to call it a day at Big Hit. You yawned and stretched when suddenly someone poked your sides, which was your weakest spot.
“Yah!” You turned around thinking it would be Jungkook or your brother, but it wasn't. In front of you stood Yoongi and Namjoon. His eyes trapping you yet again.
“What are you doing for the rest of the evening?” Yoongi asked, “Want to come over to eat some meat with us? I’ll buy it if you cook!” 
You couldn’t resist eating meat with Yoongi. Even though the food was always good, Yoongi always put on a show every time he ate meat cause he just loved it so...damn...much.
You looked over at your brother who was talking to Jimin, back at Yoongi and Namjoon, your brother again and then you smiled, “Sure why not! I’m sure my brother is more comfortable knowing I’m at his apartment then walking the streets of Seoul by myself,” you turned to your brother, “Oppa!” you shouted from across the room, “Guess who’s coming over for dinner!”
“Not you!” he mocked you at the same time you called out to him, “Wait are you really?” 
“Yep! Yoongi Oppa and Namjoon Oppa asked me too!”
“That means we can play more video games!” You heard Jimin cheer from your brother's side.
“Yah! She’s coming over because she agreed to cook for ME.” Yoongi playfully kicked Jimin leaving you with Namjoon.
“I’m glad you’re coming over,” he said as he watched the two boys play fight, “It’s always a good time when you’re around.”
“I missed being with all you Oppas while you guys were on tour. I’ll take every chance I can get,” you smiled warmly at him, “You guys all make me happy. Especially you Namjoon Oppa!” You skipped away and linked arms with your brother as you guys made your way out of the building and too the vans.
In the car you sat in the back row with your brother and Namjoon in between the two of you siblings. You yawned as you looked at the night skyline of Seoul past the windows. Car rides always relaxed you, and being with your most favorite people made you content. 
“Namjoon look at this,” Jin held out his phone, “What if I ate this for the next Eat Jin episode?” It was a picture of some Filipino delicacy called Dinuguan. 
But before Namjoon could answer, he was caught by surprise when he felt your head fall onto his shoulder, you had fallen asleep. You were snoring quietly, one earbud hanging out of your ear while the other stayed in.
“Aw, she’s so cute. I wanna squish her cheeks.” Hobi said as he turned around to look at you and Namjoon. 
Namjoon smiled warmly and moved your hair out of your face so that way it wouldn’t fall into your slightly parted open mouth. He took your other earbud that was hanging and put it in your ear because he thought your music would help you have a calm and peaceful sleep. Namjoon totally ignored the hyung next to him who was waiting for an answer, with his mouth hanging open, anger slowly fueling in the pit of his stomach.
Jin smacked Namjoon and angrily, but quietly, whispered, “Yah! Watch your hands!” 
“Hyung relax,” Namjoon didn’t take his eyes off of you, he smiled warmly at your sleeping face, “She’s really comfortable. I’ll wake her up when we get back home.”
But there was no way Jin was comfortable with Namjoon being this way towards you. He was wishing that it was Jungkook instead of Namjoon who was loving and affectionate towards you.
“She’s really adorable when she’s like this, hyung how come you’re not like that?” Namjoon mocked Jin earning another smack from him.
“I’m serious, watch your hands on my sister and watch what you say about her.”
“Hyung relax!” you hear Taehyung from the front of the van, “It’s not like he’s hurting or trash talking her! Why are you suddenly being so anal about it?”
But before Jin could answer, they arrived back home.
Namjoon nudged you softly, “Hey (Y/N), we’re home, wakeup.”
You yawned and rubbed your eye, half awake you looked right at Namjoon, “Did I fall asleep Oppa?”
“Yup and you drooled ALLLLLL OVERRRR my shoulder.” Namjoon thought it would be fun to tease you because the reaction he got out of you, well he wished he recorded it.
“E-EH?????” Your eyes widened and you quickly patted his shoulder with a napkin you had in your bag, “W-wait...it’s dry...you’re teasing me again!” You pouted and turned away from Namjoon.
“If you two are done here, I would like to get out of the car, please and thank you.” Your older brother said bitterly from behind Namjoon. 
You kept your playful pout and hopped out of the car before linking arms with your best friend, “Oppaaa~ Joonie Oppa is teasing me again!”. You only called him Joonie every now and then, but everytime you did, his heart would melt.
“Can I join in the teasing?” Jungkook flicked your forehead, “Oppaaaa~ Aish, you’re so full of energy every time you wake up from a nap.” He mocked your voice playfully.
You pouted again and ran to Yoongi, “Oppa they’re being mean to me, can we eat now?” 
Yoongi flashed his gummy smile at you, “Yes! I am hungry!” he cheered as he dragged you inside their dorm.
You sat down in the kitchen, “Yoongi Oppa are you gonna buy meat?”
He opened the fridge and pulled out a bunch of pre packaged trays of various meats waiting to be cooked, “I kinda expected that you were gonna come when Jin hyung told us you would be stopping by today. So I had this express delivered,” he plopped them down on the counter, “Both you and your brother are great cooks.”
“Which is why I’ll be helping her today,” Jin came into the kitchen rolling up the sleeves of his hoodie, “It’ll be nice to spend some quality time with my sister.” He wrapped his arm around your shoulder protectively and you guys both flashed the same bright smile.
“Even better,” Yoongi began to walk out of the kitchen, “Seems like my services won’t be needed today”.
“Yeah but you’re on cleaning duty. This was your idea.” Jin began unpackaging the meat while you prepared the various types of marinades. 
Soon enough it was just you and your older brother in the kitchen preparing the food. It may have been silent, but you knew something was bugging your brother. You could just tell with those sibling instincts. 
“(Y/N),” he paused after setting some meat on the stove, “I know you’re growing into a woman, and if you ever fall for someone, I want to know about them first before you bring them to meet me, hyung and our parents ok?”
You nodded, “What brings this up Oppa?” Could he tell that you had feelings for Namjoon? What was he thinking? Were you that obvious? Did Namjoon tell him that he likes you?
You heard shuffling in the hallway in front of the kitchen but you assumed it was one of the boys just running from the room to the living room. You placed some samgyeopsal on the pan and turned towards your brother, “Are you okay Oppa?”
“No. I actually am not” he set down his chopsticks and turned towards you, “How would you feel if your best friend liked your sibling?” 
“Well my best friend is Jungkook Oppa… we know their family well. I would be fine with it.” You shrugged. You knew where he was getting with this, well at least you thought you did.
“Okay not Jungkook. Let’s say someone like Juggyeong from back home, how would you feel if she liked me?” He turned back to the pan and stirred some of the meat in there.
“I would 100% support. Juggyeong Unnie is a great girl. I wouldn't mind. Why do you ask? Does she like you?” You were secretly hoping that this story was true and that he wasn’t suspecting anything between you and Namjoon. You know your brother's habits and you weren’t sure exactly how he would react in this situation.
“No. That story was fake, the situation was real, but the story was fake.”
“I’m so confused,” you slid the now cooked samgyeopsal onto a plate and began to cook the brisket, “I really am.”
“Namjoon likes you…”
The room was silent. In your mind you were screaming, you already knew he liked you, but the fact that your brother knows, means he really really likes you. But the fact that your brother was also acting like this shows that he wasn’t approving of it.
“And I don’t approve of this…” he continued on, “I know you like him too. It’s obvious by the way you two act with each other. I don’t approve of it one bit.”
There it was. Your heart dropped hearing those words come out of your brother's mouth. Your brother meant the world to you but the fact that he was talking about this, you knew he wasn’t kidding. He’s serious.
“I- Oppa... “ you looked down trying to hold your tears in, “B-but why?”
“Yes Hyung, why?” You heard Namjoon’s voice at the doorway of the kitchen, “Why don’t you approve of our feelings for each other?” His voice was deep, and serious. His eyes were dark but longing for an answer.
You stood there silently just prepping up the remainder of the food. You suddenly lost energy to speak.
But at least Namjoon knew you liked him.
“You’re my sister,” Jin never looked up from the pan he was working on, “You’re my best friend. Do you think that would work exactly? No. No it won’t. I won’t let it happen.”
“Oppa...I really do like Namjoon Oppa. I care for him a lot.” You said quietly as tears slowly streamed down your face. You really wanted to be with Namjoon, but you also really wanted to make your brother happy and proud of you.
Namjoon saw you and started making his way over to you. He wanted to comfort you, but Jin stepped in the way, “Remember what I said in the car. Watch your boundaries with my sister. I don’t want her getting hurt.”
“Hyung,” Namjoon’s voice started growing louder, “Look. If nobody comforts her, she’s going to end up getting more hurt.”
“That won’t happen if I’m protecting her from getting hurt!” Jin’s voice started rising too, “I’m her big brother. It’s my responsibility to make sure she doesn’t experience it!”
“Are you assuming that I would hurt her? Hyung, you know you can trust me, if I hurt her I would never be able to forgive myself!” Namjoon placed his hand on Jin’s shoulder, “Hyung please trust me on this.”
But Jin shrugged off Namjoon’s hand, “I would rather not take the chance of her getting hurt in general!”
You heard shuffling and mumbling getting closer to the kitchen, so you wanted the boys to stop arguing before things got even more out of hand. You placed a hand on your brother's shoulder but before he could say anything he pushed you off, “You know, you know how protective I am of my sister,” he reached for Namjoon’s shirt and pulled him angrily, “Do you really think you’re going to get an okay from me?” He clenched Namjoon’s shirt in his hand.
You really didn’t like where this was going and you tried to pull your brother away from Namjoon again. But Jin pushed you a little too hard this time and you fell down and hit your head on the cabinet doors. It wasn’t hard but it definitely did hurt. And you now had tears streaming down your face.
“(Y/N)!” Both Jin and Namjoon ran in your direction but Jungkook pushed them out of the way and got to you first.
Jungkook wrapped his arms around you and was stroking the back of your head where you hit it, “Oh my god, are you okay? Does it hurt? Do you want ice?” He lifted your head to look into your eyes just to make sure you didn’t have a concussion but it was too hard for him to tell, “Do you want me to call a doctor to come and check on you?”
Jin’s heart dropped when he realized what he did to you. He turned off the stove and stooped next to Jungkook, “(Y/N)...(Y/N) I’m so sorry. I- Oppa didn’t mean it”. You could hear the sadness in his voice. His hands were shaking as he tried to reach for you.
Namjoon stooped down on the other side of Jungkook. He looked at you, eyes soft, “(Y/N)... are you alright?” His voice was caring and sweet. As much as you wanted to hop into Namjoon’s arms, you didn’t want to hurt your brother. So you decided to just keep your head hidden in Jungkook’s chest.
“Hyungs,” Jungkook helped you stand up, “I’m going to bring her to the bedroom. I think she needs some space right now”. He wrapped his arm around your shoulder and quietly walked you to the room, “I’ll call the doctor to come and check on you. It’ll be a bit but I want to make sure you don’t have a concussion. That hit sounded pretty hard”. He took out his phone and typed a message to the doctor before looking at you, “Are you feeling alright?”
Tears welled up in your eyes as you just sat on your best friend's bed, “Oppa…” 
Jungkook quietly hugged you and leaned his head on top of yours, “Can you please tell me what happened? We’re best friends, we’re always open with each other. Now tell me please.”
“I like Namjoon Oppa. A lot”.
“Oh, and let me guess, he likes you too, then your brother found out… predictable Jin Hyung”. Jungkook chuckled and sat next to you, “How are you feeling though?”
“I- I don’t know. I’m confused, upset and sad all together. I knew Oppa liked me, but I’m confused at why my brother won’t let him go any further with me. I’m upset at myself for getting in between the two of them. I’m sad because Jinnie Oppa won’t approve of Namjoon and I. I want to make my brother proud and happy, but I’m afraid I’ll hurt him. But then I don’t want to break Namjoon’s heart, because if I do, I’m breaking my own too. I don’t know Kookie Oppa, I don’t want to hurt anyone but I want to be happy at the same time.” You crawled into Jungkook’s arms and cried silently. He just rubbed your back while you let everything out. 
There was a quiet knock at the door and Jimin popped his head in, “The doctor’s here (Y/N)”.
Jungkook stood up and wiped your tears, “I’ll be right outside if you need me okay?”
“Check on my brother and Joonie Oppa please? And make sure you guys start eating”.
Jungkook smiled at you warmly, “You always take good care of us”.
He closed the door and left you in there with the doctor. Jungkook walked out to find the boys silently nibbling at food on the kitchen table. Namjoon was sitting on one completely opposite end of the table, away from Jin, who buried his face in his hands, barely moving, not touching his food, and the occasional sniffs because he was crying.
When Namjoon saw you enter the kitchen he shot up from his chair, “How is she? Is she okay?”
Jin slowly lifted his head, eyes puffy and red from crying. He didn’t say anything but he was waiting to hear an answer from Jungkook.
“I’m not sure if she has a concussion or not, we’ll wait to hear that from the doctor,” he took a seat next to Taehyung, “But the poor thing has so many emotions running through her right now. She’s confused as to why you won’t let her be with Namjoon Hyung. She’s upset because she wants to make Jin Hyung happy but she doesn;t want to break Namjoon Hyung’s heart, because if she did, she’s breaking hers by doing so. She doesn’t want to be selfish even though she wants to be happy. She’s sad because you two were fighting. She’s upset at herself for driving a wedge between you two” Jungkook started putting a plate together for you and for him.
“She didn’t get to eat the meat with me…” Yoongi murmured quietly.
“Not the time Hyung.” Jimin punched him in the arm.
After fixing your plate Jungkook started fixing one for himself. But just as he finished the doctor had come into the kitchen.
“How is she doing?” Namjoon walked up to the doctor.
This time Jin stood up, quietly, not saying a word. He was just waiting to hear the answer officially that he hurt you. His precious little sister. There wasn’t any way Jin could forgive himself for doing so. His hands were shaking at his sides, but Hoseok came and put a hand on his shoulder to help him calm down.
“She does have a concussion,” he handed Namjoon a paper with symptoms listed down, “I know she doesn’t live with you but I advise her to stay here for the next night or two. If she exhibits any of these symptoms within the next 48 hours, please bring her into the emergency room as soon as possible so she can receive more extensive treatment. She should still eat and make sure she drinks lots of fluids. In the case of headaches, use an ice pack or heating pad on her head for now so we can avoid the consumption of any possible blood thinners in case of a need for treatment. Make sure she gets plenty of rest and no excessive activity.”
All seven of the boys bowed to the doctor and Hoseok walked him out. 
When the door closed, Jin slid down onto his knees and started crying. Namjoon walked away and locked himself in the bedroom.
“I think we should lock those two in a room until they make up.” Taehyung whispered into Yoongi’s ear.
Yoongi leaned down next to Jin and rubbed his back before guiding him over to the couch to sit down and try to cool off. Jungkook finished making your plate and walked back over to the room. He opened the door quietly to find you sitting all the way at the head of his bed, leaning your back into the wall, trying to hide in the corner. Your face was blank, but you looked completely exhausted.
“Want to eat something?” he held out the plate of meat that you helped cook, “You did a really good job cooking this, it's yummy!”
You sighed and slightly smiled, “Kookie Oppa, you’re really great you know that?” 
“Oh I know, you’re blessed with the greatest best friend to ever exist, I hope you know that”, He sat next to you on the bed, placed your food in your lap and began to eat from his own plate, “I’ve always got you. We’ve done everything together, nothings gonna stop us now!” He gave you one of his signature cheeky smiles and you leaned your head on his shoulder.
“How’s Joonie Oppa?” You placed a small piece of meat in your mouth, “Is he okay?”
“He’s a little upset and sad, but he’ll be fine. He knows to give you your space,” Jungkook on the opposite hand took big chunks of his food and placed it in his mouth, “He’s currently in his room right now.”
“How’s my brother?” You fiddled with the chopstick waiting for an answer. Your brother and you have fought before, but nothing of this level, so you weren’t sure how to progress with this situation.
“In all honesty, Hyung is a mess. He’s sitting on the couch right now with Yoongi hyung trying to calm him down. You know your brother is just like this because he loves you right?” Jungkook noticed you weren’t really eating, so he took a piece of your food and ate it, “If you’re not eating your plate, I will. But Jin Hyung is being the typical older brother who wants to protect you. He doesn’t want to see you get hurt, let alone by one of his best friends. He wants you to be happy, but happy and not hurt. But he’s also having trouble accepting the fact that you’re no longer his little sister who would run around the house in little dresses anymore.” 
“I... I wish he would tell me that,” you sighed and yawned, “You guys are away so much, that I guess it just kind of made my brother and I’s relationship like this”. 
“Are you tired? The doctor said you should get plenty of rest, and advised you not to be alone for the next 48 hours, so I guess you're stuck with me.” He got up and pulled out one of his hoodies and a pair of basketball shorts for you to wear, “I know damn well you brought nothing with you, So you can use those and just stay with me if you don’t want to be with your brother or Namjoon Hyung right now.” Jungkook really was the best friend you needed. You were extremely grateful for him.
Jungkook walked out of the room with your guys plates and so that you could change. He walked into the kitchen, put the plates down and then walked into the living room. Jin stopped crying and he was just sitting there with that same blank face that you had in his room. He knew you left an emergency toiletries bag with him so he decided to ask where it was, “Hyung, your sister is gonna stay the night. Where’s all her things that she left with you? She’s gonna get ready for bed.”
Jin got up and quietly walked to his room that he shared with Yoongi. He opened up one of the drawers and pulled out a small bag of your things. He handed it to Jungkook and plopped onto his bed, “Do you think I can talk to her?”
Jungkook sighed, “She’s really tired right now so I’m going to stay with her until she falls asleep. Tomorrow would be better, Hyung. Let her be for the night,” he took a seat next to Jin, “But I think you should talk to Namjoon Hyung. There was major miscommunication between you two and you don’t want this to ruin the friendship.”
Jungkook walked back to his room and chuckled at the sight of you in his clothes, “Man you really are tiny because look how baggy all those clothes are!” He handed you your bag of toiletries and you walked into the bathroom. “I’ll be back!” you heard him call from behind you and he made his way to Namjoon’s room. 
He knocked twice on the door before walking in. Namjoon was sitting at his desk just playing with a pen in his fingers. He eyes were sad and by the way he took each breath, Jungkook knew he was conflicted.
“Hyung,” Jungkook sat down on Namjoon’s bed, “Are you okay?” Jungkook has never seen Namjoon this depressed before.
“Did I mess up the relationship that those two siblings had?” He didn’t bother looking up from his desk, “Will hyung and I not be the same anymore? Will (y/n) distance herself from me? From both hyung and me? I don’t want to lose her. But I don’t want to lose Hyung either. I care too much for (Y/N) though to just ignore my feelings. I don’t know what to do. If I distance myself from (Y/N), I’d just end up hurting her and I don’t want that.”
“I’m glad you genuinely care for her. But I can’t give you an answer to any question you just asked. The only thing I can tell you is that you should talk to Hyung before you talk to (Y/N). She’s probably asleep now anyways.” Jungkook got up and placed a hand on Namjoon’s shoulder, “I know she would want you two to patch things before you guys work out how to go further with your relationship.”
“Go further,” Namjoon chuckled, “I haven’t even properly asked her to be my girlfriend yet.”
“That can wait, fixing your relationship with Hyung first is priority. (Y/N)’s feelings for you won’t disappear within 24 hours. She likes you too much and cares for you too much that it’ll take moving a mountain to get her to have feelings for someone else.”
Hearing those words come out of Jungkook’s mouth, Namjoon was able to crack a small smile, “Where’s Hyung right now?”
“In his room,” Jungkook walked towards the door and Namjoon got up and followed, “I’ll go check on (Y/N). Now go talk to her male counterpart.”
“Male counterpart...oh my gosh.” Hoseok chuckled as he walked down the hallway hearing that, “It’s scary but true.”
Namjoon made his way down to Jin’s room and knocked twice before going in, “Hyung,” Jin was sitting on his bed, “I think we need to talk.”
Jin didn’t protest so Namjoon took that as a sign to come in. He plopped down next to Jin and sighed, “We need to start from the very beginning. Did I do something wrong?”
Jin closed his eyes and sighed, “No. You actually didn’t. I thought it over time and time again, but you really didn’t do anything wrong.”
Namjoon sighed, “Then what happened?”
“I don’t know…” he was rubbing his temples, “I- I guess I don’t want my sister to grow up. I always want to be the one to protect her you know?” 
“Hyung…” Namjoon chuckled, “She’s the same age as Jungkook, 23, not 12 anymore.”
“And look at Jungkook,” Jin let out a small laugh, “Have you seen those two together? They’re a tornado.”
“Okay that probably won’t change,” Namjoon sat up and looked at Jin seriously, “But there are so many people who want to care and protect her besides your family. Look at the way Jungkook protects her and cares for her. All of us members care for her. I want to care for her and love her. Give her everything she deserves. You acted as if you didn’t want me to care for her. You know I can’t do that hyung. My feelings for her are way too strong for that.”
“I know...and I admit, I acted way out of hand. I let my feelings get in the way and I didn’t even bother to think of the way that you two were feeling. In the end, I actually hurt her. My worst nightmare came true,” Jin turned to look at Namjoon, “I’m genuinely sorry Namjoon. I even hurt you too.”
“Hyung it’s okay. I see where you were coming from, if it was my sister, I would’ve been doing the same thing probably,” Namjoon pat Jin’s shoulder, “But I do want the okay from you to date your sister. I want to love and care for her. And if I ever hurt her, just know I won’t be able to forgive myself. Like you, hurting her is the last thing I would want.” 
Jin sat in silence for a bit before taking a deep breath, “I’ll allow it. Just y’know...don’t kiss her in front of me...that’s weird.”
“Hyung, I won’t take it fast with her, I’ll go at the pace she wants. I have to ask her properly to be my girlfriend first,” Namjoon smiled at the thought of getting to be with you, “I will take the best care of her Hyung. And I will respect all your wishes and we’ll respect boundaries, especially around you.”
After a deep sigh Jin whacked Namjoon on the arm, “You better take it freaking slow,” he got up and started pulling out pajamas, “Keep my sister pure! I know your mind.”
“Hyung!” Namjoon’s cheeks flushed pink, “I wouldn’t do that to her...well this fast...well I’ll shut up.”
“Gross, please do.”
“Hyung, thank you though,” Namjoon stood up and walked towards the door, “I promise you, I will take care of her.”
“Yeah yeah, what is she doing right now?”
“I think she’s with Jungkook, wanna go see if she’s awake?”
The two boys walked out of the room and towards Jungkooks. Namjoon knocked quietly and peaked his head in after two minutes of no response passed. You and Jungkook were both asleep on the bed. A wall of pillows in between you two to give you guys your own space and boundaries. It’s not the first time you guys shared a bed. People would suspect you two were dating but your heart belonged to someone else.
And you had Namjoon’s heart too.
“You better do that if you think you’re gonna share a bed with my sister,” Jin looked into the room, “I don’t care if you want to hug her, WALL.”
“Sure hyung…” Namjoon laughed and walked towards the kitchen with Jin in tow. Jimin and Taehyung sat at the kitchen table playing games on her phone.
When Jimin saw you guys he jumped up, “Are you guys good?”
“Are we hyung?” Namjoon asked.
“I guess...” Jin pat Namjoon’s shoulder and walked past him to get a glass of water, “We talked it out and set boundaries, but we’ll be fine.”
“Boundaries?” Jimin tilted his head and Hoseok smacked him.
“You must be really thick headed or blind to not see that Namjoon likes (Y/N). Why do you think Jin Hyung got heated? (Y/N) likes him too.” 
“Does that mean (Y/N) will be around more?” Taehyung walked into the kitchen to join the conversation.
“Yah, let me ask her to be my girlfriend first then we’ll see the answers to those questions!” 
~
The next morning you woke up to Jungkook next to you watching a video of a cartoon dinosaur. 
“Oppa?” you rubbed your eyes and tried sitting up but you had a sharp pain in your head.
Jungkook set his phone down and helped you up, “Slowly. The doctor said to take it easy. How are you feeling? Anything hurt?”
You decided to tease Jungkook to help lift your spirits, “What happened? Why am I in your bed? Why does my head hurt?”
His mouth dropped open, “Do you not remember anything?” his tone was serious, “What’s the last thing you remember?”
“I came into your guys’ practice room, with food for you and my brother. Wait, does my brother know I’m here?” The prank continued on.
“We’re going to the hospital.”
“Oppa I’m kidding,” your eyes softened when you thought about last night, “do I really have a concussion? How’s my brother? How’s Joonie Oppa?”
 “I’m not sure, I told Namjoon hyung that he should talk to your brother. After, I came in here and you were asleep so I decided to sleep too. So honestly, I don’t know. I woke up like 10 minutes ago.”
“You don’t have anything to do today?”
“No, we have the day off,” He flashed his cheeky smile at you, “Want me to make you something to eat?”
“Sure Oppa, can I help?”
Jungkook smiled, “Nope. You’re taking it easy so I will be the best best friend ever! I’ll be back!”
Jungkook ran out to the kitchen and saw Jin, Namjoon, Yoongi and Taehyung eating breakfast, “Morning Hyungs,” he started digging through the fridge, “What’s to eat?”
“Jin Hyung made chocolate chip pancakes,” Taehyung currently had three on a plate, “How’s (Y/N)? Is she awake?”
“She’s awake. I came out to get her something to eat,” Jungkook started piling some pancakes on a plate, “Please tell me you two hyungs are good. She woke up still sad. She tried to play a prank but it failed in lifting her spirits.”
“We’re good,” Jin sighed, “But I am so afraid to face my sister. Is she mad at me? Does she even want to see me?”
Jungkook handed Jin the plate of your food, “She’s been asking about you. I think you should talk to her. Bring her breakfast to her. Namjoon Hyung, you should go in later after Jin Hyung.”
They both nodded and Jin took off in the direction of Jungkook’s room. He took a deep breath before knocking on the door, “(Y/N)? I’m coming in okay?” He took no response as a sign that you were allowing it. He walked into the room and saw you sitting up on Jungkook’s bed, just on your phone. “I made your favorite for breakfast. You should eat some.”
“T-thank you Oppa,” you were genuinely happy to see your brother, but at the same time you still had quite a bit of emotions in you from last night, “H-how are you?”
“I’m okay, I promise,” he reached for your hand but he saw you tense up a bit, so he stopped himself mid way, “How are you? Are you okay? How are you feeling?” His voice was getting shaky and his eyes were starting to brim with tears.
“Just a little dizzy. And I’m still tired,” you noticed his reaction, “But I’m still okay. I’ll be fine.”
“That’s good, you should eat some of your food,” his voice was still shaky, “(Y/N)?”
You cut a small piece of the pancake, “Yes Jinnie Oppa?”
He fell onto his knees and held your hand. He didn’t lift his head and he started crying, “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I really didn’t. I can’t forgive myself for what I did to you. You’re my precious sister. I’m supposed to protect you, not hurt you. You’re actually injured because of my stupidity. My ignorance. It’s all my fault that you’re hurt. Please, can you find it in you to forgive me?”
You didn’t want to stay mad at your brother. You loved him too much to know he didn’t do any of this with ill intentions. You set your plate down and cupped your brother's hand, “Oppa can you sit next to me?”
Without any hesitation, your brother shot up and sat next to you.
“Now can you answer any question I ask completely honest?”
He nodded.
“Why don’t you want me to be with Joonie Oppa?”
Jin sighed, “It’s not that I don’t want you too. In fact, I would much rather have you be with any of the members then any other boy out there. It’s just, I don’t know what got over me. In my eyes, you’re still my little sister who would run around the house in the Princess Outfits that Hyung would buy you for Christmas. I guess I just haven’t accepted the fact that you’ve grown up. I want to protect you, and I always will, but there are other people too and I have to accept that fact.”
You smiled a bit at your brother's answer. He did get really overprotective at times, but nothing was done with ill intentions. You were his youngest and only sister. You would do the same for him if the roles were flopped. “Oppa, you’re always gonna have your own spot in my life. Nobody is gonna take it. You were in my life first obviously. But hearing your answer, does that mean you’re allowing me to be with Joonie Oppa?”
After the most awkward moment of silence ever, “Yes,” Jin sighed, “BUT, there are boundaries. Just don’t act so lovey dovey in front of me. And most certainly don’t make out with each other in front of any of us!”
You blushed furiously at the thought of it, “I-...OPPA THAT STUFF SHOULD STAY PRIVATE ANYWAYS!”
“But can you promise me that you won’t forget me?” Jin’s eyes were sad, “I still want to be your number one.”
You wrapped your arms around your brother, “Oppa, you’re my brother. There’s no way whoever I date, marry, whatever, will take that spot from you.”
He smiled and hugged you back, “If Namjoon hurts you, tell me, I’ll kill him.”
You playfully smacked your brother, “Oppa!...I will.”
“How is your head?” Jin slowly rubbed the back of it as he hugged you, “I still can’t believe I did that to you.”
“I’ll be okay Oppa, I promise.”
Jin hugged you before getting up from the bed, “I think there’s someone else who would like to check on you too.”
“Hobi Oppa?” You playfully teased your head to the side.
“You’re such an idiot sometimes.” He chuckled and walked out of the room just as Namjoon came in.
He closed the door and smiled at you warmly, “Hey (Y/N), how are you?”
“Hi Oppa, I’m okay,” you pat the spot on the bed next to you, “Are you okay?”
Namjoon sat next to you and smiled, “Hey it's you we have to worry about. Are you feeling okay? No symptoms or anything? Why aren’t you eating your food beautiful? Do I have to feed you?”
You blushed furiously when he called you beautiful, “Oppa I’m okay. Just a little lightheaded. And u-um...I can do it myself,” you started cutting the pancake, “See? All okay!”
After Namjoon made sure you ate your breakfast, he took the plate from you, placed it on the nightstand, then grabbed your hand. He stroked your knuckles and looked you in the eyes, “I’m really sorry about upsetting your brother.”
“Oppa, you don’t have to be sorry, you didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I didn’t respect your brother's boundaries. I like you so much, but I didn’t come to think how that would make Jin Hyung feel,” he sighed, “I’m sorry I came between you and your brother like that.”
“Oppa, I’m sorry I came between the two of you, you’re like his little brother he never had. He doesn’t want to lose you.” You smiled knowing that your brother was surrounded by such great people who genuinely cared for him.
“(Y/N)? Can I hug you right now?”
You giggled at his cuteness and nodded, “Of course, get over here you goof,” You wrapped your arms around Namjoon and he pulled you close, “I assume you know how I feel about you right?”
“Yes,” you felt him lay his head on your shoulder, “When I found out, I wanted to have you in my arms right away...now I actually can. Your brother allowed it, you know?”
“I know,” you looked up at him, “But I won’t until you ask me?”
“Ask you what?” He said dumbfoundedly.
You pouted in response.
“I’m kidding,” he cupped your cheek with his warm hand, “I want to be able to care for you in a position more than a friend. Will you be my girlfriend?”
You smiled and nodded, “Of course Joonie Oppa.”
20 notes · View notes
tradgicworks · 3 years
Text
Heartfelt: P-2 Heavy Meddle
Anna Hjarta finds herself as the sole witness of a strange disappearance. She decides to help find the missing student, despite how much her academy wants to keep it a secret.
WORD COUNT - 6030
Fast paced heavy metal music blared out of Anna’s headphones. Her short dirty-blonde hair bobbed up and down to the fast paced rhythm. Her grey-blue colored eyes scanned the floor as she picked up any trash that was left behind. She brushed her bangs out of her face revealing a faint scar that ran from her left cheekbone all the way through her left brow. Her music was interrupted by the ringtone of her phone. She tapped her phone and answered the call.
“Yeah?” Anna asked as she continued picking up trash.
“Hey, Anna,” Another volunteer’s voice responded. “I finished up where I’m at. Everyone else is done too, we’re gonna head back for today.”
“Cool. I got the keys with me, I’ll finish here then head back myself. You guys have a good night.”
“Don’t overdo it Anna. Goodnight,” The volunteer said before hanging up the phone.
Her music roared back to life. Anna sighed as she looked at her nearly full trash bag. She pulled down her headphones and turned them off. She laid the bag on the floor and swept the remaining bits of trash into the bag with her leg. She tied the bag up and carried it to the dump.
Despite the academy’s strict rules, disobedience was inevitable- especially the week before winter break. For some reason or another, the academy had a policy of having Juniors and Seniors take their finals early. This was done in order to “encourage the active pursuit of future academic endeavors”. Most students took it as a chance to apply to college, scholarships, or internships. While others treated it as an early vacation or an excuse to party in secret. The abandoned auditorium especially was a hotspot for delinquents. Due to the lack of manpower the academy could not afford to routinely survey the theater during the last week of classes, their focus was on finishing up the preparations for the graduation ceremony after all. As such the troublemakers rebelled in relative comfort, often leaving huge messes. Ultimately, it would be up to the older students to take it upon themselves to volunteer and clean up the mess. Anna Hjarta included.
Anna heaved the trash bag into the dumpster and shut it closed. She took off her work-gloves with a satisfied look. Thunder faintly growled behind her. The sound of rain wafted into her ears.
“Mph,” She thought to herself as she checked her backpack. “I forgot my umbrella.”
Anna stuffed her headphones and gloves back into her bag. She glanced outside through a dirty window. The light of the campus walkway was barely visible through all the rain. Anna frowned and flipped a switch on the wall. The work lights that lined the halls of the auditorium blinked into darkness. Her body froze as she heard a shrill scream echo through the pitch black halls.
“Is someone there?” Anna called out in a hush tone.
She was met with silence.
The muffled sounds of teary cries for help crawled into her ears as she waited for a reply. She flipped the lights back on and ran towards the sound.
“Are you okay?!” She yelled out while trying to find the source of the struggle.
One last shriek rang out before being snuffed short. Anna found herself at the doors of the theater. She tried to open them but felt a strange resistance hold them shut. She slammed against them until they finally swung open. She shook her phone and its flashlight turned on. She found herself in the empty theater, the draped curtains fluttering softly. She surveyed the room in confusion and let out a deep sigh after searching for a few moments.
“I need more sleep,” She muttered.
Anna turned around and began to head back towards the dorms. Her shoe kicked against something and sent it gliding across the floor. She flashed her light at it and noticed a sparkle in the corner of her eye. She walked towards it and picked it up. In her fingers was a small golden bangle bracelet.
“Devoted to our pride and joy, Sophie,” Anna read out the cursive that was written across the back of the bracelet.
. . .
Anna flinched awake to the blare of her phone’s alarm. She sat up and looked at her surroundings groggily. Articles of old clothes laid scattered all across the floor. Her desk was stacked high with medical textbooks- some open, almost all riddled with sticky notes. Her bag hung from the door knob with Sophie’s bracelet attached to it by the zipper.
Anna slowly got out of bed. She walked to the bathroom and began to brush her teeth. When she finished she rinsed out her mouth and splashed some water on her face. She looked in the mirror, her scar had become an ugly streak that burned through her face. She traced it lightly with her fingers and frowned. She pulled out a small makeup bag from underneath her vanity. Layer after layer, she applied makeup on her scar until it returned to the faint seam that it was before. She gave a slight smile as she observed her handiwork. The academy’s morning announcements buzzed to life as she finished up.
“Good Morning, students,” Dr. Ward’s, the headmaster, soothing voice called out. “Yesterday’s rain proved to be heavier than was originally forecasted. Be careful when going between classes as staff have reported significant amounts of mud from the downpour. Furthermore, yesterday also marked the most amount of curfew violations in the academy’s history. A fact that brings me much disappointment. The students who violated the curfew will be called to my office to receive a punishment. You know who you are and you will be contacted privately. Let this serve as a reminder to the rest of the student body that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated again. Now, for today’s agenda…” Dr. Ward began reading out the remainder of the dull announcements.
Anna put away her makeup bag. Her phone began to buzz. She picked it up and read the screen.
“Anna Hjarta. Please report to Dr. Ward’s office at-” Anna raised a brow.
She threw on the cleanest uniform she could find and grabbed her bag as she walked out the door.
. . .
The headmaster’s office was built at the highest point of the campus. Curved stairs lead up to the main entrance. A ramp sloped downwards and cut through the middle of the stairs, allowing access into the library on the bottom floor. Colorful flowers and well maintained shrubs all sprinkled with water droplets from the rain decorated the entrance. Anna made her way to the headmaster's office.
“Excuse me,” She said as she walked inside.
Dr. Ward’s office was incredibly organized. Her large desk was filled with papers- all stacked into neat piles. Two bookshelves filled with all sorts of books, awards, and gifts stood behind her. On the wall was a display case with a beautiful ceremonial dagger stored inside. Behind her was a large window that allowed for a majestic view of the entire campus.
“Anna,” Dr. Ward smiled. “Have a seat.”
“You wanted to see me?” Anna said as she sat down.
“Yes, I did. I wanted to see you and Eva,” Dr. Ward gestured at Eva who sat in the chair next to Anna.
Dr. Ward sat down and opened her laptop. The door to her office swung open and a tall warden walked in with a cup of coffee.
“Thank you, Caroline,” Dr. Ward smiled as she set down the cup.
Caroline replied with a curt nod. Her green eyes were locked into a permanent glare. Her brunette hair was tied into a tight bun. She wore the Warden's uniform which consisted of combat boots, neatly pressed pants, a long sleeved button up shirt with a tie, and a blocky hat. Caroline specifically, wore a small badge and a large coat over her shoulders like a cloak as an imposing way of signifying her position of authority amongst the Wardens.
“I have been informed that both of you entered the dorms after the curfew, is that correct?” Dr. Ward asked while quickly typing.
“That’s correct,” Anna said casually.
“Yup,” Eva clicked her tongue.
“Hmm,” Dr. Ward glanced at the two before continuing to type. “Would you mind enlightening me over why you entered the dorms so late?”
“Lost track of time,” Eva said.
“I was helping clean up the auditorium, my group was scheduled for yesterday and I stayed after to finish up. I ended up getting caught in the rain though,” Anna explained.
“I see,” Dr. Ward said as she typed. "Was there anyone else with you, Anna?"
“There shouldn't have been, everyone else went back early. I only stayed after because I had the keys.”
“Did you notice anything strange on your way back?" Dr. Ward asked.
“What do you mean by strange...?” Anna asked slowly.
“Yesterday there was some unexpected interference with the academy’s security system. Given how many students disobeyed the curfew, I wanted to make sure that no one was up to any mischief while some of the cameras were offline,” Dr. Ward drank from her coffee.
“No, not really. I mean I can’t even think of anyone crazy enough to be out in that rain on purpose,” Anna shrugged.
“You can never be too sure,” Dr. Ward pushed up her glasses.
“Well, actually, there was one thing,” Anna grabbed the bangle bracelet from her bag and held it towards Dr. Ward. “I found this.”
Dr. Ward grabbed it and investigated it. Her face tensed slightly as she read the back of it. She handed it to Caroline who didn’t react.
“Where did you find this?” Dr. Ward glanced up at Anna with a smile, but her eyes turned cold and empty.
Both Anna and Eva shifted uncomfortably at the unusual look in Dr. Ward’s eyes.
“The theater,” Anna replied.
Dr. Ward glanced at Caroline who quickly nodded in reply and walked out of the office.
“Something wrong?” Eva asked with slight meekness.
Dr. Ward’s eyes brightened to her usual comforting shine. “No, nothing is wrong. I am just upset that your more rebellious peers are still using the auditorium irresponsibly. Especially when we both know that they could be doing so much better.”
“I see,” Eva awkwardly replied.
Dr. Ward took a deep breath.
“Thank you ladies for providing some insight into what happened during the storm. Regardless of your intentions, the fact remains that both of you disobeyed the curfew. As such, you will be penalized. The school adheres to its strict guidelines after all and they must be enforced indiscriminately,” Dr. Ward took out two forms and began filling them out quickly.
“What do we have to do?” Anna asked.
“The two of you will be working as receptionists at the freshmen dorms,” Dr. Ward handed a filled out form to Anna and Eva each. “Take these to the front office of the dorm. They’ll give you everything you need and tell you what to do from there. You may leave now,” Dr. Ward instructed before returning her attention to work.
Anna and Eva walked towards the door.
“Oh, and one more thing,” Dr. Ward called out to them as they opened the door. “Try not to get into any more trouble,” She said with a gentle smile.
. . .
Anna’s gaze lingered on the empty hallways. She leaned over the receptionist counter, her cheek resting in her palm. Eva, who sat beside her, groaned and put her feet up on the counter. Anna glanced at her with annoyance.
“Stop that,” Anna said.
“What? My shoes aren’t dirty,” Eva replied.
Dried up mud crumbled onto the counter.
“Not that dirty at least,” Eva yawned.
“It’s just rude to the janitors who have to clean that up,” Anna’s gaze hardened.
“Sheesh, calm down. A little dirt won’t kill anyone. What are you some sort of neat freak?” Eva replied matter-of-factly.
“No,” Anna looked at Eva in her eyes. “I just don’t like dirt.”
Eva put her feet down and sat up straight.
“What do you mean by that?” Her eyes narrowed.
The two stared at each other. Anna grabbed a napkin and cleaned the dirt off of the counter.
“What else would it mean?” She glanced at Eva’s shoes.
“Fine, my bad for bringing in dirty shoes,” Eva took her shoes off the counter. “Sue me.”
“Thank you,” Anna nodded curtly before kneeling down to clean up the dirt.
“You’re a real bleeding heart you know,” Eva commented looking down at her.
Anna didn’t respond, she simply continued until the mess was clean.
Eva looked at her for a few moments before she gave up and went back to playing on her phone.
Anna crumbed up the napkin and threw it into a trashcan. The sound of loud banging erupted from the front doors as it fell in.
“Let me in!” A desperate voice yelled from outside.
“She’s going to break the freaking doors-” Eva growled and stood up.
She quickly walked towards the doors and swung them open just as Gwyneth was about to knock again.
“What are you doing?” Eva grit her teeth.
“Thank you-!” Gwyneth barely got the words in before trying to push her way into the dorms.
“What are you doing?!” Eva roared and shoved her back outside.
“Please- Y-You don’t understand. I need to get in I-” Gwyneth choked on her words. “Please, please, just let me in!”
“No way, you psycho!” Eva barred her from entering.
“Calm down, you’re hurting her,” Anna ran beside her and tugged on her shoulder.
“The hell I am! I’m just stopping her from getting through the door-'' Eva glanced at Gwyneth’s face. “Oh, it's you.”
Eva looked at Gwyneth’s wrists, faint bruise marks were beginning to form.
“Oh,” Eva’s frown grew annoyed.
“That’s why I told you to relax,” Anna pulled Eva behind her and looked at Gwyneth.
“Please let me in!” Gwyneth pleaded.
“Sure,” Anna grabbed her wrists gently. “But first we’re going to take care of this.”
“There’s no time I really have to-” Gwyneth said in between panicked breaths.
“There’s no option, either you come in and I help with the bruising or you don’t come in at all,” Anna gave her a stern look.
“O-Okay, but please hurry!” Gwyneth’s breathing relaxed before she exclaimed.
“I will,” Anna led her inside and behind the receptionist desk.
“Are you crazy? You’re going to take the person who tried to break into the dorms seriously?” Eva exclaimed.
“She wouldn’t be this panicked if it wasn’t for a good reason,” Anna sat Gwyneth down and looked for a first aid kit.
“Wow, I was spot on about that bleeding heart thing huh?” Eva groaned. “What if she’s here to cause trouble or stalk some helpless freshman girl?”
“You really think poorly of people you know,” Anna commented as she prepared an ice bag.
“I’m realistic,” Eva huffed.
“You’re paranoid. All I see is someone in need,” Anna kneeled in front of Gwyneth and pressed the ice bag against her wrist.
“And that’s all you need to be at their beck and call?” Eva sneered.
“Yeah, that’s it,” Anna glared at her.
Eva could only reply with an equally furious look.
“I-I’m not here to hurt anyone,” Gwyneth said meekly. “I’m here to- ah” She squeaked as Anna moved the ice bag to her other wrist.
“I’m worried about my friend, her name is Sophie,” Gwyneth said.
Eva tensed a little upon hearing Sophie’s name.
“What about your friend?” Eva grunted.
“I think she’s in trouble.” Gwyneth said sheepishly.
“No way,” Eva waved her hand dismissively. “The academy’s got security like a prison. If she was in trouble she would have been helped out by one of the Wardens.”
“I know, but I’ve called her so many times and she hasn’t responded once. She didn’t show up to our breakfast meet up and last night she seemed really worried about something,” Gwyneth said, her words growing more frantic.
“Well, maybe you’re just overthinking it,” Eva said apathetically.
“What’s your problem?” Anna glanced at her in a mix of anger and shock.
She turned towards Gwyneth and started wrapping bandages around her wrists. “Why are you so sure she’s in trouble?” Anna asked calmly.
“Sophie’s not like this. She always answers her calls, she's a polite and cheery person. She’s full of optimism and hope and she always does her best to help others. I’ve never seen her act so depressed before, so… docile. I just know something is wrong, it just doesn’t add up...” Gwyneth gazed at the floor.
“Pfft, talk about working off hunches,” Eva muttered.
“I agree,” Anna said as she finished tying her bandages.
“You do?!” Gwyneth and Eva said in unison, relief and surprise in their voice respectively.
“You know the people close to you better than I do. If you really think something is wrong, you should do something about it before you regret not doing anything at all,” Anna stood up and held out her hand. “And I’ll be here to help.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you soooooo much!” Gwyneth leaped up and hugged Anna tightly.
“Woah, okay, okay, I’m just glad I can help,” Anna chuckled. “She’s really soft.” She said towards Eva.
“And I care why?” Eva shook her head. “I can’t believe you’re helping her. What do you even want Gwy- uh... Girl?”
“Oh, that’s right,” Gwyneth let go of Anna. “My name’s Gwyneth, I’m a Sophomore.”
“I’m Anna, a Junior,” Anna replied.
“Eva, same,” Eva mumbled. “So what do you want?”
“I-” Gwyneth paused. “I was planning on visiting Sophie’s room and checking up on her.”
“What floor is she on?” Anna asked.
“Third floor, room 309,” Gwyneth replied.
“Cool, let’s go,” Anna grabbed the master key from behind the counter and headed up the stairs. “You coming, Grinch?” She asked Eva as she stopped on the first step.
“Screw you,” Eva spat before following suit.
. . .
The freshmen dorms were not the nicest on campus, mostly due to how old the building itself was. The steps led up to a view of the many hallways on each floor. Rows and rows of evenly spaced doors lined the walls. Occasional break and study rooms broke the monotony of the layout. Framed paintings of previous headmasters and photographs of the academy’s history dotted the free spaces on the wall. On the opposite end, stood an identical set of stairs leading into the floor below. Anna, Eva, and Gwyneth stepped into the third floor. Gwyneth walked ahead of them and led them to Sophie’s dorm.
“We’re here,” Anna stated as they stood in front of room 309.
Gwyneth stepped forward and knocked on the door.
“Sophie, are you there? It’s me, Gwen,” She called out.
There was no reply.
“Sophie?” She knocked again.
“She’s probably just asleep,” Eva commented.
“At six in the evening?” Anna raised a brow.
“You’d be surprised at how many people hit the hay early,” Eva yawned.
“She’s not answering,” Gwyneth turned towards them.
“Hmm, let me try,” Anna knocked on the door a little rougher than Gwyneth. “Sophie, are you in there?”
The door creaked open on her last knock.
“You broke it,” Eva scoffed.
“It just happened on its own,” Anna replied with a tinge of panic.
“Well, no use crying over it now,” Eva swung open the door and gestured for them to walk in. “After ya’ll.”
They all entered the room. Eva flicked on the light switch and the ceiling lamp hummed to a faint light. Comfy looking bed sheets sat as a messy pile on an unmade bed. The cabinets held half open drawers filled with thrown-about clothes. Makeup, perfume, accessories, and other knick-knacks once neatly organized on the shelves laid scattered across the floor. A torn apart sheet music book with ripped out pages leaned limply against a violin. Gwyneth’s gaze lingered on a corkboard that hung above her drawer. Pictures of Gwyneth and Sophie spending time together were pinned on to it. Dumb drawings that Gwyneth made in a silly attempt of explaining some of her favorite controversies were displayed like badges of honor. The letter she wrote for Sophie’s birthday was neatly held by tiny styrofoam stars. A calendar filled with pretty handwritten notes was to the left of all of that. “Dinner with Gwyneth, yay!” was circled in red marker.
“What a mess,” Eva murmured.
“It looks like someone tore up the place,” Anna said quietly.
“Sophie…” Gwyneth whimpered as she walked to the corkboard and traced her fingers over the memorabilia.
“We need to report this to the principal,” Anna said as she glanced at Gwyneth’s worried face.
“Agreed, the way this room is torn up is way too sketchy,” Eva let out a deep sigh. “The academy seems to be slipping in more ways than one.”
“That’s ominous,” Anna commented.
“Just saying, the schools vow of security ain’t looking so secure right now. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are other dorms where just about anybody can break into them,” Eva opened the closet. “We could have a real case for false advertising on our hands-” Eva’s words were snuffed into violent chokes.
A woman stepped out of the closet. Her dark gray colored eyes shone with a strange intensity. She held Eva by the neck, nearly lifting her off the ground. Gwyneth shrieked as she grabbed something to defend herself with. Anna hopped over the bed and slammed herself against the woman. The woman grunted in pain as she let go of Eva and struggled to keep her balance. Eva coughed in heavy breaths. The woman took a step forward ready to attack Anna, only to have a stapler thrown against her face by Gwyneth.
“You. Effing. Creep,” Eva yelled in a horse voice.
Eva kicked at the woman’s legs before she could retaliate and tripped her onto the ground. The woman fell with a hearty thud and her body went limp. Eva raised her foot to stomp her face but was stopped by Anna’s hand.
“What are you doing?! You’re going to kill her!” Anna screamed.
“Oh, do not make excuses for the panty stealing weirdo hiding in a sixteen year old’s closet- she deserved this!” Eva yelled back.
“But, she’s already knocked out!” Anna pushed her leg out of the way. “So, we stop!”
“Fine, Goldilocks. Have it your way, but I’m not helping you if she gets up and starts choke slamming you,” Eva rubbed her shin. “Damn, that hurt. Her legs felt like they were made out of steel.”
“W-Who is she anyways and where did you two learn to fight like that?“ Gwyneth asked.
“I kinda just threw myself at her,” Anna said matter-of-factly.
“Kickboxing is a hobby,” Eva replied. “As for the mystery woman…” Eva took out her phone and turned on its flashlight.
The light shone over the face of a Warden. The three of them stared in silence as the realization dawned upon them.
“We are so screwed,” Eva murmured with a deathly serious tone.
“WE KNOCKED A WARDEN UNCONSCIOUS?!” Gwyneth screamed.
“Shut up!” Eva put her hand over Gwyneth’s mouth. “Do you want the whole dorm to know?!”
“I-It’s fine, we can just explain to the principal what happened. T-That this was all just one big misunderstanding,” Anna said in a slightly shaky voice as she sat the Warden up as best as she could
“Oh yeah, sure, and she can kindly explain how many years in prison we’re gonna serve for assaulting a freaking police officer,” Eva gave a panicked chuckle.
“I don’t want to go to jail,” Gwyneth whimpered.
“No effing dur, girly,” Eva commented.
“Calm down, both of you. Worse comes to worst I can just-” Anna started before being cut off by the sound of a radio.
“Warden 06, can you hear me?” A staticky voice called from the Warden’s breast pocket.
Anna, Eva, and Gwyneth looked at each other. Gwyneth gestured to Anna to give her the radio. Anna tossed into her hands and she began to fiddle with it. After a few seconds she held the button to reply. White noise poured out of the radio.
“Warden 06, there seems to be some interference on your end. Do you read me?” The voice asked again.
Gwyneth tilted the radio downwards. The white noise became more chaotic.
“Warden 06, do you read-” The voice got cut off before changing into a deeper, colder, voice. “Warden 06, you are to cease your search of the target’s dorm. We have narrowed down the location of Sophie Dives to the auditorium. Rendezvous there ASAP. Failure to do so will be met with severe punishment.”
The radio went completely silent. Gwyneth took out the batteries and took a shaky breath.
“Sophie’s in the auditorium?” Gwyneth whispered.
“From the sound of it, it looks like they were trying to keep it a secret too,” Eva commented.
“I knew it,” Anna muttered.
“What?” Gwyneth asked.
“Last night, when I was cleaning up the auditorium I heard a scream. I tried to follow it, but by the time I got to the theater all I found was a bracelet with Sophie’s name on the back of it,” Anna stood up. “I think something happened to her.”
“Why didn’t you bring this up before?” Gwyneth frowned.
“Because I thought it was just a coincidence,“ Anna’s face softened. “We have to tell Dr. Ward, if she knows that the Warden’s are acting out of line she might be able to stop them.”
“Sorry to break it to you, but the Warden’s are on the CCPD’s payroll- not the headmaster’s. I doubt they give two craps about what she wants,” Eva said.
“What other option do we have then?” Anna asked.
“We have to go and help her ourselves,” Gwyneth said with a serious tone.
“Are you crazy? She’s being hunted down by the Wardens right now, y’know like actual highly trained cops. On top of that, they’re on high alert, if they find us they’ll rip us to shreds,” Eva furrowed her brow.
“Not exactly,” Gwyneth turned towards her. “I’ve heard rumors that because of all the curfew violations yesterday the headmaster is pissed off at all the Wardens. She wants to make sure that not a single student misses it tonight. Me thinks- I think that they won’t head to the auditorium until after curfew. It gives us some time to break in.”
“You really believe those stupid overblown rumors? Give me a break, they’ll have Wardens posted all over the auditorium,” Eva groaned.
Anna walked to the curtains and opened them up. A view of the auditorium bathed in the light of the setting sun appeared with not a single soul in sight.
“Are you sure about that?” Anna said with a tiny jeer.
“Screw you,” Eva looked away and scratched her head.
“We don't have much time," Anna looked at her phone. "Curfews in three hours. If we're going to help Sophie, we should move now."
"You're still going to help?" Gwyneth asked.
"Of course, it doesn't sit well with me to stay still when someone needs help. Besides, who knows what the Wardens will do to her if one of them was ready to strangle us to death," Anna explained.
"Thank you," Gwyneth said quietly
Anna and Gwyneth looked at Eva who thought in silence. After a few moments she spoke.
"I wouldn't go as far as to say that she's in danger, but yeah, the sooner we find her the better," Eva said curtly.
"I really thought you would say no," Gwyneth said with a slightly stunned face.
"Don't act like you know how I think," Eva scoffed.
"Well, we better head out then. Let's go close up the receptionist's booth first," Anna said as she walked out of the dorm.
"Ever the worrywart," Eva grumbled.
. . .
Day began to bleed into night by the time they arrived at the auditorium. The weathered down entrance was chained and locked shut by a simple key lock.
“They locked it,” Anna stated bluntly.
“I guess this really means that Sophie is in here,” Gwyneth said with a worried face.
“Well she won’t be trapped here for long,” Eva said as she took out some of the bobby pins that held up her hair and kneeled beside the floor.
“What are you doing?” Gwyneth asked.
“Picking the lock, duh,” Eva replied as she started unlocking the door and blew some of her loose hair out of her face.
“Where did you learn that?” Anna asked.
“Would you believe me if I said daycare?” Eva turned around with a smirk as the lock clicked open. “We’re in.”
“Follow me,” Anna walked into the auditorium and towards the theater.
The work lights from the day before stood in the exact same spot. Anna turned them on, lighting the auditorium with a musty light. The three walked at a brisk pace while still scanning each room they came across, before turning towards the theater. Anna opened the door and looked at the rows of dimly lit seats.
“The only place I didn’t check yesterday was backstage,” Anna said as she made her way down the stairs and climbed onto the stage.
“This place gives me the creeps,” Eva muttered as she read the scratches on the podium.
Anna walked in between the curtains and into the dark backstage. She turned on her flashlight. Old props and backgrounds littered the floor. Rusting clothing racks filled with forgotten costumes loitered throughout the backstage. A large grandfather clock leaned against boxes stacked up high. The word “John” was painted onto it, it’s time was stuck at 3:13 PM.
“Wow, it's a whole lot of nothing,” Eva said loudly as she leaned against the grandfather clock.
“We at least have to try to look for her,” Anna said as she started searching the mess.
“But, there really is nothing here, Anna,” Gwyneth said sadly.
“We don’t have much time left either,” Eva glanced at her watch. “We should just head back and try again tomorrow before they catch us and we can’t try at all,” She looked at Anna, her long hair fluttering slightly in a soft breeze.
“Yeah... good idea,” Anna said with a slightly dejected tone before turning towards Eva. “What’s wrong with your hair?” Anna asked suddenly.
“What? I was too lazy to tie it back up after picking the lock,” Eva replied dismissively.
“No, why is it moving,” Anna asked again before walking towards the grandfather clock herself.
She felt around it looking for the source of the breeze. Eventually she found a small crack in the wall. Cold air trickled out of it slowly.
“Help me move this thing,” Anna said towards Eva and Gwyneth as she started trying to move the grandfather clock out of the way.
“This is heavy,” Gwyneth panted as she pushed as hard as she could.
“Just push,” Eva commented as she led the clock onto the floor. “Now what?” Eva asked Anna.
Anna picked up a broken off leg of a chair from the floor and smashed it against the crack. The wall crumbed into wet clumps of drywall that revealed the entrance to a tunnel.
“A tunnel?” Anna murmured.
“You are amazing at breaking things, y’know that,” Eva said blankly.
“D-Do you think that Sophie could be in there?” Anxiety lumped in Gwyneth’s voice.
“If this was a horror movie, sure, but to me that just looks like an effing death trap,” Eva shifted uncomfortably.
“We have to check,” Anna took a deep breath before stepping inside.
“Are you crazy?!” Eva grabbed her arm. “We have no idea where that leads, if there’s anything even in there or if there’s even a way out.”
“Where else could she be if the Wardens couldn’t even find her?” Anna tugged her arm away from Eva’s grasp.
“I don’t know, but I’m not gonna risk my life to find out,” Eva crossed her arms.
Anna’s breaths stiffened. She glared at Eva who returned the gesture.
“I-” Anna opened her mouth before being interrupted by the muffled echo of classical music.
“Nocturne op.9 No.2, Sophie’s favorite song. She set it as her ringtone…” Anna and Eva turned to face Gwyneth.
She clutched her phone close to her, she had dialed Sophie’s number while they were arguing.
Eva looked into the tunnel. Its jagged walls seemed like they were cut into the building itself. Drops of a mysterious liquid fell onto the floor with an unnerving pitter-patter. The end of the tunnel remained a mystery as it curved into an unknown depth.
“Still not doing it,” Eva swallowed nervously.
“Fine, you can stay out here. I’m going,” Anna steeled herself as she turned on her flashlight.
“Me too-” Gwyneth said as she took a step forward.
Her voice skipped into a shriek of terror. Anna and Eva turned around to see Caroline holding Gwyneth up by her hair.
“Warden 06 was right, there were some rats in the theater after all,” Caroline leered.
Anna sprinted past Eva and tried to help Gwyneth only to get kicked in the stomach. She fell onto the floor and curled up into a ball as she clutched her burning stomach.
“Let me go!” Gwyneth shrieked and tried to kick herself free.
Caroline swiftly jabbed her in the abdomen before dropping her. Gwyneth gasped as air escaped her lungs.
“And you?” Caroline turned towards Eva, her eyes glowing an ethereal dark green.
Eva looked at Anna and Gwyneth whimpering on the floor. Her face hardened.
“They didn’t deserve that,” Eva grit her teeth as she raised her fists.
“Hmm,” Caroline stepped over the two and towards Eva with her hands behind her back. “But Miss Sophie did?”
“Don’t act like you know everything, you crap shoveling pig!” Eva yelled as she jabbed at Caroline.
Caroline caught her first and pulled her close before headbutting her. The strength of the blow forced Eva onto her knees.
“Oh, Eva,” Caroline said in a condescending tone and got closer to her. “We know everything,” She whispered.
Caroline pulled back her fist. Eva sluggishly looked upwards, unable to move. She closed her eyes as Caroline swung at her face.
"You’re not hurting her anymore," Anna's shaky voice said.
Eva opened her eyes to see Anna holding Caroline's shoulder back to stop her from punching her.
"How persistent," Caroline said in an unamused tone as she elbowed Anna in her side.
To her surprise Anna didn't budge.
"You have no idea," Anna grunted as she stomped on the back of Caroline's knee.
Caroline hollorred in pain as she crumbled onto her knees.
"Take Gwyneth into the tunnel!" Anna screamed, struggling to hold Caroline down.
Eva looked at Anna stunned at how much she was fighting back. She groggily stood onto her feet.
"Hurry up and go!" Anna yelled again.
Eva's face burned into a furious frown. She closed her fist and grit her teeth before punching Caroline’s face with the full force of her body.
"Don't tell me what to do!" Eva roared as her fist collided with Caroline.
Anna let go of Caroline with barely enough time to evade the blow. Caroline held her bloodied nose as she struggled to move.
"Come on, Goldilocks," Eva said as she leaned Gwyneth on her shoulder.
Anna quickly grabbed Gwyneth's other shoulder. The two limped into the tunnel as fast as they could. Waves of frigid air poured out of the cracks of the tunnel as it curved deeper and deeper into darkness. The ground under their feet morphed from concrete to something squishy and wet. A sense of dread creeped down Anna's neck as the air became thinner. Sophie's ringtone distorted and echoed into noise before suddenly extinguishing into a deafening silence.
"Eva, can you see anything?" Anna asked loudly, her voice reverberating in her ears.
"I can't see shi-" Eva yelled in reply before suddenly screaming out of panic.
Anna felt the ground underneath her crumble into nothing. Her screams echoed endlessly as she plunged into absolute darkness.
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