#└ — time moves on while you fade away but i'll make it through ( commentary. )

[quirkrewound]

is almost midnight much too late for eating scooby snacks? probably, but that's all she has right now ( unfortunate )-- at least she seems happy for once, though. "i'm gonna help solve mysteries so good."

#└ — time moves on while you fade away but i'll make it through ( commentary. ) #yeets this into the void and screams into the abyss as i go

[lynnesgalaxy]

Time to continue this! Their arrival to mainland is a bit of a messy one, hiding from everyone, trying to get their lives back on track... Emilette is no different, trying to adjust to the changes she knows she has to make.

Post-Snaktooth:

Going Home

Previous - First - Next

—

Everyone was hopeful. Despite what they had all gone through, now that the airship had safely arrived at the mainland, everyone was wearing big—although tired—smiles. And understandably so, since despite what her head had told her during those terrifying moments just barely hours ago, everyone had managed to stay in one piece.

While she had been participating here and there with the group, adding in her own commentaries as everyone did their best to conceal their snakified bodies, her eyes were heavy, and soon after everyone was ready she found herself simply listening in silence. When the journalist handed her a piece of the balloon's remains, all she could do was grunt in response as she covered herself with the cloth. The battle from before had taken a toll on her, not being used to moving around so much, but she knew she still had to keep herself awake. At least, until everyone was home…

Her eyes shifted from grumpus to grumpus. Everyone had a place to call home, right? Wambus and Triffany had mentioned the old house they used to live in and how it should still be in good condition; Filbo mentioned something about staying with the journalist; Shelda mentioned her family waiting for her; Snorpy and Chandlo still had enough to afford rent; Floofty, Creetus…

While Wiggle had offered to the few that didn’t have a place of their own to stay for a while at her mansion, Emilette had shied away from the opportunity. It wasn’t as if she didn’t want to accept, especially considering how luxurious it sounded, but… she couldn’t bring herself to. After all she had done to hurt everyone, she couldn’t make them put up with her on a daily basis until who-knew-when.

So, as the gentle sound of the waves faded away and the chattering of the other excited grumpuses filling her ears threatened to lull her to sleep as they walked together, she let her own mind drift away. She never had plans to come back to the mainland; the prospect of leaving everything behind forever had been far too tempting to put too much thought into it at the time. Of course she regretted it now, but what else could she do? The damage was already done, and now reality had once again come back to hit her where it hurt the most: in the end, she was all by herself. Alone.

It took her a moment to realize the group had stopped moving, and goodbyes and see-you-soons were being exchanged. She shook her head in an attempt to keep herself awake enough to respond, and watched the first members of the group leave. Then a few others. Then others.

By the time the limousine arrived, only Wiggle’s group was left. The tall, orange grumpus approached her with a concerned frown, “Darling, are you sure you don’t want to come with us? There’s plenty of space to share.”

Beffica was barely a few steps behind, catching up to the conversation with ease, "Yeah, you're missing out. Wiggle said she has this huge pool and I'm dying to chill there till I'm all wrinkly. You should totes come with."

Emilette waved a paw dismissively, her smile betraying the sick feeling in her chest, “I’ll be fine. You guys have fun, I’m sure Gramble’ll love the ducks or whatever you said you have. And Cromdo’ll be thrilled living the rich life. I'll just…" she gestured to the cloth she was holding around her, "I'll raid that pool once I'm all done dealing with this.”

Wiggle smiled back at her, amused, “Swans, dear, not ducks. But alright, suit yourself. You know where to find me if you need where to go.”

Beffica didn't seem as convinced, frowning instead. "Hey. Keep in touch."

"Y-Yeah…" Emilette replied, unsure on how to react to her concerned expression. Whatever jumped inside her stomach in that moment, she made sure to bury it as deep and quickly as she could. Grump, they had to leave soon before she couldn’t hold herself back anymore.

Cromdo was already in the limousine, admiring the details on the inside, while Gramble stood quietly, waiting for Wiggle. After a quick nod at her, Wiggle turned away and got into the car with him. Beffica took one last glance at her before waving a paw and getting inside with the group.

Emilette watched in silence as the vehicle left, letting her tired smile finally drop to her usual frown. The weight on her chest only increased. Was she truly doing the right thing? She didn’t know the first thing about being a good person, but this was for the others’ sake, right? Even if that ended up putting her directly on the streets.

Maybe she could get in contact with her parents. She could try to find a phone… although remembering their number was another story, not to mention if it was still working at all, or if they cared to pick up. But the situation was desperate enough to try-

“Hey.”

Emilette nearly jumped out of her skin. “Grump- Dude!” She put a paw on her chest, glaring at the source of that trembling voice she recognized well, “You gotta stop doing that.”

Frankley scratched their chin with an apologetic smile, “Sorry. It’s just...” They looked away for a moment, looking for the right words, “Do you... really have somewhere to stay?”

She blinked at them. “Yes- No- I mean-” she clicked her teeth together. “I’ll figure it out.”

Frankley frowned, letting a few moments pass. After realizing Emilette wasn’t going to say anything else, they spoke again. “Why did you tell Wiggle no if you have nowhere to go?”

Emilette huffed, then stopped herself. Instead, she took a deep breath. She had to control her temper, wasn’t that part of the issue? “I… don’t know. I don’t want to be a bother, I guess.”

“But she… offered. And she didn't seem to mind.”

"Please," she rolled her eyes, "she didn't mind because she was already inviting the others in. She had to invite me out of courtesy, too. Or pity, at least."

Frankley looked down the road where the car had gone, pondering, "She and Beffica... really seemed concerned for you-"

“Shit- Listen,” she gestured around her, “I’ve hurt you all enough already, okay? They don’t have to put up with me just because I’m homeless now. That's why I said no, get it now?"

Frankley opened their mouth to reply, but quickly closed it when she continued, now glaring at them. "Why are you here anyway? Why didn’t you take her offer either?”

This time, however, Frankley didn’t miss a beat to reply, “I have a place to rent.”

Emilette's glare dropped, instead now simply replaced by disbelief, “...You do?”

They shrugged, “I always had it just in case, as a backup if I ever had to leave the island. I mentioned it earlier, remember?”

“Oh- Right. Sure, yeah, I remember.” The small grumpus mumbled. She vaguely recalled the conversations from earlier, but could only remember the details of a few in her groggy state. She had no idea Frankley had even spoken at the time, so it came as news for her. From seeing them desperately clinging onto that snak back at the island or following every single word anyone said, they had always seemed the more impulsive kind in her mind, so them having a plan in case of something unexpected was… surprising. Then again, she had never truly bothered to get to know them before.

They noted how she had once again fallen silent. Her eye bags were understandably heavier than usual, but they couldn't help but feel the deepness in which they truly went. It wasn't just the trip that had her this exhausted.

"What if…" Frankley mulled over their words, "What if you stay at my place for a few days?"

"What?!" Emilette snapped out of her thoughts almost immediately.

"I-I mean- just for a bit, until you can get back up on your feet!" They waved their paws, taking a step back at her outburst.

"No- No, no, no, no." She pointed at them. "You of all grumpuses don't get to be nice to me after all the shit I put you through. No."

"But you apologized to me..." Frankley replied.

"That- That still doesn't make it okay! Dude! I just-" she gritted her teeth, "That was exactly my point! You can't just act like nothing happened after what I did! You think I would've been able to say that if I hadn't been drunk?! Don't pretend you like me because I said sorry once. I'm garbage, you can't just let that go for one weakass apology."

"I-" Frankley gulped, "I never said I liked you." they replied.

That was enough to shut her right back up. She stared at them. After everything they'd told her back at the island, she expected as much, but hearing them say that outloud still made something awful stir inside. 

"But just because I don't like you doesn't mean I'll leave you to die out there." The yellow grumpus continued. While their voice still trembled, they looked at her with conviction.

Emilette looked away from them, grumbling under her breath. 

"I-It's my choice, okay?" Frankley continued once again. "I know how it is to have almost nothing, and I don't want someone I know going through it too. A-and you already rejected your only other option, so…"

Curse them and their kindness. Curse her prickling eyes, threatening to blur her gaze. "Ugh, I should've taken it."

Frankley scratched their chin, "...Yeah."

She didn't look at them again, instead nodding with a small hum, but that was enough response for them. They gave her a small smile. "It's this way," they began walking down the street.

Emilette looked at them for a moment, moving further away with each light step. They were still too naive. Too sweet. Too trusting. Too nice. They were an idiot to offer her a chance when she hadn't done anything to deserve it. But the first signs of a headache were forming due to her exhaustion, and the weight of her own sleepy body was threatening to throw her against the floor at any moment… she wasn't in condition to say no again.

She caught up with them, her gaze refusing to leave the ground. She rubbed her arm, noticing its shape was almost back to normal under her clothing. After a few moments walking side by side in complete silence, she mumbled in the lowest voice she could muster, "Thank you."

Frankley looked down at her, tilting their head. "What was that?"

"Fuck you." Emilette corrected herself out loud, not bothering to look up.

The tall grumpus frowned, disappointed, but stayed silent. The next few days with her around were definitely going to be a challenge.

#bugsnax #grumpus oc #grumpus #bugsnax oc #beffica #wiggle #emilette #cromdo #i wrote this back in august and just NOW drew the scene for it whoops #i got motivated after finishing the next written piece for this. which you know. i have to draw for hahaa #it's fun to do these. written bits with an illustration #this is an art tag #also lots of parts got hidden because of the effects and whatnot but I wanted to show bits on how de-snakification worked #it's a far slower process than snakification itself. the paws slowly morph back to their original shape #fur starts appearing among the food. must be a gross sensation #some remains stay until after the limbs look normal too. like smell or texture #i'll actually point that out a little bt in the next part #but yEAH just. thinking about how the process works is fun. de-snakification has got to be a slower process #as the body's trying to get rid of the parasite. it grabs onto it quickly but the same cannot be said for the other side #ALSO HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!! for some it's already the new year and for others it's in a few hours #have a great one!!!!!

[sebstanseabass]

Afterglow (A Bucky Barnes AU fan fiction) - Chapter 16

Afterglow chapters

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The sun glared through the thin sheet of the tent, making your listless self stir beneath the blankets draped over your naked body. Cautious not to wake Bucky, who had his arms wrapped around you, you carefully buried your face deeper in his neck but he wasn't that much of a deep sleeper as you thought he would be.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." He said, pulling you closer.

"G'morning." You replied, smiling against his skin. "Have you been awake this whole time?"

"Yes. I didn't want to wake you. You looked so peaceful sleeping."

"Someone tired me out last night."

Bucky chuckled, sending a low vibration on top of your head. "Hmm, how was he?"

"He's pretty good in bed." You chuckled. "But pretty creepy when he refers to himself in the third person."

You stayed right there for another hour — in each other's embrace, in heat, in thin sheets, in profound silence, still taking pleasure in the afterglow of what had transpired last night: the intimacy in each other's skin, of each other's mouths, of each other's everything. A kind of intimacy you never dared share with anyone, not even with your serious ex-boyfriend.

Before the both of you got up and headed down the fire escape and then to the apartment, you had looked at him one last time and asked yourself the same question you had asked Bucky the first time you were here on the rooftop:

"Have you ever felt that kind of feeling?" You asked.

"What feeling?"

"The afterglow feeling."

Was this the kind of afterglow you sought after?

You shook your head, suddenly feeling ridiculous. Perhaps it was the sex; just that. The most amazing, mindblowing sex I ever had in my life, you thought. The more you described it that way while descending down the stairs and entering the apartment through the window (while wearing Bucky's shirt which looked huge on you, by the way), the more you believed it was just because of that. Besides, it was something that had given you sweet, sweet pleasure, something that made me feel like you were high on drugs, something that made you feel alive, something that made you feel things you didn't even know you could — the after of it all, of course, was worth so much more.

You both went straight to the bathroom to wash your faces and brush your teeth as soon as you got in. Of course, you took way more time than he did. He soon went to the kitchen to prep breakfast. You approached him afterwards, his bare back exposed to you while cracking some eggs into a bowl.

Without any hesitation at all, you wrapped your arms around his waist, resting your head on his back. You caught a whiff of his scent, even though he reeked of sex, the vanilla-lavender hint never faded.

"Whatcha cookin', good-lookin'?" You asked, taking a peek on the table.

"I was thinking of making you Japanese omelettes today." He stopped whipping for a second to face you. He placed a finger on your chin, tilting it upwards, and proceeded to kiss me.

"Have I told you you have the softest lips?" He whispered after.

"Yes, you did." You laughed, wrapping your arms around his neck. "And you kept reminding me last night."

"Good. You should be reminded of all the beautiful things you possess." He rested his hands on your hips. You wanted to shy away from the mention of the word beautiful but you didn't.

You have always received compliments, yes, but you never learned how to respond to them unless they tell you how to: "Oh for god's sake, just say thank you." Most people compliment you just because they have to, because social convention dictates them to (especially when you're at a party). Some, perhaps only five percent, genuinely compliment you.

But the spontaneity of last night — all the compliments Bucky kept giving you, all the "beautiful" being said over and over and over, were playing in your head like a broken record. Even after he saw all the folds, the rolls, stretch marks, scars, and acne marks.

It wasn't just that. He admired every single one of your photos down at the bar, photos you worked hard for, photos people kept neglecting. He talked about them like how you imagined someone actually talking about them. He talked to you about the beauty of art like how you wanted to talk to someone about it (Weirdly so, you picked friends you had nothing in common with: Nat just wanted to gossip, Steve preferred to be mysterious, Peter was all about business, Wanda was the one person you could talk to about these but you chose not to anymore, and Nick... was just Nick). It was like reading each other's minds.

You treated each as a compliment.

The five percent you were talking about? Bucky was it.

He pulled you out of your thoughts by sliding his hands to your ass, squeezing the cheeks for a bit, then placing them on the back of your thighs. You smiled then jumped, wrapping your legs around his waist. He placed you on top of the counter next to all the ingredients he had prepared.

He grabbed your face and continued to make-out, leaving the eggs on the bowl raw and unwhisked.

"You should," you said in between kisses, "go back to cooking. I'm starving."

"Y'know, you could just eat me."

"Sorry, I want cooked eggs."

He pulled away from, yet his hands stayed on your waist. With a cute pout on his face, he said: "Mean."

You broke into laughter after that and you watched him cook this Japanese omelette he kept talking about.

"I would make you the most amazing Japanese omelette — and the most complicated one, by the way. It took me months to perfect that — but I'm too lazy to prepare the rice." He chuckled, grabbing an apron. "So, I'm just going to make you the normal one. It's called Tamagoyaki."

"Hmm, interesting." You commented. "I just do mine sunny-side up. Crack an egg on a pan. That's it. It's an underrated hack, really."

He laughed. "It's a good thing I'm here then." He proceeded to heat the pan, and throw some butter on it once the heat was good enough.

"You told me you only know how to cook breakfast, right? Why is that?"

"The same reason why you cook your eggs sunny-side up."

"It's easy?"

"Not just easy." He replied. "It's the easiest of all meals! Toast, eggs, bagels, bacon — see, they're pretty easy."

You frowned, tilting your head. "You know, most times, you say the most profound things but you do say the weirdest, silliest things sometimes."

It was like two people were fighting against each other inside him: the child, and the man.

He laughed at your comment and said nothing further as he concentrated on cooking. You watched him move around the kitchen as the minutes passed by. And while you talked about the small things in life, you couldn't help but wonder how this Bucky, standing right in front of you, kissing you, holding you, was much more different — way more different than the Bucky you knew in Peter's stories.

The thing you liked about it though, was that both versions excited you. You longed for spontaneous adventures, ones that you’d keep forever, ones that would remind you of the days of your youth, ones you too stuck up to do, and you longed for conversations like this, and the ones you and Bucky have had before, conversations that made you see more of life's beauty and appreciate it.

That same afternoon, you spent it lying down on a couch in each other's arms, watching a movie he guilted you into watching: Roman Holiday. You made side commentaries while you watched, how lame the lines were, how cheesy they all sounded, but at the same time, amazed at how things have changed since then.

"Ugh, I love me a vespa." You said, watching the vespa speed away on the streets. "I would just love to ride around New York city in a vespa and just pull off some Roman Holiday in this bitch."

"I have to admit, that does look fun."

And somewhere halfway through the film, when Bucky was making small circles with his finger on your waist (igniting fire within you, and at the same time, making you weak on your knees), you ended up making out, grabbing and touching each other beneath your clothes, and taking them all off, sending them flying all over the living room floor, and repeating what you did last night — except it was in broad daylight and Bucky dominated over you, over and over and over, flesh on flesh. You kept screaming each other's names. He kept fucking you into oblivion, taming the mad woman in you.

You laid there on your back, pulling down his neck with your right hand, making your foreheads touch, locking your eyes together, telling him to go "faster, deeper", digging deep and scratching into his back with your nails, making him hiss out your name, and at the same time, crying out his name repeatedly like a chant, making you forget your own.

You felt the droplets of his sweat on your skin, mixed with your own. You watched him ravish you, watched the pleasure consume him wholly, and watched his eyes roll back as he came inside.

"I really can't get enough of you, babydoll." He growled, and kissed you one last time before you showered and headed down to work.

-

"You look different." Nat observed, sitting on one of the high stools across you. "Did you do something with your face?"

"No, I didn't." You grimaced, shaking your head.

"Then, why are you glowing?"

"Quit staring."

She chose not to listen to you and kept on following you with her eyes as you moved around the counter. "Oh my god, I know what it is — "

"Goddamn it, Nat — "

" — you had sex!"

She cackled, gesturing you towards the booth with a sharp tone: "Booth. Now."

You followed suit. It was crystal clear in that moment that you had no other choice, that she held the upper hand in this friendship. You were starting to think that perhaps this friendship you were pursuing with Nat was a mistake as she kept on berating you about the information she just acquired.

"There's no way in hell I'm telling you all about it." You huffed, sitting across from her.

"I'll tell you one thing, though," she said, "I'm a fucking prophet."

"Don't be such a smug bitch." You rolled your eyes. "No one likes a smug bitch."

"What did I tell you about this Bucky thing, huh?" She smirked, ignoring you. Again. "Come on, spill the beans! I wanna hear everything!"

You shook your head unamused. "Nope. No way."

She groaned. "Please? Nothing exciting is ever happening in this bar but now I have this! You!"

"How about you and Steve humping each other like bunnies?" You bit your inner cheeks to prevent your lips from smiling. "That's gotta be exciting."

"Let's not talk about me and Steve."

"So, it's okay if we talk about my sex life but not yours?"

"Exactly."

You frowned. "You're a weird friend."

"No." She leaned in. "I'm a miracle-worker that happens to be your new best friend, by the way — "

"Parker's my best friend — "

" — and you should at least thank me. I am more than welcome, by the way."

"Nat, if you don't stop I swear to God I'm gonna out you and Steve to the whole ass bar." You groaned, knocking your forehead against the table. Coincidentally, you could actually out them of the closet knowing they were actually doing it in one of the closets here in the bar (yes, you found a condom wrapper lying around one time. Knowing what had transpired in that small space, believe you me, you sprinted the fuck out of there).

"Ugh fine, fine." She said, making you stop banging your head and forcing you to look at her. "Just tell me this... Was it good?"

You rolled your eyes. "Fine, yes, it was good."

"Just good?"

You sighed in defeat, leaning back on the cushioned backrest of the booth. "It was the best I ever had." Nat bit her lip, hiding a squeal. "There. Ya happy?"

"Now, I'm curious! Please, y/n, you have to tell me. I gots to know! Okay, tell me, how big was he?"

"What?! No, I'm not gonna tell you that."

"Come on, I'll trade you Steve's."

"Ew, Nat! Gross!" You cringed. "I don't wanna know that!"

Then, she proceeded to move her hands in the opposite direction slowly, "tell me when to stop." You shook your head and just watched her in plain amusement as she continued to do it. Her jaw dropped. "Oh my god, this big? Seriously?"

"I'm not telling you anything."

"Come on, you told me about the time you kissed!"

"That's different." You scoffed. "This one's... intimate."

"Ooohhh, intimate. Well, I've never heard anyone describe sex that way."

"It was just different, okay? Good different." You replied. "And that's all I'm telling you."

She heaved a sigh, finally accepting the fact that you won't go anywhere past what you just told her. "Okay, at least you gave me something. Do you mind if I ask you something real, though? I swear this is the last time. It's not about sex, I promise."

Convinced, you nodded. "Go ahead."

"So, are you guys dating now? Or is it just, ya know, fooling around?"

You sat there, undoubtedly floored by the question. You had never even given it a thought. It never crossed your mind until Nat just made you realize the consequences of yesterday, last night and this afternoon, the inevitable. Were you dating? Will you ever talk about it? Is he even considering it? Or will you just continue to have sex without ever talking about dating?

"I, uh, I don't know. We didn't talk about it."

"Well, clearly there's gotta be something, right? That it's not just fooling around. I mean you said it was intimate, that it was good different — whatever that means." said Nat. "There's gotta be something deep?"

You looked at Natasha with astonishment, baffled by the things coming out of her mouth. Apparently,you were still on cloud nine to think about any kind of repercussion, to think about what could happen next to afterglow.

"I guess?"

"Do you like him?"

"Clearly, I do."

Unlike Nat, you were stunned by your answer. You answered that question faster than the speed of light.

She smirked at you in response. "You are so gonna fall in love."

"Shut your hole, Nat."

The door flew open suddenly, revealing Bucky and Sam, which got you up your feet. Instinctively and ignoring Nat, you approached him halfway and greeted him with a kiss which he gladly reciprocated, all the things you and Nat just talked about disappearing into this sweet, sweet kiss.

"Hey you." You breathed after pulling away from his lips.

"Hey, babydoll."

"Oh hey, Sam."

"Hey, babydoll." Sam mocked, a smirk playing on his lips. "That's a cute name. What is that? French?"

Bucky smacked his friend on the stomach, making Sam groan and glare at him. "So, it's not French?"

"Sam." Bucky warned which Sam only found funny.

Bucky kept his hand on your waist as you approached the booth, with Sam behind us. Nat, who was still sitting on the booth, cocked her head on the side and eyed Bucky up and down. "Bucky, Sam... This is Nat from the night before." You introduced them to each other before you made them sit in the booth.

"Do you boys want anything to drink?" Nat asked.

"We'll have scotch." Bucky replied, giving Nat a friendly smile. "On the rocks."

"Actually, I don't know how to make drinks, I just asked to be nice."

You rolled your eyes at Nat, laughing lightly. "Don't worry, I got them." You approached the counter and prepared the drinks while Nat followed your trail.

"Babydoll?" She asked. "Steve doesn't even have a nickname for me."

"Okay, I have to ask this since you already did it to me anyway." You said, pouring scotch on the glasses. "Are you and Steve dating? Or is it just, like you said, fooling around?"

"We're friends... with benefits."

"So, just fooling around then?" You asked.

"Yeah, you can put it that way."

"Aren't you worried he might want something more than that? Like a relationship? He does seem like a man who wants to settle, y'know."

"Aren't you worried your new boy toy might want something like that too?"

You fell silent just as you were about to finish the drinks. You weren't worried about that, no. You were worried about you, wanting something more, something you haven't had in a long time, something Bucky hasn't had.

"The chances of me and Steve getting even serious are very slim." She whispered. "But you and Bucky? Now, that's a big fat chance. It doesn't even matter how long you guys have known each other. If there's chemistry, then you can't do anything about it, and the way you described your whole thing with him? Babydoll," she smirked, proud of herself, "if that's not chemistry then I don't know what is."

"As far as I can remember, you're the one who told me to just 'go where the river takes you' and now you're confusing me with these things!" You hissed, looking over at the booth and making sure Bucky won't hear your little banter.

She rolled her eyes at you. "Okay, okay, okay... Allow me to paint you a picture, y/n."

"Paint me a picture — ?"

"Do you know where the river takes you? A waterfall." Nat cut youoff. "Now, right now, you're still on a boat, just gliding through the river, going where the flow takes you. Then some time now, you're gonna hit a fast stream until boom, waterfalls, and when you reach the top of the falls, inevitably, you're gonna fall... fall in love, that is, with the hunky rich man over there. See? Painting a picture. I can be smart too."

You kept Nat's words in the back of your mind until you gave Bucky and Sam their drinks, saving them for later. Nat had to go out for a while to smoke outside, leaving you, Sam and Bucky in the booth, discussing the project you had with Sam's line, updating you with all the dates and details. Seeing as you'll soon be leaving the bar by the end of the week, you offered to start first thing next week.

"But I could actually give you a little pitch presentation just before we start shooting," you added, "idea decks we can work with, like styles, and some mood boards that fit your whole apparel aesthetic. But first, I need to know your brand bible, like your target audience, the tone of your business — stuff like that — just so I can prepare for the presentation."

"Wow, you know a lot about the business industry." Sam replied, amused.

"I used to major in business and finance." You sighed. "It does come in handy with my photography."

Under the table, Bucky reached for your hand, interlacing your fingers together and squeezing your hand three times which elicited a smile.

"Oh, I can give you a tour!" Sam enthusiastically said. "We can go to the office and to some of the stores; maybe the one in Fifth Street. We've actually received the shipment for the new designs. We could discuss everything then. How does tomorrow sound? Bucky can come with ya."

"Tomorrow works, yes! Tomorrow's perfect." You agreed.

You broke out in a smile, leaning on Bucky's side who was more than glad to see you discussing with Sam about the project, squeezing you hand once more, three times.

"Then, it's settled!" Sam boomed. "Now, where's the toilet? I think I got a little too excited."

You threw you head back, laughing. "Right down the hall over there." You pointed.

As soon as Sam was gone, Bucky turned towards you and held your face with his hands, planting a soft kiss on your lips. "You sound so hot talking like that."

You chuckled, sliding closer towards him, your thighs brushing past each other. "You and your weird mind, Bucky I swear to God."

With his lips pressed on yours, you didn't even notice the door open, didn't even notice Steve walk in. You pulled away, hearing Steve clearing his throat. With your hands still on Bucky, you turned towards Steve, who was clearly entertained, and sent him a huge smile.

"H-hey, Rogers." You chuckled nervously. "You remember Bucky."

"Mr. Barnes." Steve nodded at Bucky.

"Mr. Rogers."

You frowned at their formal exchange. "Bucky's actually here with his friend, Sam Wilson. I'm starting a project with him for his business that'll start next week. We were just, uh, discussing the details."

"In his mouth?" Steve smirked.

"Steve." You hissed. "Not cool, man."

"So, where's this Sam Wilson?" Steve asked, looking to his right.

"On your left."

Steve turned around on his left at Sam's voice. Both men stared at each other for a while before introducing each other and shaking each other's hands. Weirded out, you turned to Bucky and asked if they knew each other, if the three of them knew each other (as you now remembered that time when Bucky and Steve met here in the bar).

Bucky shook his head no. "Maybe he's just one of those familiar faces you see on the street." He whispered, but as Steve went straight to his office, and as Sam got back in the booth, a weird tension surfaced that was cut off by Nat entering the bar, together with some customers who were more than happy to be the first ones here.

"That's my cue." You sighed, standing up and letting go of Bucky's hands before going to the counter and greeting the customers.

You felt your phone vibrate against your back pocket after a few seconds. You opened it, and on the screen was a message from Peter:

Sorry couldn't get to you sooner. Lost my charger on the way to the cabin! Schmidt didn't want me to borrow his until I did everything he told me to. Everything's great! I'll send you pictures when I can.

Hope Bucky's taking good care of you. Miss you, y/n. I'll see you in a few days!

Your fingers hovered on the screen as you glanced at Bucky who caught your eyes. He winked at you while taking a sip from his drink and licked his lip afterwards, eyeing you up and down.

Tell Schimdt I'll beat his ass when he comes back. See you in a few days, Parker!

A series of what happened between you and Bucky flashed in your mind, making you bite your lip.

And don't worry, Bucky's taking good care of me.

... such good care.

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes fan fiction #bucky fan fiction #bucky fafiction #bucky barnes au #bucky au #bucky x y/n #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes x you #bucky x you #bucky barnes story #bucky barnes fic #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky x reader #bucky fic #bucky fanfic #james bucky barnes

[jjmaybanksbaby]

Where It Leads (Rafe Cameron)

Summer II

Part 03: Been A While

series masterlist | previous part

summary: Your second summer in the Outer Banks becomes a whole lot more complicated when you realize a year away from Rafe hasn't changed your feelings for him at all.

a/n: And we're back with summer two - the summer before sophomore year whoop whoop! Writing this gave me butterflies so I hope you have the same feeling reading it! I always love hearing y’all’s commentary so don't be shy to scream about your favorite parts back at me.

word count: 2.5k words

Your mom reached over and tapped you gently on the arm.

"Put your phone away please, y/n. You can text Evan when we land."

"We're not even moving yet." You replied.

As if on cue, the pilot's voice echoed over the intercom. "Good morning passengers. This is your captain speaking. Welcome onboard Flight 4B7 with service from Portland to the Outer Banks. We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage..."

You stashed your phone in the pocket of the seat in front of you and closed your eyes, hoping that by the time you woke up you would be landing.

After the way last summer had gone, you were surprised when your mom announced that you were spending the summer in the Outer Banks again.

Frankly, you weren't that happy to be headed to North Carolina. Alice and Kensie, your two best friends back home, had opted not to go to camp this summer so the three of you had planned to spend every day at Alice's pool, biking to the Dairy Queen a few blocks away or begging of your moms to drive you to the mall.

Plus, there was Evan. Your boyfriend of six months. You'd both been cast as the understudies for the leads in the fall musical. Because of some freak food-poisoning accident, both you and Evan had to go on as Cinderella and Prince Charming in the final show. When he kissed you under the bright stage lights, it had felt like more than just a stage kiss. He'd asked you out at the cast party later than night and you'd been dating ever since.

Evan was great. He really was. He was thoughtful and cared about you. But ever since your mom had bought the plane tickets to the Outer Banks back in March, every time you kissed Evan you could only think of Rafe Cameron.

☼☼☼

You trailed behind your mother on the way to baggage claim, bent over your phone responding to the texts Alice and Kensie had sent in the group chat while you'd been in the air. Apparently, they'd bumped into Kensie's crush and need to analyze every detail. A feeling of jealously you hadn't anticipated crept into your chest, weighing you down. Even indoors, the muggy heat of the Outer Banks made it clear how far from Oregan - and from your people - you were.

You looked around the airport, searching for the baggage claim with your flight number and noticed an incredibly familiar head of blonde head of hair standing nearby.

"Sarah Cameron?" You asked.

Sarah spun around a joyful smile on her face. "Oh my god! Y/n!" She ran over, wrapping you in a hug. "Are you back for the summer?"

You nodded your head which elicited another excited scream from her.

"What are you doing at the airport?" You asked her.

"You'll never guess! We're getting a house in the Bahamas!" She gushed.

"Sarah!" A deep voice called. You looked up to see another older-looking version of Rafe headed in your direction.

Your mom froze beside you. "Oh dear," she whispered.

The man's gaze didn't leave your mom. "Heather," he said.

"Ward," she responded.

Oh, you thought. So that's Rafe's dad.

"It's good to see you," your mom continued. "You look," she paused for moment, "good."

"You as well," Ward responded.

The carousel behind you started to move and luggage streamed out.

"That's us," your mom said, pointing over to the moving carousel. "We should go."

"I'll tell Rafe you're back," Sarah whispered to you. "He's gonna be so excited."

You smiled down at her knowing that you'd already made a vow to yourself to avoid him all summer. You refused to let Rafe ruin what you and Evan had and the only way you could guarantee that was making sure you didn't see him at all.

☼☼☼

Sarah bounded in the front door of the Cameron's house. "We're home" she called out, her sing-songy voice echoing through the big house. Ward entered after her, carrying their luggage.

"Welcome home," Rose said, greeting Ward at the door with a kiss.

Sarah rolled her eyes at the exchange. It wasn't that she actively hated her step-mom, she would just have rather her dad not married her. Though he was buying her a house in the Bahamas as an anniversary present so maybe she wasn't all bad.

"Is Rafe upstairs?" Sarah asked.

"I think so," Rose replied.

Sarah ran up the stairs, skipping every other one, the way Ward always told her not to do. She came to a sudden stop in front of Rafe's closed door.

"Rafeeeeee," she yelled, knocking rapidly until his voice bellowed back at her through the wall.

"What do you want Sarah? Go away!" He yelled.

"Fine," Sarah said. "I guess you don't care that y/n is back in town then?"

The door swung open just a few seconds later. “What did you say?” Rafe asked.

“Y/n was at the airport. She’s back in the Outer Banks for the summer.” Sarah turned on her heel and sashayed her way to her own bedroom leaving Rafe in his doorway to process the information.

Maybe this summer will be a whole less boring, Rafe thought.

☼☼☼

The summer was going exactly how you'd expected. It was surprisingly nice to have your younger brother to keep you company and more importantly, keep you busy. You spend your days either on the beach, tanning, watching your brother splash in the waves, and making your way through the reading list of the Honors English class you had opted to take next year or at the Club's pool, eating chicken tenders for lunch and washing them down with the thick chocolate milkshakes.

Rafe's friends frequently made an appearance at the Club. You watched them sneak vodka from flaskes into cups of spirit from being your shaded sunglasses. So far, Rafe had yet to join them.

Currently, Phoebe was flirting hardcore with Sawyer, begging him to put sunscreen on her back so she wouldn't burn. It was all too predictable.

You turned your attention back to Nick Carraway and his descriptions of Gatsby's grand parties momentarily.

You heard Sarah's voice before she appeared next to you and plopped down on the chair your brother had been occupying before he decided he needed more ketchup for his fries and had ran off.

"Y/n," she started with the same youthful energy she always talked with, "has Rafe invited you to our Fourth of July party yet?"

"Umm," you hesitated. "No, he hasn't said anything about it."

"Ugh," Sarah threw her head back in a dramatic motion. "I told him to text you about it. He's useless. Anyway, we throw a huge party for the Fourth every year and you have to come. There are fireworks and everything..."

Sarah's monologue faded to the background as you looked up and noticed Rafe standing at the top of the steps that lead down the pool. Your stomach flopped in the same way it always did when you saw him.

Rafe started walking down the steps and a small panic set in. His own eyes wandered across the pool deck and it was only time before he recognized you. You shifted your body slightly, trying to use Sarah to block yourself from his view.

You turned your attention back to his younger sister, afraid that you'd accidentally make eye contact with Rafe.

Crap, crap crap, you repeated in your head. Rafe was for sure heading in your direction. Even as you forced yourself to focus on Sarah, you couldn't stop yourself from watching Rafe out of the corner of your eye and he was walking straight toward you. Your 'avoid-Rafe-all-summer' plan was going to be impossible now. With every step he took, you could feel your heart beating faster. It felt just like last summer.

Rafe stopped in front of the chair Sarah was sitting in and you couldn't stop yourself from looking up at him, a smile threaten to slide onto your face. The same warm but dangerous feeling you only got when Rafe was around took ahold of you.

"Sarah," he said, cutting her off mid-sentence. "Ward's looking for you."

She jumped up with a sudden spurt of energy, "Okay, I'll go find him!" She leaned down engulfing you in another hug. "See you around y/n." She said before running off.

"Bye Sarah." You replied.

"You know, you're like my sister's favorite person," Rafe said, still standing above you. "She mentioned you were in-town for the summer..." He let his sentence trail off.

But I hadn't seen you around. You finished for him in your head.

"Yeah, we got in about a week ago." You said. The tension that hung in the air between the two of you was exactly the reason you were trying to avoid him. The last time you had seen him he'd kissed you in a way you hadn't been able to get out your head for months afterward. It was a dangerous game. Nonetheless, here he was standing in front of you and you were barely holding it together.

Your phone began to ring and the photo of Evan kissing your check from homecoming popped up with the caller id. Rafe's eyes glanced over it and an unreadable expression crossed his face.

Right, it was 4 o'clock on Wednesday. The time and day you and Evan had decided you would call each other every week.

"Uhh, I gotta get this." You said to Rafe, reaching over and picking up the phone.

"Yeah, okay. See you later y/n." He replied before walking away from you and to his friends.

Your eyes followed him all the way even as you clicked answered and Evan's voice filled your ear.

☼☼☼

A feeling of nervousness set in as you approached the Cameron's, the absurd number of cars parked outside confirming you were at the right place. You glanced over each of your shoulders worried that your mom would pull up any second to drag you back home after you lied about where you were spending your evening. You felt decently bad about saying you were going to the Club to watch fireworks and coming to the Cameron's instead but you knew your family's stance on Rafe and his dad.

It seemed like the entire population of the Outer Banks was spread across the Cameron's backyard. Adults sipped festive cocktails as little kids, hyped-up onto much sugar, weaved in between their legs, chasing one another around. You looked around hesitantly, thankful when Sarah emerged from the crowd, frosting smeared across her face.

"You made it! I'm so happy you're here!" She screamed.

"Sarah," you laughed. "You have blue frosting all over you." You used your finger to wipe it from her cheek.

"Rose ordered the most delicious cake you've ever had. You have to try it. I can get you some. Do you want some?" She asked eagerly.

"I'm okay right now. Thank you though. Have you seen Rafe?" You asked. You were at his party, after all, it wasn't like there was any point in avoiding him now.

Sarah turned and pointed to the dock where Rafe and his group of friends were standing. "He's over there."

"Great. Okay! I'm going to go say hi."

"Have fun!" Sarah replied with a smile before running off in the same direction she's appeared in.

You made your way through the crowd to the dock, the groups' attention turning to you as you approached.

"Hey," you said, shyly.

Cleo and Riley jumped up from where they had been sitting with their legs dangling in the water.

"Y/n, right?" Cleo asked before leaning in for a hug.

"Yeah. Hi! It's good to see you guys again." You replied.

"You too! Rafe said you were back in town and I was wondering when you'd finally make an appearance." Cleo said.

You look over at Rafe to find him already watching you. He pushed through Cole and Milo and was suddenly in front of you

"Um, y/n and I need to get the fireworks." He said to the group. You watched Riley shoot Cleo a confused look but Cleo just shrugged it off.

Rafe grabbed your hand and pulled you along, leaving you no choice but to follow him. You walked in silence, other than the sound of your heart beating rapidly.

Rafe stopped at a small brick shed on the side of the house. He pushed the door open and stepped inside, pulling you in after. There were kayaks and paddleboards hanging on the walls and some old lifejackets littered the floor.

"Rafe-" you tried to start but he cut you off.

"Y/n, I seriously can't go one more minute without kissing you again."

Rafe looped his arm around your waist, cupped the back of your neck with his hand, and landed his lips on yours.

For a moment, you tilted your face upwards and leaned your body into his before your senses came rushing back to you and you shoved him backwards off of you. Surprise registered on his face.

"Rafe. No. I can't do this." Your voice broke, panic coursed through your whole body. "God, I shouldn't be here. I shouldn't have come here today or followed you here."

"Y/n." Rafe said but held your hand up warning him to say quiet.

"I have to go. I have to go," you repeated. "Tell Sarah I'm sorry I missed the fireworks. I know she'll be disappointed. I have to go."

You turned to leave but Rafe grabbed your wrist and his eyes locked with yours, his expression begging you to stay.

"I have a boyfriend." You blurted out. The weight of those four words settled on Rafe's face and you jerked your arm out of his grasp. You spun on your heel and walked out the shed and putting distance between you and the boy making your life so complicated.

You crossed the Cameron's yard, trying to gather yourself and slow your chaotic, unsteady breathing. You hurried down the long driveway, making it to the road without any tears slipping out of your eyes.

Rafe had tried to kiss you. He hadn't tried, he had kissed you. And you sorta kissed him back. No, not sorta. You kissed him back. But then you stopped. You pushed him away. You realized it was wrong. You didn't want to hurt Evan. You weren't gonna hurt Evan.

The fireworks began to explode behind you, large booms thundered across the sky, their big colors illuminating the night. You didn't dare turn around watch them. They reminded you too much of Rafe: the boy pulling your head and your heart in two different directions.

taglist! @oreoenthusiast13 [drop a ☀️ in my inbox or messages if you want to be added]

#outer banks #obx #rafe cameron #rafe cameron series #outer banks fanfiction #where it leads series #where it leads #obx fanfic #rafe cameron x reader #rafe cameron x y/n #rafe cameron!high school #outer banks netflix

[tirednotflirting]

you and i'll be safe and sound

good evening buds. i am a mess of a lack of sleep and fluffy feelings after watching dash and lily and i wrote spacey fluffy jalex while watching it. and then i decided to post it after reading through it once. have at it

have at it on ao3 here if you wanna too. 

It’s nearly 3 in the morning and the world has never felt so loud, Alex thinks.

It’s been years since he had trouble sleeping on the bus. The restlessness takes him back to the early days of doing this, when he would get homesick for his mom’s cooking and dad’s commentary on the evening news after two weeks on the road. Back then it would usually work to write about it, use his smallest handwriting to fill postcards to drop off in venue mailboxes or his songwriting journals he would hide up in his bunk until ready to share with the boys. It kept him distracted and usually didn’t help him sleep but he was still young enough that it didn’t really matter. The shitty gas station coffee and energy drinks and adrenaline were enough to keep him smiling and dancing through the day.

Over the years, the jitters and sleepless nights faded away. The humming of the wheels against the interstate just beyond the walls of his bunk window became a line in the job description. Funnily enough, he found himself missing the in between sights and sounds of touring when he was again confined to the stillness of his home. 

So it’s lost on him why it’s the middle of the night and his mind is racing while they’re somewhere in the middle of Texas. They had all decided to call it a little earlier in the night, knowing they were set to chat on a few radio shows in Dallas in the morning. But after three hours of staring at the ceiling, the gentle rumble below the floor that typically lulled him into bright, brilliant dreams only makes his thoughts spiral and Alex quietly slips out of his bunk and wanders toward the front of the bus.

He carefully and quietly fills the electric kettle, drawing back to his roots and hoping that a mug of tea will settle his mind. He opens up the cabinet above the counter and pushes past a few stacks of plastic cups for a mug and his stash of herbal tea he hides from Zack. The kettle clicks off after a few minutes and Alex methodically moves through the process of fixing up the drink how he likes it. He cradles the colorful mug between both hands and makes his way to the back lounge with the thought that maybe watching the nighttime scenery fly past in the windows from a spot on the couch might help slow his mind. 

He gently shuts the door behind him, aware of how tired the boys had seemed before heading to their own bunks several hours earlier and wanting them to be well rested for the morning’s activities. He flips the light on once the sliding door clicks shut and sets his mug on the table to pull a blanket around his bare shoulders before taking a seat and facing the windows. The calming effect the open road had on him was unmatched by almost anything else. It’s a special kind of peace, Alex thinks, and he makes a mental note to try to write something about it some time.

He’s so focused on the deep dark blue fields just beyond the glass that he doesn’t notice the sliding door open and close again behind him and jumps a bit when the couch dips slightly. “Al, what are you doing up?”

And okay, maybe the peace and comfort he feels from the road is a very close second to another sight Alex has the pleasure of seeing everyday. 

He turns, the blanket slipping from one of his shoulders, to where a concerned Jack sits beside him. Alex always hates to worry him regardless of the context. He knows Jack’s mind works faster than the average. It’s the cause for his brilliance and quick wit but also for his tendency to jump to conclusions far too quickly for his own good. A small smile pulls at Alex’s lips as he lets his free hand reach up to rub away the lines between Jack’s brows. “I’m okay. Just having trouble getting to sleep tonight.”

“Is something bothering you? Did something happen?” Jack asks, the gentle intention in his voice warming Alex like the tea he’s sipping. Alex feels a blush in his cheeks when Jack lifts the corner of the blanket back over Alex’s shoulder before his hand drops to his waist, his thumb rubbing comforting circles against the skin. 

And it’s his questioning that makes Alex realize that yes, maybe something is bothering him. He sighs both at the feeling of Jack’s comforting touch and at his inability to articulate how he’s feeling all stuck up in his head right now. He’s a songwriter. It’s pretty much his job to spin up words for things that don’t have them. 

“We don’t get to have quiet all that often these days, do we?” Alex asks as he sets his nearly empty mug on the table in front of the couch. The question doesn’t really have an answer but Jack pulls him by the waist so his legs fall over his waist and maybe there’s an answer somewhere in there. “I love the sounds of the tour. I love the voices and laughter and music. I love hearing the crowd call back at us every night. But I think my brain just doesn’t know what to do with silence and it’s somehow giving it a sound to fill the space and it’s just,” he pauses and worries his bottom lip, suddenly embarrassed because he’s not sure he’s really making any sense. “It’s the wrong kind of loud. And I could just really use some quiet.”

Alex drops his head to Jack’s shoulder and closes his eyes at the feeling of a hand combing through the hair at the back of his neck. “Well, what kinds of things feel quiet to you? What brings you peace?”

It’s a loaded question. Especially given the conversations they’ve never really had and the way that Alex is draped across Jack and the way Jack is wrapped around him. It’s not a position unfamiliar to either of them and the way that Alex adjusts to press his face closer to Jack’s neck isn’t either. He lazily smiles again at the familiar cologne he catches on the collar of the tank Jack sleeps in. “Those moments right before we drop the lights at a show, when the crowd is just about to pick up for the first song. A scalding hot tea in the middle of the night. You.”

Alex feels Jack let out a short laugh while his arms tighten around his waist. “What about me?”

Alex shakes his head. “Everything about you feels peaceful.” And he’s not sure of any other way to say it really. “Any time the world gets too big, I just find you and then it’s okay again. It’s possible, you know?”

They’re both quiet for a moment then and Alex worries if maybe he’s said something bigger than he intended to when in this kind of state of mind. He picks his head up to meet Jack’s eyes, the night sky making them deeper somehow. When Jack lifts a hand to cradle Alex’s cheek, he can’t help but lean into the touch. “You make the world feel safe, too.”

Neither of them can think of anything more to add so they sit in silence for a while longer, letting the hum of the road and Jack’s thumb brushing across Alex’s cheeks do the talking. Eventually Jack yawns though and Alex laughs though he finally feels his eyes starting to droop at the late (early?) hour. 

“Come on,” Jack whispers into the space between them. “Let’s go get some sleep. We’re going to be busy boys in the morning.”

Alex giggles quietly again and drops the blanket from his shoulders to head for the door. Jack carefully crawls back into his own bunk before his eyes ask a silent question in the quiet of the night they’ve stepped back into and Alex climbs in after him. It takes a moment to figure out how best to arrange their lanky limbs, both of the heights battling at that moment. But then Alex lets his head fall against Jack’s warm chest and nuzzles impossibly closer when he feels an arm wrapped across the middle of his back. 

He feels Jack press a kiss against the top of his hair and sure enough, a silence and stillness blankets over Alex’s tangled mind as he drifts into a peaceful sleep.

#jalex #jalex fic #okay gonna go drink like four glasses of water and eat some of the pom i got at the grocery store on my pie grocery trip earlier today

[dontreadthistrashgarbage]

Pt. 7

As expected, it was late when Seyoon wrapped up at work. Guerin told him she'd cook him something if he wanted to meet at her place. Opening her door she found a grinning Seyoon holding a backpack over his shoulder and looking like he hadn't bothered showering after dancing for hours. She found his eager rush endearing and opened her arms as an invitation to hug. He swept up to her, kicking the door shut with his foot since both his hands were occupied with wrapping around her.

"Hi." He said simply, nuzzling against her neck cutely.

"Hi Seyoonie." She laughed squirming against the tickle which caused him to hold her more tightly. When the two separated she patted his still damp hair, "You should take a shower, I'll make something for you."

"You don't like this?" He teased, shaking his hair toward her.

"Would you like me getting all snuggly after a workout?" She countered, pushing his head back playfully.

"Depends on the workout." He winked.

She choked on her surprised laugh at the insinuation and pushed him away for his own protection. One hand covering her mouth the other pointing to the bathroom, "Go shower!"

He beamed shamelessly but followed her order, "Try not to dwell on what's happening in here." He said before shutting the door quickly.

"Yeah right, I definitely won't." She yelled back. It was an absolute lie. She paused a moment, fingers tapping her lips distractedly before shaking her head and moving into the kitchen. She started some water to boil, pulled out a couple ramen packages and began playing some music to redirect her thoughts. She sang along and danced as she cooked up some chicken breast to go with the ramen. She was finishing setting the table when she heard the door to the bathroom open. Still dancing she spun to acknowledge Seyoon.

"Perfect timing! I-" she stopped talking. He was nonchalantly drying his hair, faded jeans low on his hips and fitted to his dancers legs but the most notable fashion choice was a button up shirt completely undone and exposing his torso. "Whaaaaaat are you doing?" She asked in english, completely forgetting Korean in her surprise.

"Are you okay?" He asked, clearly aware of what he was doing as he poorly feigned innocence, coming over the check the table, "Smells delicious Noona." He grinned at her.

She took his shirt and started buttoning it as her brain restarted and gave him a dark expression, "Kim Seyoon you might be a snack but maybe you should eat something before you torture me."

"I'm a snack?" He asked perplexed.

"It's english slang. It means you look delicious." She opted to leave a couple of his top buttons loose for her own enjoyment, unnecessarily smoothing his shirt across his shoulders.

"Hmmm." He looked at the table and stepped closer into her personal bubble, "it looks like you had something in mind. Are we just gonna eat ramen and go?" He continued teasingly.

She groaned and pushed him away from her as she turned her back on him "Kim Seyoon what are you thinking?"

He laughed and hugged her from behind, "I'm thinking I'm having fun with my girlfriend."

She ran her hands along his arms crossed in front of her until they rested on his hands, "You're gonna be the death of me." She tapped his hands to free herself, despite wanting very much to stay, "Let's feed you first then we can discuss ramen." Guerin said offhandedly.

Seyoon hesitated, grinned then sat across from her as she began serving him. They discussed the rest of their day with each other while they ate, Seyoon filling her in on the meeting with A.C.E and Jun's declaration, and Guerin talking about meeting with HEET. Once they had finished Seyoon insisted on helping with dishes and the two worked without much conversation, Guerin singing along quietly to the music that was still playing lowly.

"I like it when you sing, Noona." Seyoon said, drying the last dish. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye with a wry smile. "I mean it. It's cute." He pinched her cheek.

She scrunched her face for a moment in response then relaxed into her normal smile.

"I like singing. I'm not great at it but I really love music a lot. Being a manager is one of the ways I can have that as a part of my life." She walked to the couch with him following and sat facing him with one foot tucked under her. Seyoon nodded but didn't feel a need to respond. The two sat comfortably quiet for a moment as they digested before Guerin reached her hand out and carefully met his fingers with hers, leaning sideways into the couch as he allowed her to take his hand.

"I really had no idea you liked me." Guerin said with a happy smile as she played with his fingers, finding his hands endearingly small for the rest of his frame. "When did that start?" She asked curiously.

"When we arm wrestled." Seyoon responded. "At least, that was when I was sure."

She let out a surprised laugh, "No way! That's hilarious."

Seyoon laughed too, gripping her hand and pulling her toward him into his arms. She automatically shifted to lean against him, laying her head against his shoulder comfortably as she sighed. "Is it really so funny? That I'd like a strong, fun woman that compliments me?" He asked.

She laughed again, "I knew it, it was the compliment. You just want me to inflate your ego."

"Like a balloon." He responded, then mimed his head blowing up by puffing out his cheeks and widening his eyes. She laughed and poked his cheeks, forcing the air out which he chose to turn and blow into her face. Guerin cringed, a small surprised exhale of laughter coming from her nose. He snuck a kiss to her forehead affectionately, softening her up.

"When did you start liking me?" Seyoon asked curiously.

She paused, "I think in the coffee shop when we were messing around was when it started. Definitely by the time we ate on the rooftop together. But I never planned to act on it."

"Why not?" Seyoon asked, perplexed.

"I mean, dating an idol? That's something no one should bank on. I was happy just being friends with all five of you." She said. He nodded silently with her response, his hand behind her moving to stroke idly at her ear and neck like a gentle tickling massage.

"We really should talk about how this is going to work out..." Guerin sighed, "But honestly tonight I just want to relax and have fun."

Seyoon nodded in agreement.

"So tonight... do you want to..." she trailed off, tracing Seyoon's shirt along the buttons temptingly. He felt his pulse quicken and his breath faltered before she continued, "...Play some video games? I have some classic consoles! Or just my switch!" She sat up straight to fully see his expression.

His eyes scrunched shut and his classic smile erupted across his face as he realized she had chosen that phrasing on purpose. "Noonaaaa." He whined, "Why did you do that to meeee?" He reached for her to pull her toward him again but Guerin had gotten up to turn on the TV.

"Do what?" She asked innocently, "Ask to play video games? Gosh you're acting like I walked out of the bathroom shirtless or something."

"Noonaaaaaa." He whined again flopping against the couch and she laughed at his tantrum.

A busy week had passed. Guerin hadn't been able to meet up with Seyoon again as he was busy working on a fan project with Jun on top of their normal work schedule, and Guerin had been to court several times as the prosecutor had finally pressed charges. Guerins part was done and she took her first bit of free time to meet up with Charlie. The two women had met at a cafe for coffee and were meandering along a pretty road by the han river in the afternoon light. She had just finished filling Charlie in on her evening with Seyoon.

"After all that you... played video games?" Charlie asked in disbelief.

Guerin nodded, red lips on her straw as she avoided eye contact, knowing what was coming.

Charlie switched to English, "You're telling me that smokin hottie was barely dressed and your response was to -fully clothe him- and play -video games-?"

Guerin nodded again and cleared her throat, still staring off into nothing, "I left a couple top buttons undone." She responded also in english.

"Listen. My friend. My eunnie. I know you. I've heard stories. Stories -you- have told me. I need you to connect the dots between the friend in those stories and the friend that spent an evening with her boyfriend and didn't even make out." Charlie demanded.

"I- well. We just started dating." Guerin started hopelessly. Charlie's knowing look based on her knowledge of Guerin's history caused her to sigh and continue, "It's kinda those stories too. I've not had to worry about being an idol to slow me down, add on five years experience and... I guess I don't want to rush him."

Charlie's face softened at the confession, the pieces clicking together, "Well the two of you are going to need to talk about it eventually."

"I know. I just really needed a stress free night. And maybe after a talk like that there would be less stress," she couldn't help an immature smile at the comment, "But getting there through that discussion is in and of itself is stressful."

"That makes sense." Charlie sipped her drink, appeased by her friends explanation.

"What about you and Jun?" Guerin asked playfully, nudging Charlie.

"We... ah...." she blushed and he was her turn to avoid eye contact, "We've gotten further than you two. But um... no home run if you know what I mean." Guerin cackled until Charlie shoved her and they both laughed in earnest. They switched back to korean as the conversation continued.

"So have you been keeping track of commentary from netizens over your dating and court stuff?" Charlie asked.

"Hmmm, a little." Guerin shrugged, "Of course internationally there seems to be a lot of support. I've been referenced as the woman 'living the y/n life'. Within korea it seems most Joule's have made a 180 over the legal issue which makes me hopeful. Most Choice seem pretty okay with Wow dating but don't understand why me. It's honestly better than I expected." She turned the question to Charlie, "I did notice more people seem to like you with Jun though! Have you been keeping up?"

Charlie opened her mouth to respond but a large coffee drink landed square on Charlie's chest, soaking her and splattering Guerin. Guerin stepped in front of Charlie, looking quickly to see who had thrown the drink when she caught sight of a young girl, most likely in her early teens, fuming at the two foreign women. People nearby had turned to see what had happened.

"Are you okay Charlie?" She asked, not taking her eyes off the girl.

"Yeah, I'm fine, it wasn't too hot." She sounded shaken despite her words.

"Okay. Let's go." Guerin broke eye contact with the aggressor, took her friend by the shoulder and began walking away briskly, keeping Charlie slightly in front of her, "Our best bet is to just get out of here as soon as possible." Charlie nodded as she walked along.

"YAH! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?" The teenager screamed and began rushing after the two women. Guerin sighed, plan A didn't seem like it was going to work.

"Charlie, stay behind me. She isn't big enough to do real damage without a weapon and I think that drink was her biggest threat. Whatever happens don't get involved." Guerin's naturally happy expression had turned cold and serious as she turned back to the girl.

"Say what you need to so we can go."

"You think you can ruin my families reputation and then brainwash an idol into dating you and we'll be fine with it? You're just some stupid, fat, old foreigner you can't come into our country and ruin our lives like this." The girl spit venomously.

"I don't know you or your family." Guerin responded matter of factly.

"My sister! You got her arrested and now she's going to jail and it's your fault." The girls eyes filled with tears as she yelled. Guerin couldn't help but feel sympathetic. She was losing her sister, the things said online had been cruel once the video had been released by the police. It was easy to believe that the family had borne some of the brunt of social shame.

"I'm sorry." Guerin said. The girl paused in shock and she felt Charlie shift in surprise behind her, "I was trying to protect people that are important to me. I didn't want anyone to get hurt."

"Well we did!" The girl started again but Guerin interrupted.

"If you need someone to hate you can hate me. Your sister was wrong in her actions, but you and your family should not have to suffer. I'm sorry that you have." Her words were soft but scolding, and the girl instinctively looked to the ground, her fists clenched and eyes angry but less so than before, "Just now you attacked my friend, you've insulted us. We may be foreigners but we are your elders and like it or not we are a part of your community. You can blame me and hate me all you want. I understand. But you cannot channel than anger into violence without consequences. Can you imagine if we had called the police? What would your parents suffer with if two of their children had legal issues due to violent behavior?"

The girls head drooped further and tears fell from her eyes as she rubbed them with her fists.

"You must love your family so much." Guerin moved forward until she was right in front of the girl, "Seeing them suffer must be the hardest thing you've ever had to endure. You've got to think carefully about your actions if you're going to heal with them, or that pain will grow." Guerin handed held out a small packet of tissues from her purse. The girl glared at them, at Guerin, then took the tissues angrily, wiping her tears and nose.

"How did you find us? Will you tell me?" Guerin asked quietly.

"It was chance. I saw you and recognized you. I got... I got so mad seeing you smiling and happy when eunnie is- while we-" the teenager broke out into sobs and Guerin let her take a moment. She was relieved it hadn't been someone leaking info on their whereabouts. Guerin rested her hand on the girls head after hesitating a moment. She flinched under her hand but didn't pull away. Giving a comforting pat she dropped her hand.

"You can keep the tissues. We're going to leave now." Guerin turned her back, seeing Charlie who still looked a bit shaken but sympathetic. Guerin blinked away the tears in her eyes, unable to help feeling badly about the circumstances.

"I still hate you!" The young girl yelled after them. Charlie glanced back, then to Guerin who didn't stop moving. The two women didn't speak until they reached their bus stop.

"It's not your fault you know that right?" Charlie said, plucking at her ruined shirt in disappointment.

"Yes. Logically I know that. But it's still sad."

Charlie nodded, then leaned her head against her friends shoulder, "You're kind of a badass but you're the squishiest marshmallow in existence, you know that?"

Guerin wrinkled her nose, "Marshhhmaallooww." She sang the iconic Xiumin line, making Charlie giggle before falling into chuckles herself.

Seyoon sent Guerin the link then tucked his phone away. He glanced up at Jun who had been texting Charlie. Unlike Seyoon his concern had melted into a smile. Wow watched him curiously until Jun closed his phone and looked up to see his teammate watching him.

"Ah," Jun coughed, "How is Guerin?"

"She said she is fine. Charlie?" Seyoon asked.

"She's fine too. She said her shirt was ruined so I'm thinking of buying her a new one. I was going to head over tonight." Jun's complete lack of poker face was evident as he pretended to look down at his phone and clean the screen, ears red and a small smile tugging the corners of his lips.

"Have you..." Seyoon faltered and thought about his phrasing, "Have the two of you..." his thoughts didnt help and he ended with a shrug and eyebrow raise.

"Hyung!" Jun feigned insult, putting a hand over his chest.

"Ah." Seyoon nodded, reading the unspoken No loud and clear.

"I mean we've- well we uhmm..." Jun stammered, now the one suffering with word choice was him, "We've done other stuff. She likes to uhhh... grab my butt and then we've..." his words failed him too, "It leads to more things and... I mean it's only been a week so... wait why are you asking?"

Seyoon shrugged and stood up to head back to the dance room.

"Wait hyung! Have you and Guerin not...?" Jun trailed off, the sentence finishing itself for both of them mentally.

Seyoon shook his head, "We've been busy."

"I'm surprised. I'd have thought she'd be more into that." Jun mused. Seyoon raised an eyebrow at the insinuation, causing Jun to start to backpedal and explain he meant no offense before Seyoon laughed him off.

"I thought so too, honestly. Maybe I'm not as sexy as I think."

"Yeah that's definitely the problem." Jun rolled his eyes.

"I'm going to see her tonight to make sure she's okay. Whenever we do... that... can be something for later. I just want to make sure she's okay today." He started toward the dance room.

"Didn't she say she was fine?" Jun asked.

"She probably meant physically." Seyoon said over his shoulder. Jun was left perplexed.

Guerin had called Jisoo and went straight the PWER offices after getting Charlie home and changing. She hadn't even left when Seyoon sent the article. It had only been a few hours and already something was up. She hadn't seen anyone recording but at a place as picturesque as the Han River people always had phones and cameras out.

The article included some still photos oh the altercation, the drink hitting Charlie, the girl chasing the two as they tried to leave, Guerin handing tissues to the girl and eventually them leaving. Guerin was grateful that because the girl was a minor she had been blurred out so she couldnt be identified. Attached to the article was a video of the altercation, also edited. Whoever had been recording seemed to have been following Guerin and Charlie which gave her chills. The only talking that could be heard was when the girl had been shouting but the rest that contained any identifying details was lost due to the distance of the videographer.

As soon as the clip ended she sent the link to Charlie and Jisoo, then turned and headed back to the CEO's office with a sigh. Knocking on the door, Jisoo called her in. As Guerin closed the door behind her she saw her boss finish watching the video clip with an unreadable expression. Guerin sat in a chair opposite her and waited quietly while Jisoo scrolled through the rest of the article and comments. Finally she closed her phone, rested her head in her hand and stared at Guerin.

"This is actually pretty good." Jisoo quirked a brow and smiled. Guerin leaned her head back surprised and exhausted. "I mean it. Have you read the comments?"

"It's usually better for my mental health for me to avoid comment sections." Guerin said to the ceiling before dropping her head back down to look at Jisoo. "But you think it's good?"

"Sure. There's some of the usual naysayers but by and large you appear sympathetic and patient. A lot of people are really impressed. And given this is a second piece of video evidence of you being targeted with violence it's even started some dialogue about prejudices that foreigners face." Jisoo gestured vaguely, "It would be best if this didn't keep happening consistently but honestly you comforted a child that harassed you physically and verbally."

"She's just a kid. She was upset, what was I supposed to do?" Guerin shrugged.

"Some people would have smacked her around to teach her a lesson. She was disrespectful." Jisoo saw Guerin cringe, "I know, you don't like that. Which I really think made people impressed."

Guerin felt embarrassed. She didn't think she had done anything praiseworthy, "I think the biggest thing that bothers me is that while the kid found us by chance there was someone following and recording us."

"Welcome to dating an idol." Jisoo said matter of factly, "Get used to it. Just keep in mind someone could always be watching. You can join HEET in some of their behavior classes if you want. And we can look into security if you feel unsafe."

"Maybe the classes won't hurt but I think security at this point might be unnecessary." Guerin smiled.

"Okay. You already said you don't want to press charges so we can drop it. We'll write up a statement but coordinate with PR on the message. Also... about being a manager again..." Jisoo hesitated and Guerin held her breath and waited, "I think we can start planning on getting you back in. We'll keep Woojin on as an assistant I think. Your reputation seems to have increased their popularity. You even have fans of your own calling for you to return, saying you're their best protector."

Guerin leapt up, fists in the air, "Are you serious? I can get back to my boys??" Jisoo had startled at the sudden motion and laughed at her friends big response.

"Yes I think so. We can get you on it again within a few days. Don't tell them just yet, I want to be there when they find out. I'll tell Woojin as well. I'm sure he'll be happy to be offered a permanent position."

"Jisoooooo!" Guerin crooned, beaming with tears pricking at her eyes. She moved around and patted her friends head, kissing the top of it before hugging her tightly.

Jisoo struggled unconvincingly, "Yah, don't treat your boss like this."

Guerin squeezed her harder, grinning, "Boss I love youuuuuu."

[wiipes]

Exploring W/ Waiola & Friends

"Hello everyone! I'm back with my girlfriend, Sara, her brother, Frankie, our friend Tino and today we'll be exploring an abandoned house!" Waiola sits on a ledge with her three friends, smiling widely at the camera set up.

"But that's not all!" Tino interrupts her surprise, jump scaring them all. Sara shoved at him, managing to knock him off the ledge they were on.

"That's right, as a bonus, we were going to explore some sewer tunnels, or at least that's what we think they are." The main host of the channel completes the surprise that Tino tried to ruin.

"So while there's still sun around, let's get to it!" Waiola cheers with her friends, all of them rushing the camera.

A transition into the next scene, edited beautifully by a good friend who would rather remain anonymous, revealed the gang walking in a line on a back road, trees decorating the edge of the frame. Chatter echoed a little, coming from these four teenagers. "Tino, you're a clown if I've ever seen one." And they were ganging up on Tino being the wildest one in the group.

"No, he's the whole circus, Way."

They giggle as Tino threatened them, "if you guys don't stop I'll have to remove your femurs, losers."

"Not if I do it first," Frankie's response was as fast as he heard it.

"Is that a threat?"

"No, it's a promise."

The four teenagers banter like this as the time passed, and not long came before a large house came into their line of vision. Waiola lifts the camera, zooming for a better look at it.

"For a bit of backstory, this house was built for, like, the mayor for our town, way back when it was built. About a hundred years or so, I think. But no one has lived in it for a good decade, for sure." Waiola starts to speak, almost as if it was natural information. Maybe it was.

"No abandoned house looks that good, I'm just saying." Frankie comments, the camera catching a concentrated boy pondering on the outward appearance of the house.

"It's kinda like a museum, Frank. You want tourism to have a leg to stand on? Have something old and touchable, maintain it. I'm just saying, the history teacher went over this like a few days ago." She told him, him rubbing his chin like a philosopher.

"Guys guys guys guys, get in the trees!" Sara hisses, pushing everyone into the wilderness beside them. Everyone panics but stays quiet, watching as an old car wheezes past their line of sight. Several minutes pass, the frame jumping to the scene of them walking again, but dodging trees in their way.

"Tell the viewers what happened, Tino," a voice that's not Waiola, presumably Frankie's, points the camera at the boy. He looks right into the lens as much as he cans, trying to talk in a quiet yet loud voice, if that makes sense.

"So, we found out that the car that passed by us is doing something at the mayor's house. However, because Frankie said we came out all the way out here we might as well-"

"-hold on, I said that? I'm pretty sure it was you, Tino."

"Pretty sure isn't fact, Franklin, and fact is you said that-"

"-Fact is you're a pussy-"

"-you said that we should continue."

Waiola smacks them both on the head, taking the camera away and facing it towards the whole group walking. "Someone complained about how far we came out, so we're going to commit a crime because they didn't want to leave without that. After that, sewers." She finished talking and the screen faded to a different picture.

A picture of the old, yet refined, house that was originally a mayor's home. The white has yet to be repainted, so it looks like an old pale yellow on the outside. Vines curl around the pillars supporting the porch roof. The porch steps seemed to have sported thousands of feet, whether that is true or not, that's left to the porch steps. Window panes gathered dust, or better yet, the window frames are left paneless. The roof looked like someone belly-flopped out of the sky and onto the poor thing.

Needless to say, withering with class.

A shot of the group of friends flashes onto the frame, posing in front of a sign, Carmine Cabins, the official name of the lot.

It transitions over to silent footage of the girls peeking over the bushes, spotting no cars sitting in the gravel. "Alright, we'll check the place for outside cameras, Tino, hold the camera." With that, Waiola and Sara run, ducking well beneath the green hedges surrounding it.

Frankie pulls out puns out of his ass for a solid minute or two before they return, panting ever so slightly. Sara catches her breath first, "no cameras, an opening behind the house, but I'm pretty sure someone is inside."

Tino and Frankie share a look, "you sure there's a person in there?"

"Even if its not fact, I thought I heard someone. Then again, it could've been y'all two I was hearing." Sara started to doubt herself, checking the fresh memory in her brain but everyone starts moving before she's comfortable in that self-doubt.

They try not to crunch too many leaves or branches, but sometimes it can't be helped. Neither can Tino's smartass, apparently, as Waiola smacked him for the third time that day.

"So if we can get in there, then that'll be step one of this be gay do crime agenda, and we can satisfy one demographic of my followers." She flashes a thumbs up to the camera, pointing the camera at her friends as they pull themselves into the house through a somewhat large window. She hands it to her girlfriend, and she slips through as well.

"We're going to have to be quiet for now, so, sorry for no commentary." Waiola whispers, winking at the camera and it fades to a black screen.

The black screen evolves into a scene where Waiola is pointing the camera at Frankie, who's face was utter fear. He mouths some words she doesn't catch. He then makes a running gesture and she agrees, everyone following in suite, quietly though of course. As Tino, the last one to jump out of the window, hits the ground, a shot is released in the air.

"Run!" They shout at him in whispers, dashing for it in the direction of the nearby sewers.

Waiola's lungs burned in her chest, not able to swallow or breathe, and her legs wanted to fall off but they can do that when they're ankle-deep in shit-water. The camera has a view of swinging, thanks to Frankie's expert handling of the camera.

She hears another shot go off, and she ushers them to head down the sloping hill, into the sewer tunnel. Grass is ripped up as they slide down and splash not so gracefully into the tunnel, hiding out in there. They all cover their mouths, leaning against the sewer walls, a little reluctantly.

The group hears one more shot in the distance, before Waiola motions for them to pull out their flashlights out of their packs.

"Alright, time for some sewer exploring, wish us luck!" Waiola smiles tiredly at the camera.

The scene fades seamlessly into a shot of Sara leaning against the wall, holding her leg, and Waiola, the dutiful lover, is worrying over her like mad. "Are you sure we can keep going?" She asks, turning to look over her shoulder to shout at the boys.

"Its a cramp, Way, not some open wound fermenting in sewer water."

"Still! We should be cautious," with that, Waiola then had Tino carry her knapsack while she carried her girlfriend. Yes, she cringed when her wet shoes touched her legs but it was worth it to her, knowing she wasn't hurting herself.

"Alright, I'm tired of this shit."

"Haha, too bad. You're the one who said we had to go to the house, you get to suffer." Tino pouted, flashing the pathway with two flashlights.

The screen fades again, but this time, they're out of the sewers and on the road again, but they're in town, well, the old version of it. "Okay," Waiola huffs, seeming to be in a mood, "the boys were complaining, and what with the guy with the gun, we decided twenty minutes walking in the sewers was enough for the day. Be back in a second with the outro!" She pants, flashing a peace sign at the camera Frankie was holding.

And the screen did black out completely this time, and it was just Waiola and Sara in her backyard, lying in a hammock, napping peacefully for a minute. Then, Waiola gets out, kissing the girl's forehead before grabbing the camera and focusing it on her.

"The boys went home, Sara's staying the night, and I guess that was it? Anyways, thank you guys for watching!" Waiola spews out her outro and when she stopped recording, she let out a breath, returning to her girlfriend's welcoming arms.

"Boys are dumb." She mumbles, and Sara all but nods, leaving the two to their nap.

#if they were human #IF #and everyone could show up on camera #here's the mischeif they'd get up to #waiola #sara #frankie #tino #vampires but theyre humans gang #writing

[quirkrewound]

after crossing paths with overhaul ( again, somehow )--  “. . . you’re not my dad, fuck off!”

--- she’s spent time with katsuki, it seems.

#└ — time moves on while you fade away but i'll make it through ( commentary. ) #└ — no soup for you ( crack. ) #drops this. disappears into the void again.

[quirkrewound]

“presentation . . . micycle?”

#└ — time moves on while you fade away but i'll make it through ( commentary. ) #v. all the love that you have saved will follow ( main. ) #I'M STILL THINKING ABOUT THIS ICB SHINSOU HAS DONE THIS

[quirkrewound]

“you didn't care that we're not perfect underneath the surface, you are more than worth the struggle.”

#└ — get my shit back together ( ooc. ) #└ — dance magic dance ( smile. ) #└ — say goodbye to my demons ( memes. ) #└ — ( saved. ) #└ — ( wishlist. ) #└ — ( credit. ) #└ — ( aesthetics. ) #└ — no soup for you ( crack. ) #└ — a stream of words unsaid ( answered. ) #└ — this beautiful mess i made ( self promo. ) #└ — if your heart wears thin i will hold you up ( promo. ) #└ — a torch i’ve been carrying ( queue. ) #└ — cherish the memories ( music. ) #└ — nobody asked you patrice ( dash comm. ) #└ — we don’t just spill tea around here ( sky disco comm. ) #└ — time moves on while you fade away but i'll make it through ( commentary. ) #└ — just close your eyes soon we’ll be home ( study. ) #└ — take a leap of faith and just be brave ( visage. ) #└ — contact ( izuku midoriya. ) #└ — contact ( mirio togata. ) #└ — contact ( shouta aizawa. ) #└ — contact ( ochaco uraraka. ) #└ — contact ( tsuyu asui. ) #└ — contact ( kai chisaki. )