#And they had a bunch of crane games downstairs

[kalu-chan]

Y’all know that feeling when something reminds you of something else, and it’s not a big Wow!(TM) memory, just something nice and kinda fun and you feel a little nostalgic bc of it?

#Like it's a nice feeling but also kinda. Bittersweet I guess? #Directly related to Kuro calling himself a crane game pro asdhaksdhl #Because #During my exchange year we sometimes met up with all the exchange students in my state (and one or two former exchangees as supervisors) #And sometimes we got to stay in an Onsen for that. It wasn't one you usually COULD stay at but one of the other students host family ran it #And they had a bunch of crane games downstairs #And the former exchangee who was with us told us that he'd played those A LOT and had a LOT of the plushies from them bc of that #So when some of us spotted a super cute Dragonite they went to him to get him to get it #He was like ''Damn *I* want that Dragonite!'' #We do not know how many tries it took bc he refused to tell us. but he did get that Dragonite. #We all got to pet it but he wanted it back at the end #And like. Usually when you get asked about what Cool Things(TM) you did they expect stuff like. Disney Land. Mt Fuji's Summit. #You know. The B I G stuff. And don't get me wrong those things ARE super cool! But. #What gives me WAY more feels than Disney Land and Akihabara and Mt Fuji (tho admittedly I wasn't at the summit) or any of that? #The small things. Seeing the others pester Aaron to get that Dragonite. #Sitting in a hotel room talking to my kendo friends about our crushes #Battling my friend with rolled-up newspapers #Even thinking about Disneyland... Of course it's AMAZING there. But. The first things that come to mind when I think of it? #That I randomly met a former classmate of mine because we just HAPPENED to be in the same souvenir shop at the same time on the same day #Or that it was my first time trying churros after my best friend told me how good they were #(both of those were after the exchange year but still) #Or during it how much my host mom loved the little Toy Story Mochi bc they were so cute ashdjkalshdjk #Idk I could say something philosophical here but. nah. #Anyway. Should translate the rest of Kuro's White Day Route lmao

[katsuflossy]

Hii~ so I was wondering if maybe you could do a scenario or hc with whoever you desire meeting their s/o's friends, specifically the gremlin friend whos been dragged into the public by the crackhead friend?

Sero Meeting the S/o’s Friends

Pairing: Sero Hanta x reader

T/W: Obscenities, slight touch of body insecurities

Taglist: @sunset-novice-writer @goatsenpaiultimate

A/n: Hiiii- So i hope it’s to your liking. I assume the reader had two friends so if it’s not what you wanted then I’m sorry 🥺 But I hope you really like it!❤️

Sero’s ears picked up on a high pitched commotion downstairs. Mass squealings split through the air of Height Alliance drawing the curiosity of the few inhabitants. When he planted both of his feet on the lounge room floors, his eyes wandered to the leader of the Bakusquad, who was finishing work on the kitchen with a ferocious grip on the pen and scribbles on the verge of ripping the paper. Then his gaze traveled to the three on the floor. Under the pile stock laid you, who was squealing at equal volumes as the two on top of your body. The scene was both quite comedic and cute which ruptured a chuckle loud enough for (Y/n) to hear. She craned her neck to Sero’s figure before smiling even more widely at the boy.

“Sero! Baby!— Get off of me dumbasses! Hi baby!” You rose from the floor to jump into his arms, him easily catching you before you both could be sent to the ground. All the noise and happiness finally got to Bakugo as he slammed his notebook shut, grabbed all his supplies and marched himself up to his dorm room, grumbling under his breath and glaring at your smile as he passed. His nerve bulging from his temple throbbed harder as you smiled even wider at him. As soon as Bakugo left the room you whispered in Sero ear. A giggle passed your throat at the secret.

“I told him if he is nice when my friends are over, I would ask my family to send a bunch of Adobo and Goya seasoning for cooking.” Sero chuckled along with you and gave you a high-five.

“Good bribe babe.”

“Thanks, I learned from the best.” You fluttered your eyes at him before you both broke into laughter.

“So we’re just supposed to stand here while you guys make lovey-dovey eyes and shit?” The giggling only continued on both sides and you introduced your friends to the Cellophane quirk wielder.

“My apologies, your royal highness, this is Suki, short for Itsuki and he’s a royal pain in the ass.” Just as your hand was laid out to introduce him, he bent down and nipped at your palm, which allowed you to reflexively withdraw and chop him at the band of his neck. A whine came from his throat.

“Wassup.” You glared at him before introducing your other friend.

“And this is our pint-sized friend, Aaryell.” You laid your hand in front of her only for the little one to slap it away.

“Thanks for the introduction but I’m sure your boyfriend already knows I’m fucking short.” She, in turn, glared at you before smiling sweetly at your boyfriend who’s trying hard not to burst out laughing.

“And y’all know this is Sero… Just Sero.” You patted his chest and attempted to move away from him only to be squashed straight into his figure.

“Hi, nice to meet ya! I’m Sero, the ever-loving boyfriend to some chinchilla named (Y/n).” His turn to embarrassed you left your two friends howling at his introduction. Your laughter followed theirs as you snuggled further into Sero’s side. Suki took the time to talk to the prospective hero.

“Well, it’s finally nice to officially meet the chinchilla’s boyfriend. All we see through the phone are elbows and levitating hands feeding our gerbil friend.” All three begun to laugh again until you swipe your hand across his shoulders, eliciting a whine from the beanstalk.

“See what we’re not gonna do is make these rodent nicknames a thing.” His hands rose up to surrender. Sero pulls his physically aggressive girlfriend to his side for the second time.

“So what do you guys wanna do?” The new pair looked at each other. A goofy smile challenged a glossy snarl, both not giving up until Aaryell shouted.

“We are not going into the city!” Suki put a hand at his heart and let out a dramatic gasp.

“Why I wouldn’t suggest such a thing?! But can we?” The shortest one of the group grumbled under her breath about the insolent giant beside her, asking herself why is she friends with “this dumbass”.

(Y/n) smiled at the duo before looking up at Hanta. His quirk didn’t need to be telepathy to know what she wanted.

“I don’t see why not, plus we can avoid Mineta from stalking our business because a new girl is around.” Aaryell shuddered at the possibility of seeing Mineta, recalling the facetime chats you guys had talking about the times Mineta tried to look under your skirt and failed harshly. She grabbed everyone’s hands before stepping to the exit.

“You had me at Mineta.”

The sky acted as a caterpillar going through metamorphosis. Cloudy blue surrounded the city, encouraging all the citizens of Musutafu to be outside. The streets were congested with middle schoolers, high schoolers, and even business workers alike. So, Itsuki took the initiative of being the beacon, using his height to ensure you all weren’t lost in the sea of very pushy people. It wasn’t until you and Aaryell almost got washed away by the human riptide that Itsuki demanded a duo system. The two taller ones of the group took one of the vertically challenged. Itsuki’s quick decision of picking Aaryell as his duckling and the reddish hue on her brown cheeks did not pass either you or your boyfriend’s eyes. A simple glance between you and Hanta had decided what the goal of today would be: Operation Best Friend To Lover is on the go.

However, all the attempts had failed. Your idea to check out an arcade with a new VR zombie game flunked completely, resulting in Aaryell whopping Suki over the head with the controller due to his tries of whispering in her ear and poking her body.

Sero’s was even worse, his idea in going to a photo museum resulted in Itsuki attracting a mass of middle and highschool girls, gushing about his physique and face. He took it all in and a half as he interacted happily with his growing group of ‘fans’. Aaryell stood in discomfort picking at her stubby fingers and plush thighs before you declared that everyone was leaving. By the time you and Sero’s plan of going to a botanical garden came up, the sky’s second stage of metamorphosis had begun. The once azure shade tinted to a dark gray, the sun entrapped in its cloudy cocoon. Big droplets of rain clattered noisily against the street and pedestrians scattered to find shelter. Sero spotted an underground cafe before everyone could’ve been completely soaked.

The cool ventilation inside riddled your skin in goosebumps. Before you could say anything, Aryell spoke up.

“Jeez, it’s kinda cold in here.” She rubbed her arms to smooth out the texture on her skin and spark a little warmth. Her shoulder met with the weight of a jacket too long for her stature. Itsuki looked down at her with a smile.

“Here you can have it until you’re warmed up.”

You nudged Sero in his side to observe the scene in front of you. However, cellophane quirk wielder was already grinning at the two as Aaryell blushed then punched the giant in the shoulder, resulting in a whine and a “your sadist side is showing again.” By the time the two went to the counter to order the food, you and Sero took refuge in one of the booths to analyze the situation.

“Okay so Sero, give me the stats.”

“Well your arcade date didn’t work and mine did.” A gasp broke through your throat at his harsh comment.

“Mine wasn’t a complete flob! She started rubbing his head after 15 minutes of cursing and pouting, so that’s good.” Sero rolled his eyes, not budging from his argument.

“So like how Bakugo would beat the shit out of Kirishima in practice then throw a cold towel at him when no one’s looking.” You huffed in admittance. Your plan failed but his wasn’t better.

“Yeah well, at least mine didn’t result in making Mr. Adonis’ head swelling and Adonia insecure.” Sero shoulders slumped slightly, knowing that his plan hurt a new friend.

“Yeah yeah, I apologized about making her uncomfortable while you were chewing out Itsuki.” You smiled at your boyfriend proudly before reaching over the table and pecking his lips, eliciting his usual smile back to life.

“That’s why I’m proud of you, baby” He pecked your lips again before addressing the situation at hand. With a coordinated effort, the evening was spent with the duo blushing and laughing at each other’s jokes while you and Sero smiling and fist-bumping like fairy odd parents.

The party of four finally decided to part ways as the orange and yellow inks spilled on to the sky, looking like the wings of a monarch butterfly. You and Sero waved as the two walked toward the train being boarded, giggling as they secretly, but not so secretly, linked pinkies. Just as the two of you turned around, you turned to Hanta.

“I bet all the Super Smash Bros Ultimate skins you have that they’ll text me tonight declaring their crush for each other.”

“Hmm, I bet they’ll text you after 12 and one-thirds of the snacks your family sends you, the spicy stuff included.”

“Deal.”

[Extended clip]

#hanta sero x reader #bnha sero hanta #bnha sero #sero hanta x reader #sero hanta scenario #hanta sero scenarios #sero x reader #bnha hanta #bnha sero x reader #bnha sero hanta x reader

[thepromisedmeadow]

I visited Hyacinth today!!

Link to Dru’s dream address :v

I did a small tour of @drusoona​‘s island today, and I had a lot of fun!

This is the cutest flag I’ve ever seen ;o; And the weather is perfect for it!

This is Gil’s house, there’s a lot of blues and fun surprises everywhere! Here is a katana display in the main room of the house.

I found Vergil’s pajamas!!

And then I curled up and went to sleep. Can you sleep in a dream? I don’t know!

Main room again, it never occurred to me I could get Flick to make something if I gave CJ a bunch of frogs, so I guess I know what I’m gonna be doing in-game for a while, haha.

Upstairs there’s a little dinner party happening, with a birthday cake and everything! It’s really cute

Killby

This is Lessa’s house! Everything here is some shade of lemony yellow, which I absolutely adore!

I loved the upstairs room so much I took a couple pictures

Last but not least, there’s Tina’s house, which features a lot of different styles but most noticeably lots of reds! I really like this beaded curtain wall, which I used in my own house because I think it makes the room look a lot more lived in.

Downstairs there’s a lot of ornate Japanese decorations. My favorite piece is this Elaborate Kimono Stand! I have the pink one in my catalog, but the crane pattern is so pretty. I’m a little jealous!

#acnh #animal crosing new horizons #dream island #dream address #the address is in the link at the top of the post so i'm counting it #long post #screenshots #my pics #dream journal

[wolfmadefromash]

#8 you never fought for me

Angst prompt: #8 You never fought for me.

Falling for Stiles shouldn’t have been as surprising as it was. He was smart, funny, loyal, brave, cunning. Cute. All things that Derek could check off had he sat and thought about when he would want in a partner. He was high strung and unfocused at time, always moving and talking. It should have annoyed him, normally someone always in his space asking questions and poking fun at him would. But when it was Stiles, it made him feel like he had his family back.

Derek found himself wanting to hate him in the beginning, not let him in but he was persistent and worked his way into his life and latched on to every piece of it.

It was new and exciting, filled with everything Derek never knew he want and things he didn’t think he deserved.

He didn’t know what to do with the feelings he’d had, and Stiles was so young still; they were only a few years apart in age but somehow he didn’t think the math would matter to the boys father.

He knew he’d never be able to let Stiles go, let him walk out of his life, after he killed Boyd. He didn’t expect him to stay, didn’t ask him to. But he did. He started getting things as cleaned up as he could and tugged Derek up off the ground and pulled him up the stairs.

Derek hadn’t been able process anything that was happening, he just stood there in the center of the spare room that Peter typically claimed. Stiles disappeared back downstairs for a few minutes, returning with an armful of clothes.

He pulled at Derek’s sopping wet shirt. “Derek, you’re soaked. I need a little help here, big guy.” His voice was calming and gentle.

Derek finally looked into Stiles eyes and something broke.

Stiles wasted no time pulling him against him, wrapping his long arms around his body and holding him close. “It’ll be okay, Der. You’re not alone, you won’t ever be alone. I swear. It’s okay, I’m here.”

He let Stiles pull his shirt off and pull down the soaked denim clinging to his legs. He supported himself on Stiles’ shoulder as he helped him step into a pair of warm sweatpants, seemingly unfazed but the half naked werewolf in front of him.

Stiles himself swapped out his cold damp clothes for one of Derek’s shirts and a pair of flannel bottoms he’d found. He guided him over to the bed, pushing on his shoulder to get him to sit. Derek laid back, grabbing Stiles’ wrist as he went and tugged him down with him. He warped his arms round the boy, burying his face in his neck. Stiles laid on his side, facing Derek, and ran his hand through his hair, down the back of his neck where it stayed. He drew small circles against his skin with his thumb, Derek nuzzled in closer and rumbled low in his chest.

Derek woke up the next morning with Stiles’ head pillowed in his chest, his own arms wrapped protectively around him. The boy was slow to wake, reaching out and stretching like a cat. He turned his face into Derek chest, protesting the idea of waking him.

“I’m really comfy like this.” He said with a sigh.

Derek smiled, craning his head down to brush his lips to Stiles’ forehead. The boy tensed, making Derek freeze with his eye wide open. “I-I’m sorry.” He muttered, pulling away and pushing himself up. He wasn’t sure where that came from, it had just felt so natural.

Stiles sat up, eyebrows drawn together. He reach his hand out, smoothing out the frown on Derek’s face. “Please don’t be.”

Derek felt himself leaning into Stiles’ touch. His eyes fluttered closed, he felt Stiles leaning into his space then the gentle brush of his lips. The kiss was soft and sweet, gentle and loving in away that no one had ever kissed him before.

Derek curled his hands around the back of Stiles’ neck, licking into his mouth smiling at the moan it elicited from the boy. Stiles shuffled closer, getting on his knees and throwing one leg over Derek to straddle him. Derek’s hands moved down from Stiles’ neck to his back, his fingers bunching the fabric of the borrowed shirt.

Stiles pulled away, panting, dragging his nose along Derek’s jaw before his head fell to the mans shoulder. Derek turned his face into Stiles’ neck, pressing his lips against his pulse,

“I wouldn’t mind this being a regular thing.”

Derek nipped at his ear, nosing at his jaws and pressing a kiss to his cheek. “I wouldn’t hate that.”

Stiles smiled, wrapping his arms around Derek’s next and leaning to the side. He pulled the wolf down with him so the were laying back down, facing each other. “Good to know.”

The stayed pressed together for awhile longer, kissing with roaming hands, shirts tossed to the side.

“Hey,” Stiles started about 20 minutes later. “You think we can just, you know, keep this with just us? Just for now?”

Derek pulled away to looked at Stiles better, his eyebrow cock up. “Sure.” He answered slowly. “I’m not sure you can keep much from werewolves, but if you want to keep this a secret…”

“No, no! It’s not that! I just…Scott’s a pain, you know? And he’s not your biggest fan and we’re practically brothers. And I want to break the whole, same-sex attraction thing to my dad before I throw you at him. I just need to have a few conversations first. And, everyone’s going to be intrusive. I like this, us. I don’t want to let the world in just yet.”

Derek nods, carding his fingers through Stiles’ hair. “I get it, it’s fine. We’ll keep this to ourselves for now.”

Stiles grinned, kissing Derek and rolling off the bed. “I’ll talk to my dad first. Work up to Scott. I won’t drag it out, I promise.”

Three months after they got together, Stiles still hadn’t told his dad everything and he didn’t tell Scott anything. Granted, they had a Darach ritually sacrificing people and trying to kill the Sheriff, Melissa, and Chris. But three months and not a word uttered to Scott?

“You said you were okay keeping this between us right now.” Stiles stood in the center of the upstairs bedroom of the loft, the room Stiles claimed as theirs in case the pack was over and caught a scent. His thinking that their time upstairs would be more diluted in scent from the main floor. Derek kind of hated that he wasn’t wrong.

“That was when you made it seem like it would be a couple weeks. You haven’t even talked to your dad yet Stiles.” Derek leaned over the kitchen table, his hand wrapped around one of the chairs, the wood groaning in protest under his fingers.

“I talked to my dad! I told you I did!”

“Not about us though! You told him you were bi Stiles. You neglected to tell him you were in a relationship, if we even are in a relationship. I don’t know, and neither does anyone else!”

“I told you I wasn’t going to drop 2 bombs like that on him! You were arrested, more than once!”

“Because of you!”

Stiles threw his hands up in the air, turning around and pacing the length of the kitchen. “What do you want from me, Derek?! I’ve been just a little busy what with the parental kidnapping and the backlash of that shit in the ice bath!”

“I want you to do what you said! I want you to talk to Scott! Talk to your dad! I’m tired of hiding in my own home, Stiles. I want to take you out, on a proper date! Not just grab some take out and hide out upstairs in case the pack comes over!” Derek yanks the chair out, dropping into it with a heavy sigh. “I’m tired of feeling like this is just some game, of feeling like a secret, like you’re ashamed.”

Stiles pauses, gaping at Derek. “Der,” He comes over to the table, pulling out the chair next to Derek, taking his hand as he sits. “Der, I’m not ashamed. I’m not. I’m scared of what everyone will say, of Scott thinking the worst of my dad wanting time find a reason to arrest you. I’m afraid that letting people in will break us apart.”

Derek meets Stiles gaze, squeezing his hand. “Keeping them out is already doing that.”

Stiles lets out a slow breath. “You’re right.”

Stiles is possessed not long after that and things take a turn for the worst. It’s a struggle to get Stiles back and they lose Allison in the process. Allison was the only one who knew about them; she had seen what the others didn’t and had just asked Derek one day on a rare occasion they found themselves alone. Derek actually confided in her in a moment of frustration and weakness.

“So you and Stiles, huh?”

“What?” He hadn’t expected it, they’d all gathered and marked their effort in their search for Stiles.

“I know Stiles is part of the pack and everything but I’ve never seen you this unsettled when someone’s missing. Not even Erica or Boyd.”

That…had hurt a little. Mostly because it was true, making Derek feel like he’d been the worst possible alpha, worrying more over someone who wouldn’t even let their relationship be public then he’d had his own betas.

“How long?”

Derek cleared his throat, shuffling papers and maps together. “A few months, since the night I kill – since the night Boyd died.”

Allison tilted her head to the side. “You didn’t blame yourself.”

Derek shrugged. “Stiles is helping with that.”

“I’ll bet. He’s seems good for you.”

“He is.” Derek agreed easily. “But he won’t tell anyone. He’s afraid of how Scott will take it and his dad.”

“I kind of get that. With Scott I mean, John will be fine; since finding out about all this stuff, the sheriff really seems to like you. And honestly, he probably has his suspicions anyway. But Scott, he’s a tougher sell; you two don’t have the greatest past. Stiles probably just feels like he’ll be in the middle of a blow out. A kid between two parents going through a divorce.”

Derek grimaced. “If we could refrain from making me out as Stiles’ parent, that would be great.”

Allison smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Fair enough, but you get what I’m saying, right? I think it’ll all work out but for the longest time it was just Scott and Stiles. Bringing a new element to that isn’t easy, trust me. It’s intimidating too.”

It was oddly comforting, talking with Allison, he felt a little better about everything.

After they’d gotten Stiles back and taken care of the nogitsune, Stiles needed some time to get back to himself. He spent a few nights at Derek’s, finding he felt safer in his presence and was terrified he’d wake up not himself and harm his dad. As a werewolf, Derek would likely heal if there were any issues.

There weren’t, but Derek understood his desire for caution. He felt like they were progressing to a good place, that things were working out as they needed. He gave Stiles time to readjust, letting go of his anger about their secret relationship.

Everything with the nogitsune was about a month, it was another month before the nightmares tapered off and Stiles seemed to be back to somewhat normal. It was another five months after that when Derek snapped.

“It’s been ten months, Stiles. What’s the excuse now?”

“Again with this?” Derek was pissed that Stiles had the nerve to be mad at him.

“Yes, again Stiles. We’ve been together almost a year and your best friend doesn’t know?”

“Allison just-”

“Don’t.” Derek cut him off with a glare. “Don’t use Allison as an excuse for you being a coward!”

“A coward?”

“Allison thought this would work out, that things would be fine. She would want you hiding me and she wouldn’t be okay with you using her as an excuse.”

Stiles stared, shocked. “You told Allison?”

“She figures it out, she thought your dad knew too. But we don’t know that for sure, do we?!”

“Derek.” Stiles groaned.

“I’m done.”

“What? What do you mean done?”

“I’m done. Stiles. You don’t want to tell your dad about us or tell Scott? Fine. Then we’re done.”

Stiles narrowed his eyes at Derek, crossing his arms over his chest. “Are you giving me an ultimatum?”

“I shouldn’t have to. Not about this! This isn’t a tell them or I walk situation. This is just me walking. I love you, Stiles. But I can’t do this, I can’t be your secret. We have a pack meeting and your on the side of the room, you jerk away if my arm brushes against yours. I can’t do this anymore.”

Derek grabs his jacket off the back of the chair on his way to the front door.

“Derek, Derek wait!” Stiles rushes after him. “I’ll do it! Okay! I’ll tell everyone! I’ll call them, text them, take out an ad in the paper! Please don’t leave!”

Derek pauses on the front lawn. “I’m sorry Stiles.”

“Derek, please. Tell me how I can fix this!”

The crack in Stiles’ voice almost had his running back, the most he did was flinch forward. Derek managed to stand his ground. “You were supposed to fight.”

“Fight? I fought Derek, every damn day that fucking thing was walking around inside my body. I fought to get back, and I almost lost. Don’t tell me I didn’t fight.”

“You didn’t fight for me. You never fought for me. You fought with me; gave me reasons you didn’t tell Scott, didn’t tell your dad. Told me you wanted to stay in our little bubble. I told you what I wanted, I’ve been telling you. But you never listened. You never cared.”

“I did!”

Derek shook his head. “You cared more about what Scott would think then how I felt being your secret. You chose him, I guess there wasn’t much competition; he’s your best friend. And who am I? Just some guy.”

“You’re not just some guy, Derek. I love you, please don’t do this.”

The tears running down Stiles’ face were tearing Derek apart. “It’s too late Stiles. Good-bye.”

Derek’s legs felt like lead walking to his car, but he force himself forward, getting in the car and driving away; glancing in the mirror, he saw Stiles on his knees in the grass and the sheriffs cruiser turning around the corner.

At least he’d have his dad to comfort him, Derek was going home to an empty loft, Stiles’ scent still clinging to everything; mocking him.

For the first time since Paige, Derek let himself love with every piece of him. And just like with Paige, he had his heart ripped in half.

Note: Might have a part two, let’s see if I can be okay with an unhappy ending. I say there might be a part two cause I can already see myself not being about to keep Derek and Stiles apart. I’m going to try and be strong though.

Also, I’m working on the prompt for #49, you weren’t there when I needed you. And trying to get something good going for the others.

#teen wolf #derek hale #stiles stilinski #sterek #derek and stiles #teen wolf fanfiction #sterek fic #sterek fanfiction #sterek is real #sterek fic rec #sterek angst #angst prompt #sterek prompt list #fanfic prompt #sterek feels

[artificialqueens]

Currently Untiled Witch Au? - Anonymous

A/N: Hi, I don’t usually do this kind of stuff but it’s quarantine and I’m bored. I really liked the Black Bride runway so I wrote a vaguely AHS Coven inspired thing. It’s not great because I was trying to rush through all the groundwork to get to the meat but it still ended up a prologue. I don’t know what else to put here, goodbye.

Three hundred and sixty-five days and nights do they wait.

Fifty-two weeks do whispers spread from the source.

Twelve months for the simple disciples across the country to dare utter unearthed names at the risk of being heard by those they wished were deaf.

The months had run their course, the weeks have made their peace, and the days have lived and died until the hourglass had emptied and the time to find a new Supreme had dawned.

Twelve names, twelve witches from coast to coast had been called. Even for the eleven witches who would not ascend to the status of Supreme, the chance to fight for the title was a level of status of its own. The opportunity alone practically elevated one to a legendary status but the Supreme truly was a class of its own.

To be a Supreme, that aspiration had driven Jan for as long as she could remember. Any information past Supremes, witches who didn’t quite make it, and the challenges they would face Jan devoured. She studied their magic religiously; she knew the game like the back of her hand and saw an empty seat at the table waiting for her.

Upon the morning when she found an elegant black envelope sealed with pink wax and pressed with the seal RU, Jan jumped up and down and squealed so loudly that her downstairs neighbor threw a shoe at his ceiling. The following weeks were a practical blur as she prepared. Everything from restocking her spell components bag to texting her friends to let them know that she couldn’t host musical night for the next few weeks. Jan had fretted over the prospect of not having someone around to water her plants but that concern was short lived as she had no reason to doubt her own innate magic. Giving things energy was what she did, reviving a wilted vine would be nothing.

The journey proved to be an interesting one. Past witches who tried to become the Supreme had revealed secrets here and there but many of the details remained hidden ad that largely had to do with who sat at the head of the table. Though the Supreme was considered to be the highest position a witch could take, one witch sat above the others. An ancient being who had seen many come and go, revered by almost every witch aligned with the Supremes and under whose authority they were named.  

Ru. How she became so powerful was an enigma. Ru was reclusive these days, a witch of her power earned her a top spot on many witch hunter’s watch list, even the location in which the Supreme was decided was kept secret and Jan practical shook with excitement as her eyes flitted across the letter to find the location.

It’s Wyoming, apparently. Jan wasn’t sure how to feel about that. What was even in Wyoming, cows, bears? She couldn’t name anything about the state or what role it had in any bit of witchcraft history. It’s- that’s- just why?

The journey there also turned out to be less of a journey and more akin to a business trip. Arrangements were made to have all magic items and materials sent separately to avoid suspicion and as Jan boarded a flight from New York City to Cheyenne, she wondered if this was how it was actually supposed to go. When she exited the terminal, however, she spotted a well-dressed man standing in front of a car holding a sign with her name on it. The sign was writing with the same cursive pink font of the letter and, to be quite honest, the man had a face that made her not even care if he was a hunter in disguise, she’d go anywhere with him. She smiled and greeted him with her usual cheer but he simply smiled and nodded before putting her luggage in the trunk and holding the door open for her.

Jan noted that another identical black car was parked just a few meters down, with another well-dressed man holding a sign, Jan craned her neck to try and make out the name on it but the driver was already pulling away. The drive was peaceful, but peaceful was another word for dull sometimes. The driver did not speak no matter how many times Jan tried to start a conversation and Jan eventually resigned herself to watching videos on her phone, occasionally looking up to see the scenery. They made their way out of the city and down a long drive towards the mountains and into a heavily wooded area, the paved road long since having run out and turn to worn dirt.

The slight glimpses that broke free from the thick canopy above showed that the sky had turned a wave of oranges and pinks and purples as the sun took its rest. The forest on the other hand held onto darkness so tightly it may as well be midnight, shapes defined only by distant glows that grew stronger as the car winded down the path.

Finally, there came a break in the trees and Jan rolled down the window to peer out at the structure before them. An old looking manor sat in the center of the clearing, the driveway looped around the front and three other black cars sat parked around it. A white van stood out among the bunch, the back doors folded open and two men working to pull luggage from it and carry it inside. The car came to a stop and the driver helped Jan to her feet. She could have stood there all night just taking it in until the driver reminded her with a flourish of his arm to the door that she actually had to go inside.

With her suitcase in tow, Jan had to restrain herself from sprinting inside but she managed to go at what she would have consider a reasonable pace. The grand foyer was a vision of black, purples, and pinks and Jan found herself once again frozen in spot, wide eyed and mouth gaping open as she tried to take in every last detail. The statues that stood in the room caught her attention in particularly, all muscular men scantily clad, unbelievably lifelike but that didn’t stop Jan from yelping as the statue began to move.

It- he?- was as silent as the driver was but collected her suitcase from her and effortlessly hefted it over his head and moved up the staircase. Jan padded after him and followed him down a long hall lined with doors. He stopped in front of one and opened it, her bedroom for her time here it seemed. The bedroom was simple but matched the aesthetic of everything else in the house. It consisted of a single bed, a wardrobe, and a vanity, along with a few somewhat generic paintings and her other luggage neatly setup in the corner. Going through all of that was going to be a pain but as she was left alone, Jan decided to leave that for tomorrow and flop down on the bed instead. She buried her face into a pillow to muffle her screams of excitement before rolling onto her back and hugging it tightly to her chest.

Tonight was going to be the only moment of peace, the fight for the title of Supreme started tomorrow and Jan was more than ready.

The first stage of the competition was the debut, meeting all of the other witches and hearing the inaugural speech from Ru herself. Standing out was imperative, if a witch failed to make Ru realize she had potential then, she was doomed in the long run. Presentation was everything from personality to magic to what they wore.

The morning couldn’t come fast enough. The witches were expected to stay in their room for the first day while preparing with meals brought to their doors. Some moments seemed to droll on forever while others were a flash of practicing her introduction speech in the mirror, going over the dress she wanted to wear, and prepping the materials to demonstrate her innate magic, her eyes constantly on the clock counting down the seconds.

#rpdr fanfiction #please remember your tags! -v #jan sport #rupaul #anonymous #untitled witch au #submission

[evien-stark]

✧I Need You✧ Chapter 112

Eventually you did have to take that call with President Ellis, although you were determined to not let him bother you during… dinner. If a few bags of BK could be considered dinner. Harley was too preoccupied with going on and on about whatever lab experiment they were doing downstairs to really care about much else. When everyone was fed you put some face time into calming Ellis down and telling him this was all for the best, really, and that you’d send whatever resources his way that he needed. 

It was after that annoying phone call (that you’d honestly brought on yourself, no matter the good reasons behind it) and tying up a few more loose ends via email and phone calls that you excused yourself to the small private gym in the back corner of the penthouse to release some stress. If you didn’t have an unexpected young visitor, you might have thought of other ways to relieve it, but… circumstances couldn’t always be in your favor. Still… even as you ran a few miles on the treadmill and finished up with some rhythm boxing, your mind wandered to earlier that morning. And some other very choice moments… having so many to pick from… 

Finished with your workout, though not sufficiently de-stressed really, you emerged to see Tony and Harley sitting on the couch playing whatever game it was that Happy had dropped off earlier that day as per your request. It was at least nice that Tony had something other than work and nonsense to focus on… maybe it would do him good. But this couldn’t go on forever. And you were inclined to believe he hadn’t really worked on a solution to the problem at all today. You’d have to forgive him, seeing as there was an emergency in the lab, but… 

As you took a quick hot shower to wash off and relax your muscles, you couldn’t help but wonder what were the two of you supposed to do? To even get to the bottom of things, Harley would have to admit the reason he was here. He’d run away from home- Tony had gotten a little bit out of him. About his absent father who had come back and seemed to turn his life upside down. And then in the back of the car tonight… he was harboring some real darkness. It wasn’t hard to imagine what had happened, but… 

So many buts. Your mind was reeling as you stepped out of the shower, standing at the sink, toweling off your hair. What could you and Tony do? How much could you be responsible for? Could you roll up to his house in Rose Hill and demand his father left? Sure, why not. The two of you could do anything you wanted. Would that make sense? Would it even help? Probably not. 

In the meantime you also had your own life to contend with. Maybe it would have been better to just take the vacation in the sense of staying with Harley and not working until the three of you figured this out instead of immediately returning to work, but… people would see that you were home. And even if it was your right as an Avenger and a very overworked woman to take time off when you needed it, that wouldn’t stop them from talking. The last thing you needed was to be seen as lazy. 

Romantic getaway with your boyfriend? Fine. Supposedly lazing around the penthouse? Asking for trouble. Add a random child into that mix, god forbid you were ever seen with him (which you would have been) and it would have been extra bad. This was the best you could do, for now. No matter- 

A hand touched over your shoulder, and anxious as your thoughts had started spinning, you couldn’t hold back a gasp, nor the knee jerk reaction of reaching back to grab the wrist it belonged to with a twist to the side. It was obvious who it was the second the fog lifted, but Tony’s sudden sharp inhale of pain and his nervous pleading- “Ah- honey- I need that- please don’t break it-” All did a good job of getting you to let go.

You turned fully, bumping back against the sink. Even though you’d just let him go, you took hold of his wrist in both your hands, massaging a little at the joints. “I’m sorry, Tony… are you okay?” 

“No harm done. And message received.” Smiling at you, working his hand away from yours so he could settle his palms against your cheeks as the two of you shared a gaze. “No more sneaking up on you. Usually a pretty tough thing to do…” Breathing out with a little scrunch of his brows. “What’s on your mind?” Indicating there must be plenty if you’d been distracted enough to not sense him coming up behind you. 

“What isn’t on my mind?” 

“Fair. Very loaded question, I realize.” Shifting his hands all the way back, he wrapped his arms around you, pulling you to him. You practically melted into him, raising your hands up to hold at the back of his shirt, just breathing him in as you laid your head at his chest. The squeeze he gave you was comforting. It was easy to pretend all was right in the world, when he was holding you like that. “We’ll figure out the kid stuff and then we’ll actually go on vacation, alright?” 

You couldn’t hold back the sigh. “That’s fine but we actually need to work on figuring stuff out. ...and also we can’t leave until after Friday at the latest.” 

“Why’s that?” Angling back a little to arch what felt like an accusing eyebrow your way. 

“We have to go to the Val ball.” 

His eyes went up in that perfect annoyed, dead-eyed stare for just a moment. “And here I thought we’d wriggled free of another evening of ass-kissers and ladder-climbers.” 

Your turn now, you reached up instead, fingers touching at the lines of his jaw. “They sent out a newsletter.” 

A mock offended gasp escaped him. “Well how dare they.” Seemingly unable to help his smile after. 

“So we’re going to show them up.” Inching him down closer as you leaned up. 

“Mn. We’re very good at that.” His lips were right there, in a ghost of a touch against yours. Curve of his grin easily felt. 

“We are.” A quiet murmur before you closed that small gap, trying not to fall too deeply. Basically impossible. There was a dizzying heat nearly immediately, and a small little moan you couldn’t quite keep to yourself as his tongue brushed yours. But it was realizing your towel had dropped- at some point- when you felt the glide of his hands against your bare skin- that was when you pulled back for some much needed air. And warned him, “Tony-” It was unfortunate it didn’t sound as authoritative as you would have liked, instead broken off in another quiet pleased noise as his lips kept working down the column of your neck. 

“Yes, honey…” Humming these two words against your skin as his hands came to a stop, gripping your hips, pulling you closer into him. 

You found yourself drowning very suddenly. Your hands raked up his back, not sure whether to push or grab. “We can’t…” This came out in a pitched gasp as his teeth found the round of your shoulder. 

After touching his lips and tongue slowly over the mark he’d now made, his voice came out low. “Kid’s dead asleep- in his room- hundreds of feet away- we’re sound-proofed-” Kissing his way back up the opposite side of your neck between connecting thoughts.

Then to your lips again as he held your face in his hands, kissing you utterly senseless, in that way he always did. Burning with that need that always in turn made you so completely weak. But something he had just said stuck out to you. His room. But it wasn’t. And the two of you could not get consumed by one another and pretend this was another regular night. So with as much strength and willpower as you could muster, your hands came forward, bunching in the front of his shirt, and you angled your head back.

He tried to chase you, and you allowed him a few moments more of broken kisses, touches of tongues, and heavy breathing. Before finally craning your head back enough to give him an idea- and when his half-lidded and glazed eyes found yours, you kissed him only one more time. In apology. “Not right now- Tony-” Almost begging him to be the first to stop because one moment more, you weren’t sure you could. 

There was a soft pained look to the squinch of his brows, coupled with the way his forehead pressed to yours. “If you’re sure…” Only the smallest bit of relief, that he always respected your wishes. The backs of his fingers fanned up your sides, and the look he was giving you killed you. 

“I’m not-” Being truthful with him, especially this truth, was very dangerous. But you kissed him again, softer this time, and let your heart ache when he was stuck in place simply waiting for you to do it again as you pulled back. “But… not right now. When we’re finished with this, okay?” At least this could maybe be an incentive. That was terrible, for sure. But it was the way it had to be. 

He heaved an awful sigh, shifting to hang his head, lowering still until it made contact with your shoulder. “Yeah. Alright…” 

                                                           ---

You didn’t want to fall into a routine, but as the next morning started much the same- Tony getting up, you following suit an hour later. Showering. Getting ready for work. Finding him making breakfast- sharing a few very charged kisses before briefing each other- and Harley- about the day ahead… this was dangerous. This was not a life you lived. And if any one of the three of you got comfortable… 

It was why you asked Tony to try and investigate what Harley was doing here, and what he thought the two of you could do to help him. You couldn’t solve all his problems for him, but you couldn’t solve any of them if you didn’t even know what they were. It was hard to just go to work after all that. 

Harder still when Tony called you from the lab around three PM, and you put him on the holoscreen. “Another fire?” 

At the very least he smiled, but there was a strange tightness to it. “No. Not this time. But… kid’s heading up to you.” 

“Me? Why?” If not a fire in the lab then- 

Tony just gave you a shrug before crossing his arms. “He seems… interested in what you’re doing. I think you must’ve impressed him yesterday. I gave him a pass, so he doesn’t feel awkward about it.” 

“Oh.” Smiling a little yourself then. “Hall pass?” 

He laughed a little. “Yeah. Something like that. Anyway… I think maybe you’re better at this stuff than me.” 

“That’s not true.” You immediately got what he was putting himself down about. He tinkered. And science-d. And worked. And thought you had a much more human touch. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

He just ended up shrugging. “Whatever you say. I’ll see you later.” Catching a lucky break when there was a knock at your door. “I love you.” 

For once you were extra sure as you said, “I love you more.” And then ended the channel before he could protest. 

Pepper opened the door, though you spied said kid behind her. “Harley came up from the labs. Do you want me to watch him?” 

Giving a small shake of your head and an inviting wave of your hand, “No. He can stay with me.” When she nodded and allowed him in past her and then shut the door, you gave a softer smile. “To what do I owe the honor?” 

He came over to the desk, avoiding your eye contact by pretending to look around, and then placed a little piece of paper on your desk. “Tony got interrupted by someone. They were talking about stocks. When I asked about it he said to go to you.” 

On said piece of paper was Tony’s hand writing- One get of of jail free card. Very nice. 

“Stocks?” Looking up at him. “LUNA turn the TV on, please- monitor stocks for me.” 

“Yes, ma’am.” The TV in the corner of your office flashed on. Harley’s attention turned skyward. “That’s so cool. You have one, too?” Not a hard thing to imagine Tony had been showing JARVIS off around the lab. 

“Tony made her for me. For my suit.” Once the numbers and graphs displayed on your screen, you got up from the desk, folding your arms as you looked over them. “They bumped. A little. Not surprising.” Why was someone talking to Tony about stocks…? 

Coming to your side, he looked up at the TV and then at you. “Why?” 

“Well…” Taking a breath, head tipping to one side. “I made a decision to stop and talk to a reporter- and gave a patriotic speech over my opinions of a certain Hydra affiliated senator-”

“The one who threatened Tony.”

“That’s right.” Answering him before continuing. “And then I linked that with my close relationship with the President of the United States. So investor confidence favors that sort of thing.” 

Harley considered all this information before mirroring your posture, crossing his arms. “What’s investor confidence?” 

“It’s the thing that makes stocks go. It’s all basically imaginary bullshit, but it very highly determines the health of your company. If investor confidence is good- if you do good things or say good things or give the impression that you know what you’re doing and that the future of the company is great, then investor confidence goes up. And so do your stock prices. If you mess up or a product is bad or a launch goes haywire-”

“Confidence goes down. So stocks go down. And that’s bad.” 

“Very good. -and, yes. That’s very bad. You can come back, it’s not the end of the world. But it’s harder to build trust after you lose momentum. And easy to keep gaining momentum when you’ve had a long good run.” You gestured for him to take a seat on the couch, and you sat in the chair in front of the coffee table. “Because Stark Industries is so entwined with the Avengers, when I stop to talk about that sort of stuff, it always boosts the stocks. ...provided we have a handle on whatever’s happening.” 

“But what if you don’t?” 

“Then we don’t stop to talk. It’s a very strategic game. Like chess. Sometimes you can plant reporters that will ask the right questions, if we’re worried about the company looking bad- or the Avengers, even, sometimes. Especially in situations where we know we can’t avoid the press.” 

He considered this for a short while. “Isn’t that… cheating?” 

Uh oh. Were you teaching him the wrong things? You had to think before speaking the next time. “I consider it… fair. In a very unfair world. If I have to be forced into a situation that’s not good for me, or for Tony, or the Avengers, then I like to do what I can to even it out.” 

“...to protect them.” 

“That’s always my top priority.” You put one knee up over your leg and settled your hands over top. “Harley… did you hear what was going on? Do you know why someone was talking to Tony about stocks?” 

He gave an uneasy shrug and looked away. “I dunno…” Nervous suddenly. 

“You’re not in trouble- if you listened in.” Even though Tony had sent him away, and made it seem like he was doing Harley the favor here. “I just like to know about these sorts of things. Helps me set up my pieces.” 

Harley still wouldn’t look at you, and gave another shrug. “I dunno- ...there was a man who came in- another scientist, I think. He said something to Dr. Banner, and some of the other scientists- and kept going am I right? And then Tony heard him- and told me to come up here after.” 

You felt a small break of relief. “Oh. They were talking about me.” 

His head whipped up. Shocked. “How could you tell??” 

“We protect each other. It’s the same reason I want that senator in jail- kind of.” Trying to relate it to make it make sense. “He said something bad about Tony- plenty of times- so. I know when someone speaks bad about me, they take it personally.” Even though you’d gotten to the bottom of it, you couldn’t help yourself… “Did you hear what he actually said?” 

Harley sighed. “Something about… how you’re good for stocks but better to look at.” He was not interested in gross adult talk. Or repeating what he’d heard verbatim. There was a telling note of disgust paired with the discomfort that spoke volumes. Someone in that lab had been speaking very terribly of you. And that not only upset Tony, and Bruce, but… also Harley, it seemed. Even if he wouldn’t admit it.

You pressed your lips together. “Oh no. So he just got fired.” Made sense. Tony didn’t want Harley witnessing that. ...you sort of wanted to see it, though. 

“But it doesn’t make sense. They know. Everyone knows. That you and Tony are… dating.” Saying the word like it freaked him out. You had to stifle a little laugh. “So why would he be stupid like that?” 

“Men are very stupid, Harley. No offense.” Smiling and then correcting yourself. “Men like that. Tony used to have a reputation, for a long time. He dated lots of women. Some guys think he’s their buddy, if they say things like that. Or that it makes them cool. I’m surprised they roped Bruce into it, though. Talk about brainless.” Coughing up the word on a hum to lighten his mood- 

It worked. His laughter was a bit of a reprieve. Like you’d won a battle. Short lived, though, as he shook his head and looked away again. Uncomfortable. “You all protect each other.” 

“We’re a team. We have to. And- more than that, now. They’re like family to me. I love them.” Not shy with the use of the word. 

“Dr. Banner called you scary.” A little overly knowing, like he was both telling you a secret and telling you you may be wrong. 

But you couldn’t help your grin. “Because of last night. Because of what I said to that reporter- probably more how I said it.” 

Harley collapsed back a little on the couch with his hands up. “Ugh. How do you do that!” And then squinted up at you accusingly. “Are you spying on them??” 

“No. I just know that- Dr. Banner watches the news- especially when it comes to things about us or the company. And he and Tony were probably talking about it. And he’s right. I am scary.” Wearing it like a badge of honor. 

Your quick inference math seemed to at the very least impress him. He was shy and still a little deflated, arms crossed again as he said, “You’re pretty smart. ...for someone who files papers.” 

“I have to be. To keep up with Tony.” Standing you went back to your desk, but before you sat you waggled a finger at him. “I know you’ve only been here two days- but have you seen me file a single paper?” 

He hummed out a noise with a roll of his eyes before shaking his head. “No.” 

“That’s right.” Reaching up to your earring, “LUNA intercom Pepper for me.” When Pepper answered three seconds later, “Pep, what stacks of paper you have laying around? I think it’s time Harley learns the filing system.” 

“Oh, yes ma’am. I need all the help I can get.” 

Harley smashed his hands against his forehead. “Ugh!” As Pepper poked her head into the office and waved at him, he sighed. Before leaving he offered his final judgment. “You are scary.” Failing to hide his smile as well as he would have liked. 

Secretly you instructed her to only keep him an hour. Eventually he would need to return to the labs. But when he came back to your office after his little lesson, you were in the middle of a phone meeting, so you just gently waved for him to sit on the couch. Pepper gave him the remote for the TV, and he begun to channel surf while you turned in your chair, back to him, to better focus. 

Nothing spectacular of note, and when you were finished you turned back to see him transfixed by some broadcast reporter on the recent goings on at the Triskellion. Images of battle were playing over and over. It ticked an anxious beat in your heart, and you tried to speak over it. “Did you learn anything valuable?” 

He barely paid attention. “Yeah. Don’t mess with you- that’s what Ms. Potts said.” 

“Ms. Potts is right.” Turning your attention to your computer quickly after to start working through some more emails and look over proposals. 

Your eyes lifted every now and again. He jumped every time Iron Man flashed on screen. And, after seeing amateur footage of Tony throwing a Hydra agent from the deck of one of those helicarriers and blasting a hole in the side, he sat forward in his seat. “Man- I wish I could fly in an Iron Man suit. He’s so cool.” Mumbling more to himself. 

You lowered your eyes to your computer, but couldn’t help your smile. “I have to agree.” 

And while you felt Harley looking at you, for a moment, you pretended to keep working. He was quiet when he spoke, almost like he didn’t want you to hear it- but at the same time… still sort of did. “My sister likes you. You're her favorite.” 

Trying to not get caught up in the surprise of that sudden fact, you kept your head down. He wanted to share this with you- you could feel it. That’s why he brought it up. If you overreacted he’d pull back. “She’s got good taste. I can send some toys her way- is she older than you? Or younger?” 

“Younger.” He was already retreating. “...and don’t bother.”

While that was… troubling, you ignored it in favor of this new lead. “Oh. That makes you the big brother. How old is she?” 

He withdrew into himself, crossing his arms tightly. “Eight.” 

It was too much to ask, that you not test your luck. “Is she okay at home by herself?” 

“She’s fine.” And now you’d pissed him off. Very suddenly at that. He pushed himself off the couch and went to the door quickly. But before he opened it he stopped, hand on the handle, and turned to look at you. You put your full attention on him. That same darkness that had taken him before was suddenly staring at you. “And- anyway-...” Starting and then stopping. He pulled on the door. He wanted to say something to you- maybe even wanted to ask for help. Was trying to build up the courage to do it. But it just wasn’t working.

There were no instructions on how to make the correct next move. You knew what this was about, you were sure. You just have to get him to talk. “Harley… is this about your father?” 

He grew so angry. Like a tornado. “Mind your own business!” Realizing his outburst he forced his head down and then shook it. “What do you care- leave me alone.” You felt a pain. More than just emotional. Physical memories etched so deeply into his heart, they passed to you. Ghosts. 

The slap of skin against skin. The jingle of a belt clip. 

He slammed your office door, no doubt headed down to Tony. You heard Pepper go after him. So you called before he could get there. And when he answered- “We have to do something about his father, Tony.” 

The smile he’d greeted you with vanished instantly, and he, too, darkened very suddenly. “...yeah. I figured.” Quiet, hesitant to ask, but gathering up his courage to do so. Funny how similar... “What’d the kid say?” 

“He didn’t have to say it. That man is putting his hands on those kids. I know it.” 

Sitting at his desk, Tony seemed to wilt, expression growing stormy. He lifted the back of his fingers to press them over his mouth. “Yeah. I thought so, too.” 

The two of you shared a long look. Thinking the exact same thing. 

How were you going to murder and disappear this man with no questions asked? 

#Tony Stark #Tony Stark x Reader #INY Chapter One Hundred Twelve

[a-little-international]

The Height Of Summer (9)

Summary: She’s a whirling dervish, and he’s trying his best to keep up.

Warnings: some angst and some fluff, what else is new.

Words: 3327

A/N: sorry for the long delay - i graduated uni and started working full time in the world’s most soul sucking corporate job that drained me of all inspiration and joy. Don’t worry though, i quit it without having anything else lined up (i’m v v worried lmao). Anyway, here’s some stuff.

The Series: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10

Chapter 9 - Summer

“No, listen, hear me out - what I think we really need is Netflix or HBO to get on making a full Harry Potter show. Just throw a bunch of money at it, make a bunch of seasons, follow the books with absolute anal precision -”

“Aw, Jack, why’d you have to say it like that!” Paige exclaimed, throwing the pillow she’d been leaning against, at Jackson’s head.

“I absolutely agree,” Shawn said sincerely, cradling his guitar on his thighs with his fingers hovering over the strings, “give it the Game of Thrones treatment - could you imagine? I’d never watch anything ever again.

“You gotta pull some of your Hollywood strings, Shawnie,” Eli laughed, throwing a wink at Shawn.

“I’ll make sure to get my people on it,” Shawn winked back.

Summer smiled as she leaned her head back against his knee, basking in the laughter and chatter between her friends. They had all piled into her room after getting back from the picnic, all sunburnt and in good spirits. Paige, Molly and Eli had spread themselves out on her bed, Jackson was sitting in the alcove of her window, Shawn was lounging in the armchair next to her bed, and Maya was sitting curled up on Lewis’s lap on the other armchair. Summer, ever the generous hostess, had opted for the floor in front of Shawn. She rather enjoyed her position, as it allowed her to affectionately lean her head back against him, and she was almost certain she felt his fingers play with her hair absentmindedly when the others were talking, and nobody was looking their way.

“Okay but the most important question is what house everyone is in,” Lewis piped up, which was met with excited exclamations and laughter.

“I don’t think I even know what the houses are,” Molly said, pulling a face.

“I don’t either, babe,” Maya laughed in solidarity.

Lewis looked at his girlfriend with abject horror scrawled on his face, “Right,” he said matter-of-factly, “that’s it, we’re breaking up,” as he pretended to push her off his legs, catching her from falling at the last minute and pulling her back into him. Looking at them made Summer wish she could relocate into Shawn’s lap and wrap her arms around his neck and press her face against his.

“Well I’m definitely a Slytherin,” Paige said proudly, flicking her hair over her shoulder.

“Don’t we know it,” Jackson laughed, grinning as he rolled his eyes.

A sharp tap against the window pane sliced through the chatter and laughter, and the group exchanged confused looks with each other.

“Did you hear that?” Eli asked, brows furrowed.

“Is it raining?” Summer replied, looking at Jackson who was sitting in the alcove, his figure outlined by the dimming evening light.

Jackson craned his neck upwards to look for clouds when another sharp rap against the window rang out, and his head snapped downwards immediately. There was a pregnant pause as his hand came up to cup around his face to help him see out better, and then, “Um...Summer, you might want to go down.”

“What?” She replied, frowning, but her gut was starting to twist itself in knots as suspicion krept up on her.

Jackson turned around to look at her, and she didn’t miss the way his eyes darted to look at Shawn for a second, before returning to hers. In the beats of silence that passed, the tension she was radiating seemed to become palpable and she wished with her entire heart that he wasn’t about to say what she thought he was about to say.

“It’s Jesse, he’s downstairs,” Jackson said, stabbing into the anticipatory tension, and then, as if it couldn’t possible get any worse, he added, “throwing rocks at your window”.

A shiver ran up her spine and she was suddenly extremely aware that all eyes were on her, but most of all that Shawn’s eyes were on her and the feeling of her side resting against his legs suddenly seemed hard and uncomfortable and it made her feel sick. Jesse used to throw rocks at her window as a romantic thing, it was their little inside joke, to make her feel like she was in some sappy romance film. It was a rock thrown at her window during a weekend away at the cabins that had first brought them together, under the veil of darkness and shrouded in the secrecy of being with her brother’s best friend. It was the sign that they could be together, just the two of  them, and sneak away from the company of others. And now here he was throwing rocks at her window when she thought they had found some closure that same morning in the kitchen.

She wasn’t brave enough to look at Shawn as she stood up, confusion and shame and anger and anxiety all fighting for dominance in her stomach.

“I”ll be right back,” she said as she slipped out of her bedroom door, stopping to take a big breath in the hallway as she closed it behind her. She could hear the faint exchange of whispers amongst her friendship group and she wondered what they were saying, but most of all she wished she knew was Shawn was thinking.

Trying to sort out her inner thoughts and figure out what he wanted and what she could say to Jesse, Summer slowly descended the stairs and excited the cabin. She found him kicking at the dry grass and dirt below her window, the same way she had found him on countless other nights just like this one and she couldn’t help that her heart clenched a little at the sight. Glancing up to her window, she saw her friends peering down at her and Jesse, but Shawn didn’t seem to be with them.

“Hey.” She said, pulling the sleeves of her hoodie over her hands. “What’s up?”

Jesse looked up at her and shifted uncomfortably, fiddling with another small stone he was holding, “Hey, sorry about-” he said, showing her the rock, “I just wanted to talk but I didn’t want to barge in, when I saw Jack in the window I figured you had your friends round and stuff.”

“So you thought the best solution was to throw rocks at my window?” Summer hissed at him, crossing her arms.

Jesse shrugged, “I don’t know, it’s just the first thing I thought of.”

Summer rubbed her hands over her face in frustration, “What could you possibly want to talk about now, you already barged in at the crack of dawn this morning to have a conversation and I thought we said what needed to be said but now you’re throwing rocks at my window like nothing ever changed between us.”

“I guess for me it just doesn’t feel like that much has changed.”

“Jesse you broke up with me two years ago. You did, not me. You don’t get to-”

“No hear me out,” Jesse interrupted her as he took a step forward. “You know I still love and miss you, I told you as much this morning, and I get that this is all my fault and by God am I happy you’re happy and doing well, which is why I just wanted to make clear that I am doing well too and I hope someday soon I will be okay with what I did to us, to you. But I want you to be happy because I still love you.” 

“Jesse…”

“No listen, please, I was watching you all day today and I get it now. You’re happier now, happier than you ever were with me I think.”

“Jesse, come on now, that’s not true,” Summer said softly, taking a step towards him, wanting to comfort him and those sad ocean-blue eyes she had loved so much for so long.

“ I think it is, though. You and Shawn - you never had that shine in your eyes when you were with me.”

There was a long pause where Summer tried her best to process what he had just said to her, and then she remembered how happy she had been with Jesse and tried to compare it to how she felt around Shawn, and she struggled. They were two completely different things, two completely different boys - men, in fact - and also two completely different Summers.

She swallowed, her heart breaking for Jesse, even though he had been the one to break hers. “I don’t…” She struggled to find the words to explain how she was feeling, especially how she was feeling in regards to Shawn, and to find the words that wouldn’t cause any more hurt than necessary. “Shawn and I...well I don’t exactly know what we are at the moment, but I don’t want you thinking you didn’t make me happy Jess.”

She saw him swallow as he looked away into the darkening forest, his fingers still fiddling with the little black rock like it was a poker chip. “I hope I did make you happy, Sunny,” he said quietly, hesitantly using his nickname for her for the first time since the breakup. “But it’s not about happiness, I can’t explain it really, it’s just different the way you look at him. It’s like you are the sun and he is the moon.”

“That is so cheesy,” Summer said, closing her eyes as she tried to repress a smile.

Jesse laughed quietly, dropping his head, “I know,” he said, shrugging, “I just don’t know how to explain it. You just light up in a way you never really did with me.”

“But I loved you,” Summer said, suddenly feeling a little offended, as if he was undermining how much she had been in loved with him. She had always felt she had given her all to Jesse, thrown herself into everything they were together, and here he was standing in front of her telling her she looked more in love with someone she had known for hardly any time at all compared to how long they had been together.

“I know you did,” Jesse replied quickly, reading his hand out as if to touch her, but then pulled it back as if he thought better of it. “And I always felt that, your love, and I felt how much I hurt you when I did. But I mean when you’re with him...it just looks different, I don’t know, it looks right.”

“Right?” Summer frowned at him. She knew he meant well but he was also digging himself into a hole that she didn’t much appreciate. “So you think we didn’t look right?”

She knew she shouldn’t have said that as she watched Jesse’s face fall. In her heart she knew what he had meant, but it still grated on her and she couldn’t help herself.

“No, of course I think we did I just, what I mean is, if that you look really complete when you’re with him.”

And there he went again, digging himself into that hole she really wished he wouldn’t. Summer’s eyebrows flew up and before she knew what she was saying, the words had already left her mouth in a hushed rage, “Jesse Sullivan if you think I need a man to complete me, or try to imply in any way that I am in some may incomplete or broken then you have a new thing coming.” 

“Of course not, come on Sunny, please you’ve got to know what I mean. All I’m trying to say is that I won’t try and interfere or win you back or do all the things I really want to do because I can see that I can’t compare anymore and that is alright, and I will be alright.”

Summer took a deep breath, her frustrations deflating with each word he spoke. “And will we be alright?” She asked, looking up at him.

“Yeah, I think we will.” Jesse responded softly, tentatively pulling her into his chest and Summer allowed her arms to wrap around his broad frame as he rested his chin on top of her head.

She breathed into the hug, noting how he still smelled like the same Axe body spray he’d used when he was fifteen years old and half a foot shorter. Some things would never change, but one thing that had was that instead of craving his familiar smell, she now longed for the subtle scent of Shawn’s cologne and spearmint gum. Turning her head to the side, she moved her eyes up to her bedroom window, but found it empty with the lights turned off. She wondered if Shawn had ever come to the window, or if he had left her and Jesse alone once again. She felt Jesse press a kiss against the top of her head and she knew it was time to part, more certain than ever that it wasn’t his arms she wanted to be held by.

---

As predicted, her room was deserted when she returned, her hands still balled up nervously into her sleeves. She looked at the armchair that Shawn had been sitting in and swallowed. Slowly she backed out of her room, closed the door quietly behind her and walked to the end of the hallway where she stood outside of Shawn’s room once again. This time, unlike the night before, Summer knocked. It was soft but sure and she hoped more than anything that he would be there to open it and welcome her in.

A split second later the door swung open, as if he had been standing waiting for her on the other side.

“Are you alright?” he asked, and Summer lunged forward, wrapping her arms around him. “Hey…” he said softly, returning the hug and pulling her into the room, kicking the door closed behind her, “Hey, are you alright?”

Summer nodded against his chest, eyes closed tightly as she tried to hold back tears. She didn’t even know why she was one kind word away from bursting into tears, but she was so glad that he was there to open that door for her, to pull her in and to hold her. That faint smell of his cologne, that she had become so fond of from the first time she sat on his lap at the house party that seemed a million worlds away now, filled her brain and wove its way around her heart.

Before she knew it, Shawn was sitting on the bed with her cradled in his arms like a small child, her arms still wrapped around him and her face pushed into the crook of his neck. The faint sound of the crickets chirping outside and Shawn’s steady breathing were the only things Summer could hear and it felt like they were the only two people in the world.

“What happened?” Shawn finally asked, breaking the silence. He sounded hesitant and tense, like he was worried about the kind of answer she would give him and not for the first time did Summer feel guilty for pulling him into this situation.

She shrugged, pulling away to look at him, “Nothing really. He just wanted to make clear where we stood.”

“And where do you stand?” There was that tense anticipation in his voice again, and it made her heart rate pick up.

Summer forced herself not to break eye contact with Shawn, her dark blue eyes meeting his brown ones, darker than ever now that the sun had finally set and the only thing illuminating the room was the pale glow of the moon.

“He’s not going to try and get back together, he wants me to be happy...he’s happy for us.” Summer replied, the last part barely over an audible whisper, unsure of what Shawn’s response would be. It was once again another implication of what they were, when that had never really been established, both of them knowing how different their lives really were away from the cabins and in the reality of their respective careers.

“We’re an us?” Shawn asked, leaning back against the headboard, his hands slipping down to her hips.

It wasn’t exactly the response she’d been hoping for, there was no big smile or a passionate kiss, only a question. Summer swallowed, it was now or never. This conversation was bound to happen, the alternative was leaving it a forever open-ended question mark that would eventually allow them to drift apart without explanation or commitment. “I’m happy for there to be an us if you want there to be an us,” she said, sending the ball back into his court as she held her breath for his response. Her heart was beating so fast she was worried he’d be able to feel it.

Shawn just looked at her for a long time, which did nothing to calm her nerves, but his hands stayed on her hips and she thought that that at the very least was a good sign.

Finally, one hand lifted as he ran it through his thick hair, and Summer didn’t dare move an inch for fear of interrupting his contemplation. “Um,” Shawn started, barely looking at her anymore and her heart started to drop into the pit of her stomach. Suddenly she wished she’d allowed the question mark to keep hovering for a little while longer. “I would like there to be an us,” Shawn said, but Summer felt  the inaudible pressure of a ‘but’ hovering between them.

She looked at him and wanted nothing more than to reach up and touch his cheek, slightly flushed from sunburn or stress she couldn’t tell. She wanted to kiss him, to erase the tension and show him how good an ‘us’ could be, but still she didn’t dare move. The hand remaining on her hip gave it a light squeeze and she couldn’t tell if it was accidental or not.

“But it’s going to be hard,” he finally said, looking at her again with worry etched across his face. “It’s going to be so hard on you,” he went on, “so much harder on you than it will be on me I think and I don’t know if I can do that to you.” Shawn bit down on his lip and Summer felt the beginnings of tears sting at her eyes once more.

“I’m a big girl I think I can handle it,” Summer replied, trying her best to keep the tremble she felt in her throat to leak into her words.

“You’re very small,” Shawn laughed, moving both of his hands up to her waist and giving her a very purposeful squeeze, “but I’ll believe you can handle it if you say so.”

And with that her heart swelled three sizes and she returned his wide grin, balling the fabric of the hoodie he was wearing into her fists excitedly. Shawn leaned forward and gently pressed his lips against hers and it was like a whole new box of fireworks was let loose in her stomach all over again. It was only short and sweet, but it was perfect, and when he pulled away it was so minimal that their proximity remained intimate, his nose pressed against hers, his lips brushing hers, his spearmint breath against her. “Summer?”

“Hmm,” she hummed contentedly, closing her eyes to hold onto the moment between them and the feeling of his hands on her and his gentle voice cradling her name.

“Do you want to be my girlfriend?” -

TAGLIST (lemme know if you want to be added!)

@crownedbyluke @24kcalum @divergentseagreengirl @carlaimberlain @5sosle @vnv21 @sayingloveat2am @tougherinrain @esmaaaa8 

#c writes #my writing #Shawn Mendes #Shawn #Mendes #Shawn Mendes fanfiction #Shawn Mendes fic #Shawn Mendes fanfic #Shawn Mendes #imagine #Shawn imagine #Shawn Mendes fluff #Shawn fluff #Shawn Mendes angst #Shawn angst #Shawn Mendes romance #Shawn romance #the height of summer #the height of summer chapter 9

[costcohotdogslut]

Updated

November 2013

It was just another day at the Palm Woods, and Kendall was, once again, bored out of his mind.

These days, it seemed like Kendall was struggling to find ANYTHING to entertain him, and he could only go around his village talking to his villagers so many times (especially since him and Flurry weren’t on speaking terms at the moment), and he sure didn’t have it in him to do something like clean.

With a sigh, he launched himself up from the couch to see what the others were up to. He knew Logan had a study group over and that they were cramming for their upcoming final, but maybe they’d all be down to go and get some pizza for lunch? Kendall always liked making new friends, and if they were anything like Logan, then they were sure they’d be okay people.

With a rap of his knuckles, Kendall stood at their shared bedroom door waiting for Logan to answer. When the door finally cracked open, just enough for Logan to poke his head out and give Kendall a look of annoyance, Kendall spoke up.

“Sorry to bother you guys, just wanted to see what you were up to!” Kendall said.

“Studying… What do you want?” Logan responded, his question seeming more bothered than quizzical.

“Oh, well I was wondering if you guys wanted to get something to eat? It’s almost lunch time, and I’m sure you’d like to get some brain food to help with all that reading.” Kendall said.

“No. Like I said, we’re busy.” Logan barked back at him.

“Aw.. Too bad, well maybe next time?” Kendall responded, craning his head a bit to see three others guys sitting cross-legged with textbooks in their laps, who for some reason had nothing on their lower halves on apart from their underwear. Glancing down, he saw that Logan was sporting the same look. “Uh, is there a reason why none of you guys are wearing pants?”

“Goodbye, Kendall!”

As the door slammed with a loud bang, nearly hitting Kendall in the nose, Kendall stood at the door for a bit, wondering who he could ask to hang out next, and also trying to process what exactly he just saw.

As he was about to knock on Carlos’s door to see if he was home, he remembered him telling he had a few acting auditions he had today. They were pretty big ones too, apparently, and he had seemed to be pretty stoked about them.

It had been a few months since Big Time Rush was suddenly killed off (yes, yet another part of my fic describing what everybody’s up to dhsjfjsj), and things had definitely changed for all of them.

Carlos decided that he wanted to pursue acting, mostly because he had only had about two solos throughout BTR’s 3 studio albums and one Christmas EP, but also because he liked the idea of putting on a costume and getting to be a new person. Surprisingly enough, Carlos was actually good at it, and while he had gotten a pretty big break doing a TV musical, nowadays he was just doing low-budget holiday movies on basic cable, but he was happy with it, so Kendall couldn’t say anything.

Logan, who had never really been all that into the whole boyband thing, jumped right back into school, once again pursuing his dream of becoming a world-renowned neurosurgeon. This was expected, of course, since he had always said he’d go back to school if the whole being famous thing fell through, and he was easily able to adapt to the whole studying and homework and labs thing again. And when he had free time, he still liked tinkering with his different inventions, all of which never seemed to work as planned.

James… well Kendall hadn’t talked to James in a while. As soon as news broke out that Big Time Rush was on indefinite hiatus, the following morning new news broke out that James Diamond had signed onto an exclusive solo deal with Hawke Records. Within the first month, James had released his first single which was met with universal backlash. It was called amateur, horribly produced, and it sure didn’t help that he no longer had his three beautiful, much more talented band members to back him up and make him sound better by association. He also moved out of 2J immediately after signing his contract, and since then, nobody had had any contact with him.

And with Kendall… he still had no idea what to do with his life now. Going solo was never really an option to him/something he was interested in, and he had always told himself he’d try and go pro with hockey, but all that time he spent on the road, touring, performing, recording new songs, he felt like he was really rusty now and no longer at the top of his game. He was also never a fan of school, so he didn’t know what else to do. He usually just sat at home, playing video games and watching old reruns (he had just discovered The Hills and he and his mom were loving it!). Admittedly, he also did just binge on junk food and his mom’s home cooking all day (who was cooking a LOT more now that her baby boy was always home to appreciate it), and he had put on a tiiiny bit of weight (he was pretty skinny already, so that extra 20 lbs didn’t make too much of a difference he thought).

He always thought that being able to sit at home all day doing whatever you wanted sounded like a dream, but he was starting to realize just how boring and monotonous it can really be.

When all else failed, he usually just went downstairs, got a PINK smoothie, and lounged by the pool for a few hours, usually accompanied by the other residents of the Palm Woods, both old and new, and it seemed like this would be the case once again today.

Grabbing his phone and keys, he locked up behind him and walked down the hallway, hands in his pockets, so bored that he even decided to take the longer, more “scenic” route through the hotel which was only just a few more turns and doors.

As he was nearing the pool, he heard a little bit of clamor and what appeared to be a guy grunting. Poking his head around the corner, he saw the back of a man struggling to get his luggage through the door of what he recognized as Lucy’s apartment.

Getting closer to the stranger, he wanted to make sure that it wasn’t someone robbing her apartment while she was away on tour.

“Hey! You there!” Kendall semi-shouted across the hall, the unfamiliar figure turning around and greeting him with a smile and a glasses-clad face.

“Howdy Neighbor!” The stranger waved back, and upon inspection, Kendall deemed the guy safe. He wanted to figure out what he was doing moving his stuff into Lucy’s apartment, so he walked over to him.

“Hello! I haven’t seen you around here before, you must be new, so let me give you a warm welcome to The Palm Woods.” Kendall said, putting his hand out to shake, which the stranger met as soon as he put his bags down. “I’m Kendall.”

“Thanks! I’m Dustin. I just moved in today, so it’s nice to see a happy face around here.” Dustin responded.

“Need a hand?” Kendall asked, seeing the other male’s luggage laying around him, one suitcase overturned with clothes strewn all over, and Dustin eagerly nodded. “Sorry about earlier, if I came across too strong. It’s just that my friend Lucy actually lives here, and I wasn’t sure what someone was doing moving into her apartment.” Kendall said, helping the other male put everything back into his bags. “Still not sure, either.”

“Oh, right! Sorry, my bad, I really should have specified.” Dustin apologized, putting his hand out for another handshake. “Dustin Stone, I’m Lucy’s brother!”

“Oh! I’ve actually heard about you, Lucy mentioned you a few times before, but she never really mentioned you that often because… um.”

“The whole estrangement thing?” Dustin said matter of factly, but he didn’t seem to be mad at Kendall for bringing it up. “Yeah, I moved out of the house when I was 18, but me and Lucy reconnected recently and we’ve been great! I’m trying to get back on my feet, and since she said this place is for aspiring artists, she invited me to move into her apartment, at least until I can get established enough to get my own.”

“That’s awesome! And judging by that guitar case over there, you’re a musician too I assume?” Kendall said, helping him get the last of his bags into the cramped apartment.

“Totally! Haven’t really made a name for myself yet, but I’m hoping that can change soon.” Setting his bags down, his wiped his hangs and let out a sigh. “Thanks again for everything Kendall. You seemed like you were on your way to do something, so I don’t wanna hold you up. The rest is just a bunch of boring unpacking and clean up, so I think I got it here on my own now.”

“Yeah… well I don’t really mind helping you out! I didn’t really have any plans today, and I’d love to help a new friend out.” Kendall said, looking around him to see where to begin.

“Friend?” Dustin asked with a warm smile. “Well if you’re really sure, then great! Go ahead and start anywhere, there really isn’t any rhyme or reason to all of this.”

An hour had passed, and the two had gotten about half ways through everything.

Kendall had quickly gotten to know more about Dustin, and he was just such a cool person. He found out that he was 23 years old and an aspiring rockstar, and while he hasn’t done much but play small coffeeshops and some minor songwriting, he was eagerly awaiting his big break. He also got to know a lot of other things, too. His ideal weather is cold and rainy, his favorite flavor of sorbet is raspberry mint, he isn’t a big fan of the beach, his favorite show is Buffy The Vampire Slayer, his shoe size is 11 ½, and he’s farsighted. All of which Kendall found absolutely fascinating!

As he was sorting a box labeled “Prized Posessions”, Kendall picked up one of the contents of the box and let out a loud gasp, which made Dustin turn his head to see what happened.

“No way… you have the complete series of As Told By Ginger on DVD?!” Kendall exclaimed, his eyes wide as he held the holy grail in the palm of his hands.

“Yep! Limited edition boxset and all!” Dustin said, walking over to look over it with the blond.

“That’s SO cool! I used to love this show, we need to watch it some time!” Kendall said.

“Well,” Dustin said, putting one of his boxes off to the side. “Why don’t we watch it right now? We already put a pretty big dent in all this unpacking, aaaaand” glancing down at his watch – “It’s already gonna be 4. We can order in a pizza and kick back, my treat after all the help you gave me today. Know any good places?”

“Definitely, I’ll start giving them a call!” Kendall responded.

“Cool!” Walking over to his box of prized possessions, Dustin dug around until he finally found what he was looking for. “Hey Kendall! Not sure if you’ve ever watched it but I also have Braceface on DVD! Maybe we could binge it too?”

Upon hearing this, Kendall nearly dropped his phone.

It was nearing 10 o’clock already, and after devouring an entire large pizza between them, the two were starting the third season of As Told By Ginger. Lucy’s thermostat wasn’t working, so they were wrapped up under a blanket on the couch, since it was November and starting to get cold (by Los Angeles’ standards).

Letting out a sigh, Kendall glanced over at Dustin who lifted his glasses and was rubbing his eyes.

“Getting tired? Me too..” Kendall said, who was starting to yawn too.

“Yeah, I’ve been up since 5 this morning and all that unpacking didn’t help either.” Dustin responded, readjusting himself on the couch and going back to watching the screen, his eyes half-lidded and sleepy.

“I had a lot of fun today, though. It’s been kinda lonely around here and I’m really glad I got to spend the day with someone as awesome as you!” Kendall said, which brought a small smile to Dustin’s face.

“Thanks, I couldn’t agree more.” Turning himself over a bit, Dustin was looking at Kendall now. “And you’ve really been feeling lonely? You have all these awesome people living here though, and I’m sure you must be a hit with all of them!”

“Yeah, don’t get me wrong, a lot of the people here are cool and they’re all my close friends. But they’re all busy and don’t really have the free time I do lately, so it can get kinda boring. But you-“ Kendall said, putting a finger on Dustin’s chest. “You made today one of the most fun ones I had in a while!”

As the pair giggled, they eventually went back to watching TV, but not even 20 minutes later, they were both snuggled together under the blanket sound asleep.

Rubbing his eyes, Kendall stirred on the couch as he looked around the unfamiliar room, taking a second to realize that he was still on Dustin’s couch instead of his bed back at home. Oops, he thought to himself, he hadn’t even realized that he had knocked out last night during their little binge session.

He figured that he ought to get up and get going, but he was WAY too tired for that, so he remained in the same position for the next few minutes, looking over and seeing that Dustin was still asleep.

Might as well watch a little TV, since his phone was halfway across the room. Looking around the immediate area for the remote, he felt something rock hard and VERY large poking his ass. Glad he found it without having to get up, he reached for it and was a little surprised when Dustin let out a moan. Not thinking anything of it, he continued to pull, figuring it must be wedged in the couch.

The other male was starting to stir, and through hazy eyes he smiled over at the blond, greeting him good morning.

“Not that I don’t appreciate the gesture, but I didn’t think you’d be wanting to do this so soon.” Dustin said, biting his lip as he tried his best not to let out another groan.

“Well yeah, silly! I wanted to watch the morning news. Now can you move your leg and pass me the remote?” Kendall replied.

“Uh… the remote’s over there on the coffee table.” Dustin said, pointing over at the gadget that was in pretty clear view.

“Oh! Then what was that under the blanket?” Kendall said, reaching over to pull off the garment before Dustin quickly stopped him, suddenly flushed red.

“Wait! How about you, uh, make us a pot of coffee?” Dustin quickly blurted out.

“Sure!” Kendall responded, as Dustin let out a sigh of relief once he was out of sight. “Actually, I don’t see any over here. I don’t see much of anything, really.”

Seeing as how Lucy had been on tour for the last two months, it made sense that she hadn’t stocked up on groceries before she left.

“I’ll probably have to go to the grocery store then.” Dustin said.

“Want me to come with you?” Kendall asked, smiling when Dustin nodded yes. “Well you know what they say, the early bird catches the worm! Let’s get going now.”

As he reached over to pull Dustin up to his feet, he had to quickly stop him again.

“You can start getting ready if you want, but I’m…. gonna need a minute.” Dustin said, gulping as he glanced down to his lap.

After spending the morning going shopping with Dustin, Kendall finally got back to 2J around noon, seeing Logan, Carlos, and Katie playing Mario Kart 64, the three of them arguing over what appeared to be who’s turn it was to use Princess Peach, while his mom sat in the armchair adjacent to them, staring intently at her tabloid magazine.

“I’m finally home guys!” Kendall yelled out to the four, only to be met with silence. “I said I’m home guys! Who missed me!?” Kendall repeated once again, figuring that they must have been too focused to hear him the first time.

Still no reply. Kendall made his way over to the living room, awkwardly standing there as everyone was oblivious to his appearance.

“Fuck, I guess I’ll bite.” Jennifer thought to herself. Putting down her magazine, she let out a gasp. “Kendall sweetie! I didn’t even hear you walk in, oh my goodness!”

Standing up to give him a hug, she was shocked but happy to see the huge grin plastered on his face. “My my someone’s glowing, and I can sense you have some news to share!”

“I do!” Kendall beamed. “I made a new friend yesterday and he’s literally the COOLEST person ever!”

“That’s great, honey! What’s his name?” Jennifer asked back.

“Dustin. He just moved into the Palmwoods yesterday, and turns out, he’s actually Lucy’s older brother! He’s really down to earth, and I bet you’d all really like him!” Kendall said in the other three’s general direction, who continued to ignore him. “Hey, are you guys playing Mario Kart? PLEASE tell me I get to use Peach! I always get stuck with Luigi and I am SICK of it.”

“NO!” The three of them shouted in unison. As Kendall joined in on their bickering and Jennifer went back to gasping at the Who Wore It Best section, everything in 2J was how it was supposed to be.

Later that night, when dinner was done and everyone was settled in for the night, Jennifer began delivering the fresh piles of laundry to their respective owners. Lightly knocking on her son and Logan’s shared bedroom door, she heard giggling coming from inside. Hearing Kendall call out for her to come in, she walked in on her son laying on his stomach with a landline phone next to him, twirling the cord around with his finger and looking up to the ceiling cheerfully.

“Haha, nooo! You’re thinking of Beethoven’s 2nd! Beethoven’s 3rd is when him and the family go on the road trip in their RV. Duh!”

“Kendall sweetie, do you know where Logan went?” Jennifer asked as she separated the piles of laundry between the two roommates. Luckily, all of Logan’s clothing was hand embroidered with “Hortense” across the tag, so it was easy to distinguish what belonged to who. Plus the fact that Kendall wore a large and Logan wore a 2XL.

“Something about a party? I don’t know, me and Dustin were talking about our favorite Disney Channel original movies so I didn’t pay much attention to him.” Kendall responded, and as Jennifer went back to her folding duties, she heard the blond let out an audible gasp when the other voice on the line mentioned a Zenon girl or something.

“Okay, well try not to stay up too late talking to your new friend, sweetie!”

“Okay mom! Goodnight!” Kendall said, waving goodbye as his mom shut the door behind her. “Ugh! I love her to DEATH, but sometimes she can be SUCH a Nosey Nancy!”

“Aw, I think it’s cute!” Dustin said on the other line, making Kendall smile.

“Yeah, I guess so….” Kendall replied, suddenly letting out a yawn and realizing his eyes felt heavier than usual. “I’m actually getting kinda sleepy over here, but I don’t want to end this conversation!”

“It’s fine.” Dustin said. “We can continue this tomorrow. Besides, I think I’m ready to go to bed too. Goodnight, Kendall!”

“Night!” Kendall said, and as he held the phone to his ear, he heard the other male still on the line. “Okay, I really need to go to bed, so hang up!”

“No way! You hang up first!”

“No, YOU hang up first!!”

“Okay how about this, on the count of three we BOTH hang up!” Dustin said, which Kendall eagerly agreed to.

As Dustin slowly counted to three, a few seconds went by as there was silence on each line. “……..hello?” The pair said in unison, which caused them to go into a giggling fit, and it took them a good twenty minutes before the conversation was finally over.

Three Weeks Later

It was a chilly winter afternoon, but luckily Kendall and Victoria found themselves nice and warm inside the mall this fine Saturday.

It was the beginning of December, and the festivities all around them were sure to bring a smile to any face. Holiday décor was strung throughout the many storefront, nearby sat Santa Claus asking every kid what they wanted for Christmas, and spirits just seemed to be high amongst everyone walking around (apart from the retail workers who hated their jobs, especially during this shitty period of time).

“So shooting starts in a few weeks, and I’ll be leaving for NYC pretty soon!” Victoria excitedly said, craning her neck a bit to see how much further the line extended.

“That is SO awesome! You’re finally getting your own TV show! Again!” Kendall replied, truly feeling genuine happiness for his bestest friend in the whole wide world.

“Thanks. I’ve already done a read through for the first script and it sounds AMAZING. It’s like this mystery-thriller type of genre and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever done before. I’m so excited! Plus it’s going to be airing on this new late time block MTV’s doing, so it’s definitely something a little more mature.” Victoria replied.

“As you should be! I’m picturing you wearing that hacker headset on the show and I’m already kinda screaming!” Kendall said, causing Victoria to lightly chuckle. “There’s literally NO way this will get cancelled after its first season!”

“Right?!”

The two were getting a head start on their Christmas shopping, stopping at Justice for Katie, Gamestop for Carlos, and Bath And Body Works for his mom (and also himself!). Of course, ALL that shopping was bound to work up an appetite, so they had also made a stop at Cinnabon to indulge in some HEAVENLY mini buns. They had to high tail out of there though when Victoria stole a second sample from the platter when the underpaid girl at the counter wasn’t looking, so they kinda BOOKED it from the stall, adrenaline rushing through both of their veins.

In their mad dash to get away, they had actually ran into Logan, who was carrying bags upon bags from Hot Topic, which was certainly a little uncharacteristic from his usual Banana Republic finds. They didn’t have a chance to say hi (seeing as how mall security would be looking for them in the crowd), but Kendall could have sworn that Logan had a small pair of black studs in his ears, too.

As the two currently stood in the same line, the conversation continued.

“So, what are you doing on Monday? I was hoping that maybe you’d help me with a line reading? I’ll even throw in a pint of Skinny Cow!” Victoria said.

“I would, but I already made plans with Dustin to visit the La Brea Tar Pits! He thinks dinosaurs are pretty cool, and I’ve never been.” Kendall replied.

“Aw nuts, well how about Wednesday?” Victoria asked again.

“Yikes, busy that day too... Me and Dustin were actually planning to make this lasagna recipe we saw Giada De Laurentiis had on her show.” Kendall said, causing Victoria to groan.

“Ughhh…. Well what about Friday? Or do you and Dustin have something planned that day too?” Victoria said.

“Actually, I was gonna drop my mom off at her bikini wax appointment.” Kendall responded, Victoria nodding understandingly. “Buuut… Dustin asked me to come over later that night to help him finish Donald Duck: Goin’ Quackers.” Kendall said, noticing Victoria giving him a bit of side eye. “What?! The game is really hard!”

“Uh huh. You and Dustin sure have been spending a lot of time together, practically every day, really.” Victoria said, chiding the blond a bit.

“Well yeah, he’s super cool! And I still want you to meet him!” Kendall said defensively.

“I’d love to!” Victoria said, staring straight ahead. “So, have you told him you have a crush on him yet?”

“DBSHFJKDSBFKSB” Kendall blurted out. “Ummmmmmm, ahaha, you say some pretty wild things sometimes, you know that?!” Kendall mumbled, the candles in his bag clinking together as he shuffled awkwardly.

“Well I love to have fun. But you didn’t deny what I said, it’s totally okay if you like him, Kendall.” Victoria responded, comfortingly putting a hand on this shoulder that he shrugged off.

“Well I’m not gay! I had a girlfriend before, hello! Does Jo ring a bell?” Kendall said, gulping as Victoria gave him a knowing glance. “I also don’t have a problem with gay people either! Dustin’s gay, actually, and I’m okay with it. I’m just straight!”

“You never told me he’s gay! Even better, now I can’t wait to meet him! You know how much I love gay people!” Victoria said, pointing to the rainbow badge on her denim jacket that said ALLY. “And if you’re not gay, then I’m sorry for insinuating that you were.” Victoria added, Kendall giving her a weak smile. “But HYPOTHETICALLY,” Kendall giving her a look, “if you WERE gay, you know I would have absolutely no problem with it. You’re my best friend in the whole world and I love you with my entire heart.”

“Well…. Thanks.” Kendall said, reaching out to give the brunette a firm hug.

“Excuse me, could you guys please hurry up? We have a birthday party event coming up in twenty minutes that we need to prep for, and you guys are holding up the line.” The Build-A-Bear employee said, the duo embarrassed as they apologized as they quickly paid for their purchases and walked out of the store.

After a few more stores, the two parted way, and as Kendall drove home, looking at the Build-A-Bear box in the passenger seat next to him, he had a lot to think about regarding himself and his true feelings. He had knots in his stomach about it, but it also could have been the 12 mini cinnabons he had eaten earlier.

[lotus0kid]

Lacey is the newest dancer at the Parrot Club and has the audacity to question why Danny wears such tight suits/why he always adjusts himself.

OUaT/DF: Anniversary Fic the 10th

 “You can save the fucking begging for God, you worthless prick,”Danny snarls, “Or, better yet, try it on some gullible clot who’ll give you thefucking cash you owe me!”

 The woman known within this building as Lacey lets her eyesdrift up from the page of her book just in time to watch her boss reach downand tug at his crotch.  That’s eight, she notes, making a littletick mark on a post-it note stuck a few pages deeper in the book.

The cringing object of Danny’s ire mumbles, “I’ll get it,Danny, no- no worries, honest...”

 Danny snarls again, but for real this time.  No words, just a beastly noise of barelycontained rage.  Another tug.  Lacey makes a ninth tick mark.  “Fucking Christ above, like I don’t hear thatfifty times a day.  Get out, I don’twanna look at your loser face anymore.”

 The debtor scuttles away and Danny gives his next tug a kindof contemptuous flair as he watches him go.  Lacey makes her tenth tick mark before hespins and stalks toward his desk.  Hesits down and immediately shrugs against the narrow confines of his suitjacket.  Three seconds later hehalf-stands and yanks at his trouser legs. Eight seconds later he gets up and goes to the small minibar in a corner.  Just grabbing a glass forces him tostraighten out a bunched-up sleeve.

 Lacey rolls her eyes hard. “Okay,” she declares, “What is the deal with the suits?”

 Danny startles and spins around, blinking at her like heforgot she was there.  “The fuck are youon about?”

 “You!” Lacey cries, setting her book aside and sitting up inthe ridiculous suspended egg chair.  “Honestly,is this like a BDSM thing?  Danny, forreal, are you being dommed by your own clothing?  If so, I think it’s past time to use the safeword, mate.”

 He gapes at her like she’s grown wings, then scoffs and turnsback to the minibar.  “Shut it, I don’tfucking pay you to talk.”

 Indeed he fucking doesn’t. It’s almost cartoonishly sexist, but Lacey’s not above playing the partof window dressing in Danny’s office for some bonus cash in her paycheque.  For her own peace of mind, shebrings along her thickest books for office duty.  It’s become a bit of a game to turn a pageduring the minute pauses in Danny’s tirades, just to make his latest victimflinch.  “Well, I have concerns,” she states.

 Danny whips around again, revealing a face wrinkled inconfusion.  “Concerns?” he echoes with amocking wag of his head.

 “Yes.  About my jobsecurity.  I won’t be hanging ‘round inyour office if you’re in hospital with testicular torsion.”

 Danny grimaces automatically, even though Lacey doubts heknows the particulars of that tragic health condition.

 “Or a loss of bladder control, or a fungal infection,” shecontinues mercilessly, “Or permanent nerve damage in your pelvis!”

 Danny goes a bit pale, but flicks a dismissive hand at her andsips his drink.  “Fucking worrying overnothing,” he grumbles into the glass, then reaches between his legs.

 Lacey jumps to her feet to exclaim, “You’re obviously notcomfortable!  And that’s eleven!  Eleventimes you pawed at your own crotch in the last hour.  It’s not attractive, Danny, I’ll be honest.”  She lets out a heavy sigh, “I mean, if youactually had a suit that fit...”  Lacey imagines Danny could strike quite a finefigure in a good suit, with his lean body, dark eyes, and sharp smile.  You’d hardly even notice the haircut.  “Just, why? Why do you do this to yourself? Just tell me!”

 He sniffs and crosses his arms with a shrug, which onlycreates a new host of unflattering wrinkles stretching across his jacket.  “You’re looking, aren’t you?”

 “Yeah, and laughing,”Lacey retorts, “Or just feeling so sorry for your poor little testicles.  I can’t imagine how low your sperm count mustbe.”

 Danny’s face darkens, and he storms across the room to jab afinger at her.  “You’re not my fuckingfashion consultant, all right?  Or mydoctor.  So keep your idiotic opinions toyourself.”

 “Well you need both of those things, so I guess it’ll haveto be me!” Lacey shouts back.

 “If you think I’ll take the advice of a fucking stripper,you’re mental.”

 Fury blazes in Lacey. It’s one thing for her to perform downstairs for the sweaty mob, andanother to sit still and look pretty in this office, but she’ll be damnedbefore Danny Devine disrespects her for it. Knowing only that she wants him to feel some part of the humiliation hetried to force on her, Lacey darts behind Danny and goes for his waistband,reaching in to yank his damn pants as high as she can up his ass crack.  However, she doesn’t find any pants.  All she gets are two handfuls of warm, suppleflesh.  And it occurs to her, faintly,that of all the parts of Danny she’s seen, she’s never seen the visible line ofunderwear beneath his ill-fitting trousers.

 “Find something you like?” he inquires, displaying arrogancewhile not quite masking a tremor in his voice.

 Vaguely noticing that Danny’s waistband is cutting off bloodflow to her hands, Lacey rips them free and bolts from the office, stillfeeling the heat of his ass cheeks in her palms.

 She hides in her flat until the absolute last possiblemoment before she’s scheduled to take the stage at the Parrot.  Thankfully, Danny’s not there.  He’s probably chasing down debtors.  Either that or building up a sexualharassment suit against her.  Which shecouldn’t dispute.  Weird guilt squirms inher guts and she curses her impulsivity for almost definitely screwing her outof a job.  She knows damn well she coulddo worse than the Parrot, and many women have. She tries not to let it show on her face when she dances.

 She’s almost begun to think he’s let her off the hook when,while on break nursing a gin and tonic, Alexandra behind the bar picks up thephone and her eyes flick to Lacey and back down.  “Danny says to go to his office,” she says afterhanging up.

 Oh fuck, here we go.  Lacey gulps the last of her drink, summonsher bravery, and heads upstairs.  Goingthrough the door, she spots a man standing at the minibar.  And she almost doesn’t recognize him, untilher brain registers the awful haircut. Danny is clad in a royal blue suit that fits like a second skin, butthis time in a good way.  He turns toher- oh god, it’s even got a matching waistcoat- and throws a nod at the eggchair.  “Go on then,” he says.

 Lacey hurries to take her place, though her eyes stay pinnedon him, teeth sunk into her lower lip. Damn, she thought he might look okay in a nice suit, she didn’t knowhe’d look gorgeous.  The book she abandoned after theirconfrontation remains in the egg chair, but she barely reads a word, too busyfantasizing about peeling that suit off, layer by layer.  She also doesn’t add another tally on the post-it.

 Clients and debtors come and go, but eventually it’s justher and Danny left.  He’s bent over hisaccount book, calculating his new totals.

 Lacey can’t help asking, purely for scientific reasons, “Doyou feel better now?”

 Danny’s mouth twists and he lets out a sigh.  “Yes.”

 “I’m glad.  You-ah...  You look better.  A lot better.”

 His gaze wanders over to her, dark and unreadable.  “Thanks,” he says, then his gaze drops backdown.  However, if Lacey cranes a little,she can see the edge of a smile.

 A smile of her own spreads across her face.  And they stay like that, two idiots grinning ina silent office while a bass beat throbs around them.

#anyelle #develle #fanfiction #once upon a time #dead fish #applejackcat

[mistake-memessenger]

Hey,could you please write a HC about what the RFA+V+Saeran would do for MC'S birthday? I looooove your writing,thanks a lot :)

sorry i took so long!! hope u enjoy!!!! AND TO ANYONE WHO’S BIRTHDAY IT IS (or even isn’t) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Zen

-he makes a Day of it-three bouquets throughout the day-one is straight up just red roses-the other two are a lovely bouquet of seasonal flowers depending on MC’s birth date and a bouquet of MC’s favorite flower(s)-each bouquet has the same amount of flowers, all depending on how old MC is turning!! (though he caps it at 30….. bc he knows what’s good for his health and his wallet haha)-tbh Zen has thought A LOT about this (and all the holidays etc, he’s wanted to do this kind of thing for his SO since before even meeting MC that first time in the chatroom……. like….. remember the Christmas DLC? yeah.. he wants this to be a very special occasion. he literally has fantasized about this)-he takes MC out for breakfast at a local family diner and the staff sings “Happy Birthday”/variant birthday song and it emBARRASSES MC to no end-y this hyun-and they go out for a movie after breakfast, whatever one MC wants to see-the movie theatre is mostly empty and it’s.. really nice…….-Zen and MC wander around town, window shopping (maybe actually shopping), and do food cart foods for lunch!!-he knows where all the best ones are and he’s so excited to show them to MC-it’s so cute he’s so cute!!-next up!!-motorcycle ride!!!!-he rly gets a kick out of MC clinging to him while they ride haha-Zen takes MC to a place with a great view, possibly his spot in the mountains if there’s time-they manage to stop on the way home to watch the sunset-it’s beautiful-selfies r taken and subsequently posted to the chatroom-Zen gets out some light snacks when they finally get home, and sets about making dinner (it’s curry, that’s his best dish)-he planned this whole day out-for MC-and has just…… been v affectionate all day, physically and vocally-he loves them-so, so much-more than he can truly express-and he’s so glad that he gets to spend their birthday with them-even if the day hadn’t gone to plan… he would have been happy just being near MC

Yoosung

-yo listen……. Yoosung throws a party. he invites the RFA..-but like. okay.-it’s not just like….. a party at home-nah-Yoosung springs for a party at a bowling alley with an arcade and open bar-things get drinky-Yoosung gets drinky-he’s been so nervous about this all day he just wants to impress and please MC omg so precious fuck-this boy can’t do shots though-so he’s had like two cocktails in the last 20 minutes he is tipsy-like….. cocktails have a p high alcohol content, my children……. but u can hardly taste it-Yoosung wants to down these like juice, ‘cause that’s what it tastes like “MC just lemme have one more please i promise im not even drunk MC”-“yoosung pls.”-he’s so clingy…. just wants to hold MC forever, even just their hand!!-and if MC isn’t in his immediate vicinity he is hanging off of one of the others (usually Zen)-there is definitely. 4 sure.-drunk bowling-Jumin Han, not nearly as tipsy as anyone else, requires gutter shields-Zen will neeeever let him live that down-Jaehee wins every round she plays-she brought her own bowling ball-after a couple games the group splits up and Yoosung, MC, and Seven go to the arcade, which is on its own floor of the building-there are plans to regroup back downstairs for junk food and cake later-but first.. arcade!!!-Seven heads straight for the racing games-while Yoosung and MC take their time wandering around trying different things while Yoosung is sobering back up-they play giant Connect Four-and a couple crane games-there’s a giant Fruit Ninja (Yoosung gets the new high score)-they get into one of the two player booth games and it’s a horror/suspense game-Yoosung is terrified.. and clingy-MC is maybe not……. as scared.. haha-Seven takes video-there’s a lot of screaming (some of it is Seven actually….)-all three go play skeeball together-they’ve been racking up tickets this whole time-maybe not enough for anything rly fancy like the PS4?????? that’s on display???-but….. Yoosung and MC pool their tickets and manage to get a dragon plushie (it’s beautiful, like opal colors and ice blue horns and shit)-they use the leftover tickets on candy-they name the dragon-it’s their child now-they introduce the dragon plush to everybody back downstairs as such-“This is our child, Iseul, and we love them dearly.”-“they’re scaly and breathe fire, but they’re beautiful and we love them. Our lovely Iseul~”-“I thought we agreed on ice powers??”-“fire is classic, tho!!”-“…….u have a point..”-“oh!! oh!!! both???”-“both!!!”

Jaehee

-they take a couple days off and go to the beach together-the hotel has an indoor pool and hot tub-so there can be swimming and chilling in the water no matter the time of year MC’s birthday is!!-they go out early in the morning at low tide to comb the beach for shells-so many sand dollars!!!-they saw some rly big starfish in the tide pools it was awesome!!!!-since they’re staying in a lil touristy beach town they have breakfast in a local café-one that’s got like lace curtains and all the tables are only big enough for two people-a cutesy cozy place!!-after breakfast MC gets a FaceTime call from Zen and he sings them Happy Birthday what a dork-MC and Jaehee are crying wth y is he so sweet???-Zen is flustered at the crying and promises to do this same thing for Jaehee for her birthday too!!-more crying-Zen is freaking out whY ARE U CRYING PLS DONT IM SORRY IM SOR—-aaaaand he accidentally hung up-cue both MC and Jaehee receiving frantic apology texts from Zen-they don’t reply fast enough??-Zen has already promised VIP tickets to his next show to apologize for making his two biggest fans cry-omg zen calm down they were happy tears-aaanyway MC and Jaehee do a bunch of wandering around the kitschy tourist shops and spots-holding hands and occasionally smooching-they take a bunch of photos and selfies to document the trip-they go to the local seafood restaurant for dinner and take a slice of cake each back to the hotel for dessert-Jaehee and MC enjoy some quiet time in the hotel together, snuggled up on the bed reading separate books-and then they start getting handsy-it’s kind of become a competition-how high up the thigh before u react type of chicken-except they both win bc…… it leads to sexy fun times??-anyway it is a good time!!! at the beach!!!!-HAPPY BIRTHDAY MC

Jumin

-he promises that they’ll do whatever MC wants to do for their birthday (within reason)-they choose an amusement park date-Jumin does some research and ends up flying the two of them to Disneyland-in France-JUMIN HAN WTF-I mean……. they def discussed this trip before it happened but like..-jumin is kind of extra i love him-he wears a suit the first day in Didneylan-MC is not surprised, but also…… “Jumin we’re getting u comfy clothes for this”-he gets-jeans!!-and a couple Disney shirts bc they’re everywhere-he and MC get matching shirts-it’s too cute-Jumin tries to take selfies but they are all blurry af-he keeps them and posts them to the chatroom anyway-MC thinks it’s rly precious and takes much better selfies (but only posts the shitty ones, partly for solidarity but also bc Jumin thinks it’s funny too)-also Jumin calls Yoosung every day bc he is pet- and penthouse-sitting for them-FaceTime with Elizabeth the 3rd-she cries over the phone-she recognizes her humans omg-oh my god Jumin takes MC to a fancy restaurant while they’re both still wearing their Disneyland clothes-they almost get turned away from their own reservation because the place has a dress code-but MC’s partner is Jumin Han-they get in-surrounded by other people all in their fanciest dinner clothes, Jumin Han is wearing a Mickey Mouse ears hat(“a classic! a tradition, even!!” MC had insisted), a shirt with the Aristocats on it, jeans, and sneakers, and MC is dressed p similarly as they eat-it’s beautiful-MC takes photos and videos for the chatroom this is the best goddamn thing Happy Birthday to Me-Jumin is glad that MC is enjoying their birthday trip so much

Seven

-it starts at midnight-tHIS-MOTHERFUCKER-POUNCES ON MC AT MIDNIGHT-“MC!! MC!!! It’s ur birthday!!!!!! Happy birthday!!!”-“I WAS ASLEEP U ASS”-Seven is shoved onto the floor-no mercy-he’s laughing tho-and pouting and whining playfully-“but it’s your birfday and i luv u”-MC leans over the side of the bed to squint at him-“love me in the morning when im a human again”-MC bundles back up in the blankets, they become a blankety burrito-dramatic GASP from Seven-“my SO is an alien” v soft tone, full of wonder-he crawls back into the bed and flops onto and embraces the burrito MC (“ugh, be gentle, Saeyoung omg” “aaaaa sorry sorry I’ll be gentle I promise! im the gentlest boy!!”)-“the love of my life lived among the stars….. in a SPACESHIP!!”-“pls sleep Saeyoung…….”-but he just keeps going and it’s less MC Is An Alien, and more….-“MC did u know? that statistically you r a miracle?”-MC turns their head “…..yeah?”-Seven’s eyes are wide and earnest and his tone has gone from jokingly in awe to genuinely so-“yeah!!” he snuggles up nice n close “like,, even just genetically ,, , you exist because certain events led your parents to each other and if any one little thing had gone differently….. you wouldn’t be here.. and it’s the same for them! Their parents and their parents’ parents!!-"the chances of you being here in this moment are so astronomically low!! but ur here!!! u exist here and now and I–”-he stops for a moment, just.. overwhelmed with his feelings-“and im so glad that you exist, MC”-he sounds out of breath like the thought knocked it out of him-“im so so glad you’re here.. i love you”-he presses his forehead to the space between MC’s neck and shoulder, nose pressed against their skin -his nose might be a lil cold-but his breath is warm-“happy birthday, MC”

Saeran

-he does not want to go out-he’d rather stay in to celebrate-but-okay. three words-ice cream cake-the goal here for Saeran is to get one-to just… experience it-but also for MC’s birthday-there’s a conversation that goes something like:-“MC, can we just stay in? nothin fancy?”-and MC shrugs “sure. that actually sounds p nice……. although…….”-Saeran is suspicious “although what?”-“I kind of want…… ice cream cake?”-and just. he stops-he stops???-“that’s a thing?????”-MC goes for a dramatic look and answer-“that is a thing”-“y didn’t I know about this what the hell yOURE GETTING ICE CREAM CAKE FOR UR BIRTHDAY MC”-and he is on his way OUT THE DOOR-MC shouting after him “U CANT FOOL ME SAERAN!!!! I KNOW U WANT THE CAKE FOR YOU!!!!”-and i mean-he’s not gonna deny it-he is gone for three hours-comes back home with two ice cream cakes bc he couldn’t decide between the funfetti one or the chocolate one-MC is a lil exasperated, but indulgent bc hey ice cream cake for days!!-as long as they moderate themselves-they otherwise stay in and Saeran surprises MC with a lil necklace with a skull charm and a heart charm-Saeran with a shrug about the charms: “the skull is me and heart is you”-“r u sure tho”-“shut up MC”-a blushing Saeran……… what nice gift

V

-they start with a lazy morning in bed-cuddling-sloppy kisses-soft touches and messy hair-intermittently falling back to sleep-eventually they get out of bed and get ready for the rest of the day-breakfast at noon-pancakes and eggs and bacon and sausage and warm flaky biscuits and coffee-after breakfast V presents MC with what appears to be a scrapbook-he kisses the side of their head with a happy little “happy birthday, sweetheart” while handing the gift over-it IS a scrapbook-it’s full of photos starting from MC’s first time working with the RFA on the party, and over the next few years up until this point-it’s……. a journey through their life together-their friendship, their love, their relationships with their friends-there are notes scrawled all over every page in every free space between photos-notes from their friends-little stories giving context to the photos-a few little doodles and well-wishes-it honestly makes MC tear up-it just….. feels so warm

#mystic messenger #mystic messenger headcanons #mm zen #mm jumin #mm yoosung #mm jaehee #hyun ryu #jumin han #saeyoung choi #mm 707 #mm unknown #saeran choi #jaehee kang #mm v #jihyun kim #yoosung kim

[queerofcups]

Title: you were temporary, i can’t bear for you to leave Rating: M Word count: 5124 Summary:  Five times Phil left Dan's bed + one time he didn't.

[read on Ao3]

I.

“Dan!” Zooey says, pulling him into the apartment. “I’m so glad you made it!”

He follows her to the kitchen where most of the people are bunched up, making drinks and talking shit. Its early enough that there aren’t many people he doesn’t recognize, the flat just starting to fill up.

“Howell,” PJ says, waving him over. One of the few people Dan doesn’t recognize is standing next to PJ. He’s looking at Dan mildly, body turned toward PJ. From here Dan can tell that he’s almost the same height as Dan and he’s pale as all get out. He’s really interesting looking, not attractive in any traditional sense, but Dan still has to drag his eyes away to look at PJ.

“Heya, Peej,” Dan says, making his way over. “Hi, PJ’s friend.”

“Dan,” PJ says, “This is Phil. AmazingPhil? He just moved from here from up north.”

“Oh!” Dan says, information clicking in place. “I’ve seen some of your videos. Really cool stuff.”

He’s not lying, he’s watched some of Phil’s longer, interactive videos and wondered why the dude wasn’t working in proper filmmaking. He was obviously skilled. He was also obvious in the way he gives Dan the once over before sticking his hand out.

“Same to you, Danisnotonfire,” he says and PJ wasn’t joking, he’s very Northern. He’s also very into Dan, judging from the blatant once over he gives Dan. Dan brightens a little, intrigued.

“You watch my stuff?”

Phil nods, smiling. “For a long time, yeah. Your skills have grown like crazy.”

“Mine!” Dan says, leaning up against Zooey’s sink. “Mate, the thing you did in your last video with those trippy visual effects?”

Dan isn’t sure when PJ slipped away, doesn’t even notice until he and Phil have been talking for a few minutes, bouncing from their respective video channels to living in London, trading flirty comments and restaurant recommendations alike.

It’s not a surprise to Dan, or anyone at the party with eyes or ears, when he finds himself a few hours later, tucked into a dark corner of the party a little drunk with his tongue half way down Phil’s throat.

Phil’s hands are big and warm, low on Dan’s hips and Dan appreciates not having to crane his neck downward just to kiss him. They kiss for a little while longer, mouths sliding hot and slick together, Dan thinking idly that this might be a little unprofessional.

“Mm,” Dan says when Phil dips his head to gently bite at Dan’s neck. “That- that’s going to escalate things. Should you really be doing this in a room full of your new coworkers, more or less?”

Phil laughs, a little breathless and pulls away just a little, his pinky finger playing with the hem of Dan’s shirt. “Should I be doing this with one of my new coworkers?”

Dan shrugs, pulls his hands out of Phil’s back-pockets. “Seems like we’re making a bit of a scene.” They weren’t really, most everyone here was a bit past wasted and none of them were unfamiliar with Dan finding a dark corner to hook up with someone. Half of them had been that someone at one time or another.

“Should we make a scene somewhere more private?” Phil asks, smiling.

It’s funny, Phil asks as causally and friendly as if he’d just asked Dan for lunch. Dan finds himself smiling back. “Sure. My place? I’m guessing yours isn’t unpacked yet.

Phil nods, grateful. “It’s a maze of boxes. I’d love to go over to yours, though.” *

They manage to keep their hands off each other the whole walk to Dan’s flat and even once they get in the door. It doesn’t get awkward, the way things have when Dan brings people over. He learns that Phil’s a semi-recent transplant from the North, having fought off moving to London as long as he could. He’s been in London for a year, his new apartment for only a month.

“Why haven’t I seen you around?” Dan asks, locking the door behind them.

Phil shrugs. “Bad break up before I moved. All the good energy I had went into making videos. I didn’t really want to like, make friends of anything. I’m luckey Zooey’s persistent. She’s been inviting me to things all year.”

Dan nods. “Lucky for both of us. That’s why I don’t really do relationships. It’d suck to not be able to go out for a year because of one person.”

Dan knows it’s probably an awkward thing to say, but he wants to be sure Phil understands what this is.

Phil smiles, a little sheepish and nods. “Yeah, it did suck. I’m not really interested in doing it again, not for a long while anyway.”

Dan grins and then walks closer, pulling Phil into his arms again. “So this is my apartment, I’ll give you a tour some time, but bedroom?”

Phil laughs, full throated and nods. “Sure thing.”

*

The sex is shockingly good.

Dan know’s sex. He’s had a lot of it, (good, bad and neutral) he knows what he’s into and he knows when he has chemistry with people.

He has a lot of chemistry with Phil.

It’s close to 3am when they both finally collapse on Dan’s bed, breathing hard.

“Holy shit,” Dan says, staring at his ceiling, eyes a little wide. Phil makes a content noise beside him.

“D’you mind if I use your bathroom to clean up?” Phil asks, sitting up.

“Nah,” Dan says, still a little blissed out. He’s certain he’d lost some brain cells from that orgasm. “Mi casa, su casa. Towels are in the closet next to the bathroom, if you want to shower.”

Phil nods and gets up, grabbing his clothes from Dan’s bedroom floor.

Dan’s nearly asleep when he reappears fifteen minutes later.

“I’m heading out,” Phil says, quietly to not disturb Dan too much. Dan yawns and looks at him, nodding and smiling. “Uber’s downstairs.”

“Okay,” Dan says, sitting up. “I’ll see you around?”

“I hope so!” Phil says, waving a little, then walking out. Dan hears the door shut behind him.

He’s nearly asleep a few minutes later when he realizes he still needs to lock the door to his flat. He gets to his feet, grumbling a little. He’s a little sticky with drying come—its getting a little gross—and he still feels remarkably relaxed, still a little buzzed on booze and fantastic sex.

He’s locking the door when he realizes that Phil’s stolen one of the star sticky notes that live on his kitchen counter and scribbled his phone number on it. Dan peels it off and takes it back with him to program Phil into his phone.

II.

are u any good at mario kart, Dan texts a few days later. He’s been working on editing his latest video all day and his eyes are starting to blur from looking at the screen. He doesn’t have any real rules around one night stand, has made a fair number of friends from those sorts of encounters. But he does want to give Phil space, not look like he’s only interested in getting sex from him.

they don’t call me Piranha Plant Philly for nothing, Phil texts back. Dan grins. He likes this guy.

stop being friends with whoever calls u that immediately, Dan says, come over tonight?

i can’t just unfriend my mom like that, dan, Phil says, throwing in a few random emojis. sure. 7?

7, Dan confirms and asks after Phil’s pizza preferences

*

It turns out, Phil is not terrible at Mario Kart but Dan’s a lot better. They’ve been playing for a few hours now and Dan’s won the majority of the rounds, once while also eating a slice of pizza.

“I didn’t come here to be bullied,” Phil says, watching Toad cross the finish line 2nd once again.

“Ohhh poor Phil,” Dan teases. “Coming into my house expecting special treatment.”

Phil laughs. Dan’s learned that he sticks his tongue between his teeth when he laughs sometimes and that he got an affinity for slower cars and switching between Yoshi, Birdo and a Shy Guy.

“You’re a terrible host,” Phil says putting his controller down and turning his body toward Dan. “You should make it up to me.”

Dan scoffs but his controller down, too. “I do all this work to beat you at Mario Kart and I have to have sex? Sex is a lot of work, Phil.”

Phil rolls his eyes but still leans over to kiss Dan, pushing him back against the couch.

Dan watches with interest as Phil gets up and resettles himself between Dan’s spread knees.

“Is this my prize for winning?” Dan can’t help but ask.

Phil shrugs and rubs his hands up and down Dan’s thighs. “That, or maybe I need a break from my ego being obliterated. Whatever makes you feel better, really.”

“Both is good,” Dan says, shifting his hips forward so Phil can pull his jeans down. “Both is good.”

*

At one point, in the middle of a blow job that’s definitely going in Dan’s top 25, he gasps out, “Who even are you?”

Phil pulls off, mouth shiny and wet. He licks his lips and Dan groans. “Piranha Plant Philly. We already talked about this.”

Dan groans and laughs. “No. I refuse to call you that during sex.”

Phil shrugs and dips his head back down. “I’m willing to respect that boundary.”

*

Dan offers to return the favor and Phil waves him off.

“I’ve got to get going, actually.” Phil says, after he’s been to the bathroom to clean up his face. Dan’s still sitting on the couch, feeling languid and boneless in the aftermath of Phil. “I’ve got a date tomorrow and I don’t want to be totally dead on my feet.”

Dan’s stomach jerks a little, which is weird. Maybe the pizza was dodgy? He nods and climbs to his feet, pulling his sweats back on properly. “I’ll owe you one, then, next time?”

Phil raises and eyebrow, smiling. “You already planning our next bootycall, Danisnotonfire?”

Dan laughs out loud. “Is it a booty call if I feed you and destroy you at video games first?”

“Nah,” Phil says, walking to the door. “I’d call that a date actually. But we’re just friends so I guess it’s just hanging out? Hanging out with orgasms?”

“Bringing a new definition to the term play date,” Dan says. “Later, Phil. Have a good date.”

Phil waves at Dan and then he’s gone, Dan locking the door behind him. Dan yawns a little and survey’s the mess of his longue, Mario Kart still on, pizza box and half empty glasses of ribena. He should have made Phil stay and clean up. Next time he’ll have to make sure Phil sleeps over or something so he can’t get out of helping clean up.

III.

“We should do a video together,” Phil says above Dan’s head. He’s leaning against the door to his bedroom, his pants around his ankles. Dan had come over in the name of housewarming/helping Phil finish unpacking, which they’d finally completed. Phil’s hips tasted of sweat when Dan had sucked on the knobby place where his hipbone protruded. A moment before, Phil had been groaning and tugging on Dan’s hair a little, nudging him where he wanted Dan to be.

“I’m pretty sure it’s too soon to be talking sex tapes,” Dan says casually, as if he hadn’t been just about to blow Phil.

“Not like that,” Phil says and looks down at Dan. “We should collab. I haven’t done a collab in ages and I think our audiences already have some overlap.”

“Yeah, sure,” Dan says. He’s eager to get back to blowing Phil, and the idea of a collab has been stirring in the back of his mind anyway.

“Great!” Phil says. “Ok, you can get to it now.”

Dan rolls his eyes but doesn’t say anything else, following Phil’s instructions.

*

“We’re even now,” Dan says, wiping his mouth and sitting back on his heels. Phil’s head is still thrown back against the door, his hand still gripping Dan’s hair.

“Are we keeping score?” Phil asks, looking down at Dan. It’s not a bad position, Dan thinks, looking up at Phil. Phil’s wonderful to look at from any angle, but Dan likes this one a lot, looking up at a content, slightly possessive Phil. He suddenly feels a little nervous and shifts a little so Phil’s hand falls away from his head.

He stands and clears his throat. “No, but I’d be winning if we were. I’ve gotta go, but text me about the collab ideas, yeah? We should definitely do that.”

Phil calls after him but Dan makes a quick retreat, nearly running out of the apartment.

IV.

The problem is that Dan’s got no common sense. Common sense would tell him that he and Phil need to slow down so he can deal with this pesky blooming of feelings. Common sense would tell him to sit down with himself and parse out his affection for Phil as a friend from his appreciation of their, still unfairly good, sex.

Common sense would tell him not to respond when, a few days after the hallway blow job incident, Phil texts him, what do you call it when someone turns you on and then doesn’t go through with anything?

Dan’s got no common sense and texts back blue balls?

Dan’s got no common sense, and opens the next message, which is, of course, a picture message.

Dan’s got no common sense and texts back, come over.

It’s not that late on a Saturday night, but late enough for Phil to have just finished with a date. Dan’s assuming the other person’s not still there if Phil’s texting him. A little jealous part of him hopes the person’s still there.

“You’re so dumb,” Dan whispers to himself and looks around his apartment, wondering if he should clean up. He realizes he’s planning to clean up for Phil and shakes himself. He and Phil have been friends for months now, have seen each other’s places worse than this.

*

Phil shows up forty-five minutes later, eyes bright and a grin playing on his lips.

“Date go well?” Dan asks. They don’t usually talk much about the dates Phil goes on. Dan doesn’t ask and Phil doesn’t offer much more than that they’re rarely with the same person and that he’s just trying to get back into dating.

Phil shrugs, “Date went weird. He was really hot but not very interesting?”

Dan nods and walks to the bedroom, “And not interested in sealing the deal.”

Phil laughs, following him. “Don’t call it that, what are we, teenagers?”

Dan turns and waggles his eyebrows. “We could be. You know my parents aren’t home right now.”

Phil pauses, looks considering. Heat flares up in Dan’s stomach.

“You know I’ve seen the naked dailybooths,” Phil says, considering. “You were pretty. You’ve grown a lot.”

Dan groans and keeps walking. “Those things fucking haunt me. I was a skinny kid during an era that appreciated skinny kids.”

“Noncomforming as can be,” Phil teases and hustles Dan to the bedroom. “Anyway, no teenagers. I just want you.”

Dan stomps down on the fluttering in his stomach that sets off and pulls his shirt off. “One Dan coming up, Mr. Lester.”

*

Phil doesn’t do anything to Dan that hasn’t been done before. Dan’s known a lot of mouths, a lot of hands. He’s touched and been touched by a lot of people. He’s even felt these fluttering feelings before, these spikes of jealousy.

The problem is he doesn’t want Phil to stop. After they have sex, they lay in Dan’s bed, talking about the video they’re planning. Phil’s made noises about leaving three times now and three times Dan’s redirected the conversation.

They aren’t touching. If they were clothed, it could be a platonic scene of two bros chilling on a bed. Except that one of the bros is dying to get his hands on the other. So maybe more like a scene out of some of the porn Dan’s seen.

“Hey,” Phil says, looking up at Dan. “What are you doing tomorrow?”

“Going to Youtube,” Dan thinks. “Might go shopping. Why?”

“Have lunch with me,” Phil says, pressing up on to his forearms. “Let’s show our friendship to the world.”

“Isn’t that what the collab is for,” Dan asks. The butterflies in his stomach are back and seem to have multiplied. “Are you asking me on a date, Phil Lester?”

“No!” Phil says, quickly, flushing. “No. I know that’s not something you’re interested in. I wouldn’t…”

Dan waves a hand. “I get it. I’m a bridge troll that doesn’t deserve a date. Yes, Phil, I’ll have platonic lunch with you.”

Phil looks like he wants to argue but shakes his head and rolls off the bed, yawning. “Besides, I have a date that night. Can’t have three dates in two days, someone might think I’m a bit of a slag.”

Dan scoffs. “Slut-shaming, Phil Lester? I’m appalled.”

Phil pulls on his jeans and looks at Dan, grinning. “Only joking. Everyone already thinks I’m a bit loose. Once, I hooked up with this guy at a work party after talking for like, an hour.”

Dan laughs, delighted. “And how’d that work out for you?”

Phil gives him a soft look, still smiling. “Pretty well, so far, yeah?”

“Yeah,” Dan says, smiling back at him. “It’s going pretty well.”

They have lunch, and it’s perfectly platonic (and Dan gets to make a couple jokes about their sushi being the platonic ideal of lunch). Dan drags Phil to the shops and nearly talks him into buying a see though shirt similar to one Dan owns, and then Phil drags them back to his apartment to play video games.

They’ve discovered that Phil is weirdly good at Smash Bros. and Dan responds to being beat soundly in several rounds with shoving, which turns into wrestling which turns, predictably, into making out.

Dan is sucking a sizeable mark onto Phil’s neck when an alarm on Phil’s phone goes off. He’s preparing to it when Phil groans and pushes at his shoulders a little.

“Dan, c’mon. I gotta get ready for my date.”

Dan sits up, looking at the marks he’s left. Most of them are small, little red bite marks on the side of Phil’s neck. The last one, just at the juncture of his neck and shoulder, is not small at all and there’s no way this date is going to miss that one. Dan wants to pin Phil down and get back to work, wants to tell Phil he doesn’t need to go on more dates, that he should date Dan. That he should stop rolling out of Dan’s bed after they fuck. That he should stay in Dan’s bed, and his life, for as long as he likes.

“Dan?” Phil asks. Dan shrugs and climbs off him, sits back on the couch.

“Go ahead.” Dan says, “Can I borrow your laptop? I wanted to make some edits to our script.”

“Sure,” Phil says and climbs off the floor, heading to the bathroom. “I told the guy I had to be back early to work on the video tonight. Do you wanna just stay here tonight and work on it when I get back?”

Dan thinks about what that’d look like to the guy Phil’s about to go out with. Both of them with marked up necks, Dan sitting in Phil’s apartment like he’s been here a million times. It’s fucked up, but the jealous parts of Dan purr with the idea, the chance for somebody to think that Phil might be his.

“Yeah,” Dan calls down the hall. “I’ll do that.”

*

Phil’s date knocks on the door while Phil is shuffling around his bedroom, so Dan takes it upon himself to answer the door.

The date, (Kieran, Phil had told him over lunch) was fit enough, shorter than Dan but probably more built. Dan wondered if that’s something Phil was into, if he should be thinking about investing in a gym membership.

Kieran gave Dan an uncertain smile and asked, “Phil?”

Dan opens his mouth to answer when Phil answers behind him, “Nope. I’m Phil. That’s my friend Dan. Hi.”

Phil gently pushes Dan out of his way with a hand to his hip and smiles down at Kieran. Kieran looks from Phil to Dan eyebrow raised.

“Friend,” he says skeptically. Dan can see the moment his eyes fall on the mark he’s left on Phil’s neck and he holds his breath a little, waiting for Kieran to respond.

He’s more than a little disappointed when Kieran smiles at Phil, eyes sparkling a little and asks, “Are you ready to go then?”

“I am!” Phil says happily and turns to Dan. “You’re ok here, right?”

Dan nods, plastering a smile on. “Sure am. Just don’t stay out too late, young man.”

He wags a finger at Phil, who laughs. He turns to wave at Kieran just in time to catch a knowing look.

“I’ll have him back at a respectable hour,” Kieran says. Dan’s almost certain he’s making up the pity he sees on Kieran’s face.

And then Phil is gone and he’s alone in Phil’s apartment. Dan leans against the closed door, allowing himself a moment to imagine the date that’s about to happen, imagines Phil coming back and telling him how wonderful Kieran is, imagines Phil asking Dan to be his best man at his wedding to Kieran.

He putters around a little, playing another round of video games before settling down to fine tune the collab script he and Phil are planning to film soon. He grabs a pair of Phil’s headphones and jams them over his ears, clicking through Phil’s library to find something appropriately loud and distracting.

“You’ve done this to yourself,” he murmurs, moving around commas; Phil used way too many. “You fucked it all up with that date bullshit. Should have let him just ask you. But no, we’ve got to be all Danny No-Boyfriend and here we are, just Danny, no boyfriend.”

Suddenly, the headphones are being pulled off and Dan’s shrieking, nearly dropping the computer in his haste to get away from the headphone stealing intruder that’s broken into Phil’s house.

Phil looks at him, mouth turned downward.

“Jesus, Phil,” Dan says, clutching his chest. His hearts beating a mile a minute, partly out of fear, partly out of realization that Phil’s probably heard his little monologue. “What are you doing back? How long have you been there?”

“Kieran sent me back. Said he felt bad about stealing my attention. You said you didn’t do dating,” Phil says.

“I- I did.” Dan stammers. “But that was before I. You. Oh. Fuck.”

Phil crosses his arms. “You should probably go.”

“What?” Dan squawks. “Isn’t this a good thing? People are usually happy when they find out people have a thing for them.”

“You lied to me, Dan.” Phil’s full on frowning now, and he’s taken a step back from the couch, precluding Dan reaching him across the couch. “You let me believe we were just having friendly sex. You should have told me when your feelings changed.”

“I didn’t know what to do,” Dan says, exasperated. “It’s been years since I’ve wanted to date someone. I’ve had sex with friends tons of times, this has never happened before.”

Phil says. “Okay. But I still want you to go. I need some time to be less angry.”

Dan wants to argue, but it’s hurting him to look at Phil right now. They’ve had squabbles before, over the months since they became friends, but he’s never seen Phil this closed off. He’s refusing to look directly at Dan.

“Ok,” Dan says, picking up his stuff. “But this is why I didn’t want to tell you. You’re important to me. Your friendship matters more than some stupid crush I have.”

Dan doesn’t stop to see the look on Phil’s face, just leaves the apartment before he can screw up more than he already has.

+ I.

Phil doesn’t speak to him for a week. Dan hadn’t realized how much he’d been neglecting all his other friends until he can’t spend all his time talking to Phil. He also realizes that everyone else probably figured out he was into Phil long before he did, judging from the looks on his friends’ faces when he tells them what’s going on.

“It was supposed to be buddy fucking,” he whines to PJ, who’s facetimed him just to mock him face to screen. “I didn’t fall in love with you.”

“No,” PJ says lightly. He’s walking somewhere, the city passing by him in flashes. “But you were also an experiment in broadening my sexual horizons, so that would have been tragic for you.”

Dan rolls his eyes. PJ was the most successful of his straight boy experiences, honestly. “Yet somehow I managed to move on from all that sexual prowess of yours.”

“You also weren’t making out with me like, five seconds after we met. You don’t ignore chemistry like that.”

Are you home?

Dan’s heart beats faster at the sight of Phil’s name.

“Dan?” PJ asks when Dan hasn’t responded for a minute.

“He texted me,” Dan says. “Fuck, Peej, he texted me, what do I do?”

“Text back?” PJ says, amused with Dan’s near hysterics. “What does he want? Is he proposing?”

“He wants to know if I’m home.” Dan says, texting Phil back, yeah.

“Oh man, lucky. Make up sex is the best.” PJ says. Dan catches an old woman looking over her shoulder at PJ, scandalized.

“I’m pretty sure he’s coming here to officially friend break up with me, but sure, we’ll go with your theory.” Dan looks down at his gross Sad Sweat Pants and the Jake sweatshirt he’d pilfered from Phil with false promises of returning it one day. “I should go change.”

“Probably, you look gross.” PJ says just as there’s a knock on the door.

“Fuck,” Dan hisses. “He’s here. I have to go.”

“Use plenty of lube!” PJ says cheerfully, like Dan hadn’t been the one to teach him that. Dan hangs up without a response and goes to open the door.

Phil’s eyes track him over, eyebrow raising once he sees the stolen sweatshirt.

“Can I come in?” he asks. He hasn’t asked that since the first or second time Dan invited him over, usually pushes past Dan to get into the flat.

“Yeah!” Dan says, too enthusiastic, and steps out of Phil’s way. “I’m- I’m really glad you texted.”

Phil still looks sort of sad, but not as upset as he’d been the last time they spoke. Dan hopes it means good things.

“I liked you as soon as I met you,” Phil says. Dan had always appreciated how direct Phil was. He appreciates it less now, when its knocking him off all his defenses.

“Ah,” Dan says, squirming. “I really was just fucking at first. Sorry?”

Phil shrugs. “That’s fine. I was up for whatever. That’s not what I’m upset about.”

“You’re upset because I didn’t tell you,” Dan says slowly, repeating Phil from the week before.

“We’re friends, Dan.” Phil says, and Dan suspects he’s riling himself back up. “You’re supposed to trust friends.”

“What was I supposed to say?” Dan asks. “Hey, I know you’re having the time of your life dating half the city, but could you stop that and just date me, even though I’ve turned you down multiple times now?”

“Yes,” Phil says, gesticulating. “That exactly. Minus the minor slut shaming. I’ve hardly dated half the city, and so what if I have.”

Dan shakes his head. “Nothing’s what. I don’t care. What kind of hypocrite would I be to care? I just don’t want you to date them now. I just want you to date me.”

Phil sighs. “I want to date you, too.”

It’s not like Dan hadn’t figured it out. A week without Phil had left him with a lot of time to think, and feel worse and worse about the way he’d been ignoring the hints Phil had been dropping.

“I know,” Dan says. “I’m sorry I ignored that.”

Phil crosses his arms, bites his bottom lip. “You owe me, like, a bunch of dates. Proper ones, not video games and pizza. I’ve got different standards for boyfriends.”

Dan bites at his own lips, fighting a smile. “Phil Lester, are you asking me out?”

“Nope,” Phil says, dropping his arms. He’s a whole different person when he’s relaxed, playful light coming to his eyes. “You’ve got to ask me, Howell.”

“If I ask you out,” Dan says slowly. “Does that mean you’re not going to put out until we go on the date? Is that one of your standards?”

“Hardly,” Phil scoffs. “I put out on first dates all the time. If they’ve earned it.”

“So, would you say this counts as a sort of…pre-date? Do you put out on pre-dates?” Dan stalks closer. Phil watches him, a grin playing at his lips. Soon, they’re pressed against each other, Dan wrapping his arms around Phil.

“I think this falls firmly in the bros with benefits category.” Phil says firmly, but still rests his arms around Dan’s neck, pulling him within kissing range.

“Well,” Dan says. “I’m pretty sure my new boyfriend won’t be allowing me to do that-“

Phil shrugs. “It can be an ongoing conversation.”

“-but I’ll make an exception this time,” Dan continues, tabling discussions of nonmonogamy for later.

Phil kisses him.

*

After, they lie in Dan’s bed, breathing. Dan thinks, idly, that he’s glad his walls are thick. He’s always been loud, but Phil makes him wild with it, makes him more vocal and less concerned with everyone else’s comfort. He’s comfortable now, a little sweaty and the little mouthmarks Phil has left ache so prettily.

Phil sits up and Dan’s gaze snaps over to him.

“No,” Dan says firmly, tugging him back down. “You’re staying here.”

Phil pauses, obviously thinking about his response. “I appreciate the symbolism, but I have to pee. I’ll come back.”

Dan thinks about it for a moment. “How badly do you have to go.”

Phil laughs and pulls away. “We can have the kink negotiation conversation after we finish the monogamy one.”

Dan grins, watching him leave to go to the bathroom.

True to his word, Phil climbs back in bed, shuffling up close to Dan. Dan yawns and arranges Phil until they’re both comfortable and settles in to fall asleep, sure Phil will be there later.

#series: love love love (love love) #phanfic #phanfiction

[trespiratesque]

Day 5

Saturday, 4/15

We had several appointments already scheduled for this day, which dawned drizzly and cold. The very first was with some caracal kittens at the nearby zoo in the Jardin des Plantes. A caracal is a medium wild cat, whose shoulder height measures to about an average human knee. They're reddish tan, with lighter bellies and tall black tufts on their ears. We heard about them pretty much the day we arrived, plus one of the folks at the lab lent Beck her museum card (which all employees receive free and gives them access to all the amenities of the Natural History Museum complex). It would be our second visit to the zoo - we went the last time we were in Paris a few years ago. A selection of animals we saw: red pandas, a yak family, a bunch of different vultures (which are magnificent in person), several kinds of goats, gray cranes, a rhinoceros hornbill, cockatoos (very needy), ostriches, owls, martens, and whatever this important little fellow is.

They have a raccoon enclosure, but there were no "washing-rats" (as translated by yours truly) to be seen in the thin, gray daylight. The primates were diverting, as ever, with orangutans performing some NSFW athletics. And of course, the kittens were marvelously cute, feeding and then rearranging themselves into a sleeping pile. Fortunately, the rain was very light, barely noticeable, so we had no discomfort making our way around the uncrowded zoo. We did have a time limit on our wandering though, and we snagged crepes from a zoo stand on the way out.

Next up was moving to our new place. We'd packed everything up pretty well before we left for the zoo, and after finishing touches, we brought our luggage downstairs to the front hall of the building. I then set off for Gare d'Austerlitz, the nearest train station and taxi source. I hustled to the taxi stand (a 7-10 minute walk) and told the driver in my nervously practiced French: "Hello! I am sorry, I speak French like a cow. I would like to go to rue Buffon, my friend is there with our bags. After, we go to somewhere near Bastille." That got us most of the way there - in the end, the final address was somewhere near the Republique metro instead, but they aren't far apart. Taxis are a whole different ball game in Paris, or at least that's the impression I got from this one. Signs indicating smartphone chargers were available, magazines to read - I think it's more like what Uber's dreams are made of. I believe I even spied bottled water. The car was incredibly clean, the driver was nicely dressed, and even the taxi UI was elegantly integrated into its hardware.

We arrived in a small street, rue Dupetit-Thouars, looking for a door with our number on it. There were a few cafes on the block, and a teensy, triangular open plaza with seating and a ring of flowering trees. Rounding the corner with our bags, a young man on his cellphone waved at us. We introduced ourselves to Jordan, who had been expecting us. He kindly offered to take a bag from me, but I think began to regret the offer around the top of the second flight of stairs. Because this is a classic Paris building with a classic Paris stairwell: cramped, uneven, spiraling stairs with no alternative means of ascent. And we were headed for the fifth floor. I think Beck counted something like 85 stairs from the front door to our door. But there was light at the end of the tunnel, literally - a skylight beckoned us up the final flight, to a short landing with two doors.

Ours was on the left, painted a medium green with a doorbell that didn't work. Jordan opened the door and revealed our new home. The floor was the same hexagon tile as the landings, but in here it was covered in red paint and slanted downward toward the external wall. A small, well-used wooden desk was planted against one white wall, a bricked-off fireplace stood against another, and most of the rest of the walls were punctuated by thrown-open windows. The bedroom featured another window and some built-in cabinets for storage - no space for any furniture other than the bed and a tiny stool/table. The kitchen had a stainless steel countertop, a diminutive refrigerator, and a few cabinets. A tacky fabric printed with images and names of Paris landmarks hung in swathes from ceiling rails all over the place. I made sure the taps worked, and Jordan tried to help us figure out the laundry machine.

Not a washer or dryer, but a washer AND dryer in one. (I'm writing this a full 48 hours later and only now have we begun to understand this mysterious creature.) Laundry was one of the first tasks we undertook after signing papers and saying our farewell to Jordan - it was comforting to know we would be able to wash clothes on our own schedule again. I began to organize the kitchen to my liking and take a tool inventory, while Beck made the bed and unpacked his things. He found that the bottom desk drawer swings out and contains slots for files, which happen to perfectly fit all the board games we brought. The shower is very small, and the bathroom also contains an enigmatic device that may be a heater, or possibly a towel rack? We decided to just pretend it didn't exist rather than risk burning down the building.

After putting together an initial shopping list and taking a moment to revel in our new independence, we set out for the day's next appointment: going to visit the apartment we hoped to move to in nid-May. I'd been corresponding with a Frenchwoman named Linda. We walked there, about 25 minutes' walk, planning to take the Metro back, and arrived about 15 minutes early after stopping for a snack along the way. Beck had the best quiche he'd ever eaten, and I had a ham & cheese croissant. The ham and croissant parts were good, but there was a very soft, almost liquidy cheese hiding inside that I wasn't expecting, which wasn't quite to my taste.  We also picked up a baguette for later.

This building was also very much of a style with what you imagine a residential Parisian building to look like - pastel yellow, tall windows, steep-pitched slate roof with a flat top, 4 or 5 stories tall. It was just a block or two from the Seine on the Left Bank. Linda was there with her boyfriend, cleaning after the previous tenant had left, and let us in through a foyer, up a mercifully short flight of stairs. I knew I was going to like this apartment from the pictures, but in person I absolutely fell in love with it. Airy, clean, spacious, and it had an oven! There was even a bathtub. Linda was totally charming, and Beck and I were falling over ourselves to compliment the place. She said she had others coming to look at it, but she would try to make a decision by the end of the long weekend. (I still haven't heard anything, so answers hopefully to come soon! We are definitely still obssessed with that place.)

We took the Metro home, and stepped into a protest at our stop. I couldn't tell what the aim or purpose was, but I did see some Palestinian flags, and signs calling for justice for someone, not sure who. We hadn't used this Metro before, so it took some time to find our way to our new home, but our other task was grocery shopping anyway so we found somewhere to do that. Monoprix is sort of like a small-scale Target, with heavier emphasis on fresh foods and less on appliances and electronics. This was the Saturday before Easter, and the store was completely packed - not exactly Food Shopping for Dummies, but we got a few essentials to tide us over. It's incredible how overwhelming a shop full of 95% unfamiliar items can be, and we were lucky to have gone grocery shopping in Croatia so many times before since that at least got us knowledge of what lactose-free milk might look like. Walking out with TP, cheese, milk, a couple of veggies, and a couple of snacks felt like a victory.

When we got home, Beck took another look at the still-running laundry machine and made some lentils and green beans for dinner. This place only has two hobs and a microwave, so we're going to do our best as far as cooking. It came out really good. And Beck also gave his folks a call on Skype so they could see the place (I have never managed to get my parents set up with Skype, alas - maybe someone local can help them). It was nice to hear from them (and I'm not just saying that because I know they read this blog).

Sorry for the super long post, but I do have one other thing to mention - I have had a hard time figuring out how to balance the joy and excitement I'm feeling about this adventure with the mountain of awful things happening in and performed by the USA and its military. It feels so tasteless, tone-deaf, to be publicly exuberant about choosing to live overseas when Syrians and Afghanis are living in fear, unable to escape violence done in my name. I am actively looking for ways to be supportive of radical and progressive causes and actions back home while I'm abroad, so if anyone reading this has ideas, please do share them. Anyway, if I seem to be holding back pictures and facebook posts, this is why. I know it's important to also celebrate the good things in life and share our joyful moments, but at the moment it can feel inappropriate. What can help me with this is having direct requests made - for example, a friend who lives in Japan posted on my wall demanding pictures, and that was the push I needed to make my first uploads. I hope everyone back home is staying safe and taking steps appropriate to their own lives to join the struggle against utter bullshit.

#paris #caracal #zoo #travel #food #birb #floof

[miamibeerscene]

12 Breweries in Historic Buildings: Reviving and Restoring the Past

Church Brew Works was once a catholic church. (Credit: Church Brew Works)

April 10, 2017

It seems like new craft breweries are opening up every week, popping up in storefronts, strip malls and even industrial areas.

From shuttered funeral homes and long-closed monasteries, brewers are finding homes that not only promote tradition but in many cases drive the renovation and revitalization of old neighborhoods and abandoned buildings.

The following are a few examples of places where breweries have taken the old and made them, well, brew.

(MORE: BA’s Top 50 Craft Brewers)

Argus Brewing | Chicago

Argus Brewery set up shop in the Pullman community of south Chicago. When built in the 1880s, Pullman was one of the nation’s first planned industrial communities.

It was home to the Pullman Palace Car Company workers who manufactured luxurious railway cars. Considered a utopian community, it had some strict rules for its inhabitants. For instance, it was illegal to drink beer out of the bucket on the sidewalks.

The Argus Brewery is in the former Joseph E. Schlitz Distribution Stables, where beer was distributed by horse-drawn wagons and sold in lard-lined buckets. The lard sealed the bucket, insulated the beer and kept the foam down.

Argus Brewery is in the Pullman community of south Chicago. (Credit: Argus)

According to brewery historian Nick Lebovich, Argus owners originally thought it was a Chicago firehouse because of the two terra cotta horse heads adorning the front of the building. It wasn’t until the owners decided to build a brewery did they discover its brewery-related past.

Argus is a production and distribution brewery not open to the public except for tours on Saturdays.

(MORE: My Lucky Break Getting a Job in Beer)

Bank Brewing is housed in two 100-year-old buildings. (Credit: Bank Brewing)

Bank Brewing Co. | Hendricks, MN

Bank Brewing occupies not only one but two historic 100-year-old buildings in this rural Minnesota town. The taproom is in an old bank building that closed in the 1930s. The site had also been both a cafe and a hunting lodge before being purchased by Jason Markkula, who had visited the lodge on a hunting trip.

Markkula added the craft beer taproom and, in 2014, he purchased the old Farmer’s Creamery on the opposite corner of the block and built a brewery.

He makes an annual 14-hour trip to Ripley, Wyoming, to pick up used whiskey barrels from Wyoming Whiskey Co. for barrel aging the Recession Series: Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, Default and Overdraft. Brewer Richard Drawdy has brought a new lineup of beers to the brewery, including Black IPA, Berliner Weisse and Pale Wheat.

Beer’d Brewing started as the American Velvet Mill. (Credit: Beer’d Brewing)

Beer’d Brewing Co. – Stonington, CT

Starting out as the American Velvet Mill in 1888 and repurposed as an artisan community in the 1990s, this old building had the utilities and space to become a brewery.

“The price was right too,” says owner and brewer Aaren Simoncini. “Dealing with old buildings can be extremely interesting and sometimes very frustrating. The customers love it because it’s such a unique building, and there are other things to see rather than some blank-slate industrial park.”

The building’s naturally soft water is augmented to be perfect for any beer style they want to brew. What do they brew? “We like to brew the beer we like to drink,” Aaren says.

Beer’d Brewing Co. started in 2012, and all 100 barrels brewed are sold directly across the bar in its tasting room.

(MORE: 10 Beer Festivals for 2017)

Breaker Brewing is in an old monastery. (Credit: Breaker Brewing/Facebook)

Breaker Brewing Co. | Wilkes-Barre, PA

The Breaker Brewing Company first began brewing and selling commercially in 2009 and quickly outgrew its space and three-barrel brewing system.

In 2011, owners Chris Miller and Mark Lehman purchased the former St. Joseph’s Monastery and School, which also included a convent where the nuns who taught in the school resided.

In April 2013, BBC opened the doors of the old schoolhouse with a tap and tasting room for growler fills. About a year later they got their brewpub license for pint and food sales.

The name of the brewery pays homage to the coal mining past of the area and the building is filled with a collection of coal mining photos and memorabilia.

“The customers come and don’t want to leave,” according to baker June Miller, who also happens to be Chris’s mother.

And, speaking of baking, the popular Lunch Pale Ale is used in all the fresh-made bread and pretzels. BBC is currently renovating the church to make room for a 10 barrel brew house.

Brewery Vivant | Grand Rapids, MI

Brewery Vivant, which was built inside a refurbished historic 1915 funeral home, is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certified commercial microbrewery in the world. Its name gives a wink and a nod to the site — “vivant” is French for “alive.”

Historic preservation guidelines dictate that the building has to retain its original look, so it’s fortunate that the facade extends above the roofline, hiding the modern solar panels.

Brewery Vivant is in a refurbished funeral home. (Credit: Brewery Vivant)

Brewery Vivant is devoted to the tradition and artistic approach of the Belgian & French Farmhouse styles of brews, and the pub is reminiscent of an Old World monastery where monks made Belgian beer.

The taproom and restaurant are where the funeral home’s chapel was, and the brewery is in the area where the home kept the horse-drawn hearses. The original wood beams and light fixtures were restored and provide the European ambiance the customers enjoy.

(MORE: Beer Styles for Beginners)

City Lights Brewing Co. – Milwaukee

City Lights Brewing Co. is the former home to the Milwaukee Gas Light Company Coal Gasification Plant. (Credit: City Lights)

The newest brewery of the bunch, City Lights opened its doors in February 2017. And its unique features make it a perfect addition to this list.

The brewery’s building was constructed in 1902 as the Milwaukee Gas Light Company Coal Gasification Plant. The interior walls are adorned with glazed brick from the Tiffany Glass Co., and there is a 20-ton industrial overhead crane in the building manufactured in 1899. The crane still works and was used to set some of the brewery equipment. Customers in the tasting room have a clear view of the production floor and can watch the beer being brewed.

City Lights has a prime location on the Menomonee River, and a dock is planned for boat access from the river and Lake Michigan. The building is five minutes from the Miller Park stadium and will provide shuttle service to Brewers’ games.

Brewer and co-founder, Jimmy Gohsman says, “We didn’t just build a brewery, we built a community.” His philosophy is balance, quality, consistency and just strange enough.

(MORE: 8 Women in Craft Beer Who are Making a Mark Right Now)

Firehouse Brewing Co. in Rapid City is on the National Historic Register. (Credit: Firehouse Brewing Co.)

Firehouse Brewing Co. | Rapid City, SD

Known around Rapid City as the Firehouse, this building is a one-of-a-kind landmark and is listed on the National Historic Register.

The city’s fire department was formally organized in 1907, and this fire hall was built in 1915. The fire trucks were housed downstairs, and the firefighters slid down a smooth brass pole when a call came in.

Firehouse Brewing opened in 1991 as South Dakota’s first brewpub and still has the iconic fire pole. The bar features authentic firefighting memorabilia from the days of the first fire brigades.

The brewery has three floors and the brew house is all gravity fed — there is no elevator, only a dumbwaiter. Brewers have to carry 50-pound bags of grain up two floors to the mill.

Brewer Mike Gilroy truly believes “more is better” as Firehouse brews a wide variety of styles.

Jailhouse Brewing Co. was once a city jail and a fire station. (Credit: Jailhouse Brewing)

Jailhouse Brewing Co. | Hampton, GA

This building was built in the early 1900s and was used as a city jail, fire station and municipal works building.

“We weren’t aware of its history when we bought the building,” says co-owner, Glenn Golden. “We were happy to learn of its past and immediately connected it to our brand. I loved the building’s curb appeal and the idea of making it into a brewery. I guess it was fate that it was an old jail,” he says.

People come from all over the country to visit the old lockup. This 100 percent independently owned and operated brewery was one of the first packaging breweries in Georgia. Its goal is to make “fantastic beer that can be enjoyed with pride.”

Jailhouse Brewing Co. claims there is a ghost, Old John, living in the building. A friendly spirit, he may have spent a night or two in the jail for public drinking.

(MORE: 9 Weird Brewery Names and the Stories Behind Them)

Kellys Brew Pub | Albuquerque, NM

Once one of the first station stops in Albuquerque for westbound travelers on the legendary Route 66, the Jones Motor Company Ford dealership and Texaco gas station was built in 1939. Now it’s a destination brewery with one of the largest patios in town and seating for 800. Kellys was originally next door and began life as a brew-on-premise and continues the offering for amateur brewers.

When it came time to expand the brewery, the old gas station, designated as a historic building in 1993, became available. Because of the designation, Kellys was prohibited from changing the facade of the building and had to keep the mid-century modern style. The original Texaco sign was converted into the logo for the brewery, which sports relics from old gas pumps to historic images and signage.

Brewer Dan Cavin says Kellys’ brewing philosophy is “Keep It Simple Stupid.” The brewery’s most popular beer is the House IPA.

Church Brew Works | Pittsburgh

Church Brew Works was once a catholic church. (Credit: Church Brew Works)

This beautiful brewery began life in 1902 as St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. In 1993, the bishop of Pittsburgh closed the church, and the cathedral sat unoccupied until 1996 when work began on the brewery.

Church Brew Works owner Sean Casey was looking for an extraordinary venue for his brewery and he certainly found it here. This heavenly space showcases the original hand painted ceiling mural and stained glass windows, each sponsored by a local family at the time and still bear the family names. The benches are made from the original church pews. The brew house, with its gleaming steel and copper tanks, makes a breathtaking sight with the celestial blue backdrop of the altar where it sits.

Brewer Dan Yarnall says their brewing philosophy is to “straddle the line between classic styles and experimental styles.”

Church’s most popular brew is the GABF award-winning Pious Monk Dunkel, a rich, ruby-red Munich lager.

Wedge Brewing Co. | Asheville, NC

Wedge Studios was once a railroad warehouse and stockyard. The 100-year-old three-story triangular building was purchased by artist John Payne, renowned for his animatronic Kinetosaurs. Payne turned it into studios for local artists. Today it houses more than 20 studios and anchors the Asheville’s River Arts District.

Wedge Brewing was once a railroad warehouse. (Credit: Wedge Brewing)

Wedge Brewing Company opened in 2008 on the dock level of the complex. General manager Shelton Steele describes the diverse community of professionals, students and artists as both eclectic and eccentric. The brewery is not distributed — “brewed at the wedge and sold at the wedge.”

With the growth of the arts district, Wedge Brewing has opened a second location about a mile away in a historic leather tannery built in 1898. The brewery uses both a 10 barrel and a seven-barrel system to brew a variety of styles and many experimental beers and ciders.

The brewery’s philosophy of “each beer given the time it needs” is exemplified by the more than 60 days of lagering for their pilsener.

Willimantic Brewing Co. | Willimantic, CT

Willimantic Brewing was first a U.S. post office. (Credit: Willimantic Brewing)

This magnificent granite and limestone building with marble floors was constructed as a U.S. post office in 1909. The government closed the building in 1967 and it remained vacant for 30 years. Then, in 1997, Main Street Cafe and Craft Beer Bar moved in and Willibrew, as the locals affectionately call Willimantic Brewing, was delivered.

Willibrew is the first and, so far, only brewpub in town and is the second oldest in Connecticut. It provided an introduction to craft beer in the area and now boasts more than 40 taps with 10 dedicated to house brews and a wide assortment of experimental brews and guest taps.

As with many breweries in old buildings, Willibrew sparked a revitalization of the old downtown area. Brewer David Wollner says his current trend is to scale back some of the more high ABV beers to make them more sessionable, and the new beers are getting more attention than the past award winners.

Robert ArchibaldAuthor Website

Robert Archibald, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a freelance journalist and has been homebrewing for over 20 years. Besides beer and brewing, his passions include gardening and travel. He worked at a craft brewery for several years where they used his homebrew recipe for their Christmas Ale. Follow 100 Bottles of Beer, his homebrew blog, at Colorado Home Brew Guru. Read more by this author

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